I'd like to get a haircut.
Stress 'ta-GLIA-re'. The 'gl' makes a palatal sound like 'lli' in 'million'. 'Capelli' = ca-PEL-li.
Say this when entering a hairdresser or barbershop to state your primary request. It's the natural opening phrase that prompts the stylist to ask follow-up questions.
'Vorrei' (I would like) is more polite than 'voglio' (I want). 'Tagliare i capelli' = to cut the hair. In Italian, 'i capelli' is always plural — you never say 'il capello' to refer to a haircut. 'Capello' (singular) means one single hair strand.
Vorrei solo un taglio.
I'd just like a cut.
Emphasising you only want a cut.
Voglio tagliare un po' le punte.
I want to trim the ends a little.
For a minimal trim.
Ho bisogno di un taglio totale.
I need a complete haircut.
For a significant change.
In Italy, hairdressers ('parrucchieri' for women, 'barbieri' for men) are social spaces. A visit to the parrucchiere is often a lengthy affair — Italian women typically spend 2–3 hours, including wash, cut, colour, and styling. The hairdresser relationship is personal and long-lasting.