Why the details matter
Salons plan the day in blocks of time, and each service gets its own block. If you book a trim but really want to go from dark brown to blonde, there simply isn't room in the schedule for that change. You may end up rescheduling, or leaving with half of what you came for.
Whoever takes your booking, a person or an online form, can only plan with the facts you give. Two extra minutes now saves an awkward conversation in the chair. It also helps the salon pair you with the right person, since not every stylist does every service.
The facts that change the time
These are the details that most often turn a one-hour visit into a three-hour one. Have them ready before you call or click. If you aren't sure of a detail, a rough guess is far more useful than leaving it out.
- Your hair length and thickness
- Your texture: straight, wavy, curly or coily
- Your current color, and when it was last done
- Any box color, relaxer, smoothing treatment or other chemical service in the past year or two
- What you want, ideally with a photo
- Whether you want a full blow-dry or style at the end
- Any allergies or sensitivities, especially to past hair color
- That you're new to the salon
Booking online
Choose the service that's closest to your goal, and add any extras the menu offers, such as a gloss, a treatment or a blow-dry, so their time is included. If you can't tell which service fits, it's better to call or book a consultation than to guess. Check, too, that the stylist you pick actually offers that service.
Use the notes box. A short, specific note lets the salon check that the booking makes sense. Keep it to facts, not a full hair history.
Here's an example: “New client, shoulder-length thick wavy hair, box-dyed dark brown about four months ago, hoping for soft face-framing highlights, photos ready.” Then read your confirmation for the time blocked and the cancellation policy, including any deposit or card-on-file rule.
Booking by phone
On the phone, lead with the essentials so the person can find the right slot quickly. Something like: “Hi, I'm a new client looking for a haircut and a gloss. My hair is long and curly, and I'd like someone who cuts curls often.” Have your calendar open so you can answer quickly when they offer times.
Then let them ask questions, and answer honestly, even about the box color you'd rather forget. Before you hang up, repeat back the day, the time and the stylist's name, and ask whether they can send a text or email confirmation. If you have inspiration photos, ask where to send them before your visit.
Questions to ask before you confirm
If color is on your list, raise the patch test now rather than at the chair. The FDA recommends a skin test before every use of hair dye, and a salon may want to schedule it as a short, separate visit before your appointment. Jot down the answers to everything below, or ask for them in your confirmation.
- How long should I plan to be there?
- Is this stylist experienced with my hair type and the service I want?
- Do I need a consultation or a patch test first?
- Should I arrive with freshly washed hair, or hair washed a day or two before?
- What will affect the price for my hair?
- What's your cancellation and late-arrival policy?
When you're not sure what to book
Describe the result instead of guessing the technique. “I want to look brighter around my face” or “I'm tired of fighting my frizz” gives the salon more to work with than a service name you aren't sure of. If it's a big change, ask for a short consultation first. If you're booking for an event, mention the date and the time you need to leave, so the salon can work backward from it.
During the winter season, roughly November to April, many salons book up further ahead, so give yourself extra lead time. If plans change, call or update your booking as early as you can. Salons remember the clients who make their day run smoothly.
Questions
Is it better to book a salon appointment online or by phone?
Online is quick when you know exactly which service you need. For a new salon, a big change or a color history to explain, a phone call usually gets you a better match.
What should I write in the salon booking notes?
Your hair length, thickness and texture, any recent color or chemical services, what you want and that you're new. A sentence or two is enough.
What if I booked the wrong service?
Call the salon as soon as you notice. It's much easier for them to adjust the time or the stylist days ahead than on the day itself.
Do I need a consultation before a color appointment?
For a big change or a new salon, it often helps. Ask when you book, and ask about a patch test at the same time.
Sources: U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Hair Dyes
This guide is general information, not medical advice. For scalp, skin or hair-loss concerns, see a dermatologist.