To think it's really hard to get a decent haircut these days?

[Atruh567]

Have noticed recently that any hairdressers I've been to don't seem to be able to give a decent cut anymore.

I have dyed blonde hair (full head, half, T bar every six weeks) and my last two hair dressers have been amazing with my colour!

I can't seem to get a decent cut though, since leaving my home town a number of years ago I've tried so many hairdressers but can't seem to find a decent one and am now wondering if the techniques taught in training college have changed so much I'll never get a good cut again.

I remember growing up the hairdresser would "lift" the hair cutting off all the dead ends and then thin out the hair blow dry then go round and chop the ends. Now no matter how I ask for my hair to be done they all comb the hair straight then cut round the ends and that's it.

I've tried talking through what I want as my hair is a lot thicker at the back and needs cut into and evened out but no one seems to get me.

Does anyone else feel like this? I'm not even sure I'm explaining it right but it feels like even though I've found a hairdresser who is fab with colour the cut doesn't seem as important anymore?

[OneStepOneStumble]

I have definitely found this recently. My hair basically styles itself if I have layers cut into it throughout buy no hairdressers anywhere seems to know how or want to do layering anymore. They always cut it into the long straight ends that is in fashion no matter how I explain it. I know layering might not be in vogue but it's how I want it done and I wish they'd not choose my style based on whether its fashionable or not ...

[Cazzamoomoo]

I have curly hair. Welcome to my world!

I do think hair stylists learn one style, generally what's popular at the time and stick to it. My friend went to one who was completely incapable of doing any other colour other than 2000s style stripey highlights. In 2019. I went to one who gave me Rachel from friends layers a few years ago. Most round my way want to give me an asymmetrical bob.

It happens with men's barbers as well. DH and DS all went to the barbers the other day and despite all asking for different things, they all came home with identical haircuts. Which incidentally was the same haircut as the actual barber I'm told.

A few years ago, I was having my hair done by an apprentice and the salon owner bollocked the poor girl because she was totally incapable of blow drying my hair. Salon owner went to great lengths to tell me no one learns to blow dry hair anymore, they all rely on straighteners nowadays.

[callmemaybee]

What’s your hair density like? After years of highlights my hair is a bit thin at the ends, and then I lost a bit of hair over lockdown. So overall, a fresh hair cut doesn’t look as amazing as it used to, as I don’t have a great base to work with if that makes sense?

[callmemaybee]

Oh also, it’s better to get your cut and colour done by separate stylists. Colour specialists aren’t necessarily cut specialists and vice versa. Colouring hair is much more specialised and intensive vs cutting hair, so chances are a colourist is passionate about colour and doesn’t really hone their cutting skills as much.

[HaudYerWeesht]

YANBU. The last good few times I've gone (different shops), I've shown a pic of the type of layered style I'd like and each time I come out with the exact same cut that looks absolutely nothing like what I asked for.

I smile, thank them and give a tip then tie my hair up when I get to the car as I hate how it looks.

[avamiah]

@HaudYerWeesht,
Tell me about it,I have done the same then as soon as I got in the house I would start crying my eyes out.

[MadMadMadamMim]

Another one with curly hair who never gets a decent cut!

[MadMadMadamMim]

Me, sorry. In case that wasn't clear.😁

[Graphista]

Go to a hairdressers that's mainly used by older folk!

That's what I do when I go to hairdressers - for the cut at least if not colour although they're usually pretty good at colour too, just might not be totally up on modern techniques.

Have you older women in that area you can ask for recommendations? If you like the QUALITY (not necessarily the style fashion being fickle) of their cut then that's quite a compliment to someone. "That's a really good haircut where do you go?"

I have curly hair. Welcome to my world

Yep me too and dd. Dd is currently living somewhere that there is little variety in hairdressers and she's having to head to the nearest city to get a decent cut. She has very curly, tight curly hair very thick too. She's found the best hairdressers for her are those that cut and style Afro hair. They understand the challenges she faces caring for it and styling it.

