How to get a haircut in Italy

If you live in Italy for a while, sooner or later, you’ll need a haircut.

So, what are the steps to follow to get a haircut in Italy?

And what are the main Italian words and sentences you need to know to survive at the hairdresser’s in Italy?

PARRUCCHIERE OR BARBIERE?

If you want to get a haircut in Italy, the first thing you need to know is the difference between parrucchiere and barbiere.

The difference is pretty smple: parrucchiere is usually for both women and men, while barbiere is just for men.

MAKING AN APPOINTMENT

In some hair salons, especially in small towns, you don’t need to have an appointment to get your hair cut, you can just walk in.

However, if you want to make an appointment, pick up the phone, dial the number of your hairdresser and say:

“Buongiorno, volevo prendere un appuntamento per un taglio/una spuntatina/una piega/i colpi di sole…”
“Hello, I’d like to make an appointment for a cut/trim/blowout/highlights…”

At this point the hairdresser will ask you: “Quando?/Per quando?” – “When?/For when?”

And you reply with date and time.

If you want to know how much a haircut costs, you can ask:

“Quanto costa per un taglio?”
“How much does it cost for a cut?”

Very good! First step achieved.

AT THE HAIRDRESSER’S

When you get at the hairdresser’s, you say buongiorno and then explain that you’ve made an appointment and tell your name:

“Ho un appuntamento alle 9, Garavaglia”
“I’ve made an appointment for 9 o’clock, Garavaglia”

The hairdresser will probably say something like “si accomodi” – please, have a sit.

When it’s time to style your hair, it’s important that you know what you want to do but also understand what the hairdresser tells you.

So, let’s see some of the terms that can come in handy.

Piega – Blowout
Taglio – Cut
Spuntatina – Trim
Tinta/Colore – Color
Colpi di sole – Highlights
Permanente – Perm

These are probably the most common words you usually use or hear at the hairdresser’s. Let’s see how some of other terms are used in context.

Vorrei fare una tinta
I’d like to dye my hair

Hai già un colore in mente?
Do you already have a color in mind?

Vorrei tagliarmi i capelli corti
I’d like a short haircut

Vorrei tagliarmi i capelli. Non troppo corti
I’d like a haircut. Not too short.

Vorrei tagliarmi i capelli. Più o meno cinque centimetri.
I’d like a haircut. Five centimeters off the length more or less.

Vorrei i capelli scalati
Can you layer my hair?

Vorrei la frangia
I’d like the fringe/bangs

Può tagliare solo le punte?
Can you just trim the ends?

Vorrei cambiare pettinatura. Cosa mi consiglia?
I’d like a new style. What do you suggest?

Finally, it’s time to decide how to dry your hair.

Lisci – straight
Mossi – wavy
Lacca – hairspray

Come li asciughiamo?
How shall we dry it?

Li vorrei mossi
I’d like it wavy

Very good. These are probably the most common sentences you can hear when you go at the hairdresser’s to get a haircut in Italy.

Are you ready for your next haircut?

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Credits

Original image by katyandgeorge