Over ten years ago, a new hairdressing salon opened near my house. I used to walk past each day on the way home from work and one day, on impulse, I walked in and asked if they could fit in a cut. Since it was early days, they didn’t have many customers and I had a cut straight away. It was love at first sight, and I’ve been going faithfully to the same hairdresser ever since. I learned to schedule my appointments ahead of time because word got around. I stayed through two pregnancies (the hairdresser’s, not mine) and my move closer to Auckland, then disaster! My hairdresser is moving her entire business south to a thriving country town. I could travel to get there, but these days I’m watching my dollars and cents. The half-hour drive each way just doesn’t make sense when there are lots of hairdressers who are closer.
Then fate dropped into my mailbox. A local has opened a hair salon, working from home. Not only are they about ten minutes walk away, but they’re having introductory specials. Definitely a sign, I decided, and I booked an appointment. I’ll admit I’m a bit nervous. I mean what if I hate my cut and color?
Choosing a hairdresser is a tricky business. Here are some ways to choose a new hairdresser.
1. Word of mouth – ask your friends and family.
2. Follow people who have great cuts and interrogate them!
3. The needle in a haystack method – shut your eyes and hope for the best.
4. Study a salon. Is it clean? Will they give a free consultation first?
5. Check out the hairdressers own hair. If you can find one that has similar hair that’s a good sign.
6. Ask for prices. Is it affordable?
So, picture me nervous and quaking in my shoes as I walk to my appointment tomorrow morning. I figure I’ll give the place a chance and go from there. It’s winter here–I can always wear a hat if I have to, and luckily my hair grows quickly.
Do you have a regular hairdresser? How have you picked your hairdressers in the past? Do you have any horror stories to impart?
Related posts:
Ooh this is stressful. Hoping your new trial stylist is outstanding. fingers crossed.
by sandra cox July 27th, 2009 at 4:18 amI’ve been going to the same hairdresser for almost 15 years. There were a few times I experimented with someone else (mostly because of price, since the hairdresser is wickedly expensive) but I’ve always come back because they do such a fantastic job. Trouble is, the drive is about half an hour now that I have moved out of town. I know I should start looking for someone else as well, but I can’t quite bring myself to do it
by J.K. Coi July 27th, 2009 at 4:27 amI haven’t gone to a professional hair dressers in decades. LOL! My sister cuts my hair.
by Lucinda July 27th, 2009 at 5:51 amHi. I used to go to various hairdressers and found that ALL of them cut my hair the way that THEY wanted it cut and not the way “I” wanted it cut. Then I discovered someone locally. She is SOOO much cheaper (because she works out of her home) that I tip her quite well, but more importantly, she has cut my hair the way “I” want it cut for over 20 years now. I am not into trying different cuts. I want it short (I get headaches otherwise) and easy to manage. All I do is brush my wet hair and I’m out the door! It dries just fine and quickly too. It’s like a mechanic or doctor: once you find one you like, you keep going back! BTW, my hairdresser has SUGGESTED changes through the years (like coloring my hair), but I haven’t succombed. I’ve had a clump of white hair cut from my crown for 15 years or so but now it blends in with the rest so that extra (free) service is no longer necessary. She listens and I keep returning. I also recommend her to as many people as I can!
by Elaine July 27th, 2009 at 5:57 amI had a regular, and then she upped and left. For a couple of years I wandered, not happy. Then I went back to the same salon, and got my current stylist. He used to cut my former stylists hair, and I love him.
Actually you just reminded me I need to book an appointment. Its been far too long since I’ve had a cut and color.
by Amy Ruttan July 27th, 2009 at 7:44 amI do have a regular hairdresser. I’ve been going to her for about five years – I found her randomly, just took a chance. She’s great!
My mother had the same hairdresser for 25 years!!! She just retired – my mother was devastated.
