![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by becksA on January 28, 2006, at 20:01:35
(i self-redirected this, thought "social" might be a better place for it., sorry for the double post).
I have been searching for a new salon, I get horrible haircuts at my old place. I found a great new place but I'm not too happy with the one I got stuck with for my first time last week. I know they have much better.
I had no referrals, so I just had to go in blind. What's the etiquette with something like this? I can't just go around testing the waters trying every stylist in the salon! What do you all usually do?
Thanks
Posted by Phillipa on January 28, 2006, at 21:03:14
In reply to Choosing new hairdresser, trust me, read on!, posted by becksA on January 28, 2006, at 20:01:35
You must be a mind reader as I have the same question. Just moved to a new area. Need a cut and color and don't know where to go? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by becksA on January 28, 2006, at 22:28:04
In reply to Re: Choosing new hairdresser, trust me, read on! » becksA, posted by Phillipa on January 28, 2006, at 21:03:14
hopefully people will have some answers....my main problem is not finding the salon obviously, but a good hairdresser INSIDE the salon. it would be quite rude to "test the field"
Posted by alexandra_k on January 28, 2006, at 23:01:53
In reply to Re: Choosing new hairdresser, trust me, read on!, posted by becksA on January 28, 2006, at 22:28:04
i replied on relationships.
but basically... referrals.
Posted by alexandra_k on January 28, 2006, at 23:02:41
In reply to Re: Choosing new hairdresser, trust me, read on!, posted by alexandra_k on January 28, 2006, at 23:01:53
or...
some places have a pricing structure (or at least they do over here)
so there are senior stylists (charge the most and are typially the best)
and junior stylists and so on...
Posted by James K on January 29, 2006, at 0:03:35
In reply to Choosing new hairdresser, trust me, read on!, posted by becksA on January 28, 2006, at 20:01:35
I think you have to determine what kind of hair style you want and what your hair issues are. Then you need to find if their cutting philosophy is a good fit with yours. You may have to try several stylists before you find the one that can help you. It helps if they are knowledgeable about products so you can keep your shampooist, colorist, and trimmer all on the same page. Maybe they will work with you on payment if insurance is a problem....
Posted by LegWarmers on January 29, 2006, at 1:37:34
In reply to Choosing new hairdresser, trust me, read on!, posted by becksA on January 28, 2006, at 20:01:35
trial and error, ask the person when you go in or call if it would be ok to try a few people until you get the right fit, otherwise Id go from salon to salon until you found your match.
Posted by Sarah T. on January 29, 2006, at 2:27:32
In reply to Choosing new hairdresser, trust me, read on!, posted by becksA on January 28, 2006, at 20:01:35
I went through this recently, and I'm still not satisfied. I have to remind myself how long it took to find a good hairdresser where I used to live.
Actually, I've been appalled at the hairdressers I've tried recently. I've been to SEVEN in the past year. Several charged more than my previous hairdresser, yet they weren't nearly as good. And some of them didn't use clean brushes and combs when a new customer sat down. The brushes should be disinfected for each customer. That is absolutely disgusting. YOu can catch lice and fungal infections, among other things, from dirty brushes.
I think it's best to ask friends whose hair styles you like to recommend a hairdresser. And ask for a hairdresser who specializes in your type of hair. For example, some hairdressers may be good with short hair but not long hair, and vice versa. So, when you see someone whose hair is a lot like yours, and if you like the way their hair looks, ask them who their hairdresser is.
Posted by Dinah on January 29, 2006, at 12:19:43
In reply to Choosing new hairdresser, trust me, read on!, posted by becksA on January 28, 2006, at 20:01:35
This is an area of huge anxiety for me. I don't know what it is about hair stylists, but I find the whole atmosphere intimidating. Like it's a secret club and I just don't know the rules.
I kept going to the same person for years, just because I knew where the shampoo area was, and what the procedure was. When my old salon took on a floor or so of water, and my hairstylist relocated, I figured I was really paying too much for a simple blunt cut. So I went to one of the $11.95 haircut places, and now I have a crooked blunt cut.
So if you find the answer, please pass it on.
Posted by Tabitha on January 29, 2006, at 13:04:33
In reply to Choosing new hairdresser, trust me, read on!, posted by becksA on January 28, 2006, at 20:01:35
I gave up on salons and learned to cut it myself. Probably not a good solution for most people, but it works for me. I just do a blunt cut with some long layers, and no color. My mom did the same thing, so maybe I've inherited the tendency.
Posted by Bobby on January 29, 2006, at 13:57:07
In reply to Choosing new hairdresser, trust me, read on!, posted by becksA on January 28, 2006, at 20:01:35
I'm also trying to find a new hairdresser. My strategy is to find someone with a good haircut and simply ask them who their hairdresser is. Otherwise, it's a shot in the dark.
Posted by Racer on January 29, 2006, at 15:00:26
In reply to Re: Choosing new hairdresser, trust me, read on!, posted by Bobby on January 29, 2006, at 13:57:07
If I see someone with a good haircut, I ask where they go. They're usually flattered, and are therefore generous with the information.
Of course, it's taken me nearly 10 years now to find a good hairstylist, and we haven't *quite* adjusted to one another yet. I like his work, but haven't quite felt he'd "got" me quite. Close enough for a second cut with him, though. He owns the salon where my last great hairstylist worked. After ten years, I just called that salon and went to him. That was after several Not Good cuts, and several years of me cutting my hair myself with horse clippers. (<<No joke. Clip the horses, clip my own hair.)
