Looking for a decent hairdresser - where do you start?

[Anonymousbird]

Until last year, I got my hair cut by a friend. Cheap, convenient (could take kids too) and she knew what I wanted. Sadly, she is now too ill to work.

So, where do I start? I had a trim by the children's hairdresser last autumn out of desperation, but don't really want to go back (she's great with the kids, but isn't really an adult hairdresser, so there are always screaming babies, loud TV, toys everywhere - just not where I want to go for myself).

Our local town has several salons. They are all quite "swanky" so I think the prices reflect the flash premises. I don't have a lot of budget for this, but just want a decent haircut. Most of my friends go to the nearest city to "get their hair done". I don't have the time or the inclination to do this, but am going to struggle to get a local recommendation from a friend.... Short of traipsing around the various salons (again, don't really have the time for this!), where do I start?! I am actually looking for a bit of a change this time, had the same style for over ten years, so am anxious to choose well....

Ask your previous hairdresser for a recommendation? She could surely direct you to a good, reasonably priced salon and probably could also tell you where her other clients go now that she is unable to work.

Ask your former hairdresser where she goes for a cut too.....

If you see someone in the street with hair you like, you could ask them where they had it done.

I would second asking someone who has hair that you like. I asked a couple of colleagues at work when I moved to a new area.

When I moved area, I google hairdressers and looked up wether what 'star' rating the salon was. I chose a 5 star one as I didn't want to take any chances!

Star rating works like hotel stars.

I think you have to experiment and it's a bit hit and miss

However those advising you to ask someone who has hair that you like are much more sensible than I am! I'd do that now.