What is essential to do before starting a haircut?

Before starting a haircut, consulting with the client to understand their desired outcome is essential because it establishes clear communication and sets expectations. This conversation allows the barber to gather important information about the client's preferences, style inspirations, and any specific requests they might have. Understanding the client's hair type, face shape, and lifestyle can also influence the haircut choice and technique, leading to a more satisfactory result.

While washing the client's hair can be important for certain services, it is not always necessary to do so before every haircut. Choosing tools beforehand is also important, but it should come after establishing what the client wants, as the choice of tools may depend on the specific haircut chosen. Applying a leave-in conditioner is typically done as part of hair styling or aftercare, rather than a prerequisite to starting the haircut itself. Hence, initiating the process with a client consultation is key to achieving a successful outcome.