Vocabulary Lessons

"Beauty and Hair Salon"

Introduction

Getting a haircut can be a nerve-racking (tense or scaring) experience, particularly when you don't know what to say. What if you are getting a terrible haircut, and you can't tell the hair stylist to stop? Listen to the words below and consult a dictionary if you need a definition. Write a sample sentence for each word to learn how it is used in context. You can use the Internet to find sample sentences.

Listening Exercise

A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.

blow dry
color (get/have your hair colored)
curl (get/have your hair curled)
cut (get/have your hair cut)
perm (get/have your hair permed)
shampoo
straighten (get/have your hair straightened)
style (get/have your hair styled)
thin out (get/have your hair thinned out)
trim (get/have your hair trimmed)

* Example: I'd like to get my hair cut ("get" is less formal than "have")

cut a little above the ears
remove the split ends
take a little off the top and sides
trim your bangs

barber
beautician
hairstylist / hairdresser

hair salon
barber shop

Practice

i just wanted to get my hair _____, but the hair stylist took off much more than I wanted. Now, it will take months for my hair to grow it back.

cut

straightened

trimmed

I trimmed my daughter's ______ a little because they were hanging in her eyes.

bangs

sides

hair

The ______ at the place I always go does a great job at perming your hair.

hair salon

barber shop

hairstylist

Follow-Up Activity

What things do you consider when choosing a place to have your hair done? These factors might include price and the experience of the beautician. Use the Internet to compare two hair salons and then discuss what services they offer that are similar and different.

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