Gutted by new haircut

[JillPole123]

Got my haircut 2 days ago and just feeling awful. I thought it was the shock of the change, but I think I knew really that it was a bad cut. Today my friend confirmed that it really is bad.

I think it is an inverted bob style. I don't blame the stylist for the style itself, as each thing is technically within what was discussed - although it really doesn't suit me. BUT the execution is (in my opinion) pretty shoddy and I am just so sad.

For example, I wanted it below the chin, but because he cut it almost at the nape from the back, the whole length is very short and only 1 inch sections at the front are below the chin. And these 2 pieces are noticeably longer than the rest of the hair, they look like they should be trimmed off. The back and sides are bulky, and don't lay nicely. At the back especially, there seems to be a second layer underneath messily poking out.

When I pin back the 2 long front sections, the 2 halves are different lengths. I assumed I parted it wrongly, but even when doing a ridiculously deep side part the length discrepancy remains.

I cannot lose any more length, the style itself is very unflattering, and I am petrified of getting it rectified and making it shorter. I can just about pull it into a one inch ponytail, sort of.

Any advice of how to move forward? Have some occasions coming up and feeling so sad. Thanks

Hi All, thanks so much for the helpful and kind responses. And commiserations to others who have had bad haircuts, sorry @Loginmystery kind of shocked how bad I feel.

I decided to book an appointment today at a larger city, in a trendier salon. The blurb on the website emphasised getting the right haircut for your hair etc, and 'discussion' is included in the wash, cut etc description. So fingers crossed. Unfortunately not in the UK so can't rely on the quality of a good chain.

On balance decided I would rather have a competent haircut that didn't suit me, than continue like this I have a very round face, and soft (aka double-chinned) jaw line, which I think is where my fear is coming from, but who knows, maybe I will feel differently with a nice cut.

@Thisisit2022 I look like a pencil

Sorry, but the back looks like it was cut by someone with zero training. It's perfectly fine to return and politely ask for a free trim. I would try to get the other stylist. Then never go back there.

This reminds me of a lady on YouTube, who paid around £300 pounds and it was a disaster hair cut

I used to get that cut, decades ago. You hair itself looks lovely, you just need a good technical hair dresser to improve the cut at the back and reduce the angle at the front. That's all that's needed, a really good hairdresser will sort that out easily. It's only the poor execution that's making it look bad, and it's long enough to very quickly get more like you want it to.

And thanks for all the great advice, truly. I think @Namaste6, this sounds pretty on the money, and what I will ask for.

To answer some questions - the words bob/inverted bob etc were not mentioned at all . I indicated the length wanted (between chin and shoulder), and he jumped on the 'chin' bit, which is fine, I did say that. Then he asked if he could go shorter at the back and bring it down. And I thought that sounded reasonable, and might look nice. But looking at the side view, there is no real gradient - so I only assumed it was an inverted bob, but it isn't really.

My hair is pretty mousey in real life, quite fine and gets greasy easily. I use any of the L'Oréal Elvive shampoos which are in stock at time of purchat, currently the vitamin one. I use conditioner sporadically, but the L'Oréal Dream Lengths heat protectant spray which I rate.

He styled it with a barrel brush and the ends were more rounded and tucked in, but I had suspicions even then about the length and general hacked-at appearance.

I am not good at styling, I will try to add texture with waxes but I am not handy with heat etc. Weirdly I don't mind if it looks bad because I haven't styled it, but knowing it looks bad because it's terribly cut feels a lot worse

You have very beautiful hair, in a month or so it will grow back. However, it is not a good cut but without going shorter not much can be done to it.
Thankfully your hair is beautiful so no one will notice.

It is uneven but your hair is so lovely in itself that it isn’t a disaster. I remember meeting my friend after a haircut, she paid, walked out and burst into tears . In her case it was much shorter than she wanted and had been dried strangely. She also has naturally lovely hair so it wasn’t awful for long.
I would get yours made more even now, even though it will be a bit shorter, as it will grow out better and look good as it grows.

Oh wow,it looks like you tried to cut it yourself !

I'm so glad you are going elsewhere, I was going to say there's no way I'd trust them to put it right at the original salon.

Really hope you get it fixed, you have lovely hair and the colour is gorgeous,it just needs finishing off properly.

I once had a terrible haircut, I bought a hat and then the next morning went to Toni & guy (yes I know their rep Isn’t as good these days) and I just begged someone to sort it our. I was told to come back in an hour and they did. I didn’t go back to the original salon, too scared, though I should have demanded a refund as should you ideally.
I think you need to find someone to even it out, i don’t think you need to lose a lot more hair except the wispy bits at the front. You have lovely hair and within a month it will feel a lot longer

@JillPole123

Glad I am not imagining it to be honest. I can't complain for some convoluted but legitimate reasons (owner did the cut, has some personal stuff going on which means timing of complaint would be insensitive).

