Short answer: Clean hair, please! While some hair types may hold better the second or third day of washing, in most cases it's best to visit the salon with clean, dry hair.
It's generally acceptable to go to the hair salon with dirty hair. Many stylists prefer that clients come in with unwashed hair, especially for certain services like cutting or coloring, as natural oils can help protect the scalp and hair.
Washing hair before a haircut is generally recommended for several reasons: Cleanliness: Clean hair is easier to work with. It removes product buildup, dirt, and oils that can interfere with the cutting process.
Hair that is not freshly clean (dirty) is easiest to style because the build-up of your natural oils and leftover hair products acts as almost a grip on the hair, which makes the desired style hold better.
So, making sure you've washed your hair before your haircut is always a good idea. When it's clean and free of hair products, it's easier for your barber to see its natural texture and how it falls. This helps them cut and style it to perfection.
While some hair types may hold better the second or third day of washing, in most cases it's best to visit the salon with clean, dry hair. Despite what you may have heard before proms and formal dances back in the day, it's actually preferable to work with hair that is free of oil and buildup.
A 20% tip may be standard, but the percentage can vary. More complex jobs or a stylist that went above and beyond might merit a bigger tip. If service was poor, a little less might be appropriate.
“There are many reasons second-day hair looks better,” adds celebrity hair artist and Unilever stylist Lacy Redway, “Your natural oils return, leaving a healthy glow to your strands, or your texture and shape restore themselves once your hair has fully dried and regained memory.”
It depends. If your client's hair is very oily then, yes, they might want to wash their hair around 24 to 48 hours before coloring. However, they don't need to head to the salon with super squeaky clean locks, so tell them not to wash on the day of their appointment.
"With more natural oils lubricating the hair [from water-only washing], the hair shafts glide over each other, leading to less tangles." Skipping shampoo also allows for the hair's sebum to distribute throughout, and this may make hair appear more shiny and less frizzy.
Minimize Hair Products
It's generally not ideal to arrive with heavy product build-up from styling your hair the day of your appointment, especially if you're getting a dry cut or highlights before washing.
As mentioned, your hair type can play a role, too. Those with oily hair may only need to wait one day between their last shampoo and next dye job. People with dry hair, meanwhile, may need 2-3 days in between to allow enough oil to build up.
Bringing a picture helps clarify exactly what you want. Describing a hairstyle verbally can be tricky—one person's “soft layers” may mean something completely different to someone else. By showing a picture, you're able to provide your Solihull Hairdresser with an exact idea of the look you're going for.
The first reason you're likely to get longer from a professional wash is that hairdressers use a salon approved shampoo chosen for your hair's specific needs. And finding the right product is a game changer.
Pastor says it's no secret why stylists have chosen to cut wet hair for so long: It allows stylists to cut the most precise lines. Because wet hair condenses, cutting hair while it is wet is ideal if you're looking for a cut with sharp lines, like a bob.
Secondly, wash your hair before going to the salon so that your hair color will look its best. If your hair is oily or full of product build-up, it won't take color as well or look as shiny and vibrant. If you're getting your hair cut, it's much easier for your stylist to see what they're doing if your hair is clean.
Come In With Relatively Clean Hair
While it's okay for your hair to be somewhat dirty before an appointment (it's okay if you've gone a couple of days without a wash!), if you think your hair is overly dirty, your stylist probably will too.
But don't go to the salon with obviously greasy, overly oily or sweaty hair, and avoid packing on the styling products on days you plan to get highlights. Colorists tell clients to wait 48 to 72 hours after getting color to give highlights time to set before washing their hair.
The no-poo (or “no shampoo”) method is a hair-cleansing technique that removes shampoo from the equation, says Yadav. Instead of using shampoo, followers of the practice use alternatives such as apple cider vinegar, a cleansing conditioner, or just plain water.
We have all been told that dirty hair styles better but is that really true? Probably not for most textures! Too much product or too much natural oil from the scalp can really prevent you from having the style you are hoping for. Planning ahead can really save you some hair frustration!
But before you give it a try, some warnings: Although it didn't happen to me, forgoing cleansing can cause some side effects like dandruff, an overly-sensitive scalp, and even hair loss (things that are reversible and often related to the hair's need to regain balance after giving up shampoo).
“$10 to $20 is generous,” Rivera said. “Most people will do $5.” Others said people should leave a similar tip to what they would leave at a restaurant. “I would say around 20% is fine,” said Adam Quintero, owner of Up Hair in the Castro.
A great way to determine if a tip is the “norm” for a hairstylist is by the way they charge. Most salon professionals who charge by the hour, not by the service are no-tip salons. If you are charged by the service, it is generally customary to tip. Tipping is always appreciated but never expected!