Nasty attitude to microtrimming

[kganihanova]

I went for a microtrim today and not only did the stylist not know what that was but she also got a bit of an attitude about it. To quote, "You know to make hair grow, you need to cut more." She also ripped through my hair with a styling comb (not wide tooth comb) and I could hear the hair snap. When I mentioned this to her, she told me I was being ridiculous. Is there any way to make salon visits be less of a pain for my next visit?

[Vrindi]

Go in and talk to the stylist before you make an appointment. Find someone who knows how to treat long hair. Ask if you can bring your own shampoo. Usually, if they say "no problem" to this, that's a good sign. Tell them before hand that you are not interested in anything you're not interested in (color, bleach, layers, pixie cuts, etc.) and that you've had bad experiences in salons in the past and want to avoid them. Just stay polite and friendly, and you can walk out any time.

[kganihanova]

Thank you Vrindi!

[Narya]

Ugh. Well, if somebody told me I was being ridiculous for complaining that s/he is breaking my hair by improperly combing it, I would not pay. You were the customer, and "the customer is always right". Also, her attitude is very unprofessional, in my opinion.

Maybe for next time, you can go to a different stylist, and tell him/her before hand that you have a very specific idea of what you want, and you do not want opinions/suggestions that go against what you ask for; then, ask if they think they are able to do only what you tell them to, because you had bad experiences before and are not willing to go through it again, and won't pay for any other kind of service. Of course, be nice about it, and if they ask what you want, be specific (like "very careful combing, so no hair at all snaps, breaks or is pulled; and a microtrim: just trimming a few mm of my ends. Nothing more.")
I think that with a thorough previous talk you should be able to communicate what you want and that you won't pay for something else, so if they do not follow through it would be their fault, and you could leave without paying and without feeling guilty.

ETA: I think Vrindi summed it up much more nicely than I did :lol:

[Leeloo]

I went for a microtrim today and not only did the stylist not know what that was but she also got a bit of an attitude about it. To quote, "You know to make hair grow, you need to cut more." She also ripped through my hair with a styling comb (not wide tooth comb) and I could hear the hair snap. When I mentioned this to her, she told me I was being ridiculous. Is there any way to make salon visits be less of a pain for my next visit?

Sure, it's Feye's self trimming method. I don't expect a stylist to know what micro trimming is. Usually they’ll just look at you funny like why you even bother to cut a half inch off type of look. It’s not something that is covered in beauty school I don’t think, so learning to self trim is probably the cheapest, less emotionally scaring, less hair damaging and most controlled way to get a micro trim.

[psimons]

My last stylist kept hitting my forehead with the brush and left red marks on my face. I find that sometimes, they are careless or in a hurry. I asked her not to touch my face with the brush or comb because of my uber-sensitive skin - and then everything was fine.

[Liz_park]

Sure, it's Feye's self trimming method. I don't expect a stylist to know what micro trimming is. Usually they’ll just look at you funny like why you even bother to cut a half inch off type of look. It’s not something that is covered in beauty school I don’t think, so learning to self trim is probably the cheapest, less emotionally scaring, less hair damaging and most controlled way to get a micro trim.

Leeloo has excellent advice and I 100% agree.

I used to dread going to the hair salon because stylists would never really do what I asked. On my last visit in April I explicitly asked for a microtrim, just to even out the ends. I was very clear that I wanted absolutely no layers added, that I was growing out my hair, that I wanted all one length, that I had bad experiences in the past. The stylist nodded sympathetically....and then did the exact opposite of what I asked! :( I ended up with three inches off and choppy layers, some shorter than chin length. It cost $80 and ruined my hair. So sad.

That is when I started researching hair growth and found the LHC.

I discovered Feye's self trim method and gave myself a trim to remove the layers and start fresh in August. I have never been so happy with the cut, and I will never visit a hair salon again.

[longhairedwolf]

I would be very careful about trying to leave without paying, even if you are unhappy with the service. They could call the police on you. Better to speak to the manager (but still be prepared to pay).

[Isilme]

Ugh, find a new stylist next time. But keep in mind that micro trimming is a term that is not widely known and the hair business seems to have a lot of misconceptions going around. Either way, you are the customer and ridiculing you is a no-no in business.

