The Haircut That Changed Everything: How One Crazy Experience Made Me a Consultation Queen

There’s nothing like that moment behind the chair when you’re finishing up a cut, you’re sure you nailed.

Your technique was solid, your blending was smooth, and you’re already mentally walking your client up to the front desk like it’s your personal runway.

But one experience, early in my career, shook me so hard I’ve never forgotten it. And to this day, it’s the reason I approach consultations the way I do.

Let me set the scene.

I’d been doing hair for about 10 years. I worked in a busy, trendy salon with five other talented stylists.

Truth be told, haircutting had never come easily to me...especially bobs. They were my arch nemesis!! Seeing one on my books made my palms sweat.

Then one day, in walks a teenage girl with her mom. The mom seemed a little off, but I tried not to judge. The daughter sits in my chair with overly processed, DIY-colored hair and shows me a photo of an A-line bob.

I’m pumped!

I can see the potential.

It’s going to be stunning.

She says her mom’s cool with it. I don’t ask too many questions. I just dive in, eager to impress and prove to myself (and maybe my coworkers) that I can do a killer bob.

Snip. First cut. Confidence high.

Then—from across the salon—her mom yells, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”

My soul left my body.

After a very awkward pause and a conversation between the two of them, the daughter insists she still wants the cut. I finish it. And yes...it looks amazing. The daughter is thrilled.

But the mom? Oh no. The drama had just begun.

She storms up to the front desk complaining.

Later that day, I’m at the grocery store getting Easter goodies for my kids when I hear someone yelling across the store, “THAT’S HER! SHE MESSED UP MY DAUGHTER’S HAIR!” I looked around to see who this person was talking about and to my horror it was that teenage girl's mother pointing at me!

I was mortified! 🫨

No exaggeration—she followed me out of the store, yelling across the aisles like I’d committed a crime. When I tried to leave, she actually shoved me. Thankfully, I was within walking distance of the salon, so I headed back as quickly as I could—with her trailing behind me the entire way (yep, full parade mode 🙄). I had to call the police, and—surprise—they knew exactly who she was. Apparently, she had a history of behavior like this tied to drug use. So yes, she was absolutely bat-shit crazy. And while finding that out made me feel slightly better, it didn’t change what the whole experience taught me.
After my own mini meltdown, I had to ask myself: What started this whole nightmare? And that’s when it hit me—this wasn’t just about a haircut. It was about a lack of clear communication.

That day changed me as a stylist.

It wasn’t just about protecting myself. It was about protecting my clients—even from themselves.

Even though that young girl wanted the haircut, she didn’t fully understand what she was asking for. She didn’t know how short the back would be. She didn’t grasp the maintenance. And I didn’t take the time to explain it all.

Since then, I’ve never treated consultations the same.

Before I ever pick up my shears, I take time to educate my clients.
We talk through their inspiration, I ask key questions, show photos, and break down how the cut will fall—where the weight will sit, how it’ll look styled vs. natural, and what kind of maintenance it’ll take to keep it looking its best.

Clients don’t want a yes-person—they want someone who knows their stuff.

And here’s the truth:
Most stylists won’t have a horror story like mine, thank goodness!
But so many will experience miscommunications, redo's, or clients who never come back.
Not because their technical work wasn’t good, but because the expectation and the result didn’t match up.

That’s why I created the Confident Consultation Blueprint—a free guide you can keep right at your station. It’s packed with simple but powerful questions to help you lead any consultation with clarity and confidence—whether it’s a new client, a returning one, a color change, or a big chop.

👉 Click here to grab the free guide and never second-guess your client convos again.

Because your chair should be a place of trust, not tension.
And when your clients get what you’re doing—and why—they’ll keep coming back.