I cut my own and used to cut dds but I wouldn't attempt anyone else's.

I've had horrific experiences with "modern" hairdressers who don't listen, don't give me the cut I want and usually cut too much off!

I'm eagerly awaiting responses from hairdressers be interesting to see what they say.

[Disfordarkchocolate]

I've found this too but my latest hairdresser is really good. Came out yesterday feeling fabulous. He makes sure I can dry my hair which has changed my life at 50+.

I one had one who always dried it the same way, all bouncy and turned under, no matter how many times I told them not too.

[Stinkywizzleteets]

I have very straight, not so much as a kink in it hair, I ask for texture and layering to get some shape and body and I show pictures to give an idea of what I want and I always end up with a perfectly straight fucking Bob that I specifically asked them not to do. They say but you have such perfect hair it would be a shame… I also have ears like the puppet from the dark Crystal and I look like a fucking elf when it’s done like that.

I stopped going to the hairdresser and let my preteen daughter have at it. If it’s just being cut straight across then I’d rather not pay. She does a fantastic job.

[2gd2btrue]

I think this too. I haven't found a good hairdresser that I want to stick with since I moved too far from my old one. I agree, no one can blowdry anymore, they all use straighteners. Also, the hairdressers I have been to recently (well, before covid) don't like to make suggestions on what would be good for for your hair, my old one used to be able to advise what would work best on my hair.

I remember as a child going with my mum and the hairdresser would be so busy - put a colour on that person, cut this one's hair while the colour develops, blowdry this one. They were always doing something and the salon was always full. All the ones I've been to since are fully booked with one customer in the shop and they just do nothing while colour develops etc. It's not a problem, I'm just surprised.

[HarebrightCedarmoon]

I've been to the same hairdresser for more than ten years, since she was a trainee, and she is excellent, now a senior stylist.The only time I've been unsatisfied with hairdressers is when I went to big chain salons - and was probably charged 50% more for my trouble also. Maybe try getting recommendations on local Facebook groups.

[Graphista]

@2gd2btrue actually a lack of customers and so much idle time means the cost per customer will be higher so that does affect customers

@HarebrightCedarmoon I agree the chain salons are awful! They were a "thing" when I was a teen and I tried them then and later at various points - never had a good experience!

I cannot stress how much I WANT to hear from hairdressers on these points. It would also be good to hear from hairdressers of different ages/stages of experience

I suspect - as I think op and a few pps do - that training standards have declined. That they're only trained to do what's currently "in" and not taught the basics of a good cut and blow dry technique and LISTENING to customers

Their industry has been hammered by COVID, they need to rebuild their businesses so I would think now is a crucial time for them to ensure that they are giving customers what they want.

For those who have returned to bad hairdressers - why?! I genuinely don't understand that. If they did a bad job the first time why on Earth would you go back?

Customer service in general is pretty poor in this country and I honestly think part of the reason is that poor service doesn't lose the vendor custom. If it did they would change.

I expect a hairdresser to:

1 Listen to what I'm asking for

2 Advise tactfully if it's not possible and the reason - briefly

3 Give me what I'm asking for where possible (I mean if it can be done not just if they're up to it, they should be up to it if it's possible)

4 assess whether a customer is chatty and wants the small talk OR is the type that prefers to be left in peace and keep conversation to a polite minimum

5 provide a cuppa or water during long processes

6 NOT charge exorbitant rates (a cut and blow dry where I live - cheap living costs part of the country - can vary from £20 to £80!)

7 NOT add hidden costs "would you like conditioner?" Without stating that's an extra £15!

I don't think that is too much to ask.

Frankly I think the industry needs regulation on basic standards and health and safety at the very least, preferably also on the hidden costs issue.

I have ocd so I notice certain things more than others but I've entered some places and walked straight back out again because they are FILTHY. That's unacceptable but shockingly not that uncommon - and these were not cheap places! If anything the cheaper places tended to be better run!

