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Original poster

Hair washed and ‘set’ once a week; is this still a thing?

74 replies

Shimmeringshine · 18/04/2023 07:21

Had balayage and a cut Saturday. The hairdresser washed it and styled it for me too, looked lovely (though I say so myself!) It still looked lovely Sunday and yesterday. By today was a little scruffy looking but would have passed at work, I washed it but I know it won’t look nice tomorrow and if I left it three days would look terrible.

I don’t know what magic she uses but am wondering if anyone else has their hair washed and ‘done’ once a week, not cut or anything? I’m sure my grandmother did! But I don’t know if it’s a thing now. I was thinking if I could get that on Friday I would then be able to get away with just washing Tuesday/ Wednesday. Does anyone do this? And how much is it?

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 18/04/2023 08:31

I think its the very elderly women who have the rollers now though. I can see the advantages of getting it done if you have aches and pains and not able to blow dry it.

SweetSakura · 18/04/2023 08:32

(I am not a remotely high maintenance person, I rarely even use make up. But my face is swollen from steroids and having nice hair at least is something I can do for myself)

tabulahrasa · 18/04/2023 08:35

The set in wash and set is setting lotion... I’m pretty sure you want a wash and blow dry rather than set.

Not to be pedantic, just so you know in case you try and book it.

Original poster
Shimmeringshine · 18/04/2023 08:37

SweetSakura · 18/04/2023 08:32

(I am not a remotely high maintenance person, I rarely even use make up. But my face is swollen from steroids and having nice hair at least is something I can do for myself)

Yep, pregnant here and not feeling great!

thanks @tabulahrasa !

OP posts:
CherryBlossom321 · 18/04/2023 08:41

Pre pandemic, my local salon did a £50 a month “blow dry club” which I paid for and it allowed me to go twice a week for a wash and blow dry. My hair looked good every day. Gosh, I miss it 😭

Camparispritzandcrisps · 18/04/2023 08:44

I'd absolutely love to be able to get my hair blow dried every time I wash it, but I just can't afford it. I do treat myself to a proper blow dry if I'm going out/Xmas party though. I make do with my blow dry brush thing otherwise.

My granny had her old school wash and set every Thursday at 11 without fail, she must have been going to her hairdresser Carl for about 30 years - when she died 6 months ago, cancelling her long standing appointment with him was one of the worst bits of the sadmin!

LysHastighed · 18/04/2023 08:47

You could look at Brazilian blow dries. I haven’t had one myself but a colleague had perfect hair for 12 w after having one.

JingsMahBucket · 18/04/2023 08:48

MissSmiley · 18/04/2023 08:03

My mum used to have a set and dry with her permed hair, she's been going to the hairdresser every Friday since she was 16, she's in her 70s now and has a sleek silver bob and never washes her her at home, she has it washed and blow dried every week at the salon, I know she's pays £13 for this, just gone up from £12, it takes less than 15 minutes believe it or not!!

That's an absolute bargain. I would definitely do that every week like your mum does if it were that cheap. What a lovely way to start off your weekend too, that's a great ritual. I'm so happy for her!

caffelattetogo · 18/04/2023 08:53

Yes, I was in a blow dry club before covid. Now work from home and get it done every couple of weeks. It looks terrible if I do it myself.

Blarn · 18/04/2023 08:53

What is the 'set' part? I'm assuming it is something other than loads of hairspray?

Riverlee · 18/04/2023 08:54

I didn’t know it was still a thing.

However, having my first ‘wash and blow dry only’, this summer, the day before a wedding. Bit of an extravagance as having my hair cut and coloured the week before - didn’t want to leave it until the day before incase hairdresser was ill, water shortage, power cut etc. I know if the hairdresser does it, it’ll still look nice the next day.

Mrsjayy · 18/04/2023 08:59

Blarn · 18/04/2023 08:53

What is the 'set' part? I'm assuming it is something other than loads of hairspray?

It used to mean they put hair rollers in and set the curls I think they used a "setting lotion" it's not a perm though.

FourTeaFallOut · 18/04/2023 09:00

Our local hairdressers have a set monthly fee - I think it's about £80 - for as many wash and blowdry(s/ies?) as you want in a month, but I think it's limited to quiet times and so is only practical for some people.

Iamblossom · 18/04/2023 09:05

I do know women my age that do this (48). They always look great.

It wouldn't work for me as I wash my hair almost daily after exercise every day (swimming or running).

itsyourletters · 18/04/2023 09:07

I can only imagine the people who do this are very sedentary - I do loads of exercise and I can't imagine walking around with smelly sweaty hair for a week.

AngelinaFibres · 18/04/2023 09:10

itsyourletters · 18/04/2023 09:07

I can only imagine the people who do this are very sedentary - I do loads of exercise and I can't imagine walking around with smelly sweaty hair for a week.

My hairdresser has a farmer as a customer. She comes in every fortnight for a wash and set. She doesn't wash her hair in between. Hairdresser said it is absolutely rank by the end of the fortnight.

ShandyQuaffer · 18/04/2023 09:20

This is a big thing in NYC and Washington- you can get a blow dry at 7am on your way to work. Quite different from a shampoo and set!

JaceLancs · 18/04/2023 09:22

I know someone who has a wash and blow three times a week!
I could not afford that

BrandyandGinger · 18/04/2023 09:24

I wash my hair every day or second day because it's short and wavy and it goes wild on me. I'm actually thinking of growing it longer and learning how to do a proper blow dry because I think I would only have to wash it every 3rd or 4th day if it would hold a style.

I love going to to the hairdressers. I've never been in just for a blow dry but maybe I will with my longer hair.

tescocreditcard · 18/04/2023 09:27

My hairdresser has a blow dry club where for £90 a month you can have as many as you like it's with a junior/apprentice. I try and go twice a week it's great

LakeTiticaca · 18/04/2023 09:32

As a child in the 60s I was fascinated by the hairdressing salons, the rows of chairs with the dryer hoods, the smell of the setting lotion. My mum only went very rarely as we didn't have much money but some of the ladies in the neighbourhood were there every week and then used to walk home with a silk scarf placed around the hair do to protect it 😇 I was desperate to have a wash and set at the hairdressers and go under the dryer and when I was about 8 or 9 my let me as a birthday treat 😁😁

LadyMuckingabout · 18/04/2023 09:43

Although in my 50s, my hair is very greasy. I would look like I’d been in bed for three weeks with the flu if I only had my hair washed once a week. Also with super-straight hair a style never holds.

Mil went every single week for a shampoo and set. Mil’s hairdresser came to her funeral!

LadyEloise1 · 18/04/2023 10:00

MissSmiley · 18/04/2023 08:03

My mum used to have a set and dry with her permed hair, she's been going to the hairdresser every Friday since she was 16, she's in her 70s now and has a sleek silver bob and never washes her her at home, she has it washed and blow dried every week at the salon, I know she's pays £13 for this, just gone up from £12, it takes less than 15 minutes believe it or not!!

£13 !!!
It's over €30 where I live for a wash and blow dry.
I don't know what a wash and set costs but will ask my Nana.

MissSmiley · 18/04/2023 10:03

@LadyEloise1 that's in an East Midlands market town, oap rates, it would cost me more I imagine, I might ask

Pashy · 18/04/2023 10:09

It’s really hard to get an appointment in my usual salon on a Saturday morning because it’s rammed with the regular wash and set brigade.

Tends to be older women, they go weekly, have tea and chats, and walk out looking a million dollars.