Don't like my posh hair cut

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I have ongoing issues trying to find hairdresser who can handle my curly hair. A few weeks ago I decided I would just pay for someone who was at the top of a salon. It did look nice when she dried it but now I have had to deal with it myself for a few weeks I really hate it. Once again it has horrible layers, which I did say I didn't want, mainly it is that the back of the hair is so much longer than the front which I think looks weird because the longer hair is heavy and so pulls the curls long and the short bit frizzes up tight and I look like a poodle.

Anyway now I don't know what to do. Go back to said posh place because at least how I can say don't do what you just did please and give them a chance to get to know my hair. Or just go someone where cheap and ask then to even it out a bit. I just want hair that looks half decent and that I don't need to tie back all the time.

I have long curly hair and had an appointment with Matt James recently. Before it was all one length and it really didn't work, he added layers and it looks fab. Maybe it was the way she cut the layers? Are you doing Curly Girl that will get rid of any frizz.

I really feel for you. I suppose you should go back and let them see how it looks now and why you don't like it.

Then again I'm always nervous about going back if they got it so wrong before..

I must admit I've lost all faith in hairdressers. The last 4 cuts I've had have been disappointing for various reasons.

The last one was just awful and way too short. The hairdresser was just hacking away at my hair with complete abandon.

Each time Ive moved on to a different hairdresser. The only conclusion I can draw is that there are some very bad hairdressers out there. I wish as customers we had more of an idea what to expect, but it's just pot luck .

No I was reading up on curly girl the other day, I need to get some products for it.

It's more the different lengths I don't like. The back section and the front section look like two different hair cuts. The back bit suddenly jumps down as it is so much heavier than the front part. The cut at the front isn't that bad. The layering between the front and the back is just too severe for me, I think it just be the done thing as I've had it happen like this three times now. I never really see it in the hairdressers though, they can make it look nice but I need hair I can deal with.

If I could find one I like then I would be loyal to my dying day!

I have very curly hair. I use the curly method. as for cutting (no Matthew James near me), I have resorted to cutting my hair myself. hairdressers just don't get curly hair.

I watched tons of videos about the 'deva cut' on youtube and did it myself. looks really good actually - I get lots of compliments and comments re my hair

OP - I'd try and get a salon that has eg Mediterranean/Middle Eastern etc hairdressers as the ones my friends have tried who have curly hair say that they get their hair, kwim?

I used to go to a hair-salon with a Greek stylist (didn't cut my hair) who was very good and a relative of my stepmum (Greek Cypriot) is a hairdresser but they're all in London/Harrow areas.

Some other hairdressers do know curly hair but friends like I say who do have curly hair often say the same as you, they don't know how to cut it often - which baffles me as surely hair is hair?!

Just googled Matt James, now I want to go to Birmingham to have my hair done! Sadly I live in Scotland.

whereabouts in Scotland? Italian hair salons may suit you?? If you're sort of Glasgow area.

You could google to find recommendations in your area or even join a hair forum as if you ask them they may know good salons.

Angus. Far from everything fun.

OK - nearest big/medium size town (if you fancy a trip) I'd try there.

You could go back to the posh salon say what you're not happy with and either get them to put it right or use another stylist to put it right.

Is it worth it if you do a day trip to eg Dundee just going into a few salons for a free consultation?

www.hairsalonsearch.co.uk/listings/dundee__angus.html

This cut was done in Dundee. Happy to go there if I can get a good person. She said she had curly hair herself and she totally knew what I was talking about. Perhaps she didn't quite get the big gap between what she can do in terms of styling and what I can actually do at home. I'm a bit inept and I do not have much time in the morning, I need idiot proof hair!

Yes I completely know what you mean re the difference between the back and the front. I've had this happen to me. I got it from a hairdresser at a chain salon here in Ireland. She totally went against what I had asked for

I mentioned it to a friend who used to work as a receptionist for the same chain and she said they have a few cuts they just give everyone, they get updated every so often but essentially they just wheel out the same old cuts over and over.

