Chapter 68: En la Peluquería / El Salón de Belleza - At the Hair Salon
¡Hola! A visit to the hair salon (la peluquería or el salón de belleza) can be a refreshing experience, but also a bit daunting if you're not sure how to express exactly what you want in Spanish. This chapter will equip you with the essential vocabulary and phrases to confidently communicate your desired hairstyle, cut, color, and treatments, ensuring you leave feeling great about your new look!
Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
Make an appointment at a hair salon.
Describe your hair type and current style.
Explain the haircut or style you want (e.g., trim, layers, bangs, specific length, fade).
Discuss hair coloring, highlights, and other treatments.
Understand common questions and comments from the hairstylist (el/la peluquero/a).
Ask about prices and confirm services.
Introduction/Warm-up
Communicating clearly about something as personal as your hair is important. Visual aids (like photos) can be very helpful, but knowing the right Spanish terms will make the experience smoother and more successful. We'll cover everything from making the appointment to describing the final touches.
(Think): What are some common words you use in English when you go for a haircut? (e.g., "trim," "layers," "shampoo," "fade," "bangs"). We'll find their Spanish equivalents.
Presentation of New Material: Navigating the Hair Salon
1. Vocabulario Clave: En la Peluquería (Key Vocabulary: At the Salon)
General Salon Terms:
la peluquería (hair salon - can be for men & women)
el salón de belleza (beauty salon - often more for women, can include other services)
el/la peluquero/a (hairstylist, hairdresser)
el/la estilista (stylist)
la cita (appointment)
lavar (to wash)
cortar (to cut)
secar (to dry)
peinar (to comb, to style)
el champú (shampoo)
el acondicionador / el suavizante (conditioner)
el secador (de pelo) (hair dryer)
las tijeras (scissors)
la máquina (de cortar pelo) (clippers)
Describing Hair Type (Describiendo el Tipo de Cabello):
el pelo / el cabello (hair)
liso / lacio (straight)
ondulado (wavy)
rizado / crespo (curly)
fino (fine)
grueso (thick)
seco (dry)
graso (oily)
teñido / con tinte (dyed / colored)
General Terms for a Haircut:
el corte de pelo (haircut - most common, generic)
el corte de cabello (haircut - "cabello" often refers specifically to head hair)
un corte (a cut - informal)
Describing Length (Describiendo el Largo):
corto / muy corto (short / very short)
largo / muy largo (long / very long)
medio / de largo medio / media melena (medium / medium length / shoulder-length or a bit longer)
al hombro / a la altura de los hombros (shoulder-length)
a la barbilla (chin-length)
por encima de las orejas (above the ears)
por debajo de los hombros (below the shoulders)
Common Haircut Styles & Features (Estilos y Características Comunes):
en capas / a capas (layered / in layers)
degrafilado / escalonado (tapered / feathered / thinned out – layers that blend)
desvanecido / degradado / un fade (fade – common for men; "fade alto/medio/bajo")
rapado / afeitado (shaved / buzz cut; "rapado con máquina" - shaved with clippers)
el flequillo / el fleco (bangs / fringe)
flequillo cortina (curtain bangs)
flequillo recto (straight bangs)
flequillo de lado (side bangs)
un bob (a bob)
bob corto / largo / redondeado (short/long/rounded bob)
corte recto (blunt cut / straight cut - no layers)
las puntas (the ends)
sólo las puntas / un despunte (just the ends, for a trim)
recortar las puntas / despuntar (to trim the ends)
alisar (to straighten - styling)
rizar / ondular (to curl / to wave - styling)
con volumen / sin volumen (with volume / without volume)
texturizado (textured)
corte militar (crew cut / military cut - for men)
peinado hacia atrás (slicked back / swept back - style)
pelo erizado / parado (spiky hair - style)
la raya (the part - in hair)
raya al medio / raya al lado (middle part / side part)
For Men's Specifics (Para Hombres):
la número uno/dos/tres... (the number one/two/three... - clipper guard size)
los lados (the sides)
de arriba / la parte de arriba (on top / the top part)
las patillas (sideburns)
arreglarse la barba / el bigote (to trim/groom the beard / mustache)
2. Frases y Preguntas Clave (Key Phrases & Questions)
Making an Appointment (Hacer una cita):
Quisiera hacer una cita para un corte de pelo, por favor. (I would like to make an appointment for a haircut, please.)
