When getting a haircut in France as a foreigner, there is always the fear of using one or two phrases incorrectly, and accidentally asking the hairdresser to shave your head.
So here are some commonly asked questions about hair salons in France, as well as all the vocabulary you might need to know for your next hairstyle.
How do I find a salon?
Hairdressers or barbers in French are called les coiffeurs (coiffeuses in feminine), and it’s actually very easy to find a coiffeur in France, particularly in larger cities. Just searching the word coiffeur in Google Maps while walking down the street will pop up with several places to choose from.
The harder part is picking a good, trustworthy salon. For this, there are several online resources, like the foreigner friendly facebook pages (ex. American Expats in Paris; Expats of Colour in Paris France) where people regularly post tips for good (and bad) hair salon experiences. Then, there are also dedicated blogs – like La Vie Locale which offers a dedicated guide “for all the girls with Afro/curly hair in Paris,” along with specific recommendations for natural hair.
You can also use websites, like Treatwell and Sortiraparis (Paris-specific), to search and find reviews for hair salons in your area.
It seems to be a trend for some salons to have English words or phrases in their name – don’t assume that employees in that salon speak English, it’s just a fashion quirk.
What about pricing?
Prices vary, but if you are looking for a less expensive haircut, some recommend trying hair stylist schools – like “Ecole International de Coiffure.” You can go and get an affordable haircut from the students in training (which comes with some obvious risks). There is also the chain “Tchip” that offers affordable haircuts.
Pricing for a cut and colour will depend on the length of your hair – the shorter your hair the less expensive typically.
Women or those with long hair can count on spending a minimum of €25-30 for just a cut (coupe), and this will be considerably more expensive at fancier salons. Keep in mind that both un soin (the part of where the stylist massages your head and applies conditioner) and un brushing (a blowdry) often cost extra in French salons.
How do I make an appointment?
Many hair salons in France are sans rendez-vous (no appointment needed) – typically these also tend to be the more affordable locations.
Otherwise, if you find a salon that you like, usually you can just make an appointment on their website or on ‘planity.’ They might ask you to specify exactly what you would like done to your hair (what type of cut or colour; whether you want a blowdry; etc), so you might want to consult our vocabulary list below prior to making the appointment.
Also, you can always call the salon to ask how they handle appointments. If you feel confident in your French, simply look up the salon online and call them to ask about how they handle appointments: whether they are “sans ou avec rendez-vous.”
What to ask for
It is best to arrive with a very clear idea of the haircut you want. Bring a photo, or be prepared to detail the exact cut, length, layering, and colour. In anglophone countries, you might be used to arriving at the salon and telling the hairdresser to just do what they think would look best. In France, your hairdresser might sit you down in the chair and just say “Dîtes-moi” (tell me what you want).
You might also notice your hairdresser is more forthright about what would or would not look good on you. Don’t worry – if this happens to you, it is not meant to be offensive.
What about tipping?
It’s not usual to tip hairdressers in France.
Common phrases you might use:
S’il vous plaît, ne les coupez pas trop courts – Please do not cut it too short.
Je veux seulement une coloration des racines – I only want my roots redone
J’aimerais que vous me coupiez seulement les pointes – I would just like to trim the ends
Est-ce que c’est possible avec mon type de cheveux? – Is that possible with my hair type?
Ça coûte combien ? – How much does that cost?
Est-ce que j’ai besoin d’un rendez-vous ? – Do I need an appointment?
Vous pouvez diminuer sur les pattes ? – Could you take a bit more off the sides?
Je voudrais seulement avoir la couleur retouchée/refaire – I am just looking to have my colour retouched.
Pas trop serré, s’il vous plaît – Not too tight, please
C’est très joli. Merci beaucoup. – It’s very pretty, thank you.
The key terms
Couper – to cut
Mes cheveux – my hair (hair is always plural in French and be careful of pronunciation – chevaux is horses, cheveux is hair)
Colorer – to colour or to dye
Un coiffeur (ou salon de coiffure) haut de gamme – A top salon
Un coiffeur de quartier – A local salon
Cheveux courts – short hair
Cheveux mi-longs – medium length hair
Cheveux longs – long hair
Décoloration – bleach
Des mèches – highlights
Dégradé – layered
Les points – the ends (you can ask for a trim by just asking to ‘couper les points’)
Racines – roots
Gloss – a semi-permanent colouring treatment that is more of a top coat on your hair to give it an extra shiny look
Patine – called a Patina in English. It is similar to gloss, this is exclusively for coloured hair and gives a shinier look.
Un lisseur – a straightener
Brushing – blow dry
Un soin/ traitement – a treatment, typically involving a head massage where a treatment or conditioner is also applied
Une fringe – bangs/fringe
Séchage – to dry
Rafraichissement – a trim
Tresses – Braids
Types of hair
Cheveux fins – fine hair
Cheveux épais – Thick hair
Cheveux gras – Oily hair
Cheveux secs – Dry hair
Cheveux bouclés – Curly hair
Cheveux frisés – Frizzy hair
Cheveux lisses/ doux – Smooth/ soft hair
Cheveux abîmés – Damaged hair
Cheveux colorés – Dyed hair
Cheveux blancs – Grey hair
For Men (and people with short-hair)
Couper avec les ciseaux – To cut with scissors
Avec un rasoir électrique – with an electric razor
Le rasage et la coupe de cheveux – A shave and a haircut
Un fondu de nuque – To shave your neck
Les pattes courtes/ désépaissies – Short/ thinned sideburns
Garder la longueur mais coupez le haut – Keep the length please, but cut the top
Court Partout – Short all over
Des pattes – Sideburns
Une barbe – A beard
Une tondeuse – Clippers
Une coupe en brosse – A crew cut
La nuque – The nape
L’implantation – The hairline
Dégradé – A fade (also the term for layers)
