At the Hairdresser in English at B1: How to Ask for the Haircut You Actually Want
A haircut is one of the few situations where a small misunderstanding stays on your head for six weeks. The vocabulary is very specific, the hairdresser often talks while working, and many people just say a little shorter and hope. This article gives you the words to be exact, and the polite phrases for saying no.
In English, a hairdresser usually cuts all types of hair in a salon, and a barber cuts mostly short hair for men, often without an appointment. In the US people also say stylist. The language in both places is much the same, and the most important part happens in the first two minutes, before the scissors come out.
Bring a photo if you can. It is the clearest description there is, and nobody thinks it is strange. But a photo does not say how much you want to keep, so you still need a few words.
Booking the appointment
Many salons take bookings online now, but a call or a visit is still common. Say what you want and how long you think it takes, because a cut and a colour need very different times.
If you are unsure what to book, describe the job and let them choose. Most salons are happy to tell you.
- I would like to book a haircut for Saturday morning, please.
- Do you have anything this week after five?
- It is just a cut, wash and dry. No colour.
- Can I walk in, or do I need an appointment?
- Do you cut curly hair? Mine is quite thick.
Describing length
Length is where most mistakes happen. The word trim means a small cut, usually one or two centimetres, to keep the same style. Ask for a trim if you only want it tidy. If you want a visible change, say so clearly and show the length with your hand.
Use body parts as markers. Hairdressers think in terms of chin, jaw, shoulders and collar, not centimetres.
| You say | What it means |
|---|---|
| Just a trim, please. | same style, only the ends cut |
| Can you take off about two centimetres? | a precise small cut |
| I want to keep the length. | do not make it shorter |
| Shoulder length, please. | the ends touch the shoulders |
| Short at the back and sides, a bit longer on top. | the most common short cut |
| A number two on the sides. | clipper length, used at the barber |
Style words
A few words come up all the time. Layers are different lengths that give hair movement. A fringe, called bangs in American English, is hair cut to fall over the forehead. Thinning out removes weight from thick hair without changing the length.
If you are not sure what a word means, ask before they start. What do you mean by texture? is a perfectly normal question, and it is better than nodding.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| layers | different lengths that add movement | Can you add some layers at the front? |
| fringe / bangs | hair over the forehead | I would like a light fringe, not too heavy. |
| parting | the line where hair divides | I usually have a side parting on the left. |
| to thin out | to remove weight | It is very thick. Could you thin it out a bit? |
| fade | short hair that gets shorter towards the neck | A low fade, please. |
| tidy up | a light cut to look neat | Just tidy up the neck and around the ears. |
Colour
Colour has its own vocabulary. Roots are the part of the hair closest to the head, where your natural colour grows back. Highlights are thin lighter strands. A toner adjusts the shade after colouring. Most salons will do a patch test first, a small test on the skin to check for an allergy, often a day or two before.
Useful sentences: I would like to cover my roots. Can you make it a bit warmer? I do not want it to look too orange. How long will it take, and how much is it roughly?
How to say stop, or that something is wrong
This is the part people find hardest, because it feels rude. It is not. Hairdressers would much rather you speak up than leave unhappy. A short phrase at the right moment saves the cut.
If you are not happy at the end, say it calmly and say what you want changed. Most salons will fix it for free if you tell them before you leave.
| Situation | What to say |
|---|---|
| They are cutting too much | Sorry, could we stop there? That is short enough. |
| You want to check | Could I see the back before you finish? |
| One side looks different | I think this side is a little longer than the other. |
| Too much product | No wax, thanks. I prefer it natural. |
| Not what you asked for | It is a bit shorter than I wanted. Could you even out the front? |
Small talk in the chair, paying and tipping
Many hairdressers chat. The usual questions are about your plans, your holidays and where you are from. Short answers are fine, and it is also fine to say I am a bit tired today, I might just relax. They will understand. If you want to practise your English, this is a free conversation. The article on small talk at work has more answers you can reuse.
Paying is simple: Can I pay by card? Tipping depends on the country. In the US, 15 to 20 percent is expected. In the UK and much of Europe a tip is welcome but optional, often by rounding up. If you are not sure, you can ask a friend or simply say Keep the change.
Words to learn before your appointment
Ten words cover most visits: trim, layers, fringe, parting, thin out, roots, highlights, fade, tidy up and even out. Put each one on a flashcard with the full sentence from this article, so you remember how to use it, not only what it means.
Learn the stop phrases too. They are the ones you will not have time to look up.