[MsBubbles]

Another vote for Feye's Self Trim! I haven't had any salon woes or snippy 'tudes since I learned how to self-trim.

[massivecnqstdr]

I completed hair school without any training of microtrimming. Never even heard the term until I joined this forum. I think maybe your expectations were a little out of order. Next time, I recommend calling around for a stylist who knows a lot about maintaining long hair.

[spidermom]

I think interviewing any prospective stylist is a good skill to practice. If there's an attitude, then don't schedule with him or her.

Recommendations from other people with great hair is a good way to find a stylist, but again - interview; make sure goals and expectations come together.

Self-trimming is a useful skill to develop as well.

Best wishes!

[goldenlady]

Some people just have the attitude 'it's only hair' and don't have the hair-loving attitude that we do..The doctrine of 'cutting hair to make it grow' is pretty wide-spread.. I remember arguing over it with a friend a few years back.. After seeing mine grow she doesn't cut either :) .. I'd definitely recommend self-trimming!

[Vrindi]

Thank you Vrindi!

You're welcome! When I went in to have my bleached ends dyed to match my roots, this is what I did. I ended up with a sweet stylist, who had not worked with long hair before, but was very ok with me showing her how to come through the knots. She had no problem with me pulling out my own comb and helping her. We talked over a couple of dye options, and chose the one I wanted. I was very happy with my experience.

I trim my own hair now, and I really prefer to do it myself, but when it was shorter, I wasn't so confident about it. If you want to try to trim it yourself, just do a teeny bit at a time until you feel confident that you won't mess it up. Feye's method is really easy and gives good results. I haven't tried a crea clip, but those look cool too.

[prettyinpink]

I feel your pain! I hate it when the stylist rips those tiny little combs through my hair! I feel like when they went to school they were taught more about style and not so much about health. if that makes any sense. I learned if you want something done right you just gotta do it yourself. I bought a pair of hair scissors from walmart ($9) and I do my own trims. Cosmetologists will never understand that long hair needs to be treated gently

[arelrios]

Leeloo has excellent advice and I 100% agree.

I used to dread going to the hair salon because stylists would never really do what I asked. On my last visit in April I explicitly asked for a microtrim, just to even out the ends. I was very clear that I wanted absolutely no layers added, that I was growing out my hair, that I wanted all one length, that I had bad experiences in the past. The stylist nodded sympathetically....and then did the exact opposite of what I asked! :( I ended up with three inches off and choppy layers, some shorter than chin length. It cost $80 and ruined my hair. So sad.

That is when I started researching hair growth and found the LHC.

I discovered Feye's self trim method and gave myself a trim to remove the layers and start fresh in August. I have never been so happy with the cut, and I will never visit a hair salon again.

Ditto! It's going to be now 2 years since my last visit to the salon/hairdresser... Feye's method is helping me tons to get rid of my layers and keeping my hair as healthiest as possible ....

[Carolyn]

I think only stylists in specifically long hair salons would be familiar with the term microtrimming. However rewording that to "very small" trim with the emphasis on the word VERY. For example tell her less than a half inch but be prepared for an inch. An inch the grand scheme of growing out your hair isn't much. Interview her before you make your appointment. I've done this twice and it's worked very well. I said I was growing my hair longer and wanted to find someone who would only trim a very small amount. When you contact the salon about interviewing a stylist ask for someone who loves working with long hair. During the interview you could say you've had some really bad scissors happy stylists in the past and you had heard her salon has great stylists who won't cut too much. Suck up to her. If you book an appointment with her tip her VERY WELL. At least 25%.

[AmyBeth]

That stylist was so rude! Absolutely schedule a consultation before making an appointment to get any work done. Although I too recommend Feye's method. It is easy and you, and only you, are in control of what is done to your hair. The last time I went to a salon the stylist ripped through my hair and I found more split ends in the S&D session for the nest few months, I will never go back to letting someone else do my hair. Henna and Feye's self trim for me:).