Good luck on that haircut! I’m sure you’ll look fabulous.
by Karen Erickson July 27th, 2009 at 8:48 amI’ve been going to the same stylist for over ten years now. I’ve followed her to three different salons, and now to her home where she has set up shop. The only horror story was my own fault. I decided I wanted to try burgundy highlights, then got freaked out and told her to make them red. They came out bright orange — three stripes of bright orange in my long dark brown hair — looked like a bad Halloween wig!
I went in to have them covered up the next day…
by Helen Hardt July 27th, 2009 at 9:06 amWhen I was a kid we’d go to a chain place like Supercuts or Fantastic Sams, that were cheap. Then I used to work in a salon as the receptionist, I handled the bookings, cashing people out, stocking product and washing/folding towels. In exchange I got free hair services! I looked good back then. For the past 7 years I’ve been without a home salon so all I do is get a 6 inch trim once a year. it’s a straight cut so i usually just go to the beauty academy downtown, since they’re students it’s cheap.
Man I miss working in a salon!
by Amy W. July 27th, 2009 at 9:32 am‘Follow people who have great cuts and interrogate them!’ – LOL!
‘It’s winter here–I can always wear a hat if I have to.’ – LOL again!
I’m insanely lucky that my mom’s first job was as a hairdresser. So I had a professional cutting my hair since day one. Then my sister apparently inherited my mom’s hairdressing gene, because she enjoyed cutting hair just for fun, and was my hair dresser while we both lived in Toronto.
Now I’m back with my original hairdresser – Mom. She keeps me looking presentable, I must say.
by Julia Smith July 27th, 2009 at 9:39 amI’m surprised at how many of you have been for your hairdressers for such a long time. My sister moves from hairdresser to hairdresser. Obviously finding a good hairdresser is like marriage! My husband isn’t very faithful to his hairdresser either. He flits here and there. Me – I’m looking for another solid marriage.
by Shelley Munro July 27th, 2009 at 1:09 pmI switch hairdressers all the time. Though, truthfully, I usually color my hair myself… ;)
by Cari Quinn July 27th, 2009 at 4:56 pmI pick a new place every time I get my hair done. My hair grows so fast it doesn’t really matter to me how the ‘do looks. I’m easy when it comes to that stuff.
by Cheri Oggy July 27th, 2009 at 6:30 pmArgh! Changing hairdressers is very stressful. After moving to Oz it took me two years and about I can’t remember how many different hairdressers before I found one who understood what I meant when I said I wanted layers!!! I’ve been going there for the last 8 years and freak at the thought of the salon closing!!
by Christina Phillips July 27th, 2009 at 7:51 pmOkay – I thought I’d better report in and let you know how I got on with the new hairdresser. I was actually quite pleased with my cut and color and will probably return. It’s certainly a lot cheaper than my previous hairdresser. So, final verdict – I don’t need to hide under a hat!
by Shelley Munro July 28th, 2009 at 1:14 amGood luck with your haircut, Shelley!
I admit that I don’t have to deal with that anxiety. My hair is fairly long and straight and I’ve never had it colored. My sister-in-law cuts it for me every three or four months. I keep her supplied with my books. It all works out. :-)
by N.J. Walters July 28th, 2009 at 4:01 amUgh. I went to a really expensive salon once and told them to do “whatever”–thinking they’d know what would look good one me. WRONG.
by Jennifer Shirk July 28th, 2009 at 6:42 pmWorst haircut I ever had and a hard lesson learned.
NJ – that sounds like a great arrangement to me.
Jennifer – I’ve had a similar thing happen to me. The worst thing is that you never know until you’ve tried a hairdresser. At least hair grows back after a while.
by Shelley Munro July 29th, 2009 at 1:52 amWhenever I find a great hairdresser they end up moving or my finances change and I am unable to use them. I’ve had horrific hair cuts, but thank goodness they grow out until they can be cut again.
by Barbara Martin August 1st, 2009 at 9:08 pm