The Edit

Hair guides, honestly written

Plain-English advice for choosing a salon, a colorist and the right service. No sponsored opinions, ever.

Happy client with fresh, bouncy waves and her smiling stylist reflected in the salon mirror, two cappuccinos on the counter

4 min readHow to Choose a Hair Salon You'll Want to Go Back To

Finding a salon is easy. Finding the right one takes a little homework. Here is a simple plan for comparing salons near you, asking good questions and booking your first visit with confidence.

Woman relaxing with her eyes closed as a stylist rinses her long dark hair at the shampoo bowl

5 min readHow Much to Tip Your Hair Stylist

Tipping at the salon can feel confusing, especially when two or three people work on your hair. Here is the common US guideline, who to include and how to handle the tricky moments.

Back view of long, glossy bronde balayage with soft blended ends in a salon chair

4 min readBalayage vs. Highlights: How to Choose

Both add lighter pieces to your hair, but they are placed differently, grow out differently and need different upkeep. Here is how to tell them apart and decide which one suits your hair and your schedule.

Rolled hair extension wefts in black, brown, honey and platinum blonde on a white background

6 min readHair Extensions: Types, Upkeep and What to Ask

Extensions can add length, volume or both, but each method attaches, lasts and wears differently. Here is a plain guide to the main types, the upkeep and how to protect your own hair.

Smiling client with long, sleek, glossy straight hair as her stylist checks the ends

6 min readKeratin Treatments: Results, Aftercare and Safety

A keratin treatment can tame frizz and cut your styling time for months. Here is how it works, how to make it last and the safety questions to ask before you book.

Colorist in gloves brushing color onto a section of long, light-brown hair

4 min readHow to Choose a Hair Colorist

Hair color is part chemistry, part art, and harder to undo than a haircut. Here is how to find a colorist whose work fits your hair, your goals and the time you want to spend on upkeep.

Stylist with long braids combing a client's glossy brown bob at a lit mirror

6 min readWomen's Haircuts: How Often to Go and How to Get the Cut You Want

A great haircut starts before the scissors come out. Here is how often to book, how to describe what you want and what to do if the result isn't quite right.

Stylist blow-drying a smiling client's shoulder-length brown hair with a round brush in a salon

5 min readBlowouts: What to Expect and How to Make Them Last

A blowout is a professional wash and blow-dry that leaves your hair smooth, shiny and full of shape. Here is what happens in the chair, how long it holds and how to keep it looking fresh.

Stylist blow-drying a client's natural hair in a bright, busy salon

6 min readSilk Press: What It Is, How Long It Lasts and How to Find a Stylist

A silk press gives natural hair a smooth, swinging finish with heat instead of chemicals. Here is how it differs from a relaxer, how to make it last and how to find a stylist who treats your hair with care.

Braider's hands adding long twists to a client's hair, close up

6 min readBraids and Protective Styles: Box Braids, Knotless, Twists and More

Braids and twists can give your hair a rest from daily styling, but only when they are installed and cared for well. Here is how the common styles differ, how long to keep them in and how to protect your scalp and edges.

Stylist's hands lifting foiled sections of blonde highlights at the wash bowl

4 min readWhat to Know Before a Big Hair Color Change

Going from dark to blonde, or blonde to red, is exciting. It also takes planning. Here is what to think about, what to tell your colorist and how to care for your hair once the new color is in.

Stylist talking through the plan with a silver-haired client in a busy salon with teal walls

5 min readGray Blending: A Guide to Softer, Easier Gray

Gray blending softens the line between your gray and your natural color instead of hiding every strand. It can mean gentler grow-out and fewer appointments. Here is how it works and how to talk to your colorist about it.

Smiling woman with long natural curls as her stylist lifts and shapes her hair at the wash station

4 min readHow to Find a Curly Hair Salon That Understands Your Curls

Curly, coily and wavy hair need a stylist who sees how each curl falls, plans for shrinkage and doesn't reach straight for the flat iron. Here is how to find that person and get ready for your visit.

Stylist talking with a blonde client in a sunny salon with brick walls, pendant lights and product shelves

4 min readThe Salon Consultation: How to Get the Hair You Want

A good consultation is the difference between the hair you pictured and the hair you got. Here is when to book one, what to bring, what to share and the questions that lead to clear answers.

Colorist in blue gloves brushing color onto a foil section of a smiling woman's brown hair

4 min readCorrective Color: What to Do When Hair Color Goes Wrong

Brassy, patchy, too dark or striped, color that misses the mark is upsetting. The good news is that many color problems can be improved with a careful plan. Here is what to do first and what to expect from a fix.

Woman smiling with her eyes closed during a relaxing shampoo at a white wash bowl

4 min readSalon Prices Explained: What Changes the Cost

Two salons on the same street can charge very differently for what sounds like the same service. Here is what actually changes a price and how to ask for a clear quote, so there are no surprises at checkout.

Stylist pinning tiny flowers into a braided blonde bridal updo

4 min readWedding and Event Hair: How to Plan It Without the Stress

Great event hair starts weeks before the big day. Here is how to find a stylist, make the most of a hair trial, plan a realistic timeline and ask the right questions if your stylist comes to you.

Smiling Asian client in a salon chair talking with her stylist through the mirror

4 min readWhat a Cosmetology License Means, and What It Doesn't

Most states license the people who do hair, and many also license the salons where they work. Here is what those licenses tell you, what they don't, and how this directory shows license information.

Female stylist in an apron working on a client's long dark hair in a bright, airy salon

4 min readHow to Check a Salon or Stylist License

Checking a license takes a few minutes and costs nothing. Here is what to have ready, where to search in several states, how to read the result and what to do when a record doesn't show up.