New Stylist, No Stress: What to Say, Bring, and Expect at Your First Hair Appointment

Hey there and welcome back to the Beauty Lab! I’m Monina, and today I’m interviewing my co-host, Velia, about something we actually haven’t talked about yet: how to make your very first appointment with a brand-new stylist a total success. If you’ve ever moved, your stylist retired, or you’re just ready for a change—this one’s for you.

We’ve got a little behind-the-scenes vibe today (new setup—fingers crossed you love it!). Let’s dive in.

What to Tell Your Stylist at That First Appointment

Most of us get comfy with a longtime stylist and stop “explaining” things. But with someone new, details matter. Be honest about your hair history:

• If you’ve had a perm, tell them.
• When was your last color?
• Did you have highlights you later covered? (Even if your hair looks like one solid color, it helps to know what’s underneath.)
• Share how your hair behaves: “My hair is resistant,” “It lifts fast,” or “It takes color really well.”

Those little phrases are gold. They help your new stylist predict how your hair will respond so you skip surprises.

Chlorine: Please Say It Out Loud

If you’re swimming in chlorinated water, tell your stylist. Chlorine and bleach can create a scary chemical reaction in foils. Velia has personally seen steam coming off foils when leftover chlorine met lightener—yep, foils can heat up.

“I had a swimmer use a chlorine-removing shampoo five times before her appointment. I started foiling and felt heat radiating. When I checked the first foils, steam came out. We stopped immediately. Luckily it was only a few foils—but some ends melted. That was the one and only time it happened to me, and I did not remain calm!”

Moral: Be honest. Use a chlorine-removing shampoo as directed before highlight appointments and say how often you swim.

Beauty Lab Listener Perk: 20% Off at Velia Beauty Co

We see you and appreciate you! As a thank-you for being part of our Beauty Lab community, you can get 20% off your entire product order at VeliaBeautyCo.com. Use code THEBEAUTYLABPODCAST at checkout — all four words, all caps. We’ll link it in the show notes.

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Share Past Experiences (Informational, Not Gossipy)

Why did you leave your last stylist or salon? Prices went up, scheduling was tough, salon culture wasn’t your vibe, you moved, you didn’t feel heard, or there was damage—it all helps set expectations with your new stylist and check if you’re a good fit.

Think of it like a first date. In fact, for your very first visit, don’t book a five-hour transformation. Start with something smaller (like a trim) to test personality, bedside manner, and technique. If the vibe is right, then book the big service.

Bring Photos—Both “Yes” and “No”

Please bring 3–5 photos of what you do want and 3 similar photos of what you don’t want. Be specific about what you like in each picture (face-framing length, overall shape, layer placement) and what’s a no for you (too short, heavy fringe, too many layers).

Skip the 30-year-old throwbacks—we love nostalgia, but your hair’s density, texture, and trends have changed. Instead, search the 2025 version of the cut you loved. (Pinterest is your friend: try “2025 version of [style name],” e.g., “2025 shag.”)

We speak in words, but we think in images—so bring both.
Also: a stylist who asks a ton of questions? That’s not a lack of skill—that’s care. If someone looks at one photo and says “OK” and starts cutting, that’s ego, not confidence.

“I Have No Idea What I Want”—Start Here

Two questions to answer honestly:

• Daily styling time: How much time do you want to spend styling? (Blow-dryer and brush? Curling iron? Air-dry?) This alone filters options fast.
  
• Maintenance & budget: How often do you want to come back—every 4–6 weeks or more low-maintenance? Pair your lifestyle with your budget so your stylist can map a plan that actually fits your life.

Event Coming Up? Don’t Book the Day Before

If it’s your first time with a new stylist, don’t book right before a wedding, photoshoot, or big event. Give yourself wiggle room for a tone tweak or minor refinement. And if you’re covering gray, let your stylist know about the event so timing is perfect.

Real talk: once, a guest (at a cosmetology school clinic) didn’t mention he had a wedding that day and was upset about a dark stain at his hairline after gray coverage. Don’t do that to yourself—communicate your timeline.

Myth Busting: “Dirty Hair Takes Color Better”

This one comes up all the time, even from longtime clients. No, dirty hair does not take color better.

• Don’t scrub your scalp right before a root color (a freshly exfoliated scalp can sting).
  
• Don’t arrive with a week of oil, powder, waxy cover-up, or heavy dry shampoo built up on your scalp—color can struggle to penetrate, especially on resistant gray.
  
• Aim for “clean-ish” hair (think day-two) with no heavy root powders/sprays. If you used them, wash them out before your appointment.
  

You’re spending time and money—set your color up to succeed.

The Good-Hair-Day Phenomenon (It’s Real)

Why is it that on the very day you finally get in the chair, your hair looks great? Same energy as going to the doctor for shoulder pain and it mysteriously vanishes in the waiting room. We hear it every day in the salon—and we’re laughing with you.

Share This with a Friend

If someone you love is stylist-shopping, send them this post so they can walk into that first appointment feeling confident and prepared. And hey—like, share, and subscribe if you’re reading this from the Beauty Lab Podcast page. We appreciate you being here with us every week.

I’m Monina.
I’m Velia.
Until next time, keep experimenting with your beauty routine.