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AIBU

Do hairdressers seem ageist to you ?

(97 Posts)
jaylucy Mon 13-Dec-21 11:30:06

I have been looking for a new hairdresser for a while and so am using social media such as Facebook to check out other customer's comments about their experiences.
One thing that I have noticed, is that without exception, the photos on their Facebook pages are all showing customers with long flowing hair ( either natural or with added extensions) , often after a balyage treatment (whatever that is).
I don't think there is any that either show shorter hair styles or on more mature customers!
I have to ask if they are actually interested in having customers that are over about 30, or the current fashions of longer, coloured hair are the only styles they can do ?
Not sure if I would be comfortable going into any of them tbh - got caught out previously when I was treated in a very offhand way , by the stylist in one salon by the way I was spoken to as well as the finished result - I obviously spoilt their day by not wanting my hair to be done in different colours that she was pushing me to have !

FlexibleFriend Mon 13-Dec-21 11:41:23

Well younger people are more photogenic and generally love having their photo taken. My hairdresser caters for all ages. Why not phone them and have a chat.

nanna8 Mon 13-Dec-21 11:48:17

It doesn’t bother me and people are only young for a short time so they might as well show them off. I glory in my young grandchildren, they are so beautiful and it is but a short passing time.

dragonfly46 Mon 13-Dec-21 11:48:39

My hairdresser posts pictures of young girls with beautiful long hair too but he shaved my head when I was having chemo and now does his best with the fine straight locks I have now. In fact he tends to spend longer with me as we enjoy setting the world right!

Mollygo Mon 13-Dec-21 11:49:05

I’ve not found it a problem, though the salon where I go shows either the styles you mention or Judi Dench type hair style.
Mine is too short for balayage and too long for JD, but they do a good job despite that. .

EllanVannin Mon 13-Dec-21 11:51:57

dragonfly x.

M0nica Mon 13-Dec-21 13:00:14

Plenty of older women with long hair, I saw a wonderful example last night.

To be honest, I do not look at hair styles online, When I decide to change my hair style, it is usually as the result of seeing a picture in a magazine or newspaper, and quite honestly I do not look at the age of the woman, just whether if I like the style, she has a similar shaped face to me and a short neck. Far more important than whether she is 16 or 96.

wildswan16 Mon 13-Dec-21 13:06:46

I do understand how you feel jaylucy. When looking for a new hairdresser after I moved house I looked at several hairdresser's websites. Without exception there was nobody over 30 pictured. It did make me wonder whether they would be interested in a straightforward cut and blowdry for a 70 year old.

I do think that they all probably would be quite happy for all ages, but maybe they could give a hint of that in their social media.

dragonfly46 Mon 13-Dec-21 13:17:36

So lovely to see you back Ellan x

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 13-Dec-21 13:20:06

Perhaps they think older people don’t look on social media so are showing what would appeal to younger people (who probably spend a lot more on their hair). If they show good haircuts even though on younger people and not the style you want, they should be able to do what you want.

Calistemon Mon 13-Dec-21 14:01:19

Mollygo

I’ve not found it a problem, though the salon where I go shows either the styles you mention or Judi Dench type hair style.
Mine is too short for balayage and too long for JD, but they do a good job despite that. .

It's like a foreign language ?

MissAdventure Mon 13-Dec-21 14:03:53

When I last had some hair, my hairdresser took a pic after it was done to put on her Facebook page.
She was more than happy relieved not to include my face.

aonk Mon 13-Dec-21 14:13:05

It might be a good idea to ask for recommendations. Maybe a friend or neighbour whose hair looks nice? Or walk into some salons and ask for a consultation. Maybe wait until January as they’re all so busy at this time of year.

Gagagran Mon 13-Dec-21 14:36:10

I've been going to my local village hairdresser for the past 10 years and she is lovely and will do whatever I ask, That is usually a Judy Dench and she cuts it so I can do it myself easily. She is very popular and has a wide range of clients from old ladies wanting rollers to youngsters wanting extensions. She is unfailingly kind and cheerful and we have a good chat and a laugh and I enjoy my visits every time I go - six or seven weeks apart.

