Key Takeaways

The hair consultation is the most important part of any salon visit at Clementine’s Salon, especially when you’re considering a major color change or a dramatic chop. Getting on the same page with your stylist before any scissors or color bowls come out sets the stage for results you’ll love.

Arrive with 3–6 inspiration photos, a clear idea of what you like and dislike about your current hair, and an honest hair history that includes box dye, chemical services, and any previous treatments.
Bring 2–3 inspiration photos that show different angles, ideally featuring hair textures similar to your own.
Speaking in “results language” works better than technical terms—phrases like “brighter around the face,” “fewer layers,” or “easier styling” give your stylist a clearer picture than requesting balayage or foils by name.
Maintenance, budget, and lifestyle factors (workouts, blow-dry habits, gray coverage needs) must be part of the conversation to keep your look realistic and manageable long-term.
Clementine’s stylists in Denver LoHi, Arvada, and Aurora are trained to guide nervous or first-time guests through every step, so there’s no pressure to have all the answers before you sit down.

What a Salon Consultation Really Is (and Why It Matters)

A salon consultation is a focused conversation that happens before any service begins—not just small talk while you’re getting shampooed. Think of it as the blueprint for everything that follows. This is where you and your stylist talk through your hair goals, your daily life, and what’s realistic given your starting point. Without this step, you’re leaving your results up to guesswork.

At Clementine’s Salon, every appointment across our Denver LoHi, Arvada, and Aurora locations begins with this essential dialogue. Whether you’re booking a fresh cut, a subtle gloss, or a dramatic transformation, your stylist will walk you through the process, timing, and cost before picking up a single tool. This is how you avoid surprises—hair that ends up shorter than you expected, color that reads too dark indoors, or maintenance that doesn’t fit your schedule.

In a bright salon, a stylist and client sit together, reviewing inspiration photos on a phone screen to discuss hair goals. This hair consultation emphasizes communication to ensure they are on the same page about the desired haircut and color.

Here’s a concrete example: imagine you walk in as a dark brunette wanting to become a soft, dimensional blonde. That’s a big shift, and it won’t happen safely in one session. During the consultation, your stylist maps out a realistic plan—maybe three appointments over several months, with treatments in between to protect your locks. You leave knowing exactly what to expect at each visit, how much time each session takes, and what the total investment looks like. No guessing, no sticker shock.

There’s also an emotional side to this conversation that matters. Your hair is tied to identity and confidence. A thoughtful consultation respects that connection. When you feel heard and understood, you walk out of the salon feeling like yourself—just a better, more polished version.

Before You Go: How to Prepare for Your Consultation

A little preparation before your appointment leads to a smoother, faster, and more accurate salon experience. Walking into any Clementine’s location with a clear head and the right materials helps your stylist deliver exactly what you’re dreaming of.

Start by gathering 3–6 inspiration photos and saving them somewhere easy to access on your phone. Instagram, Pinterest, and Clementine’s own social feeds are great sources. Make sure to include at least one picture of something you don’t like—knowing what to avoid is just as valuable as knowing what you love.

Clearly state what styles or hair qualities you definitely do not want to ensure your stylist avoids those outcomes.

Next, spend a few minutes reflecting on what currently bothers you about your hair. Maybe it’s frizz that takes over by noon, flatness at the crown, color that turns brassy after a few weeks, or a bob that feels too heavy at the ends. The more specific you can be, the better your stylist can address those frustrations.

Think through your daily routine as well: if you have questions about our services or need to schedule an appointment, please contact us.

How many minutes do you want to spend styling each morning?
Do you air-dry or blow-dry?
How often do you reach for a curling iron or flat iron?
How frequently can you realistically come back for appointments—every 6 weeks or closer to every 4 months?

Finally, jot down any allergies, scalp sensitivities, or medications that might affect your hair (some acne and thyroid medications can change texture or thickness). If you have specific events coming up—weddings, graduations, photoshoots—note those dates too. Your stylist can work backward to create a timeline that has you looking your best right when it counts.

