A good hair routine must hold up to more than the bathroom mirror. There are days when humidity makes your bangs stand up before you get in the car, afternoons spent by the pool that leave a whiff of chlorine behind your ears, and weeks where a haircut that’s due is evident in the frayed tips sticking out on a dark sweater. The best salon appointments are scheduled around these everyday challenges, not reserved for special occasions.

Cut and Color Timing

When your ends begin snagging

The first signs of split ends usually aren’t very obvious. You might notice them when your brush catches in the middle of your strands, when the ends seem wispy against a white towel, or when your ends are flipped out near your collarbone. A haircut can help improve the overall look without making it unrecognizable.

Talk with your stylist about your typical weekday style. If you usually wear your hair in a messy bun to go grocery shopping, you’ll likely want less shaping around your edges than if you typically use a round brush on the regular. If your hair tends to be curly when it dries on its own in humid conditions, you may want to request some face-framing layers that dry down flat and don’t create big poofs of hair on the sides of your face.

A stylist should also examine the health of your ends before cutting them. If your hair has been bleached several times, the ends may feel brittle and coarse like an old rag, whereas virgin hair may just need to be cleaned up around the bottom edge.

Your roots before a busy weekend

Roots are often most visible when it’s least convenient: under harsh bathroom lights, on a Zoom call, or when you’re about to put on sunglasses outside. If you’re coloring your hair (more info here), try to schedule an appointment around when the regrowth becomes bothersome, not until the entire look is off.

If you’re looking to grow your roots out more gradually, ask your stylist for a root smudge or low-contrast color application that won’t create a hard line at your parting. Some strategically placed highlights around your hairline can make a ponytail look purposeful even if your schedule is completely full.

Keep timing in mind. Wait 48 hours to go swimming after you’ve had your color touched up, to allow the cuticles to close back up and avoid having the chlorine get in there.

If you’re short on time, a low-maintenance color may be a better option than a vibrant hue that needs constant upkeep. Choosing a color that’s closer to your natural roots, using lowlights, or opting for a darker-to-lighter root transition will give you more time to wait between visits. Do you pull your hair up when you work out? The area around the temples and nape tends to show more clearly in a bun.

Sun and Water Exposure

Outdoor time creates its own set of challenges: dry ends, lightened spots above the crown, and knots just over the shoulders. Even sunscreen applied to your fingers can make your hairline greasy by evening. If you’re in and out of the water regularly, inform your stylist before deciding on a treatment or glaze, and A Better Cut Salon can help you choose an approach that suits your hair.

A glaze can restore lost pigment and give the appearance of a smoother strand when hair seems lackluster following several weeks outside. You might be better off planning your appointment prior to a vacation week rather than coming right back. Especially if you’re looking forward to enjoying a beautiful color before the daily wash cycle resumes.

Ask what you should expect given your day-to-day activities. Are you rinsing immediately after the beach or waiting until after dinner to take down a wet braid? If you have an oily feeling at the root but dry ends, you might want a clarifying service first, before getting a conditioning service.

If you’ve had a reaction in the past to hair dyes, fragrances, or other cosmetic products, disclose that info before your next color appointment.

It’s easy for a technician to perform a quick skin sensitivity test well in advance, especially if you’re using a brand-new product or haven’t used one in a while.

Humidity and Scheduling

There’s nothing worse than a cut that requires perfect blow-drying to work properly. The evidence is evident by 10 a.m.: your bangs split into separated sections, your center part has lost its volume, or your waves have fallen out after a five-minute stroll to the car.

Tell your stylist what your hair looks like when you let it air dry. Have them look at your natural curl pattern as opposed to assessing your hair while it’s flattened beneath the salon cape. This conversation could determine the placement of your layers, the amount of weight you leave in the bottom half, and how your bangs will behave in the weather during the day. Visit https://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/atmospheric/why-does-humidity-make-hair-frizz.htm to know more.

Some specifics to discuss:

• Does your part change when your hair gets wet?
• What does your hair look like when you take it out from behind your sunglasses?
• Where do your curls fall flat on your pillowcase?
• Do you want a style that transitions easily from air-dried to a low pony?

Set Your Next Appointment

Having a standing appointment works well if it coincides with your activities that damage your hair: beach days, touch-ups, heat tools, and those mornings when you grab your bag before brushing your teeth. Jot down what was bugging you last time, then voice your concerns while you sit in the chair. Once you leave, decide on the next service you’ll need after the next round of sun exposure.