First Salon Visit Tips: What to Know Before Your Appointment

Let's Get Real About Salon Anxiety

Walking into a salon for the first time can feel intimidating. There's an entire language you don't speak ("balayage," "ombré," "toner"), pricing that seems mysterious, and the nagging worry that you'll somehow mess up and end up with hair you hate.

I've been styling hair in Delray Beach for over a decade, and I can tell you: good stylists WANT you to ask questions. We'd rather spend 15 minutes in consultation than 2 hours fixing a miscommunication. This guide will help you feel confident, prepared, and ensure you get exactly what you're hoping for.

What This Guide Covers:

• How to choose the right salon for YOU
• What to do before your appointment
• How to communicate what you want (without a PhD in hair)
• What to expect during your visit
• Pricing, tipping, and the money talk nobody likes
• Red flags to watch for
• What to do if something goes wrong

Step One: Choosing the Right Salon

Not all salons are created equal, and expensive doesn't always mean better. Here's how to find a good match:

What to Research Online

✓ Look at Reviews (But Read Between the Lines)

Don't just look at the star rating—read actual reviews. Look for:

• Consistency: Are people happy with corrections when needed, or does the salon get defensive?
• Communication: Do reviews mention feeling heard and understood?
• Specific services: If you want color, look for reviews about color (not just cuts)
• Your hair type: Do people with similar hair texture/type have good experiences?

✓ Check Their Portfolio

Most salons post photos on Instagram or their website. You're not looking for artistic perfection—you're looking for styles similar to what you want. If every photo is editorial/fashion-forward and you want a natural, wearable cut, that's a mismatch.

✓ Understand Salon Types

High-Volume Salons

Examples: Rové (5.0★, 1500+ reviews)

Best for: Quick appointments, standard services, consistent results, same-day availability

Boutique Salons

Examples: Chris David Salon (4.9★, 140+ reviews)

Best for: Personalized service, complex color, building stylist relationship, detailed consultations

The Delray Beach Landscape

In our area, you have excellent options across different price points and specialties. Salon Sora (4.9★, 400+ reviews) does beautiful editorial work. Rové has the volume to accommodate last-minute appointments. At Chris David Salon (403 E Atlantic Ave), we're the boutique option—smaller, more personalized, specializing in color and clients who want a relationship with their stylist rather than rotating through whoever's available.

None of these is "best"—they're different. Choose based on what YOU value.

Before Your Appointment: Preparation That Matters

📸 Gather Inspiration Photos (But Do It Smart)

Good Photo Examples:

• Multiple angles of the same person with your desired style
• Photos of people with similar hair texture and color to yours
• Realistic results (not heavily filtered/edited images)
• 2-3 different examples showing variations you'd be happy with

Problem Photos:

• A single photo where you can't see the back/sides
• Celebrities with professional styling, lighting, and editing
• Someone with completely different hair type (you have thin straight hair, they have thick curly hair)
• Extreme changes (you have black hair, photo shows platinum blonde)

Pro tip: Your stylist can tell you if your inspiration photo is achievable. If they say it'll require multiple sessions or isn't realistic for your hair type, believe them.

📝 Know Your Hair History

Your stylist will ask about your hair history. Having this information ready helps:

•
Previous color treatments: When did you last color? What process (highlights, all-over color, balayage)? What color?
•
Chemical treatments: Have you had keratin, relaxer, or perm in the last year?
•
At-home color: Box dye, even from years ago, affects how your hair processes
•
Medications: Some medications affect hair texture and how it takes color

🚨 Never lie about box dye

I know it's tempting to not mention that box dye from 6 months ago, but it WILL show up during processing and could cause serious problems. Your stylist isn't judging you—we just need to know what we're working with.

