Getting your hair cut when you aren’t completely comfortable speaking the language can be a daunting, even terrifying experience. At the same time, cutting your own hair or stretching out cuts until your next trip home isn’t very practical. Here’s a crazy idea – why not take a French class focused on everything you’ll need to say at the hair salon and start getting your hair cut in France? With some preparation, your haircut can become a fun way to practice your French.
Key Vocabulary
Here are some essential words and phrases related to getting a haircut in French:
Essential Haircutting Vocabulary
- Hairdresser: coiffeur, coiffeuse
- Hairstyle: coiffure
- Hair salon: salon de coiffure
- Shampoo: shampooing
- Haircut: coupe de cheveux
- Trim: rafraîchissement
- Bangs: frange
- Layers: dégradé
- Highlights: mèches
- Blow dry: brushing
Useful Verbs
- To cut: couper
- To wash: laver
- To trim: rafraîchir
- To style: coiffer
- To highlight: faire des mèches
- To blowdry: faire un brushing
Describing Hair
- Thick: épais
- Fine: fins
- Straight: raides
- Curly: bouclés
- Wavy: ondulés
- Short: courts
- Long: longs
Communicating Your Hairstyle
Before your appointment, prepare by learning key vocabulary and phrases to describe the hairstyle you want. Being able to effectively explain your needs is crucial for getting the look you want.
For women:
- Length: les cheveux courts, mi-longs, longs (short, medium-length, long hair)
- Texture: fins, épais, raides, bouclés, frisés (fine, thick, straight, curly, frizzy)
- Layers: un dégradé léger/prononcé (subtle/dramatic layers)
- Bangs: une frange droite, de côté (blunt straight across, side-swept bangs)
- Color: je veux un balayage/des mèches (I want balayage/highlights)
For men:
- Length on top: plus court/long dessus (shorter/longer on top)
- Length on sides: ras sur les côtés (buzzed on the sides)
- Fade: un dégradé sur les côtés (a fade on the sides)
- Part: une raie sur le côté gauche/droit (a side part on left/right)
- Beard: tailler la barbe en collier/carré (trim beard to a collar/square shape)
To explain the hairstyle you want, use phrases like:
- Je voudrais les cheveux plus courts/longs – I would like the hair shorter/longer
- Avec une frange droite/de côté – With blunt/side-swept bangs
- Et un dégradé léger – And subtle layers
- Ras sur les côtés et plus long au dessus – Buzzed on the sides and longer on top
Having a photo can also help communicate your ideal style. Overall, being prepared with vocabulary and examples will ensure you get the look you want!
Discussing Preferences
The appointment is a great time to practice conversing in French by discussing your hair preferences and needs. Engage with your stylist!
You can break the ice by talking about your current hairstyle:
- J’essaie de laisser pousser mes cheveux. (I’m trying to grow my hair out.)
- Récemment, j’ai remarqué que mes pointes sont abîmées. (Recently, I’ve noticed my ends are damaged.)
When they recommend a cut or style, ask questions:
- Pensez-vous que le carré m’ira bien? (Do you think a bob would suit me?)
- Croyez-vous que les cheveux plus courts mettront mon visage en valeur? (Do you think shorter hair will flatter my face?)
Offer your input:
- Je préfère une coupe droite et nette. (I prefer a straight, clean cut.)
- J’aime quand il y a du mouvement et du volume. (I like movement and volume.)
You can also discuss hair products and tools:
- Avez-vous un shampooing à me recommander pour les cheveux fins? (Do you have a shampoo to recommend for fine hair?)
- Je cherche un boucleur de qualité professionnelle. (I’m looking for a quality professional curling iron.)
Don’t be shy about asking questions or sharing preferences. The more you discuss, the more your French skills will improve!
Asking for Recommendations
Your French will improve by having discussions with your stylist and asking for their expert advice. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
Ask about cut and style options that may suit you:
- Que me recommandez-vous pour rafraîchir ma coupe? (What do you recommend to freshen up my haircut?)
- Pensez-vous qu’un carré plongeant mettrait mon visage en valeur? (Do you think an angled bob would flatter my face?)
Ask for suggestions on your hair color:
- Je pensais me faire des mèches plus claires pour l’été. Qu’en pensez-vous? (I was thinking of getting lighter highlights for summer. What do you think?)
- Quelle couleur me conseillez-vous pour illuminer mon teint? (What color do you recommend to brighten my complexion?)
Inquire about products for your hair type and needs:
- Mes cheveux sont secs et ternes, quel traitement me suggérez-vous? (My hair is dry and dull, what treatment do you suggest?)
- Auriez-vous un produit anti-frizz à me proposer pour dompter mes frisottis? (Would you have an anti-frizz product to recommend for taming my frizz?)
Don’t forget to ask follow-up questions if you need any clarification on their recommendations. Feel free to ask “Pouvez-vous m’en dire plus sur…?” (Can you tell me more about…?)
Getting your stylist’s expert opinion is a great way to improve your French and ensure you leave loving your new look!
Booking an Appointment
Making an appointment at the hair salon in French requires knowing some key phrases and vocabulary.
Start by calling the salon and saying “Bonjour, je voudrais prendre un rendez-vous s’il vous plaît” (Hello, I’d like to make an appointment please).
Be prepared to specify the following details:
- The service you want:
- Une coupe (a haircut)
- Une couleur (color)
- Un balayage (balayage)
- The date and time:
- Pour le 12 mars à 10h (For March 12 at 10am)
- Demain à 14h (Tomorrow at 2pm)
- The length of appointment:
- Un rendez-vous d’une heure (A one hour appointment)
- Un rendez-vous express de 30 minutes (A 30 minute express appointment)
- The stylist:
- Avec Julien/Marie s’il vous plaît (With Julien/Marie please)
- Avec le premier styliste disponible (With the first available stylist)
You can also ask questions like:
- Avez-vous un rendez-vous disponible le…? (Do you have an appointment available on…?)
- Quels sont vos horaires d’ouverture? (What are your business hours?)
To confirm, they will likely repeat back the details – be sure to listen carefully and correct any mistakes.
Before hanging up, thank them with “Merci beaucoup, à bientôt!” (Thank you very much, see you soon!).
Booking your appointment in advance and knowing the right vocabulary ensures your visit goes smoothly!
When researching salons, look for prices posted on the windows and photos of current client hair. This will help you find a place suited to your style and budget. See if they accept walk-ins or require appointments. Many neighborhood salons offer student discounts, so ask about prix étudiant.
Don’t be afraid to speak French from the start when you arrive. Greet the hairdresser with a simple “bonjour.” When asked what you want, describe your ideal cut. Don’t hesitate to show a photo on your phone to clarify. If you don’t understand a term, ask them to repeat it. The more vocabulary you build, the more detail you can discuss.
Make the most of opportunities for conversation during your appointment. Chat about simple topics like the weather while getting your hair washed. Ask about products being used. Describe your usual haircare routine at home. Even making mistakes gives you valuable practice.
Don’t be shy about asking the stylist to repeat or clarify things. Phrases like “Pouvez-vous répéter s’il vous plaît?” (Can you repeat please?) and “Que veut dire ___?” (What does ___ mean?) show you’re eager to learn. Check comprehension by repeating instructions back. Use body language like smiling and nodding.
Finally, put your new skills to work when paying, thanking the stylist, and booking your next appointment. Leave the salon feeling stylish and confident in your French! With regular practice at the hair salon, your comfort and fluency will improve with every visit. So don’t wait – book that rendez-vous and let your français grow!
