We used to gaze into each other’s eyes for hours. We’d talk. We’d laugh. He’d pour me another glass of wine and tell me I looked gorgeous. I would smile as I paid him, leaving his place more satisfied than when I walked in the few hours before. Am I talking about a sordid affair? No, just another woman flinging with the man in the mirror. My hairdresser.
As a blonde, I have always had a particularly regular and dependant relationship with my hairdresser. Sure, like any girl I have been though a few, but despite the flings in my early 20s I finally thought I had found a lasting relationship with my recently-estranged colourist. I would arrange my weekends around his schedule on the promise that some one on one time with him would restore and rejuvenate me.
It was fun while it lasted. He complimented me obscenely, and I would subtly correct my part in the rear-view mirror once I left. Although like so many relationships, it found its end. And it was bitter. He no longer listened to what I wanted, He didn’t seem to care about my feelings or what I needed. In the end, we parted due to what I consider to be irreconcilable differences. He wanted my hair to be platinum. I wanted it to grow. We had to split like the ends of my hair that had been falling out for a year.
Even though I had been forking out hand over fist for months for what I consider to be bad service, I found the situation strangely emotional and difficult. How was I going to break up with him? Some of my friends just couldn’t understand the problem. He is a hairdresser. I am an unsatisfied client. Just stop going back.
For me though, it just didn’t seem that simple at the time. For some reason I have always felt so vulnerable in the hands of a hairdresser. I have lost count of the number of times I have muttered, “wow, it looks great, I love it” only to walk out to the nearest shop window or mirror to try and re-arrange the mess on my head and try not to cry, yell, or kick myself.
I try to speak up and assert myself. At least I think that I do, but I am starting to think that I am perhaps a pushover. It’s not just because the person in question is usually wielding scissors either. I think I am afraid of upsetting the “artist” within.
I don’t know what I am so worried about. It’s my money, and if I don’t do my job properly, my boss or clients would have no hesitation in telling me to fix it to his or her requirements. Perhaps now I have left my twenties, I am reaching my so called “peak” in this relationship, too. I am old enough and experienced enough to know what I like, speak up about it, and assert myself in the hair room. No longer will I sit in a swivel chair until my bottom goes numb. No longer will I fork out obscene amounts of money while I grit my teeth (seriously, why does the price change every time?).
So with that in mind, I finally ended it with my former flame. After endless conversations requesting we stop bleaching only to be told I should sleep on a satin pillowcase instead (seriously), I broke up with him. By email. Baby steps.
Julie Alexander is a former lawyer, stay at home mum, documentary producer and wannabe Alpha Wife.
Are you attached to your hairdresser? Have you ever had to break up with him/her? How did it go?
Comments
150 Comments so far
Why can’t I find a hairdresser that can cut curly hair??
I had a fantastic hair dresser that knew exactly how to do it, I never new how bad it was until she did it!
loading...
I recently had an atrocious experience at Dario Controneo Salon in Sydney. The stylist didn’t listen to me and cut and coloured my hair completely wrong. The appointment ran hours overtime despite me arriving super early as I had a flight to catch in the afternoon. When booking she assured me I would be out with hours to spare but I ended up missing the flight as my hair was still in the basin! To top it all off the cost was outrageous! $500 for a haircut and $400 for colour? ! I just wanted to get outta there so ended up paying then running home to cry! Ended up writing an email of complaint but have yet to get anywhere!
loading...
This changing hairdresser thing can be so hard but even worse when they are a dear friend who you see every day at school pick ups. Way too hard to break up
loading...
The hairdressers I’ve had haven’t been too bad, it’s the colourists that have been shockers! patches of colour here and there, big patches of colour left on my forehead, big strip of browny blonde in my fringe that a work colleague asked if I had used my hair to wipe my bottom (oh charming!)
Funny enough I’m off to the hairdresser for a cut and colour, fingers crossed.
loading...
