Hairdressers!!

Ps why does my hair and finding a good hairdresser matter to me so much?? When people have been massacred in Paris

Hello everyone! Well,, two months on from my original post ii'm still looking for a decent hairdresser that I feel happy with. The saga, so far is: I've tried out two in my area that I've had recommendation for. One left my hair longer and fuller on one side and the other teaches hairdressing at the college as well as running a salon - it's shorter than I like it but that's cause it needed evening out. I'm not sure yet if I'll go back to her yet.
I've been looking quite hard for a hairdresser - I've had recommendation from friends, I've asked social media, I trekked out to a hairdresser of the year, he wasn't for me: I booked in with v sassoons but at £80 a cut and blow dry I think I'll cancel it.
I've looked in the area near me which has two cities nearby and the town I grew up in and am not much further on. - I'll grow my hair a bit and keep up the search ,,,,, watch this space. If anyone wants to give a recommendation in here or message me. I live near derby and Nottingham and I go to Stafford frequently

I've just read this thread and have to agree that finding a good hairdresser is a nightmare. I have tried the hairdressing department at a college but they were sooooo slow I would not do it again. Somebody above asked how you can recognise a good salon without actually trying it. Well, in my experience - you can't. However, I'm always put straight off by a salon that does not look clean, or has piles of out of date and/or tatty magazines, or plays loud background music - or any background music at all, come to that. A smiley and efficient receptionist is always encouraging, as is not being kept waiting.

OK I didn't proof read it is 01.06 (

I became tired of walking out with his/her interpretation of the style I wanted.

I drew a 10 mile radius on a map, then rang round. I was disappointed the all of the town hair salons only seemed interested in £s.

The second last salon owner asked if I'd care to meet and chat. Would I? Ten days later, I walked out with a new style, low lights and high lights.

She told me, they each stylist keeps notes on condition, style and colour before they touch a new client's hair and after.

Still pleased btw.

Thank The Lord and bless the congregation! After her recent bereavement, my lovely hairdresser is back at the helm at last, with a stream of grateful, shaggy regular customers falling at her feet! I had a beautiful cut yesterday and felt like a million dollars!

I'd feel the same, NTO. I don't think it's a case of being too soft, just not wanting to hurt someone's feelings, but I expect they just accept it as being part of the job.

Ana - I had thought of that, so I think I will have to see her one more time, bring the conversation round to days off, and then book with the other one. Am I pathetic or what? DH is always telling me I'm too soft...........

Do they really care anyway? It's not as if I'm a big tipper, in fact at the prices they charge I don't tip at all!

I've had the same hairdresser for 30 years! She started as the trainee in the salon I used to go to then opened her own shop and I went with her. She knows my hair so well and does the whole family. She's a fantastic cutter and lovely and friendly too. She's on her own I her little shop and charges £15 for wash, cut and blow dry!

NotTooOld, find out whether your current hairdresser has a regular day off during the week, and book yourself in for that day next time with the other one!

I've just seen this thread - a coincidence as I've been to my hairdresser today and she's the best cutter I've ever had . Quite willing to give you a trendy style.
Not telling where, it's a secret, and only 25€ (£18) for wash cut and blowdry.

I'm embarrassed when I go to my hairdresser (small salon). I started off with one girl and then tried another and now I seem to be stuck with her. She's good but the other was better and I'd like to go back to her. How do I do that without making the second one feel bad? I must be stupid because at the price they charge I should be able to choose which one I want to book without feeling embarrassed that I'm upsetting the other one. In fact, now I've typed this I know it's ridiculous. Help!

I know what you mean Greyduster I hate it when they try to treat you like an old lady whose a bit simple and is begging them to give me a little old lady style, when I see myself as a feisty lively person who wants a good cut that's in a funky style with a bit of zing.
I used to go to a well known stylist in Covent Garden and before that, as a student we'd all troop off to Vidal Sassoon school and pay 50 pence for a really good cut. Having been to these places you get to know what is a good cut and you know when yours getting a bad or mediocre cut, I think that is why I find it so difficult to find anywhere I like and feel happy with.
I think I'm forgoing to try to book into Vidal sassoons school in a few months when my hair has grown out a bit and make it part of a short holiday in London seeing my niece and her boys.

er! To continue.... I decided to wait until my lady came back to work, and shortly my hair will be so long people will not be able to tell if I am facing backward or forward! I do find some hairdressing salons rather intimidating. I remember in the sixties, when I works in London, I used to go to a small salon in Bond Street recommended to me by a lady I worked with. It wasn't that expensive, it was a very comfortable atmosphere and I got a great cut. Then, they amalgamated with the parent outlet in Jermyn Street and I had to go there. I only went once, couldn't have my hairdresser even though I'd booked him and was generally treated as if they were doing me a huge favour just by letting me in the door! Enough to put you off hairdressers for life!

Well, here we are ne week on from my last post and I still haven't been able to pluck up courage to go to a different hairdress

I found mine by asking my boss where she'd had her hair cut after seeing her best hairdo ever. I've been going there for many years now and am always delighted with the results.

I agree with contributors to this thread who find that hairdressers get it right for a bit and then seem to go off. This has been my experience so I opted for a mobile hairdresser to come to my home for £10 every six weeks. And then to pay once a year for a salon with some highlights for Christmas.

In between cuts I roll my short hair in velcro curlers with a spray to fix it, and sit under my Pifco floor standing hair dryer,which I have had for nearly 60 years, for 10 - 15 mins. Dear husband has mended it once.

Now my hairdresser has enough clients coming to her salon so she has given me my last home cut. I may go to her at her salon to start with.

Looks like the Vidal Sassoon academies are only in London I am afraid but there are no restrictions

It could be, kitty. Whereabouts in Leics?

Mine is in the Midlands! Leicestershire, if that helps?

I found mine by asking someone whose hair always looked great where she had hers done, turned out it was the owner of a salon I used to go to in the past but gave up after a bad experience, then it was taken over by this chap. He is an very interesting guy, so the hairdresser chat is a bit more than where did you go on your holidays, he will chat about books, films, politics whatever. He is good at colouring as well and I am growing out my grey with the aid of ash highlights and lowlights. It does cost a lot, but worth every penny in my book.

Good ideas. Does anyone know if there a v Sassoon training school in Nottingham or derby or the Midlands or any good salons?

There is a Vidal Sassoon training school in Cardiff; I've never been (perhaps I should go) but a friend used to go and her hair always looked lovely. Even though she can't get there any more, her hair still looks nice as a local hairdresser seems to have followed the style.

I had a brilliant one before I moved. I am finding it hard to find one since the move,how do you know what they are like until you try them.

I love mine!! She is about 20 years younger than me and is almost another daughter. She keeps my hair looking good - she wouldn't let me go all 'mumsy' as she calls it but nor would she let me do anything silly. I trust her completely and she's coming for supper tonight!