[PetuniaBlossom]

I was a little unsure about self-trimming until I watched Habioku's tutorial. I tried it, doing just Step 2 because I wanted a straight across blunt cut. I was sooo nervous the first time, I really think my hands were trembling a bit. I went ahead and did it and it turned out fantastic! I've been doing my own dusting and small trims for over a year now and have no plans to ever go back to a salon. If you give it a try, I think you'll be happy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9Erf49Eyxc

Just make sure to use dedicated hair-trimming scissors and keep them sharp. Good luck.

[kganihanova]

Thank you all so much! This advice is all so helpful. This trim took me from MBLish to just above BSL again -.-

[MeganE]

Thank you all so much! This advice is all so helpful. This trim took me from MBLish to just above BSL again -.-

:( :grouphug:

[chen bao jun]

I feel your pain! I hate it when the stylist rips those tiny little combs through my hair! I feel like when they went to school they were taught more about style and not so much about health. if that makes any sense. I learned if you want something done right you just gotta do it yourself. I bought a pair of hair scissors from walmart ($9) and I do my own trims. Cosmetologists will never understand that long hair needs to be treated gently
They rip the tiny little combs through my hair from the TOP no matter what I say. That is, if I say something, they comb from the bottom up for about two seconds and then its from the top again.
And I don't think it's to be mean. I think they are in a rush and not used to doing otherwise and just forget.
And I believe they don't teach about micro trims in cosmetology school. I've always thought stylist chop off so much hair because they want to feel they DID something. If you go out looking exactly like when you went in, you're no advertisement for them, they want some kind of transformation. Sigh. And when you add to that that they aren't trained to work with all hair types, because only specialists (who aren't in my area) seem to understand curlies...

[Unicorn]

I would be very careful about trying to leave without paying, even if you are unhappy with the service. They could call the police on you. Better to speak to the manager (but still be prepared to pay).

Just stomping out would cause a problem, but it's possible to speak to the manager and explain that you have not received what you agreed on, therefore they have breached the agreed contract and you will not be paying for something you did not request. Invite them to call the police to arbitrate. No one has yet taken me up on such an offer and I have never left the premises without their agreement (however sourly agreed). No one wants an unsatisfied customer standing in reception of a hair salon explaining how their employee has just ruined their hair by ignoring their wishes. I have only ever done this when the service provider has clearly not provided the requested service.

Unicorn

[CrazyDaysHair]

I would definitely agree that self trimming is the safest (and most affordable!) way to keep your hair healthy: You know what you want in regards to length, and also trimming, so why not make sure that it is a microtrim and not a full on chop fest with your stylist?

My grandmother is a stylist and she has no problems trimming up my hair how I want it, but I feel way more comofrtable knowing what my length is going to look like when I finish my trim.

[jacqueline101]

If you're going to a salon id visit ahead of time and see what they're really like. If they have an attitude then don't let them touch your hair.

[Komao]

That's awful. I have not been to a salon in years. I would also recommend Feye's self trim method as it makes sense to me. I have told many friends about it and they love it.
I have a slight vision problem in one eye so I can't do it myself. I did purchase a crea clip and now any friend can cut it with absolutely no experience.
It was an investment that has payed for itself in about 1 trim or 1.5 tops. I think it was $35
If I were for any reason to enter a salon, I would investigate, make sure they cater to long hair as others have suggested.
I do remember distinctly, having my wide tooth comb on me and as my hair was wet, while she was busy with another customer, quickly but gently combing my own hair. I also remember making sure it was free of any tangles before entering and then learning to tell them to skip the wash as I would do it later. This was said as like your experience if I hadn't they would just rake through hair and I didn't care for their washing the length of my hair by putting it all on top of head and scrambling it all around.
I'm very particular as to how my hair is handled and I realized that a lot of the stylists had teased, dyed and hair sprayed shudder: overkill.