¿Tiene disponibilidad para hoy/mañana/el sábado? (Do you have availability for today/tomorrow/Saturday?)
¿A qué hora le viene bien? (What time works well for you?)
Describing What You Want (Describir lo que quiere):
Quisiera un corte de pelo. (I'd like a haircut.)
Solo las puntas, por favor. / Solo un despunte. (Just the ends, please. / Just a trim.)
Quisiera cortarlo [unos dos dedos / un poco más corto / a la altura de los hombros]. (I'd like to cut it [about two fingers / a bit shorter / shoulder-length].)
Quiero capas. / Quisiera un corte en capas. (I want layers. / I'd like a layered cut.)
Me gustaría mantener el largo. (I'd like to keep the length.)
Quisiera flequillo recto / de lado. (I'd like straight / side bangs.)
Para los hombres: Un desvanecido bajo en los lados y más largo arriba. (For men: A low fade on the sides and longer on top.)
¿Podría mostrarme algunas fotos de estilos? (Could you show me some photos of styles?)
Para el color: Quisiera teñirme el pelo de [color]. / Quisiera unas mechas / unos reflejos. (For color: I'd like to dye my hair [color]. / I'd like some highlights.)
Solo lavar y secar/peinar, por favor. (Just a wash and dry/style, please.)
Questions the Stylist Might Ask:
¿Qué le gustaría hacerse hoy? (What would you like to have done today?)
¿Cuánto quiere que le corte? (How much do you want me to cut?)
¿Mantenemos el flequillo o lo cortamos? (Do we keep the bangs or cut them?)
¿Con máquina o tijera en los lados? (With clippers or scissors on the sides?)
¿Así está bien de largo? (Is it okay like this for length?)
¿Usamos algún producto? (espuma, laca, gel) (Shall we use any product? mousse, hairspray, gel)
Asking about Price and Finishing Up:
¿Cuánto sería (por el corte/color)? (How much would it be (for the cut/color)?)
Me gusta mucho, gracias. / Está perfecto, gracias. (I like it a lot, thank you. / It's perfect, thank you.)
Instructions: Match the Spanish term with its English meaning.
el flequillo
las capas
un despunte
desvanecido
las patillas
A. fade (haircut) B. sideburns C. bangs/fringe D. a trim E. layers
Answer Key:
1-C, 2-E, 3-D, 4-A, 5-B
Sentence Completion:
Exercise 1: At the Salon
Instructions: Complete the sentences with an appropriate word or phrase from the chapter.
Quisiera un corte ___________, no muy corto, quizás a la altura de los ___________.
Me gustaría un ___________ bajo en los lados y dejarlo más largo ___________. (men's cut)
¿Podríamos ___________ solo las puntas? No quiero perder mucho ___________.
Prefiero la raya al ___________, por favor. (side part)
¿Utiliza ___________ para cortar o solo tijeras? (clippers)
Answer Key (Examples):
medio / de largo medio, hombros
desvanecido / fade, arriba
despuntar / recortar, largo
lado
máquina
Interactive Activity: Role-Play
Exercise 1: "En la Peluquería" (Role-Play) - Specific Styles
Instructions: In pairs, one person is the client (cliente) and the other is the hairstylist (peluquero/a).
1. Client makes an appointment for a specific style (e.g., "un bob corto con flequillo," "un desvanecido con la parte de arriba texturizada").
2. Client arrives and describes the haircut/style in more detail, using specific terms for length, layers, fade, etc.
3. Hairstylist asks clarifying questions about preferences (e.g., "How short on the sides?" "Straight bangs or side-swept?").
4. Client confirms details and asks about styling products.
Switch roles and repeat with a different desired style from the new vocabulary.
Cultural Insight: Salon Culture
Visiting a hair salon in a Spanish-speaking country can be a very social experience. Hairstylists often engage in friendly conversation (charla) with their clients, discussing not just hair, but also daily life, family, or local happenings. Don't be surprised if your stylist is chatty!
Tipping (dar propina) customs vary by country. In some places, it's expected (around 10-15%), while in others it's less common or a smaller amount. It's a good idea to observe or discreetly ask if you're unsure. Bringing a photo of the hairstyle you want is a universally understood and helpful tool, especially if there's a language barrier or you want a very specific look.
