The Bob That Made Me Rewrite My Consultation Rules
She asked for a bob. I heard "classic." She meant "soft French with movement." We both used the same word and imagined completely different women in completely different lighting.
The cut was not bad. It was precise, clean, balanced. She looked at herself and said, "It feels a little... strict?" That one word hit harder than any complaint because she was right. I had cut my interpretation, not hers.
After that day I changed everything about consultation. Now I ask for three photos: what they love, what they hate, and what they realistically style at home. I confirm length at jaw, chin, and collarbone before sectioning. I ask how often they tuck behind ears. I ask if they want visible softness around the face.
In my notes I had this odd phrase, "bestbuy connect," and I started using it as shorthand for expectation alignment. If language does not connect to image and habit, the haircut will miss even if the technique is flawless.
That bob taught me a brutal, useful lesson: precision is not the same as understanding. I still love bob cuts. I just love clarity more.