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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How far in advance do you need to book a haircut?

32 replies

DavAtTheCampaignForMoreBankHolidays · 31/08/2025 12:36

Salon with 5 members of staff. Admittedly, I dont think they are all full time. I just want a trim with any of them and can go at pretty much any time.

They have nothing until October! Im a regular (but dont go every 6 weeks) and always tip generously. They're just a normal hairdressers so I dont understand a 6 weeks wait.

I need it doing before then so now I need to find a new HD. Fun.

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Denim4ever · 31/08/2025 19:37

DavAtTheCampaignForMoreBankHolidays · 31/08/2025 15:19

August yes.
September and October aren't though.

? They go go back to school in September so parents are more free then

idkwhattodoanm · 31/08/2025 18:56

I moved to new area almost 2y ago and tried to get my DD’s hair cut. Hairdressers in my new area said it’s 3 weeks wait (for a young teen ends trim!). We went back to our old hairdresser. Funnily enough, that new hairdresser has shut the shop now- wonder why?

DavAtTheCampaignForMoreBankHolidays · 31/08/2025 18:24

DongDingBell · 31/08/2025 16:59

£100-150 a month 😮😮
I dont think I spend £150 a year

The last time I got a cut and colour it cost me £170! That was for a basic colour. She apparently put some lighter bits around my face but it all looked the same colour to me. I just use a box dye now.

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DongDingBell · 31/08/2025 16:59

£100-150 a month 😮😮
I dont think I spend £150 a year

DavAtTheCampaignForMoreBankHolidays · 31/08/2025 16:38

Ive booked somewhere else for 2 weeks time.

They are further away but reviews are good.

Interestingly they do a subscription where you pay £100/£150 (depending on staff seniority) a month and can get one service a week. My hair is too short to make use of that but it seems like a good offer, particularly if you colour your hair.

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MagentaRocks · 31/08/2025 16:20

DavAtTheCampaignForMoreBankHolidays · 31/08/2025 15:18

I'm not sure about that. Ive definitely seen comments from HD online saying they've kept some appointments aside for their regulars eg over Christmas and have been in appointments when regulars are "squeezed in".

That's probably people that are consistent booking appointments not for the odd cut.

And each salon will be different

DongDingBell · 31/08/2025 15:57

I've just looked. At my normal salon, there are 2 appointments on Tuesday, then availability every day from then onwards.
I'd have to wait til next week, as that's when there are evening appointments available.
And I didn't look further than next weekend - when the only girl with availability is one I wouldn't use again - needed asking 4 times to cut more hair off, and then she tried to tell me my hair was straight. It might not have corkscrew curls, but it is a million miles off being straight.

DavAtTheCampaignForMoreBankHolidays · 31/08/2025 15:42

Chompingatthebeat · 31/08/2025 15:35

If its just a trim can't you go elsewhere?

Im going to have to.

I dont like going to the hairdressers but because Ive been going to this one for so long, she knows my hair and where it sticks out etc. so I dont have to explain everything and she does what I ask (most of the time!).

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Chompingatthebeat · 31/08/2025 15:35

If its just a trim can't you go elsewhere?

DavAtTheCampaignForMoreBankHolidays · 31/08/2025 15:19

Denim4ever · 31/08/2025 15:05

This is the back to school haircut rush. After sticking it out during hols, mums and - to a lesser extent dads - are getting their hair done.

Re dads - the reason for lesser extent is that they have different variables. Barbers can be just pop in for quick trim, they might diy if a shaved look or they might use hairdresser same as most women.

August yes.
September and October aren't though.

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DavAtTheCampaignForMoreBankHolidays · 31/08/2025 15:18

MagentaRocks · 31/08/2025 12:55

You being a regular and tipping well does not mean they can open up a slot that isn’t there. My hair and nail appointments are all booked until the end of the year.

I'm not sure about that. Ive definitely seen comments from HD online saying they've kept some appointments aside for their regulars eg over Christmas and have been in appointments when regulars are "squeezed in".

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Denim4ever · 31/08/2025 15:05

DavAtTheCampaignForMoreBankHolidays · 31/08/2025 12:41

See I get it if it were around Christmas, summer holidays etc because I know it gets crazy for them then.

This is the back to school haircut rush. After sticking it out during hols, mums and - to a lesser extent dads - are getting their hair done.

Re dads - the reason for lesser extent is that they have different variables. Barbers can be just pop in for quick trim, they might diy if a shaved look or they might use hairdresser same as most women.

whatasillygoose · 31/08/2025 14:59

Just a cut? I could probably get one in a few weeks if I did a week day. I have a colour and cut and need a Saturday or late so usually about 3 months. Sometimes I book a day off because I can get a discount on a week day.

hmmnotreallysure · 31/08/2025 14:58

I've always got my next appt booked in when I go and then when I've finished I book in for the following one, so I've always got my next 2 appts booked in. I go every 10 weeks

NotMeekNotObedient · 31/08/2025 14:51

I always book at the end of the last one. I'd say 6 weeks, especially if you want a Saturday. I will be booking up until Xmas after my next appointment.

buffy2025 · 31/08/2025 14:46

3 months for a curl specialist

muddyford · 31/08/2025 14:33

I go every five or six weeks and book the next appointment before I leave the salon. And the one after that in the run up to Christmas. Either of two stylists but one is more often available if I need to change it.

RoverReturn · 31/08/2025 13:07

Probably 2 weeks the last time I went.

I've never been loyal to a hairdresser to the extent of it being inconvenient to me - in this situation I would go elsewhere .

NebulousWhistler · 31/08/2025 13:04

I have colour twice a year. I book her six months in advance as she is quite In Demand. But mainly because she doesn’t work weekends and I can only do Fridays.

toomuchfaff · 31/08/2025 12:58

YABU to expect a service to be able to fit you in last minute at your convenience. Of course they are booked up, thats their aim, to maximise their earnings.

purplecorkheart · 31/08/2025 12:58

A week. I attend a very small salon where the stylist rarely if ever takes on new clients.

MagentaRocks · 31/08/2025 12:55

You being a regular and tipping well does not mean they can open up a slot that isn’t there. My hair and nail appointments are all booked until the end of the year.

RosesAndHellebores · 31/08/2025 12:53

I've been with my hairdresser for 25 years and tip well. Usually I make the next appointment when I'm there, so fofr seven weeks' time, but if I need one in-between she always fits me in. After covid she texted me and dh and I went on the first day back.

Ineedanewsofa · 31/08/2025 12:52

As per PP, book the next one at the end of the previous one, I go approx every 10 weeks. I’d expect to a few weeks for my specific hairdresser, she get booked up quickly

Justploddingonandon · 31/08/2025 12:49

I always book after the last one, so around 8 weeks, but I want a particular hairdresser.