I’m in a hair quandary!

In my youth (last century) Hairdressers used to automatically give me the female version of short back and sides, I hated it. 'fraid I found a hairdresser similar age to myself, who had hair to die for! Told her what I wanted and suggested I might take the scissors to her hair if necessary. Trouble was she was expensive and I couldn't really afford it, so I started cutting my own hair. That is what I am doing these days! I do have a super hairdresser and will go back when I feel it's safe.

What is OP short for?

Original Poster . On this thread it’s Noname

Oh Noname.... this happened to me 2 years ago, I had to cancel my appointment for a cut and colour and readjust for just a cut, as I had emergency childcare commitments . He happily accepted this ,but when I came to pay, he had doubled the price for my haircut.He said it was because I’d ‘messed him about’. I’d been with him 25 years. I paid.... walked out, and never went back! I now colour my own hair ( £6 ).... and have a £10 cut once every 6 weeks. A saving of £63 per 6 weeks..... roughly £500 per year. Win-win I say! If he won’t do what YOU are paying for then drop him. Plenty of younger , original stylists out there,

It is so important to be happy with your hair!

I have highlights and a bob but it has lost the shape now.

So I have decided to go shorter, see what it is like and if I feel that I need highlights again I will have them done.

I think I will see what my 'natural' hair colour is like to start with as I haven't seen it for so long!

Hairdressers are used to being dumped - at least you don't have to make up an excuse, you just stop making appointments.

I have just been! They are clearly taking a lot of precautions using everything disposable though I was a bit surprised they were wearing visors and not masks as well. Like others, my hair has really grown longer than I have had it for years so I am going to stick with a longer style myself... for now!

I think a lot of us probably felt in need of change after lockdown. My own hair is short and spiky but it had grown and I asked for longer layers and more of a short pixie bob. I took a lot of photos with me - I think the thing to keep in mind is that whatever picture you use, it will look different on everyone because different hair/head/face. I’m pleased with mine but it’s not a million miles from what it was. Great to get it done though.??

My daughter is a hairdresser and she is fully booked until the end of July. Its her salon and she is open from 7.30 to 7.30 for the next 2 weeks, 7 days a week. She is more than busy with people who do want highlights and cuts etc. without worrying about the few clients who want to try grey.
Hairdressing is one of the few businesses that has recovered over night( at least for July) and she is grateful for that. The lull will come when we have all had our hair done and haven't yet reached the redo stage but by then those who do not yet have the courage to venture out will be dipping a toe in the water now that they can see what's involved.

I’m afraid of offending my long term hairdresser by not wanting to go and have my hair cut also my partner has been going to her every 6 weeks for years. Early in lockdown we bought a hair cutting razor thing and I’ve been cutting his hair almost as well as she does! Since it costs him £20 plus at the hairdressers he is loathe to go back there! But it will deny our hairdresser business so it’s quite a moral dilemma.
I’ve decided not to colour my hair anymore and have been letting it get long so I’m not sure if I’ll go back either at the moment.

I'm in the same situation. I started growing my silver hair out last November and it's looking good(ish). As someone said, they do become friends. I'm hedging my bets at the mo!

The truth is (and I’m not criticising them, been there myself) but highlights, colour, regrowths etc all cost a lot more than a straightforward cut and dry and short-styled hair requires more frequent maintenance than longer hair (which can be flatteringly put up). It’s logical that hairdressers (and I don’t blame them either in the current economic climate) are bound to discourage going with the grey and more likely to suggest highlights, flattering short styles for older women etc. You just have to decide what’s best for you and perhaps ask a truly trusted friend or two as to what suits you best if you’re undecided. Hairdressers inevitably have a conflict of interest financially but on the other hand they are also professionals who may well know better than you what suits your face and hair type, it’s a tricky balance .........

I have an appointment on Friday. I know my hairdresser and his staff will be wearing visors. I think it would be asking a lot to expect them to wear masks all day when you consider how hard this must be for hospital staff who, of course, have no choice. I’m sure any decent hairdresser would wear a mask at a client’s request if he or she felt vulnerable.

‘I know I could go somewhere else but don’t want to offend my stylist’

How would he know? If he doesn’t know, he cannot possibly be offended, can he? I don’t think it likely that you’ll get in touch with him to announce that you’re going elsewhere. Why would you?

A bit off subject here, but one thing lockdown has taught me is that I don't need to go to the hairdresser nearly so often as the hairdresser would like me to go.

Hi Noname, I have just had my haircut for the first time since January, took this opportunity to change from my same old, same old hairdresser. Grey not a problem, grew mine out 20 + years ago but the Short spiky pixie cut I like. Had become a short back and sides ( older gents will know what I mean).
Cancel the appointment, look on Pinterest for a new hair cut and Be brave it is your hair you are paying. I am so glad I did x

Take a pic of hair style you REALLY WANT and stick to youre guns- your hair can be however you like- it can 'take' whatever style you like- provided you have enough hair for that one (i.e.if you've short hair you can't have a long style) unless you have extensions put in? But also say, if its not how i want it i won't pay for it! Or cancel now and go to a new one? Im sure you could get an appt in a short while if you ring round a bit? Try not go for the old fashioned 'old lady' type hair dressers who make them all look same (short, grey, snipped off hair) try find a more 'modern' one.I hadnt secured an appt on saturday for mine cutting, at my usual one- but i got one with their barber for my son- when i got there with him, i went to counter to book mine ahead for another day and they said they could fit me in, in 10 minutes or so.So not all booked up for wks or mths! Try it.

My hairdressers are taking many precautions, including them wearing visors and clients wearing masks. They are not required to wear masks themselves.

When i used to travel on bus, (other son drives now) all the older ladies used to look like they must all go to same hairdressers, all cut short and grey (or a rinse) all mostly straight, all same style.looked like 'stepford grans'

Edithb-Thats because theyve got the visors on! be pointless having both..ours had visors and aprons, but i was surprised they didnt wear gloves? I had gloves on (I'd taken my own) and they gave me apron, a plastic over shoulder cover & what seemed to be a disposable kind of thick towel? I started off with my own mask on but it went on floor as i had hair washed so i put it in my pocket for washing. i seem to be fine. they had masks there but weren't insisting on them.im glad im having a colour next time though, she'll have to wear gloves.

Yangste1007 yes i often wonder about that.its a money racket. im certainly not rushing my son(17) there every four weeks at the price they charge near us for a lads haircut!

Dont worry too much speldnan, im sure they wont miss one or two customers, theres always going to be new ones to take their place.

My other son has been cutting his own for awhile now, and saving money, but youngest wont let either of us use the clippers on his.

Many people have realised during shut-down that grown-out natural-coloured and self-trimmed hair looks just fine. And it does! Your friends all look good, don't they? Hairdressers are terrified! You'll be paying the same as the men for hairdressing now - if you spend anything.

My hairdresser rang to say they were taking bookings again but I don't want to go back - what I SHOULD have said was 'thanks but I'm letting it grow', needless to say I didn't think quickly enough. However I have reckoned they are so busy at the moment that I won't be missed so have booked with a new salon and pre-warned them I am wanting to discuss a new style.