Comments (29)

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  Hmmmmm, yeah, my story is your story, sure. So, as a kid my dad cut my hair with clippers often nipping my ears, giving me a butch and successfully traumatizing me. Later I went to his barber. I hated hair cuts. Once I hid in a folded up hide-a-way bed but somehow they found me. Then I got my haircuts from a woman who did my moms hair, Nandee. Okay, my hair was longer now but I still hated getting hair cuts. Several years back I noticed the people who cut my hair were afraid to cut it short enough, in about two weeks it'd look like it'd never been cut. And so I started cutting my own. It wasn't easy at first and the back is the hardest, but now I cut my own, don't tip (I mean what do ya tip yourself?) and look a bit like a lunatic, but a gall darn beautiful lunatic.If you can get out as fast as you can, tell 'em you left a burrito in the microwave or suggest you bring your poodle in for a flat iron treatment. and then run, run like hell.Do they ever cut the back of your neck with a straight razor (or a gay or lesbian razor for that matter)? That used to happen to my grandma sometimes and has happened to my mom too. Run, run like hell. Tip? Tip? How 'bout open your eyes when you're cuttin' my hair sister.So, anyone wanna buy a Flowbee real cheap?Anyway, enough of my crap. Wishing you good hair and a speed recovery soon. Report Spam Posted by markblemish at 12:41 AM on 03/22/11

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  speedy. Report Spam Posted by markblemish at 12:43 AM on 03/22/11

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  @markblemish - Yeah, 'cause a speed recovery is what Charlie Sheen is doing. Allegedly. Do you seriously have a Flowbee? I remember when those came out; huge joke. Report Spam Posted by miss_daphne at 12:49 AM on 03/22/11

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  That has happened to me in the past, but now I don't care if I sound rude, it's my head! I'll just say oh fix this or that. I've had to many disasters. And I always bring a photo from a magazine of printed off the internet of what I want. Report Spam Posted by lavabunny at 1:21 AM on 03/22/11

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  never got a hiar cut I liked until one of the little girls from church grew up and is now a hair dresser...get exactly what I want every time! I used to cut my own for years, but now it's just too hard and I like the stack thing I have now...lol...yay Cassi Report Spam Posted by tammy_lynn at 3:43 AM on 03/22/11

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  I was a hairdresser for many, many years, so that's where I'm coming from: always say what's bothering you. Be specific. Say "please stop" if you have to. You can go back within a week or so (give yourself time to regroup) and say "This isn't exactly what I had in mind..." and again be specific. Photos are awesome.On tipping: if the only clue the hairdresser has that you're unhappy is the lack of tip, she's going to feel a little bad that you didn't speak up. She wants you to be happy as much as you want to be happy. Best to speak up and tip small. Report Spam Posted by hbomb at 5:15 AM on 03/22/11

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  This happened to me once. I was very sad when I got home. I had to keep my hair up in a clip for a few weeks until it grew out again. I kindly said it was not what I had asked for, still gave a small tip and did not go back. Report Spam Posted by ajohns at 7:27 AM on 03/22/11

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  I've never left a salon feeling upset. I once cried over a haircut my mom gave me though haha. Report Spam Posted by rubyslippers at 7:48 AM on 03/22/11

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  I hate when this happens! I usually don't speak up and always leave a good tip lol ughh...like last time I got my hair colored (and my stylist is usually fabulous) my roots turned out much lighter than the rest of my hair...it didn't look too bad so I didn't say anything, I left the salon when it was dark outside though and then the next day I really noticed it...a coworker even asked if I'd gotten highlights on just the top of my hair?? I figured I'd wait a few days to see if the rest of my hair faded a bit...well it kind of did but it's still quite noticeable(you can kind of tell in the pics from my Gangster Party blog)...I hesitated on whether or not I should go back to her this time around but decided I am going to and I'm going to point out the lighter roots. She always asks how my hair was last time preluding to what I want to do this time, so it shouldn't be too awkward, plus there will be plenty of lighting since I have a daytime appointment, so I'm sure she'll notice anyways, right? hmm.. Kay this comment was way too long, clearing I'm still talking myself into being honest with my hairstylist!lol Report Spam Posted by sweeetkristen at 7:58 AM on 03/22/11

