How to enjoy going to the hairdressers and get the cut that you want?

[peridito]

Inspired by this thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4319639-Anyone-else-really-dislike-going-to-the-hairdresser
I'm wondering if there are any hairdressers who can advise .

Obviously phobias/dislikes about being touched and having to look at yourself in the mirror may not be possible to overcome .But how to explain what you want ,what language to use ? And of course I realise customers may often want the impossible ,bringing a photo of a cut that just isn't achievable with their type of hair .

My friend says that it's up to the customer to direct ,but beyond saying stuff like "I'd like it so it gives height at the top ,less bulk at the sides ,shorter here but still possible to tuck behind my ears "...what helps the hairdresser know what you want ?

Just posted on the other thread, watching with interest...

Well ,we have our answer - there is no answer ,we'll all have to carry on enduring cuts we don't want ,experiences we dislike .

Or grow our hair long /cut it ourselves .

I always search online if I want a particular cut, and save photos on my phone to show the hairdresser.

I changed hairdressers recently. When I booked the appointment I had a chat with a few of the stylists in the salon - they all had a look at my hair to get an idea of how thick it was, asked questions about its natural non-straightened state and my lifestyle and what I was after and gave their opinions and showed me pictures of their work

On Stylist in particular totall understood and had experience of the style, so booked in with her. On the day before she started cutting, we went through some pictures and she talked me through what she was doing and why... Best hair cut i've ever had!

Ask for a consultation on a day prior to your appointment

Ask for someone with experience with your type of hair.

Explain you would like a restyle etc on the phone when you book so the stylist gets plenty of time.

Take pictures of different styles that you like different areas on.

Be realistic.
Clients bring pics of them twenty years prior and want that look again which won't happen because hair changes as does face skin etc etc.

E prepared to compromise on certain aspects.
If you e got a good experienced stylist they will be honest and tell you what will or won't work.

Anyone that nods and carries in don't have the confidence or skills to produce what you are looking for so find someone else

I bring along a photo of me with a previous successful haircut, taken front-on, side and back.

First off I do a LOT of research about which hairdresser to go to via the good salon guide.

I take photos and spend time explaining what I want and I say things like "I'd rather you take less off initially until you get used to it"

I watch the like a beady eyes hawk and make sure they're doing what I want. If they suggest taking an inch off I ask them to show me what their idea of an inch is.

I love my hairdresser I have at the moment, I've been seeing her for 12 years and she's fantastic.

great advice @MrsPelligrinoPetrichor. I'm going to follow it !

Good luck!

I tend to go in and say "I trust you to know what would work with my hair, but I want something that requires minimal maintenance. I just want to have to brush it and wash it. I don't want to use products or spend time styling. Also, short is absolutely fine. Go as short as you like."

When I've done this I've generally ended up with a cut I'm happy with.

When I've gone in and said "I want it like this" then it never comes out like I expected.

When I've encountered a hairdresser that has a cat's bum face about the idea of short hair on women or (the worst!) asked me whether my husband would be OK with it (!!!!!!!) it's never gone particularly well.

My local salon always does pre-cut consultations, serves massive glasses of bubbly to everyone and keeps them topped up. It's like a party in there and everyone comes out smiling.

I used to hate going to the hairdressers. Not any more.

These threads always make me realise how lucky I am to have a good hairdresser. I think it's the kind of relationship that's worth nurturing - I've been with my current one for over 10 years and it pays off. I typically wear my hair short (pixie short) but it's been below my jaw in a bob too. She just knows what works and what doesn't. And also what I like/don't like.
She doesn't have it easy, as I get bored, so rarely have the same cut more than 3 times in a row, but it's got to the point where I can sit there and say 'do whatever you like' and we both know she'll do something that works and looks good. Same with colour - she knows how 'brave' I am (or not), and my feelings on re-growth/frequency of re-doing, and just goes for it based on the simplest of requests.

I am also extremely for my hairdresser. I knew she was the one for me when I first went to her and showed her a photo...she looked at it, played with my hair for a fair while and said basically no, won't work on your hair.
A good hairdresser is one who will tell you no.

grateful. I'm extremely grateful.