I wouldn't venture into a salon type hairdressers which I would find intimidating and would recommend you find a small more traditional shop where you may feel more comfortable.

Judy54 Mon 13-Dec-21 14:42:43

Like Gagagran I go to my local village hairdressers who is aged around 30 and He caters for all clients young and old. He is a bundle of joy and we have a good laugh and all the clients chat to each other. I have met some lovely people there that I have become friends with. I would not like to go to an upmarket trendy salon which I don't think would cater for my needs.

Ailidh Mon 13-Dec-21 15:24:51

When I went to my new hairdresser a coupla months ago, I asked for a pixie cut and a lot of blonde.

The nice wee lass said she'd find colour that looked really natural. I told her I didn't want it to look natural, I wanted it to look, Wow! She's rocking that colour!

So she did. And it's been great. And me and my mask are going back tomorrow for it all doing again.

ValerieF Mon 13-Dec-21 16:13:58

Forget about looking for comments on social media. Go IN to the hairdressers and have a chat. You will get a “feel”as to whether it’s for you or not. I’ve had dozens. Some I felt so uncomfortable with and wouldn’t go back esp the well known ones. I love advice but hate feeling pressured into anything.

There are so many salons about. Even when I’ve found one that suits, things change so I move on. Now with one for 15 years and the hairdressers have changed but the ethos hasn’t and still happy with them. Once I’m not, I am off ?

M0nica Mon 13-Dec-21 16:57:15

After a series of mumsy haircuts from several hairdressers in our local town a new one opened that looked sharp, and, sorry, aimed at young people and trendy.

They have now been cutting my hair entirely satisfactorily for over 10 years. the grey-haired manager now cuts my hair and fully understands that what I want is a visibly good cut and that I am precise about where i want my fringe cut to.

nexus63 Mon 13-Dec-21 17:21:05

i the same hairstyle for me than 30 years and just cut the back when it got to my shoulders, i used tongs/brush to turn it under, when i was told 3 years ago i had cancer, i decided to get it cut, someone said a pixie cut would suit me, there is 9 hairdressers within a 10 min walk from me (busy main rd), nearest one i asked for an appointment, she looked me up and down and said, i don't think we would be suitable for you, i left feeling shocked, went into another one and stupidly burst into tears, a nice lady sat me down and got me a glass of water, after telling her about the cancer and being worried about loosing my hair she sat me down and gave me a lovely pixie cut, she asked me if i had a son and said his name, turned out he had been going to this place since he was in school, even when he moved away, he would go get a haircut and then come to see me. i was lucky and did not need chemo or for the cancer i got this year. i am happy i have found somewhere that does not care about my age.

avitorl Mon 13-Dec-21 20:32:34

I have a mobile hairdresser who is much younger than me but who always does what I ask her to.She is lovely and offered to get shopping online for me during lockdown and even brought me a homemade strawberry cream sponge during the same time.
Ageism can work both ways.I have a friend in her early 50s who is a hairdresser and worries that she is too old for younger clients to use her.

Hetty58 Mon 13-Dec-21 20:44:29

There's two hairdressers here, the young place - and the oldie place, both with young ads in their windows. I get my hair cut by the chap in the tattoo parlour, though, as it's done with precision - and we have a good, interesting chat. The staff in the hairdressers seem to be brain dead.

MissAdventure Mon 13-Dec-21 20:50:50

My hairdressers were young when I first went to them.
They have matured, got married, had children since then.
They've never been full of themselves though.
That's why I like them.

Skydancer Mon 13-Dec-21 20:58:16

Since the first lockdown I've cut and coloured my own hair. Nobody has remarked on it at all. Nobody ever commented on my hair before so I consider that I wasted my money on all those cuts, blow-dries and colour. Unless it now looks so bad that no-one dare say anything!

JaneJudge Mon 13-Dec-21 21:02:02

my hairdresser is older than me and has photos of young ladies hair on her facebook (I think the student hairdressers post it?) but she does all ages smile she is lovely

BigBertha1 Mon 13-Dec-21 22:18:03

I have tried several hairdressers now and none seem to be able to settle curly hair they all want to take the straighteners to it. I am going to seek out a salon with an older hairdresser who might be able to do hair without making everything poker straight.