Hairdresser help

[beachbeth]

A few years ago I started using a mobile hairdresser. She charged a good price and I loved the way she did my hair. She then moved into a salon and, of course, I had to pay the salon price then. I really like the way she does my hair and she's easy to talk to. I just feel so guilty paying £60-£70 for my hair though (I have two colours and a bleach). I leave it until my roots look really bad and I can't stand it any more before I go in order to cut down the amount of times I go but its still expensive. We want to start overpaying our mortgage and so are trying to cut down on what we spend.

Ive been given the number of a good mobile from relatives and want to give her a try. It'll be so much cheaper. My worry though is that if I don't like the way she does my hair then I don't know if I can go back to my hairdresser at the salon. She isn't the sort to go funny but, of course, she will know Ive been elsewhere.

Ive got a holiday coming up in about 5 weeks and Im just tempted to book into the salon as usual before I go. I have a little voice in my head telling me to ring the mobile though!

What do I do?

[Liney]

Why don't you call the mobile hairdresser and if you don't like it tell your regular hairdresser were on holiday and had to get it done whilst you were away. Or tell her a friend did it who was training to be a hairdresser and they needed a model?

[Bronnie]

You'll never know unless you give it a try!

If you feel you have a rapport and trust in the new mobile hairdresser, maybe give her a couple of goes at doing your hair, if you're generally happy, but it's not absolutely as you want it the first time. I

It takes time to get to know a new hairdresser and for the hairdresser to get to know a new client. It sounds as though it'll be financially worthwhile, so give it the best shot to make a success of the change.

Liney had some good suggestions, if you need to go back to your original hairdresser, but try not to worry too much about this. Business is business and she should be pleased and flattered if you choose to come back to her. Hairdressers should be well aware of the competitive nature of their business. I have always tended to swap around hairdressers over the years, staying with one for a couple of years and then wondering if someone else can inspire me!

However I have been with my present salon for the longest time ever in my life. I swap around the senior stylists every couple of years and use any of the youngsters for my regrowth colour. I think everyone in the salon has had their hands on my head in that time! I was a bit embarassed at swapping stylists at first, and did it the first time when my regular was on holiday and I needed an 'emergency' cut! After that I just brazened it out! They know me well , nobody takes offence and I figure the owner is happy I'm staying at his salon and that it is a compliment that I consider his staff are all so talented!!

[Mrs pbradley936]

If I had a hairdresser I liked I would keep them. How much would you be saving? If like me you only get your colour done 3 or 4 times a year it would not be a fortune. BUT if you must change at least get the formula she uses, for example mine uses warm 7 and beige 9 on my hair and since I travel a lot it comes out very similar no matter who actually does the application.

[thatsfabulous]

Take a chance and give it a try!!
It all adds up as we all know.....

If you dont like the mobile hair dresser then just be honest to the one you usual see and explain to her although you love the way she cuts your hair your trying to save money, i'm sure during this current climate shes prob doing the same and would understand. If not maybe one of the other suggestions- say your friend is a hairdresser and asked you to be a model surely she couldnt be at all bothered by that?

[jenhug]

why not get in touch with the local hair dressing college? I had a little bit of colour put in my hair by a student at a hairdressers, £35, if I had had it done at the college, it would have ben about £6!

Why not continue to get your cut done by your current lady but get the colour done at the college? Explain to her about the cost, she may offer a solution herself?

[Krasnoludek]

I second the local college. I went to a training academy in Notts of a local well known hairdressing chain, they charged £20 for full head highlights with 2 shades, it took nearly 3 hours but it would take that anyway. I also went back for a cut for £7 again it took about 2 hours but the finished product I was very very happy with, it was better than the mobile hairdresser I have been using for a while and it was nice to go to a salon. I think most colleges have trainees appointments too, definately worth a go

K x

[missm29]

Have you not asked the hairdresser you like if she will do your hair in the evening/weekends at home, surely she would get more money that way, than you going to the salon and the salon making all the money.

If you want to try someone else and then decide to go back to your favourite just say you were trying to save money but prefer her.

I have a mobile hairdresser i quite like, but shes expensive, usually i get a very good haircut that just falls into place, although last time i felt she cut it too short, so now my head looks small on my fat body. Don't think i dare try anyone else though, find salons unfriendly places, what happened to good service.

[beachbeth]

Thanks for your replies. It is so difficult isn't it? On the one hand I want to stay with my hairdresser because she is nice and its easy going into the salon. I probably have my hair done about 5-6 times a year (Id have it done more if I could afford it). On the other, the mobile might bring a breath of fresh air to my hair style. I have a blonde bob with streaks of caramel and my own dark colour underneath. I also have some bleach which brightens it up. This all costs of course.

I don't think I dare go to the college. I just imagine a disaster!

[ailuro2]

but a good haircut can make you feel a million dollars, can't it? Even older clothes look better when worn with a smile, who knows, maybe the new mobile hairdresser would revamp your looks, and it would be half the price?

If it were me, I'd ask the hairdresser if she ever did out of hours work, as you're struggling to find time for the appointments but would be available in the evenings?;); Ask this out of earshot of her boss....

[lilacclaire]

I would stick with your good hairdresser and stop feeling guilty to be honest.
You are allowed to spend money on yourself you know ;)

[thatsfabulous]

Thanks for your replies. It is so difficult isn't it? On the one hand I want to stay with my hairdresser because she is nice and its easy going into the salon. I probably have my hair done about 5-6 times a year (Id have it done more if I could afford it). On the other, the mobile might bring a breath of fresh air to my hair style. I have a blonde bob with streaks of caramel and my own dark colour underneath. I also have some bleach which brightens it up. This all costs of course.

I don't think I dare go to the college. I just imagine a disaster!
I know what you mean i used to get mine highlighted and now do it myself at home- prob saved about £180 a year .
Think of it this way 5-6 times times a year.for you. If you could save £15-20 each time by going to new mobile hairdresser could save over £100 a year.

[Always Harassed]

I think that colleges get a bad press. I took a friend there last week and their hair was excellent. A lot of the students are all looking for full time jobs now as they are fully qualified and the work is always checked by the lecturer. The students take longer to make sure they understand what you want and make sure your ideas are achievable. The only thing that is not in their favour is that it takes longer. The thing to remember is that we all had to learn in our jobs.

[beachbeth]

I would stick with your good hairdresser and stop feeling guilty to be honest.
You are allowed to spend money on yourself you know ;)

Try telling my OH that! He is appalled at the amount my hair costs. I also have 2 grown up daughters who pay nearly the same amount (although they pay for their own). My OH has his own clippers and my daughter does his hair at home for nothing so he doesn't understand why mine should cost so much!

[Primula]

Have you not asked the hairdresser you like if she will do your hair in the evening/weekends at home, surely she would get more money that way, than you going to the salon and the salon making all the money.




This is exactly what I was going to suggest - you probably even have her phone number so you could give her a ring. She might even be glad to earn extra money cash in hand for a couple of hours work one evening. That's what I'd do, just ask, explain it's just too expensive in the shop and would she do a "homer" and if not, then try the other one.
Good luck.
P