[faellen]

Another vote for Feye's method. Works really well. Also, if a stylist told me I was being ridiculous, I'd tell her she was full of BS, and complain to manangement, but that's me :p

[Zeraphine]

I feel VERY blessed that my Mom is a hairdresser and that she's always done my hair the way I want. I usually get trims a few times a year, depending on my need for fresh ends and I trust her enough to tell her to cut off what needs to go and she always does the least she can to keep my hair healthy and still maintain my length. If/when I ever move away, I'll be doing self trims; but I will say this, if I ever did go to a salon and some "stylist" was rude to me (for any reason) or started raking through my hair or doing anything else not good for it, I would be out of her chair so fast her head would spin! I would NOT wait out of fear of offending her, I'd tell her (as nicely as possible) to stop whatever she was doing and I would get up and ask for the owner or manager, I would then explain the problem and leave the salon. If you do still want to go to a salon, I'd interview the stylist and have her physically show you on her comb what a half inch is. Did you know those little black combs usually have a ruler on them? If she can't show you an accurate half inch on the comb, I'd run (not walk) from that salon.

Best wishes long hair ladies and gents! :)

[Syaoransbear]

Hair stylists are like chefs. Chefs know how to cook it, how to make it taste good, how to make it look nice... but they are not nutritionists. Same with hair stylists. They know how to style but hair health is a whole different animal and any knowledge they have about that was likely independent research.

[Vrindi]

Hair stylists are like chefs. Chefs know how to cook it, how to make it taste good, how to make it look nice... but they are not nutritionists. Same with hair stylists. They know how to style but hair health is a whole different animal and any knowledge they have about that was likely independent research.

That's a really cool analogy.

[kme81]

Hair stylists are like chefs. Chefs know how to cook it, how to make it taste good, how to make it look nice... but they are not nutritionists. Same with hair stylists. They know how to style but hair health is a whole different animal and any knowledge they have about that was likely independent research.

This is a brilliant comparison! I'll certainly keep this one in the back of my mind. :D

Oh, and I'm another fan of Faye!

[torrilin]

I wouldn't expect a stylist to do a micro trim. They're not trained to, and doing one properly takes a lot more time than the methods they're trained in. Yes, you can lop off a short amount with Feye's method, but neatening things up and going through to search and destroy split ends to make sure the cut is as nice as it should be is... not going to be fast. At all. I'd expect to pay a lot for a really well done micro trim because it's so time consuming.

A good stylist can reliably cut 1/2" or so off and get a razor sharp hemline where there aren't stray long hairs hiding (for my straight hair). A more typical stylist needs 1 to 1.5" to do the same thing. Student stylists might need 2-4". I would never go in to a new stylist and ask for 1/2" off. That's mean to them, mean to me and a good way to start off on the wrong foot all around. I'd usually start off with something lower stress. Since I have bushy eyebrows, I use brow waxing as a litmus test. Yes, a stylist *could* mess them up, but I have a lot of eyebrow and I'm not going to be heartbroken if they look a smidge thin for a week or two. With as fast as my hair grows, that won't last long :P. And eyebrow shape takes a good bit of talking, so we can practice and work out the kinks. If I like a stylist and I feel like we're doing well with eyebrows, I'm usually pretty comfy with having them do my hair.

Another way I tackle the problem is I let my hair go until the splits are fairly ridiculous. I work out how much I think should come off (at least 2"). Then I show the stylist what I think should come off and why on my actual hair, and I have them show me how much they think should come off and why. If we disagree, we negotiate. I'm pretty flexible, and I don't mind 2-4" trims (especially if they're my own idea!).

Basically tho, it's about communication. I try to start things off in a situation where I'm going to be pretty flexible with what I want. That way it's easier for both me and the stylist to win. I'll definitely take a stylist's input on some elements of my look, and I'm willing to wear my hair shorter than I do currently. But I'm really not ok with the stylist surprising me or hurting me... and I'm blind as a bat so I will have no idea what they're doing while they're trimming my hair. So I try really hard to set things up fairly for us both.

[Seeshami]

Crea clip! Faye's Self Trim Method. Neither of those have even given me sass. It's a good thing too because if my crea clip sassed me I would just throw it.

[Firefox7275]

I went for a microtrim today and not only did the stylist not know what that was but she also got a bit of an attitude about it. To quote, "You know to make hair grow, you need to cut more." She also ripped through my hair with a styling comb (not wide tooth comb) and I could hear the hair snap. When I mentioned this to her, she told me I was being ridiculous. Is there any way to make salon visits be less of a pain for my next visit?

