It seems I either get just a 'so-so' cut - not bad, but not something that wants me want to run back to that person. Or I end up in the chair of an 'artiste' that apparently isn't paying attention to what I am telling them! I am VERY specific, explaining the cut I would like and how I style my hair. I think it's very important to tell a stylist how I do my hair, and what I am willing/not willing to do at home, so they can give me a cut that I'm capable of working with.

So today, I go to yet another new one. Very popular salon. The owner cuts my hair. The top looks good, but the back...OMG! I knew it was short, but when he finally handed me the mirror it looked like a drunk gerbil had been turned loose back there! WTF??!!! He said he liked to cut hair 'in its natural growth pattern'. With my hair, that translated into a bizarre, uneven, crazy bottom line that included what looked like a bald spot!!!! I made him fix it so it looks relatively even, but now it's really freakin' short, and above that are these kind of 'ledges'. It doesn't look totally awful, and I know I'm the worst critic, but jeez! I TOLD HIM WHAT I WANTED!

The even WORSE part is what I was charged. I almost had a stroke when I got the bill. I knew he would be high, so his $65 cut was not a surprise, but I also got highlights and lowlights from another person at the salon. It was a partial - only the top of my head. $130!!!!!!! Are you f'in kidding me??? The list price said "85+". Yes, my fault for not asking for the definition of "+", but $130.00?????!!!! It's always p'd me off that you're charged more for highlights+lowlights anyway. If I got all highlights, it's xxx price. But add in lowlights and the apparently hugely expensive extra step of mixing an additional bowl of color is then factored in. It's the exact same amount of work! Give me a break!

This is the 4th new stylist I've been to. I am NOT asking for a difficult cut! I just don't understand! My next move is to say "what the heck" and go to the person that cuts a coworker's hair. She goes to Great Clips or Supercuts, forgot which, and her hair is really cute. Those places have always terrified me, but I'm beginning to think they are the way to go. At least I'm only out $15 for a potentially carpy cut instead of $50 - $80! Or maybe I should just get a Flowbee...

I have had decent luck with the walk in Great Clips cuts. Those stylists are trained at the same local schools as the high priced stylists. The difference is that they break out the services ala carte. If you go in for a shampoo, cut and style, you end up paying just a little less than a full service la de da salon. If you go for a cut you get just that, a cut. No style. Again, visual aides are a must. I can describe all day long but only a photo really shows them what I have in mind.

I'm currently dealing with a really, really dark dye job. I said match my natural color. See the roots back here... Apparently my natural color roots at the back of my neck are nearly black. Ugh. She offered to do a "bleach wash" to help it lighten but I declined. It'll fade, right? Yeah. It'll fade.

weed, omygod, what a waste; it will grow in so maybe go to supercuts for an in between trim so you are not commiting to an all new cut.

I'm not totally in love with what my hairdresser does but I am terrified to change.

My hairdresser also knows that I will keel over and then I'd trip her if she ever put black in my hair or gives me the "helmet hairdo". I think that's one reason I stay because she knows what I like and dislike.

Isn't it sad/interesting that some of us are unhappy, but scared to change?
It's like "I want to find a new stylist, but they might give me an even WORSE cut...."

Pray for me. ;)

please don't give up. I've been in your same position but just keep searching and you'll find the proper one. I have very curly hair, and that's why I can't go to any hair dresser as most of them are not good at cutting styling curly hair. it took me a lot of time to find a good hair salon but I did and I am sure you'll find yours ;)
where about are you from? if you live close to where I live you should definitely try Batia&Aleeza, these ladies always did a great job with me.
I hope it helps!
bye bye

sfra

I have decided to go back to my original stylist for color. $50 for highlights/lowlights and she does a good job. The search for a decent stylist will continue.

Maybe next time I need a trim I'll go to Supercuts.

WISH ME LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!

She did a great job! I showed her a few pictures of styles I liked, then told her what I didn't like about my current cut and what I wanted the outcome to be. She came through with flying colors. Fixed what she could, explained why she couldn't do one thing I asked, and didn't trim too much off. (my current cut is only 4 weeks old.)

The cost was reasonable too -- $28 for wash/cut/style, and when I inquired about highlights/lowlights: $45 for partial foil highlights, $5.00 additional to add lowlights :)

That stylist's prices sound good to me too.

weed, it's almost as important, lol....