My hair stylist, who I am totally attached to, as many of you know, is gone! She quit around 3 weeks ago and moved to Puerto Rico. I'm in a major pickle now because I desperately need a cut in about 2 weeks (actually I need one now but I'm trying to space them out so I can spend less).

She is the first and only person who ever actually gave me what I asked for. Every time I told other stylists what I wanted, even with a picture in hand, I would always end up with their idea of what I should have: a sleek, sophisticated, allegedly no-fuss soccer mom bob. When I asked for layers and texture, I would get one layer that was about 1" shorter than the rest of my hair, and it would be flat and limp and utterly boring. After years of trying and failing to get what I wanted, I finally just gave up and grew my hair long because I thought it was just something wrong with my hair--that it couldn't hold the style I was after.

When I found my stylist, I still had long hair and she did a great job. She cut all these super short layers that gave it volume and shape, which is exactly what I needed with shorter hair. I thought maybe it was time to give short hair another chance, while I had a competent stylist. And I was right--it was perfect and it has been great all year.

To complicate matters, the last time I saw her, I tried out a new style this one, if you recall), and I didn't really like it. I want to go back to my old style. So whoever cuts my hair next won't even be able to see how she used to cut my hair and just trim/clean it up.

Sooo...what do I do now?! I have never found asking for recommendations to be very helpful. Hair is so personal. Different stylists might be better for thick hair, long hair, with scissors rather than razors, etc. Unless I find someone who has the exact cut I want with the same texture I have, a recommendation isn't very helpful to me. All those stylists who gave me soccer mom cuts came to me via recommendations. Since I have had such negative experiences with other stylists, I am leaning towards just growing my hair long again.