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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to ask your honest thoughts when someone tells you they're a hairdresser?

193 replies

westmommy · 08/04/2026 21:41

First thoughts, any assumptions? Fully transparent and honest answers please, no judgement whether good/bad!

Also any hairdressers out there, what are your honest experiences and thoughts about the job? Do you enjoy, would you recommend it etc?

OP posts:
HeatedSeats · 09/04/2026 07:22

Didn't do well at school. Definitely haven't passed maths.

RosieHosie · 09/04/2026 07:20

ExOptimist · 09/04/2026 00:50

What's disgusting about it? It's my opinion, it presumably differs from yours, both equally valid.

In any case, I couldn't care less whether a stranger on the internet thinks my opinion is disgusting.

I described my own hairdresser who has his own salon and yes, drives a white range rover. But he's also uneducated, not discerning and spouts all sorts of absolute crap he's picked up from social media. He's had Botox and fillers and is keen on crystals.
I don't like him and would not want to meet him socially.

But he's a brilliant cutter so I put up with it.

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You're describing one person, and using it to make generalisations about all hairdressers

lottiegarbanzo · 09/04/2026 06:58

Reliable job, always needed. Good with people.

Yennefer17 · 09/04/2026 04:19

Forresty · 08/04/2026 21:46

That AI will not take their job.

Same!

SheSaidHummingbird · 09/04/2026 04:02

@westmommy I think "Why does my hair always look shit when I meet a hairdresser" and might assume that their next sentence will be along the lines of "... so if you want to get your shit together and sort your hair out, here's my card."

TestTickle · 09/04/2026 03:47

A lot of admiration as I have no technical skills whatsoever

And I also think they tend to have brilliant people skills.

A hairdresser took huge care of me when I was really struggling with my mental health, and I think she worked out before I did that my husband was the cause. She was gentle and wise and made a huge difference at a time I was quite isolated from family.

I will also always remember the sensitivity of the hairdresser who dealt with the mess my daughter made of her own hair when she was six and decided to attempt at home styling. Not only did they manage to make her look acceptable again, they also made her feel relaxed and chatty when she had arrived feeling very embarrassed

JMSA · 09/04/2026 03:24

That they must have really good creative, practical and time-management skills.
I genuinely think only good things. It also can’t be easy being on your feet all day. I’d be exhausted!

driftingdownintomiami · 09/04/2026 02:44

I think - ooh wonder if you'd be able to do my roots cheaper.

SouthernNights59 · 09/04/2026 02:42

Wishingplenty · 08/04/2026 23:11

This is a very British attitude. In all other countries in the world hairdressers are very well respected and sought after. The UK has a whole list of jobs that are looked down upon only here, but else where people really respect those trades. Along with hairdressers, travel agents, bank tellers, parking attendents, plumbers, painters, electricians, builders, plasterers, childcare workers, beauty therapists, hospitality, florists and many other trades that are seen as Mickey Mouse by UK standards, but the world over they are highly respected and highly skilled jobs. It just shows how elitist this country is when your measure of success is only defined by very few professions. Medicine, Law, and Finance. We really do have a problem in this country with snobbery when it comes to professions that are "deemed acceptable" This is simply not the case elsewhere.

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I also think it is a British attitude. I don't live in Britain and hairdressers here are well respected. I find many MN posters to be very snobby in their attitudes, that's not considered something to aspire to here.

Also, it's interesting how many posters are referencing "her". I've had more men cut my hair than women.

BreakingBroken · 09/04/2026 02:42

honestly its a handy skillset to have. my neighbors daughter cut hair in her dorm room while attending uni. paid her way through school.

SouthernNights59 · 09/04/2026 02:30

Ponderingwindow · 08/04/2026 23:34

It’s a job that requires a high level of skill to do well, yet is physically demanding. It seems very underpaid.

My thought is that the person didn’t have other options.

What a very strange assumption!! Why would being a hairdresser mean a person didn't have any other options? I can't help but think a lot of MNers have no real idea about the world outside their own bubble.

SouthernNights59 · 09/04/2026 02:25

I wouldn't think anything at all, what a strange questionConfused

Clonakilla · 09/04/2026 02:12

Self-conscious as I’m sure they know I dye my own hair and often cut it myself too!

I think one would have to have an extremely incurious mind to think nothing when introduced to someone as some posters claim.

BreakingBroken · 09/04/2026 02:09

My mom was a hairdresser said it was hard on her feet. Secured an apprenticeship for my cousin.
I have really curly hair and it’s a genuine skill to cut my hair.

LBFseBrom · 09/04/2026 02:05

I don't believe I would think anything. I know no hairdressers personally anyway.

PetsPalace · 09/04/2026 02:00

I often think to myself, Yeah I suspected as much (because of their mad hair) 😂 Is that just the ones I know or am I boring/old?!

KindGoldBear · 09/04/2026 01:46

Blueeberry · 08/04/2026 21:46

Not very educated, dropped out after GCSE types that just went into hairdressing for an easy option. There are a small, incredibly talented minority however

Very harsh & unkind. They were sorely missed during lockdown!

OhWise1 · 09/04/2026 01:37

Carla786 · 09/04/2026 00:44

Would you have that as a reaction if someone were a builder or plumber or electrician?

The world wouldn't run properly if everyone had desk jobs. All honest and ethical work is deserving of respect.

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No, i would assume that the trades jobs required more skill, knowledge, problem solving and intelligence than hair dressing.

CharlieRight · 09/04/2026 01:36

I wonder whether they have an MX-5 or a Rav4

CookingFatCat · 09/04/2026 01:28

That they must😬 know I have trimmed bits of my own hair
and
Admiration for being on their feet all day !

ThatshallotBaby · 09/04/2026 01:14

I’m in awe tbh. How do they do it? It’s a skill.

user1492757084 · 09/04/2026 00:58

That their legs are so strong from standing all day.
That they are kind and respectful towards strangers.
That hairdressers never are without work and can work from home.

SueblueNZ · 09/04/2026 00:52

Do they find applying colour to foils mind-numbingly boring, how they cope with having to indulge in small talk with every client, and how they cope with being on their feet all day long.
I don't begrudge paying good hairdressers their worth; couldn't stand the job myself.

Carla786 · 09/04/2026 00:51

ExOptimist · 09/04/2026 00:50

What's disgusting about it? It's my opinion, it presumably differs from yours, both equally valid.

In any case, I couldn't care less whether a stranger on the internet thinks my opinion is disgusting.

I described my own hairdresser who has his own salon and yes, drives a white range rover. But he's also uneducated, not discerning and spouts all sorts of absolute crap he's picked up from social media. He's had Botox and fillers and is keen on crystals.
I don't like him and would not want to meet him socially.

But he's a brilliant cutter so I put up with it.

Show quote history

It's a bit of a leap to say most are like this when you're generalising based on only one.

Fwiw my DM and sister are both educated & intelligent but they also believe a lot of conspiracy theories. Being smart intellectually doesn't mean you have common sense.

ExOptimist · 09/04/2026 00:50

Ilovemychocolate · 09/04/2026 00:33

That’s actually quite a disgusting opinion to have.

Show quote history

What's disgusting about it? It's my opinion, it presumably differs from yours, both equally valid.

In any case, I couldn't care less whether a stranger on the internet thinks my opinion is disgusting.

I described my own hairdresser who has his own salon and yes, drives a white range rover. But he's also uneducated, not discerning and spouts all sorts of absolute crap he's picked up from social media. He's had Botox and fillers and is keen on crystals.
I don't like him and would not want to meet him socially.

But he's a brilliant cutter so I put up with it.