I have finally stopped moaning….

I had been going to a hairdresser in nearby village for years. He was fabulous, but became difficult to get app unless booked well in advance. And expensive. During lockdown I coloured my own hair, very successfully. As soon as hair salons were open again I booked locally for a cut. Over the following months I continued to colour my own hair, but tried different salons in town for cuts. And finally returned to having highlights done. But I despaired of the unprofessional attitudes in the salons. Some of the staff seemed more concerned with their social lives than working. Constantly on their phones. Friends dropping in for chats. Sat by door in one salon in winter and hairdressers constantly in and out to smoke outside. I was froze, sitting with wet hair. In one salon one hairdresser tidying to the left of me carried on a loud conversation, shouting loudly over the top of me, to two others to the far right of me. And what is the point of having a TV on directly above me showing a chat show, with no sound on?! In another salon I sat by the front desk which had 3 membets of staff standing at it gossiping and shrieking with laughter. I had colour on my hair and was trying to read. I know I sound like a misery, bit I'm really not. I'm happy to chat and have a laugh with the hairdresser. But if I spend two hours at a salon I don't think it's unreasonable to expect it to be a reasonably relaxing visit. I finally gave in and have returned to my original hairdresser, and peace and harmony has returned.

I was lucky enough to have a lovely 'girl' to cut and style my hair, then came lockdown and the salon closed for good. There are so many ladies' hairdressers in my town I didn't know where to start looking. In the end I went with a new salon with a really old fashioned decor - just 2 seats - the owner and one other, who both do their own shampooing, sweeping up, making appts. The furnishings are beautiful, velvet easy chairs and a lovely touch - some of the old signs from the country market, now closed. Not only a great place to relax but the owner does a really good job with my hair. Satisfaction 100%!!

I went to my hairdresser yesterday for a cut and colour. She's done a fab job, the cut is exactly as I like it and she did my roots adding a few fine highlights which look very natural. I also took my topper, which I affectionately call the dead dog! The owner of the salon cut it so it mixes well with my own hair. It's great for when my roots need doing or my hair has gone a bit flat. He also did a wonderful job and I am thrilled although a bit poorer.

For a number of years a stereotypical Italian hairdresser has cut my hair. By that I mean that he is very loud, talks non stop, never really listens to what I say, cuts my hair at lightning speed, but cuts it very well.
Unfortunately our town has been desecrated by phalanxes of tall glowering blocks of flats, and is desperately short of car parks. The last time I went for a cut and blow dry I went round in circles for ages before being lucky enough to spot a car moving out. Ended up being half an hour late for my appointment.
So I decided hat I had had enough. Asked friends for recommendations of good hairdressers whose premises were not in the town centre and parking was easy.
Have just phoned the one of my choice, based on where they are, plus the state of friend's hair, and have booked an appoitment I'm already excited! I was paying £48 , and was a bit disappointed when I was told the new one would cost £51, but then ecstatic when she mentioned that OAPS pay £35! Can't wait to see what she does - not that I'm picky. Watch this space!

I went to the same hairdresser from being 16 to the birth of my second DC at aged 36! I did try others when the hairdresser moved salon to 40 miles (two busses and a train ride) away, and again when I moved to the other end of the country- but found my hairdo was worth the journey until I had a two year old and a baby when the journey ceased to be a fun outing!
Several years later after expensive trials and many tears I found another great stylist within walking distance!!! Been happy with them for the last 30 years!

I had a home hairdresser for years. 18 months ago she stopped visiting and I had to go to her 16 mile round trip in car. A couple of times I got the impression I was being rushed in and out. Found a salon nearby and had a fabulous restyle. Nothing but compliments from so many people. By tge tome I needed to go back she had retired and closed the salon. Inspite of taking a picture of myself with the wonderful style other place just didn't manage it. Now found a local hairdresser who does it at home in a converted summerhouse. Lovely girl and she does listen and about a quarter of the price of a salon.

I've yet to find someone I trust to cut, restyle or blow dry my hair, so I go somewhere new or occasionally rotate where I go. Most are overpriced and don't know much about hair texture or head shape. Don't get me started about blow drying.. most default to rough drying then using straighteners. Unless you say you're going our that night, styling is poor. I never feel that the experience is relaxing either, mainly due to uncomfortable chairs or pressing too hard when washing. Basically, for me it's a chore going to the hairdressers...rant over

Witzend: One of my daughter in laws had the same problem. Said to me that I must remember I’m a retired hairdresser and insisted I use her!!!!

