How do you say hairdresser in English?
Hairdresser vs. hair stylist
Both words are used interchangeably in English, but they don't mean exactly the same thing. "Hairdresser" is the broad, professional term for someone who cuts and shapes hair. "Hair stylist" has a more artistic ring to it; think of someone working behind the scenes at a fashion show, rather than someone cutting Mr. Jensen's hair every other Thursday.
Hairdresser
"Hairdresser" covers the broad craft of cutting hair, and often coloring it too. A men's hairdresser who mainly cuts hair typically calls himself a hairdresser or barber, depending on whether he also works with beards.
Hair stylist
"Hair stylist" is used for someone with a more creative, conceptual approach. Some stylists don't cut hair at all; they work exclusively on styling for shows, photoshoots, or campaigns.
More words you might come across
If you want to describe your team or salon in English, here are a few more terms: "colorist" is a hair color specialist, "barber" primarily cuts men's hair and styles beards, "salon owner" is the person who owns the salon, and "apprentice" is someone who's just starting out.
Why it matters
If your salon is in a city with lots of tourists, or you want English-speaking customers to understand what you offer, the word you use on your website and Instagram really does matter. "Hair stylist" signals something different from "hairdresser", so choose the word that matches the experience you actually offer. If you'd like to work more on how you tell your story, find inspiration in our guide to branding for hairdressers.
Final thoughts
If you're unsure which word best suits you and your salon, write to me. I've used the wrong words often enough over the years to know the difference now.
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