Language Nuances: Describing Your Hair
1. Using Adjectives Correctly
Remember that adjectives must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. "El pelo" and "el cabello" are masculine singular.
Example: Tengo el pelo largo y ondulado. (My hair is long and wavy.)
If you say "Quiero capas" (I want layers), "capas" is feminine plural.
2. Politeness is Key
Using polite forms like "Quisiera..." (I would like...), "Me gustaría..." (I would like...), and "¿Podría...?" (Could you...?) along with "por favor" will always be appreciated when making requests.
3. Being Specific vs. General
If you have a very specific idea, try to be as precise as possible (e.g., "Quiero que me corte dos centímetros, no más." - I want you to cut two centimeters, no more. "Quiero un fade bajo con la número dos en los lados." - I want a low fade with a number two on the sides.). If you're open to suggestions, you can say something like, "¿Qué me recomienda para mi tipo de pelo?" (What do you recommend for my hair type?).
Un Diálogo en la Peluquería (A Dialogue at the Salon)
Recepcionista: Peluquería "Estilo Moderno", buenos días. ¿En qué puedo ayudarle?
Cliente: Buenos días. Quisiera hacer una cita para un corte de pelo, por favor.
Recepcionista: Claro. ¿Para cuándo sería?
Cliente: ¿Tendría disponibilidad para mañana por la tarde?
Recepcionista: Sí, tenemos un hueco a las cuatro. ¿Le viene bien?
Cliente: Perfecto. A las cuatro entonces.
(Al día siguiente, en la peluquería)
Peluquero: ¡Hola! Bienvenido/a. Soy Javier. ¿Qué le gustaría hacerse hoy?
Cliente: Hola, Javier. Me gustaría un corte. Para los lados, un desvanecido bajo, quizás con la máquina número tres. Arriba, quisiera mantenerlo un poco más largo, pero texturizado para que tenga algo de volumen.
Peluquero: Entendido. Un fade bajo con la tres, y arriba texturizado con volumen. ¿Y las patillas, las mantenemos o las recortamos un poco?
Cliente: Recortarlas un poco estaría bien. Y sin flequillo, por favor.
Peluquero: Perfecto. ¿Lavamos primero?
Cliente: Sí, por favor.
A Dialogue at the Salon (Translation)
Receptionist: "Modern Style" Hair Salon, good morning. How can I help you?
Client: Good morning. I would like to make an appointment for a haircut, please.
Receptionist: Of course. For when would it be?
Client: Would you have availability for tomorrow afternoon?
Receptionist: Yes, we have a spot at four. Does that work for you?
Client: Perfect. At four then.
(The next day, at the salon)
Hairstylist: Hi! Welcome. I'm Javier. What would you like to have done today?
Client: Hi, Javier. I'd like a cut. For the sides, a low fade, maybe with the number three clippers. On top, I'd like to keep it a bit longer, but textured so it has some volume.
Hairstylist: Understood. A low fade with the three, and textured with volume on top. And the sideburns, do we keep them or trim them a bit?
Client: Trimming them a bit would be good. And no bangs, please.
Hairstylist: Perfect. Shall we wash first?
Client: Yes, please.
Review and Consolidation
Key Vocabulary for the Salon:
la peluquería, el/la peluquero/a, la cita, el corte de pelo, las capas, el flequillo, desvanecido/fade, rapado, las puntas, despuntar, teñir, las mechas, la máquina, las patillas.
Key Phrases:
Quisiera hacer una cita. Solo las puntas, por favor. Quiero capas/un desvanecido. Me gustaría mantener el largo. ¿Cuánto sería?
Self-Assessment:
Can you make an appointment for a haircut in Spanish?
Can you describe a specific haircut you might want using some of the new terms (e.g., fade, layers, length)?
What are two questions a hairstylist might ask you about a men's haircut?
How do you ask for the price of a service?
Looking Ahead
¡Esperamos que te sientas más preparado/a para tu próxima visita a la peluquería! In the next chapter of our "Desenvoltura Práctica" series, we'll tackle another important real-world scenario: **Medical Emergencies and Doctor's Appointments**. This will involve learning crucial vocabulary for describing symptoms and understanding medical advice. ¡Hasta entonces!