Ask her to stop and walk out, you can't change that level of ignorance/ intransigence.

[Celtic Morla]

If a stylist doesn't know anything about micro trimming, it's even been described in Victorian household books..for goodness sake! BCG..... I would not want someone who should know about hair breaking it deliberately. I groom dogs and I know more about hair care than many stylists, because I educate myself and learn from experience. I don't go to hair salons because I get fed up with them..no I won't dye my hair, no I won't chop my hair off for locks of love, no I wlil not cut my hair into a short cut because it will "look" better for my face..I happen to think my hair loosk great in an updo very Edwardian..which is a time period I love..TYVM

[Firefox7275]

<snip>

That's mean to them, mean to me and a good way to start off on the wrong foot all around. I'd usually start off with something lower stress. Since I have bushy eyebrows, I use brow waxing as a litmus test. Yes, a stylist *could* mess them up, but I have a lot of eyebrow and I'm not going to be heartbroken if they look a smidge thin for a week or two. With as fast as my hair grows, that won't last long :P. And eyebrow shape takes a good bit of talking, so we can practice and work out the kinks. If I like a stylist and I feel like we're doing well with eyebrows, I'm usually pretty comfy with having them do my hair.


In the US hairstylists routinely do brows??????????????

[TheLuckyLurker]

I never had any problems back when I still went to a salon; but if any of them had copped an attitude like that before even starting on my hair, I would not have let them touch me. I wouldn't have trusted them.

Because that's the problem I see here. It wasn't that the stylist didn't know what a microtrim is; it was that she gave flak to a customer over what they asked for. And then ignored a valid complaint. As soon as she said you were being 'ridiculous' by protesting her treatment of your hair, you should have gotten out of the chair and said "Never mind. I'll give my money to someone who doesn't openly disrespect me." and then talked to a manager about why would not be paying for the 'service' you'd received. But that's me.

[mz_butterfly]

Any person that I was doing business with, especially a beauty treatment or hair cut, who told me I was being ridiculous, would lose my business immediately.

I know it's too late now, but if someone is hurting you or ripping your hair and you tell them and they say you're ridiculous, you should leave.

I would call management and let them know how she is talking down to customers.

Please don't be too upset that you didn't speak up this time, but keep it in mind in case it happens again.

[Babzilla]

I feel your pain! I hate it when the stylist rips those tiny little combs through my hair! I feel like when they went to school they were taught more about style and not so much about health. if that makes any sense. I learned if you want something done right you just gotta do it yourself. I bought a pair of hair scissors from walmart ($9) and I do my own trims. Cosmetologists will never understand that long hair needs to be treated gently
Not true! I'm a stylist and I absolutely treat hair gently. I don't rush through a cut, I am super conservative with trims and I like to listen to the client and repeat back clearly what they are asking for.
I'm going to start offering micro trims too!

[Babzilla]

I wouldn't expect a stylist to do a micro trim. They're not trained to, and doing one properly takes a lot more time than the methods they're trained in. Yes, you can lop off a short amount with Feye's method, but neatening things up and going through to search and destroy split ends to make sure the cut is as nice as it should be is... not going to be fast. At all. I'd expect to pay a lot for a really well done micro trim because it's so time consuming.

A good stylist can reliably cut 1/2" or so off and get a razor sharp hemline where there aren't stray long hairs hiding (for my straight hair). A more typical stylist needs 1 to 1.5" to do the same thing. Student stylists might need 2-4". I would never go in to a new stylist and ask for 1/2" off. That's mean to them, mean to me and a good way to start off on the wrong foot all around. I'd usually start off with something lower stress. Since I have bushy eyebrows, I use brow waxing as a litmus test. Yes, a stylist *could* mess them up, but I have a lot of eyebrow and I'm not going to be heartbroken if they look a smidge thin for a week or two. With as fast as my hair grows, that won't last long :P. And eyebrow shape takes a good bit of talking, so we can practice and work out the kinks. If I like a stylist and I feel like we're doing well with eyebrows, I'm usually pretty comfy with having them do my hair.

