Rubbish haircut - what do you do?

My niece was a Hairdresser.. She always said the difference between a bad haircut and a good one is about 3-4weeks.
We have all had hair cuts we are not happy with, after a few weeks perfect.

I was working away from home and on the way past a hair salon thought I'd treat myself so I wouldn't have to wash it myself at the hotel.

The girl asked if I wanted the ends trimmed, and I agreed as often the style stays in shape longer. At some point I became aware that she was struggling to get both sides the same length and it was going shorter and shorter. I said, 'Stop cutting now!' There was a stunned silence.

It was agreed that I didn't have to pay, and I left never to return! After that I watched any stylist very carefully in the mirror, but for a few years now I've had someone who does my hair perfectly, which is lovely and stress free. I drive miles to go to her!

You should mention this to the salon manager, otherwise the stylist will think that it was acceptable and you like it that way.

If they offer to redo make sure they don't charge you and have a different stylist to put it right.

Mum & Dad used to say that there's only a fortnight between a good haircut and a bad haircut. so your hair will grow back.

Fine if you have long hair but not if it's short

I always cut my DDs hair till they were teenagers and often did my own when we were cash-strapped. I've cut my DHs for about 25 years or he'd never get it cut. I've watched hairdressers cutting mine and reckon I can do almost as good a job - and often do. That said, I am hopeless at drying it so however well it's cut I don't do it justice. During COVID I had no choice but cut my own and when my usual stylist announced she war retiring we have only one hairdressers locally with whom I have had bad experiences more than once. So back to cutting my own hair, which is chin-length with layers and a fringe. DH does the back lower edge and the layers at the back are a bit of pot luck, but I still get compliments! As another posters implied, there's bigger things to stress about in my view - but if I were blessed with good looks (and able to dry it properly) I might be more particular.

I would definitely go into the salon and complain. Whatever it cost you are unhappy, it’s a bad cut and they should be told. It’s not your fault so stand tall take a deep breath, walk in and say how you are feeling and that you want them to correct it free when it has grown . Don’t be apologetic and make eye contact. Be assertive. Not nice to have to do but unless you complain they will never know will they ?

LovelyLady

In the grand scheme - really, you’re wondering what to do re. a hair cut that’s not to your liking. Think about it for a few weeks and it will go away!
Can’t believe this is a real problem!!
Also can’t believe I’m responding. What’s the world coming too.
We have OAP’s who will be too poor to put on heating, or pay for TV license or to pay for dental appointments. Parents too poor to have full tummies or to pay rent or buy school uniforms. These are real problems today in UK. A hair cut is a real luxury to many.
Just let your hair grow and think of the real problems some have.

Oh lighten up. Is Gransnet only to consist of the world’s troubles?
We come here to read and comment on all sorts of things. We know we also live in a vale of tears and often have great sorrows of our own. Some threads can cheer us up.
Try not to police Gransnet.

Well said, Holly. 50 odd posts and then someone can't resist trying to snatch the moral high ground !

I go once - maybe twice a year for a trim of fairly long hair and cut my own fringe between times . Use really nice clips , combs ,shampoo and conditioner and quite happy with the result . Would not want to be beholden to expensive hair cuts - never have been .

I really feel for you op. I’d go back as has been suggested and ask for a free cut in a few weeks.
I have very fine curly hair and if it’s not cut right, or gets too long I look as if I have a bald patch and a combover. I used to travel 60 miles with baby and toddler on public transport in my youth just to get an acceptable cut. After much heartache, poor cuts, weeks of bald patches and many miles of travel sick, screaming toddlers, 30 years ago I found a new hairdresser in our town that cut my hair well and works with the curls so my whole head is even and well covered - I dread my current hairdresser retiring. My hair curls and stays short and bald for around 8 weeks if badly cut, then it drops and looks thin, lank and looks as if I have an even bigger bald patch so it’s not a quick fix.

Get a job and kiss the ground that’s all you have to whinge about

Personally I wouldnt go back and complain, particularly not after a week. I couldnt cope with the embarrassment. I might vote with my feet, or if I actually liked the hairdresser I would be much more specific next time around and emphasise that both sides should be the same with no asymmetric fringe. I have been going to my current hairdresser for about two years and I really like her. She is young and lots of fun. Sometimes the cut is great and sometimes pretty average. She actually told me last time that if its 'the wrong time of the month' her cutting is a bit off! I havent summoned up the courage to ask her for the relevant monthly dates.

In the past I've sometimes found it difficult to communicate with hairdressers and haven't always got what I wanted. Some have better listening skills than others too. You say you don't want it re-cut, so perhaps pin the length back with clips until it grows and then I'd really try someone else. If you've only had it cut by the same girl four times it shouldn't be a problem to try a different stylist or just go somewhere else.
I find hairdressers so expensive these days that I'm going for longer between cuts. It's a nice treat to get my hair done though.

You can guarantee when I find a good hairdresser it's just before she or he's moving on or I am. Usually they're scissor happy. I had one a recently well several haircuts ago and gave up with her as she didn't know what 'can I have it shorter please' was I didn't want a shoulder length or slightly shorter bob. Especially when most of the other clients have the same haircuts near! I have another one, now she comes to the house which is great especially with how our weather is sometimes. The last cut she gave me I looked in the mirror and thought Oh yes she definitely at last got the 'can I have it shorter' look. 😂

Return to where you had it done & speak to the manager. Perhaps she thought you wanted a more updated hairstyle but she went too far

Quizzer

I have had my hair cut and blow dried by the same girl about 4 times and it has always been reasonably OK.
However last week she cut it again and made a real mess of it. I wear it quite short with a fringe. This time the fringe is lopsided with one end very short.
One side is cut round my ear the other side is longer and just tucked behind. It has ‘layer lines’ on one side and at the back. All this was concealed by the way she had blow-dried it but she must have known, surely.
I don’t want it re-cut as it is already too short. What would other gransnetters do?
I live in a small town where there are very few affordable hairdressers.

Oh dear Quizzer ,
I totally empathise with you on this & have mixed thoughts on which way to go as you could always pop in & have a word with the salon manager/ owner or your stylist saying you aren’t happy & show why . Or just stop going there .
I actually have a similar problem as I went from a mid length to short style back in August .I have used the same hairdressers / stylist since we moved back to this area . With my longer hair the cut was always fine though I would sometimes have to de- boffant my hair after the visit . Anyway I decided that as I always ended up putting my hair up or back & thought time for a change . I took a photo with me . The end result of s not what we wanted or more importantly what I am happy with , as now the feel. Can do a thing with it ! The cut & colour cost 3 figures !!
I have been back last week a preboooked appointment I told her I wanted layers & didn’t like the cut I had , we left it at that . I had my usual colour & dry .
Now I want to go else where but here’s the rub , the salon is right opposite my house ! !
When I was younger I had thicker hair & curls , so having a cut u dislike & can’t do anything with is like an insult to me 😢

I tie my up on the top of my head in a pony tail and cut it off , it looks fine, layered and easy to scrunch dry.