...to go to the hairdresser not knowing what I want done!?

[ChickyDuck]

I'm sick of my hair...it grown out and shapeless and boring and frumpy. WIBU to go to the hairdresser for a cut without knowing what I want? I was thinking of asking their advice and talking it over with a professional before deciding.

As the hairdresser, would this piss you off? Would you think I was mad? Or do you think it is a good idea and you like using your professional opinion to help?

I've done that before and it was fine. Why don't you go on Pinterest for inspiration before you go?

Hairdressers are there exactly for things like this!
That's their job and what they are trained in.
They probably love it when someone wants their opinion.
Do you have no idea at all?
Length, colour, anything?

But be careful. When I was younger I once said to a hairdresser, do what you want something different.
I cried and cried for hours.
She shaved some of it!
I looked like a boy and I was distraught.
Since then I've always gone with an idea of what I want.
But the hairdresser will always recommend what is best for you.

Go and get that trendy cut and enjoy your new look!

It currently a grown out bob, just longer than shoulder length. It's pretty much all one length, with a slight wave and quite thick. I don;t want too much length off, because I do want to grow it out a bit, but I think it needs a bit more shape and a more definite style...

I only ever give my hair dresser a general idea. Like at the moment I am growing it. What he does to it while it grows is totally upto him.

When I went short I just said 'cut it all off'

But I have been going there years. He knows what I like, what I don't, how long I like spending on my hair etc.

Is this going a new hairdresser?

Fwiw I always think it's worth asking a hairdressers opinion (assuming they are good at their job) as not every hairstyle suits everyone or the hair type.

Yes, it is a new hairdresser although I have never really had "a hairdresser", I always chop and change and use new people so that doesn't bother me too much. The reviews online are very good though!

You are my favourite kind of client! We honestly don't mind somebody coming in and making this request as long as you give some kind of guidelines
For example -
i find it easier too ask, what style DONT you want. So maybe think that over, you don't want to go in with long hair, let them have free rein and you walk out with a bob when you hate bobs!

18 months ago I phoned around and boned an appointment at a hairdressers having not been to one for a very long time. I was nervous of going to one like people are with dentists! My hair was almost to my bum and a mess.

I sat down and said do what you want as long as it is long enough to put up in a ponytail at the end.

He loved being let loose and actually thanked me at the end!
I've been going back to him ever since just to keep it tidy and almost look forward to it now!

Its good to make sure the hairdresser knows what sort of level of maintenance you are prepared to do. I happen to be a wash and wear girl, so make sure that they know i wont be blowdrying it or anything. On e you ate clear about that, i think its good to give them their head and let them pick what would be done. Enjoy the fabulous results, Tricia

I'm sure the hairdresser would much rather have a client like you than one who turns up with a photo of a celeb and asks for the same haircut even though it's actually impossible for their type of hair.

They'll be able to help you choose a nice style suitable for your hair and face shape etc.

I did this once. Just the once. I had a shoulder-length bob and wanted to go shorter, because of having a small baby and not wanting the faff of longer hair. So I said I wasn't sure exactly what i wanted, but I wanted it short.
I got the exact same cut, but about on a level with the bottom of my ears. The hairdresser must have realised what she'd done, because she told me she didn't have time to dry my hair and almost bundled me out of the salon. By the time my hair had dried it was very, very short and it looked hideous! I cried because my baby's baptism was the next day. I looked like some sort of Medieval peasant and my fringe was also about an inch and a half long. Not a good look.
I haven't been to a hairdresser since. MrZippy cuts my hair and he does it exactly the way I like it- it might not be an exciting or glamorous style but it feels safer than risking horror hair again!

zippy I'm sorry that happened too you, but I couldn't control myself when I got to "medieval peasant" 😂

It's fine KungFu, it was 14 years ago, so I can laugh about it now!

You're brave op!
I can do that with my hairdresser now because I've been going for years and she knows how my hair falls, what sort of style I lean towards. I don't think I'd trust a stranger.

I'd get some ideas in mind first.

Well....it worked! I'm not sure I love love love it but it's a million times better than what was there zippy you are a braver woman than me...there is absolutely no way Mr Duck would be going within a foot of my head with a pair of scissors!!

Ah, the groundwork was done for me Chicky. His dad was the village hairdresser way back (not a proper salon thing, but just the guy everyone went to sort of thing) and he taught MrZippy. He reckons it's the same skill as shearing sheep, but I hope he's joking about that!

forgot to say, I'm glad it worked out for you and there was no horror hair!

Glad it worked out

Surely we need a photo update OP?

I always expect my hairdresser to help me! I'm not very girly but I do need to look powerful/presentable/senior/bollocks/smart/excuse-me-while-I-vom-and-listen-to-Mary-Beard-on-radio-and-wish-I-could-defy-convention.

I stay with my hairdressers for ages, so they get to know who I am, and so they understand I'm not a 'girl' but know I need to play the game professionally.

My current one is great. I let them gradually change my style to suit the trend (as I get older these change less often, fortunately). I moved from last hairdresser as the people who had done my hair for years left, and the replacement kept going too trendy, and not flattering.

I treat my hairdresser as a skilled and knowledgeable professional. And pay accordingly. People so often think it's a dead end job for thickies but my experience is loads of them are creative dyslexics with great social skills and empathy. Plus interested in fashion and trends so you don't have to be .

Please admire my most sophisticated photo editing skills also, I took these just now so it's looking a bit....second-day-hair now!

Oooo lovely!

I always have a consultation before every hair cut even though my hairdresser has been cutting my hair in pretty much the same way for the last 9 years. She'll faint the day I say that I fancy a change my hair only really does exactly what you've had done!

Great hair OP, really shows off your highlights.

Aww thanks guys! My "highlights" are actually just my natural hair colours so I'm chuffed that you think that!

Omg I pay a small fortune for that colour!!