👗 What to Wear

✓ Good Choices:

• Dark, comfortable clothing
• Button-up shirt (easier to remove without messing up hair)
• Clothes you don't mind getting product on
• Hair down (so stylist sees natural fall)

✗ Avoid:

• White or light-colored clothing
• Turtlenecks or tight crew necks
• Anything you'd be upset about staining
• Complicated hairstyles (ponytails, braids)

🧼 Wash or Not Wash?

The rule of thumb:

• For cuts: Clean, dry hair is fine (we'll wash it there)
• For color: 24-48 hours unwashed is ideal (natural oils protect scalp)
• Avoid: Heavy styling products, dry shampoo buildup, excessive oil

When in doubt, ask when you book. Every stylist has preferences.

How to Communicate What You Want (Without Sounding Crazy)

This is the most important section. Miscommunication is the #1 cause of salon disappointment. Here's how to fix that:

Use Descriptive Words

✓ EFFECTIVE DESCRIPTIONS:

• "I want to be able to air-dry and have it look good"
• "I want low maintenance—I only style once a week"
• "I want face-framing brightness but keep my base dark"
• "I want noticeable change but not unrecognizable"
• "I want to look polished but not high-maintenance"

✗ VAGUE DESCRIPTIONS:

• "Just a trim" (what's a trim to you?)
• "Make it lighter" (how much lighter?)
• "Nothing too crazy" (subjective!)
• "Whatever you think" (we need more input!)
• "The usual" (on a first visit?)

The Magic Questions to Ask

"How much will this cost, including everything?"

Don't be shy about this. Ask for a price estimate including cut, color, toner, treatment, etc. Surprises at checkout are awkward for everyone.

"How long will this take?"

Important for scheduling and expectations. Color services can take 3-4 hours; don't book one if you need to leave in 90 minutes.

"What will the grow-out look like?"

Especially for color. If you can't commit to touch-ups every 6 weeks, certain techniques won't work for you.

"What maintenance will this require?"

Special shampoo? Weekly treatments? Daily blow-drying? Know what you're signing up for.

"Is this achievable today, or will I need multiple sessions?"

Realistic expectations prevent disappointment. Some transformations can't happen in one visit without destroying your hair.

The Consultation Should Feel Collaborative

A good stylist will ask YOU questions, explain options, discuss pros/cons, and make sure you're on the same page BEFORE starting. If someone just nods and starts cutting without discussion, that's a red flag.

What to Expect During Your Appointment

The Typical Flow

Check-In & Wait (5-10 min)

You'll be offered water/coffee and given a form if it's your first visit. Don't worry if your stylist is running a few minutes behind—that means they don't rush clients.

Consultation (10-20 min)

This is where you show photos, discuss what you want, talk about your lifestyle and maintenance commitment. Your stylist will touch your hair, assess texture, and explain their plan.

Shampoo (10 min)

Relax and enjoy. This is your moment to zone out. If the water temperature is uncomfortable, speak up.

The Service (30 min - 4 hours depending)

Cuts: 30-60 minutes. Color: 2-4 hours. You'll have processing time where you can read, work on your phone, or chat with your stylist.

During the service, it's okay to:

• Ask to see the back in a mirror
• Request adjustments ("Can we go a little shorter?")
• Take breaks if you need to use restroom
• Ask questions about what they're doing

Styling & Finishing (15-30 min)

Your stylist will blow-dry and style. This is when you should ask them to show you how they're achieving the look so you can replicate it at home.

Product Recommendations & Checkout (5-10 min)

They'll recommend products. You're not obligated to buy, but if they're suggesting something specific to your service, it's worth considering.

