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How to Make a Salon Before and After Reel

Film the client from the same side, in similar light and distance, so viewers can judge the real change in the haircut.

Published 2026-09-20

A salon before and after reel works when the two shots match. Film the client from the same side, in similar light and at a similar distance. Then the viewer can judge the real change instead of a difference in lighting or angle.

Agree on the filming first

The client should know what will be filmed and where it will appear. Do not assume that agreeing to a haircut also means agreeing to a public video. Ask in plain words before you start.

Offer a version without the face if that makes sense for the client. You can film the back of the head, the hands, or the finished shape from behind. Many people are happy to help but prefer not to be recognisable.

For a short edit you need three things: an opening look, one working detail, and the result. The scissors or your hands do not have to be in every second. Show the finished hair calmly so it is easy to read.

Keep the two shots comparable

The before and after only work as a pair. If one shot is dark and the other is bright, the change looks bigger than it is, and viewers notice. Keep the setup simple and repeat it.

  • Use the same spot in the salon for both shots. - Keep the same distance from the client. - Film from the same side and height. - Keep the light on or off in both shots. - Ask the client to sit or stand the same way. - Avoid a busy background behind the head. - Film the before shot before the cape goes on. - Film the after shot once the styling is finished.

A phone on a small tripod or a shelf is enough. You do not need a camera or a lighting kit. Steady footage is more useful than a fancy angle.

Film the middle, not just the ends

The working detail is what makes the reel feel real. One short clip of the cut, the colour, or the beard work is enough. Keep it close and short.

Do not try to capture the whole appointment. A few seconds of the process is plenty for a short vertical video. The rest can stay on your phone.

If you film several clients in one day, keep the clips in separate folders. It is easier to find them later when you sit down to edit.

Describe the service, not the feelings

Write a simple opening line that says what happened. For example: "Short bob to a textured pixie" or "Beard trim and shape up". Say what the client asked for.

Do not claim that the change gave the client more confidence or changed their life. You cannot prove that, and it can sound forced. Describe the service and let the result speak.

If you add a price, check that the range is correct and current. Prices change, and a wrong number in a video stays wrong for a long time.

What to do with the video

Post it as a vertical video on Instagram Reels, TikTok or YouTube Shorts. Add a simple way to book at the end, such as a message or a booking link.

When you look at results, watch for relevant bookings and questions. Do not judge the video by likes alone.

This article describes a model scenario. Without real measurement you cannot say how many new clients a video brought in. Treat it as a starting point, not a promise.

Where Relsko fits

Relsko turns your own phone clips and photos into short vertical videos at 1080x1920. You upload your footage, the assistant asks at most a couple of questions, and it proposes three concepts. You pick one, and Relsko prepares three cut variants of that concept. You download the one you like.

It never adds stock footage or generated scenes. Everything in the video comes from what you filmed. Standard export is available to everyone, and animated captions are in beta. Publishing to social networks, dubbing and multi-client workspaces are in preparation.

The interface, assistant, speech transcription and in-video text work in 16 languages. A finished video's text can be translated into any of the other 15. You can register for 30 days of full access without a card, and invitations extend it. After that there is a free level with a small watermark.

Limits are simple: up to 50 files per upload, 200 per project, 2 GB per file, and video length of 10 to 35 seconds. Processing time depends on footage length, captions and load, so no exact time is promised.

Upload your before and after clips, choose one of the three concepts, and download a cut variant. Then post it and see which questions and bookings come in.

In short: Film the before and after from the same side, in similar light and distance, so viewers can judge the real change in the haircut.

Questions people ask next

Do I need the client's permission to post a before and after reel?
Yes. Agree on the filming and where the video will appear before you start. A yes to the haircut is not automatically a yes to a public video. If the client prefers, film a version without the face.
How long should a salon before and after reel be?
Keep it short and clear. In Relsko, video length can be 10 to 35 seconds, which is enough for an opening look, one working detail and the result. Longer footage is not needed for a vertical video.
Can I make the reel without editing experience?
Yes. You film on your phone and upload the clips. Relsko asks a couple of questions, proposes three concepts, and you pick one. It then prepares three cut variants of that concept for you to download.

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