to think going to the hairdresser should be a fairly pleasant experience?

[flashmollyflash]

I really don't know what to do....

I've been going to my hairdresser for several years. She's a good hairdresser, does my hair well and knows what I like, and her rates are reasonable too.

However, she was renting a chair in a local salon but is now renting a chair in a salon that a friend of hers has started in a garage. A salon has been made at the back of the garage, it's sort of been halved and stud walls have been put up. I had my first appointment at this new place a few weeks ago.

For starters, I found it very claustrophobic in there. There are three styling chairs, all close together, and for half of my hairdressing time there was a family that were having their hair cut at the chair next to me - mum and then three children - and we were all sort of expected to take part in this communal 'chat' involving my hairdresser, the other hairdresser and the mum from the other family. We were the only people in there so I couldn't not join in as it would have looked quite rude. Then for the other half of my appointment the trainee/junior girl that they have working there sat at the chair next to me chatting incessantly at me about rubbish and making personal comments/asking personal questions, such as commenting on a spot I had on my chin. I am happy to chat to my hairdresser but also like to just relax, especially when the colour is on, and this trainee was really getting my back up as she just wouldn't pick up on my non-verbal cues that I didn't want to talk to her. Even when I kept looking at a magazine and giving one-word answers.

Also I needed to use the loo whilst I was there and it was disgusting, an old outside toilet and it was horrible. No lock on the door, no soap, nowhere to dry my hands.

So anyway, I actually came home from my appointment feeling quite down and fed up, and more like 'that's three hours I'll never get back'. AIBU to think it was a crap experience? I don't know whether to find another hairdresser in a better environment or whether to grit my teeth and bear it there to get the haircut/colour I like. I am due a cut and colour again soon but I am honestly putting it off as I can't bear to go there. BTW my hairdresser doesn't do any mobile work; I asked her once, when I was struggling to get to her old salon as DH was working away a lot and I had no one to watch the DCs. Also her prices, although fairly reasonable, are still the same as they were when she was in the old, proper salon.

I would go somewhere else. Speaking as someone whose last two haircuts have been done (very well) by my 8-year-old, finding a good cut and colour isn't THAT hard. Ask around.

You could say to your current stylist that you love her work but prefer nicer surroundings - she might be regretting her move already. I wouldn't, though, would never have the guts.

Nope! I reckon you should go elsewhere if you didn't like it. For me a trip to the hairdressers is a chance to chill out, relax & I can't stand it if the hairdressers yacks away too much.

Find somewhere else you can go or ask friends of yours where they go.

I wouldn't pay salon prices for a garage haircut. Find someone else.

Definitely go elsewhere - it should be a pleasant 'time-out, read enjoyable rubbish magazines' experience. Lots of hairdressers around so you should find someone reasonable who is just as good if not better. Also, a change from time to time can help revitalise your look - hairdressers can lack new ideas for you if you have been getting the same style at the same place for ages.

I think you should tell her why you won't be coming back....

The one and only time I went to a salon (freebie cut by a trainee) the girl cutting my hair, and her friend who was cutting someone elses, were discussing a miscarriage (or was it abortion? 7 years have dulled my memory) that one of them had had recently

Both me and the other customer gave feedback that we didn't think it was appropriate!

OP, if you're not happy, I'd tell the hairdresser why.

Either find another one (tell her why).
Or see if she'd come to your home (tell her why).

I think you are ready for a new salon and new hairdresser.

Don't worry about it too much, as a new stylist will be happy to talk to you first and discuss the colour in depth and look at colour books with you. Go for it! The garage salon sounds soooo bad!

I never find going to the hairdresser a pleasant experience. I loathe being fannyed around with and am in and out as quickly as possible.
IMO, you should go to a different hairdresser. I'd be a bit pissed off (even with my level of loathing) at being seen in a garage with a grotty loo.

I change hairdressers all the time for various reasons the first time i did it i felt i was cheating on my hairdresser but it gets better you go where you are comfy imo
, I do like my new hairdressers its a nice salon not huge but pleasant. but the last few haircuts they have a mens hairdressers ( or should that be barberess ? ) and she flirted with all the men and it made me queasy.
I took dd there 2 weeks ago and she was flirting with a guy and arranging a date dunno why it bothers me so much but it did,

Surprised you need to ask tbh. It sounds grim. Just tell her that although you like her doing your hair, the new 'salon' puts you off and you won't be going back.

I would go somewhere else. I'd be surprised if many of her customers would be prepared to pay the same price to have their hair done in a grotty garage as they would when she was working in a proper salon.