We’d probably all agree that our hairstylist is one of the most important people in our lives, no? They’re like a million professions all rolled into one: artist, landscaper (of our manes), psychologist (they listen to us yammer on for 3 hours at a time), not to mention they put up with our wishy-washy wants and unrealistic expectations (“Um, can you make my short, straight, black hair look long, wavy, and golden blonde like Giselle’s? And can you preferably do that all today? Just please make me look like Giselle right now!”).

So needless to say, we’re ever so grateful for our stylists. And with today being Hairstylist Appreciation Day, we decided to try and show them just how much they mean to us by figuring out what can we do for them so that both of us get the most out of every appointment. To get the answers, we contacted a few stylists, and here’s what they had to say…

Things Your Hairstylist Wants You to Know

1. Pretty please with a cherry on top, put your cell phone away until we’ve finished our consultation. The less distractions there are, the more we ensure we’re both on the same page with looks, price, timeframe, etc. UNLESS, that is, you’re using your cell to show pictures, which brings us to #2…

2. Pictures are VITAL, because let’s be honest, things can get lost in translation. Not that you couldn’t tell the difference between the back of Rachel Bilson and Mila Kunis’ heads, because we’re sure you can, but you and I have different sets of eyes and hairstyle vocabularies that can prevent us from fully understanding each other. Looking at pictures helps bridge that gap so I can understand your likes and dislikes over certain cuts, colors, or styles.

3. We like it when you ask for our opinion. We went through extensive training to receive our licenses, still receive continued education, and we deal with multiple manes a day, so we think we’ve learned a thing or two about hair over the years. Of course some of us have specialties, but we’ve all dealt with the straight, the curly, the brassy, the you-name-it! So come with your ideas, but be open to our suggestions about what might be best for your hair type, face shape, level of styling commitment, etc.

4. We aren’t just pushing products for commission. Jennifer Anniston hasn’t achieved some of the most desirable hairstyles without using products, and you won’t either. A good stylist will take the time to dissect your wants/needs, and educate you on what products will work best for your desired hairstyle and lifestyle.

5. We know this isn’t what you want to hear, but box color really is bad. Not only is it chemically different than professional color, but when you’re not sure what you’re doing, the chances of achieving your desired results in your kitchen are slim to none. You’ll probably end up spending even more money at a salon to have your orange locks fixed. When we stylists go to the back room after our consultation for what probably seems like hours to you, it’s because we literally have hundreds of boxes of colors that we study to decide which combination will take you from your current color to that perfect shade of Carrie Underwood blonde!

So there you have it, ladies. Tuck these lessons in your pocket and pull them our at your next appointment. Your stylist will thank you, and so will your luscious locks.