What is your hairstylist really saying? Words used in the hair industry that clients may not know.

I have run into a lot of clients that are uneducated, by no fault of their own, on services and general verbiage used in the salon. Clients will sit in my chair and ask “What is Balayage?” “What are Babylights?” Sometimes clients will sit in my chair and tell me they want one thing, and mean something completely different. Not being on the same page with your stylist can be aggravating for both of you, and an expensive mistake.

In this blog post, I will be explaining the most common words used in a salon. Hair is complex, and so are some of the words and phrases. In order to give you the most accurate information, I am going to provide and in-salon definition. I hope this can help strengthen communication skills between you and your stylist.

• Consultation– A proper consultation will be a fifteen to thirty minute discussion with your hairstylist about your hair’s future. Here is where hairstylists should be asking about how much or little to cut, what color you want and so fourth.

• Layers– This is a hair cutting technique used to create volume and flow to the hair. In order to customize your layers, speak with your stylist directly about which layers would be more apropriate for you.

• Trim– This means as little as possible when cutting hair. Its best if you try to be as specific as possible when discussing how much to trim; I’ve found using your fingers to show how much you want is easiest way to do this.

• Triangular Bob– This is a one length bob which is shorter in the back, and longer in the front. This bob, and the graduated bob, are two completely different haircuts.

• Graduated Triangular Bob– Often times referred to as the wedge haircut, or the mushroom haircut, this cut is designed to make your hair shorter with more volume in the back, and longer in the front. This haircut is layered dramatically, and will be somewhat difficult to grow out.

• Face framing– The part of the hair cut that makes the front “fringe pieces” slightly shorter, and angled down to meet the original length in the back. This opens up the face so your long hair isn’t hiding you. In my opinion, every woman with longer than chin length hair should have this done.

• Thinning– If you want a service called “thinning”, it means various techniques which will make your hair feel lighter. Ideally, a hairstylist should try doing this with layers first, but if extra thinning is required, or you do not want layers, a hairstylist can use their sheers to cut weight out of your hair without compromising the haircut.

• Skin fade/Bald fade- A haircut in which the hair starts from no hair whatsoever on the bottom, and gradually fades upward to the top.

• Pompadour– This is a short haircut, with either faded or short scissor cut hair on the sides, and a considerable “swoosh” of hair on the top. It can be styled Elvis-like, in a Justin Bieber-like style, or combed straight back. This can be a disconnected hair cut or a connected cut.

• Disconnected hair cut– A hair cut which looks cohesive, but the top and bottom are treated like separate hair cuts.

• Porosity– This is a term you are unlikely to hear unless a service cannot or should not be preformed. With regards to hair, if you have high porosity, your hair has been damaged enough that your color will have a half life in terms of vibrancy and tone retention.

• Damaged hair- If your stylist mentions your hair being damaged, your only option is to cut it off.

• Color Correction– This definition is ambiguous, and I would confer with your particular stylist if you decide to have this service preformed. My definition is any hair I have to strip previous color from, or hair I spend an excessive amount of time on. This is an expensive and time consuming service so your patience, and understanding will go a long way with your stylist. If you are their only client for that day they will need to charge you accordingly. This will also be a separate blog post.

• Balayage– This is a broad term used to define hand-painted highlights. This can range from thick, bold pieces to thinner, natural highlights, to a grown out ombre effect. This is also a specialized color service that will take time, and cost more.

• Babylights– This is newer terminology, and refers to extremely subtle highlights.

• Platinum card– This service is yet another specialized and time consuming project in which your stylist will lighten your whole head using foils for a more controlled, and natural look.

I will be updating this list as time goes on. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to my Facebook page.