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Original poster

Advice needed on whether it’s worth going to a top hairdresser (one off)

55 replies

AtlasPine · 06/04/2021 08:37

I’m around 60 and not glamorous. I have long, fine fair to mousey hair which hasn’t been cut or coloured for a while although pre-COVID I get highlights and a cut from any random local hairdresser who has space when I have time, usually paying around £100. The last one who did it has left my hair very dry and brittle - although it’s beginning to grow out as obviously I haven’t had it done for months and months now.

Is it worth paying for a really good consultation, colour and cut (I’m in London) or would I be wasting my money? How much might it cost? Will I be surprised at how much they can make of my hair or will I look as ordinary as usual within a day or two? I don’t really have many hair styling skills (blow dry hanging upside down in about 3 minutes) and have a very non-stylish life generally, which I’m quite happy with. But as I age I realise that maybe I need to work a little harder with my hair.

Thanks to anyone who can answer my questions!

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ruthieness · 06/04/2021 08:46

For long hair use the money to buy a Babyliss Big Hair rotating dryer!
A game changer!

I have tried expensive hairdressers and in my view not worth it!

An extra 5 minutes styling is what makes the difference.

As far as colour goes - lighter as you age is better to allow grey to blend in.

Original poster
AtlasPine · 06/04/2021 08:52

Thanks - I’ll look into that. My hair has no grey weirdly. But without colour, it’s a dull sort of mousey.

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NewIdeasToday · 06/04/2021 08:56

There is a lot you can do to improve the condition of your hair that might make you happier with it. Have you thought about investing in good quality shampoo and conditioner? Plus trying out different styling products? I had a Percy and Reed one recently that was fab. I’ve also splashed out on a dyson air wrap that I love.

magicstar1 · 06/04/2021 08:58

If you do, get a good recommendation. I went to a top salon and paid a fortune ... only to end up crying that evening as they made a mess of my hair. Now (in normal times) I go to a cheap place where the most amazing girl works. She’s Lithuanian and an awesome hairdresser. So I’d ask a few people with great hair where they go first.

Salanda · 06/04/2021 08:59

I’m not sure that expensive always guarantees better although I’ve never spent loads on a cut so be interested to hear others opinions.

Is it worth doing some research and finding a really good local hairdresser that you can go to when they open and stick with in the long term? I wonder if that will make more difference than paying loads for a one off and then going back to a random range of local salons and risking another colour like the one that dried out your hair.

I go to a local hairdresser at an independent salon and pay around £55 for a cut and blow dry (fairly average - in London too). However she is excellent. It’s a salon that is always recommended and I’ve been going there for a couple of years, my hair gets compliments quite often (and it’s just a shoulder length layered cut - but it looks great and swishy).

KatyS36 · 06/04/2021 09:00

Life is short. I find even with long hair cut makes a difference (and as I get older colour certainly does).
If you can afford it why not try it? I would go with a recommendation if possible, otherwise my experience is you are much better of going with the director / most senior stylist at a mid price place that the junior at an expensive salon.
Enjoy!

Catslovepies · 06/04/2021 09:01

I would definitely not use a babyliss big hair on fine hair especially if it's got any issues with being dry or brittle. You'll end up with hair in really poor condition. Personally I'd go to somewhere like Toni and Guy and get one of their more senior stylists to do your hair cut and colour and give you tips on maintaining it. If you want to get a styling tool the Dyson air wrap is good and really gentle on your hair.

Original poster
AtlasPine · 06/04/2021 09:04

Thanks for the advice. I have been using a recommended (and expensive but worth it) product to repair my hair and it’s much better than it was. I had just wondered if a one off consultation and style might help me move forward with it, even though I wouldn’t be able to afford to do it more than once!

I’d love a London hairdresser recommendation if anyone has one (in pm perhaps?) I’m NW London but happy to travel across town.

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Bloodyfuckit · 06/04/2021 09:07

I agree with big hair being rough on fine fragile hair. Dyson air wrap is useless too. Please don't waste your money on it. Any curls will fall out before you've even left the house.

Expensive salons to not guarantee good results. You need the recommendation of a very good colourist. Properly blended colour in the right tones makes such a big difference.

VienneseWhirligig · 06/04/2021 09:09

I once went to Vidal Sassoon (family member worked at the head office so I got 50% discount). It was a big mistake - I hated the colour (blonde but very brassy) and the cut was trendy but didn't suit my face shape. I had gone in with little idea of what I wanted, had a consultation with the stylist and chose a style, which was then not executed as described. It was too short to salvage into the style we had agreed and I was too shy to say anything whilst the cutting was going on. I'm glad I didn't have to pay the whole £250 given my discount card.

My local hairdresser by contrast charges me £12 for a dry cut (I leave near the salon so wash my hair before I get there and she cuts it and runs a hair dryer over it). She has coloured it a couple of times for £60 but I usually colour my own. Expensive isn't always best.

Original poster
AtlasPine · 06/04/2021 09:11

How do I find out who is a good colourist? So much conflicting advice - I’m guessing it’s simply that what suits one doesn’t suit another.

