At the Hairdresser
These essential phrases will help you explain exactly what you want and navigate a visit to a Spanish-speaking hair salon with confidence.
Key Phrases
Buenas tardes, me gustaría cortarme el pelo, por favor.
politeGood afternoon, I would like to get a haircut, please.
A polite and clear way to state what you want when you enter the salon.
Hola, tengo cita para cortarme el pelo a las cinco.
neutralHello, I have an appointment for a haircut at five.
The standard opening phrase if you booked your visit in advance.
Solo quiero cortarme las puntas para sanear el pelo.
neutralI just want to trim the ends to make my hair healthier.
The verb 'sanear' is commonly used at salons to mean cutting damaged ends to keep hair healthy.
Quiero que me arregles las puntas, pero sin cortar demasiado.
casualI want you to trim the ends, but without cutting too much.
Uses the present subjunctive ('arregles'); very natural when speaking informally to your stylist.
Me gustaría que me lo deje más corto por los lados y largo arriba.
politeI would like you to leave it shorter on the sides and long on top.
Uses the formal 'usted' command ('deje') for respectful distance.
No me lo dejes muy corto, que tarda mucho en crecer.
casualDon't leave it too short, as it takes a long time to grow.
'Que' is used here casually as a discourse marker meaning 'because'.
Me gustaría un estilo que sea similar al de esta foto.
neutralI would like a style that is similar to this photo.
Perfect for when you want to show a reference picture on your phone.
Quiero mantener mi estilo, pero que sea más fácil de peinar todos los días.
casualI want to keep my style, but make it easier to style every day.
Uses the subjunctive ('sea') to express a desired characteristic for the haircut.
¿Cree que me quedarían bien unas mechas más claras?
politeDo you think lighter highlights would look good on me?
Uses the conditional ('quedarían') to ask for styling advice politely.
Estoy pensando en teñirme el pelo, pero no sé qué color elegir.
casualI'm thinking about dyeing my hair, but I don't know what color to choose.
A natural way to start a conversation about completely changing your hair color.
Creo que está un poco largo todavía, ¿podría cortarlo un poco más?
politeI think it's still a bit long, could you cut it a little more?
A polite way to ask the stylist to take a bit more length off.
Así está perfecto, me encanta cómo está quedando.
casualThat's perfect, I love how it's turning out.
Use this to reassure the stylist that you are completely happy with their progress.
¿Me puedes secar el pelo para ver cómo queda el resultado final?
neutralCan you blow-dry my hair to see how the final result looks?
In many Spanish salons, blow-drying is charged separately, so it is helpful to ask explicitly.
Prefiero que se seque al aire, si no le importa.
politeI prefer it to air dry, if you don't mind.
A polite way to decline a blow-dry, using a subjunctive trigger ('Prefiero que').
¿Cuánto sería por el corte y las mechas?
neutralHow much would it be for the cut and the highlights?
Using the conditional ('sería') makes the question about money sound softer.
Genial, ¿cuánto te debo por todo?
casualGreat, how much do I owe you for everything?
A very common, everyday way to ask for your total bill at the end.