Getting a haircut in a new country can be intimidating, but with the right vocabulary, it's a breeze! This list covers the essential Spanish words you'll need at a 'peluquería' (hair salon) in Latin America, so you can confidently ask for the style you want and avoid any 'lost in translation' hair disasters. Whether you're just getting a trim or a whole new look, these words will help you communicate clearly with your 'peluquero' or 'estilista' (hairdresser/stylist). We'll focus on high-frequency, practical terms used across Latin America. While most vocabulary for hair is universal in the Spanish-speaking world, we'll note some common regional differences, for example, between 'chongo' (a bun in Mexico) and 'moño' (a bun in Spain and other parts of Latin America). You'll also notice some easy-to-remember cognates like 'champú' (shampoo) and 'acondicionador' (conditioner), which make learning even easier. Knowing this vocabulary is not just for getting a haircut; it's also perfect for complimenting someone on their new look or simply talking about appearance in everyday conversation. With these words, you'll be ready to describe hair types, styles, and salon services like a native speaker.
hair
Tengo el pelo muy largo y rizado. — I have very long and curly hair.
long
Mi hermana quiere tener el pelo largo como Rapunzel. — My sister wants to have long hair like Rapunzel.
short
Me gusta el pelo corto porque es más fresco en el verano. — I like short hair because it's cooler in the summer.
straight
Ella usa una plancha para tener el pelo liso. — She uses a straightener to have straight hair.
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curly
Mi hermano tiene el pelo rizado y necesita un champú especial. — My brother has curly hair and needs a special shampoo.
wavy
Tu pelo no es ni liso ni rizado, es ondulado. — Your hair isn't straight or curly, it's wavy.
ponytail
Cuando hago ejercicio, siempre me hago una cola de caballo. — When I exercise, I always put my hair in a ponytail.
braids
La niña fue a la escuela con dos trenzas muy bonitas. — The girl went to school with two very pretty braids.
bun
Me hice un chongo alto para la fiesta. En España y otros países es más común decir 'moño'. — I made a high bun for the party. In Spain and other countries it's more common to say 'moño'.
bangs (fringe)
Estoy pensando en cortarme el fleco. En Argentina y España dicen 'flequillo'. — I'm thinking about cutting my bangs. In Argentina and Spain they say 'flequillo'.
hair salon (barbershop)
Tengo una cita en la peluquería a las cuatro de la tarde. — I have an appointment at the hair salon at four in the afternoon.
beauty salon
Mi mamá va al salón de belleza para cortarse el pelo y hacerse las uñas. — My mom goes to the beauty salon to get her hair cut and her nails done.
hairdresser (barber)
La peluquera me recomendó un nuevo corte de pelo. — The hairdresser recommended a new haircut for me.
stylist
Un buen estilista sabe qué corte de pelo te queda mejor. — A good stylist knows what haircut looks best on you.
appointment
Necesito hacer una cita para cortarme el pelo la próxima semana. — I need to make an appointment to get my hair cut next week.
a haircut
¡Qué buen corte de pelo! ¿Dónde te lo hiciste? — What a great haircut! Where did you get it done?
to cut
Por favor, solo quiero cortar las puntas. — Please, I only want to cut the ends.
the ends (of the hair)
Tengo las puntas secas, necesito un corte. — I have dry ends, I need a cut.
to dye
Mi hermana se va a teñir el pelo de color azul. — My sister is going to dye her hair blue.
hair dye
Compré una caja de tinte rubio en la farmacia. — I bought a box of blonde hair dye at the pharmacy.
highlights
Quiero unas mechas claras para iluminar mi cara. También se conocen como 'rayitos'. — I want some light highlights to brighten my face. They are also known as 'rayitos'.
to wash
¿Prefieres lavar tu pelo en casa o en el salón? — Do you prefer to wash your hair at home or at the salon?
to dry
Después de lavar, la estilista va a secar mi pelo con un secador. — After washing, the stylist is going to dry my hair with a dryer.
blow-dry
Hoy no quiero un corte, solo un lavado y secado, por favor. — Today I don't want a cut, just a wash and blow-dry, please.
hair dryer
Mi secador de pelo no funciona, necesito comprar uno nuevo. — My hair dryer isn't working, I need to buy a new one.
scissors
El peluquero tiene unas tijeras especiales para cortar el pelo. — The hairdresser has special scissors for cutting hair.
comb
Uso un peine para desenredar el pelo después de bañarme. — I use a comb to detangle my hair after showering.
brush
Me gusta cepillar mi pelo todas las noches antes de dormir. — I like to brush my hair every night before sleeping.
shampoo
¿Me recomiendas un buen champú para pelo seco? — Can you recommend a good shampoo for dry hair?
conditioner
Siempre uso acondicionador para que mi pelo esté suave. — I always use conditioner so that my hair is soft.