Had a great hairdresser for years until I foolishly allowed her apprentice to go ahead and do my hair when I was fifteen, assuming that she would be watching the apprentice. She did not, and I ended up with an uneven trim at the back, and a emo/scene 2008-era MySpace addict mullet cut at the front instead of ‘shaping’ in the SAME SHAPE THAT MY HAIR WAS ALREADY CUT. Hyperventilated all the way to the next hairdresser I could book into, she fixed it as best she could and she’s been cutting my hair ever since. She also did my Year 10 and Year 12 formal hairstyles, both of which were impeccably done and commented upon. Love her. As for the old hairdresser, Mum rang her up, balled her out for allowing my hair to be destroyed and she lost my business, my mum’s business and my sister’s business. I spent a year properly growing out my MySpace hair, she deserved it.
loading...
I have had the same hairdresser for 8 years. Even though I don’t see her outside the salon, “we” have been thru breakups (three each), marriages (one each), divorce (her), an engagement (one each) miscarriages (one each) and childbirth (one each, both girls). Last time I visited I got a cut, colour, blowdry and straighten, sound parenting advice, idle gossip, some smutty talk (her friend’s 10 year old walked in whilst the hubby was “going down”) a great coffee, to read a mag and a mind blowing head massage. I made 2 subsequent appointments when I left as a satisfied customer.
loading...
I’m with ‘bittersweet’. I use the VS Sassoon Big Hair Styler and for the first time in my life I can blowdry my own hair! Friends comment every time and ask if I just came from the hairdresser, no kidding. Still need salon for colour though, as in Sydney cannot help with Brisbane rec.
loading...
Help! I need a hairdresser in Brisbane. Have recently moved up – and I tried one near the Marriott hotel who turned my hair GREEN. And then insisted it wasn’t green, and I had to pay for it. Unbelieveable.
But point is – my hair is in serious need of help. Please, anyone?
loading...
I broke up with my hairdresser about a year ago, and finally found Niki at Rokstar in West End. She listens to what I want and gives me great cuts that grow out well, and don’t need a lot of maintenance.
Several women I know go there, and have been loyal customers for years. Some go to Nadine, the owner, for new cuts, and then see someone else in the salon for maintenance. However, I have been seeing Niki for over 8 months, and have been very happy.
Good luck!
loading...
There’s a level of intimacy with your hairdresser as there’s so much touch involved in the service. They can be your best friend and your counsellor but you’re still a client.
If you’re not happy you should speak up straight away. Hairdressers want to make you look beautiful and they want to know if you’re not happy.
Give them a chance to make it right, and if you’re still not satisfied go elsewhere!
The best way to find a new hairdresser is to ask someone with great hair, especially someone with hair similar to yours.
loading...
I have been with my hair dresser since I was 17 and I am now 38. I have never cheated on him (except two occasions, and only for up-styles… once at my sisters wedding because he had hurt his back and couldnt work so his sister did my hair and the other time was at my wedding in Jamacia and although I love him, I dont love him enough to fly him around the world – but no one else has cut my hair in the past 21 years!).
We have had periods where I wasnt as happy as other times, and we went through a stage where he seemed to spend more time with his more attractive clients, but I guess we worked through those issues and we now know each other so well, it works beautifully. But, like Julia, I think I would find it hard to leave him. At this stage, Im not sure what it would take for me to leave him. He does a great job and I have had changing styles over the years, he listens to me and I trust him completly. He has been there through everything and seen me change from a teenager into a woman, a mum and wife. I havent had a Dr or Dentist for even a quarter of the time that I have had my hairdresser. Even as I write that, something doesnt seem right with that sentence, but it is my reality. Im happy with him and he is only 10 years older than me, so hopefully we will grow old together
loading...
So true, your hair is their ‘canvas’ and their ‘art’ is more important than what you as client actually want sometimes!
loading...
Has anyone had any experience with Just Cuts?
loading...
I have. It was a rushed job, bad service and a quick go over with the hairdryer. I left the “Salon” with water still dripping from my hair.
loading...
Best salon in Sydney hands down is booth st salon 35 Booth St Annandale
9660 3937
Brad for the cut- he does hair for tv and also advertorial work
Racheal for colour- best balyage ever. Has done colour for Nicole Kidman and many many other celebs.
you will NOT regret it
loading...
I’ve just returned to my HD after going elsewhere for over 7years, I changed as life was too busy and I needed somewhere local and able to book an appointment within hours not weeks. It was like returning home, I love their work and missed them so time to get organised and make the extra travel time !!
loading...
