“My Hairdresser Never Listens” — Getting the Result You Want
It’s one of the most common frustrations people have about hair appointments: “she cut too much off,” “I came out brassy,” “that’s not what I asked for.” If you’ve felt that, you’re far from alone. But the good news is that the root cause is almost always the same one thing — communication — and it’s very fixable. Here’s an honest guide, from the team at Wisteria Avenue in Abingdon.
Why appointments go wrong
Most stylists are perfectly capable of delivering what you want — the gap usually isn’t skill, it’s information. A stylist works with what they’re given, and some need more detail than others to get the picture right. When the result disappoints, it’s very often because the conversation beforehand wasn’t thorough enough.
It’s worth being honest that this works both ways. A good consultation should be led by your stylist — asking questions, showing colour swatches, checking they’ve understood — but you play a part too. Communication is a two-way street, and the best results come when both sides are clear.
What a good consultation looks like
Your stylist should sit down with you *before* the appointment gets going to talk through what you want — your cut, your colour, your styling. A stylist who skips that and starts making assumptions isn’t giving you the service you deserve. And a thorough consultation isn’t just a one-off chat at the start; the best stylists keep that conversation going throughout the appointment, checking in as they work.
If you ever feel that conversation isn’t happening — speak up. It’s your hair, and a good stylist will always welcome you being clear about what you want.
How to help your stylist get it right
There’s a lot you can do to set an appointment up for success:
- Bring photos — and bring several similar ones, so your stylist sees a consistent picture rather than conflicting ideas.
- Be specific. The more clearly you describe what you like (and what you don’t), the better.
- Ask questions. A good stylist will happily talk through what will and won’t work for your hair.
- Try not to say “I’ll leave it up to you” if you actually have something in mind — tell them, they’ll listen.
- Do a little research beforehand, especially for a big change like a balayage — it’s worth it before something that significantly alters your look.
The honest summary
A brilliant colourist or cutter can still miss the mark if the communication isn’t there — and an open, two-way conversation is the single best thing that gets you the result you’re picturing. Never assume your stylist can read your mind; the best appointments are the ones where you’ve both been clear.
Looking for a salon that listens?
At Wisteria Avenue, a proper consultation is simply how we work — every appointment starts with understanding what you actually want. If you’ve not had that elsewhere and you’re looking for a fresh start, we’d be glad to help. Book in, and have a look at our price list to see what’s involved.
