How do I get the haircut I want?

My once very thick hair is now thinner and straggly if it gets too long. I like to have it cut every four weeks. I'm struggling to find someone who understands my problem since my usual hairdresser moved to a salon miles away. I have a hairdresser friend who cuts it occasionally but insists that I should grow it all the same length and into a bob. Two weeks later and it is once again looking thin and straggly! I am trying a new salon next week before I go on holiday so am keeping my fingers crossed for a better result. If I could only cut hair myself, I know exactly what I want!

I had the usual problems when my lovely hairdresser left to have a baby but have found someone who does cut well I am sure that is the most important thing so you can wash and dry it successfully. That said mine is very short now for convenience.

The thing is you don’t have Mirren or Denchs hair. It might not like to go the way you want it to. Work with whatever hair you have. Don’t fight it. You’ll lose. I have curly hair which has now become fizzy. I would love one of those edge short cuts, but my hair would have a fit and I would look like a bloke. One day I might bite the bullet

Go to a top west end salon and pay the earth.

Ah the clue is in your post, you were happy when you left the salon, it seems that it is the way that you style it yourself is what you are not happy with, not the cut, some salons offer a styling teaching session to show you how to achieve the result somewhat near to that which the stylist was able to, I say somewhat near because they are professionals with many years of experience, whereas you are not. I would suggest that you return to the salon when you have just done your hair to show him how you are not managing to achieve the same look, it could be that he takes one look at it and knows immediatedly where you are going wrong , I would also suggest don't chose a Saturday to do this it is a hairdressers busiest day and he is less likely to have the time to chat with you.

It’s only for the last 10 years that I’ve felt as you all do. So I’ve recently come to the conclusion that’s it’s not the hairdressers at fault but me and my hair. It was once dark chestnut, thick, lush and easy to manage. My crowning glory. Not so now. Its now almost white (underneath the dye) It’s still thick but coarse, over processed and always looks....well a mess to say the least. I’ve decided to bite the bullet and go grey and so my young hairdressers is helping me do that. It can’t possibl look any worse...can it

I don't think hairdressers need to be particularly young but they DO need to keep up with trends and methods of styling. I'm lucky in that the salon I attend is bang up to date on cutting methods and staff listen to clients and makes sensible suggestions as well as giving ideas for after care. The staff are of mixed ages and gender which adds to the positive outcome. Their mags are up to date as well!!!! I've visited numerous salons over the years and this one is the best ever for me which makes it a pleasant experience.

I have found you get what you pay for. I aim to look like Judy Dench with very short hair and I have finally found a hairdresser who can actually replicate it. He has his own salon, charges high prices although I get a discount because I am a pensioner but above all he is intelligent and has loads of common sense.

I came to realise over time that it was,nt my hairdresser who could"nt do my hair just as she used to do, but that my hair had changed gradually, becoming much finer than before. Although I still like the same style as I used to have, short and layered to deal with the inevitable frizzyness, it doesn"t last as long as it used to do ....think as we age it can become more of a problem for us.

Find an Italian hairdresser and explain that you do not wish to emerge looking like 'nonna' - after he doubled up with laughter - had a wonderful haircut in London. Made my sparse locks very manageable - wash and wear.

Find a style that you can manage & stay with the same good hairdresser, who over time will get to know how your hair grows as well as what you like, what suits you, what styles suit you & how good you are at managing your hair. My once dark brown hair is now almost transparent. I am always thrilled when others say what a lovely shade of grey it is. Being a Leo my hair has always been an important part of my appearance! I have stayed with the same hairdresser for over 30 years! goodness knows what I shall do if she retires but fortunately she is about 15 years younger than me so I’ll probably pop off before she does. I think keeping to a healthy diet plays a big part in having a healthy head of hair too. I keep it in a short bob as I have a small face. Have it cut every 6 to 8 weeks .When I go to her saloon the lovely Angela usually greet me with compliment regarding my hair. We always discuss what she is going to do before she starts. She has been professionally trained. I come out feeling like a million dollars rather than an old lady of 71. Her charges are in line with other saloons, I never tip her but usually give her a small gift at Christmas. good luck.

Hello mom! My mother has the same issue as you do when it comes to a visit to the hairdresser and for years and years I've told her this...

