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Health & Fitness

Your English to Salon Dictionary

Some examples of common client words and phrases translated into the typical salon definitions. Now you too can speak salon!

You may sometimes feel like you don't know how to express what you want to your hairstylist. Hairdressers to speak a language of their own in many ways but are also proficient at translating what you are trying to express. Here are some examples of common client language translated into the typical salon definitions. Now you too can speak salon!

All-over Color- Means you want a single process color.

Angles- Means you want the hair cut to frame your face.

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Blunt bang- Means you want a bang cut straight across the forehead.

Body- Means you want to add volume and texture to your hair. This can be done through a layered cut, styling, or perming.

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Choppy/ Piecy- Means you want a razor cut with uneven layers, giving texture to the hair.

Chunky Highlights- Means you want thicker, bolder highlights.

Color & Highlights- Refers to a double process, when an all-over color and highlights are done at the same time. 

Cowlick- Refers to hair that grows in a direction different from the rest and that resists being combed flat.

Flat- Refers to hair that does not have volume or movement. 

Fringe- 1. American way to refer to a bang. 2. Means you want the hair cut so the ends are thinned out.

Fullness- Means you want to add volume to your hair. This can be done through a layered cut, styling, or perming.

Greasy- Means you have excess oils in your hair or have product build up.

Heavy bang- Means you want a bang with a lot of hair, usually brought down from the top of the head.

Layers- Refers to different lengths of hair in the cut. They cannot be referred to in numbers but rather as long or short. Long layers mean the least amount of layers and that they will be nearer to the bottom of the cut. Short layers refer to more layers that are throughout the haircut and give a more textured look.

Movement- Means you want a cut with layers and/or texture.

Natural Highlights- Means you want thinner, more blended hightlights.

Shaggy- Means you want light, flowing, shorter layers that are disconnected from one another. Often inspired by ‘70’s fashion.

Streaky Highlights- Means you want dramatic highlights where the variation between light and dark are more drastic.

Tight in the back- Means you want your hair cut with tapering.

Trim- Means that client wants only a small amount of hair taken off and wants the style unaltered. With the exception of a bang trim, a haircut is a haircut no matter how much length is cut off, mainly due to time. 

Let us know if there are any other terms or phrases you'd like translated by leaving a comment below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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