What is the correct answer to “how do you want it blow dried?”

[HesBoughtAFuckingHat]

I only get my hair cut, highlighted and blow dried once or twice a year and I always used to say “just straight please” when they asked me this. But it would be super straight, shiny and flat and always looked awful. So last week I asked for it to just be done naturally and she pretty much just rough dried it and it looked so scruffy I had to tie it back to walk home.

What is the correct answer? I have incredibly think, just past shoulder length hair and even though I always mention it when booking in for highlights it is thicker than they expect and they seem to get stressed with how long the highlighting takes. I normally go to a different hairdresser each time as I’ve never yet had a cut that made me feel better. I’d love to have it in soft, loose waves but is asking for this something I’d need to warn them of in advance as it would take longer? I’m 37 and I’ve never been able to style my hair how I’d like it to look or had the guts to even ask for what I think I want. And yes, I know I’m overthinking it all but I don’t really like the way I look but I’m recently divorced and would like to start making a bit more of an effort.

try taking a photo in of a style you like? I usually say 'big and bouncy please' - I have no idea why and I don't even know what that really means

'Smooth with a bit of movement'

I always say as quickly as possible so I can leave, put it in a bobble and wash it out the next morning.

I usually lose, my hairdresser insists on giving me waves. It looks great but not on me.

I usually get mine tonged into waves instead of straightened after it's been dried after highlights. Takes about the same amount of time.

Smooth with some wave left in.

I usually ask for straight but with some volume/movement

Straight to me would be sleek and straight with the straighteners. So what you're getting.

It sounds like you want something bouncy? With lots of volume?

If you want waves, they'd probably need to use something like tongs/wand to curl it. So yes it would take longer. 'Effortless, natural waves' rarely are.

Straight but with a bit of volume?

It takes the same amount of time for my hairdresser to tong my hair as it does for her to use straighteners

First of all you need to stick with a hair stylist they will get to know you and your needs.

Also go for a consultation. Describe what you want. They can feel your hair. You can tell them what you want and tell them how long it takes you at home.

I would ask for
Smooth with a bit of bounce and movement.

I ask for a bit of body.

I ask for a blow dry with a bit of bounce and volume (or 'jzuzsh') - that usually gets me a nice sleek look but with a bit of a flick/curl at the ends with a round brush so it moves a bit.

I have v fine hair and straighteners just take all the volume out of the roots so it looks really lank. I've had a few hair cuts in the past where they rough dry it and just run the straighteners over it and it's lazy in my opinion (unless that's specifically what you ask for). A proper blow dry/style with tongs is the sign of a good hairdresser!

Beach waves! It will make you look like every other woman leaving the salon but it's so much fun. Try it! (you can't achieve it yourself so you might as well use the pro while you've got them)

I have frizzy waves/soft curls and long hair.
I only go to a salon once per year for full head highlights.
Stylists always, without question, blow dry it straight as a pin, to the point the ends are stiff like spikes!
I never ask for this but just want to get it over with so hey ho.
Weirdly, when other people are having their hair done at the same time as me, the stylists always make them wavy!
So i presume they think we all want something that is not our natural texture. It's strange, hehe.

I just tell mine to do whatever he fancies that day. It's always better than anything I can do, I have no particular preference and he gets to have a bit of fun

You need to decide on a salon/hairdresser and then stick with them so that they can "get to know" your hair. Definitely have a consulation if possible, if not then don't be shy about explaining what you want before they start. Even if you can't really explain what you want, telling them what you haven't liked on previous occasions will really help the stylist to understand where you're coming from and they'll be able to tease out of you what it is that you'd like, and then discuss whether or not it's possible with your hair type/length etc. You just need to speak up, they're used to it and both of you will benefit!

Thank you for asking this, I never gave a clue either!

*have

I always ask for loose waves. And book an appointment for a day when I have evening plans so I get maximum use out of it

I go for 'big and bouncy' or straight blow dry depending on how I'm feeling.

I have the same - too much hair/highlights take forever and stress them out problem. They are forever calling for help, more foils and more dye.

I do t have frizzy hair though so I just ask for a bit of volume and always acceptable but I don’t live it when dried by the hairdresser.

I ask for straight but with a bit of volume. Or sometimes I ask for loose curls which they normally do with ghds.

My hairdresser says “oh Dobby do you want to dry it yourself if I leave you the hairdryer my next client is waiting”

He knows he can spend an hour on my hair and within 5 mins it will look exactly the same as ever. Poker straight. Roughly dried upside down it will still be poker straight. No point wasting anyones time.

I say to blow dry it straight with some body using a brush - otherwise they get too happy with the GHDs and I look like one of the Sugababes.

Bouncy.

I get lovely waves and volume that I can never recreate at home.