Slightly off topic, but I want to share my best hair discovery ever.
I have very, very thick curly hair. I could never blow dry it myself at all – no ability whatsoever to simultaneously point a hair dryer and twirl a round brush. So for special occasions I used to fork out $60 ish for a blow dry.
Then I discovered the Vidal Sassoon Big Hair Styler. Changed my hair life. Imagine a big round bristle brush that blows hot air through the middle but – even better – the brush rotates itself (in either direction). It is absoultely amazing. I can now blow dry my very curly hair perfectly into a bouncy blowdry. And no, it doesn’t get tangled in your hair.
It cost me less than $100, so after using it twice I had saved money compared to going to a salon for a blow dry.
Here is a link: http://www.vssassoon.com.au/products/stylers/VS2775A.aspx
I know I must sound like an infomercial, but I love it so much I just want to share!
loading...
Oh my. How magical!
loading...
I love my hairdresser, even though he tells me my hair’s in such bad condition, ‘It’s like that of a cancer patient.’
loading...
Hmmm don’t get this dilemma, if they are not doing a good job then just don’t go to them! Problem solved!
loading...
I had this conversation with my hd a few weeks ago. We’ve been seeing each other for five years now & she told me that she doesn’t mind if her clients use new hairdressers if that’s what they want. She said that it can help people out of a rutt & there’s heaps of reasons for why you would go see someone else and she doesn’t claim ownership over people. She said that all she can do is her best to ensure her clients leave happy. I think sometimes we put too much thought into this sort of thing & perhaps it’s the client that’s putting pressure on themselves rather than the hairdresser.
loading...
Ah, have recently commenced this process due to:
(a) unable to get in with regular lovely hd & let salon book me in with who was free for a blow dry and they charged me $85 because she was a PRINCIPAL when normally I pay $60 for same job – not happy Jan.
(b) even booking 2 months out cannot get in with my hd – too hard.
So trying another salon, via vogue forums. I only get a hair cut about twice a year so do not mind paying but $85 for a blow dry!
I also use student salons around Melbourne – but really only for blow dry or beauty stuff. Saves so much.
loading...
So timely – I read this immediately after getting home from my hairdresser after doing a chop. Of the hair kind, not the hairdresser. I’m still shocked, although I know it looks good. Oh the pile of hair on the floor – EEP!
I love my hairdresser. LOVE her. I’ve converted so many people. It took me years to find someone who really did what I asked, and who was completely honest with me. I only get it cut every second or third visit, and I actually trust her to tell me when it needs it. Often she has a look & says “Nope, doesn’t need it!” Ahhh, honesty.
loading...
PS: You know too many of your friends have been converted when you all talk about “Emma” with no other explanation, your dad asks “Who is Emma?” and all the husbands respond “Their hairdresser!”
loading...
Can I ask how much you pay there Miss T?
loading...
Of course! It depends what I have done. She isn’t cheap, but I have never actually found a hairdresser who will do my hair cheaply. When I used to go to a chain they charged me about $250 because I have SO MUCH hair.
I pay about $170 for a cut, colour & blowdry but I think I’m given a discount.
It’s Emma Dean Salon in Balmain 02 9555 6249
She is amazing.
loading...
I broke up with my hairdresser awhile ago, my hair was getting damaged and they didn’t really care too much about it either, so I am now a very happy client of another salon, an extra ten bucks or so but definitely worth it!
loading...
Our hairdresser (for my two sons, myself and my husband) works in the same salon as our waxer. I want to break up with my waxer because I am so unhappy with my brazilians but can I still walk in to get my hair done, or my son’s hair and look the waxer in the eye? My waxer is lovely, we have a great laugh and everytime she finishes she says to “have a look or a feel to make sure you are happy with it”. But when I get home (block your ears boys!) I always notice she has missed a heap of hairs around my, ahem, bottom and on the inside of my, well, labia. I have never ever had a waxer miss these hairs before. Dilemma?
loading...
I don’t want to break up with my hairdresser, but she is friends with my newly ex bf and I’m scared she may just die my hair blue or something haha
loading...