Don't go to a salon with a pic of Helen at the Oscars. Why? Because Helen has had every product under the sun put into her hair to keep every little strand in place. Her colour is all shabang because it's been done hours before she hits the red carpet. Now your stylist can achieve the same look and you can leave looking just like Helen but Helen too sleeps at night, just like you do but here's the difference....when Helen wakes in the morning, she has a beauty team up and ready to transform her into a glamazon. Do you have the same team? That is why it does not look the same.

So you can educate yourself on products to use and how to use them effectively and practice, practice, practice.

It all sounds like a hell of a hassle when you could be enjoying yourself.

I hate tatting about with my hair.

I don't blame the hairdresser, I blame my hair. It's very thin and only looks reasonable when the hairdresser has blow dried it. I don't expect to be able to do it myself.

The cut really is important and I think (I’m sticking my neck out here) only Vidal Sassoon trained stylists cut really well. So if you can find one of those you are laughing. Alternatively if you are not far from London go to their training academy (now in Victoria). They are very heavily supervised, it costs around £30 but you have to allow a lot of time.

As I've hardly ever found a hairdresser who will cut my hair as I like (apart from an amazing chap in Spain once!) I decided years ago to cut my own hair, and can't remember last time I trusted anyone else!! 'Often get compliments - not bragging, just sayin' !!! ?

My husband has been my hairdresser for the past 56 years; he is now 84 and with failing eyesight, but I can't bring myself to go elsewhere! I have a basic bob these days after years of long hair up in a bun. I ask a friend to check the back, and tidy the sides myself when I see bits that he has missed.
I know the time is coming when I have to find another hairdresser, but I am sorely tempted to go back to my bun, even if my hair is getting rather thin.

Snap I have the same problem unfortunately it is the styling products they use to create the effect and also to cover up any cutting mistakes.
I also think part of the problem is hairdressers aren't trained as they used to be very rarely now do you see signs in hairdressers asking for models.
I also think that as with shop assistants being unable to add up and give change all the hair products on the market have dumbed down the art of hairdressing

I am surprised there aren't posts from hairdressers on this thread! They complain to me when I am having my hair cut, about unrealistic clients who come in with photos of people who look nothing like them, so the cut they want won't work. The celebrity's hair (as others have said) is different from the person whose hair they are cutting. And we don't have a gang at home to do our hair and makeup — or airbrush the pictures later. The hairdresser is often as frustrated as we are, knowing they haven't made us look ready for the red carpet.

The suggestion to go in one day with hair as it turns out when styled at home is a good one. The stylist may learn a lot from that and be able to give some tips. And you may be surprised to discover the fabulous hair you envy belongs to someone with a lot of wigs...!

The cut is all! I drive 60 miles every 5 weeks to get mine cut. I realise this is crazy and keep trying local salons but then have to crawl back to my favourite to get it sorted out.

I found a new hairdresser 2 months ago. Before I went along I surfed the internet and copied an image of a hairstyle both back and front...I took the picture along and said "I want it just like this". I also told the hairdresser what kind of hair I have. She did excatly as I told her and I am very pleased. I'm going for a trim next week and will take along the picture again in case she doesn't remember me!

I recently had the pleasure of taking one of my granddaughters for a trim. 'Just take a couple of inches off, please'. The blank canvas of a face that greeted me was a picture I will never forget. The young lady only did metric and hadn't a clue. We had a very successful result via sign language! Still makes me smile......... Tapestry of life indeed.

I had the same hairdresser for donkey's years and I never had a poor haircut but she retired. My hair is still thick and very curly and as I've got older it tends to frizz. I don't have a hairdryer, I just towel, brush and hope for the best. I've had my present hairdresser for about 16 years and would like a change but don't know where to start. The problem with taking a picture as it's not just the hairstyle that matters but the face shape that goes with it so, for example, you might want a Judi Dench cut but it might look awful because of your face shape. I see people whose hair is exactly right for their face shape and wonder how on earth they've managed it. I want someone to look at me and decide for me what style would suit my face.

AmMaz I do and I'm so glad I do after years of dissapointment.

My hair is nothing special, I've only had three hairdressers in over thirty odd yearsand they all have known how to cut my hair.I'm lucky that my hair falls into place after it's been washed.I just agitate it a few times while it dries and Bob's your uncle.