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  It's definitely important to speak up. Ideally, I think you should both be clear on expectations during the consultation. If your stylist isn't giving you a good consultation and you don't know what to expect, make them keep talking to you before they start cutting. Sometimes we lay people mean a different thing when we use a word than a stylist will know it to mean. If you're bringing in a picture, ask the stylist if they think the cut is going to work for your face shape, whether they plan to modify it and how, where your overall length will hit, where the shortest layer will hit, where they plan to take away bulk or add volume - whatever it is that concerns you about your hair and your cut. If it seems like you're on the same page and you still get a disappointing cut, I'd just explain what's not working for me if I were in your situation. If they can't fix it, you can always speak with the shop manager or owner. Like @rubyslippers, I've never (in my adult life) left a salon unhappy with my cut. I've also never had to have my cut corrected because I've always had good consultations. As long as I walked out happy (and I wouldn't walk out unless I was happy), I would still tip the baseline amount I intended to tip. If a stylist went above and beyond to correct what I was unhappy with, I'd tip above and beyond. Basically, always speak up! Practice doing it in small doses if you're not sure how to do it or it makes you uncomfortable. I hope your botched cut grows out quickly so you can put the mess behind you! Report Spam Posted by alicatstrut at 8:19 AM on 03/22/11

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  Ugh! I know how you feel! Hairstylists think that you wont like whatever edgy hairstyle you bring to them and then they talk you out of it very slyly and then you end up unhappy because you didnt get what you came in for. Either do not tip at all or tip very little.I went in a while back and asked for a pixie cut and she thought I wouldn't like it so she gave me a mid-length cut that had everyone I knew calling me a mom [I was 20 for petes sake!] Anyways point is: Go to a stylist who will do what you ask them! Report Spam Posted by dreapuff at 1:04 PM on 03/22/11

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  Oh man, I've had several experiences like that and I almost always don't say anything. I wish I was better at speaking up, but in my case the hairstylist wasn't being mean - just clueless. I've been to many different stylists & I learned a few things. When starting with someone new, I just have them do something very basic and test out their communication. If I feel like we communicate well & I can trust them, then I go back for something a little more edgy or involved. It's always tricky going back to a stylist to fix a problem - in some cases I have in other cases I haven't because I wouldn't want them to come near me with a 10-foot pole. Anyway, I feel your pain. Finding the right stylist is almost like finding a sole mate - it's difficult but well worth the search! Good luck! Report Spam Posted by weslee at 1:36 PM on 03/22/11

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  @dreapuff - I hate when a stylist tells you that they think you won't like it - when you are the one asking for it!! Augh! I wanted my hair cut short one time & the stylist absolutely refused. I kept telling her to cut more please and she would literally only snip off a few centimeters. So frustrating.Another time I wanted my hair lightened, but the stylist was afraid so I left with barely noticeable "highlights". Why be in the industry if you won't give your customers what they want?? Report Spam Posted by weslee at 1:40 PM on 03/22/11

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  Whatever happened, I'm sorry. I have felt taken advantage of. On time I left and called to complain and went back. Do "complain" about it. They maybe able to fix it. . . . and yeah, I did tip, but not as much as I would have otherwise. :( {{{HUGS}}} Report Spam Posted by w1drwomn at 2:02 PM on 03/22/11

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  I had a horrible hair cut about 7 months ago. If I had my way I would NOT have tipped her. My friend paid for it (including tip) before I was done. She didn't do anything I had asked for, cut a good 4 inches extra off, and I had random chunks throughout my hair that was an inch or more longer than the rest. I tell everyone not to go there because of this. I ended up a haircut that was in the middle of my neck (the longest part was supposed to be at my collar bone) and a bob like thing (it was supposed to be an A line). Report Spam Posted by adri_ba_dadri at 2:15 PM on 03/22/11

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  Currently I am lucky enough to work in a salon. When I first started I was too nervous to ask more senior level stylists to cut or dye my hair, so I had an assistant do it during their weekly class. He never did a bad job but he took forever and was nervous. Eventually I got over my nervousness and asked a senior stylist to cut my hair and I love it. I just give her some basic guidelines and let her do her thing. My only problem is I either have to work here for forever or hope I can save $85/month for a haircut haha Report Spam Posted by rubyslippers at 2:23 PM on 03/22/11

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  Yep, and this is why I still don't have a stylist in California after living here for nearly two years. I either cut/dye my own hair or wait till I can go see my guy (who I can trust to make me look good without any direction at all) in Utah. The one time I tried a new person in CA, I left in tears and I haven't been able to get up the guts to try since. Sorry to hear that you're going through this situation! Report Spam Posted by triplyksis at 2:28 PM on 03/22/11

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  I have been there! I am so sorry! : ( I see that you live in Cali. I am not sure if you live near me, but my girl, Jillian is AMAZING! The salon is called Citro and it is locate in Danville, CA. She is younger, edgy and has been trained among the best. I have never had a bad cut and I am super picky! Maybe she could save your hair? Here is the link to the salon. http://citrosalon.com/Home.html Report Spam Posted by clothesminded at 2:43 PM on 03/22/11

