Bad Hair Day: Your Advice! - YouLookFab Forum

I want to apologize in advance for ranting. I went to my hairstylist yesterday with great hopes and tons of pics of what I wanted and yet, came home with a big lump of tears stuck in my throat.

The cut is not what I wanted, it's actually too long on the top and shorter than what I wanted in the back. The top really bothers me. When I said so she snapped that no, she couldn't shorten it any more. I understand she must be frustrated with me, because this is not the first time I ask for a tweak after the cut. We have a communication issue I think, because even if I tell her what I want, show her picks, she still does it more her way. What I want, she says, is dated. But I know that it would fit my face better, and I want to try it very badly.

This is, I must say, a very good, professional stylist who has given me some very good cuts in the past. She is more avant-garde than most stylists in my city, but it seems she has this one avant-garde style in mind only, which is not quite me.

I am so discouraged because
1) It will take some time to grow out the back ;
2) I just paid CAN$250 for hair and colour (and I have extra short hair) and feel same or worse level of frustration with my hair compared to prior going;
3) I hesitate to go elsewhere and have it ruined further
4) right now my schedule is extra extra tight, so even if I want to fix it, I'd have to wait at least a week.

Even if, when I left the salon, she didn't want to touch it back, do you think I should write her an email to ask her for a retouch? Or should I just vote with my feet and leave her?

12 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

Sounds like both of you need a break from each other because you aren't seeing eye-to-eye about how your hair ought to look.

If I were in your shoes, I'd drop her a brief note thanking her for being your stylist but also telling her that you were needing some time away for now. If you think it might be true, you could also tell her that you'll contact her in the future when you are ready to use her services again. I'd throw in a couple of nice chocolates if there was any possibility that I might want to return just to keep it "sweet".

Your leaving in tears and her snapping at you is not a healthy working relationship; you both deserve better.

Bumping for Krishnidoux because this got posted in Greg's Support area.

RoseandJoan

I think Gaylene is right, in this situation most people vote with their feet and move onto another salon. It is fantastic to have a stylist who will advise and guide you through a restyle but ultimately you deserve someone who listens to your needs. It is you and not them who has to live with the results.

Anonymous

'The customer is always right' isn't that what they say? I'd have have changed hairdressers a while ago. As RoseandJoan said it is you who has to live with it.

Freckles

Yes it seems that it's time to take a break from her. As an avant-guard stylist she told you her opinion that it was dated. As the client you told her that is what you want. It is her job to do that! No excuse.

T-Rex

$250??? I would have a hard time walking away from that.

If she isn't willing or able to tweak this latest cut for you, perhaps the manager of the salon will be willing in order to keep your business.

And after that, I would definitely take a break from this stylist. Try to leave on good terms, in case your style sensibility converges with hers again at some point in the future. You may want to revisit her again.

Suz

(website)

Oh, Krish! I am so sorry you had to deal with this. There is very little more demoralizing than a bad haircut. Our hair is so important to us. Not only that, but this is a lot of money! Money that I'm sure you could have imagined spending in other ways, considering what you got.

I think it is quite rude of her to say that what you would like is "dated." If she doesn't think it would suit you, that is something else. But to label a style dated without exploring what it is that the client likes about it or thinks will be flattering seems a poor decision.

How strong are you feeling? If you are feeling flattened, then perhaps voting with your feet is the best response. We only have so much energy, and you are very busy right now with other things. In a month, your hair will have grown enough for a new cut and in the meantime you could seek a new stylist.

But if you are feeling strong -- or think this battle would strengthen you --- then perhaps it is worth a conversation with her or the manager, in order to recoup some of the cost.

HUGS!!!

Ornella

Please excuse my shock. That is a lot of money for a hair that is not up to the standard you expected AND infinitely more for bad relationship with a customer. Does the lady stylist think faithful customers fall off the sky just like that?

Vote with your feet. If you're after being badly treated in a salon, you can get that for a lot less money. This, as you say, is not the first time she did not do as asked.

But before that stand your ground and ask for what you want, dated or not dated. You have every right to expect certain level of service.

We all make mistakes and have our own thoughts that motivates us in making our choices. Sometimes you can get a stylist to fix a issues and they will be happy to do so, but she doesn't sound like the type. From what I read it sounds like she considers herself an "artist" and will always have a tendancy to do her own thing. Is is time to not walk but RUN and find someone that is more open to doing what you know works for you.
Sorry you have to deal with bad hair but it will grow in no time.

missvee

I agree with Tracina. If she wasn't able or willing to give you the cut you wanted the first time around, what are the chances that she will be successful now? Her attitude is appalling. You definitely need to find a new stylist. What a nuisance. Fortunately it will grow out, so take heart. Btw, I was just watching the news (CBC National) and Wendy Mesley has a very cute cut - she reminds me a little of you with her delicate and pretty features.

siniestra

Active Member

Divorce her! is what u want even if is dated or not! I used to have some issues before till i found the students of beauty school in my area they cut my bangs right! and do the haircut i want with some suggestions that i can take it or leave it! Its scary to leave the hairstylist but sometimes is for the best!.

Ingunn

It really sounds like you should vote with your feet (what a wonderful expression, BTW). You certainly deserve better service, and your should never need to leave feeling that way from a hairdresser. Look elsewhere instead.

krishnidoux

Wow! Thank you for your overwhelming support! I guess I should never throw a post out there and then be too busy to look for another day. My bad. Your comments are helping me greatly to see more clearly in this.

First, I decided that $250 is now too much to pay for my hair. I have this vain side to me that no matter my lifestyle, I badly want celeb's worthy hair, but I am actually sacrificing too much for it. Because beyond the $$$ there is the blues of having spent all that $$$ and still be unhappy, and that in itself is too much.

Second, thanks to your advice, I am divorcing this stylist. I will however write her a kind note, think of the chocolates if they're on my way, and move on.

Below is what I had wanted (which I stole from Shannon's gallery), next to it is about what I actually got (older pic from a previous haircut, but it's the same today). I understand that my hair was not quite as long in the back but it was getting there; I am sure it could have been more like pic 1 (now it really is too short). As you wisely point out, it will grow, and at this length, it's quick.

Thank you again!

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Krish, you look beautiful even if this is not the cut you wanted. But the idea that cut #1 is "dated" is just absurd!! I am glad you are going to find another stylist.

It is too bad it would cost time and money to come to Kingston. I know a good stylist here for short hair! And she is a lot less expensive than Madame Know-It-All.

The way I have found my stylists often is to find someone whose haircut I like and ask her where she gets it done.

lyn67

Oh, Krish, I can so relate! Sorry for your not exactly what you wanted cut..I happens to me, all the time. I too have an appointment this week, and am really stressed about how to make her understand what I want. It seems we are speaking different languages, or she does only a few cuts, she knows better...But I still stay with her, for various reasons(mainly because I haven't found anybody else giving me better cuts, and really am finished with experiencing).
Sending you hugs, and am sure your hair is not bad at all, you have just been stuck in an ideea, and it's hard to see it failed). So sorry for that,..:-(

BTW, where is Taylor? YLF's all times hairdresser?

Came back to say,-as I have only seen it now- you have a very edgy cut, like your pixie sooo much!:-)

Krish I forget exactly where you are located these days but I know an excellent stylist who has locations in Kanata and downtown Ottawa. If you're interested pm me.

I rolled my eyes at the thought of a grown out crop being dated.

FWIW Krish you do look lovely with the shorter sides, I hope that's of some consolation as you begin to grow out the back and sides.

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