The Money Talk: Pricing & Tipping

Understanding Salon Pricing

Typical Delray Beach pricing ranges:

Women's haircut $65-95
Men's haircut $45-75
Partial highlights $150-250
Full highlights $200-350
Balayage $250-450
All-over color $85-150
Keratin treatment $250-400

Hidden Costs to Ask About:

• Toner: Often extra ($25-45) after highlights
• Treatments: Deep conditioning, bonding treatments ($20-50)
• Extra color: If your hair is very long or thick
• Blow-dry: Some salons charge separately for styling

Tipping Guidelines

15-20%

Standard Tip

For good service

20-25%

Excellent Service

Above and beyond

Extra

Assistant Tips

$5-10 for shampoo person

Tipping etiquette notes:

• Tip on the service price (before product purchases)
• Cash is appreciated but card tips work fine
• If the salon owner does your hair, tipping is optional but appreciated
• Don't skip tipping just because it was expensive—that's like not tipping at a nice restaurant

Red Flags to Watch For

🚩 Skipping Consultation

If a stylist starts cutting or coloring without discussing your goals, hair history, and their plan, that's a problem. This should NEVER happen.

🚩 Can't or Won't Give Price Estimate

Every reputable salon can give you a price range. "We'll see how it goes" is unacceptable for something you're paying for.

🚩 Promises Unrealistic Results

"We can go from black to platinum blonde today!" No, you can't. Not without frying your hair off. A good stylist will be honest about what's achievable.

🚩 Defensive When You Ask Questions

You're paying for a service. Questions are normal and should be welcomed, not met with attitude.

🚩 Unsanitary Conditions

Tools should be clean, stations should be neat, and the salon should be well-maintained. If it looks sketchy, it probably is.

What If Something Goes Wrong?

It happens. Maybe the cut is shorter than you wanted. Maybe the color didn't turn out as expected. Here's how to handle it:

Step 1: Speak Up (Immediately if Possible)

If you notice something during your appointment—"This is shorter than I wanted" or "This color looks more orange than golden"—say so right away. It's easier to fix in real-time than after you've left.

Step 2: Give It 24-48 Hours (For Color)

Hair color can look different once you wash and style it yourself. Most salons ask that you live with it for a day or two before requesting corrections. This is reasonable.

Step 3: Call and Explain Calmly

Most reputable salons will offer to fix issues for free within 1-2 weeks of your service. Be specific about what's wrong:

• "The color is more brassy than the golden tone we discussed"
• "The layers are shorter than the photo I showed you"
• "I'm experiencing significant breakage since my treatment"

Step 4: Document Everything

Take photos of the issue. Keep your receipts. If the salon refuses to help or makes it worse, you have documentation for reviews or potential disputes.

What Good Salons Do:

• Apologize and schedule a fix appointment immediately
• Don't charge for corrections within reason
• Take responsibility rather than blaming you
• Work with you to make it right

How We Do Things at Chris David Salon

We're a boutique salon (4.9★, 140+ reviews) at 403 E Atlantic Ave in downtown Delray Beach. Here's what makes us different:

Longer Consultations

We don't rush this part. First-time clients get 15-20 minutes of dedicated consultation time before we even start. We want to understand your hair goals, lifestyle, and concerns.

Transparent Pricing

You'll know the cost before we start. No surprises at checkout. If additional services are needed mid-appointment, we discuss pricing before proceeding.

Build a Relationship

We're small enough that you'll see the same stylist each visit. They'll remember your preferences, your hair history, and what worked last time.

Honesty Over Sales

If your inspiration photo isn't realistic for your hair type, we'll tell you. If you don't need an expensive treatment, we won't push it. Our reputation matters more than one upsell.

We're not the biggest salon in Delray Beach—that's Rové (5.0★, 1500+ reviews). We're not the trendiest—Salon Sora (4.9★, 400+ reviews) does amazing editorial work. But we ARE the salon where you won't feel like a number, where your stylist will remember your name and your last haircut, and where the goal is making you feel confident—not just getting you out the door.

First-time clients: mention you read this guide and we'll add a complimentary deep conditioning treatment to your service.

Ready for Your First (or Next) Salon Visit?

Book with confidence. You've got this.

Call (561) 299-0950 Book Online

📍 403 E Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33483
⭐ 4.9 stars • Where first-time nerves turn into lifetime clients

Your First Salon Visit: The Complete Guide