Another way I tackle the problem is I let my hair go until the splits are fairly ridiculous. I work out how much I think should come off (at least 2"). Then I show the stylist what I think should come off and why on my actual hair, and I have them show me how much they think should come off and why. If we disagree, we negotiate. I'm pretty flexible, and I don't mind 2-4" trims (especially if they're my own idea!).

Basically tho, it's about communication. I try to start things off in a situation where I'm going to be pretty flexible with what I want. That way it's easier for both me and the stylist to win. I'll definitely take a stylist's input on some elements of my look, and I'm willing to wear my hair shorter than I do currently. But I'm really not ok with the stylist surprising me or hurting me... and I'm blind as a bat so I will have no idea what they're doing while they're trimming my hair. So I try really hard to set things up fairly for us both.
Stylists, like most other humans, get as much out of their jobs as they put into them. The danger is thinking that one person can know "everything".

If you are constantly educating yourself, you will find that there are no two viewpoints exactly the same and no one solution to a problem or challenge.

I will tell you right now, the best way to alienate another person is to belittle their perspective. Much of the business of salons and spas is sales driven, product integration (tying a style into a product and selling that product) is huge. You will earn commissions based on product sales. Often, a product's fragrance is what makes the biggest impression on a client!

I like to give recommendations based on an individual's needs and preference. If they are a nature-girl, I will tell them to try coconut or argan oil even if I don't sell it! If they do 4 blowouts a week and are addicted to the flatiron, silicone protectant, protein and moisture are crucial.

Don't be afraid to communicate, if you see a hairstyle on a person that you admire, ask who they go to! Good stylists are out there!

[Zeraphine]

A good stylist can reliably cut 1/2" or so off and get a razor sharp hemline where there aren't stray long hairs hiding (for my straight hair). A more typical stylist needs 1 to 1.5" to do the same thing. Student stylists might need 2-4". I would never go in to a new stylist and ask for 1/2" off. That's mean to them, mean to me and a good way to start off on the wrong foot all around. I'd usually start off with something lower stress. Since I have bushy eyebrows, I use brow waxing as a litmus test. Yes, a stylist *could* mess them up, but I have a lot of eyebrow and I'm not going to be heartbroken if they look a smidge thin for a week or two. With as fast as my hair grows, that won't last long :P. And eyebrow shape takes a good bit of talking, so we can practice and work out the kinks. If I like a stylist and I feel like we're doing well with eyebrows, I'm usually pretty comfy with having them do my hair.

Another way I tackle the problem is I let my hair go until the splits are fairly ridiculous. I work out how much I think should come off (at least 2"). Then I show the stylist what I think should come off and why on my actual hair, and I have them show me how much they think should come off and why. If we disagree, we negotiate. I'm pretty flexible, and I don't mind 2-4" trims (especially if they're my own idea!).

I respectfully disagree, if a stylist is incapable of making a 1/2" trim, they have no business cutting hair, especially mine. Secondly, the longer you let your split ends go, the more you will need to trim off because they will just worsen the longer you leave them and work their way further up the hair shaft. Really, regular trims a best to keep the ends healthy, I usually end up with having a half inch trimmed off every 4 months which still allows for healthy ends and an inch and half of average growth (2 inches before the trim) which is fine by me. IMPO healthy shorter hair is much more attractive than longer unhealthy hair.

[Gothchiq]

I have never, ever been able to get salon stylists to do what I ask, no matter if I provide photos, specify inches, etc. Therefore I haven't been to a salon in 15 years. I got tired of them wrecking my hair and it taking a year or more to grow back. Creaclip + salon shears + husband or friend = trimmed hair. Hubby has tailbone length hair. I microtrim it for him. We ran into a person, while out clubbing, who claimed to be a stylist, and she was trying SO hard to get me to bring my husband to her salon. She wanted to trim off an inch every two months. Well, that's the entire growth! This way his hair would never get longer! No way are we paying someone to prevent our hair from growing out. lol. It's like they see the long hair and all they want to do is cut it off rather than nurture it. They see dollar signs. nope nope nope!

[Liz_park]

Ditto! It's going to be now 2 years since my last visit to the salon/hairdresser... Feye's method is helping me tons to get rid of my layers and keeping my hair as healthiest as possible ....

