When you go to a new salon or hairdresser to get your hair cut, styled or colored, there are a few things you can do to make your visit less “hair-raising,” and here’s how:

• Know Your Hair - Understand your hair’s texture and behavior. Is it curly, frizzy and goes absolutely wild during the winter? Is it thin, wispy and always lies flat? Have you dyed it by yourself? These are helpful in finding the perfect cut for you.
• Ask For Suggestions - If you have curly hair and you know someone else who has curly hair, ask them for haircut, hairdresser and product opinions.
• Set Up A Consultation - If you need your hair cut or styled, schedule a consultation first. Usually, salons will give these to you before cutting your hair to go over your hair’s behavior and possible treatments.
• Make Sure You And The Hairdresser Are On The Same Wave - You may want long, luxurious curls, and she may think that you want something short and sassy. Make sure she understands what you want before she puts the scissors to your head, so you’re both happy with the results. And make sure you listen to her as well - certain style may not jive with your facial shape or hair type. If you don’t like the results, ask her to fix them.
• Bring In Pictures - If you have a picture of what you’d like done to your hair, bring it to the salon with you. Pictures sometimes speak louder than words.
• Consider Your Lifestyle - Don’t get a cut that you’ll have to blow dry and style each morning if you only have 10 minutes to get out the door. Likewise, you may love red hair, but it has to be touched up often. Do you have the money and time for retouching?
• Ask Step By Step - As your hairdresser styles your hair, ask her to explain what she’s doing step by step, including products and tools she’s using.
• Don’t Feel Pressured - If the hairdresser tries to sell you the products she used in your hair, don’t feel pressured to buy them. You can usually find them cheaper at a drug store or beauty supply store.
• Make Sure You Upkeep Your Hair - If you get your hair highlighted, colored or cut, make sure you go in for regular upkeep to make sure your hair looks its best. If this is difficult, get a cut or color that doesn’t take much upkeep.
• Tip Appropriately - Make sure to appropriately tip everyone who worked on your hair. Shampooists usually get $2 to $3 per shampoo, and hairdressers 15 to 20 percent of the total bill. Always feel free to tip more if the service was exemplary.

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