Bring the Right Photos (and How to Use Them)

Photos act as a visual starting point, not a binding contract. Your hair type, skin tone, and natural texture will influence the final result, so a photo is a conversation-starter rather than a guarantee. That said, bringing the right images makes a huge difference—research suggests photo-backed consultations succeed around 80–90% of the time, compared to roughly 40–50% when relying on verbal descriptions alone.

Pick pictures that match your own hair realities. If you have fine, straight hair, a photo of thick, wavy beach curls might not translate directly. Look for images that show hair similar to yours in length, curl pattern, and density.

Use multiple photos of the same style from different angles for clearer communication.

Save pictures that show colour and shape in natural light, from multiple angles if possible. Front, side, and back views help your stylist understand the full picture. And don’t forget to include a “no” photo—showing what you want to avoid (too ashy, too choppy, too short) prevents misunderstandings.

Cautiously observe AI-generated photos, as they can set unrealistic expectations due to unrealistic features.

At Clementine’s, stylists often pull up examples from the salon’s own portfolio to help fine-tune shade, tone, and layering. It’s a collaborative process, and the right images get everyone on the same page fast.

Point out specific aspects of styles you like in inspiration photos to help your stylist understand your preferences.

Know Your Hair History (and Be Honest)

Be specific about any box dye, drugstore lighteners, henna, professional colour, perms, relaxers, keratin treatments, or extensions from the past two years. This isn’t about judgment—it’s about protecting your hair and getting the results you want.

Previous color and chemical services affect how new dye lifts, how long a process takes, and what’s safe to achieve in a single appointment. For example, going from black box dye applied monthly since 2022 to a cool blonde will require multiple sessions spaced weeks apart. Rushing that process risks breakage or uneven banding.

Clementine’s stylists aren’t there to shame you for past choices. Honest history helps them create a plan that keeps your hair’s health front and center. If you have old selfies showing how your hair has responded to past services, bring those along too—visual evidence helps your stylist figure out the best path forward.

How to Talk About Color: From “I Want Balayage” to “I Want This Feeling”

You don’t need to speak stylist jargon to get the hair color you want. In fact, describing the effect is often more useful than naming techniques. Instead of saying “I want balayage,” try phrases like:

“I want my ends lighter, but my roots soft and natural.”
“I like warmth but not orange or red.”
“I want brightness around my face when I pull my hair back.”

Here’s a quick translation of common color terms in plain language. For examples of how these color choices come to life in bridal looks, see our Wedding Portfolio.

Term	What It Means
Balayage	Hand-painted dimension for a sun-kissed, grown-out look
Highlights	Foils that add brightness and lift throughout
Lowlights	Deeper strands woven in for depth and contrast
Gloss/Toner	A sheer color overlay that adjusts tone and adds shine
Root shadow	Root touch ups
Cell	Covering gray or grown-out color at the base

A hairstylist is applying hair color to a client's locks using a brush and foils, showcasing a salon experience that emphasizes communication about hair goals and desired tones. The stylist is focused on achieving the perfect look while ensuring the client feels confident and satisfied with their appointment.

Real-world scenarios help illustrate this. Say you want to cover early gray while keeping dimension—your stylist might suggest lowlights paired with a gloss to blend the gray without going flat. Or maybe you have a grown-out balayage from last summer and want to soften the lines; a fresh gloss and some face-framing highlights can do the trick without starting over.

Your skin tone, eye colour, and even wardrobe preferences factor in too. Warm caramel tones suit some faces better than cool ash. Discussing these details helps your stylist recommend shades that flatter your natural features.

Set Realistic Color Expectations

Big changes—dark brown to pale blonde, vibrant fashion colors, or correcting years of box dye—often happen over several appointments. This protects your hair’s health and ensures the final shade is even and lasting.

