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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

... to think that hairdressers should understand plain English?

35 replies

Annahmolly · 23/02/2015 09:20

AIBU to think that hairdressers should know that 'a shoulder length bob, all one length', should not be two inches longer at the back?

I showed the hairdresser the picture of Jessica Alba, but ended up looking like the lovechild of Kurt Cobain and Agent Scully from the X-files. I'm not even (just) trying to be funny - it is really hard to find any other pictures of this preposterous haircut on the internet!

Now I have to wait a week before I can go and have this fixed somewhere else... Blush

Do hairdressers use a completely different dictionary from the rest of us? Other gems I've had include going a warm reddish tone when I asked for 'ash blonde' (this has happened at least three times), and getting purple/black hair when I asked for 'a cool dark blonde'.

... to think that hairdressers should understand plain English?
... to think that hairdressers should understand plain English?
... to think that hairdressers should understand plain English?
OP posts:
drbonnieblossman · 23/02/2015 09:26

If they've not done what you asked you need to go back and get them to do what you asked. You've paid them after all. If for some reason they weren't able to give you what you wanted, they should have told you at the start.

A crap haircut is a ruiner.

TheTallestDaffodil · 23/02/2015 09:26

Most do, some just think they know better than you what you want Grin
Years ago I wanted the much-longer-at-the-front bob and the hairdresser actually said afterwards "I've just cut it a tiny bit longer, we can do it more next time"!!! I was too wussy young to complain, but I didn't go back!

Original poster
Annahmolly · 23/02/2015 09:56

My hair was long, and all one length before I cut it so there is no reason why he should have to chop off more at the front. He didn't actually show me the back when he was finished...

I've gone back to a few different places to have things corrected in the past, but they usually get really defensive about it. I was once told by a guy with dark brown eyes, thick black eyebrows and ridiculous peroxide hair that the ginger tone they had given me 'suited my skintone better' than the cool ash tone I had asked for. This is totally untrue - anything remotely ginger makes my skin look pink. And secondly... look in the mirror, honey.

I'm just going to go to a different place next week. If they can screw up such a simple request I don't want to give them another try. Does anyone know the code for "all one length"? Am I supposed to ask for "shorter at the back"?

OP posts:
muminhants · 23/02/2015 11:30

yanbu

My whinge is why are hairdressers so keen on layers when I've specifically said I don't want layers? Sigh.

WorraLiberty · 23/02/2015 11:32

YANBU but I do wish people would tell their hairdressers when they're unhappy, even if they don't want to go back there.

I'm sure there are 1000s of hairdressers who think they're shit hot, when actually they're quite the opposite Grin

Janethegirl · 23/02/2015 11:36

The layer thing bugs me too. I ask for all one length and they cut layers in it 'because it'll be better'. May be in their eyes it is, but I do not like it layered.

gallicgirl · 23/02/2015 11:39

You should go back and speak to the manager to get it put right.

I've done this before and they were fine about it. I have poker straight hair and the hairdresser was chatting too much while she cut it. Result was a slightly longer cut on one side which was easily fixed by the salon manager.

I always have a good chat first about what I want and I will tell them now if I have concerns.

5Foot5 · 23/02/2015 13:17

Are these incidents (hair different lengths, wrong colour TWICE) all with the same hairdresser or with two or three different hairdressers?

If all the same hairdresser then I think it is definietly time you tries someone else!

If different hairdressers then could it just possibly be that you are not explaining as clearly as you think you are?

ProfYaffle · 23/02/2015 13:26

Oh God, I had similar a few months ago. I have curly hair. I told the hairdresser I wanted it dried curly. So she took a barrel brush and proceeding to dry it straight. Several times I stopped her and said I wanted it curly. "It will be" she said "Hmm" said I.

Then she finishes, shows me the back and quelle surprise, it's poker straight. "No, I wanted it curly", "it will be", "WHEN???". Then something clicked in her head and she rewashed it, attempted to dry it curly but just did some really odd riffly thing with her fingers which left it neither curly nor straight Confused.

Cobain · 23/02/2015 13:30

Asked for highlights that did not turn out, the hairdresser used the "subtle" and "natural" look and how great it looks. If I wanted my hair to look no different I would not of spent £100 for the pleasure. You need to speak to the hairdresser or change to a new one.

YourMaNoBraBackOfMyCar · 23/02/2015 13:38

Oh god the layers thing. It's instinct. You just start off combing a section, lifting it, pulling it straight then bingo you start snipping. Layers fix everything. I love doing layers. Sigh. :o

Someone once presented me with a picture of halle berrys beautiful pixie short hair. I explained nicely it wouldn't look the same on her but she insisted. She hated it and said I made her look like Hayley Cropper. :(

ClumsyNinja · 23/02/2015 13:38

Do you choose the cheapest hairdresser in the salon? Lots of salons have tiered prices that reflect the experience of the stylist.

I'm a hairdresser and I'm very fussy when choosing a new hairdresser. (I do my own colour but not cuts as I have a very short graduated style so can't do the back myself.)

