Please Help. It Keeps Happening to Me!

It is not just you. I have been stylist shopping for a year because I can't find someone who will consistently give me the cut that works for my hair type. It is hard to leave someone who is nice, but I suggest moving on to find someone who will listen. If you can, find someone who has a hairstyle that is similar to the one you want and ask that person where/who they go to.
Good luck!

HI A. well I live in Monrovia,CA My hairdresser is cool and she loves long hair! give her a call ###-###-#### her name is Khris. Let her know that I recommended you:) So she can treat you good or great! good luck :)D.

call ashley at salon diva in laguna niguel. she is great!

Go and see my hairdresser. Stephanie G. at Essence Salon in San Diego. She is great! I usually see her every 2-3 months. And I always want something different each time. I usually bring in a couple of pics of what I am looking for and she will tell me honestly if it will look good on me based on my skin color, hair color, shape of face, etc. I have never gotten a cut and color from her that I didn't totally love! And I usually get a lot of compliments from my friends about it afterwards. I'll be seeing her on Saturday for my "holiday" cut and color ....I can't wait!

And while you are there...book an appointment with Myra upstairs for a wax or sugaring. I prefer threading for my eybrows, lips and chin...but while I am there at the Salon I usually squeeze in a sugaring either before or after my hair appt.

Essence Salon
2603 Denver Street, San Diego, CA
###-###-####

P.S. Since I really like her, I am willing to drive down from Poway for appts. (about a 30 minute drive). And trust me, I wouldn't drive that out of my way if she wasn't that good :).

Did you tell her at the end look at the picture and look at me do they look the same and did you refuse to pay because the service you asked for was not done and if you paid because you felt she at least cut it did you withhold the tip because the tip is for good service and if you didn't get what you requested it was not good service so if you are tipping them everytime they think you are happy and that they know what looks better on you because it is their job and you keep going back. Speak up for your self at that time you don't have to be rude or mean just tell them this is not what you requested and at the start next time tell them you were not happy with your last hair cut (if it was them or not) because it was not what you requested and you want to be sure they understand what you want and make them tell you back what they heard so you are both on the same page. Best of luck at your next appt. I am blessed that my daughter and mother are both hairdressers I don't know what I would do without them.

I used to have a problem with hairdressers cutting my hair short enough. When someone finally did I found out why others where afraid to do it. It was tricky to get it right and it was such a change I had to get used to it that way before I liked it. Now I love it. You may be asking for a difficult cut. Your hairdresser may not know how to do it. When you finish with the cut what do you say to her? I mean if it's a matter of more cutting just sit there and say I want more layers here I want more layers there. Don't get out of the chair until its right. At the salon I go to people come back in if there is some aspect of their cut they don't like. My hairdresser takes them right in and redoes their hair before other clients. Shoot me an email if you are interested in seeing someone new. She's in Cerritos

this may sound horrible, but i have found that gay men take better care of my hair then even other women. Give them a try. It's a little awkward to ask for one, but 9 times out of 10 the men who work in salons are gay... so the chances are pretty good. :)

I think you need a stylist with a different skill level. One thing I learned from my current stylist is that to have a beauticians licence to cut hair is simply a matter of safety, they don't teach you how to cut and style hair in beauty school. That knowledge comes from workshops and additional training you get by your own incentive. A guaranteed way to know your stylist is knowledgeable is to ask if they teach any workshops. Also price point is the dead give away on a good and knowledgeable stylist (in my anecdotal experience). I also get a layered cut and have very thick hair. Not everyone can do it well. My stylist charges $80. I've decided, thats just where I have to be price wise to get a good cut. For a while I gave up trying to explain what I wanted because I lacked the proper terminology and ended up with mediocre hair cuts. The guy who cuts me know says he cuts my hair in panels and whatever that means I don't know but the result is fabulous. If I ever have to get a new stylist I've decided, i won't go to anyone who doesn't teach workshops and who doesn't know what it means to cut layers in panels.

A., I feel your pain. The best hair dresser in the world is Sharri ____@____.com is the owner. She will listen to what you want, if she doesn't think it will complement you, she will tell you. That is what I love about her. She does AMAZING things with hair! Call her now!!! ###-###-#### 22311 Brookhurst street ste. 101, Huntington Beach, Ca. 92646. I've sent tons of people to her & EVERYONE loves her!

Hi A....your hairdresser absolutely should listen to what you want...what area do you live in? Both my daughters are hair stylists and both have been published, do photo shoots, weddings, etc. and are very accomplished. They listen to their clients, will make suggestions if asked and work with the client....they both have retained their client base for many, many years. One is in Anaheim Hills (however she's moving out of state the first of the year, but will be returning once a month to continue taking care of some of her clients, but she could recommend someone in her salon) and the other is in Murrietta (currently on maternity leave, but is returning in mid-January)...If either of those areas work for you, let me know and I'll give you their info....Good luck!

Aliz,
I have only experienced this one time and really I had to leave her. We are paying good money for what we want. I love my hairdresser now. She is in her late 50;'s but she is really hip. She shows me her ideas and if I like them she will go for it but if I do not we talk it through to make sure it is exactly what I want. We do this with color as well. I have seen her fix several women's hair who have had bad experiences elsewhere.