What drives me nuts, is that when you actually point out that you’re not happy, and they begrudgingly try to fix it, there will always be another hairdresser that pops by your chair and says “oooh that looks amazing! That colour really suits you!”
Um, no. No it does not, and that’s why I’m complaining. You’re not the one who has to look at it every day, and I’m certain you’re biased to your salon!!
loading...
After serial hairdresser monogamy that always cost a bomb, I have discovered the solution for me – the local hairdressing school. The trainees do a cut and blow dry for $24 or it’s about $10 more for the near-graduates. It takes slightly longer than usual but they do Exactly What You Tell Them To. Presumably because their grades depend upon it. Maybe I’d be more reluctant if I was needing a tricky style cut or a colour but for a normal haircut it is awesome.
loading...
How did you find your local school??? Because that is the kind of thing I am thinking of.
loading...
I knew of it through friends who had trained there but also it’s in a main walkway in Brisbane (Brisbane School of Hairdressing in Adelaide Street). Maybe google ‘hairdressing school’ and your locality?
loading...
I found a awesome hairdresser, she did everything I wanted. I always left feeling like one of those ladies in the shampoo commercials. Then she went on maternity leave and I was left with her replacement, who I gave a chance to do my hair to only leave with jet black hair (when I asked for light brown) and a Mortica Addams haircut! Now I have to find someone who will be able to fix the colour without wrecking my waist length hair.
loading...
Exactly my dilemma. My hairdresser has gone off to have a baby and I had one post-baby haircut from someone else and I haaaaated it. Haven’t gone back to the salon. I’m too chicken to phone and ask if my hairdresser has come back from mat leave, even part-time! I loved her.
loading...
Good hairdressers are like good GPs, you hang on to them. Our local hairdresser was rude enough to sell the business and move to WA. One of her staff cuts from her home in my street though and while I haven’t always been impressed with her cuts, I gave her a chance and was very happy, so I’ll be going back.
loading...
i had the most refreshing experience a couple of weeks ago. i went to the hairdresser and asked for a trim. i left the hairdresser with a trim. seriously – she only took off a couple of cm at most. i was delighted
loading...
I found a fab new hairdresser at the beginning of this year. I have been so happy with her.
I am going tomorrow night for an appointment and sadly I will be saying bye-bye to her. She is leaving to have a baby. How dare she! When our relationship is still so new!
loading...
I’m going to have to break up with mine- she’s cut my hair for about 15 years (bar a couple of horrible encounters with other hairdressers). And now I’m leaving hear and it’s soooo sad! She’s going to teach me to trim my own hair though, but I’m going to miss her.
loading...
It’s so hard to find a good hair dresser! My dads friend who was his make up artist (he was a photographer before retiring) is awesome. She still does my Mums hair and I would love her doing mine (she spent five hours on me getting my hair brown from bleached blonde!) and she is a like a therapist too. I just never seem to manage to make an appointment cos I get sick so much and would hate to have to cancel at the last min! As a result my hair is sooo long and a disaster! Must go with Mum next time (if I’m not broke). But she is the only make up artist I have EVER liked! Last time I needed my make up done she wasn’t available, and the woman who did it made me look like a hooker and use cheap nasty products so when I got in the car and cried…..panda eyes and foundation running down my face! I cry alot and have never had that happen! So I redid it with my make up and looked soooo much better! I always judge a salon on what their hair is like and their make up! I don’t care if they don’t ware makeup just as long as it’s not cake face! Eww
loading...
Really need a good hairdresser in Melbourne south east suburbs…. Hopefully not too pricey…. I like going quite regularly!!!!! Can anyone help?? K.
loading...
ARTE AND FRANK. for cuts see Nick for colour Diego.
199 Carlisle Street ST KILDA EAST VIC, 3183 9531 7779
around $80 for cut/wash/blowdry i love love love them.
loading...
I go in see Nick and say do whatever you want!! have been doing this for three years and had adored EVERY haircut and colour!!!
loading...
I’ve just gone on a temporary ‘break’ with mine…after 6 years! It was so awkward as after a long relationship I couldn’t not turn up anymore. There was no issue between us either, that’s the hard part.