During your consultation, ask: “What can we safely achieve today, and what will the long-term plan look like?” This gives your stylist permission to be honest and helps you budget both time and money.

Be open to professional guidance when the photo you bring doesn’t match your starting point. If you’re picturing platinum but you’re currently jet black, your stylist will explain the steps involved and the treatments needed to keep your hair strong throughout the journey.

At Clementine’s, stylists pre-book follow-up glosses, maintenance appointments, and treatments for three to six months out when planning a major color journey. This keeps you on track and prevents awkward in-between phases. And yes, discussing budget here is essential—the number of sessions and at-home care products all factor into cost.

How to Talk About Haircuts: Shape, Length, and Lifestyle

Many haircut mishaps come from vague requests. “Just a trim” or “take off a couple inches” means different things to different people. What feels like two inches to you might look like four inches to your stylist—or vice versa.

Instead, point to your collarbone, jawline, or mid-back when describing length. Mention whether you wear your hair up daily for work or mostly down on weekends. These details help your stylist understand how the cut will live in your real life, not just how it looks walking out the door.

Describe frustrations in concrete terms:

Hair flips out at the shoulders
Curls collapse by the end of the day
Bangs separate and look stringy
Layers feel too bulky or outdated

Clementine’s stylists consider face shape, hair density, and texture when suggesting bobs, lobs, shags, wolf cuts, long layers, or fringe. A round face shape might benefit from angled lines, while a square face might suit soft layers that frame the jawline.

Bringing photos of your hair on a regular weekday—not just styled for a special event—helps your stylist see how the cut lives in real life. That messy ponytail or air-dried wave tells them more than a blowout photo ever could.

Working With Your Texture (Not Against It)

If you have curly or wavy hair, try to come to your consultation with your hair styled how you normally wear it. This lets your stylist see your natural pattern and recommend a shape that works with your texture, not against it.

Fine, straight hair often benefits from soft, minimal layers that add movement without sacrificing length. Thick or coarse hair might need internal shaping and weight removal to prevent that dreaded triangle head look.

Consider the difference between a blunt bob with no layers (sleek and chic but requires daily styling) and a shag-inspired cut with lots of texture and fringe (more lived-in and low-effort). Neither is better—it depends on your lifestyle and how much time you’re willing to spend with a round brush.

Tell your stylist how much styling you’re realistically going to do at home. Are you committed to diffusing curls every morning? Will you break out the round brush for a smooth blowout? Or is a quick air-dry more your style? The answer shapes the cut.

Clementine’s offers cuts specifically tailored for curls and can recommend products to define and protect texture in Denver’s dry climate—because what works in humid Florida doesn’t always translate here.

The Conversations You Can’t Skip: Maintenance, Budget, and Timing

Gorgeous hair on day one doesn’t mean much if the upkeep doesn’t fit your reality over the next 3–12 months. Being upfront about maintenance saves you money, frustration, and awkward grow-out phases.

Tell your stylist how often you honestly want to come in:

Goal	Typical Visit Frequency
Gray coverage or high maintenance color	Every 4–6 weeks
Balayage or lowlights refresh	Every 8–12 weeks
Haircuts only	Every 6–10 weeks
Low-key trims	2–3 times a year

Talk about budget openly. Metro-area services can range from $100 to $300+ depending on the work involved. Stylists are happy to adjust plans—maybe skipping the gloss this visit or spacing appointments further apart—to fit your price point. It’s better to have that conversation upfront than to be surprised at checkout.

Ask how much time each appointment will take, especially if you’re juggling commutes between LoHi, Arvada, and Aurora. A simple haircut might take 45 minutes; a full color transformation could take 3–4 hours. Knowing what to expect helps you plan your day.

Here’s an example: if you’re planning a bridal color timeline for a fall 2026 wedding, your stylist might start building your dream shade in spring 2026. That gives room for a trial run, adjustments, and perfectly timed touch-ups so you look flawless in photos.

