What to do about this hairdresser??

[Borgenstein]

The salon I have used for years has a new stylist. I used to see her sweeping up and making coffee etc so she's clearly just qualified as she's now colouring and styling hair. I appear to have been given to her as a regular client which is fine, she's lovely.

The problem is she's SO SLOW. I mean, everything she does is in slow motion. The other day my appointment was for 2pm and it was getting on for 5pm by the time I left, that was just for a colour! I skipped the cut in the end as I waS just desperate to escape.

I don't like going to hairdressers at the best of times, it's dead boring and I'm not someone who is overly invested in my appearance so it's a need some must scenario but my god - hours of just sat there. I was actually struggling to stay awake last time, the heat, the slow slow stroking of my hair ... I had to keep rubbing my eyes to stay awake it was so embarrassing.
To top it off, she then burnt my scalp with the hairdryer.

Now don't get me wrong, she's lovely and the finished job is always great but I have to watch other clients coming and going in half the time mine takes. It bores me to tears being sat there for so long.

AIBU to ask her to hurry it up a bit next time? I get that as she's new she is just being thorough but even the combing and foiling is done in slow motion. I very nearly fell asleep at the basin when she was washing the colour off as she just takes so long over everything!

I don't want to ask for a different stylist as I don't want to dent her confidence.

Have a chat next time you're there, find out her regular day off, book your appointment for that day!

Just be honest.

I don’t want to book with Michelle any more because although she does a great job, I don’t have time for my hair to be done at her pace.

She’ll never learn otherwise.

You can either change stylists ( I know you said you'd rather not ) or stick with this one.

I don't think you can ask her to hurry up personally as this would stress her out and she might end up not doing as good a job.

I would go with someone else if it bothered me that much tbh.

Her pace is also worrying in terms of colouring and other chemical processes. I used to be an apprentice where I was actually always the first person to be asked to colours or highlights- the other girl used to take so long that by the time she finished , the start of the job has already reached processing time, compromising the hairs integrity.

Just don’t allow it.

Next time you make an appointment, just say 'can I book in for a colour with '

A hairdresser once burned my scalp with a hairdryer too. God it was agony!

There's a great stylist who I avoid like the plague now just because she has long nails and stabbed me in the scalp repeatedly last time I had her. However I can book online and choose another stylist. Can you say you'd like to 'try something new' if you want to be diplomatic - but saying you don't have the extra time is perfectly acceptable.

I was really slow to begin with. (when cutting as it took a while to gain confidence) but presuming it's a straight forward colour application that was always relatively speedy. Next time say you're meeting someone and need to be fast. Then you'll see if she is naturally slow. Don't be afraid of asking for someone else though. It's true. They have to learn and she will have to speed up or manage her time better to keep her clients.

Yeah you've gotta tell them about turning the heat down on the hair dryer, I tell them I've got sensitive ears.

I'd probably change salons but then I don't stick to a particular one and mostly go to the college, you won't go back once you've seen their prices!

Also not saying this was what she was doing to you but at quiet times the owner would tell us not to rush so the salon would look busier. Used to annoy me when I was working and she'd hiss in my ear to slow down.

You choose the stylist (not the salon). Never heard of them dictating to you. Next time you book an appointment say ‘I want xxx’.

How many times has she done your hair. You recognise she's newly trained so she's bound to be bit slow.
I would mention to her manager / mentor etc. that she's very slow and if she's that slow next time you'll have to reconsider. That way they can make that something she can work on, and if she doesn't improve you can swap out.

If she's newly qualified, then she'll probably qet quicker as her confidence grows. I'd make appt with someone else for now. I don't mind long appts as my hairdresser is so wise/interesting, we chat the whole time, even while it's marinating & he could be out back instead, as he's usually alone afternoons now.

Ask for another stylist. I'm the same and find the whole time at the hairdressers tedious and boring.