You may not think much about hair prep before a salon appointment – after all, you’re there to have an expert manage your hair, right? Why would you do your own prep? The truth is that while a salon expert is definitely the best person to do all the hair management that needs an expert’s guiding hand, there are a few things you can do that will make their job easier. If you have a salon appointment coming up, here are a few things you can do.

1. Stop Toning Your Hair at Home

If you use any toning products, like purple shampoo, stop using them about two weeks before your appointment. Although a hair expert certainly can look past the toner to figure out where your hair is right now, it’ll be easier for them if you stop using those products about two weeks before the appointment. This makes it even easier for a colorist to nudge your hair into the perfect shade.

2. Use a Serum or Hair Mask

If you have an Ulta coupon burning a hole in your pocket and you want to refresh the health of your hair before your salon appointment, do a serum or hair mask about a week before the appointment. Although many people use serums and hair masks regularly, even using one about a week before your salon appointment can boost your hair health enough that you can keep it a bit healthier if you’re trying to keep your hair long or color it.

3. Use a Cleansing Treatment

Although you may want to deploy this option a bit more carefully, a cleansing treatment can be an amazing way to get rid of dirt and grime that may have built up over the month or longer since you last went to the salon. This can be extra-helpful if you live in an area with very hard water, you swim often, or you live in an urban area with more pollution. However, make sure you ask your hairdresser whether you should do this, and always do it about a week before visiting the salon.

4. Wash Your Hair

Finally, it’s good to remember that it’s a myth that your hair needs to be dirty for a salon appointment. While slightly dirty, second-day hair can be great for many styles, your hairstylist will likely prefer to work on fairly clean hair. Wash your hair the day before you go into your appointment, unless you’re getting scalp bleaching, in which case you can wash a few days before.

Conclusion

Salon appointments can be a great way to get exactly the look you’re going for. While there are certainly places for DIY haircare options, including cuts and even some types of color, a salon appointment carries a luxe feeling that you can’t get at home. Follow these four steps to make sure your salon expert loves working on your hair.