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Original poster

I look like a fucking hedgehog

113 replies

TongueBiter · 11/12/2014 22:47

I had my hair cut short in summer - it looked fabulous Smile and I've still been pleased with every cut since. Until today.

I now look like a frumpy middle aged woman with the obligatory menopausal haircut instead of a youngish 47 year old with funky, cool short hair.

Yes, I know it will grow, but I feel like not stepping out in public til it does. I feel hugely exposed with a fringe half way up my forehead - never mind the risk of people seeing the angry red psoriasis patches on my hairline.

Hairdresser said she gets scared using the clippers, that cutting my hair makes her arms ache, that she's nervous of cutting my ear, and could I slump down in the chair because I'm too tall.

It's the end of another beautiful relationship Confused

Sorry it's long - I needed to get all that off my chest - dc are trying to be kind by saying it looks fine. It does NOT look fucking fine. I look like a man.Shock

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Eliza22 · 12/12/2014 09:44

I like hedgehogs. Can we have a look? Any pics?

Seriously, you need a new hairdresser. Some products. And just...get...through...it. When my hair was short, it grew like weeds. It won't take long but, I feel for you. I hate it when hairdressers go rogue and just do what they want. I wouldn't have paid her, on principle.

Original poster
TongueBiter · 12/12/2014 10:16

A colleague has just mentioned clip-in fringes - that might be a solution for a couple of weeks!

Two others have complimented it without knowing the back story. However - I feel so exposed! I hate my forehead and eyebrows showing. It looks better without my glasses but that's not really an option.

I know it will grow - and it's not the end of the world, but it reduced to me to blubbering wreck having a panic attack.

OP posts:
Original poster
TongueBiter · 12/12/2014 10:18

Eliza - I'll try and sort a pic for you to laugh at

OP posts:
Original poster
TongueBiter · 12/12/2014 10:31

The original cut in June, and yesterday's.

I look like a fucking hedgehog
I look like a fucking hedgehog
OP posts:
Original poster
TongueBiter · 12/12/2014 10:33

Burnthisdiscodown when I first had it cut short (and loved it) one lad said I looked like a man! I knew I didn't, so it didn't bother me - but this time .....

I can't wear it off my forehead completely as I have vile red and angry psoriasis patches on the hairline.

OP posts:
itiswhatitiswhatitis · 12/12/2014 10:37

Ok it's not as bad as I thought it was going to be! The fringe is fine but I think you should go back and ask them to sort out the sides around the ears it's too 'boxey'. Also take in the original picture so the can see what you were hoping for.

BuffyWithChristmasEarings · 12/12/2014 10:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Shesparkles · 12/12/2014 10:42

I think you might find the fringe more livable with if you could get the sides sorted out. Getting some other colours through it would also help to break up the solidness of it.
I really feel for you, it was a bad haircut which made me grow my hair mad it's been long ever since , and that's about 20 years!

dwinnol · 12/12/2014 10:49

I can see what you mean but it's really not as bad as you think. The sides need shaping, you could try the brushing side to side technique to kind of lengthen the fringe and perhaps a tiny bit of lift at the crown?

Also a few highlights at the fringe parting bit?

But don't listen to me. I'm currently sporting a kind of double fringe length due to breakage because I've over coloured it in the summer and it's taking a dogs age to grow out. I look like Tina Turner in the 80's sans awesome legs.

Original poster
TongueBiter · 12/12/2014 11:19

I put a review on a site this morning whilst googling for the salon, and just had this response!

"I am extremely sorry to hear you’re upset about your haircut and the standards of professionalism you experienced at the salon yesterday.

I would like to deal with your complaint myself and wish to correct any problems.

Please call the salon on xxxxxx and ask for myself, I would like to offer a refund and I will cut your hair free of charge next time.

Please accept my apologies for your bad experience and please give me the opportunity to show you we are a good salon."

OP posts:
CheddarGorgeous · 12/12/2014 11:24

It's really really not that bad! Agree that your Summer one was better. Hope you get some tips from the salon re styling.

itiswhatitiswhatitis · 12/12/2014 11:28

That's a great response from the salon I do think you should give them (maybe not the same stylist!) the chance to put things right (or at least better!)

