MomSkoop
Ever wonder what really goes through your hairdresser’s mind while they’re styling your locks? Stylists work hard to make every client look and feel amazing, but some habits can make their job trickier than it needs to be.
From wardrobe choices to communication slip-ups, these twelve behaviors might be getting in the way of your perfect haircut. Learning what bothers your stylist can help you become their favorite client and walk out with even better results every time.
1. Choosing the Wrong Shirt for Color Appointments
High-necked clothing creates a real problem during hair coloring sessions.
When your stylist needs to apply dye near your hairline and neck, turtlenecks get in the way and can easily get stained with permanent color.
Nobody wants their favorite sweater ruined by bleach splatters or bright red dye marks that won’t wash out.
Your colorist has to work around the fabric, making it harder to do a thorough job.
This can lead to uneven coverage or missed spots near your neck.
Instead, wear a button-down shirt or bring a change of clothes.
Most salons provide capes, but they can’t always protect high collars completely.
Making this simple wardrobe adjustment shows respect for both your stylist’s work and your own clothing.
2. Arriving Late to Your Scheduled Time
Punctuality matters more at salons than you might think.
Stylists book appointments back-to-back throughout their day, carefully planning time for each client’s specific needs.
When you arrive fifteen minutes late, it throws off the entire schedule and affects everyone waiting after you.
Your hairdresser might have to rush through your service or cut it short to stay on track.
This means you won’t get the attention and care you deserve for the money you’re spending.
Other clients get delayed too, creating a domino effect of frustration.
If traffic or emergencies happen, a quick phone call can help your stylist adjust.
Showing up on time demonstrates that you value their expertise and other people’s time as well.
3. Hiding Your Hair History from Your Colorist
Complete honesty about your hair’s past can literally save it from disaster.
Chemical treatments react differently depending on what’s already been done to your strands.
If you’ve used box dye, henna, or relaxers recently but don’t mention it, your stylist might apply something that causes serious damage.
Hair can actually break off or turn strange colors when incompatible chemicals mix together.
Virgin hair and previously treated hair need totally different approaches and processing times.
Your colorist isn’t judging your DIY attempts—they just need accurate information to protect your hair.
Even treatments from months ago can still affect how new color takes.
Being upfront ensures you’ll leave with healthy, gorgeous hair instead of an expensive emergency repair situation.
4. Requesting Wet Cuts for Curly Hair
Did you know that cutting curls while wet can lead to disappointing results?
Curly hair behaves completely differently when it’s soaking wet versus when it’s dry and styled naturally.
Water weighs down the curls and stretches them out, making them appear much longer than they actually are.
When your stylist cuts wet curls and then you dry your hair, it can spring up several inches shorter than expected.
The shape and bounce of each curl becomes visible only when hair is dry.
Experienced curl specialists prefer cutting dry so they can see exactly how each ringlet falls and where volume appears.
This technique, called a dry cut, creates better shape and avoids unwanted surprises.
Trust your stylist’s method for the best curly haircut possible.
5. Expecting Miracle Transformations Overnight
Pinterest pictures and celebrity photos don’t always translate to real life in one appointment.
Going from jet black to platinum blonde safely takes multiple sessions to avoid frying your hair completely.
Your stylist knows what’s actually possible based on your current hair condition, texture, and color history.
Unrealistic goals create disappointment for everyone involved, even when the stylist does excellent work.
Sometimes achieving your dream look requires patience and several visits to maintain hair health.
Photos you bring in might show extensions, professional lighting, or heavy editing that can’t be recreated on regular hair.
Having an honest conversation about timeline and expectations leads to much better satisfaction.
Your hairdresser wants you to love your look while keeping your hair strong and beautiful.
6. Bringing Extreme Emotions to Your Appointment
Salons should be relaxing spaces, but sometimes clients arrive already upset or angry.
Maybe you had a terrible day at work or just went through a breakup, but taking out frustration on your stylist makes everyone uncomfortable.
They’re there to help you look great, not to serve as an emotional punching bag.
When you’re in a raging mood, it’s nearly impossible to communicate clearly about what you actually want done.
Important decisions about your appearance shouldn’t be made when you’re too emotional to think straight.
