12 Salon Conversation Starters to Use with Your Clients

Beauty professionals know that the mouth gets as much exercise as the hands and feet on busy days in the salon. Though we talk a whole lot about the physical exhaustion of standing and moving all day, we rarely discuss the very real risk of conversation fatigue. Yet this is one of the main contributors to the lack of energy we feel after a long shift and one of the reasons we often head straight to bed at the end of the day. This is especially true for people who consider themselves introverts.

Conversation overload happens when you’re putting too much energy into maintaining the discussion and straining to be an active, engaged listener. This is part of why so many stylists say they’re perfectly fine with clients who want to sit back and relax in silence while they’re getting services done. But when you suspect that a client wants to chat, having a set of go-to conversation starters can help you keep the dialogue alive with much less effort. The list below can help!

List of Great Conversation Starters

Of course, you’ll almost always naturally start with a conversation about your client’s vision, so you get to start with what you know: professional hair color and care or the specific service you’re providing. But what happens when the discussion dies down? Here are some great conversation starters to keep things alive.

1. “Are you getting (service) done for a special occasion?” This is a simple conversation starter that will help open up the dialogue naturally. Often, clients are getting special services done before a big life milestone or change such as a wedding, shower, vacation or new job, so this will get them to fill you in.
2. “Do you have any fun plans for the (weekend, summer, etc.)?” People love to talk about what they have on the horizon, whether it’s a vacation, dinner at a special restaurant, a concert or a big home project. Plus, it may just give you some ideas for what to add to your own calendar.
3. “Did you do anything fun (last night, weekend, etc.)?” In addition to asking about future plans, it’s also helpful to ask if your client has done anything fun in the recent weeks or months. If you are friends on social media, you might also bring up things based on what you have seen them post.
4. “Who are your favorite beauty icons that inspire your preferences?” This is a great one to ask if you’re trying to help your clients zero in or settle on a specific look. Their beauty icons say a lot about their personal style and can help you tailor the service to their preferences and specific vision.
5. “What products do you use to care for your hair?” This is a great way to promote the salon hair care products you have for sale and to help your clients get into a good hair routine between visits. It may also help you identify and correct certain problems, such as split ends or dryness.

6. “Where do you like to travel?” Stylists see an array of clients, so it’s a great idea to ask them where they like to go on vacation or travel for weekend getaways. Often, your clients will have great recommendations for where to stay and what to see.
7. “Do you have any good recommendations for local restaurants?” On the same token, your clients have probably tried many of the restaurants and bars in town that you haven’t gotten to try yet. They can provide you with their feedback, as well as suggestions for what to try.
8. “Have you seen (new movie or TV show)?” Everybody loves talking about their favorite TV shows and movies! If you don’t have a specific title in mind that you want to discuss, try outright asking what they like to watch. These discussions can get so lively they might even engage the whole salon!
9. “Are you reading any good books?” It’s the same deal here! If people have good recommendations to share, they’ll be excited to talk about them.
10. “Did you see (singer or band) is coming to town?” This is another great way to get your clients talking about things they love — their favorite bands, musicians, and venues in town. You may also come away with some new music to try.
11. “Do you have pets? What are their names?” Just like people love talking about their plans, their favorite movies, and where they like to vacation, they also love talking about their furry friends. Even if you’re not a pet person, know that your clients probably think of their animals as family members, so this is a great way to get them engaged in the conversation.
12. “How did you used to wear your hair?” This is a great one for hairstylists looking to piece together the bigger picture of their client’s hair story. If they historically dyed their hair, had layers, or did any special treatments, it might change how you approach their service.

Know What Topics to Avoid

Sometimes, knowing which topics to avoid is just as valuable as knowing which ones to bring up. In general, it’s a good idea to stick to neutral, general topics. If your client brings up personal things, you can continue the conversation if you feel comfortable. However, it’s not a great idea to ask them about things like religion, politics, relationships, family issues, finances, or anything else that might be considered touchy or too personal.

Conversation Is an Art

Like cutting and coloring, the conversation is an art that you will master over time. It’s also one that can drain you after a long, busy day. But if you have a few tried and true conversation starters in your back pocket, you’ll exert less energy to keep the conversation alive, which means you’ll feel less drained after a long shift.