A stylist at any hair cuttery can be considered an expert on hair, at least compared to most people. Don't be afraid to ask your stylist for tips about caring for your kind of hair, what kind of treatment and cut might look best on you, and what products work best.

Although they're called "hair cutteries," most such shops don't just cut hair: they perm, highlight, colorize, curl, and otherwise treat it in a variety of ways. Some even offer hair extensions that can be bonded to your own hair to lengthen rather than shorten it.

Before you commit to a hair cuttery, look at it with a cautious eye. Not only should it be clean and well-lit, it should be well-organized: everything should be neatly in its place, the stylists should be clean and neat, and all the facilities should be well-maintained.