haircut rant

crazyone

Ok, it's been almost a week since my bad haircut, and I'm still quite upset...

I went to a hair salon last weekend to get my ends trimmed since I had a lot of split ends. I carefully discussed the length of hair to be trimmed, and also that I wanted layers to be put in, and both my stylist and I agreed that the layers in front should be long, to chin length. She specifically told me that longer would be better. Instead, she ended up cutting them cheekbone length, actually they are now a bit shorter because at that exact length they kept falling into my eyes so she made them shorter to stop that from happening. Her excuse was "Whoops, your hair bounced up on me so I ended up cutting them shorter...but I'm sure you'll love the haircut!"

Well, I don't love it, despite the fact that she kept repeating that to me the entire time I was at the salon. In addition to having these extremely short layers, it was only when i got home that I realized she didn't layer the rest of the hair at ALL...it's basically these two short locks of hair on either side of my face, that don't fall nicely with the rest of my hair, and the rest is very bluntly cut. I did notice at the time that she didn't spend the time putting side layers in that they usually do but I assumed that she was just faster than others. Even when I freshly comb/style my hair it's hard to get those pieces to fall with the rest of my hair.

I don't get it...this is a very basic women's haircut that I asked for and she totally messed it up. Plus I wanted the exact haircut I already had, but just with the ends trimmed--so those guidemarkers were already there! I did express my displeasure at the salon and was offered to be given the haircut for free, but I didn't feel right accepting that, after all I still used her time and services. I really don't like the way my hair is now, but I think I'll have to wait out several months to get my front hair back to the length where it'll actually fall to the length I want it at.

Thanks for listening to my rant! I'm still debating whether I should get the front layered by another stylist...but that's additional money I don't want to spend right now (and risk having it become worse, it's not like I have a good stylist I can count on)

7 years ago

General

12 replies

Latest reply was from crazyone

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Oh damn. That sounds horrid!

My advice - you go back to this salon and you ask for them to 'fix' your hair as best they can. Add layers where you need them, so all your hair looks a bit more 'balanced'. You HAVE paid for a service and the stylist messed it up. If they have another stylist, have him/her fix things and make sure this happens free of charge.

I say that because while you were paying for a haircut you weren't happy with, you didn't realize at the time that there are no layers anywhere but the two short front bangs. You paid for that hairstyle already....so go back and get it.

7 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

I am so sorry! I don't know how things work where you are, but my stylist will also correct a mistake, or if I am not happy I can go back and she will do what needs to be done have me be happy at no extra charge.

7 years ago

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

CO, I do feel your pain, so, so deeply. I have almost the identical issue and am still feeling bitter after my last haircut 3 weeks ago. I too wanted what I think was very simple, straightforward cut, I know my hair enough and have seen it cut properly (by someone whom I cannot go to again *sob*) and I left nothing to chances but was very specific, yet I was left with messy job and much lighter vallet too. It's not enough to tell myself "it will grow out", because it's not just about the bad haircut, but about losing trust in the stylist as well - that is the worst. Just thinking I have to look for another stylist and spend all that time and energy, then let them cut my hair in order to asses only then whether it's good or bad job, just makes me feel deflated.

My advice is not to try with another stylist right now to fix the issues, unless you know someone who can get it right for sure. Either go back or just wait for it to, well, grow out. You risk being doubly disappointed. That's may be my over-cautious, still-hurt-and-angry advice, but I could put myself in your shoes and that's what I'm doing right now, letting mine grow and assessing where to go next.

Btw, have you seen this Angie's post? It breaks down the hair related issues perfectly.

7 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

I agree with Ornella - sit on it a bit and let it grow. I wouldn't go to the same place to fix it. I had a similar bad cut a while ago and the fixing (still the same day and place) made everything worse. I would only go to a different stylist for a fix if there is one you really trust and you say you don't. I took the chance and went to a different place after a few weeks and found the stylist that is still cutting my hair. He fixed the mess in the course of several appointments. But I was definitely lucky.

Can you give those strands the "growing my bangs out" treatment? Change the part and pin them in place? Just to make you feel better until they're grown out again.

