Hairdressers- how do you make them not take too much off?

[SaliShoes]

New-ish hairdresser (last one moved away) so been to this one 4 times. I think she's good (she's the owner/ director) but twice out of the 4 times she's cut too much off the length. I ask her for a really light trim, just taking the ends of (my hair is shoulder length with some long layers) and I'm talking about taking of half an inch, to max 2 cms in old money! Twice she has been scissor happy and taken off around 1.5 inches so it's just touching my shoulders which I hate because I've been growing it for over a year. It doesn't sound much but it will take another 6 weeks or so to grow how I want it.

The 1st time she cut too much off I told her very gently and politely when I went back that it had been a bit too short last time, and she appeared to be miffed- cut in complete silence and I was made to feel very uncomfortable.

My previous hairdresser would take a long time asking me how much to cut off- he'd put a comb on the ends and say 'this much?' and I'd say a bit more, bit less etc.

So I'm a bit fed up. She is a good cutter and my hair grows quite fast BUT it seems I'm never going to get it to the length I want because any 'trim' takes it back to where I was before! Arrrgh!

If you are a hairdresser, what type of instructions do you need and if you're not a hairdresser how can I make myself clear? I'm too old in my 50s to not get the cut I want!

[hugoagogo]

I would go somewhere else, it doesn't sound like she is listening to you.

[maggiethemagpie]

This is why I only ever go to the trusted hairdresser I have used for years.

[Patterkiller]

Can you leave it I get between cuts?

[cuntycowfacemonkey]

It's infuriating I've had the same issue whilst growing my hair out (plus the over layering which my hairdresser seems obsessed with). No amount of polite requests has worked so I've decided to go elsewhere. I think you've given her a fair shot so I would try someone new

[AStreetcarNamedBob]

I always say a quarter inch and it's perfect. All the few bits gone but still long.

[AStreetcarNamedBob]

*dead bits

[MustBeThin]

If you've made it clear how much you want off and she still keeps cutting too much off I'd just get another hairdresser.

My hairdresser always checks how much I want off even though I always say the same (like you 1-2cm) my hair is down to my waist and I be super annoyed if she cut 1.5inch off.

[EmmaWoodlouse]

Can't help I' afraid as I have always had the opposite problem - how to get them to take enough off!

[Howdidthathappen1]

I always say 'just cut the dust off'. Seems to work - I've just had to swap hairdressers as well