5 Annoying Things You Do That Your Hair Stylist Hates

Habits That Drive Hairstylists Crazy

From showing up too early to moving your head around without instruction, some common salon habits can drive hairstylists up the wall. It's not that they don't appreciate the effort, but even when you're trying to be polite, you might actually be making their job harder. The next time you head in for a haircut or color, make sure you don't do these five annoying things.

1. Showing Up Too Early

You might think it's polite to show up to your appointment early, but doing so will only make your hairstylist feel more pressured and rushed. Don't think you'll be able to sneak in some extra treatment time, either—you'll still have to wait your turn.

2. Arriving with Greasy Hair

If you're going into an appointment to get your hair colored, you might think it's better to arrive with greasy hair—but hairstylists want the opposite. In fact, having oily hair only makes it harder for bleach to penetrate. Washing your hair two to three days before your appointment is fine, but don't apply any leave-in treatments, masks, or conditioners that create a film around your hair.

3. Moving Your Head Without Instruction

You might think you're helping by tilting your head at the shampoo station or angling in the opposite direction during a haircut, but if there's one thing that hairstylists want to say to their clients, it's "keep still." Don't move without instruction—it'll only make their job harder.

4. Flipping Your Hair Back During Styling

When your hairstylist is curling or straightening your hair, don't toss your locks back every time a section is done. All you're doing is messing up their flow, and they may end up having to start over. Keep still; the whole look will come together, and you can flip it as much as you want at the end.

5. Dyeing Your Hair at Home

Hairstylists know how to correct color and botched dye jobs, but it's still better to start with a solid, clean base than an uneven one. Plus, even when you think you're helping by dyeing it back to one tone, you might only be making it worse, so leave the work to the professionals.