Arelrios, that is so awesome! I only wish I had discovered this easy and fantastic hair tip sooner. I am hoping that these layers will eventually disappear over the next year :) Best of luck with your self-trimming and growth!

[alexis917]

She sounds really insensitive! I'm sorry you had to deal with that.
I get fidgety just watching other people run fine-toothed combs through their hair, I would be really irritated if someone tried that to me.

[chen bao jun]

I have never, ever been able to get salon stylists to do what I ask, no matter if I provide photos, specify inches, etc. Therefore I haven't been to a salon in 15 years. I got tired of them wrecking my hair and it taking a year or more to grow back. Creaclip + salon shears + husband or friend = trimmed hair. Hubby has tailbone length hair. I microtrim it for him. We ran into a person, while out clubbing, who claimed to be a stylist, and she was trying SO hard to get me to bring my husband to her salon. She wanted to trim off an inch every two months. Well, that's the entire growth! This way his hair would never get longer! No way are we paying someone to prevent our hair from growing out. lol. It's like they see the long hair and all they want to do is cut it off rather than nurture it. They see dollar signs. nope nope nope!

Yes, they tend to have a 'vision'. This vision always involves changing you drastically from what you were and always requires maintenance that equals $$$$. It's happened to me again and again--they do what they want, not what you said and then turn you around, delighted with themselves, sure that when you see how wonderful they made you look, you'll be their customer forever. They seem honestly surprised that you are upset that they didn't do what you asked, because they are sure they have improved you immeasurably.

[kme81]

In the US hairstylists routinely do brows??????????????

Hairstylists in (my area of) the US are usually licensed cosmetologists; they are certified in nails, body hair removal, hair cutting, and the like. So yep, it is not unusual to get your brows and your hair done in the same visit by the same person. :) Is this different than other countries?


*I should note that this is what friends tell me as I don't get my nails or brows done. :)

[moxamoll]

Hairstylists in the US are usually licensed cosmetologists; they are certified in nails, body hair removal, hair cutting, and the like. So yep, it is not unusual to get your brows and your hair done in the same visit by the same person. :) Is this different than other countries?

In the cities I've lived in in Canada, there are aestheticians (who do waxing, nails, facials, etc.) and hair stylists (who do cuts, colours, perms, etc.) - even if one person is trained in both, they are only available for one role or the other, they don't swap back and forth. I could be wrong, but I believe that they are separate licenses and for most people, it's probably not worth it financially to maintain both.

[RileyJane]

Sounds like the time I went to just get a couple highlights in my bangs only, and instead of me just bending over, she washes my whole head and rips thru it too! She must of saw my look of terror bc she was nicer to my hair after that. Deff talk to your stylist beforehand and let them know what is ik and not ok to do with your hair. It is your hair after all, and you are the one paying for it

[kme81]

In the cities I've lived in in Canada, there are aestheticians (who do waxing, nails, facials, etc.) and hair stylists (who do cuts, colours, perms, etc.) - even if one person is trained in both, they are only available for one role or the other, they don't swap back and forth. I could be wrong, but I believe that they are separate licenses and for most people, it's probably not worth it financially to maintain both.

That's interesting! It never really occurred to me that there would be differences in this sort of thing, but in retrospect it makes sense!

(sorry about kinda derailing the thread! ;))

[Toadstool]

Whether or not a stylist should know about microtrimming or hair health, telling a customer they are "being ridiculous" is totally inappropriate.

[Firefox7275]

Hairstylists in (my area of) the US are usually licensed cosmetologists; they are certified in nails, body hair removal, hair cutting, and the like. So yep, it is not unusual to get your brows and your hair done in the same visit by the same person. :) Is this different than other countries?


*I should note that this is what friends tell me as I don't get my nails or brows done. :)

Thanks that is interesting!

In the UK hairdressing (cut, colour, styling) is a two year full time qualification, usually taken between the ages of 16 and 18 at a state-funded college. Beauty therapy (face, body treatments and massage, nails) is a separate two year full time qualification. A lot of colleges now run the hair and beauty departments as if they were part-time salons, so the students study theory part of the time, practice on one another and doll heads part of the time, then have to take calls/ book appointments/ see clients part of the time (only seeing the public after they pass their exams, and still well supervised by their tutors).

