Life Kit (NPR): "How to Get a Great Haircut"

Host: Marielle Segarra
Guests: Em Areta (hairstylist and barber, Providence, RI), Alicia Luciano (hairstylist, founder of The Way, NYC), Liza Gottlieb (hairstylist and salon owner, Toronto)
Original Air Date: December 18, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Marielle Segarra guides listeners through all the steps to securing a haircut you love. Drawing on expert hair stylists with a passion for both the artistry and emotion involved, the episode explores how to find the right stylist, communicate your desires (and boundaries), navigate difficult haircut moments, and build a trusting stylist-client relationship. The episode’s tone is supportive, candid, and empowers listeners to take charge of their own hair experiences.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hair and Self-Image: The Stakes of a Haircut

• Bad haircuts can linger in our memory and affect self-image (00:15–02:21)
  • Marielle shares her own disappointing haircut story, where a distracted stylist left her with a cut that felt wrong for months.
• Emphasizes hair’s power in shaping how we present and feel about ourselves.

  "Hair can really be a huge factor for how one feels about their presentation. It’s a big deal, in my opinion." – Em Areta (02:12)

• A great haircut, conversely, can boost confidence and express the desired self.

2. Finding the Right Stylist: Doing Your Research

Timestamps: 05:33–07:30

• Ask friends for recommendations and look at their hair as live portfolios.
• Browse stylists’ websites/Instagram for photo evidence of their work and see if they share your hair type and preferred style.
• Check reviews – prioritize those that mention how a cut grew out, not just day-one thrills.

  "If somebody says in a review that this haircut grew out perfectly, it grew out seamlessly, I would take that seriously." – Liza Gottlieb (06:26)

• Don't be afraid to call or email salons with technical questions (e.g., dry vs. wet cutting).

3. Consultation Red Flags & Green Flags

Timestamps: 07:30–08:13

• A good stylist listens and consults in detail before starting:
  • Do they ask you specifics about length (on/below eyebrow, neck, etc.)? Do they want to see photos?
  • Are they warm and attentive?
• Sample questions a thoughtful stylist might ask:
  • "How short do you want the bangs to be?"
  • "Do you have any pictures?"
  • "What do you like about your hair?"
  • "Are you nervous?"
  • "How are you feeling?"
    (See 07:42–08:13 for a rapid-fire list of stylist consultation questions.)

4. Going Beyond Inspiration Photos: Know Your Why

Timestamps: 08:14–11:07

• Identify your motivation for the haircut: a life change, maintenance, or something deeper.
  • "A lot of the getting the haircut starts with a why." – Alicia Luciano (08:30)
• Collect and analyze reference photos for both what you do and don’t want.

  “Look at the bangs. Look at where the shortest piece of the layer is. Do you like that?" – Liza Gottlieb (09:20)

• Show your stylist haircuts you dislike as well; helps define boundaries and expectations.

  "It's wonderful to identify where you are not interested in going ... you're conveying your truths to this new person that you're trying to build trust with." – Alicia Luciano (09:56)

• Pick adjectives: “sexy,” “feminine,” “edgy,” “surfer look,” etc., to clarify the vibe.

  "Really, like, any adjective is good... words like that, I think are helpful." – Em Areta (10:27)

• Be open: It’s okay not to know exactly what you want; trust your stylist’s experience.

5. Stay Flexible & Listen to the Pros

Timestamps: 11:07–13:37

• Trust and flexibility are crucial: allow your stylist to recommend tweaks or alternatives.

  "The bob in the photo might not be the bob for you... let them still customize whatever they’re creating for you." – Alicia Luciano (11:56)

• Good stylists should ask about your lifestyle:
  • How much time do you spend styling?
  • How often do you get it cut?
  • Are you willing to commit to the maintenance a certain style requires? (12:20–12:35)
• Visual clarity is key: don’t just talk “inches”—identify physical reference points (jaw, collarbone, etc).

  "I show one of my clients: in your inspiration picture, this layer is extremely short. This is where it's going to lay in your haircut. Are you okay with that?" – Liza Gottlieb (13:15)

• Find someone honest about what is possible (e.g., explaining Photoshop/extensions in reference photos).