Her name is Linda and she works out of Alexander's Salon in Corona and her direct line is ###-###-####. Call and talk it over with her first.

I've had your experience before too A. and it stinks!! I love my stylist Paula at the Beverly Hills Vidal Sassoon. She is so cool and super skilled. Paula will listen to you and give you the cut you want to the extent that it works for your hair.

Dear A.,

I know you mentioned that you really don't want to switch salons but with so many wonderful hair stylists out there you really have the control. I was going to the same woman for years. She loved me because I never really had anything specific in mind but when I started suggesting what I wanted she would always do what she wanted. I finally switched to my close girlfriend, which I was hesitant to do. She is wonderful. Again, I'm pretty easy going however, I do require that my haircuts be different each time I go. It doesn't have to be anything drastic but something subtle as I like change. So needless to say my girlfriend is a good fit.

It's not fair for you to leave hating your haircut. You should feel cute, sassy, sexy or whatever other feeling you are trying to capture. I don't know where you live but if you let me know perhaps I, or my girlfriend, can recommend someone great for you.

Good luck.
~S.

Hi A.,

I noticed you live in Encinitas, CA. I used to live there and went to Divinity Salon and saw the owner, Jay. He is great, you may want to try a new salon. If you don't, I can say what others have said and that is to continue to communicate to your stylist before you even get out of the chair. I know it can be difficult as we don't want to feel like we're questioning their abilities, but you're not. You're simply trying to better communicate exactly what you want. The picture is good, but continue with words - "here is the haircut I had before and it is exactly what I want again. Last time I came, you did xyz nicely, but I really want more layers here, here and here." Also, if you think your style has a name, then perhaps try finding it online. When I went from long hair to short hair, I was going for the Posh Spice cut, but obviously cuts look different on each person, so I looked up the name of the basic cut - a graduated bob. I went in with the picture, said I wanted a graduated bob, told my stylist exactly what I liked and didn't like about the cut. I will say it took 3 cuts before it was 'exactly' how I wanted it, but it was a learning curve for me too. also remember that our hair changes as we get older, so while a cut worked for you once, it may be more difficult to obtain again - thick hair to thin hair for example. the key is communication, if she still isn't doing what you ask after very detailed communication, move on. Divinity Salon is beautiful, and the people are very nice and talented. Also remember every stylist does something better than others. I loved Jay at Divinity when I had long or medium length hair, but when I wanted a really edgy cut, I just wasn't getting it from him. Sometimes I think they find out what you do for a living and put you in a box. Be the haircut you want and maybe they'll see you in it;) I don't know just a strange thought.

Hi A.. I am sorry you are having such bad experiences at the salon. I am a hair stylist in Huntington Beach and would love to give you the cut and style you want. I work at Salon doMane on Brookhurst and Adams. My name is K. and the phone number is ###-###-####. I have been told by many people "Thank you for doing what I ask and not what you want."

I have had this problem with stylists too, and I would say keep looking. I finally found a stylist who listens to me and does exactly what I ask. She's in Manhattan Beach, so a bit far for you, but I'm certain you could find somebody local who you don't have to beg to give you what you're paying for!

I am a hairdresser in L.A. and many of my clients come from Yelp and Citysearch referrals. Yelp reviews are a great help when you are picking a new stylist. You can get a feeling of a stylist's specialty and temperment in addition to the clientel of the stylist based on the reviews- good and bad! So before you go to someone new, do your research.
It took me for ever to find a hair cutter I like (Calista at Andy LeCompte). If you are ever in L.A, come see me! I'd be happy to give you a consultation on how to talk to your hairdresser so he/ she gets what you are looking for. Good Luck Mama!
Alexis Roberts
Helmet Salon
323/848-8570
15% off cuts with me for any Mama from Mamasource until 1/15/10
Mention Mamasource when you book or type "Mama" into the notes section when you book online.
www.helmetsalon.net

A.,

She may be nice, but if she keeps cutting your hair the way SHE wants it and not the way YOU want it - is it worth it??

I've never had great luck with hairdressers until recently. I thought I would give one of those "stop in, no appointment" places a try since clearly the others weren't working out. I was really surprised. I go to The Perfect Cut in Carlsbad, on El Camino Real, by the Vons, the number is 760-434-888. I've been going since early 2008 and tried a few different stylists. I also now go there for highlights and love the gal who does them so I also have her trim/cut as needed when I go for dye. Her name is Lucia. She's great and always colors and cuts the way I like. When she's done, I look at it and have never felt shy about asking her to fix or adjust something that doesn't sit well with me. Since they don't accept appointments for cuts you just have to go in and put your name on the list, tell them you don't mind waiting for Lucia (a person or two may go in front of you due to the rotation but you'll end up with Lucia and I'm willing to bet you'll like her)!

I have definately had that problem before. Where do you live? I know of two good hair stylists. One in Thousand Oaks and one in Studio City. Respond if you would like a name and number.

When she has finished do you tell her you like i and it looks great or do you tell her this isn't what you asked for?? Start there.