What to ask your barber before a haircut
The questions that get you the cut you actually wanted — length, fade height, upkeep, product and what suits your hair.
Most disappointing haircuts are decided in the first two minutes, before anyone touches your hair. These are the questions worth asking while you still have the chance.
Will this suit my hair and face shape?
Ask directly. A barber who works with your hair type every day will tell you honestly whether a style will sit the way it does in the photo, and what to change so it does.
How short is short?
Numbers travel better than adjectives. Agree on a guard length for the sides, a fade height — low, mid or high — and roughly how much comes off the top in centimetres or finger widths.
How will this grow out?
A cut that looks excellent on the day but needs a visit every ten days may not fit your life. Ask how it will look in three and six weeks before you commit.
What do I need to do at home?
Ask which product was used, how much, and on wet or dry hair. Watch the barber apply it. Two minutes of that is worth more than any tutorial.
When should I come back?
Every barber has a view on this, based on what they cut. Ask before you leave, and if you are visiting Koh Samui for a while, book the follow-up while you are still in the chair.
One thing to bring
A photo. Ideally two: one you like and one you do not. It removes more misunderstanding than any description.
Our barbers talk through every cut before starting. You can read about the team on the Barbers page and request the barber you want when you book.
- Consultation
- Haircuts
- Advice
Book a chair in Fisherman's Village.
Choose your service, your barber and your time. Open daily, 10:00 — 22:00.
Quick answers
- What if I don't know how to describe the cut I want?
- Bring a photo — it's the fastest, clearest way to communicate a haircut in any language. If you don't have one, your barber will ask about length on top, how tight you want the sides, and how you usually style it, then talk you through what will suit your hair type and face shape. Nothing significant happens without you agreeing to it first.
- Can I choose a specific barber?
- Yes. Pick your barber during the booking flow, or select 'Any available' if the time matters more than the name. Each barber has a profile on the Barbers page with their specialities, so you can match the person to the cut you're after.
- How should I prepare for my appointment?
- Arrive with clean, dry, unstyled hair so your barber can see how it naturally falls. Bring a photo if you have a specific result in mind, wear something with a low neckline, and arrive a few minutes early so the consultation isn't rushed. Mention sunburn, sensitive skin or product allergies before anything starts.
- How do I keep my haircut looking fresh?
- Shampoo two or three times a week rather than daily, condition each time, and always rinse with fresh water after swimming in the sea. Use a small amount of a matte clay rather than a heavy pomade, which softens in the heat. Don't attempt the fade or the neckline yourself — a ten-minute line-up in the shop restores far more than a home clipper ever will.