It's like having an unusual body shape and going into m&s and saying you need a skirt to fit you. They will tell you that their standard size 12 will fit you but it won't iyswim.

I think the cut you got looks odd on curly hair because the hair naturally separates into blocks by length rather than straighter / floppier hair where the strands blend together more easily.

After this happened I started going to a small independent salon where they understand my hair and listen to my requests. My stylist is always talking about retiring, I'm terrified he will!

Saying all that I nearly always blow dry my hair straight but if I do leave it to dry naturally it's nice. It just takes so long to dry on its own that it's not practical.

OP - did you tell the stylist you needed idiot proof hair and what you could do in the morning? (sorry if I'm asking the obvious here).

the number of times I've forgotten to say... "I can't do XXX complex blow drys" etc.... and that their simple blow dry is actually a faff for me etc...

by the way OP totally off topic but Dundee cake... yum!

Once again it has horrible layers, which I did say I didn't want

I would go back there and complain. I'd phone them in advance, ask to speak to the manager and in explain the issue - so they make proper arrangements for their best cutter to sort it out.

If you bought a product and it didn't work, you'd take it back. Services are no different.

Ha yes Dundee cake, and Kirrie ginger bread :)

Yes I did say that I didn't have time etc, I never straighten it for that reason for example and I told her about the layers. It didn't look that bad when she did it, this was a few weeks ago now. I should have gone straight back but I thought I would find my way with it. I sort of feel it's been a bit too long to moan at them now. I've never complained about a hair cut before though!

The manager cut my hair.

And yes it is those blocks of length thing, that is a good way to describe it.

check www.britishcurlies.co.uk there are salon recommendations throughout the UK. If you had got a good cut there is no need to style I just air dry or if rushed will dry sections with a diffuser and it looks good.

Its always worth complaining (yeah it is really hard to do, I know, you seem like you're almost offending them personally?!) at least see what they say.

I have to say re my colour (highlights) if they're not done how I like it (and I'm quite precise) I just leave - its highlighting the side bits which are white/grey only a small bit but you'd be surprised how they mess it up/don't do it.

If they value you as a customer they'll offer you (even now) an appointment to put it right and if not for free at a reduced cost.

Kirrie ginger bread - mmmm

Recommendation in Perth

www.britishcurlies.co.uk/curl_forum/viewthread/10124/

www.britishcurlies.co.uk/curl_forum/viewthread/5273/

www.britishcurlies.co.uk/curl_forum/viewthread/5273/

"...surely hair is hair?!"

You'd think so SuperFlyHigh, wouldn't you?! God knows my life would be easier if that were true. Basically, with curly hair there's a much bigger gap between how it looks when it's wet and how it looks when it's dry than there is we straight hair. Therefore it's much easier to cut straight hair, as you have a better idea of the finished product as you go along, IYKWIM? That's why it's often much more effective to cut curly hair when it's dry and styled, as you can see how the curls are going to fall and what the final shape will be like. But good luck finding anyone other than Matt James who'll cut dry! The horrified looks I've had from hairdressers since saying that the best cut I had was cut dry...it's become one of my pet hates, hairdressers slagging off other hairdressers and their methods.

So I'd definitely recommend Matt James for a cut - I went there a few months ago, and swore I'd never go anywhere else once I'd left, but it's a day out on the train for me as I don't live in Birmingham, and I could see it starting to get pretty expensive.

Laquila - what I meant is that hair is hair when it comes to a hairdresser, eg if you're a good hairdresser you should be able to cut any type of hair. I certainly didn't mean that fine straight hair is the same as curly hair!

That's why, when I suggested to OP she may try other stylists (often friends of mine have found Greek, Mediterranean etc stylists to be able to deal with curly hair better than say other stylists... - not a slur on other stylists just a general finding they've found). I've even had a Korean friend of mine complain that some English stylists can't do her hair - apart from Japanese - as her hair is very thick and looks best, with layers.

My hair is naturally slightly wavy (goes into nice sort of curls if I don't comb it after washing) when wet/dried naturally but is basically straight otherwise.