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Style and beauty

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Original poster

A question for hairdressers...

14 replies

CharlotteStreetW1 · 29/08/2023 19:52

A friend and I share a hairdresser. She went today, I'm going soon. She mentioned that I had a picture. Apparently the hairdresser said "she always does that" in an eye-rolly kind of way.

So. Do you prefer a picture or not?

OP posts:

purplecorkheart · 29/08/2023 19:57

That is the way your friend interpreted it. It could very equally be that the hairdresser is annoyed at your friend being vague about what she wants and wishes she would bring a photo.

My hairdresser always ask if I have photos if I am getting any kind of change. I am realistic though and can tell him that I like the hair colour and cut but am open to him telling me that the colour would be too warm for me. The cut would not work with my hair type (or the fact I don't spend much time on it every morning). I use the photos as a starting point rather than wanting it exactly

KirstenBlest · 30/08/2023 00:42

I think that someone taking a photo might have unrealistic ideas about how a hairstyle might work for their lifestyle, their hair type and their face and body type.

Precipice · 30/08/2023 00:53

KirstenBlest · 30/08/2023 00:42

I think that someone taking a photo might have unrealistic ideas about how a hairstyle might work for their lifestyle, their hair type and their face and body type.

They might! But a person attempting to describe what they want may not convey with clarity the description within their head. The hairstyle which the person attempts to describe might likewise not work for their 'lifestyle' (whatever that means; if it requires maintenance and the hair owner doesn't do it, that's not on the hairdresser) or suit them. Worse, the description may be vague or there might be a situation where the hairdresser thinks it is satisfied, but the client had something completely different in mind. People often don't have the jargon to describe what they want.

If it's not a simple cut or it's not what someone's had before, a picture sounds like a pretty good idea!

DelphiniumBlue · 30/08/2023 01:06

My hairdresser likes it if I take a photo, she is very straight talking and will tell me if she thinks it won't work on my hair, and can suggest alternatives more easily when she knows the kind of outcome I had in mind. It gives a good starting point .

KirstenBlest · 30/08/2023 01:49

The hairstyle which the person attempts to describe might likewise not work for their 'lifestyle' (whatever that means;

Imagine if someone has curly hair and they want it straightened but they have a job where they are outdoors a lot or in a humid environment, or a hairstyle that needs careful blowdrying every morning and the person has a newly fractured arm in plaster, or something.

I could take in a photo of someone like Michelle Williams but I don't have the bone structure, hair type, or hair colour for it. It's not going to work for me. The hairdresser might know me well enough that I'd forget to get my hair trimmed regularly and that a precision cut would not look good 8 weeks after I last had a trim.

Or I could say I have 3 DC under 7 and have a full-time job, I need hair that I can just wash, comb then it's done, so the hairdresser probably wouldn't suggest something that needs 20 minutes of styling each day.

blueshoes · 30/08/2023 01:55

The ones I go to ask for a picture. So I think they prefer it. If it is wildly impractical or difficult to maintain, they will probably say so but at least they can visualise what it is you want first.

KirstenBlest · 30/08/2023 02:05

I just say something like 'do what you think is best'

I could take in something like this pic, but that is completely wrong for me.
Wrong face shape, wrong hair texture, my hair wouldn't take the colour ... and lets face it, no haircut is going to make me look like a hollywood actress.
Great cut but it just wouldn't suit me

Original poster

CharlotteStreetW1 · 30/08/2023 08:08

Thanks for your replies.

In her (the hairdresser's) defence, I go every six weeks so it's pretty much just a trim and I guess I could just say "same as this but shorter" 😂

Ironically I have a slightly different picture this time and I wanted to know if it's a different cut or a different drying technique.

OP posts:

KirstenBlest · 30/08/2023 13:24

Take it along and ask. You are paying for the stylist's expertise, make the most of it.
Your friend might have an ulterior motive in putting you off taking a photo.

Original poster

CharlotteStreetW1 · 30/08/2023 13:35

KirstenBlest · 30/08/2023 13:24

Take it along and ask. You are paying for the stylist's expertise, make the most of it.
Your friend might have an ulterior motive in putting you off taking a photo.

She really hasn't!

OP posts:

KirstenBlest · 30/08/2023 13:53

By ulterior motive, I mean she might not want you to change how you look, maybe she wants to be the one getting attention.

Or it might be like when shoots down a perfectly ok suggestion. E.g. 'Shall we go to The Crown, it's said to be the 5 oldest pub in Britain and I've never been there' and the other person says 'Oh there's one of those in every town'

Original poster

CharlotteStreetW1 · 30/08/2023 18:26

KirstenBlest · 30/08/2023 13:53

By ulterior motive, I mean she might not want you to change how you look, maybe she wants to be the one getting attention.

Possibly the latter. In fact most likely this.

(Definitely no ulterior motive. We're both married middle aged women and we absolutely have each other's backs and are really good at building each other up.)

OP posts:

KirstenBlest · 30/08/2023 19:24

5th not 5 obvs. I did go to 'The Crown', alone.

My friends seem to like to advise me on possible hairstyles for me, usually a short bob. I really want to look like Wendolene Ramsbottom.

Take a photo and ask questions on blow drying etc. Then share your insight with us.

KirstenBlest · 30/08/2023 19:34

I'm curious about the photo.

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