I’ve been visiting hair salons for years, but I still don’t communicate well with the person who cuts my hair. It doesn’t matter if he or she is called a hairdresser, a stylist, or just a plain old barber. And it doesn’t matter how long I go to the same person. We don’t talk the same language.
For instance, I’ve learned the word “cut’ shouldn’t be used as a generic term for anything related to hair and scissors. It has a very specific meaning. When you say “cut” to hairdressers, this is tantamount to giving them complete license to remove almost every strand of hair from your head. If you had something else in mind, then you should use words like “trim,” “just shape it up,” or “clean up the split ends.” You can even try the ruler approach, as in “Just trim an inch off the bottom.” But never say “an inch or so . . .” because “or so” is a very large amount; and the hairdresser will opt for that over the inch.
The same goes for getting a permanent. If you don’t want to look like Little Orphan Annie, be sure to specify a body wave. But don’t ever just say, “I think I’d like it curly.” And if you want a few highlights to lighten your locks, emphasize “few,” or prepare for a totally different look.
Then there’s the issue of a little. As in, “Just a little hairspray, please.” My definition is a quick, once over squirt with the can or bottle. My hairdresser’s interpretation is to use just one bottle.
Maybe hairdressers are frustrated. After all, they went to school to learn how to style hair. They are considered the professionals; yet, they often have to do just what the customer wants whether it’s an attractive style or not. Dentists don’t really have this problem; neither do cardiac surgeons. But I’d wager that if the stylist and the customer could come to some common agreement regarding the meaning of such terms as trim, layer, highlight, and shape, both would be happier.
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