At the Hair Salon — Unit 40, Pre-intermediate to Intermediate English
Ask for hair services politely, describe what you want done, and name the people and places involved in a haircut.
Reading: Learning to Ask for a Haircut
I used to avoid haircuts. I waited until my hair covered my eyes, then walked into the nearest **hair salon** and said only one word: “Short.” That never worked. One month the **hairstylist** took too much off. The next month a different **hairdresser** left it uneven. I finally learned that clear requests matter more than luck.
Now I prepare three sentences before I sit down. First I say, “**I'd like to get my hair** trimmed, please — not a big **cut**.” Second I add details: “Please **take a little off the top and sides**, **trim my bangs**, and **remove the split ends**.” Third I mention extras only if I need them: a **shampoo**, a **blow dry**, or help to **style** it for work. If my hair feels heavy, I ask them to **thin out** the back. If I have a wedding, I might ask to **curl** the ends or **straighten** everything for a **fancy** look. I still do not want a **perm**, and I only **color** my hair when the old colour looks tired.
Last month I tried a new salon after a friend promised a **decent haircut**. The receptionist asked me to wait five minutes. Then the stylist washed my hair and asked me to **lean back** at the sink. During the **shampoo** we checked the plan again. She suggested a soft **trim** rather than a sharp **cut** a little above the ears, because I wanted to keep some length. I agreed. She **trimmed** my bangs carefully, **removed the split ends**, and **took a little off the top and sides**. After that she offered a **blow dry** and a simple **style**.
The whole visit felt calm because we used the same words. I did not wave my hands and hope. I also understood the difference between a **barber shop** and a **hair salon**. My brother still sees a **barber** for a quick men's cut. I prefer a salon because I sometimes ask about **color**. A **beautician** in the same building once advised a lighter shade for summer, but I decided to wait.
Good hair language is practical. It helps you leave with the look you asked for — and it saves the awkward smile when you hate the mirror.
Vocabulary from this unit
| Service | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| blow dry | dry hair with a dryer and brush into shape | Can you blow dry my hair, please? |
| color / colour | change the hair colour with dye | I'd like to color my hair a little darker. |
| curl | make hair curly with tools or products | Could you curl the ends for the party? |
| cut | make hair shorter with scissors | I need a cut — it's too long. |
| perm | treat hair so it stays curly for a long time | She got a perm last year. |
| shampoo | wash hair with shampoo | They shampoo your hair before the cut. |
| straighten | make curly or wavy hair straight | Can you straighten it for the interview? |
| style | arrange hair in a chosen look | Please style it simply for work. |
| thin out | remove some bulk so hair feels less heavy | Could you thin out the back a little? |
| trim | cut only a small amount to tidy the hair | I just want a trim, not a big change. |
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I'd like to get my hair cut | I want someone to cut it | I'd like to get my hair cut today. |
| I'd like to have my hair trimmed | I want only a small tidy cut | I'd like to have my hair trimmed, please. |
| I'd like to get my hair colored | I want a colour service | I'd like to get my hair colored next week. |
| Can I have a blow dry? | ask for one service | Can I have a blow dry after the cut? |
| Could you … for me? | polite request to the stylist | Could you trim my bangs for me? |
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| cut a little above the ears | leave length just over ear level | Please cut a little above the ears. |
| remove the split ends | cut damaged tips | Can you remove the split ends? |
| take a little off the top and sides | shorten top and sides slightly | Just take a little off the top and sides. |
| trim your bangs / fringe | tidy the front hair on the forehead | Could you trim my bangs, please? |
1 more vocabulary section in the full unit.
This is the free sample from this unit. The full unit adds 1 more reading passage, comprehension questions with an answer key, the listening exercises, flashcards for the vocabulary above, and a speaking task — with your progress tracked so the next unit unlocks when you are ready for it.
Common questions
What level is this unit?
Pre-intermediate to Intermediate — roughly CEFR A2–B1. If you are not sure of your level, the course places you with a short diagnostic before you start rather than making you guess.
Do I need to pay to use this?
The reading passage and vocabulary on this page are free to read. The rest of the unit — the remaining passages, the exercises, the listening, the answer key and the progress tracking — is part of the paid General English course.
Is this British or American English?
British English spelling and vocabulary, which is what most learners in Azerbaijan are taught and what IELTS expects, though both are accepted in the exam.