How to find a good hairdresser — a checklist

Your choice of hairdresser shapes how you look for 4–8 weeks after every visit. The Ilusalong24.ee editorial team gathered the real-world experience of stylists and clients into a single 9-point checklist that helps you find a professional who matches your hair type and your budget.

1. Decide on the specialism before the stylist

"The best hairdresser" is an imprecise question. Better: do you need a colour expert, a cutting expert, a men's hairdresser, a children's hairdresser or a bridal stylist. A specialist is 2–3 times better in their own field than an all-round hairdresser. Browse the directory by the specific service:

• Classic hairdressers
• Men's hairdressers and barbershops
• Women's hairdressers
• Children's hairdressers
• Hair colouring

2. Check the Instagram portfolio

A good hairdresser is active on social media. What to expect:

• At least 100 posts over the last 12 months.
• A consistent visual identity — the lighting, background and style are recognisable.
• Before-and-after photos, especially for colour work — they let you judge the actual result.
• A variety of faces — if every client has the same hair type, the stylist probably can't work with anything else.
• Live stories during a treatment — a sign that the stylist is confident and transparent about their work.

If the salon has no Instagram, or the profile has gone quiet over the last 6 months, move on.

3. Read the Google and Facebook reviews

How to read reviews properly:

• At least 30 reviews — below that, the sample isn't statistically reliable.
• An average rating of 4,5+ — below 4,3 is a warning.
• Read the 1–3-star reviews. A good salon replies to them politely, acknowledges the problem and offers a solution. A defensive or aggressive reply is a red flag.
• Dates. The last 6 months should contain at least 5 reviews — otherwise the salon has moved or the quality has slipped.

4. Ask for prices in writing

Call or message the salon and ask for an exact price list by email. Why in writing:

• Over the phone, prices vary — the stylist quotes different clients different numbers.
• A written price is documented — you can refer to it if there's a dispute.
• A salon that refuses to put a price in writing is a red flag.

5. A consultation before the first cut

With a first-time client, the stylist should run a 10–30 minute consultation. It covers:

1. Hair analysis — thickness, porosity, the colour quality of the base.
2. Lifestyle questions — how much time you spend on home care.
3. Pinning down expectations — show photos of the style you want.
4. Realistic limits — a good stylist says "no" when what you want isn't achievable.
5. Home-care recommendations — specific products and quantities.

6. Business register and trading history

Look the salon up in the Business Register (Äriregister). What to look for:

• Registered at least 2 years ago.
• Not on the list of tax debtors.
• The owner and manager are named in the salon's published contact details.

7. Warning signs

• An unusually low price (a woman's cut under 15 €) — that means a trainee slot or a salon in decline.
• 100% prepayment. Most salons take a booking fee of 20–30%, not the full price.
• No cancellation option. An acceptable salon lets you cancel 24–48 h ahead without a penalty.
• Several bad reviews about the same thing — if 3+ clients mention "the colour faded fast" or "the cut was uneven", believe them.

8. Choose a smaller service for the first visit

Don't book bleaching or a bridal updo with a new stylist right away. Start with a 25–45 € cut or a 20–30 € blow-dry. You'll see how the stylist works, how closely they keep to the schedule, how clean their tools are, how they consult. Only then consider a bigger treatment.

9. A long-term relationship vs rotation

Two strategies:

• A long-term stylist. The same salon for 2+ years — the stylist knows your hair, your colour history, your lifestyle. The result improves over time.
• Rotation. Different stylists for different goals — balayage from one, the cut from another, the bridal updo from a third. Suits clients who know exactly what they want and prefer specialists.

Where to go next

• The best hairdresser in Tallinn 2026
• The best hairdresser in Tartu 2026
• Haircut prices in Estonia 2026
• Barbershop vs hairdresser — what's the difference
• All hairdressers in Estonia — in Tallinn — in Tartu

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