I only left because I had to get it done once when he couldn’t fit me in and the new guy was AMAZING. Never had so many compliments from everyone and so thought I must be onto a good thing…? Plus the new guy was half price (cash in hand)..unfort it wasn’t taken too well, I’m still feeling not quite right about the breakup though- clearly! Should I be feeling bad or love the new hair and move on?
loading...
Love new hair and move on!
loading...
I was having a regular colour at hairdresser recently, at the end is the usual blowdry however I pointed at a photo and asked if that style would work for me. Hairdresser offered to do it, which involved the blowdry then a couple of curls with curling wand (maybe 6-7 curls with the wand and her fingers through them – took under 5 mins).
When I paid bill, she charged me for the colour as usual and an extra $55 for a ‘style’.
I feel ripped off and haven’t been back. Am I over-reacting or am I right to feel ripped off? I have been going to this hairdresser for years.
loading...
RIPPED OFF! You have every right. I hate that. Definitely not ‘looking after your customers’ with that kind of treatment!!
loading...
Seriously???
Wow! My hairdresser used to do lots of different styles with me. The first time she offered I was worried but after MY requests got more outrageous LOL never a problem! Shame she quit to become a Dentist!
loading...
Thanks guys!
loading...
I recently (like a year or so ago) found a lovely new hairdresser at a salon just 5 minutes away from home. She does a really nice cut, takes her time and I am always happy with the haircut. (Styling wise, I always re-do it a bit once I leave, but that’s fine, I’ve been doing my hair for decades so I know it best!). Anyway, the salon owner – not my hairdresser – recently closed her second nearby salon. Result – prices jacked up by over 30% since May. Whilst I am (was) very happy with my stylist, I am offended by the presumption that closing one salon means customers at the other must pay through the nose. How rude. Result = searching for a new hairdresser as we speak.
loading...
My best advise which MOSTLY works, is 1. If you can afford a little more, always ask for the senior stylist and make sure you ask them how long they have been qualified. 2. I know this sounds stupid but if they have the hair type you have, they will often be more understanding about what you are trying to achieve. Ie wild and curly / fine and straight. It has works for me about 80% of the time.
loading...
My hairdresser has very similar hair to me, and she’s never done a bad cut or colour. She just gets my hair!! Good advise!
loading...
I can sympathize with all who have wrote about the gritting teeth while trying not to scream out “what are you doing to my hair!” if the hd gets a little too scissor happy etc and laughed at reading about fixing up the part where it usually is as I always have to do it! My problem with hd’s is that I find a great one and then they move or go on maternity leave and do not return to work so then I have to look for a good one again and go through the first couple of visits trying to explain exactly what I want, then inevitably the same thing happens and I have too search again lol
loading...
I have never had much luck being able to explain to HD’s what I want and how I want it to look… well its either me or them not understanding. I once had a HD doing my hair during the AFL Grand Final.. and toned it grey.. literally toned it grey so that I looked like an old lady. She thought thats what I wanted and I have to say I did speak up and ask “why would I want it grey allover like an old lady”.. she still didn’t get it and the boss had to finally pay attention and step in to fix it (goodbye chain hairdresser)..
So the after the last CUDO offer produced a result I did not like (but didn’t speak up at the time – I was so shocked at the zebra look….) I went home and used my brown eyebrow dye to tone down the glare and then went out and bought my own highlight products to do it myself next time!
I know its a professional job and takes lots of training etc etc.. and I respect that.. but since I am trying to grow it, until I can find someone that I am confident in with my fine hair, I am just going to highlight it myself and get my sister or mum to trim it.
loading...
I’m defiantly in the camp of smile through gritted teeth, walk out and furiously try and flatten the hideous bouffant style I have been given (why does every hairdresser I go to style my hair like I’m from 1940s deep southern USA!).
I have only twice rang up the hairdresser once home (away from their persuasive cool-ness) and complained, once it was for a hideous tiger strip do (caramel blonde streaks… more pure black, in blonder hair), the guy fixed it for me but I never went back.
