by Mayaenfrance

Created on: July 20, 2008

The French Salon Experience
How to get your hair styled in a French salon!

Its okay, open the door and enter! Getting your favourite cut, colour or perm is only a translation away

After seven years in France, I have found that the stylists love a visit from a foreigner. Smile and assume that you will be spending most of the morning or afternoon in the salon; it's culturally correct to simply let the time flow around you. I have never had better hair stylists anywhere. Going for the French salon experience can be a highlight' in your travels.

Whether you want your hair short une coupe courte (oon coop court*) or long = une coupe longue, (oon coop loonguh,) don't hesitate to look use the magazines that they have in the salon to show your stylist your ideas for a cut or colour.

Here are a few terms help you get started. Give it a try and have fun!

Salon magazines = magazines des modles magazine day mod-elle

Cut = Coupe, coop
Style = Brushing, bruh sheeng
To colour = coloris, Coo-lor-ees

Shampoo = Shampo, sham- pwaw

If you are adventureseome and you want a truly continental look, tell the stylist to do what ever she thinks is best! Say "Faites ce que vous pensez m'irez bien ." Fet suh kuh voo pon-sqy mee-ray bee-en.

Additional phrases are included at the end of this article

Some of the real magic in the French salon happens the wash basin. First, a lovely shampoo followed by a head massage that will last at least five minutes! At this point they might ask you a couple of questions: would you like a soin' a conditioner to protect your hair (for an extra charge). You can ask how much, combine a coute? Comb-bee-en sah coot? Or just a simple "oui "or " non, merci" will do. When asked a vous va la temperature de l'eau ? You are being asked: is this water temperature okay? Sah voo vah lah tahm-per-ah-chur duh low?

If you have thin hair, they might propose a special shampoo that adds volume, or de-frizz for frizzy hair (dfrisage) day-freez-aj.

When the stylist is finished they might ask if you would like a styling gel or spray "Vous voulez du produit coiffant? voo voo-lay doo pro-dwee kwah-fon? And you answer oui or non.

You will be delighted with your new look. It's just the thing for your European travels!

For men - les hommes

Men can have their hair cut in France too! Yes, no fear! They will not come out speaking with an accent, but they might turn a few more heads after the experience!

Here is some advice from a charming stylist ready to go the extra length' to make a foreigner feel

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>