Experts Say This Is How to Find the Best Hair Salon Near You

If you’re planning a chop, color revamp, or even just a trim, everything can be made far more complicated if you have to find a brand-new hair salon. Maybe your own stylist did a disappearing act, moved on, or perhaps you just need to shake things up. Whatever the reason you’re starting from scratch, finding your new hairdresser can be a daunting task. Especially since you can’t exactly ask for a trial run—once it's chopped, it's chopped. But quell your fears friends, because we’ve done the digging and come up with an expert checklist to help you spot the pros from the pretenders. Keep reading to learn how you can find a new hair salon, with top tips from pro hair stylists.

How Do I Find a Good Hair Stylist?

When searching for a new hairstylist, doing your research is key. "Ask people you trust who have hairstyles you admire. Personal recommendations are often the most reliable," says hairstylist, Collin Ford. From there you can then search social media, look on Yelp, and even book consultations to find someone that's good, and most importantly, someone that you trust.

1. Ask Around

It may seem like an obvious one, but word of mouth is a powerful tool and a recommendation from a friend, or just somebody with amazing hair, is always a good start. “Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a good stylist and will give you extra confidence in their abilities," says Ward. "If you’re always admiring a particular friend’s cut or color, ask where they go and give the stylist a call. Lots of salons operate referral schemes, so don’t forget to mention their name.”

2. Get on Instagram

Much like a word-of-mouth recommendation, Instagram is now a hive of genuine hair inspiration, especially when you can easily track down who’s responsible for the cut, color, or coiffing. With a simple search like 'Los Angeles hair stylist' you can easily find tons of different hair stylists in your area. "However with the rise of AI use, you will want to be more aware of spotting a genuine post-service photograph or discern if someone generated that image," says Graciano. To safeguard against this, check the salon or hair stylist's profile, their tagged photos, and their Yelp page to make sure everything is consistent.

3. Use the Consultation

Are you finally ready to commit to French-girl bangs? What about going for a trendy haircut like the mixie? The consultation is key for communicating what you want, but it can also be very revealing in terms of assessing your stylist, so use it as an interview of sorts—and listen carefully.

“Every appointment should start with an in-depth consultation, whether it’s for a color, cut, or hair extensions, and, of course, a patch test prior to any color service,” explains celebrity hairstylist Jack Merrick-Thirlway. “During a consultation, a good stylist will consider your face shape, lifestyle habits, check for unusual growth patterns, and take into consideration how your hair looks when it's natural. They should also prioritize the health of your hair, and offer alternatives if your choice of cut or color just isn’t (safely) achievable on your hair type. They should discuss aftercare and maintenance with you, too, and not allow things to sound overly ‘technical’—clients need to understand how the result is really going to look.”

Don't be afraid to book multiple consultations with different stylists. "Schedule consultations with a few stylists," Ford advises. "This will give you a chance to discuss your hair needs and see if you feel comfortable with them."

4. Start Small

Wish you could give a new salon or stylist a trial run? While you might not be able to stage a "practice cut," there is one test you can carry out to get a feel for things. "Try a minor service like a trim or blowout to get a feel for the stylist’s work before committing to a major change," says Ford.

Ward agrees, and suggests using the rather genius "blow-dry test." Here's how it works: “Always book in for a blow-dry at any new salon before you commit to a cut,” says Ward. "This is a great way to get a feel for the salon, and also establish a rapport with the hairdresser before allowing them anywhere near your hair with scissors!” 

5. Try an App

Like most things in life these days, there’s an app for this exact dilemma—several in fact. Our favorites include StyleSeat, where you can search for salons in your area and read (often brutally honest) customer reviews before you book. If you have curly or textured hair, it’s worth keeping an eye on the website Swivel. The platform aims to make an easy job of finding natural hair experts in your area.

6. Check Brand Websites

"Another way you can find a new hairstylist is through your favorite professional hair care brand," Graciano advises. "Oftentimes we find that we are aligning with our hair care products ethos and/or performance which usually translates into the style of hairstylists they attract as well. Goldie Locks offers a salon locator where you can type in your zip code and find a stylist near you."

7. Trust Your Gut

Ultimately, you want to choose a stylist that's going to make you feel confident and comfortable. "Choose a stylist you feel comfortable with and who understands your hair goals," says Ford. "Ensure there is good communication, and that the stylist is attentive to your preferences and concerns."

Communication is huge, especially when working with a new hair stylist. While speaking up can feel uncomfortable in the moment, a few seconds of discomfort is much better than hours (or even days) of angst because you hate your hair.