Instagram Hooks for Hair Salons (+ Free Generator)

If you're a hair stylist posting on Instagram, your hook is what stops someone mid-scroll. Most hair salon Reels get skipped because the hook is generic ("Hair transformation!") or doesn't speak to what clients actually want to know.

Below are hair salon-specific hooks, formulas, and examples that grab attention without overhyping.

5 Instagram Hook Examples for Hair Salons

These hooks work because they promise transformation, education, or honest advice.

1. "Let me show you before and afters of all of my services and these transformations"
2. "Here's some thing I would tell you as a hair stylist if I knew you wouldn't get offended (I might ruffle some feathers with this one)"
3. "These are my unpopular opinions as a hair stylist"
4. "3 common ways you're damaging your hair without knowing it"
5. "If you have dark brown hair you may want to go chestnut brunette for fall"

These hooks work because they promise honest advice, showcase work, or offer seasonal inspiration that feels personal.

3 Hook Formulas You Can Reuse Forever

1. Honest Advice or Unpopular Opinion

Template: "Here's what I would tell you as a hair stylist if I knew you wouldn't get offended" or "These are my unpopular opinions as a hair stylist"

Examples:

• "Here's some thing I would tell you as a hair stylist if I knew you wouldn't get offended"
• "These are my unpopular opinions as a hair stylist"

Why it works: People want the truth from professionals. Honesty builds trust and creates engagement (people will comment to agree or debate).

2. Common Mistakes or Damage Prevention

Template: "X common ways you're damaging your hair without knowing it"

Examples:

• "3 common ways you're damaging your hair without knowing it"
• "If your hair feels dry, you're probably doing this"

Why it works: People want to avoid making mistakes. Educational hooks position you as the expert who helps, not just sells.

3. Seasonal or Personalized Recommendations

Template: "If you have [hair type/color], you may want to [specific recommendation] for [season/occasion]"

Examples:

• "If you have dark brown hair you may want to go chestnut brunette for fall"
• "If you have fine hair, this cut will give you volume for summer"

Why it works: Personalized advice feels tailored. People engage when they feel seen and get actionable ideas.

(Need hooks tailored to your salon services and client base? Captain Hook AI generates custom hooks for hair salons in seconds.)

What Makes Hair Salon Hooks Different

Hair content thrives on transformation, education, and honest advice. Clients want to see your work and learn how to care for their hair better.

A strong hair salon hook has:

• Honest perspective (unpopular opinions, real talk)
• Specific advice (seasonal trends, damage prevention, styling tips)
• Visual promise (transformation, before/after, technique)

If your hook sounds like a generic salon ad, rethink it.

How to Use Hooks in Hair Salon Reels (Mini Strategy)

Most hair stylists make one big mistake: they show the final result before explaining what service was done or what problem was solved.

Your viewer needs to know what they're about to see in the first 0.5 seconds, before the reveal, before the styling, before anything else.

Use text on screen

Most people scroll with sound off. Put your hook as text in the first frame, whether you're showing a before shot or starting mid-process.

Match your hook to one specific service or tip

Don't try to show cut + color + style + advice in one video. Pick one focus.

Focus on these high-intent topics:

These consistently get the most engagement for hair salons:

• Before/after transformations with context
• Honest advice clients need to hear
• Common hair damage mistakes
• Seasonal color and style trends
• Unpopular opinions about hair care
• How to maintain salon results at home
• Personalized recommendations by hair type

If your hook speaks to something clients ask about in the chair, it performs.

For more Instagram hook patterns and templates, check out our Instagram Hooks: The Ultimate Guide.

Related Articles

Looking for more hook ideas? Check out:

• TikTok Hooks for Hair Salons - TikTok-specific hooks for hair stylists
• Instagram Hooks for Makeup Artists - Instagram hooks for makeup artists

FAQ: Instagram Hooks for Hair Salons

Q: Do hair salon hooks need to be dramatic?

No. Honest advice and education perform just as well as dramatic transformations.

Q: How long should my hook be?

Depends, but short and punchy often works best. Keep it concise.

Q: Should I use text, voiceover, or both?

Depends on the video format. Keep a good mix of text-only, voiceover + text, and some talking-to-camera videos for more upfront education.

Q: My videos get views but no bookings. Why?

Your hook might showcase your work but not mention how to book, pricing, or availability. Add clear CTAs.

Q: What's the biggest mistake hair stylists make with hooks?

Starting with the final result instead of the client's concern or the service being done. Lead with context, then show your work.

Q: Can I reuse the same hook formula?

Yes. If "Unpopular opinions as a hair stylist" works for your audience, run it with different opinions.