Home Care and Product Questions

Your stylist’s product recommendations are part of the consultation, not an afterthought. The right shampoo, conditioner, and styling products protect your colour longevity and support your fresh cut between visits.

Ask for a simple, step-by-step routine:

Which shampoo and conditioner work best for your hair type?
When should you add a mask or treatment?
What heat protectant do you need before styling?

Bring photos or names of products you already love or dislike so your stylist can fine-tune suggestions. If sulfate-free formulas make your hair feel flat, they’ll know to recommend something else.

Clementine’s stylists customize routines for Colorado’s drier climate, hard water in some neighborhoods, and active outdoor lifestyles. What works for someone in a humid city might leave your locks parched here.

Before you leave, ask for a written product and care plan. Having it on paper (or in a text) means you won’t forget by the time you’re standing in the shower wondering which bottle to grab first.

How a Consultation Flows at Clementine’s Salon

If you’ve never had a proper consultation before, here’s what to expect when you sit down at any Clementine’s location.

The image depicts the interior of a modern hair salon, featuring comfortable styling chairs and warm decor, creating an inviting atmosphere for clients. This salon is designed to facilitate effective hair consultations, allowing clients to communicate their hair goals and expectations to their stylist.

Step 1: Greeting and settling in. Your stylist welcomes you and takes a few minutes to get comfortable. This is where you put your phone away and give the conversation your full attention—and they do the same.

Step 2: Reviewing your photos. You’ll scroll through those inspiration images together. Your stylist will ask what draws you to each one: Is it the shape? The color? The movement? Or perhaps the products used? They’ll also want to see your “no” photos.

Step 3: Assessing hair and scalp. Your stylist examines your hair’s current condition—porosity, density, texture, elasticity, and any scalp concerns. This informs what’s possible today versus what needs a longer plan.

Step 4: Lifestyle questions. How do you wear your hair most days? How much time do you have for styling? Any upcoming events? This is covered in detail so the plan suits your real life.

Step 5: Discussing options. Based on everything above, your stylist presents ideas. Maybe it’s a single appointment for a subtle refresh, or maybe it’s a three-session color journey. They’ll talk through techniques, products, and timing.

Step 6: Confirming the plan. Before anything starts, your stylist summarizes the agreed approach—cut shape, colour method, number of sessions, aftercare, and pricing. You’ll know exactly what’s happening and what it costs.

Confirm understanding with your stylist by asking them to repeat back the plan before any cuts.

For major color changes, consultations may be booked as separate visits before the main appointment. This allows for strand tests (especially important if you’ve had previous chemical services) and gives you room to think without feeling rushed.

If something feels unclear at any point, pause and ask questions. Clementine’s culture encourages collaborative conversations—this is your hair, and you should feel confident about every decision.

Questions to Ask Your Stylist During Your Consultation

Keep these questions in mind—or screenshot this list—before your next appointment:

About your options:

“What are my options based on my current hair?”
“What would you suggest if I said I’m open to your professional opinion?”

About maintenance:

“How often will I need to come back for this look?”
“What happens if I stretch my visits longer than recommended?”

About hair health:

For more information, see our FAQs.

“Is my hair healthy enough for this change in one appointment?”
“Would a treatment help my hair before we color?”

About at-home styling:

“Can you walk me through how to style this at home with two products and ten minutes?”
“What’s the one thing I should never skip in my routine?”

These questions show your stylist that you’re invested in the outcome, and they give you the information you need to maintain that salon-fresh feeling for weeks.

Common Communication Mistakes to Avoid

Even thoughtful clients make communication missteps. The good news? They’re easy to fix with a little awareness.

Mistake 1: “Do whatever you want” without guardrails. Most clients who say this don’t actually mean it. If you want to give your stylist creative freedom, pair it with boundaries: “Surprise me, but keep it past my collarbone and nothing too red.” That gives them room to create without risking something you’ll hate.

