To be annoyed and offended at what this hairdresser did, and what she said about my hair? And should I complain to the owner, or just not go back?

Find a hairdresser that has a curly hair specialist. Not just any bog standard stylist.

It sounds like she was out of her depth so straightened it a lot to make it easier and then fobbed you off saying it looked better. I would state all this in your complaint. And put it in writing.

Maybe it took an hour to process your pics because they’re AI- not really sure what they’re meant to demonstrate? Could you not just google a photo of actual hair to illustrate yours?

Anyway, if you’re not happy go back. They’ll probably ask why you didn’t speak up at the time but that’s the risk of, y’know, not speaking up at the time.

That's crazy. I have long hair and I just paid £6 for a dry trim last week! (London) The lady did a fab so I tipped her a fiver.

It can be hard to speak in the moment - especailly if you do and then they dismiss you.

DH remembers me coming home few months after we married in tears because a hair dresser had done similar striaghten hair and given me cut they want not what I asked for. I did amazingly for me at the time speak up and basically got told I was stupid and knew nothing about I wanted or my own hair in way that was bordline polite enough to not call out and made me shut up.

I'd complain - and try somewhere esle and leave a poor review.

I think there are many hairdressers who seem to struggle with wavy/curly hair - so it's finding one who doesn't.

I would have got up immediately and left.

I actually argued throughout a haircut once, because the woman said that my eczema was actually just conditioner build up, then criticised it for being too thick, then in spite of me showing her a picture OF ME WITH THE ACTUAL HAIRCUT I WANTED, she insisted it was too short for me.

Then she cut in the layers, insisting that if it was too long then she could cut it shorter. Big surprise, I then wanted it shorter, so she just cut off the bottom - which made the layers all the same length again?

I had to fix it myself at home later.

Even if you don't walk out in shock, once you're in the chair a hairdresser has almost all the power.

When you sat down in the chair and she said 'OK, so what are we doing today?' what did you actually tell her?

All AI pictures should be banned imo. They shouldn't get into the normal part of our brains.

I’m so sorry you had this experience! As a fellow curly hair haver, I highly recommend finding a proper curly hair dresser. I had the same problem with hairdressers straightening or wetting my hair to cut it, but my new hairdresser does a dry cut and gets the layers perfect

So why didn't she or why didn't you tell her again?

Well done for draining a reservoir to make a stupid AI pic of your "curly/wavy" hair

She wouldn't have gone near me with hair straighteners as I would have opened my mouth the minute I saw them and said I don't need / want them.

I personally would have got up out the chair or jerked my head away.
I know you are annoyed but I can't believe you just let her carry on.

Yes I would complain

It sounds easy to tell her to stop and stop f** your hair, but when she's "preparing" them for a cut, it's not that easy. I suppose lesson learn, but it shouldn't turn in being YOUR fault.

https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/internet-habits-environmental-damage

HTH

I'd complain in a factual, non emotional way.
Important points would be that:
You could not communicate properly and kept being ignored. You flagged that you were not happy with straighteners and were ignored. That you didn't feel listened to, and her dismissals make you feel you couldn't convey your preferences clearly.

That you are very happy with your waves and curls and the hairdresser completely ignored this and steamrolled your style, imposing her preference for straight hair.

That the cut will not work for your hair as you don't strenghten it.

Give them the chance to fix it or refund you. If they refuse of fob you off, never come back - and leave a stinky review!

Just leave a bad Google review to warn others and name her. I’m sure the manager will get in touch with you in no time. A bad hairdresser wrecks self esteem. I’m sorry that happened to you.

If you get a dry cut many hairdressers straighten first or else it's impossible to see hair length. Thst said she should have said she offers either a wet cut or a dry cut with straightening first.

Just ask for someone else next time.

Definitely complain. I would make a complaint before leaving a bad review, give the manager the chance to deal with it.

I think the straight hair looks gorgeous, but if it isn't what you wanted, then you should complain.

Definitely complain.
Frankly that’s frightening that some girl can force you to have this damaging stuff done to your hair.
Hope you feel abit better soon..

That’s all very strange. I have hair just like your first pic. My hairdresser cuts it dry, and curl by curl. Only then does she wash it.

I’m not sure why you didn’t speak up straight away when she got the straighteners out. I’d not let anyone near me with them and I’ve never heard of a hairdresser straightening curly hair to cut it. It implies complete ineptitude.

Next time, go to someone trained to cut curls.

I prefer your hair straight . Definitely not a fan of the hair in first photo which is a style suited to someone younger.