Please help with hairdresser speak

[SueFawley]

My usual stylist left the salon suddenly, towards the end of last year. She's been doing my hair for nearly 10 years and she understands how I like it. Now I need to find a new stylist but I don't really understand how to talk to a hair stylist.
I need colour and also a cut because after more than three months since I saw a stylist, my hair is looking terrible, three inches of grey roots and because it's naturally curly it's wild.

How can I learn hairdressser speak? I like to have it blow dried but I know I don't like it to loook poker straight smooth, and like it to look a bit 'flicky' or choppy - does this mean I need to ask for lots of layers?

Having moved away from my lovely hairdressers 15 months ago, I finally got the cut i wanted by taking in a photograph of a similar style, as I couldnt' seem to convey the 'choppy' idea! Such a relief to finally have got my hairstyle back.

saz I think a photograph is the way to go actually, good idea. Before I met my last hairdresser I always ended up disappointed when I left the salon and blame it on my lack of communications skills rather than any lack on the part of the stylist.
I'm actually terrified by the prospect of looking around for a new stylist but need to do something soon as I look like Worzel Gummidge.