To think this problem is too common with hairdressers?!

[treeru]

I'm angry at hairdressers today (sorry to group you all together, lighthearted! )

But honestly, I went to the hairdresser yesterday and asked for about 4 inches off and they've took about 8. I'd make clear that I didn't want it too short either (as it was waist length) and it's at my collarbone.

It just frustrates me that it's not the first time it's happened to me and I bet a lot of others have a similar story. I feel like some hairdressers just don't listen at all when it comes to length.

1. AIBU to be angry about this and be close to swearing off hairdressers? (Lighthearted - ish)
2. AIBU to be as upset as I am about this? (This isn't lighthearted, I'm genuinely upset at how much has been taken off and can't even look in the mirror and it's just making me feel so down knowing there's nothing to be able to fix it other than wait years for it to grow back)

and
3) anyone else got a bad haircut story to share to lighten my mood today?

Yes, I've had exactly this. Cut from my lower back to just past my shoulders when I asked for 'a trim'.

In this case that hairdresser had commented what terrible condition it was in and said I needed loads off (teenager with straightening irons!), but I clearly said no I just want a trim and she did it anyway.

Seems to happen every time but if its past your shoulders it tends to look the same from the front so you'll get used to it.

I now wear my hair above my shoulders and they never cut enough off!

If you wanted it at boob length and it's now collarbone length, was it maybe at boob length when it was wet, and it dried shorter?

Mine dries much shorter than it appears when it's wet.

I have long hair (that I want to keep) and I'm very wary of this happening! I always either show them an amount with my fingers or tell them half of what I actually want taking off.

I'm 40 years old and only just found a hairdresser that I can trust.
For the same reasons as you OP.

I have long hair and I have never (until now) stepped out of a hairdresser and been happy or felt listened to.

For many years I would cut and dye my own hair due to this. Which wasn't great but at least I wasn't paying £100 for it.

@cinnamonfrenchtoast it's possible! My hair does seem to stretch when wet.

@SwordBilledHummingbird that was DM's advice. If you want 4 inches off, tell them 2.

I'm even looking at the shape it's been cut into with layers and I just think the entire thing looks off and so doesn't suit me and literally nothing I can do until it grows! It's so difficult. The last time this happened to me I was 12 and it put me off hairdressers until adulthood!!

Tbh, under my boobs and at my waist would be the same length on me.

Yes had this but my hair is curly well wavy/curly - but hair weight pulls it down and being wet will make it longer but I warn them and they shrug and cut short anyway.

I also find what ever I ask for I often get given the same hair cut - inverted bob with layers and often doesn't suit me till it grows out.

I have had disappointing cuts (too much off, too little, badly cut) about 60% of the time.
The one decent stylist I used for years moved overseas.
I need a cut right now but I can’t bring myself to spent £77 on a game of chance.

I've never had that tbh. I either say 'take whatever's dead off' and they usually do a lot or I say a specific amount and they always check with me just before the snip!

But my partner and two of my female friends dislike hair dressers so I cut their hair myself. Apparently I have the knack!

Mine's lovely. Always shows me how much I say I want off and must read my facial cues when she hadn't quite taken enough off and says straight away I'll ta k e a bit more off without me saying anything.

As a child the neighbour fancied herself as a hairdresser & offered to cut my hair. I told her I wanted it like Jackie’s, & I ended up like Jackie with the basin rather than Jackie with the layers. It’s not like I could tell her either as there was no mirror so I was non the wiser until she’d finished.

Another time I went to the hairdresser & had a perm. Due to her talking non stop to some other woman I ended up with one side curly & the other side almost straight. I told her & she said it would be OK once it settled. Of course it wasn’t, so I went straight back a few days later to get it done again.

The best hairdressers are those training at college. If you have the time it costs hardly anything, & it will be the best cut you ever had.

This has happened to me sooo many times OP! I feel really sorry for you, it is rubbish when you have your hair done (a treat and something to look forward to for me!) and it’s not what you ask for. Totally agree loads of hairdressers do get scissor happy. I cut my own hair for years because of it!

was your hair all the same length all over? If I have my hair down my back then it ends just below my ribs. But if I have it down the front then it looks a lot shorter because of the layers and how it’s shaped and how it sits. From the front you wouldn’t really realise how long my hair actually is if that makes sense. So maybe it is longer than you think but just doesn’t look it at the front? (Clutching at straws for you haha)

I couid never be a hairdresser as it's far too much pressure and so easy to get lost in translation. I think pictures help a lot, not so as you can expect to get that exact cut but to give some idea of what you have in your head.

I'm sure it does suit you - I know it feels like a big change, but you still have hair that I would consider long if it's a couple of inches below your collarbone. It's not like you've had a pixie or even a bob. At least you can still style it different ways, put it up, etc.

Once you're over 40 they try to give you a middle aged "safe" haircut. A few highlights is considered very daring. My brother says I should play them at their own game and ask to speak to the manager if they try it again 🤣

I always have this issue with hairdressers - finding one who listens is hard!

My worst memory - when I started secondary school, I wanted to cut my waist length hair to a long bob. They gave me a mushroom head, which was not a great way to start a new school!

Once asked for just the ends to be trimmed and it was cut really short. I remember thinking, she seems to be cutting loads as it was taking a while a d I have really fine hair. I hated it, it didn’t suits me at all. I’m lucky my hair grows like weeds and it had grown out fairly fast.

I have very short hair for practical reasons. I have photos of how my hair has been cut in the past and STILL three different hairdressers in the past five months have made a hash of it. This never used to be the case. My hair literally just falls where it will as there are kinks in it. I think most hairdressers appear to have forgotten how to do anything except chin length poker straight grey blond bobs (this is apparently the only hairstyle you're allowed in the north west if you're over 50), bad chin length perms, or mid back length poker straight Morticia cuts.

I can cut my own fringe but not the back. I'm seriously contemplating a barber next time.

Yes, this is exactly how it always goes for me too. Never had an issue.

All hair is dead. By rights they should have shaved your head.

I hate having my hair cut and didn't go for years due to a hairdresser ruining my hair. When I found the hairdresser I am with now I told her about my past experience and she was so lovely and started with 1 inch off, then another and stopped when I said it was enough. Been with her 3 years now. Find a new hairdresser.