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

@k1233

I'd get it evened up and the front bits in proportion. At present it looks like he was cutting a bob then thought "shit, she wanted an inverted bob - I'll just leave the front bits longer"

Yes that's what I thought.

I would just have it tidied up cut wise and get an automatic curler to do some loose curls that will drop to waves. It’ll look nice.

Another voice saying curl don’t cut and let it grow before going elsewhere. You have beautiful hair and it will be OK with a month or two behind you

I would add a bit of a wave to it with a curling tongue until it's grown a little bit and then get it restyled. It doesn't look awful at all but they definitely haven't done a good cut.

If you can't bear to complain , I'd get a recommendation from others and get it fixed . Your hair looks in great condition I'd get the underhair at the back trimmed and evened up all around

Good news - you have absolutely beautiful hair!
Bad news - yeah, you're right.

It can be fixed though. You wouldn't need to lose anything off the length, it just needs to be made symmetrical.

Complain to the person who cut it and get your money back. Okay so they have issues at the moment but that's their problem, not yours. Go to another salon as PPs have said for fresh eyes who can tidy it up.

It'll be okay.

I hope you are much happier after someone has evened it out. I don’t think you’ll need to lose much length in the salvage operation. It looks like it just needs evening out and someone who knows how to sort the ends out so it will lay better. If you have time and haven’t looked at pictures already, you could do a search on Pinterest for short bobs and save any pics you like so the new stylist knows what look your after. Good luck .

I’ve cut my own (short-bobbed) hair at the back straighter than that. So I’m glad you’ve got another appt today Op.
Looking forward to the update later. Good luck!

For anyone who is saying it’s only hair, get it into perspective, it’ll grow etc. That is very true but it can totally knock your confidence when you hate your hair or have problems with it. My friend works in oncology and says one of the first questions women often ask when they’re told they will need chemo, is about their hair.

Anyone who is complaining that their hairdresser can’t cut their hair properly, is it because you’re paying for a junior stylist?

Too many hairdressers only complete the basic training course and don’t bother to continue their learning beyond the absolute basics. Also, so many women have long hair these days, that many junior stylists don’t have enough experience of shorter cuts.

OP, it’s very easy to rectify that cut if you’re experienced with short graduated styles. I’d ask around for recommendations and personally, I’d never book in with a junior for a short cut.

Good luck with the cut. I’d love to see it if you wanted to share. I am sure it will be a million times better.

Hairdresser here it needs blending around the perimeter and the back this can be done without comprising the length x

Very poor cut. Did a better job on mine myself (same style) with no hairdressing training whatsoever.
Glad you are going to get someone else to look at it. They will be able to do something with it.

It’s a terrible cut, but won’t take long to grow out as you have nice hair. Just go for some product to make it look messy/mussed-up for a bit rather than blow drying smooth. Hairbands, etc.

This is the reason I cut my own hair, but mine's curly so it hides a multitude of sins. Your hair is beautiful, even with a bad cut, and it's easily sorted as others have said.

I have exactly the cut you've described as what you wanted @JillPole123 and it does seem to be one that is a bit hit and miss in terms of outcome! When it comes out well I love it and bounce around all month swishing it about in mirrors, when it goes badly I bunker down and wait for it to grow out a bit in the hope next time will be better.

The worst fail of it was like yours with the front like a different haircut, but the difference in yours is much more pronounced than mine even! You are definitely justified in wanting that tidied up, even if its just to bring it more in line with the rest, your hair is in great condition at least!

Not a good cut at all - I think I did better on my daughter's hair in lockdown!

You have lovely shiny thick hair though and another competent hairdresser should be able to sort it out without taking much off.

This thread just reminded me of this :-)

Very good, @teddyclown.

I realised I had somewhat taken my hairdresser for the last 15 years for granted as she is currently on mat leave and the salon closed down so I had to go elsewhere. Current hairdresser is ok but rather overzealous for cutting a lot off, and I'm trying to grow my hair. Hoping for my old hairdresser to start work again somewhere asap!

@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?

It might be 'insensitive', but if she's continuing to cut hair when she clearly can't focus on her work properly, this is unlikely to be a one off. I think you should say something to her quietly about it.

It’s not a good cut.

I’d also say no matter what personal stuff the owner has going on that shouldn’t having any bearings on a bad haircut. Either they don’t cut hair if they don’t feel up to it or if it’s a bad cut they should refund you at least partially. You’re the customer.

If you are not happy and it's clear it's a poor cut then go back, show them, and ask for a credit towards next cut (with a different stylist) when it's grown enough for you to be happy for it to be chopped again.

In the meantime, don't worry, it will grow and that's one good thing about hairstyles.

I grew up with a mum.that was a haitdresser in a AbFab type household. I was happy with run of the mill cuts but Mum tried all sorts of cuts and styles out on me! I grew to know it would soon grow out if I didnt like it. Some were cool...others less so!

@Gonnagetgoing

It’s not a good cut.

I’d also say no matter what personal stuff the owner has going on that shouldn’t having any bearings on a bad haircut. Either they don’t cut hair if they don’t feel up to it or if it’s a bad cut they should refund you at least partially. You’re the customer.

My usually fantastic hairdresser chopped 6 inches off my hair while telling me the story of how she got mugged one night! That was the last time I saw her.

A few years back I went to a hairdresser and asked for a Gwyneth Paltrow bob, it was about 15 years ago and she had a shoulder length blunt cut bob. I had fine hair but lots of it. She did similar cut it into an inverted swinging bob which wasn’t what I’d asked for at all! She was talking about her car crash she’d been in so don’t think her mind was on the cut! I didn’t complain as I wasn’t sure what they could do!

The hair and colour is amazing though and it should grow back fairly soon!

After a colour disaster after first lockdown I’m really picky with hairdressers now quiz them a bit and chop and change. My current hairdresser is great, experienced and takes time so I’ll be retuning to her!

I’ve had an avant garde hairdresser in the past who refused to highlight hair only semi permanent colour blonde, had a “Rachel” years ago which I didn’t ask for and he just cut it like that and a surprise of dark hair with blonde highlights that I didn’t ask for either! What’s wrong with them?!

As the event is quite soon and in case it hasn’t grown enough by that time could you splash out on get your hair styled in some way eg curled or semi updo. You’ll feel better about it.