Your hairdresser says, “Should we cut the ends?”
What you hear: A tiny ½ cm trim to refresh hair health—nothing visible.
What he means: Removing damaged sections, up to 2.5 cm at most, without drastic changes.
Pro tip: To protect your lengths, specify firmly: “Just 2 cm maximum, no more.” Even if the hair seems very damaged, stand your ground.
He suggests, “Shall we refresh the cut?”
What you think: A minor tweak for a neater front.
What it means: Retracing the existing cut with no big alterations—your style was spot-on before. (Or, less commonly, he's short on fresh ideas.)
Pro tip: Confirm you're aligned—ask for a description or show a photo. If you're ready for change, request his ideas or seek a stylist with inspiration.
He asks, “How do you want the blow-dry?”
What you assume: Rare? Medium? It's just drying, right?
What it means: The final shape—straight (smooth from root to tip), tucked-in (ends rounded inward), flipped-out (ends outward), or natural (brushed and dried simply).
Pro tip: Describe your vision clearly (a photo helps). Opt for air-drying if preferred, and skip heavy lacquer to avoid a stiff look.
Insights from David Mallett, renowned hairdresser at the David Mallett salon, 14 Rue Notre-Dame des Victoires, Paris 2nd.
