10 Wild Hairstylist Confessions That Belong in the Hall of Fame

Every hairstylist has a secret. Maybe it’s a technique they swear by that would make an educator cringe. Maybe it’s a client trick they’ve perfected over the years. Maybe it’s a story they only tell after a long day behind the chair. So we asked BTC followers on Instagram one question: What’s a hairstylist confession that would get your membership revoked?

Hundreds of comments later, one thing became clear: hairstylists are resourceful, creative and occasionally a little chaotic. To protect the guilty, we’ve kept these anonymous.

The Hairdresser Who Has Never Measured A Formula

This was one of the most-liked confessions in the comment section:

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“Never measured anything in my life. My hands are my scale.”

Meanwhile, another stylist admitted:

“I never write anyone’s formulas down. They’re all in my head and it’s never once been an issue.”

While documenting formulas and measuring precisely are staples of professional education, plenty of stylists seemed to recognize a little bit of themselves in these comments.

“I Cut Their Hair Using a Fork”—Yes, Really

We’ve all forgotten something before heading to an appointment. A comb? Sure. A clip? It happens. But one stylist shared a story that belongs in the Hairdresser Hall of Fame:

“I once went to a friend’s house to cut their hair. When I got there I realized I didn’t pack any combs to cut their hair. They did not own a comb or brush… I cut their hair using a fork.”

It’s not a technique you’ll find in any haircutting curriculum, but according to the stylist, it got the job done.

The Stylist Who Left Their Client Behind

One veteran stylist shared a confession from decades ago:

“45 years ago I did a roller set then left the salon to go shopping. I forgot I had a client and when I finally walked back in everyone looked at me like deer in headlights.”

Some salon stories never leave you. This one has apparently survived for nearly half a century.

The Client Whisperers

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Not every confession involved cutting corners. Some revealed the little tricks stylists use to help clients feel more confident about their decisions.

One stylist admitted:

“Asking my coworker to casually walk by and give my client a compliment that reinforces what they were hoping to achieve.”

Examples included comments like:

“Oh wow, this brown has such a pretty chestnut tone!” or “Love this neutral beige!”

Judging by the reactions, plenty of stylists recognized the strategy immediately. Another stylist shared a surprisingly relatable tactic:

“When a client complains about the water being too hot or cold, I take it off the scalp and ‘fake’ adjust the water temp and then it’s perfect.”

The Survival Tactics

Salon life can be demanding, which may explain this confession:

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“Writing in fake clients in the appointment book. To make sure I get a break. Or go home early.”

If nothing else, the comment highlighted how seriously hairstylists take a lunch break.

The Ketchup Color Theory Hack

One stylist admitted they tell clients to use ketchup on chlorine-green hair. Before everyone rushed to the comments, they offered an explanation:

“It’s JUST enough red pigment to neutralize the green without depositing any red.”

Strange as it sounds, the explanation was rooted in color theory.

The Honest Consultation

One confession wasn’t really a confession at all. It was a masterclass in understanding what a client actually wants. A stylist shared the story of a guest who repeatedly asked for lowlights because she felt her hair was too blonde. Every time another stylist added lowlights, the client returned saying her hair was too dark. When the client eventually landed in their chair as her coworker was on maternity leave, the stylist gave her what they called “clear lowlights” instead. The client loved it. Sometimes the best consultation skill isn’t knowing what to do. It’s knowing what not to do.

The Resourceful Parent

This next confession proves hairstylists can make almost anything work.

“A child cut her own hair and I fixed it with the same kid scissors she cut it with because I didn’t have my shears.”

According to the stylist, the repair was a success—a reminder that hairstylists can make almost anything work when they have to.

The Stylist Testing On Themselves

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One confession probably resonated with every colorist who’s ever gone through an experimental phase:

“I use my own hair to test formulas and push boundaries so my hair typically looks like a hot mess.”

It’s a sacrifice many colorists seem willing to make.

The Most Creative Solution

And finally, one confession that had readers laughing out loud:

“I offer perfume to stinky clients and tell them to check out this new scent.”

We’ll let readers decide whether this was genius or desperation.