Should you wash your hair before a salon appointment? (& other useful tips!)
One of the most common questions we get is: “Should I wash my hair before my appointment?” And the answer to that is: it really depends! While there’s no clear cut answer to this question, we’re giving you a full breakdown on whether or not you should wash your hair before your next appointment in the salon, plus diving into a few extra tips to make the most of your visit.
To wash or not to wash?
The service you’re getting should help determine the answer to this question!
For haircuts:
Generally, you don’t need to wash your hair before a haircut appointment, though you can if you prefer. You can skip the wash because your stylist will shampoo and condition your hair as part of the service. Stylists often prefer to cut your hair when it’s clean and damp. If they’re doing a dry cut, they’ll wash and dry your hair for you. However, if your hair is significantly greasy and hasn’t been washed in at least over a week, it may be difficult for your stylist to see how your natural hair looks - which makes it difficult to determine the right cut and style for you! In this case, it’s best to wash your hair the night before, but avoid any leave-in products.
For colour appointments:
Because our colours are more gentle than other lines, our stylists generally recommend that you come with 1-2 day old hair when you’re booking in for a colour appointment, and not any older. Your scalp’s natural oils can help protect your skin from from colouring products - this is why you’ll notice that your hair is coloured before it’s washed and styled! However, if you’ve used heavy products, dry shampoo, or haven’t washed your hair in a while, then gently shampooing your hair the night before is okay.
For hair styling:
Freshly washed hair can be a little too soft and slippery - so your stylist will likely ask you to wash your hair no earlier than the night before your styling appointment! Because slightly lived-in hair tends to hold its shape better, we ask that you refrain from shampooing your hair the morning of your appointment and also avoid using any leave-in products when you do wash your hair (unless otherwise directed by your stylist).
Other tips for a great appointment
1 - Communicate clearly
Tell your stylist exactly what it is that you’re looking for, bring reference photos, and be honest about your hair history!
2 - Dress for the process
You might be in the chair for hours, especially when getting a colour service, so dress comfortably and avoid tops with high necks (like turtlenecks) so that they don’t get in the way and potentially get stained.
3 - Don’t be shy with questions
Your hair appointment is all about you and we’re here to help, so be sure to ask about aftercare, product recommendations, or anything else that might come up for you!
We love helping you look and feel like your best self. Book your appointment online and be sure to reach out to us if you have any other questions - we’d love to help!