You could look at Pinterest and save a picture of a style you like to show to your hairdresser

It has taken me more years than I want to remember to realise that the fault lies within my hair and my own lack of skill in maintaining a style rather than the hairdresser’s Scissors, and that it will never (unless sprayed into a rigid helmet) remain the way it looked as I left the salon. Maybe rigid perms will come back into fashion!

I dont tip but i always buy my hairdresser some lovely presents and a bottle of wine at christmas

If anyone can spare a minute, could I please ask how long your hairdresser takes to do a short, layered, ear-length cut (not a really short Pixie cut)?

Secondly, how long would you expect it to stay in shape before it needs redoing?

Many thanks for any replies!

£51 for a hair cut !!!!!
I pay£17 for wash cut and blow dry
I have a short pixie cut which takes half an hour and last a month I usually go every 5 weeks but by 4 it’s starting to get out of shape

I’m terrible about hairdressers I’ve been through loads and still haven’t ground the one who can cut my thick wavy curly hair. I’ve had cuts that are uneven, lopsided too short, too thinned out. I’ve found a new one and thinking of cancelling my appointment in case he does a bad job.

Does anyone have a good one in the East Midlands they can recommend?

I made a big mistake changing my hairdresser. I had to drive quite away to get to my old hairdresser and especially in the winter it was a bind to drive. Post lockdown I was told a neighbour not far away who was a hairdresser was setting up a salon in her converted garage. Ideal I thought only a 2 minute walk and really reasonable price. Also not seeing my old hairdresser for a year it was easy to stop going.
But.. in my new hairdressers small salon she has her 3 dogs and often 3 people. One of dogs has a stomach problem and she feeds him these really smelly fish treats as he can easily digest them, I come out covered in hair never sure if it’s mine or dogs. I just don’t find it a relaxing enjoyable experience but to stop going is really awkward as she is a neighbour.
On the whole she cuts and colours my hair OK but I have started to dread going.

I have very boring hair - no "body", kinks here and there, and my hairdresser of 10 years does wonders with it. During Covid I cut my own (very badly) and when I decided to risk going to my hairdresser I was devastated to learn that the salon she worked at had closed down!!! However, I remembered that I once saw Edwina Currie (who I knew lived near me) having her hair cut and styled in there so I found an email address online for her and asked if she knew if "our" hairdresser was still operating. I don't like her politics but she replied within minutes to say she was currently "in the chair" having her hair done and gave me the contact details of "our" hairdresser. I now have a decent style again!

Edwina looks remarkable for her 77 years, is active in lots of charities locally, and a very interesting and lively speaker. She also has excellent taste in hairdressers!!!

My claim to fame!

One thing I forgot to mention re my new hairdresser, the lighting! At the previous one I hated staring at myself in the mirror - the lighting seemed to highlight every line and wrinkle.
While at the new one, while obviously more than adequate for the purpose, it was so much more ‘kind’.

I have a fantastic hairdresser who listens advises if needed, brilliant at cutting, keeps up with the latest trends, love her to bits, I really enjoy going to her every 6/8 weeks, she’s a real diamond.

Luckygirl3

This is why my hair is long - I got fed up with hairdressers not achieving what I wanted.

I pop into the barbers, tell them what I want & I get it! None of the questions you usually get from women hairdressers who have their own opinions on how your hair would look this way or that, or would you like it dyed etc?! Cheaper, too!!

When we first moved here in 1987 there was a hairdresser on the corner. The whole family went there. She has now moved further into the village but DH and I still go there. I am not fussy about what my hair looks like. It always falls into place and is easy care. No hairdresser can get it wrong really. She is not the best stylist and I often find bits she has missed, but I don't feel the need to change.

I took the DGS to her when the family were getting themselves sorted after returning from the States but now DiL has taught herself to cut their hair. For the elder DGS she goes to a hairdresser though because his hair is so fine it takes days to clear it up and they find it all over the house. They now go to a hairdresser local to them and I prefer the cut they get there to the one my hairdresser gave them.

I always make an appointment when I leave for six weeks ahead. I am there for 2 hours each time. She paints dark streaks of my original colour into the natural grey. She has got that down to a "T" as I end up with a really natural "salt and pepper" look. Then it is washed, treated with a hair pack and then cut. She squeezes a bit of mousse in - I won't let her use hair spray as it's quite short and keeps its shape well enough on its own. It hardly needs any drying by this time. I pay €88, which, I realise, is a little steep by UK standards.

There is always plenty to talk about, as she has known the children from a very young age, she is well educated and well informed and we have been through a lot together with our mothers dying very close to each other and having many mutual acquaintances.