Questions to ask before a colour appointment

A rushed colour appointment is how good intentions become expensive regrets. The questions you ask before you sit in the chair—and how a colourist responds—predict almost everything that happens next.

Most people arrive at a salon with a picture and a hope. The conversation that follows makes or breaks the result. It's not about interrogating someone; it's about understanding whether they know what they're doing, whether they're listening to you, and whether they're being honest about what's possible given your hair's starting point.

"Can you walk me through what you're actually going to do?"

A colourist who can explain their process isn't just being thorough—they're proving they have one. A vague answer like "I'll just do your colour" is a red flag. A good one sounds like: "I'll start with a strand test on a hidden section, then apply the base colour first, wait 20 minutes, apply to the ends, and process for another 15." Or: "Since you have grey at the roots, I'll apply there first where it takes longest, then blend through the mid-lengths and ends."

The detail matters because it shows they're thinking about timing, placement, and your hair's individual needs. If they're dismissive or vague about method, they're probably not tailoring their approach—they're running through a script. Ask why they're doing it that way. A thoughtful answer reveals expertise; evasion reveals they haven't thought it through.

"What's the realistic outcome given what my hair is now?"

This is where truth lives or dies. If you're asking about going significantly lighter, a colourist should tell you whether it's possible right now or whether it needs staged sessions. If you've had permanent colour before and want a totally different shade, they should address that. If your hair is compromised (porous, previously damaged, heavily processed), they need to say so and explain how it changes what they can do.

A colourist being honest might say: "Your hair's quite porous from the bleach last time, so the colour will grab darker than we'd like. We could do a glossing treatment first to even it out, or go for a shade slightly warmer to account for it." That's a real answer. Compare it to: "Don't worry, it'll be fine"—which tells you nothing and protects them from responsibility.

Ask what could go wrong. A professional will outline it: "If the developer time runs long, you might end up darker. If you wash too soon, you'll lose vibrancy." Someone uncomfortable with that question probably hasn't managed many tricky situations. You want someone who's seen things go sideways and knows how to minimize it.

"What's your aftercare advice, and what happens if I'm not happy?"

Colourists who take their work seriously have a standard aftercare protocol. They'll tell you when to first wash, which products protect colour, how often to refresh, and what to avoid. If they shrug and say "just use normal shampoo," they're not invested in the result lasting. Ask specifics: how many days before washing, lukewarm or cold water, which shampoo brands do they recommend.

Then ask the hard one: what's their policy if you hate it? There's no single "right" answer—some offer a free correction within a week, some charge a reduced rate, some will only redo it if they made a technical mistake. What matters is that they name the policy clearly before you commit. Silence or hedging is a warning. You need to know the boundary beforehand, not discover it when you're upset.

A good colourist also asks about your lifestyle. Do you swim? Chlorine damages colour. How often do you wash your hair? That affects shade longevity. Do you use heat tools? Colour fades faster if hair's stressed. This isn't small talk—it shapes whether the colour holds and how soon you'll need a redo.

Before you book, trust your read of the conversation. If someone listens, explains clearly, and is honest about trade-offs, you've found a colourist worth trying. If they're pushy, vague, or dismissive of your questions, that discomfort is useful data. On Strove, you can read reviews and message colourists with these questions beforehand—take time to find someone whose answers make sense for your hair and what you're after.