Hairdressers

[PrincessPee]

Never been able to find a hairdresser that does my hair as I ask. I’m never asking for anything unrealistic such as dying white blonde from dark or anything extreme. I always take pictures but always come out feeling disappointed. Had it done this morning and really really needed to feel good about but just feel deflated.

Has anyone got any tips for coming out feeling happy or any recommendations north west area?

I feel the same. You're not alone!

really really wanted to say something but got no idea how to broach it and now I just feel pants!

Do have the same hair type as the styles you want? The same facial features?

There are loads of factors at play when trying to recreate a style. Unless your hair and facial shape/head shape are exactly the same as the model it is impossible to get the exact same results.

When clients come to me and tell me they have never been happy with any hairdresser my reaction is to back away slowly. I don't need the money enough to cope with unrealistic clients. I have scissors and a tinting brush not a magic wand. I can only work with what you have.

Also most clients forget photoshop and hairpieces feature heavily in most media photographs. The model whose cut/colour you want probably doesn't even have the cut/colour you want.

Frequency, I completely completely understand that hairdressers can’t work miracles and wouldn’t expect that. I would however wish for a hairdresser to say something along the lines of ‘I can’t do that because ... , however I could do this ...’ or ‘ I think ... would look better’ and understand why.

As opposed to kind of say ‘yes we will do that’ and then have me leave feeling rubbish.

I was taught to under promise, over deliver but different colleges/training facilities teach different things. Maybe you have over confident hairdressers.

Do they do a full consultation? It should take around 15 minutes to do one properly. If they try to rush you explain you're nervous and could they talk through things in more detail with you. A proper consultation is key to keeping people happy.

Often pictures aren't enough as they can be interpreted differently unless they show all angles of the head. Don't be afraid to ask questions while they are working but don't tell them you've never been happy. They will instantly peg you as a difficult client.
Out of interest what style/colour are you asking for and what is your hair type and colour?

Show us a picture of what you asked for?

This is what I showed her and asked for and we discussed the balayage effect. My prior hair colour was a slightly lighter shade than the brown below, if a little bit warmer. We discussed the models hair is very cool toned and the blonde is almost white blonde and that mine isn’t going to be like that. I have however come out looking like I’ve had a full head of half arsed mucky blonde highlights and there is absolutely no hint of that contrast between the lighter part framing the face and the darker area at the back.

I didn’t necessarily want the colours to exactly match those in the picture, but I did very much want the balayage effect and the contrast of the blonder front etc.

I thought balayage was where it was a darker shade at the root, blending into a lighter shade at the ends. Or is that ombré? Might be getting mixed up

Can you post us a pic of yours?

Gin - it is, but I also discussed with her wanting the contrast at the front too. Will try and sort a pic but not too keen at putting my face on internet!

The lighter part at the front is where the model had slices around the face instead of highlights. In natural lighting the contrast won't be as great between the highlights and the slicing as they are the same blonde shade but in the picture the model has a camera flash pointing at her face while the back of her head is shaded from the wall.

i2.wp.com/therighthairstyles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/chloe-moretz-at-2014-sundance-film-festival-park-city_1.jpg?fit=500%2C1500 This is the same technique with better lighting. Maybe the hairdresser assumed you understood there was bad lighting at the back of her head.

As for the tone being different ask for a toner to be put on to reduce some warmth but not ash as this can show up green/grey in some lighting. That will take away the mucky appearance. You could also ask for some more slices around the front if you feel it's too dark but too much contrast between the back and front will look shit.

Apologise for the snapchat thingy! But you can see there is very little contrast. We discussed that I’m not really too fussed about my tone being warmer. AIBU as the client to not know of all the technique names and to be able to specifically ask for them?

I had to look on my phone to see the pic but you have slices around the front. I can only a see a slice on one side, however, but that might be due to lighting.

The technique you've had done is the same as what the model had but the model is naturally cooler and possibly has a few more slices around the front and the lighting is different. The model has a camera light point at her face from a slightly downwards angle making the front and ends of her hair appear lighter than they are.

If you're really unhappy a few extra slices (fine not chunky) will help but don't go over board or you'll end up looking like a brunette version of Ginger Spice from the 90s.

Your colour in that pic is quite dark did you have an all over colour between the highlights or is that your natural colour?

To me it just looks like bad highlights with bad roots - I never asked for highlights and as far as I knew I wasn’t getting any!. Out of genuine interest and I promise not out of bolshiness - am I as the client supposed to ask for things like ‘slices’?! Because I never would have used that phrase when talking about hair.

I totally get this. For what it's worth, I think your hair looks lovely even if it's not quite what you were hoping for

No, the hairdresser should be able to pick apart the picture and identify what techniques to use. However, lighting/photo angles isn't taught in hairdressing. I have a slight advantage because my dad is a photographer.

Your hair looks really nice, imo, but I am not one the living with it. If you're unhappy go back and ask for the front to be lightened up. The model in your picture definitely has highlights/baby lights.

I also think your hair looks lovely, although appreciate it wasn’t what you wanted.

I think your hair looks lovely. :) Vety healthy and shiney.

Go back and speak to the HD and tell her/him that you are not happy and why. They should be willing to talk through the options.

Is there anyone you know with good hair you could ask for recommendations?

I also find it helpful to take pictures of what I don't like as well as what I do like.

I've only ever found 3 HDs I've been happy with. One left to be an air steward, another left to only do men's hair and the third just went crazy with my hair one day then got quite nasty about it when I said It wasn't what I asked for.

At the risk of making this about one, I asked for something like the first pic and the HD gave me the second. She dyed my hair almost black and stuck one colour big blonde stripes through it with about an inch root. I just wish they would say, they can't do it if they can't.

At 42 I have found happiness with my hairdresser. This is cos I finally know what works with my hair and can tell her what I want. She's given me dubious styles in the past so I'm taking most of the credit. Ha!

I have finally found an amazing hairdresser. She has taken my hair with highlights and toner from black to blonde gradually. She cuts my hair exactly how I like it. Plus she is the only person who works on a Monday so when I have my hair done the salon is empty!

Oh it does look lovely @PrincessPee although I know it's not what you asked for. Why don't you get in touch with them and say having lived with it for a few days you're not happy with it and would like to discuss how to get it to a place you're happy with?