  "You should find a hairdresser that’s honest with you." – Liza Gottlieb (13:37)

6. Addressing Hair Loss & Major Transitions

Timestamps: 15:32–17:25

• Be honest about hair struggles; stylists can help with both practical and emotional support.
  • "First and foremost, I’m sending you to a physician... and then I can help navigate on the beauty level." – Alicia Luciano (15:47)
• For those facing medical hair loss (e.g., chemotherapy), stylists can help embrace change or preserve length.

  "Tell me all the haircuts you've ever wanted to try... Let’s try to build confidence, even though everything else around you might be suggesting you should have the opposite." – Alicia Luciano (16:30)

• If you value length, communicate that—some stylists can adapt and minimize cutting uneven regrowth.

  "The stylist can show you more of what you can do in order to really keep that length… finding a stylist that sees what you value and puts what you value over what they value." – Liza Gottlieb (17:09, 17:34)

7. Speak Up—Before, During, and After the Cut

Timestamps: 18:05–21:04

• If you notice anything alarming (e.g., a tool you dislike, apparent loss of more hair than discussed), ask questions immediately.

  "Hey, looks like a lot of hair." – Liza Gottlieb (18:29) "You have to open your mouth. I know it’s really hard because somebody is touching you... but you need to speak up." – Liza Gottlieb (18:35)

• It’s okay to change your mind mid-appointment.

  "Let’s change our mind. Like, where are we going with this? So definitely say something." – Alicia Luciano (18:52)

• If you’re dissatisfied after the cut, you can still contact your stylist for adjustments.

  "Make that phone call, send that dm, let that hairdresser know immediately. Because if you don’t, you’re not even giving them the opportunity to make you happy." – Alicia Luciano (20:08)

• However, if the cut was majorly botched, a new stylist may be better for repairs.

  “Usually, like, the stylist who does a choppy haircut is not going to be able to do a seamless haircut.” – Liza Gottlieb (20:35)

8. Quick Recap of Main Takeaways (21:04–23:06)

• 1. Do your research: get recommendations, check work, ask questions.
• 2. Get clear on your goals: intentions, reference photos, adjectives.
• 3. Stay flexible: allow your stylist’s expertise to guide you.
• 4. Be open about tough hair moments: stylists have seen it all, can help.
• 5. Speak up: at any point before, during, or after the cut.

Notable Quotes

• "A stylist that you really feel like you can trust is like the biggest gateway to, like, having the most amazing beauty experiences."
  – Alicia Luciano (02:45)

• "Sometimes it's really important to slow down and ask ourselves, why are we looking for this particular moment? And then from there, we can have fun."
  – Alicia Luciano (08:30)

• "It's wonderful to identify where you are not interested in going... you're conveying your truths to this new person."
  – Alicia Luciano (09:56)

• "This is your body, not theirs. They might have a suggestion, but they should also be listening to you and not pushing you to do something that you don't want."
  – Liza Gottlieb (17:25)

• "You have to open your mouth. I know it's hard. I know it's really hard because somebody is touching you and is in control of your body at that moment, but you need to speak up."
  – Liza Gottlieb (18:35)

Memorable Moments

• The host’s vulnerable story about a bad haircut and how lasting those feelings can be (00:15–02:21).
• Lively sample consultation as stylists brainstorm the many, many questions a good hairdresser should ask (07:42–08:13).
• Descriptions of how adjectives like “90s hunk hair” or “movement” can be more helpful than technical terms (10:27–10:44).
• Gentle advice on advocating for yourself, even if it’s awkward––and encouragement that stylists (really) want you to speak up, not just pretend to like the cut (18:05–20:25).

Conclusion

This episode of Life Kit arms listeners with practical advice and a healthy mindset for getting a haircut they’ll genuinely love—from the prep work and consultation, through the cut itself, all the way to navigating less-than-ideal outcomes. Throughout, experts demystify the salon experience, encourage honest communication, and underline the importance of finding a stylist who truly listens. Whether you’re itching for transformation or just need a trim, the bottom line: do your research, get clear on your needs, stay flexible, and don’t be afraid to speak up—your hair, your rules.