[Feedingthebirds1]

I have the same problem. Most stylists seem to be very good at colour and at styling long hair, but mine's short and strong and needs a good cut to control it. And I've had some very bad haircuts in some expensive 'posh' salons.

One day when you could have turned me upside down and used me as a mop, I used one of those no appointment, walk in and wait your turn, cut only - no washing or drying or colouring - 'salons' that appear in the middle of malls. While I wouldn't say I got a perfect cut, the stylists tend to be a bit older, plus they only do cuts so they have to be reasonably good at it, and it was easily the best cut I'd had in a long time and that's where I always go now.

[Feedingthebirds1]

PS ^^

And it only costs me seven quid a time!

[Merlotmum85]

What price bracket are you in for your cuts? I used to pay around 30 for a cut and blow dry and always left disappointed, tried many different hairdressers and had 'rachels', uneven cuts, awful blunt layers or just chopped ends whoever I went to. As a last ditch attempt I booked in with one of the most expensive stylists in the area.... and have now fallen in love with my hair again! I sort of justify it by thinking of all the wasted money on awful haircuts in the past and how much better I feel now.

[HaveYouMetMyMateStanley]

Yes! Every hairdresser I have been to for the last few years, possibly decade, has given me a shit cut unless it's a trim if what I already have but they can never do my fringe. I've had DP cut it over covid and he did it equally well with absolutely no training. I recently got a hair cut and she spent ages on it but it looks nothing like the picture and it doesn't suit my face. It's too blunt and I need to go back and ask them to blend it in a bit but who has the time.

Colouring is a while other story and far worse. I want ash blonde balayage and I get fuck knows what. I've started doing it myself and it's better than ever but now I have significant regrow that that I'm scared to do myself in case it snaps but see no point going to any local hairdresser.

[EssentialHummus]

I have curly hair and I’ve just sort of settled tbh. I’ve previously

Gone to a stylist midway across the country (literally, s London to B’ham)
Gone to a high end specialist one in London at £200 a pop
Scoured the internet for recommendations

Yesterday - after cutting my own hair since covid began - and still waiting on an appointment with the nearest decent one I knew, I saw a FB post pop up that X local hairdresser on my high street had slots that afternoon. I was in there 10 minutes later. She claimed to be a curly specialist, randomly, and had curls herself which doesn’t hurt! Cheapest haircut I’ve had in 10 years and it looks fine I think.

The randomness of it is a bit bonkers. It’s like going to a restaurant where you’re expected to pay £60 for a main and not knowing whether you’re getting McDonald’s or Marcus Wareing.

[StCharlotte]

I go to a salon in a village where I used to work. It's got a "traditional" vibe but my stylist is brilliant and usually razor cuts my hair (which might be the way to go for you OP?).

There are definitely still great cutters out there.

[Looubylou]

I thought it was just me! They don't know what layering is anymore - they just either chop into it, or just shape round the front. Very reliant on straighteners. I blow dry my hair big and bouncy - how can a hairdresser not do that? I given up on the blow dry issue and just accept I'm coming out with flat straight hair, until I wash it.

[Seeline]

I think you need to use the same stylist 2 or 3 times before deciding. They need to see how your hair has responded to the cut they've given you. I'm sure many people tell them that their hair grows really quickly, but until they have cut your hair and then seen it 6 weeks later, they are not going to really know how quickly etc.

My salon still operates by doing one person's colour, then cutting another's before finishing the colour/cut on the first. But ATM they are still operating under covid restrictions and can't have as many people in the salon. Some days, they don't even have a receptionist so that they can get extra customers.

My own hairdresser still gives a great cut but I have been using her for 10 years. I have seen her cutting others and they always look great in a variety of different styles. A cut costs £50.

[Ilovegreentomatoes]

I go to a male stylist and he's brilliant .For some reason all the best cuts I've had have been by male stylists.

[possumgoddess]

Do any of you people that get a good cut live in Devon? I'm desperately trying to find somebody that can actually cut...

[Rosebud21]

If any if you who have good hairdressers live in London, please give me their details