Should I wash my hair the night before my appointment?

Author: Marta Bins DVM  |  Last update: Saturday, November 22, 2025

With a freshly shampooed and conditioned head of hair, your stylist can create a custom cocktail of products to help achieve the perfect look. Instead of washing 2-3 days prior, we suggest shampooing/conditioning the night before at the very earliest.

Can I wash my hair the night before an appointment?

It is almost always a good idea to wash your hair before going to the salon. If you cannot do it the morning of the appointment, the night before. This will give your hairstylist a clean slate so the color is fully absorbed, and highlights can fully lift.

Should I shower the night before my hair appointment?

Wash your hair a day before your appointment.

Clean hair is easier to section, cut, and style, but you don't want to show up with a whole lot of frizz and extra volume because that's not what your hair is going to look like on a day-to-day basis.

Should I wash my hair the night before the hairdressers?

It is almost always a good idea to wash your hair before going to the salon. If you cannot do it the morning of the appointment, the night before. This will give your hairstylist a clean slate so the color is fully absorbed, and highlights can fully lift.

Should you wash your hair the night before getting it done?

Note that while you can wash your hair the same day you dye it, you don't have to lather up immediately prior to hitting the salon. “A shampoo the night before is totally fine,” Moore says. There are exceptions, of course. If you're sweaty or just hit the gym, wash your hair before heading to the salon.

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Should you wash your hair the night before or the morning of your wedding?

When to Wash Hair Before Wedding. Despite the myth that dirty hair is better for day-of styling, it can actually do the opposite if your hair has too much oil and dirt buildup. "For most hair types, you should wash and air dry your tresses the night before your wedding," says Davis.

Do hair stylists prefer clean or dirty hair for coloring?

**Stylist Preference**: Stylists prefer working with clean hair because it allows them to better assess the natural color and condition of your hair.

Do hairdressers prefer washed or unwashed hair?

Additionally, it's also a matter of courtesy; clean hair is usually more pleasant for stylists to work with. However, if you're going for a haircut, a little natural oil in your hair is acceptable, as it can help the stylist understand your hair's natural texture and style.

Should you wash your hair the night before or day of an event?

Instead of washing 2-3 days prior, we suggest shampooing/conditioning the night before at the very earliest. Even better, shampoo and condition the morning of the wedding! To break it down further, here are our top 3 suggestions!

How much to tip a hairdresser?

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.

Is it rude to not wash hair before a haircut?

In order to avoid confusion, if you're going in for JUST a haircut, it's okay to skip washing prior to your appointment. Your stylist may prefer to cut your hair dry, or simply want to wash it themselves.

How do I prepare my hair for a hair appointment?

If your coming for a haircut appointment, wear your hair the way you normally would. This way the stylist can see your hair texture and what you generally do with it. For a color appointment, it's best to arrive with your hair dry and shampooed within a few days.

Should I wash my hair the night before dying it?

Here are some guidelines to prep your hair for a perfect color service. 1. Wash your hair 12 to 24 hours before your color. This will assure the hair is clean, but allow the oil in your scalp to create a protective barrier against irritation and staining.

What not to do before a hair appointment?

However, try not to shampoo your hair the same day you go to the salon, especially if you want to get your hair dyed. You don't want to over-wash your hair, especially as they will usually wash your hair for you at the salon. Washing your hair before going to the salon removes the natural oil from your scalp.

Is it better to wash your hair the night before you straighten it?

High temperatures burn all the dirt, oil and product buildup on your scalp, so you should avoid straightening dirty hair.

Should you shower before a haircut appointment?

Should I take a shower before a haircut? This is a common question, and the answer is yes. Not only will it be less painful, but you will also lose less hair. Furthermore, your stylist will thank you for coming in with clean hair.

Should I wash my hair the night before my hair appointment?

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.

Is it better to have clean or dirty hair for updo?

“Fresh hair tends to be softer and potentially harder to style” than dirty hair, notes Potempa, but with the right products, you can give your hair some extra hold to make sure your updo looks flawless and stays intact when you hit the dance floor.

On which days hair should not be washed?

It is considered prohibited for married women to wash their hair on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. If a married woman washes her hair on this day, it may anger Goddess Lakshmi. In contrast, Friday is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi so they can wash their hair on Friday to please the Goddess.

Do hairdressers mind if you have greasy hair?

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.

Do hair stylists prefer wet or dry hair?

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.

Can I dye my hair if I haven't washed it in 3 days?

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.

How to prep for a hair color appointment?

Arrive to your hair salon appointment with freshly washed, product-free hair. This allows the color to be applied evenly for the best results. Avoid using conditioner or styling products before your visit. The cleaner your hair, the better the color will deposit and stick.

Should I wash my hair the day of getting highlights?

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.

Is it better to dye hair when greasy?

If your hair is very oily, wash it the day before coloring for best results. If you have normal or dry hair, wash 48-72 hours before you plan to color. The best base to apply hair color are strands with enough natural oil to keep them moisturized and protected, but not so much that it affects the results.

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