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Start by asking what the client likes about the photo: the shape, fringe, color, volume, or finish. Explain the difference that matters for their hair, offer an adaptation that preserves their favorite feature, and agree on the result before starting.
Consultation Phrase
What do you like most about this look? Let's use that as our starting point and talk through how we can adapt it for your hair and styling routine.
Step-by-Step Practical Workflow
- Step 1: Understand the Client's Requirements: Ask what they want to achieve, what they want to keep or change, and how much daily styling they want to do. Use the client's inspiration photo to clarify which features matter most.
- Step 2: Assess the Starting Point: Assess the client's hair in person. If using Coiffa, provide client photos together with the requirements discussed; add the Inspo photo as supporting context. Explain relevant differences in density, length, growth patterns, or styling.
- Step 3: Offer an Adaptation: Suggest a version that preserves the feature the client values most. Coiffa can help you explore differences and possible adaptations for you to review.
- Step 4: Agree on the Plan: Explain what you propose to change, what the result may look like, and the home styling involved. Ask the client whether that matches what they want before starting.
Illustrative Consultation Example — Adapting a Full Fringe
- Reference Request: The client likes a thick, full fringe in an inspiration photo.
- Observed Difference: During the consultation, you find that the client's front section is less dense than the reference appears to be.
- Adapted Option: Discuss a lighter fringe that keeps the face-framing effect, and explain how its fullness would differ from the photo.
- Consultation Wording: The face-framing shape is the part you like. Your front section has less density, so the fringe would look lighter than this photo. Would you like to explore a softer version with that same framing effect?
How do you discuss a look that needs more daily styling?
Illustrative example for adaptation to your own consultation.
- Client request: The client likes a smooth, polished finish in a reference photo but wants to air-dry their hair.
- Observed difference: In this example, you assess the client’s natural texture and establish that the pictured finish would need more styling than they want to do.
- Adapted option: Discuss a version worn with their natural texture, or explain the routine needed for the pictured finish.
- Consultation wording: What you like is the shape around the face. The smooth finish in this photo would need styling at home. Would you prefer a version that works with your natural texture, or would you like me to show you the routine for this finish?
- Agreed plan: Confirm the chosen finish and the home routine the client is willing to follow.
How do you explain a reference that needs more length?
Illustrative example for adaptation to your own consultation.
- Client request: The client wants the long face-framing layers shown in a reference photo.
- Observed difference: In this example, the client’s shortest front pieces do not yet reach the length shown in the reference.
- Adapted option: Discuss a shape that works with the current length and which areas to retain while the front grows.
- Consultation wording: The front pieces in this photo are longer than yours today. We can work with your current length and keep growing the front toward that shape. Would you like to agree on what we trim now and what we leave to grow?
- Agreed plan: Confirm today’s cut separately from the longer-term goal, without promising a date for reaching the reference length.
How Coiffa Supports the Stylist
Coiffa brings the client's photos and requirements together to support consultation and service execution. For this reference-photo scenario, the inspiration image adds context about the desired look. Use Coiffa to explore adaptations and prepare your explanation, then refer to its technique guidance as you carry out the agreed service behind the chair.
What should you confirm before starting?
Ask the client to describe the agreed result in their own words. Confirm the length to remove, the features to retain, and the styling they expect to do at home. These examples illustrate consultation wording; they do not establish that a particular cut or service is suitable for every client.