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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder when hairdressers will realise... (Trivial)

140 replies

HaveTeaWillSurvive · 27/04/2013 21:04

That no-one wants a head massage when their necks are going to break on those awful hair washy sinks?

Seems to be a lot of hairdresser threads going on at the moment but I'm still bruised after getting my hair done on Wed and I'm just wondering if anyone actually finds them relaxing or are you all just as desperate as me to get the hair washing bit over with!

Clearly not the end of the world but they didn't even ask this time so I could opt out. So, AIBU to ask for hairdressers to go back to just a quick wash and a chat about your holidays?

OP posts:
Stuffofawesome · 21/01/2016 09:11

Beauty parlour stroke syndrome is a thing www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12023594

Gwenhwyfar · 21/01/2016 09:11

"As a man its intrigued me why women don't just wash their own hair. "

I have a colour so it has to be washed afterwards.
If I was just having a cut I would ask for a dry cut, but often the hairdressers insist on washing it. I wouldn't go out with wet hair from my own shower as that was drummed into me as something that would make you vulnerable to catching a cold.

Roussette · 21/01/2016 09:12

The head massage is divine and as a pp said, I would like it to go on for hours not minutes.

All those who loathe all of this so much, why dont you have dry cuts or whatever? Don't understand why you would put yourself through it if you hate it so much. Of course, if you're going for a colour, you have to have a hairwash after but just say "I don't want a head massage, thanks" . Easy. I'll have extra on mine instead!

I don't mind chatting occasionally but some hairdressers are beyond boring and just want to yak on about themselves and their lives on and on and on and to be frank I'm just not interested and it's a bit of an ordeal sometimes. If it's boring the pants off me I try and politely to shut it down by saying I need to send a text or whatever.

starfishmummy · 21/01/2016 09:12

It depends who does it.
My hairdresser sometimes does the wash himself and he can be a bit heavy handed, although conversley I also hate it if whoever is doing it just sort of tickles my head!

Anotherusername1 · 21/01/2016 09:14

YABU :)

I love the head massage. It doesn't last long enough. But why do they try to talk to you while they are washing your hair, don't they know it's supposed to be the relaxing bit!

However my main gripe is that they nearly never rinse your hair properly. Why is that? One lady at my local salon is fab, the others never rinse it for long enough.

BeaufortBelle · 21/01/2016 09:14

My usual hairdresser has lovely ergonomic chairs and does a nice, gentle, quite quick massage. I'm going to the one in the village today as I haven't been well. I'll play it by ear. If the basin's uncomfortable I'll do my best to get it comfy. If they start a massage and I don't like it I'll just say "my upper back isn't great today, I'm sure you're very good at this but I'd prefer not to have it".

Don't see why it should ever be a problem - they can't force you to have it and there's never any need to make them feel rotten about it.

MrsKwazii · 21/01/2016 09:17

My regular stylist knows that I don't like my head being massaged, makes me feel queasy. If anyone else washes my hair at the salon, as soon as we head to the sinks I ask them not to do it. The young apprentices always look a bit puzzled though - must think I'm a right misery Grin

SanityClause · 21/01/2016 09:19

I love it.

Quite often hairdressers do ask if you want it, first, though. I never understood why they had to ask, but obviously now I see there's loads of people who hate it.

When I first came to the UK in the early 90s, I was amazed that hairdressers routinely asked if you wanted conditioner. It's a given now, but it seems that back then, it was a bit of an added extra.

Katenka · 21/01/2016 09:21

I love having my hair washed at the hair dressers!!!

0pheliaBalls · 21/01/2016 09:24

I used to love the head massage bit - I even dozed off during one once when I was hungover I haven't been to a hairdresser for 12 years though because I can't afford it - I really miss it, and I miss having nice hair!

It's very personal though, so you aren't BU at all if it's not your cup of tea. Just ask them to skip it!

ExConstance · 21/01/2016 09:24

I don't mind the sinks, love the massage and the chat in my salon is something I really look forward to!

SoupDragon · 21/01/2016 09:34

YABU. I love the head massage.

Apart from the time I'd whacked my head on the underside of a cupboard door a day or so before and it was agony!

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 21/01/2016 09:35

I don't like the head massages either. One of the hair-washers has long, sharp nails that she has scant control over and the other one treats your head as if it's a coconut that needs opening...

sweetestcup, sympathies. I had exactly the same as you last June and I'm still getting 'spells'.

EssentialHummus · 21/01/2016 09:38

It depends on whether the masseuse knows what they're doing. When I lived (and had haircuts) in South Africa, the hair washing ladies were always these enormous, buxom, muscular women who had clearly been doing it for years. My God those were good head massages. In London the hair washing seems to be done by the 16 y.o. work experience kid or apprentice, and they don't know what the hell they're doing, so I tend to politely ask them to stop.

spankhurst · 21/01/2016 09:43

I like it. Love head massages generally.

skyeskyeskye · 21/01/2016 09:43

Before my hairdresser changed her sinks, I used to kneel on a chair for a forward wash because I cricked my neck if we did a backwash.

However, she got new sinks and chairs that slide forward so that you are in the right position and I get on fine with them now.

Previously, all I had to do was actually tell her that I did not want a back wash and therefore I didn't get one....

LovelyFriend · 21/01/2016 09:45

YABU. I love the head massage etc.

I do not want the inane chit chat thanks very much. I prefer to sit in a silent meditation while getting my hair cut.

I recently had my hair cut (abroad) and the salon had the fanciest washing chairs that were sublimely comfortable (but I believe super expensive)

chuffinalong · 21/01/2016 09:50

I love having my head massage! I think if you just mentioned beforehand that you didn't want it, then most hairdressers would be fine with that.
I think they do want you to enjoy the experience so would rather be told.

museumum · 21/01/2016 09:50

I love the head massage. My hairdressers always ask if you want it, I get the feeling they're hoping you say no and I always feel guilty saying yes please but dammit ice paid for it!

UhtredRagnorsson · 21/01/2016 09:50

I love the head massage usually. Once a trainee did it and it was horrendous though. So I guess it does depend who does it.

Leelu6 · 21/01/2016 09:54

YABU, I love it, best part of a visit to hairdresser.

I'm very relaxed at the sink.

Maybe you're sitting at a weird angle? Pipe up tell them you're not comfortable. Or wash your hair at home before a cut (and save ££)

PrivatePike · 21/01/2016 10:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tamirwen · 21/01/2016 10:07

I just ask them not to. I really dislike it - I had absolutely no idea what they were doing the first time it happened and thought the hair-washer had gone mad.

Having a magazine helps convey the message you don't want to chat, but I've also found a good stylist can simply tell by your smiley-but-short answers. Any that continued regardless would make me uncomfortable, but I'd consider that their issue not mine.

NeedACleverNN · 21/01/2016 10:12

I love my hairdressers

Their chair adjusts and so does their sink and they wait for you to get comfortable before proceeding.

They ask if you want a head massage and I've never declined it as it's so relaxing I don't want it to stop!

They also offer a small 1 minute back massage with vibrating pad things and that is blissful.

I have an appointment this Saturday and I can't wait

It is so relaxing and enjoyable

Bunbaker · 21/01/2016 10:15

"Also the massage thing on the chair. I don't like that eithersmile"

What's that then? I just get a hair wash and that's it. Maybe my hairdresser isn't high end enough.

Why do some people put up with some aspects they dislike when visiting the hairdresser? Just tell them. They won't know that some customers don't like a head massage unless you open your mouth. I have worked in sales and marketing all my life and would be mortified if I found out that I was doing something to piss a customer off. You don't have to be rude about it, just ask politely.