Curls and waves never, ever stay in my hair for more than five minutes! I don’t mind straight but like a bit of volume - it’s very flat if left to dry naturally.

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Original poster
AtlasPine · 06/04/2021 09:12

@VienneseWhirligig

I once went to Vidal Sassoon (family member worked at the head office so I got 50% discount). It was a big mistake - I hated the colour (blonde but very brassy) and the cut was trendy but didn't suit my face shape. I had gone in with little idea of what I wanted, had a consultation with the stylist and chose a style, which was then not executed as described. It was too short to salvage into the style we had agreed and I was too shy to say anything whilst the cutting was going on. I'm glad I didn't have to pay the whole £250 given my discount card.

My local hairdresser by contrast charges me £12 for a dry cut (I leave near the salon so wash my hair before I get there and she cuts it and runs a hair dryer over it). She has coloured it a couple of times for £60 but I usually colour my own. Expensive isn't always best.

This is what I’m a bit worried about.
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Original poster
AtlasPine · 06/04/2021 09:13

Shock Dyson air wrap is expensive!

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Thebestposter · 06/04/2021 09:13

Not nor not Tony snd guy. They teach people to cut hair in 7 weeks and have a business model based on turnover

LordEmsworth · 06/04/2021 09:16

Dyson air wrap is useless too. Please don't waste your money on it. Any curls will fall out before you've even left the house.

Alternatively, Dyson Airwrap is amazing on my fine hair and I love it. One person's opinion is not the same thing as a fact...

It is absolutely worth getting expert, experienced, skilled advice about your hair; that doesn't necessarily mean paying a lot or choosing a "top" (celebrity?) hairdresser. Agree with finding someone you can go to regularly, rather than a one-off; it's unlikely that one cut will transform your hair, whereas ongoing maintenance will make a big difference over time.

I'd suggest experimenting with product, to see what helps. My top tips: Bumble & Bumble thickening mousse, it creates body without being stiff/sticky; Sam Knight texturising spray; dry shampoo and/or texturising powder. They all make a big difference to my hair, I used to avoid products but wouldn't be without them now...

Puppylucky · 06/04/2021 09:17

In normal times, I go to Mark Anderson in Dulwich, after seeing him recommended on here. He's not a "name" as such, but has had a career in styling for the fashion and music industries. He works out of his home and is just lovely. He is excellent at cutting and styling hair, so that the cut grows out beautifully and actually actively discourages seeing him more than once every few months - which keeps him affordable. I went to him after letting my grey grow out as I felt I needed a stylish cut to set off the grey and have been really pleased every time - even my lockdown hair looks OK! He listens to what you want but will always adapt so that the end result is flattering and easy to take care of. Can't reccommend enough!

RunnerDown · 06/04/2021 09:20

I don’t think a one off appointment will achieve much. You would be better to try to find a good local hairdresser from recommendation and visit more regularly. I
Then the stylist might start to understand your hair.
I am in your age group and have a friend who has long hair which is very fine. For her sons wedding she got some extensions. Her hair looked great and she loved them so much she decided she would keep up with the maintenance despite it costing a lot more than she would usually spend .

Original poster
AtlasPine · 06/04/2021 09:21

Some great advice and salient points - thank you.

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AnnaMagnani · 06/04/2021 09:31

If you have no styling skills I would recommend Youtube. There are a million hair tutorials on there and there will definitely be someone with hair similar to yours.

I have made so much difference to my hair - completely changed products, found out how to style it - by finding a couple of women on youtube with broadly similar hair to mine.

If you stick long fine brittle hair in to Youtube (or whatever you think suits best) and see what you get.

lightlypoached · 06/04/2021 09:34

@at@AtlasPine

I can highly recommend Colon at Smiths in Poland Street. A master cutter and very lovely.

He's a bit booked up but worth the wait.

lightlypoached · 06/04/2021 09:35

That's Colin not Colon Grin

KirstenBlest · 06/04/2021 09:39

Ask someone who has a good hairstyle where they go.

I've had my hair cut at VS and got a good cut, but when I had i trimmed by a local hairdresser, that was so much better.

I've had my hair cut at T&G twice. Same salon, different stylist. The first was excellent, the second crap.

I have my hair cut by someone inside the M25 (TW18). I think he's brilliant as he cuts my hair in a way that makes it behave. I can wash my hair, stick a comb through it and it's good to go. He's not expensive.

Discuss your hair routine with the stylist - no point in getting a style that needs careful styling if that isn't part of your lifestyle.

Somewhere like VS will have signature styles. Lots of stylists will not understand hair that isn't pin straight.

Fuzzywuzzyface · 06/04/2021 09:44

Personal recommendation is the best. Ask your friends where they get their hair cut if you think their hair looks good.
This is how I found my hairdresser, I was persuaded to try a different hairdresser and yes the cut and colour was good but it certainly wasn't twice the price good!

Original poster
AtlasPine · 06/04/2021 10:10

@lightlypoached

That's Colin not Colon Grin
Grin

Thanks again for advice. Lots of ideas to follow through.

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