The Importance of the Consultation | Part 1

Junior Stylist Paul with Jordan

If there’s one thing to get from this article, it’s that the consultation is a vital and invaluable part of your appointment. Don’t shirk it, don’t rush it.

“The consultation,” Emmanuel recently said, “is 50% of the haircut — at least. The cutting is no big deal.” Bold words!

Of course Emmanuel doesn’t mean that anyone can cut hair well. But it is true, in practice, that knowing how to cut hair isn’t enough to produce a good haircut.

So what does produce a good haircut? You could break it down this way:

• Consultation
• Conceptualization
• Cutting
• Finishing

The consultation is so important because without it a stylist cannot conceptualize what he or she will do. Think of “conceptualization” as the image in the stylist’s mind of what they will do. Without this step, a stylist can only resort to a generic approach, and at best an ‘okay’ haircut. Not knowing where they are to trying to go with your haircut means that it is hard to create a style that truly comes together.

A stylist can't properly conceptualize a hairstyle without a successful consultation. Thus the consultation is the foundation for all the other steps leading to good hair services.

So what’s a consultation? Simply put, a consultation is when you and your stylist get on the same page. You clarify what you want (with the stylist; but also with yourself!), see if the stylist can do it, and develop a shared vocabulary for future sessions.

A consultation is all about communication.

Your stylist is not psychic. Experienced, yes. REALLY intuitive, yes. But not a mindreader. He or she needs you to be able to communicate, just as much as you need him or her to listen to you.

In an upcoming article we will talk about practices that help a stylist improve the consultation.

Meanwhile, click here for part 2 of this article, where we cover some suggestions that will you maximize the success of your consultation.

Remember: while we'll probably keep referring to haircuts, the consultation is important for any hair services, as well as other beauty and health services like manicures and massages.