7 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Is this a stylist with whom you have a prior relationship? If so you should absolutely go back and figure out how to do something better with your hair. Something that will make you happier than what you currently have. If you do not have a relationship with the stylist, but rather the salon, I'd speak with the manager to see what they can do to make it right, or at least better so that you are happy. They may not be able to do anything with the front layers which you don't like so short (although maybe it doesn't look as bad as you think?), but at least they can make the back and sides more interesting and layered which is your preference.

BTW you are so lucky to have hair that can be layered! I love a layered haircut, but could never pull it off.

7 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

I feel your pain. I had a bad hair cut a year ago. I felt awful while it was growing out. I went to a new stylist closer to home (my old stylist lives 3 hours from us).
If this is a stylist you know well then I would go back and ask for a fix. If you don't know them then I would stay away from them. Hair always bounces up. She should have known that. I would start looking for a new stylist. I would gather some pictures of the hair style I like. Then I would approach women on the street with good hair cuts and ask where they get their hair cut.
I now go to my stylist 3 hours away. I will never stray again.

7 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Oh how upsetting! I'm sorry you got such an uphappy haircut!

I learned something terrible when I stumbled upon a master stylist after getting a really bad haircut at a chichi salon: the license is only the beginning of training. After a person graduates, they may go to a Supercuts like place, where they're trained to do something like 12 cuts, and they do those 12 no matter what. The chichi salon is only a little above. Maybe the stylist learns 20 cuts, but they don't learn a lot about hair. Which is amazing, but as far as I can tell true...

7 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

Interesting what Rachy says. Makes sense. When someone graduates they are not an expert. That is only the beginning. Keeping on top of their craft is an ongoing process.

7 years ago

Thirkellgirl

Veteran

Oh, I am so sorry. My daughter went to a stylist at an Ulta near her college apartment who did a fantastic job (collarbone-length bob with lots of layers) so she returned four or five months later, and the original stylist wasn't there so she let someone else do her hair. She was furious that she ended up with the original layers gone, and shorter hair than she'd asked for. She did let it grow out for about five months, and just went to her original stylist back here at home, and of course it's wonderful again. She now believes me that lower-end salons (and I suppose some newbies at higher-end salons) don't take the time that a truly experienced stylist does, and then they cover it up with hair products and a poofy blowout. Her current haircut doesn't even need a blowout to look good.

I'd be reluctant to let someone at that salon take another whack (literally) at your hair. A couple weeks growth will make a big difference, and maybe in a month you can try somewhere else.

7 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So frustrating. I can see the wisdom of both sets of arguments here (go back and demand justice! or stay away and look for a better stylist). Maybe you could do both. Yes, you paid for a service -- but you did not get the service that you asked for. Meanwhile, it's likely that this stylist just isn't up to par or doesn't understand hair like yours. A lot of stylists are awful with curly and wavy hair. They don't have the experience. Looking for someone whose hair is similar to yours in texture, whose cut you admire (even if different from what you want) and asking where they get it done, and then going armed with photos, would be a great way to start a relationship with a new stylist. It does usually take a cut or two before they are familiar with your hair, though. You sort of have to "train" them. Ornella's right, it can be exhausting.

7 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

This is frustrating and I feel for you. I would definitely go back ask them to fix it as much as possible.

7 years ago

crazyone

Veteran

thanks for all the sympathy and advice, everyone! I think this stylist was just incompetent, I can't believe she was surprised by hair bouncing. Also, she didn't do the measuring out the layers and carefully snipping them that most stylists do...she just took a lock of hair and cut it with scissors the way you can with paper...by just using the base of the scissors and not actually closing them. So bizarre. To be honest, I did go to a cheapo place, but I've been to them probably a dozen times over the last several years and never been seriously unhappy like this before. I've gone to more expensive places and gotten essentially the same type of haircut, so I thought going to this place would be fine for a simple trim. This was the first time I got this stylist, though.

Ornella: I feel your pain so much! This type of situation is so frustrating, isn't it? And like you, I feel burnt by the situation and am reluctant to put my hair in the hands of anyone right now. Fixing a bad hairstyle is harder than just cutting long hair.

Astrid and Thirkellgirl: I think I'll take your advice and hold off on getting another haircut until it grows out a bit. Like Thirkellgirl's daughter, I think I may have to wait 4-5 months...

7 years ago

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