Anyone else really dislike going to the hairdresser?

[Vanillacupcakeyummy]

I feel like I must be in some kind of minority because most people I know see it as a treat and enjoy it, but I've always hated going. I've been to numerous different hairdressers and just can't seem to find one that cuts my hair properly. I now colour it myself at home so that's half the battle, but still find it difficult to go. Anyone else avoid the hairdresser unless they absolutely have to go?

I hate it SO MUCH. I’ve never ever enjoyed it. I feel completely inferior the whole time I am there and want to cry with all the small talk. My heart just sinks when they start ‘so you up to much at the weekend?’

I’ve never stuck with a hairdresser longer than a year or so. I do think that unless you’re Mrs Trendy and Beautiful they’re just not interested it’s in and out without really giving a fuck if you’re happy.

Also, don’t know if it’s me but I hate when hairdressers feel the need to criticise my hair. ‘Ooh you’ve got loads of split ends, it’s really dry as well.’

Yes, well that’s why I’m here, isn’t it? I think they do it to make you feel they’ve made a good job of your awful hair even if you don’t like it.

I hate it and the way they react in horror if someone has used A Box Dye is so ridiculous. I used a Clairol dye on my friend during one of the lockdowns an inoffensive ash blonde and then she went and paid £70 for a colour when the salons reopened which looked exactly the same and washed out within a few weeks . You can buy salon colours and developers online and DIY at home for a fraction of the cost . The whole thing of going to the hairdressers has never appealed to me and I just refuse to waste the money anymore I’ve got thin flat frizzy hair which goes to shit in a couple of hours no matter what they do with it .

Oh yes, the barely restrained shudders when they see a box dye. Of course nothing to do with the fact that they’d prefer you sat for a million hours so they could charge you hundreds to do basically the same thing.

Wow first world problems... I love going

I hate it. I only go every 18 months. Loathe the small talk, people listening etc.

My friend goes once a year for a full colour. Last time it cost £120 inc a blowdry. (Has a seriously ridiculous amount of hair like me)

6 weeks later her roots need doing. so what is the point? I colour mine every 6 weeks. Doesn’t always cover the grey but the hairdressers doesn’t either.

Fine, frizzy, curly hair - I defy anyone to enjoy going to the hairdressers with that.
The cut is actually ok but she doesn't know how to dry it so the idea of a hairdo before a special night out is laughable.

I hate it, mind numbingly boring, uncomfortable and ridiculously expensive for something temporary.

I've been about 4 times in my 45 years and never enjoyed it, the last time my husband said he'd treat me to whatever I wanted at the local salon which has a great reputation, I agreed to go along in case my previous trips were just unlucky.
I had my long hair cut into a shoulder length bob, it was also coloured a dark brown to cover up my greys.
I was in there almost 4 hours, the bill was close to £150 and the majority of time was spent sitting reading magazines with a numb bum, bored shitless.
My hair looked OK, nothing amazing and nothing I couldn't do myself.
I'm now back to using a £5 box dye every month and trim it myself when the ends look tatty.

Wow first world problems... I love going

Most people posting on mumsnet are lucky enough to be posting first world problems. I’ve never seen an ‘Aibu that I have to walk 6 miles for a cup of dirty water.’

Of course we’re all aware in the grand scheme of things it isn’t a huge problem.

@Kanaloa absolutely agree with your post.

I'm a weird mix of both. I really like having my hair washed and faffed around with, and I finally found an an amazing hairdresser in 2018 so I always leave looking like a million dollars.

However, I'm neurodivergent (not autism) and find the whole experience really draining. Sitting still for three hours is physically painful, the chit chat and smiling and trying to work out what he's saying over the mask/music/hairdryers when I have auditory processing difficulties... I usually hit a wall around the two hour mark and I'm just desperate to go home. I deliberately get a balayage, which grows out really naturally and looks good with a long root, so I can get away with two visits a year.

Not been for three years. I suppose I will have to soon.

List of things hairdressers do that I hate:

1 don't listen when you say you want an inch off ONLY 1 INCH. Nah they chop a ton off. At least 2 inches if not more.

1. They tell me I have curly hair. Yes. Yes I know that I have curly hair. Thank you. Good info.

1. Wash my hair in that tiny sink / torture device. Neck ache. Then jab their fingers into my scalp under the guise of it being a "relaxing head massage". No you're just a stranger poking my scalp.

1. Ask me what shampoo I use. Gasp dramatically when I say "whatever's on offer in home bargains", then try and sell me some massively overpriced stuff. Nope! I'll be buying whatever is £2 until I die.

1. Tell me my hair is "dead". Yes it is dead. If it wasn't dead, id have to have a general anaesthetic for you to chop it off.

Prosecco is the way forward... I was at a friend's house once when her mobile hairdresser came to do hers. As I'd had a couple of drinks I said do mine too! She was happy to oblige and it was actually enjoyable (ISH)!

Another thing i hate are those vibrating chairs when having a backwash. Give me a proper chair and knock £5 off. I don’t want to pay for it. If i want a massage id go to a masseuse.

@Flyinggeese1

there

Oh and it’s so expensive (last cut and colour £160) - I just don’t understand why. The result was really good, but there is nothing I like about the process.

I think there is a huge opportunity for a new type of no nonsense salon where it’s not assumed every customer loves all the fuss and massages and endless waiting around.

This in buckets.

I just wish the salon owners would try to think about who their customers are and y'know, try to create an environment to attract and please the customer, instead of themselves.

So instead of having:

• dance / chart music blaring
• shouty chat constantly
• roaring hairdryers
• unflattering lighting
• unflattering mirrors
• unflattering capes
• cheap Prosecco, biscuits & coffee
• chairs/sinks on top of each other
• Teenage staff

Have the following instead:

• no music or very quiet 'singer/song writer' music
• a no shouting policy with a quiet chair option
• dyson dryers (quiet)
• flattering rose toned up lights
• white capes
• good mirrors
• decent wine, coffee, tea & juice
• space/partitions for privacy
• staff over the age of 30

Ive felt this way since i was 18 so its not age related, I just dont want to get my hair done in a place that looks and feels like Primark.