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  My stylist moved out of town, but she got me an appt. with the salon owner who's always booked solid. I took a pic in with me. I wanted an asymmetrical bob, mostly shoulder-length, curving around to having one side considerably longer than the other (by 2" to 3"). I didn't want any bangs or texturizing - just clean, simple lines. My hair is fine = texturizing is bad. He said he hadn't done a cut like that in a long while so it was a different look, which made me feel confident that he was listening & knew what I wanted. I've been growing my hair out a bit in anticipation. In the blink of an eye, my length was gone. There was no going back. Then I realized he was texturizing the bottom. I spoke up there and after evening it out, he stopped. I was shocked which made me quiet. And that's a good thing. If I hadn't left in a hurry, I would have flipped the f**k out and caused a scene, which I didn't want to do. Anyway, there is nothing to fix. Except cutting off the texturized part which would leave me with hair that's too short. I just have to wait. But I guess it'll give me time to find a new stylist. Report Spam Posted by miss_daphne at 3:04 PM on 03/22/11

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  Look on the bright side. You have a wonderful excuse to go out and buy yourself an adorable new hat. Report Spam Posted by sorapandora at 3:24 PM on 03/22/11

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  we've all been there - it is NOT fun - hats, lots of hats - thats how I deal - it just happens sometimes -that's why when I find a stylist I love, I never look back - I'm loyal and will only go to them :) Report Spam Posted by sweetshorty at 7:27 PM on 03/22/11

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  I've worn long styles most of my life, and almost every time I've had my hair cut or colored in a salon I'm not thrilled, so i don't go anymore, I just cut my own. I'm not good with fancy but i can do a good trim and some simple layering. I first practiced on dogs, then on hubbs and sons, then myself. Report Spam Posted by kshoffman at 11:23 PM on 03/22/11

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  hhaa that picture!! I used to have this girl do my hair and she would never do it right! I always felt too mean to say "ummm. Wtf are you doing?" One day, the owner noticed my facial expression when she was done. he realized that it wasn't what I wanted and HE did my hair. From now on, I only make appointments with him. I feel like he's the only one I trust now. I don't tip him because he's the owner. But i normally would tip anyone else. Report Spam Posted by stelllar at 12:42 PM on 03/23/11

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  I rarely get my hair cut because I am a raggedy mofo but when I was younger my hair was super tangled so the lady who was cutting my hair decided she was too lazy to untangle it and just cut it all off. I cried for days and got made fun of a lot. One time I asked for short choppy bangs and they ended up lookin like crap and weren't really jagged at the edges. They looked so dumb and I had to wait for them to grow back. Report Spam Posted by atomheartmother at 3:15 PM on 03/23/11

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  I will not let anyone touch my bangs, unless I KNOW they can trim them! I went to this haircut place a few years back & she cut my bangs like an inch from my forehead!! Yeah, it looks cute on asian people, or rockabilly ladies with black hair, but not on me with a larger nose and slightly wrinkley forehead!! lol Report Spam Posted by luv2kreate at 5:22 PM on 03/23/11

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  No Flowbee ;-) Report Spam Posted by markblemish at 11:53 PM on 03/27/11

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  this is a classic, save this one, and show her when she is older. Report Spam Posted by divelegant2 at 5:07 PM on 03/29/11

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  I have only been to a salon a couple of times in my whole life...first time was a major change since had super long hair.....the next time was last Dec.30...time for a change tho' wasn't my intention when got there.....was a gift from friend who had a standing appt. for her own hair.....got color (tad lighter than my own original espresso locks) + highlights for the first time throughout my crown....was sporting a high pony tail when arrived and for too many years,so found an asymmetrical style that I liked,tho' wanted it a bit longer than pic....she would not let me look until finished and cut it shorter than I wanted,but my hair grows quickly and is now 3 months later....of course the roots are showing and I need the dark brown color again and can't afford to go back....would do myself,but don't know how to put in the highlights myself without getting the brown mixed in.....do they sell caps with holes to do the foils myself?the hairdresser did a nice job and have rec'd many compliments....she used the pic as a guideline,but didn't listen to me about keeping more length,so wasn't sure what to do about that....she is young and talented,but needs to listen to her customers more.... Report Spam Posted by artisangoods at 3:07 PM on 04/02/11

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  I had highlights done once and they spilled the bleach on my face. It was in the summer time and it literally bleached a spot on my face as the rest of my skin got more tan. Looking back, I wish I would have gone back to the salon to let them know what happened! Report Spam Posted by soofaye at 2:49 PM on 04/04/11