What Is a Hair Salon?

A hair salon offers state-licensed professionals various client services, including cuts, colors, highlights, styles, treatments, and more.

A full-service salon typically offers a spa-themed atmosphere for clients to relax and be pampered during their visits. On the other hand, a boutique or specialty salon may be smaller and focus on a specific service or treatment. These salons often operate by appointment only and may offer complimentary services like hand massage during visits, snacks, beverages, or spa-like treatments.

Haircuts

The smart style hair salon offers many different services, including haircuts. You may also get hair coloring, regular or formal styling, and chemical treatments like perms and keratin treatments.

A good hairstylist will take time with each client, analyzing your hair texture and facial structure to give you the best possible cut. They will also consider your profession, lifestyle, and how much time you’re willing to spend styling your hair daily.

However, if you are unfamiliar with the stylist’s vocabulary, it may be challenging to understand what they are saying. To help you communicate better with your hairstylist, we’ve compiled the most commonly used terms in the industry.

Hair Styling

Hair styling creates a hairdo using irons, brushes, and rollers. It can include adding texture, shine, curl, or volume to the hair.

Licensed hair stylists typically receive their education at a cosmetology school and specialize in their chosen field. They also attend hair conferences to learn the latest styles, techniques, and treatments.

A hairstylist will listen to your desires and try to make them work with your face shape, lifestyle, and personality. They will also try to find a style that fits your hair type and thickness.

Licensed stylists provide haircuts, colors, highlights, and styling services in a hair salon. They may also provide hair care advice and recommend products that clients can use at home to maintain their new styles.

Hair Coloring

A hair salon is where people go to get their hair colored. It is usually done to cover gray hair, follow trends, or because a client wants a color correction.

Some hair coloring methods are permanent, while others are semi-permanent or demi-permanent. They may also contain ingredients like peroxide or ammonia that can be dangerous to your health if misused.

Coloring hair can take up to an hour or more in a salon. It is because the stylist has to prepare for the service by stocking up on colors, chemical solutions, and tools.

Besides coloring your hair, you can also visit the salon for other services, including highlights and lowlights. These treatments can make your hair appear healthier and a lot more beautiful.

Nail Care

A hair salon offers various services to help men and women look their best. In addition to basic cuts and styling, these businesses may provide chemical treatments such as color, highlights, perms, and straightening.

The salons also employ estheticians and massage therapists who offer facials, body massage, and skin care treatments. Some of these workers also perform nail care, a type of beauty treatment that consists of cleaning, shaping, and beautifying the nails.

While working in a nail salon, a manicurist or pedicurist might be exposed to chemicals from glues, polishes, and removers that can cause breathing problems, red, itchy, or dry eyes, and other health problems. They could also be harmed by repetitive motions and awkward positions that stress their bodies.

Skin Care

A hair salon provides various services to help clients look and feel their best. These include haircuts, styling, and chemical treatments (color, highlights, and perms).

There are many different types of hair salons. Some accept walk-ins, while others require you to make an appointment.

Those offering only appointments have a team of salaried stylists who work set hours. As a result, you can expect to pay a higher price for these services than at a hair salon that accepts walk-ins.

In addition to offering hair and nail services, beauty salons usually have estheticians who perform skin care treatments. These may include facials, exfoliating scrubs, and anti-aging techniques.