But the second time, I let em have it at the salon….. I was given….. a mullet. Yep a full on mullet, worse than Mia’s pants! I have super fine, slow growing hair so my first reaction was to bawl my eyes out, and tell the hairdresser I looked hideous. I left the salon then rang her manager and asked how a “trim” could result in a mullet, warning bells should have been sounding off in my head by the fact I was turned away from the mirror the entire cut. I had to wear my hair up in a pony slicked with hair mousse for 6 months!!! Oh and the vitamins that help your hair grow don’t work….
loading...
a mullet?? That is awful.
loading...
I recently ditched my hairdresser and started going to the new/cheaper one at the other end of our local street. I still have to walk past the old one and have avoided catching their eye and waving as I once did. I was so worried about her knowing that I’d dumped her. Well my 3 year old has fixed things up…she stood at their open doorway and very loudly declared “Look Mumma there’s your old hairdresser!!” Ah…I suppose she knows now.
loading...
This post is so timely for me! I really want to break up with my hair dresser (to be honest I’m going to be a chicken about it and just stop going)! I am going overseas in a few weeks and I am desperate for a new cut that will travel well. I also just generally dislike my current cut. The problem is I have no one waiting in the wings. My current hairdresser came on the recommendation of a friend. I am not from Sydney and I don’t know where else to try. Does anyone have any recommendations for Sydney hairdressers? It’s a first world problem I know but I can’t stand my current do!!
loading...
I go to a great guy in Balmain. His name is Michael and I swear to god I walk out of there with Victoria’s Secret hair.
Balmain Crop Shop – 377 Darling St, Balmain. (02) 9555 8255
I live in Melbourne and only get my hair cut at that salon in Sydney. That’s how much I love him haha (helps that I go up to Sydney fairly regularly)
loading...
I was just going to ask whether anyone new a good hair dresser in my area! Thanks Daniella!
loading...
No worries.
Ps, Adriano Zumbo is just down the road too
Always good for a post hairdresser treat.
loading...
Mine is in Balmain too! Emma Dean Salon. I get it cut by Emma. I love her
loading...
Hi Daisy if you can hike over to Chatswood the loveliest hairdresser I have ever met has just opened a tiny salon called Beauty by Nao (she also a make up artist)
02 8003 6775.
You will never be able to go to another hairdresser again so proceed with caution.
loading...
I always end up saying thank you and answering ‘oh yes’ when asked if I’m happy with it….even when I hate it. Then I hate myself for not saying ”Actually no I’m not happy with that because it looks crap!”
loading...
Why why WHY do we do it. Crap haircut after crap haircut and you shell out for it. I am on the lookout for a new hairdresser myself after the worst haircut ever – she cut a chunk out of the side of my head and didn’t say anything and I saw her do it!!! Have been cutting fringe myself (yikes)!!!
loading...
I’m a hairdresser and have a large clientele. One thing I have a problem with in these comments is that people say they don’t speak up if they don’t like it? Sometimes it may be a small thing to fix or a styling issue. Just remember, we at hairdressers not magicians or mind readers! We don’t know what you don’t tell us!!!
loading...
I’ve had to break up with a few hairdressers, the first one was when I moved from Perth to Melbourne, then when I moved suburbs in Melbourne and the hairdresser I used to go to was too far away and then I had to break up with the most recent one because I moved overseas!
loading...
I love my hairdresser, she is doing my hair for my wedding in a few weeks, I have been going to her for 12 years, she is Japanese and cuts beautifully and my colour is sublime, gives a great head massage.
She and her husband have a salon and they are just so lovely, they don’t talk much, but they have lovely relaxing music and she makes the best cup of tea. I also know she won’t be leaving any time soon as she has kids still in school.
loading...
Ooh, I want to go there. they sound fab AND not having to make small talk. bliss. where is it!
loading...
I recently broke up with my hair dresser, I think in the end I think I was in love with his over the top fablousness and awesome gossip then I was with his hair abilities.
In the end the break up was bitter and I even had to change the shopping centre I go to to avoid being guilted in to going back.
loading...
I’ve been going to the same hairdressers for 27 years, ever since my first baby haircut!! I’ve only ever had one bad haircut (layers do not work on me!) and I figure one out of proabably about fifty isn’t too bad…..
loading...