On balance, should I just wait it out and get a bit of length back, or should I risk letting someone else have a go? I have an event in 1 month, it should be 1 cm longer by then according to Google...maybe I could get it cut in one month?

Just because the person has some personal stuff going on doesn't mean you cannot complain. Indeed, it may be the personal stuff affecting her ability to focus on her work, which led to your disappointing cut. S/he may well have ruined other customers' hair

Do you lalways think consider whether or not other companies/people have personal stuff going on which has led to bad service, when you complain? if not, why just this one

I can't complain for some convoluted but legitimate reasons (owner did the cut, has some personal stuff going on which means timing of complaint would be insensitive).

Of course you can complain. This has nothing to do with the owners personal life, if she's working then she needs to be up to scratch.

Arghh, keep re-reading all the great advice, and want to thank you all personally, especially for the technical advice. But I am afraid to miss someone, thank you @Pawtriarchal and others, and also everyone for the kindness!

I remember asking for some colour around my face and coming out with stripes, looking like Ginger Spice/Leanne Battersby circa 1998.

Nothing against those two perfectly attractive young women, but it was 2016.

Try not to worry. It will grow and meanwhile a decent stylist will fix.

You’ll chuckle about this one day. It looks like a lockdown cut two years too late.

Be mindful that you have glossy hair and that’s what is immediately noticeable.

@JillPole123

Side view, it's the sides that upset me the most I think (obviously because luckily I can't see the back!). The 2 long bits at the front sort of disguise the severeness when I look at it straight on

That is shockingly bad...

I could have done such a haircut in lockdown with zero training...

I can add some details to 'colour' the story, in case you are interested (please disregard if not). But I will not be complaining, I only want to salvage the situation now. He is in the hospital for a procedure right now, and won't be back in action for a few weeks. He is the owner and main stylist. Other member specialises more in colour, and is way more junior.

I don't believe this impacted his ability, weirdly, just that he has a quite 'zen' attitude to hairdressing not suited to ambitious technical cuts. He is a bit hit-and-miss but always managed to do a proficient, straight, shoulder length cut. Nothing that would hint at this as a possible outcome.

I am not in UK and I find it extremely hit-and-miss here at salons in general, which is why I was fine to go to him as he is nice, close by and before always did OK.

For 'event' = close friends glamorous wedding. Just wanted to look nice!

Also lol @Thisisit2022 - in this case "It's French", is my lovely mum's "It's cute"

It is uneven but would only need to be neatened a little and then you may find you enjoy a shorter style, plus it will grow our quickly. I think even the uneven show it is a nice hair do, bobs are in and they are easy to style.

You have absolutely gorgeous hair, but that is a very poor cut.

I probably would go else where to have it fixed.

Possibly go to them first and tell them what a shit job they have done and you don't trust them to fix it.

It's hard to believe a qualified stylist did that.

Give a dreadful review.

Don't be upset about being upset.

A bad hair cut IS VERY UPSETTING.

Well the good news is that the colour and shine are gorgeous, so you have those until it grows out.

Regarding the occasions, I'd get a load of grips and just pin it all up with a hairpiece or headpiece (eg flower or fascinator).

@JillPole123

Also lol *@Thisisit2022* - in this case "It's French", is my lovely mum's "It's cute"

At least your actual hair is lovely! And you DON'T look like a pencil!

You really should tell the person who did it though, obviously don't let them near your hair again but they should be told (and give you a refund so you can pay for a competent hairdresser). They are taking money off people every day for this, it's not right, and I would question whether they had had any training. I wonder how many others are going home and having a cry about their crap haircut. I'm sure your hair can be sorted out by a decent hairdresser OP, and it will grow out quickly.

I had a similar cut and had to cut those long bits off. Go to another hairdresser and have a few layers put in the back bottom bit to take away the weight. Concave I think it's called. A few curls would disguise the unevenness if you cant bring yourself to cut again

Just to make you feel better I'm late 50s and never managed to get a decent cut. I have complicated hair (apparently) 🤣

It’s not a disaster, it just needs tidying up as posters on here have confirmed. Your hair is a lovely colour and texture and can easily be straightened up with a slight trim. I once had a truly disastrous haircut which left me with about two inches of hair bleached to a very brassy blond - there was literally nowhere to hide and nothing to do but wait. Unfortunately I had to go home for a funeral two weeks later (having thought I’d just sit it out, see no one and take no photos) - everyone commented on my “lovely French haircut”, I think they were just being kind! It did help me get things in proportion - there are worst things than a bad haircut (but not many!)