Are expensive hairdressers worth it? Or do I expect miracles?!

[3mediumsizedbears]

I wonder whether it is worth paying twice as much for a really good cut and colour? Obviously without any guarantee that it will be really good - could just be really expensive?! I am late 40s with scruffy shoulder length light brown hair with grown out highlights. I don’t want a radical change but would like to look glossier, more expensive, groomed, prettier, younger... am I expecting too much from a mere mortal hairdresser?! I’d really appreciate any advice! Would I be better with cheaper hairdresser and Botox?

I would go on reviews more than price. Pick out a few mid-range to expensive places, then scour the reviews and look out for ones where the stylist listens to the client and makes recommendations based on the clients' actual hair. Also, don't be afraid to go in and chat to them before you make an appointment - regardless of price, a good hairdresser will happily chat to you.

Or is the first place half the price of the other, so too cheap?

Agree you're better with a recommendation. Look at a friend or even someone in a shop whose hair you admire, and ask where they get it done.

Depends on what double the price is - if you’re already paying £150 I don’t think a £300 cut will be worth it.

Good colour is worth paying for, especially if you have greys to blend. The cut will depend on how structured it is.

My sister had her hair cut and highlighted by John Frieda (it was a prize in a magazine) and it was absolutely incredible, compared to what she had normally. And the cut lasted such a long time, and every hairdresser for ages after asked where she'd had it cut, because they could tell it had been cut so well.

Thanks. It’s just finding that right hairdresser. Interesting about John Frieda - I wonder what he does that makes him so good? With most of these big name salons, I assume you’re paying for the name by association but very few people can actually afford a cut with the star. Fab prize!

Garden geek , wow, how can that be your first proper haircut?! Did you have hair down to your knees or did you cut it yourself before? Can you divulge who did it?

I have been to lots of London salons over the years, Charles Worthington, Windle, Tony & Guy etc. Had perfectly good haircuts, but I can't say any stand out. If you have poker straight hair, you might want to try a Korean hairdresser as I had great cuts from Korean hair students, as structure is their thing.
A couple of months ago I paid £130 for a cut based on recommendations on MN. Well-worth it. I felt 100% happier with my hair after and it hangs well without any effort. It promises to grow into into a flattering style too. I'll be going back to him 3 times a year now.

It’s definitely about finding the right hairdresser rather than necessarily an expensive one. It was a complete revelation to me when my hairdresser explained that you need to go back to a hairdresser and say what worked and what didn’t - hairdressers have to learn about your hair and what you like. Just because they don’t get it exactly right first time doesn’t mean they’re no good.

Get recommendations or ask to see portfolios of previous work. Not much more you can do than that except speak up at the time if you aren't happy post cut/colour and don't be afraid to be vocal during the consultation and if you don't like the direction things are taking mid colour or cut.

Yes-very expensive is better. One way to get round this is to go for someone who used to work at a top one and has gone freelance (if you can get them).
In Manchester you’ll be paying at least 160 for cut and colour in best place.

Honestly, I think it depends on the stylist. I've been expensive places and had rubbish cuts from people who just had no understanding of my curly hair.

My own experience is I found a really good stylist and colourist at my local Toni & Guy.

Been going for years. Costs me circa £130 for full head of highlights plus cut and blow dry.

I've never had a bad cut or colour.

To be clear I'm not advocating T&G per se, rather than the experts I book with there.

Anyway, I was lax about appointments and needed my hair done for an event and couldn't get a booking.

I went to a well regarded local salon, not a "chain" (good reviews). Cost me half the price of T&G.

Tbh the cut was fine. Not as "sharp" or quite as easily maintained at home, but for half the price it was about 85% of the quality, if you get the drift and I don't think anyone bar myself would have noticed the difference.

The colour was another story. The highlights weren't as fine and natural looking and the colours chosen weren't as flattering. It was half the price but only 10% the quality.

I went back to T&G and my usual colourist to have it corrected as soon as possible.

So my view, based on that experience is a good colourist is damn well worth the money, but a perfectly acceptable cut is easier to find at mid range prices.

Sorry just to add - the cheaper cut didn't grow out as well as usual so I did end up having to have it cut again sooner than I would have done normally.

Find someone who has hair like yours but cut brilliantly and ask them.
Have a consultation with the stylist and discuss what you would like and your lifestyle.
Price or name doesn't necessarily mean good. I had a really crap haircut in T & G - it depends who cut it.

I have just had a fabulous haircut, the same person that @DianaT1969 went to I think & for the first time in years looks brilliant, I washed it on Saturday (a few days after my cut) I only had to style it for a few minutes with the hairdryer & it fell into place & is actually swishy.
So I think it can definitely be worth, going to someone really good & paying extra.

dontcallmemelon I think I went there too. At first I didn’t like it, but it’s really grown on me now and I’m pleased, but not sure how much is due to a new hair product.

Can’t decide whether to continue spending the money or not. I think I will.

@Binkybix I felt a bit like that at first, but once I washed it & dried it myself I could see how good the cut was, also the hilights he did are really fabulous.
I’m just intrigued now to see how it grows out & if it will last as long as he says it will.

I definitely like it more and more. I didn’t have colour as never have and wanted to mull it over after chatting to him. Not sure I can justify the cost of cut and colour!

@Binkybix I know it’s a lot of money, I justified it to myself as I only have hilights once a year😳 I have blonde hair so don’t get ‘rooty’ & must admit I was feeling really rubbish & quite low, probably very shallow but I feel a lot better.

I have a fantastic local stylist, owns 2 salons - only cuts himself a few days a week now, but I've been going to him since his first solo days based on a recommendation, and don't want to change. It's £50 just cut and blow dry - which is very reasonable and I love it!

@DianaT1969 @dontcallmelen @Binkybix Sounds familiar Are you talking about Mark Anderson per chance? He's London's best kept secret. I've been going there for 10 years, can't face going back to a noisy salon where it's a wham bam thank you M'am! His haircuts grow into another haircut. True story!

@affectionincoldclimate yes it was😃 am really hoping it grows out well, as usually I get my hair cut every eight weeks it grows really quickly.
Definitely not a wham bam job, it took five hours!

@dontcallmelen ha! Yes. His highlights are amazing though. At the moment I'm back to bleach and tone but I remember his blending technique when I had highlights and it was out of this world. I had the most gorgeous natural sun kissed hair ever. You make me want to go back to highlights again.