I've got VERY short hair right now, and I'm pretty much liking it. Gotta lose weight to go with it, though...'
Funny story: when he cut my hair the first time, it wasn't nearly as short as I wanted it, but I couldn't say that so I made an appointment for a short time in the future. Then called to cancel, and told him that I needed to wait for my mother because she wanted to have him cut her hair, too. He obviously thought I was making an excuse to fire him. So, when I heard from my mother, I called back and he was surprised to hear from me. I had to tell him, then, what it was: my husband liked the first haircut so much he didn't want me to get it cut again so soon! So, now we're OK again. He's a good guy, does a great job, so if you want his name...
('Course, I can name a few other places that were highly recommended, too, so if you're in San Francisco you're set...)
Posted by alexandra_k on January 29, 2006, at 15:50:44
In reply to Choosing new hairdresser - trust me, read on!, posted by becksA on January 28, 2006, at 20:00:00
hmm. i decided to grow my hair. mostly because when i had it styled... i found i would sometimes get rather bad haircuts. i think it is because... i hate having my hair cut (get scared of getting a bad cut) so i think the stylist doesn't have much fun cutting my hair... so i tend to get a bad cut...
:-(
but then i have unruly hair :-(
usually... i think people tend to go with salon / stylist referrals. you can even ask a stranger on the street. at least... that would be perfectly acceptable over here... see someone with a haircut you like and ask them where and who cut their hair. most people... will feel flattered you liked their cut. but maybe thats not so appropriate where you are? i dunno about that.
otherwise... i remember a joke my dad used to tell me... when you are trying to choose a stylist in a salon you should go with the one with the worst haircut. why? well... someone else in the salon probably cut their hair!
(and thus you sure as hell don't want them)
maybe (just maybe) there is some truth to that?
;-)
Posted by becksA on January 29, 2006, at 15:50:44
In reply to Re: Choosing new hairdresser - trust me, read on! » becksA, posted by alexandra_k on January 28, 2006, at 22:58:09
yep, not a bad idea!
thanks
Posted by freckafree on January 29, 2006, at 15:50:45
In reply to Choosing new hairdresser - trust me, read on!, posted by becksA on January 28, 2006, at 20:00:00
> What's the etiquette with something like this?
Geez, trying to find a new stylist sucks, doesn't it?
We all tend to develop personal relationships with our stylists. But remember that a salon is a business, and the owners want to keep you as a client.
In a business relationship, you can't really go by social etiquette.("Is it rude if I ask for another stylist?") On the other hand, you don't want to be branded as the whiny client from hell.
>I know they have much better.
Use that knowledge! What is the difference between what you got and what you know they can provide? The next time you call to make an appt; say, "Soandso cut my hair last time, and the cut just didn't work for me." (i.e., you're not blaming the stylist). If you can pinpoint the difference between what you got and what you want, ask for a stylist who is good with...
Having said all this, I've had the best luck with asking someone I think has a great haircut where she got it.
Good luck!
Posted by Dinah on January 29, 2006, at 16:41:16
In reply to I talk to strangers, posted by Racer on January 29, 2006, at 15:00:26
Talking to strangers was how I found my favorite stylist ever (not the one I saw pre-Katrina). I saw someone with fine thin hair and a nice cut, and just asked. Maybe I should try that again.
Posted by TexasChic on January 30, 2006, at 21:02:48
In reply to I talk to strangers, posted by Racer on January 29, 2006, at 15:00:26
> If I see someone with a good haircut, I ask where they go. They're usually flattered, and are therefore generous with the information.
This is actually an excellent idea. Ask people you know and don't know who's hair you like. I'll have to start doing that myself. I'm VERY particular about my hair, and my friend did it for the last 8 years. But we had a falling out, so now I have to find a new one.
The last time I got it cut I chanced it and went to one of the cheapo places, Great Clips, Super Cuts or something. The girl I got had really cool hair. She had it blonde on top and dark on the ends like I've been wanting mine. It was one of the best haircuts I've ever gotten. Of course I didn't catch her name, I didn't realize how much I was going to love it until later. So I guess looking at THEIR hair is a good idea as well. The more modern and trendy they are, the better in my opinion.
Also try cutting out lots of pictures and educating yourself on what kind of cut you need for your particular hair type to get the style you want. For instance, my hair is really thick, so I will never achieve one of those wispy do's. I actually have to have it thinned out with a razor, otherwise its just so heavy its like its plastered to my head. Thinning it out actually makes it look fuller. Also I want to be able to pull it back in a pony tail if I want, so that means not cutting layers too short. And I know I like something that is low maintenance for everyday, but can be styled more formally when going out. For work I leave the house with it wet and let it air dry. For a more formal occasion I blow dry it smooth with something like Frizzease and use hot rollers to make is either flip up or under.
I'm always telling people not to get me talking about my hair. I'm like, obsessed with it or something. I could talk about it for hours! I think I may even have a hair fetish of some kind.
-T
One of the things I have a hard time controlling is running my hand through cuteboy's hair as I walk by him. He lets me get away with it even though I know he isn't really a touchy feely person.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.