Need hair advice - how to thin out thick hair?

[Tricksterfrickster]

I am really fed up with my hair and in need of advice! My hair is longer than bob length but not shoulder length, and is really thick. In the past I have gone to the hairdresser and asked for a trim and it to be really thinned out, and they have just thinned out the ends, or used glossy shampoo and then straightened it. Great, but I'm paying £40 for a trim and not thinned out hair as I'm not buying their £20 shampoo nor do I want to straighten my hair! I have been too shy to go back complain, and have tried a few hairdressers in the last few years (I don't go that often as I get frustrated with the lack of thinning out!)

I resorted to buying thinning scissors and having a go myself, but really I'd like a good hair cut and it thinning out. Am I not explaining what I'd like properly? Are there any experts out there who can advise?! Am I not asking for what I want clearly enough do you think?

Tell them you want lots of weight off. May sound daft but have you tried an old style salon? Or the college?

Have you tried taking a pic? Asking for it choppy?

you need to ask hairdresser to use thinning scissors, they're not used a lot here but everywhere in Europe, they're brill, best thing to remove volume from thick hair!

Maybe ask for advice on a hair cut to suit? It may be that taking a lot of the weight out necessitates a different cut, which you haven't asked for, so they don't do.

I have ridiculously thick hair too, and I don't blow dry or straighten. I took in a pile of pictures of different styles I kind of liked and a couple I hated, and let the hairdresser get on with it. I ended up with a cut I mostly liked, and when I went back again he ironed out the bits I didn't like so now I love it.

I think it can be quite hard for the hairdresser if we don't straighten, as they always do to cut, and it can be hard to judge what hair will do in its natural form. So it may take a few goes to get perfect.

Sorry OP, very long ramble and didn't really answer your Q!

You need to change your hairdresser! Best cut would be a contnuous, gradual layer ( ie not layers that are cut in 'steps') and either shoulder or below the shoulder length. Use products to weigh your hair down (wax and heavy serums) which will also make it shinny.
Sounds as though your hairdresser doesn't know how to manage thick hair! I have really thick and curly hair, the top shortest hair is mid-ear length while the longest hair underneath is shoulder blade length. The weight keeps it under control, a shorter cut would be disasterous on me.
Good luck

Great suggestions, thank you! Now I think of it I do always ask for a style or take a picture in of how I'd like it (not the same every time as I get bored of having the same style!) and maybe I should be asking the hairdresser what style would suit to take the weight out of it. Also would like to take lots of pics and kind of let them choose what would suit. Thanks for the suggestions to change hairdressers and ask about thinning scissors, I think I'll be brave enough to do this next time I go just so they know I really really want it thinning! Let's hope that works....

I had a Greek hairdresser use a thinning scissors on me - NEVER EVER again ! Looked fab for a week or two but when it started to grow........it grew up n out , was a total nightmare .

Stilla sounds like that hairdresser went too close to the roots? I use them sometimes also like chopping and slicing.

I have thick hair so I always go for short choppy layers, it makes loads of difference.

You need to find a hairdresser who is experienced in 'deep cutting.' It's like thinning out at the ends but they do it underneath to take the weight out of the hair.

Thinning scissors are terrible on my hair!!!

I have thick wavy hair. If it's above shoulder length, it frizzes out in a sort of triangle shape. I keep it long as the weight seems to smooth it down. At the moment it's about chest length with a long graduated layer from the shoulder. I always finish off with a blob of Moroccan oil which gives it a nice sheen and soothes out any frizz. I have in the past resorted to thinning sheers but woukd advise against it.