Hair Salon
Pre-Listening
Do you go to a hair salon? What types of services are offered there? If you do not go to a hair salon, what are some reasons why?
Listen and Read
Listen to the recording on hair salons, answer the questions, and then read along with the audio recording.
Listening Quiz
Select the best answer for each question, then press Check Answers.
Use arrow keys to choose between options within each question.
1. Is a reservation required at this hair salon?
2. Once a year, the man goes to the hair salon to get ________.
3. The man’s natural hair color is ______.
Whenever I need a haircut, I go to a beauty salon near my house. Making an appointment is generally recommended, but not required because they take people on a first-come, first-served basis. They have very qualified beauticians who always do a good job. I never want anything fancy, so I usually get them to cut a little off the top and sides, and trim off any split ends. The hairstylist will usually wash my hair, towel dry it, and comb my hair out before starting to cut my hair. Then, once a year, I get a perm to put some body into my hair. I also have them add a little coloring to my hair. I have naturally brown hair, but I like it when it’s a little lighter. As a rule, I tip the hairstylist because she always cuts my hair the way I like it.
Vocabulary and Expressions From the Audio
- appointment (noun): a scheduled time to meet with someone, such as a hairstylist
- She called the salon to make an appointment for a cut and color.
- first-come, first-served basis (expression): a system where people are helped in the order they arrive, with no reservations
- The salon accepted walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis, so she arrived early to avoid a long wait.
- qualified (adjective): having the necessary training, skills, or certifications to do a job properly
- All of the stylists at the salon were fully qualified and had years of experience.
- beauticians (noun): professionals trained in hair, skin, and beauty treatments
- The salon employed several beauticians who specialized in different services.
- fancy (adjective): elaborate, decorative, or more complex than usual
- She wanted something fancy for the wedding, so she asked for an updo with curls.
- trim (noun): a small cut to remove the ends of the hair without changing the overall length significantly
- She just needed a quick trim to clean up her ends before the holidays.
- split ends (noun): the frayed or split tips of hair strands caused by damage or dryness
- The stylist recommended a trim to get rid of her split ends and make her hair look healthier.
- perm (noun): a chemical treatment applied to the hair to create long-lasting waves or curls
- She decided to get a perm so she wouldn’t have to curl her hair every morning.
- body (noun): in the context of hair, the fullness, thickness, and volume of the hair
- She asked for a style that would give her fine hair more body and volume.
Discussion
Describe the type of haircut you usually get. How much does it cost? Where do you have it done: by a friend, at a hair salon, or elsewhere? Are there rules or policies on how students and employees can style their hair in your country?
Online Investigation
Search the internet for three hair salons that offer competing services. Compare price, years in business, reputation, and other services, and then decide which salon you would rather visit to have your hair cut.
Online Listening Practice (from www.esl-lab.com):
- Just a haircut, please!: Listening Conversation
- Beauty and Hair Salons: Vocabulary Building