Stylists work better when the atmosphere stays calm and positive for both of you.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider rescheduling for a day when you can enjoy the pampering experience.
Your hair deserves thoughtful choices, not impulsive anger-driven changes.
7. Lifting Your Head During the Shampoo
That shampoo bowl is designed to support your neck for a reason.
When you lift your head while your stylist is washing your hair, water runs everywhere—down your face, onto your clothes, and all over the floor.
The bowl’s shape is specifically made to keep everything contained when you stay still.
Your stylist has to stop what they’re doing to reposition you and clean up the mess.
This interrupts the relaxing scalp massage and efficient washing process they’ve perfected.
Some people lift their heads because they feel awkward or want to help somehow.
Actually, staying relaxed and letting your neck rest in the bowl helps your stylist work faster and more comfortably.
Just close your eyes, breathe deeply, and enjoy being pampered without trying to assist.
8. Trying to Chat During Blow Drying
Blow dryers are seriously loud—like standing next to a vacuum cleaner loud.
Your stylist genuinely cannot hear what you’re saying over the roaring sound of the dryer motor.
They might smile and nod, but they’re probably catching only every fifth word you speak.
Attempting full conversations during this stage just creates awkward moments where neither person understands the other.
Some clients get offended thinking their stylist is ignoring them, when really it’s just impossible to hear.
Save your stories and questions for quieter moments during the appointment.
Your hairdresser would love to chat when they can actually listen and respond properly.
The blow drying portion is better spent relaxing and watching your style take shape in the mirror instead of shouting over machinery.
9. Moving Your Head Without Permission
Precision cutting requires your head to stay in exactly the position your stylist places it.
When you turn to look at something or shift your head to get comfortable, you’re changing the angle of the cut.
Even small movements can result in uneven layers or a lopsided finished look.
Your stylist positions your head specifically to see the hair from the right perspective and make accurate cuts.
They’ve trained for years to understand how head position affects the final style.
If your neck gets tired or uncomfortable, just ask for a quick break instead of adjusting on your own.
Your hairdresser will happily pause so you can stretch.
Staying still until they tell you to move ensures you’ll get the symmetrical, polished haircut you came for and paid good money to receive.
10. Misjudging How Much Length to Remove
Six inches looks very different in your imagination than it does on an actual ruler.
Many clients gesture vaguely with their fingers to show how much hair they want cut, but their estimate is often wildly inaccurate.
What you think is two inches might actually be four, leading to serious haircut regret.
Stylists often grab a ruler or measuring tape to show you the real distance before cutting.
This prevents the shock and tears that come from removing more than you intended.
Hair grows slowly, so a mistake in measurement means months of waiting for it to grow back.
Taking a moment to verify the actual length saves everyone from a disappointing outcome.
Your stylist isn’t doubting you—they’re just making absolutely sure you both understand exactly what’s about to happen to your hair.
11. Changing Your Sitting Position Mid-Haircut
Believe it or not, crossing your legs can actually affect your haircut’s outcome.
When you shift how you’re sitting, your shoulders and spine move too, changing your body’s symmetry.
Your stylist cuts based on how you’re positioned in that moment.
If you cross your legs halfway through, one shoulder might become higher than the other.
This can make a perfectly even cut look crooked when you stand up and return to your normal posture.
Slouching, leaning, or switching leg positions all create similar problems with balance and alignment.
Your hairdresser is cutting your hair in relation to your body’s position.
Find a comfortable sitting position at the start and maintain it throughout the entire haircut for the most balanced, professional-looking results possible every single time.
12. Wearing Hoodies to Your Hair Appointment
Hoodies rank among the worst clothing choices for salon visits.
The thick fabric bunches up awkwardly under salon capes, creating uncomfortable lumps and uneven surfaces.
Your stylist needs smooth access to your neck and shoulders to cut and style properly.
That bulky hood in back makes it nearly impossible to see and cut the hair at your neckline evenly.
Plus, hair clippings get trapped inside the hood and down your back, creating an itchy mess.
Removing a hoodie after your hair is styled can mess up your fresh blowout or create static electricity that ruins the look.
Opt for a simple t-shirt or button-down instead.
Your stylist will appreciate the easier access, and you’ll avoid walking out with hair stuck all over your clothing and skin uncomfortably.