At the Hair Salon – Getting a Haircut

Welcome to Hello English! If you’ve ever felt nervous about visiting a hair salon in an English-speaking country, this lesson is for you. Knowing a few simple phrases will help you get the haircut you want—confidently and clearly.

A friendly conversation between a customer and hair stylist at a hair salon

Watch this short, realistic video to hear how the conversation sounds in real life!

Hair Salon Conversation

Characters:
• Jessica – the customer
• Maria – the hair stylist

Jessica: Hi! I have an appointment.
Maria: Great! What’s your name?
Jessica: Jessica Taylor.
Maria: Perfect! How would you like your hair today?
Jessica: Just a trim, please.
Maria: All over or just the ends?
Jessica: Just the ends, about half an inch.
Maria: Got it. Would you like a wash first?
Jessica: Yes, please.
Maria: Any products you prefer?
Jessica: No, regular shampoo is fine.
Maria: Okay! I’ll get started.
Jessica: Thank you!
Maria: You’re welcome!

💡 This dialogue is perfect for audio or video practice! It’s set in a common, real-life situation—at the hair salon—and uses short, polite sentences with everyday vocabulary like “trim,” “ends,” and “wash.” The rhythm is natural but slow enough for beginners to follow and repeat.

Essential Vocabulary

Hair Salon Vocabulary
  • Appointment – a scheduled time to meet or receive service
  • Haircut – cutting or styling your hair
  • Trim – a small haircut to tidy up the ends
  • Ends – the bottom part of your hair
  • Wash – to clean your hair with water and shampoo
  • Style – how your hair looks (e.g., messy, neat, curly)
  • Stylist – the person who cuts or styles your hair
  • Length – how long your hair is
  • Seat – where you sit during your haircut
  • Half an inch – a small measurement (about 1.3 cm)
  • Regular shampoo – basic, non-specialized hair cleanser

Other Useful Phrases

  • “Can I see your portfolio?”
  • “Can I see a mirror?”
  • “I’d like it layered.”
  • “Could you fix the sides?”
  • “Do you offer blowouts?”
  • “How much will this cost?”
  • “Do you take card?”

Practice Tip

Record yourself playing both roles in the conversation. Then, try swapping “just a trim” with “I’d like it shorter” to build flexibility!

Why This Matters

  • Traveling solo in the US or UK and need a quick haircut
  • Living abroad and building a routine with a local stylist
  • Preparing for everyday interactions that require clear, polite requests

Now you’re ready to visit a hair salon in English—no stress, no confusion! Bookmark this guide, or try our interactive quiz to test your “at the hair salon” vocabulary. Happy learning! ✂️

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