We’ve all had the thought: “Maybe I’ll get a little trim while I’m in Paris… or finally go blonde in Ibiza!”
The setting is perfect, you’re relaxed, everything feels possible—and suddenly, a spontaneous hair makeover sounds like a brilliant idea. Except… it usually isn’t.

Let’s talk about why getting your hair done during your holiday is, more often than not, a big mistake.

1. You’re Not From Around Here, and That Shows

You don’t know the salons. You don’t know the stylists. You don’t know their level of training, what products they’re using, or what their definition of “natural blonde” even is. Just because a salon looks nice doesn’t mean your hair’s in good hands. You’re taking a gamble—and it’s your head on the line.

2. What You Say vs. What They Hear

Hair consultations are already tricky in your own language. Now try explaining what you want to someone who doesn’t speak it—or who interprets “soft layers” as a full-on shag. What sounds like a small change to you might translate into a dramatic cut or a color you didn’t ask for. And trust us, those misunderstandings don’t hit until it’s too late.

3. They Don’t Know Your Hair’s History

Your regular hairstylist? They’ve got your hair’s entire backstory—how much bleach it’s seen, what tones work, how it reacts to humidity. A stranger abroad has none of that context. They’re going in blind. One wrong move and your hair could break, brass out, or just go completely wrong.

4. You Might Be the Lab Rat

Yep, we said it. Sometimes, stylists in touristy areas know you’re probably not coming back—so guess what? They use you to test stuff. New products, risky techniques, cuts they haven’t quite mastered yet. You become the practice head. And while they might walk away with a cool portfolio pic, you’re the one flying home with damage control on your to-do list.

5. It’s a Tourist Trap (But With Hair)

Just like overpriced gelato, tourist-trap salons exist. They’re quick to book, super friendly, and happy to squeeze you in last-minute. But once you’re in the chair, it’s fast work, minimal care, and inflated prices. If something goes wrong, they know they’ll never see you again. No follow-up. No accountability.

6. It Might Cost You More Than the Whole Trip

That cute “why not?” balayage moment? Back home, it could turn into a full-on color correction project. And those are not cheap. Your go-to stylist will need to undo the damage, tone down the brass, fix uneven cuts, or hydrate fried ends—and that takes time, products, and a lot of patience. What seemed like a fun spontaneous choice might end up costing hundreds more than the holiday itself.

7. You’ll Have No One to Go Back To

Even if the hair’s okay, what if it’s not quite right? A little too short, a bit too orange, not really “you.” Normally, you’d pop back to the salon for a tweak. But when the salon’s in Milan and you live in Geneva? Good luck with that.

8. Do You Really Want to Spend Your Holiday in a Salon Chair?

Seriously. You’re on vacation. Go out. Explore. Lounge. Swim. Eat. Do nothing. But don’t waste four hours inside a salon with foils on your head while everyone else is at the beach. Unless this was a pre-planned, bucket-list hair appointment, don’t let a whim eat up your golden hours.

So When Is It Okay?

There are rare cases where getting your hair done abroad makes sense—like if you booked months in advance with a top stylist you’ve been stalking online for years, or you’re in a city known for a specific hair technique and you did your homework. But those moments are the exception, not the rule.

Bottom Line?

Vacations are for freedom, not for fixes.
Skip the spontaneous salon visits, let your hair chill, and save the big moves for your trusted stylist back home—the one who actually knows your hair and cares about it long-term.

Besides, salty beach waves and messy buns are a whole vibe. Ride it.