Mistake 2: Underestimating past color history. Saying “there’s just a little box dye” when you’ve actually been touching up monthly for a year can delay or derail your results. The dye is in there whether you mention it or not—better to be upfront so your stylist can plan accordingly.

Mistake 3: Last-minute goal changes in the chair. Deciding mid-appointment to go from a simple gloss to a full highlight throws off timing and pricing. If inspiration strikes, talk it through—but understand that big changes might need to be scheduled for your next appointment.

Mistake 4: Staying silent when something feels off. If you’re watching in the mirror during the blow-dry and something doesn’t look right, speak up. Small tweaks are much easier to fix before you leave the salon than after. Your stylist wants you to walk out happy.

Mistake 5: Bringing photos mid-phone-call. Give the consultation your undivided attention. A distracted conversation can lead to misunderstandings—like that micro-bob that ended up shorter than intended because key details got lost.

FAQ: Salon Consultations at Clementine’s

This section covers practical questions about timing, cost, and logistics that weren’t fully addressed above. Policies and pricing can evolve, so confirm the latest details when booking.

How long does a typical consultation take at Clementine’s?

Most consultations built into regular appointments last about 10–20 minutes, while standalone color-planning consults for major changes may be booked for 20–30 minutes. Timing can vary slightly between the Denver LoHi, Arvada, and Aurora locations based on service type and schedule. Arrive a few minutes early so you’re not rushed and can walk through photos, history, and goals thoroughly. Complex transformations may also require a brief strand test, which adds a few minutes but protects hair health. When booking, mention “big color change” so the team can reserve enough time.

Do I need a separate consultation before booking a major color change?

For big shifts—like going from dark brunette to blonde, adding vivid fashion colors, or color-correcting banding from past dye—a separate in-person consult is often recommended. This allows the stylist to see the hair in person, assess condition, and build a realistic, multi-visit plan with estimated pricing. Many guests appreciate having this conversation ahead of time so they can budget and schedule around work and events. The front desk team can help decide if a separate consult is needed when you describe your goals over the phone or online.

What if I’m not sure what I want yet?

Coming in with only a general vibe—lighter and softer, more polished, or more low-maintenance—is completely fine. Clementine’s stylists are trained to ask targeted questions about lifestyle, preferences, and past hair wins or fails to shape a custom recommendation. Bring both “love” and “maybe” pictures so the stylist can spot patterns in length, tone, and styling you’re drawn to. Sometimes the outcome of a first visit is a subtle, wearable change rather than a dramatic shift, giving you time to adjust. Treat the consultation as a collaboration, not a test you have to pass with perfectly detailed instructions.

Can I book a consultation and service on the same day?

In many cases, yes—Clementine’s can schedule a consultation at the beginning of a service appointment, especially for haircuts and smaller color updates. For more involved work like color corrections, platinum transformations, or multi-step processes, the team may recommend a separate consultation first to ensure enough time and accurate pricing. Describe your goals as specifically as possible when booking online or by phone so the schedule can be set up correctly. If the stylist discovers during the in-chair consultation that the desired look requires more time than booked, they’ll walk through options and potentially reschedule for the full transformation.

How do I schedule a consultation at Clementine’s Salon?

Book online through Clementine’s website or call any of the three locations—Denver LoHi, Arvada, or Aurora—for help choosing the right service and stylist. Mention whether you’re interested in colour, a haircut, extensions, or a full refresh so you can be matched with an ideal L’Oréal Professionnel artist or specialist. New guests should allow a little extra time at their first visit so their stylist can really get to know their hair and goals.

Ready to create hair that fits your life, your style, and the Denver metro pace? Schedule your consultation at Clementine’s Salon today. Whether you visit us in Denver LoHi, Arvada, or Aurora, our team is here to listen, advise, and deliver results you’ll love. Book your appointment online or give us a call—your dream hair is just one conversation away.

Salon Consultation 101: How to Talk to Your Stylist About What You Want