best way to talk to a hairdresser?

Moody_Mare

Over the years I too have had some awfull hair cuts. I have thick, long poker straight hair and it needs layers to put some movement in and to stop me looking like a shetland pony that has been dragged through a hedge:D

I have in the past complained to the point of saying if you cut my hair too short I will break your wrist in a jokey manner. When they look at me in shock I say my hair will take months to grow out you would only be in plaster for 6 weeks! They may layer it badly but at least the overall lenght is ok. I have on occasion been over charged as well i.e quoted one price for a cut on my long hair as I told them it is middle of my back to then be asked for extra money as it is so long I have refused as they were already warned.

This year I have used the same hairdresser 3 times now, he is amazing he does the perfect cut for my hair and will only take off what is required. If I do want more off then I have to come back a couple of days later after I have thought about it and then he will re cut for free. As he says it takes a long time to grow back, on the plus side he is also great at coloring.

Only downside is £50 for but then I get exactly what I want.

MissGivings_2

Moody_Mare wrote: »

Over the years I too have had some awfull hair cuts. I have thick, long poker straight hair and it needs layers to put some movement in and to stop me looking like a shetland pony that has been dragged through a hedge:D

I have in the past complained to the point of saying if you cut my hair too short I will break your wrist in a jokey manner. When they look at me in shock I say my hair will take months to grow out you would only be in plaster for 6 weeks! They may layer it badly but at least the overall lenght is ok. I have on occasion been over charged as well i.e quoted one price for a cut on my long hair as I told them it is middle of my back to then be asked for extra money as it is so long I have refused as they were already warned.

This year I have used the same hairdresser 3 times now, he is amazing he does the perfect cut for my hair and will only take off what is required. If I do want more off then I have to come back a couple of days later after I have thought about it and then he will re cut for free. As he says it takes a long time to grow back, on the plus side he is also great at coloring.

Only downside is £50 for but then I get exactly what I want.

Shetland ponies are gorgeous- their fringes are so cute!
Is it sexist to wonder if male hairdressers listen better than women?
(Although that would be the reverse of normality, surely)..:laugh:

bedpotato_2

I do not know how hairdressers get away with it. In no other profession would anyone get away with listening seriously to their customer specifying instructions for the service to be carried out, but then go ahead and ignore the instructions and do whatever the hell they like, yet still demand payment on the basis that "they know best."

If you hired a painter to come and paint your house white, you wouldn't be very happy if they painted it red instead because they thought it looked nicer that way.

If you asked a taxi driver to collect you at your house at 7PM and take you to a friend's house, it would be unacceptable for them to arrive at 11PM and dump you half way in the middle of the road.

If you asked a dentist to bleach your teeth white, you wouldn't let them get away with dying them green instead because they'd decided it would suit your complexion better.

In all of these situations, you'd ask for your money back (or simply refuse to pay in the first place) and/or demand that the original service specified be carried out according to your instructions. You'd also report them to Trading Standards and they'd go out of business in no time!

Yet "hairmessers" consistently ignore their clients' instructions and if you dare to point out that they've done something differently to what you requested, they adopt a patronising, arrogant manner and inform you they know best and you'd better pay up and leave.

Cutting your own hair is VERY, VERY moneysaving (and it saves all the tears).

TAKE CONTROL! LEARN TO CUT YOUR OWN HAIR!

I've been doing it since 2006, and saved a fortune (and lots of hair)!

Either that, or start complaining and kicking up a fuss and refusing to pay, instead of faking a smile and pretending that you like the massacre that they have just made of your hair. Maybe that way hairdressers will start getting the message that unless we walk into the salon and say "I want a new style - I'm leaving it up to you - surprise me!" then we are paying customers who EXPECT OUR INSTRUCTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT and they ought to do as we ask.

Bronnie

I don't think your analogies completely hold true, because hairdressing is an art as well as a technical process.

esmy

I just do it myself now - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dQ9fySG95k which I came across on Mumsnet

Trixie B thanks so much for this! I did it last night on my (shorter) hair and my layers are back - it's just the look I wanted. And to think I was contemplating paying £30 for the same thing!
To anyone thinking of having a go - my hair is much thicker and shorter than the girl in the video. I had a shorter grown out layered style, my bottom layer just below shoulder length, now just to shoulder with the shorter layers restored. Position the pony tail where you want your 'parting' and use very sharp scissors to cut into it. I went cautiously at first and had a second go. I won't be going back to a hairdresser till I want a different look.

TrixieB

Really pleased you liked it

I do a further version of a smaller ponytail at the top and then another at the back just cause I have so much hair it's too much to do in one go! If anyone doesn't want a sidey fringe bit cutting in simply don't put that part into your ponytail

I also invested in some thinning scissors too as I have such heavy thick hair and as long as I don't do the top layer of my hair it works a treat

Also I got complimented on my new haircut the first time I did it and asked where I'd been, my friend was amazed lol

sunflowersuffolk

I HATE my hair at the moment, I paid £33 to go to what I thought was a good hairdressers and had the owner, I wanted a flattering style, it looked ok when she'd blow dried it, but I'd already told her I can't do that myself and need a style that "goes with" my wavy hair, instead of fighting against it. I hate it and have for 3 weeks, its not getting any better and trouble is, shes cut it quite short, above jaw line, and its all wispy and looks in terrible condition. I was thinking of asking a couple of "good" ?? hairdressers to give me a consultation and throw myself on their mercy and see what they say. I really need it to be looking good for a do next week, which was why I had it done 3 weeks ago, it usually takes time to settle. If they cut it more now may be they can get it looking better but short, and then I can start growing it, and eventually I will try cutting it myself as I'm so fed up with this. Only consolation is I now know I'm not alone.
Also Ive realised that if I have my hair a bit longer and less layers, I don't need to wash it every day, where as now I do. Did I say i HATE my hair. It really affects my mood. Sorry for the rant.

serious_saver

I have been to a hairdressers once in the last 5 years. Very MSE of me I think!

My mother once came back from a salon and the stylist had added about 10 years to her face! I now do hers for her as well. I don't understand how some of them can go through the training and still be terrible. It must be impossible to fail the course.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

For some reason I always end up with a 1980s type style. I hate anything 1980s aswell. I've yet to find a hairdresser I'm happy with. What makes it even more annoying, I've probably got the easiest hair to cut...fine and stick straight.

There_Goes_Trouble

You've all just made me love my hairdresser even more than I thought I did...

When she left the salon I used to go to I hated the cut I got from the next stylist I tried, so I remembered her mentioning a local shop her Dad owned and I went and tracked her down.... she's now working from home and is cutting my hair again - and is cheaper than it was in the salon!

Did I mention how much I love the way she cuts my hair?