I went to the same place as my mother for four years. I had no complaints, even after two bad cuts, but after she had one slightly disliked cut, she made me go somewhere else. I was piiiiisssssssed as.
Although I do like the current salon I go to. Turns out my best friend’s mother is friends with the woman who owns it, and my Dad’s been going there since before I can remember. I like this place.
And I am totally not biased by the fact that it’s named after the show Absolutely Fabulous… No, not biased at all.
loading...
I love my hairdresser, have been with her for about 3 years. She does great colour, she was the one who convinced me to go for a shorter cut, but last time I was there she wanted to cut it the same way as always, and I wanted something much more radical and very short. She said she thought I wouldnt be happy with it so short, and maybe we should do something a bit less drastic. I caved, she cut it the way she always does, it looked fine, but I left unhappy. Then I rebooked the next week, because I couldn’t stand it, and when I went in she didn’t have time to do my hair, someone else had to. The cut was disastrous, and I left for 3 weeks in Europe the next day with the worst hair of my adult life (ok not counting my twenties).
I am now desperate for a better cut, I know she can do it, but am scared to go back…
loading...
I’ve been going to the same hairdresser for around 12 years. I’ve known her for so long that I don’t even need to tell her what I want – I just gesture madly around my head and mumble – and she understands. It’s like she can read my mind.
But she’s in Melbourne and now I’m in Sydney. When I was in Melbourne a couple of weeks ago I went to see her with the intention of breaking up. But she did such a good job with my hair that I couldn’t go through with it. I decided we’ll just make long distance work. Still not sure how. Have suggested she open a salon here.
loading...
What an excellent article! I too struggle with being assertive and feel vulnerable with hairdressers. I’ve seen myself happily handing over $300+ for something i am super disappointed with yet I’m the kind of person that has been known to argue over why chai tea is 60c more expensive than english breakfast tea at a local cafe! (Does it really cost more? come on..lol)
Right now I have this dilemma..went to a salon I’d heard great things about to treat myself after finishing exams! I had to leave to catch a flight at 1PM so asked whether it would be possible to do colour (no cut) in time. I was assured if I arrived at 945am I would be out by 12PM so I went along early on Saturday morning excited about my new look. I had previously checked prices on the website and saw that ‘balayage’ which was what I was intending to get cost $85 which I was happy with.
I explained I wanted a creamy, cool, blonde as I hated my current dirty blonde tone. That I wanted something fresh and different. In the end even though I kept asking about the time..I was still at the basin at 12 and didnt get out of there till after 1PM (so missed the plane) She ended up doing balayage but also a partline of foils…when it came out I could barely tell the difference. I asked for it to be styled with GHD type waves, but they said they didn’t use curling irons at their salon and it ended up turning out frizzy and awful! The end price? Just for colour? $280!! I can’t believe I paid but was so stressed about missing flight and just wanted to get outta there! Went round the corner to the pub, saw myself in the mirror and started crying..basically all this money I’d saved and my hair looked awful..more like yellow straw than cool, creamy blonde..
How would you deal with this? Should I go back and request a refund? Ask for it to be fixed? I am so unhappy and it cost SO much more than I anticipated..Anyone had a similar experience?
loading...
i too have suffered the aftermath of a poorly executed balayage – it seems that hairdressers generally cannot pull this off!!! i took in a picture of lily aldridge and ended up with a big block of orange halfway down my hair, not to mention the damage to the condition of my hair also (frizzy, like you say). i got a refund and you should too, especially since you missed your flight!!
loading...
Do you have proof of your missed flight? If so you should take it in and show them and tell them that they told you that you would be out of there by a certain time.
I would def go back and speak with them and tell them you’re not happy.
loading...
If its only just recently I’d definitely go back and ask them to fix it at no charge. Or if you can’t trust them again with your hair request a refund. Its a lot of money to spend on something you hate, and have to wear everyday until it grows out for you can afford again to have it fixed.
loading...
Your salon should pay for your flight, they made a promise they couldn’t keep. That’s pretty bad, I’d definitely write to management about it.
loading...
Oh when balyage goes wrong. I swear by Paul @ Brad Ngata (Syd). I came to him in tears from another bad hairdresser. He fixed it so well. Love it!
loading...