Six Habits Hairstylists Wish You’d Stop Doing Before Your Appointment

A new round of guidance from hairstylists highlights six common habits clients should drop before appointments to improve color, chemical treatments, and overall results. The tips come from five professionals who spoke with HuffPost Style & Beauty about what can derail a service before it even begins.

Dirty hair is a frequent grievance for color services. Stylists say dirty or greasy hair doesn’t make dye work better; it can hinder lighteners and color from penetrating the hair shaft. Dirt buildup can act as a barrier, making the product less effective. In practice, experts say clients should arrive with freshly washed, dried and smoothed-out hair for color services. Hair washed a day or two before is usually fine, but if it’s overly dirty—such as after a workout or after extensive use of dry shampoo—it can complicate the process and skew results. For thick or long hair that isn’t fully dried, the extra moisture can slow the service and affect timing for subsequent clients.

On the other hand, bringing hair that has just been washed immediately before a chemical treatment is discouraged. For services like relaxers, perms or on-scalp lighteners, the natural oils in the hair and scalp provide a protective buffer. Stripping those oils right before a high-intensity service can cause discomfort or irritation. Stylists say the common mistake is shampooing immediately before a chemical appointment; clients are advised to arrive as they are, avoiding a last-minute wash when possible. The guidance stresses that the value of clean hair applies differently depending on the service, and clients should communicate their plan with their stylist beforehand.

Detangling before arrival is widely recommended. Tangled or product-laden hair can slow the process and complicate applications, whether color or extensions. When clients arrive with tamed, detangled hair, it helps the stylist see true length and texture, enabling more precise color work or extension placement. Detangling at home can also reduce friction during the service and keep the schedule on track.

Booking the right service when unsure what you want can create scheduling headaches for the salon and clients alike. If a client books a trim but later discovers they want a full haircut or a more specific style, it can delay others. Stylists emphasize that clear communication is essential and that consultations are critical to avoid misalignment. They urge clients to call ahead with questions and to ensure they book the appropriate service for their goals.

Not having reference photos also hampers results. Stylists appreciate clients who bring multiple pictures—showing what they like and what they don’t—as well as photos of themselves for reference on skin tone, natural hair color and facial features. For those unsure how to describe a look, it helps to avoid hair-lingo and instead bring images of styles that resemble the desired end result. If clients have no photos of themselves in mind, they should look for celebrities or models with similar features to guide the conversation.

Transparency about previous treatments and at-home experiments is crucial. If you’ve dyed your hair at home or used chemical straighteners, or if you’ve recently tried box dye or box bleach, your hairstylist needs to know before starting a service. Failing to disclose home color work or other chemical treatments can lead to damage or unexpected results, and trying to correct home experiments later can be more costly than addressing the work in the salon from the start.

Overall, the top takeaway is simple: come prepared for color appointments with freshly washed, dried and smoothed hair; be honest about past treatments; bring plenty of reference photos; and communicate clearly with your stylist. When in doubt, asking questions ahead of time can help ensure the service matches your goals and stays on schedule.