I’m a hairdresser AMA

[LorelaiRoryEmily]

Since there have been a few hair related threads lately I thought people might have questions.
Totally prepared for tumbleweed

What are hair dressers thinking when they ask where you had it cut last time ?

@Flobochin professional colour, a really good shampoo, conditioner and treatment, a decent cut and step away from the tongs!!

@Littleandoften get a recommendation fir a hairdresser. Stop people on the street. I have a client who lives over an hour away and she comes to me vacates she asked a nurse when her dad was in hospital who cuts her hair and the nurse was a client of mine! Always get a recommendation

After that, screenshot pictures. Give them a visual of what you like, and don’t be afraid to ask them to change what you don’t like.

Most of us just want to make our clients feel good!

@Brizzlemint honestly? We’re probably thinking we won’t hire them if they ever come enquiring🤣🤣

That or we’re admiring It.

I need to wash my hair every day, it's very thin. Is there anything I can use to try go every second day?

Dry shampoo doesn't help either to be honest.

I've noticed my hair's thinning at the temples and along my hairline - been to the GP, had blood/iron/thyroid tests done and everything's normal, so I can only assume it's peri-menopausal/ageing.

Do any shampoos/conditioners make a difference, or is it all just snake oil? I'm using Nioxin, and taking Viviscal and Vitamin D but haven't noticed any real difference to the thinning, although the rest of my hair's looking nice and glossy.

@madhousee are you using a good shampoo? The best thing really is to just try it, try stretching it out to the second day and see if you can get used to it. Sometimes I use a little hairspray if I think my hair looks flat or greasy. Personally I hate dry shampoo

@hippermiddleton I don’t have much faith in any of those things. A good volumising shampoo with have pretty much the same effect. It’s more than likely hormonal as you said. A vitamin supplement would be more beneficial and cost you less than all those products.

I try all different shampoos, I have just chopped my hair so I think that's added to the problem now as I can't tie it back anymore

Why do so many hairdressers know so little about curly hair? I had a big ball of frizz for nearly 30 years then read The Curly Girl Handbook (thanks to Mumsnet) and realised all the hair advice I’d ever had had been balls. I have great hair now. Most hairdressers still don’t really get the impact of sulphate/silicones or the need to cut curls according to their pattern, when DRY!

Are curls just not really taught at college?

Thanks @LorelaiRoryEmily :)

I had trichotillimania for around 10 years, I never pulled from the scalp but would make little knots in the end of my hair and 'twiddle' till they snapped off. I had extensions in, so that I would take it out on them and not my own hair. I had the extensions out after 8 years in February and my hair done in a short blunt bob. What chance have I got of my hair actually growing again? Not necessarily long but just normally? I no longer twiddle my hair at all but am worried the damage is done forever now.

I'm undecided on what to do long term on my hair. I have some root growth at the minute but am OK with that have asked a hairdressers to give me a cut and toner. I'm not wanting to bleach my hair at the minute (no doubt will change) what can I ask for to give me the best look without pulling all the blonde out. I haven't had dark hair in ten years, have been asking previous hair dresser for a root drag with ashy ends but she said it would be too warm and just gave me all over highlights. Anyways please help lol any ideas

@stpancras no, to be honest curly hair really doesn’t come up in hairdressing college. I did a 4 year in salon apprenticeship and then a course in a private college. I worked in what is still regarded to be the busiest salon in the area for 12 years. I got great experience and I cut curly hair dry. I also have wavy/curly hair myself so that helps

@Dollytots I’d say you have a great chance of your hair growing normally. The damage won’t be permanent. Extensions take a lot of hair with them and it can be scary to see it go, especially when you have trichotillimania too but try not to have any more extensions, and it will recover.

Based on your clients, is silver hair on youngsters filtering out of fashion now? What's currently trendy, and what do you think the next big trend will be?

@Redken24 balayage/root melt would keep your blonde and make it lower maintenance. Usually if a hairdresser refuses or gives you a crappy reason not to do what you ask it’s either because they don’t know how or they can’t be bothered! Google is your friend. Pictures and loads of them!

Wow! That is shocking, thanks for being so honest. I’m 40 and you are one on only two hairdressers I have come across to cutcurlt hair dry. i had such low self esteem for so many years related to my hair...how I wish my hairdressers had had better advice than mousse and frizz ease! Thank you

Should we be offended if a hairdresser uses plastics gloves to wash hair, do they think it's dirty, greasy,badly minded etc

@LorelaiRoryEmily ok thanks for the advice, it's hard to find the right shampoo/conditioners even harder to lose the tongs. But I'll really try.

PS. Might need your advice in about 20 minutes. I have a box dye on my head right now.

I’m only 30 and have naturally dark brown hair. I’ve now got a very noticeable amount of greys in my parting and using box dyes isn’t really working! What are my best options? I hate going to the hair dresser because I never know what I’m asking for. I’d love to have hair that make other people ask where it’s been done!

@LorelaiRoryEmily

Thankyou for replying. I will message the girl I have booked and see if she will mind doing that instead. She's v talented at what she does but I don't want to take the piss with time!
Thankyou v much for replying I really appreciate it.
And yes I agree with you about the hairdresser! Waited 6 weeks for the appointment and when she said that to me on the day man was I gutted. Thankyou. Xx

@Galwaygirl

I wouldn't be offended by this. You just don't know if they have a flare up of dermatitis,eczema or severely cracked hands etc.