Showy · 12/12/2014 11:32

Oh it's not too bad at all. The fringe is fine and you have lovely bone structure to carry it off. Problem is the boxiness around the sides. Go in, get it shaped and I think you'll look just fine. Few weeks and you'll be back to your preferred length but I think you look bloody lovely regardless. Not manly in the slightest.

dwinnol · 12/12/2014 11:40

That's a great result from the salon, you do need to be brave and get it cut again but only at the side. Ask them for a few lights for the fringe.

Original poster
TongueBiter · 12/12/2014 12:04

Thank you Showy Smile - I know she can generally cut well, but the style is not me - too exposed - and the naked sideburns area is really starting to freak me out

OP posts:
polyhymnia · 12/12/2014 12:20

Very sympathetic about the cut you don't like. Agree it's not actually all that dreadful and think it's a good idea to go back to salon owner or change salons. Also , it will soon grow down really quickly.

Meanwhile, do you have any glasses with less decoration on the side of the arms, as this draws attention to your current short 'sideburns' a bit?

Btw, sorry to whinge, but I really dislike the use of ' menopausal' as a synonym for frumpy, as in the OP and quite often on this forum . Stylishness is not related to whether a woman is fertile or not.There have been threads elsewhere on MN about ageism in posts and need to be aware of it. I reckon S and B isn't to bad from this POV, but that adjective in this context is certainly one of my pet hates. Rant over.

ElfriqueTheSantaHelpingLizard · 12/12/2014 13:52

To be honest I would also be upset with the cut in comparison to the first one. However, a good response from the Salon Manager and I would take them up on both offers. Although your hair's now very short, re-cutting and shaping will help, as will adding some product through it to lift the flatness.
Would you consider a few high or low lights to break it up a bit?

I don't think it matters how many people tell you it looks great, if you don't feel right then it just doesn't work for you. For what it's worth I totally understand your 'menopausal' analogy, some women have no or few effects from it, but it can be short hand for just not feeling good and as though you don't know what to do about it. Am sure it's not meant in an insulting way.

Don't lose heart, get an appointment booked sharpish as the salon's bound to be busy.
Thanks

StyleCrisis · 12/12/2014 13:59

I have to say, Tongue, that although I can see why you prefer the first haircut, you still look bloody marvellous. Wish I could pull off short haircuts like you do.

StyleCrisis · 12/12/2014 14:04

I think you look like Carey Mulligan.
Could you get them to sort of feather it around your ears like this?

I look like a fucking hedgehog
StyleCrisis · 12/12/2014 14:06

Here's Carey's shorter on the ears

I look like a fucking hedgehog
YourKidsYourRulesHunXxx · 12/12/2014 14:06

Yeah, I agree with StyleCrisis.

You are lucky that you can get away with it, even though I agree it isn't the best quality of haircut. Whenever I have had a short 'do in the past, I end up looking like Ringo Starr.

Maybe some highlights would break it up a bit?

YesIDidMeanToBeSoRudeActually · 12/12/2014 14:12

It does look somewhat "boxey" but hopefully they've managed to make it a bit more in line with what you expected.

To me it honestly doesn't look that bad, but take heart that at least it's December - you can wear hats!

Your glasses are lovely btw.

Original poster
TongueBiter · 12/12/2014 14:16

Yes, maybe a few highlights - I'll suggest it to the salon manager.

I didn't mean to be derogatory about being menopausal - I have actually been on hrt since I was 42 (and a grandmother at 41), so maybe I'm sensitive about NOT looking like the description I gave, and worrying that I'm doing the mutton dressed as lamb thing! And tbh, I did go short because of the night head sweats.

I think mine's even shorter than the second pic of Carey .....

Product to lift - it just makes it spiky! Hence my hedgehog comparison. But flat, it looks like lego hair.

Thank you for all the nice comments though - I've had a tweak of the fringe, pushed it up and sideways a bit, and now I've stopped trying to make it look like the previous style it's a bit more bearable. Just not what I asked for ...

OP posts:
Smartiepants79 · 12/12/2014 14:20

If it's as awful as you say you need to go back and see the manager.
How come this cut was so awful but the rest have been good? Did you get a different stylist this time?

ElfriqueTheSantaHelpingLizard · 12/12/2014 14:23

Well, you never know TB, maybe the salon manager can use a product just for some root lift rather than spiking all the hair up? I'm useless at drying techniques but ask her to show you. Take a photo of your first cut with you when you go in and explain that's what you wanted and want to get back to.