I want to look like this...

Have you ever taken a picture of a haircut and or hair colour to your hairdresser and said to them I want to look like this? And after the service, even though you may have received a great haircut and colour, it doesn't look like the picture you brought in?

More than once, right?

The thing is with hairdressers you need to be specific, about every detail.

I like to ask the client two simple questions first before I look at any pictures.

• What do you like about your hair?

  Most people know what they like about certain aspects of their hair.

  
  

• What don't you like about your hair?

  Some people may say they don't know what they like but they definitely know what they don't like.

When I look at pictures (more than one is helpful because you may not like everything about that one picture) I ask the same two questions, what do you like about that colour or cut or style, and what don't you like about it?

Why do I ask those questions and try to draw out as much detail from you on what exactly it is that you are seeing?

Because every head of hair is different and the pictures you are looking at may have different -

• texture (fine, medium or thick)

• density (the amount of hair on your head - light, medium or thick)

• type (straight, wavy, curly or coily)

And they may hair extensions, hair pieces or a full wig, not to mention colour enhanced, alot of what you see in the media is filtered, airbrushed or photoshopped.

Here are some other important tips:

• Haircut: When it comes to determining the length of your hair and how much to cut off, don't use phrases like, 'I just want a trim' or 'take a couple of inches off', or even 'just cut the split ends'. Show the hairdresser with your hair what you see as damaged, and how much you would like cut. Show the hairdresser where you would like the ends of your hair to sit on your body eg below the chin, on the shoulders, at the collarbone etc, be as exact as you can be, including with face framing and layers.

  
  

• Hair colour: Visuals are a great way to describe the colour you like, especially using your own hair and what you like and don't like about your current colour. Be honest about your colour history as far back as your hair is long. Be exact with describing colour, eg you may say you don't like any gold or copper in your hair but you like ash. The thing is that in the hairdressing world not all ash is created equal, some are made with a green, blue, or violet base or a combination of two, each one of those colours having a different effect on different textures and levels (how light or dark hair is) of hair. In my hair a green based ash makes my hair colour look dirty, flat and grey whereas a violet/blue ash results in the most beautiful champagne blonde. The point is focus on the end result of what you are wanting to achieve, and let the hairdresser use they technical skills to achieve it.

  
  

• Hair style: Be open and honest about how you look after your hair, and what you do in your everyday life. What shampoo and conditioner you use and how often you shampoo your hair. If you use styling products, what are they and what do they do? Do you have styling tools (blowdryer, curling wands, straightening irons, a dyson air wrap etc) and can you use them?  Do you exercise alot, swim etc? Do you have lots of time to style your hair or is it limited? Do you need help with styling techniques?

  
  

• Don't be afraid to speak up: the more information you share with your hairdresser and the more specific you are with that information, the better the outcome for both of you. If you don't feel the hairdresser has connected with you or gets what you want then say so, and if you can't get there go somewhere else.

Lots of love, Terri-Anne xx