If you want a decent cut, you need to ensure that the stylist you choose has sufficient experience and ability. Luckily, I just ask lots of questions during my consultation to check they understand the terminology sufficiently. If they don't know the difference between a long grad from square layers for instance, I'd go somewhere else.

For many hairdressers, a 'Bob' haircut is usually graduated shorter at the back. What I think you're looking for is a one length cut. The hair should be combed behind the shoulders and cut a straight line flat to the back. That way the sides will be slightly longer when it's done.

With the colour, a cool ash should be obtainable but remember that Ash appears darker than say, Gold tones.

If you can, go by personal recommendation. When in a new place, I just ask random strangers working in shops, where they go to get their hair cut, assuming I think it's a decent cut. Grin

ApignamedJasper · 23/02/2015 13:44

Yanbu I've lost count of the amount of the number of times I've specifically asked not to have my hair straightened only to walk out with poker straight hair Angry

The last time I had my hair cut she finally listened! I'm going back to her next time :D

CaptainAnkles · 23/02/2015 13:49

This is why I have a phobia about hairdressers. It doesn't matter what you ask them for, they will do whatever they feel like doing. You spend years growing your hair out only for them to cut an inch long fringe without permission Hmm

ElsieMc · 23/02/2015 13:53

I have found in the past that mine has had an orange tint to it when the colour has not taken properly. I was clearly right because they re-did the colour, left it on for a sufficient length of time and it was perfectly okay.

I stopped having it coloured in salons because of the time involved and it was only 50-50 that it would be right which would involve me in having to go again.

I colour at home now - okay I can't do highlights - but I am very grey now and use L-Oreal excellence in frosted brown. It is okay, leaves it nice and shiny and I have no-one to blame but myself. I need to leave it on longer now though or it does not cover that well.

I can't stand the ridiculous excuses hairdressers come up with when things go wrong. Some, not all, are so full of self importance and belief in their "creativity".

I even took my grandson back when the poor lad ended up with a too long on top cut. The salon owner corrected it with good grace and showed up what a poor cut it was in the first place. In fact he had to completely re-do it as he went along finding more errors.

Why on earth should you have to pay again for this cutter's incompetence. I would ring the manager, get it put right and never darken their door again.

KateSpade · 23/02/2015 14:07

I've had so many terrible hair cuts/colour, it makes me very angry, just thinking about it!

I agree with the PP who said they just do what they feel like sometimes!

CruCru · 23/02/2015 14:15

I once had a haircut where the hairdresser stopped and said "Ah, you DO have hair straighteners, don't you?" just before she finished blow drying my hair. No, no I don't. We'd never talked about what I do to my hair, I think she'd just never met a woman in her late 20s who didn't use hair straighteners.

Sparkletastic · 23/02/2015 14:24

Dump your hairdresser. Try another one. Keep trying new ones until you find the right hairdresser for you. After years of disappointment I finally found my Forever Hairdresser. I would never leave her now and given a choice between her and DH I would have to choose her.

Coffeethrowtrampbitch · 23/02/2015 14:32

You need the right hairdresser. After a disastrous perm at 14 when NY hair was left burnt and super frizzy all over, I didn't get my hair cut for seven years.

I'm 34 and get it cut now I've found the right hairdresser.

I agree some don't listen, same as all people I suppose. I paid £70 for a cut and dye and really only got the cut as she didn't listen when I said my hair wasn't porous and needed the dye left on longer. She only believed me once she'd finished, and by then it was too late.

Original poster
Annahmolly · 23/02/2015 14:53

If you want a decent cut, you need to ensure that the stylist you choose has sufficient experience and ability.

Yikes! You mean there are people out there calling themselves hairdressers and charging £60 or more for a haircut who are not capable of cutting shoulder length hair straight all over without screwing it up? I think that pretty much explains it all, in that case...

I don't think I have ever been to any hairdresser more than once, and I go very rarely because I really don't like paying money for something, just to get something else.

OP posts:
ProfYaffle · 23/02/2015 14:54

For Captain and Kate

Chesntoots · 23/02/2015 14:57

My hair needs a trim and I have downloaded some pictures on my phone of what I want.

My hair is short and I like it cut "round" my ears so everything is the same length. Is that what I get? My arse - I get fecking layers every time.

I'm going to be very firm this time!

goodasitgets · 23/02/2015 15:01

Trying to find a hairdresser that gets curly hair is SO hard too
I've found mine now luckily. They understand I don't own a hair dryer or a brush or a comb, and styling needs to be minimal. Now got the most beautiful cut Smile

ProfYaffle · 23/02/2015 15:02

Ugh, tell me about it. I live fairly rurally in a very small town and it's sooooo hard to find someone who can do it properly.

Mixtape · 23/02/2015 15:02

sparkle I completely agree. I am 35 and found my perfect hairdresser two years ago. I was devastated when she recently announced she is going to uni to train as a doctor but thankfully she is still working part time for the foreseeable future!

I have my hair cut less often than I used to as it now costs me £55 instead of £30 approx but it is worth it. I go to Toni & Guy, not sure what they are like other places, but the one in my city is very big on the consultation part of the appointment, so you do feel that they understand what you are wanting.

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