Most bad haircuts aren't caused by a stylist who doesn't know what they're doing. They happen because of a miscommunication — a word that meant one thing to the client and something different to the stylist. "A little off the ends" and "just a trim" mean different lengths to different people. "Subtle highlights" covers a wide range. "Something different" tells a stylist almost nothing.
The good news: this is entirely fixable. Knowing how to describe what you want — and what you don't — leads to dramatically better appointments and fewer surprises.
Want to start with a proper consultation? Book an appointment or meet our team to find the right stylist for your goals.
1. Come In With a Reference Photo (or Several)
Photos are the single most effective communication tool you have. A picture removes ambiguity in a way that words rarely can. When choosing photos:
- Look for photos with similar hair texture to yours — a sleek blowout on naturally straight, fine hair won't translate to thick wavy hair the same way
- Pick photos that show the specific detail you want — one for length, one for layers, one for color if needed
- Include at least one photo of what you don't want — showing a stylist "not this" is just as useful as showing them "this"
- Be honest about what you're drawn to in the photo — is it the length? The fringe? The movement? Name it so your stylist knows what to preserve if the rest can't be replicated
You don't need to find an exact match. A photo that captures the vibe or the specific detail you're after is enough to start a productive conversation.
2. Learn a Few Key Terms
You don't need to know every technical term, but a few basics will make your consultation much smoother:
- Layers: Graduated lengths cut throughout the hair to add movement and remove bulk — not the same as a shorter cut
- Blunt cut: All one length with no graduation, creating a heavier, more structured line at the ends
- Face framing: Shorter pieces cut around the face to highlight features — can be subtle or dramatic
- Undercut: Hair cut shorter underneath while leaving length on top — adds volume or reduces weight depending on how it's done
- Balayage vs. highlights: Balayage is a freehand painting technique for a sun-kissed, blended look; highlights use foils for more defined, brighter pieces
Knowing whether you want layers or a blunt cut, or balayage versus foil highlights, helps your stylist plan the appointment correctly from the start. Explore our full highlights menu and coloring services if you're planning a color change.
3. Be Specific About Length
Length is where miscommunication happens most often. Instead of saying "just a trim" or "a little off," try:
- Anchor it to a body part — collarbone, shoulder, armpit, mid-back — these are consistent reference points
- State inches if you know them — "I want to take off two inches" is clear; "a little" is not
- Describe the grow-out — if you're trying to grow your hair out, say that. A half-inch maintenance trim is a different appointment than a shape-up trim
If you're nervous about going too short, say so before the cut starts. A good stylist would rather take less and check than cut more and hear about it afterward.
4. Describe Your Daily Routine Honestly
Your stylist needs to know how much time and effort you realistically put into your hair each day — not what you'd like to do in an ideal world. Be honest about:
- Whether you blow-dry, air-dry, or use heat tools
- How much product you use and how comfortable you are with a routine
- Whether you're willing to book regular maintenance or prefer to stretch appointments out
- Any styling struggles you consistently run into — hair that won't hold volume, ends that flip out, a cowlick that fights everything
A cut that requires 30 minutes of blow-drying to look right won't serve you well if you have 10 minutes in the morning. Your stylist can recommend shapes and lengths that match your real routine, not your aspirational one. For help choosing the right shape to start with, see our guide to face shape and personal style consultations.
5. Tell Your Stylist What's Not Working
It's easy to describe the hair you want. It's equally important to describe the hair you have right now and why it's falling short. Common complaints that are helpful to share:
- "My ends always look thin and wispy"
- "My hair goes flat by noon no matter what I do"
- "The layers from my last cut made it poof out to the sides"
- "I can't get my natural texture to look intentional — it just looks messy"
- "My color fades really fast"
These details point your stylist toward specific technical solutions. Fading color often points toward porosity issues and the need for a conditioning treatment. Poofy layers usually mean the graduation needs to be adjusted. Flat hair by noon might mean a structural or product fix, not necessarily a different cut.
6. Ask Questions Before the Cut Starts
If something about the plan isn't clear to you, ask before a single cut is made. Good questions to ask during your consultation:
- "Can you show me on my hair where you're thinking the length will land?"
- "How will this look when I air-dry versus blow-dry?"
- "How often will I need to come in to maintain this?"
- "Will this work with my natural texture or does it need heat styling to look right?"
- "How does this grow out over the next 8 to 10 weeks?"
No competent stylist will be bothered by these questions. They're exactly the right things to ask. If a stylist dismisses your questions or jumps straight to cutting without a real consultation, that's information worth having.
7. Give Feedback During the Appointment
You don't have to wait until the cut is done to say something. If the stylist starts and the length looks shorter than you expected, speak up. Mid-appointment adjustments are almost always easier than post-appointment fixes.
Try:
- "Can we leave a little more length before going further?"
- "I'm noticing it's feeling shorter than I expected — can we check where we are?"
- "That layering looks great — can we do the same thing on the other side?"
Feedback during the appointment isn't being difficult. It's how you and your stylist stay aligned through the whole process.
8. Book a Standalone Consultation for Big Changes
If you're considering a major change — a significantly shorter cut, a color transformation, extensions, or a keratin treatment — a dedicated consultation appointment before the service is worth your time. This is especially true for:
- First-time extension consultations
- Major color corrections or going from dark to light
- Cutting off several inches after growing your hair for a long time
- Keratin or bond treatments where you have questions about the process
A consultation lets both you and your stylist think through the plan without the pressure of the clock. You leave with a clear picture of what's involved, what the result will look like, and what maintenance looks like going forward.
Book an Appointment at Burman & Co
Burman & Co is a stylish, color-focused salon offering cuts, highlights, and keratin treatments in Lone Tree, Colorado. Our team takes the time to understand what you want before we start — because a good consultation is how good results happen.
Visit us: 8353 Willow St C1, Lone Tree, CO 80124
Call: (303) 706-9626
Book online: Contact Us
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