How should a client's hair be prepared before a consultation?

Preparing a client's hair for a consultation by ensuring it is cleaned and unstyled is crucial for several reasons. When the hair is clean, it provides a clear view of the hair's natural texture, color, and overall health. This condition allows the stylist to assess the hair more accurately and provide tailored advice based on its true condition.

An unstyled observation enables the stylist to see any damage, the hair's natural fall, and movement, thereby offering insight into what styles or treatments may work best for the client. Additionally, without product build-up, the stylist can better evaluate the hair's porosity, elasticity, and density.

Other options, such as having the hair styled and laden with products, would obscure the stylist’s ability to make an informed assessment. Wet and combed hair does not provide a complete understanding of how the client usually wears their hair, and ignoring the state of the hair could lead to miscommunication and unmet expectations. Hence, approaching the consultation with a clean and unstyled head of hair is the most effective way to ensure the stylist has all necessary information for advising the client accurately.