Once they are qualified I don't know if they need a license or to be registered anywhere, they would need public liability insurance of course, but the college qualifications are standardised and recognised so no extra tests or exams needed, I suspect just complete a form, send your payment and a copy of the certificate. Beauty salons and hair salons are mostly separate businesses, sometimes a beautician will rent a room upstairs in a hair salon and run a service from there. You'd book a separate appointment and usually pay separately. We also have nail bars and people doing eyebrow threading from a stall in a malls now but that is a relatively new thing.

[sally_neuf]

Exactly. I have just avoided the hair stylist for the last 4 years... ummm Started on pixie and now I'm on my way to TB so... yeah. i don't need to pay money to hear unwanted advices or to have my hair damaged.

[torrilin]

I respectfully disagree, if a stylist is incapable of making a 1/2" trim, they have no business cutting hair

So you assume that no student stylist should ever cut anyone's hair before they graduate, and they'll magically learn to do the 1/2" trim you require because they graduated? Really really really really no.

Student stylists need to practice. They need lots of practice. Pretty much every school that teaches hair has a salon where the cuts are done by students under teacher supervision. Since I am not all that fussed about exactly how much comes off and I wear a very simple and standard hemline, I have spent a lot of time letting student stylists cut my hair. And even after they have their certification and they're building their client book, they still need practice. Lots of it!

And well, realistically, most programs for teaching hair wind up being very pro haircutting. Few of the students make it out of training with long hair. Most of the instructors don't have long hair. And even BSL tends to be unusually long in the clients. So student stylists do not get much practice with how fragile long hair can be, and how careful they need to be.

I've had a lot of really great stylists over the years. I literally wouldn't have long hair without the stylists who helped me and encouraged me as a little girl. Very often I realize now that they were desperately learning about long hair to keep ahead of mine. So I try to give back now by helping students and serving as a test dummy :). Quite a lot of the students who've done my hair wind up telling me they've never done hair as long as mine. They've never done a French braid before. Sometimes they're so scared they panic and con the instructor into doing me.

It's ok to be fussier about your hair or prefer a more experienced stylist. That's fine. It doesn't change the fact that a student stylist isn't going to start out cutting to your specifications.

[inanna]

Quite a lot of the students who've done my hair wind up telling me they've never done hair as long as mine. They've never done a French braid before. Sometimes they're so scared they panic and con the instructor into doing me.

It's ok to be fussier about your hair or prefer a more experienced stylist. That's fine. It doesn't change the fact that a student stylist isn't going to start out cutting to your specifications.

Oh this, so much this. I remember when we went in to get our hair did for our wedding day and my husband-to-be asked the (young) hairdresser to make him a box braid. Something I had learned off YouTube, and admittedly practised on his luscious head of hair on a number of occasions. ;)

The poor hairdresser had no idea what he was talking about! Even after the explanation of it containing four strands, it was decided that it would be best for all of us if she just did a basic three-strand braid instead. Never assume your hairdresser actually knows about long hair and/or styling long hair unless they've explicitly told you so, and even then take it with a grain of salt. (I got a very nice bun BTW, but it was a fairly standard type and I had gone in with a picture beforehand.)

I have to give credit to student hairdressers and newcomers though, they're usually much less likely to make drastic cuts because they know better than you what you should do with your hair. Just don't expect them to be able to make super accurate microtrims or elaborate hairdos that don't rely on heatstyling and products.

[Alun]

Hairstylists in (my area of) the US are usually licensed cosmetologists; they are certified in nails, body hair removal, hair cutting, and the like. So yep, it is not unusual to get your brows and your hair done in the same visit by the same person. :) Is this different than other countries?


*I should note that this is what friends tell me as I don't get my nails or brows done. :)


Thanks that is interesting!

In the UK hairdressing (cut, colour, styling) is a two year full time qualification, usually taken between the ages of 16 and 18 at a state-funded college. Beauty therapy (face, body treatments and massage, nails) is a separate two year full time qualification. A lot of colleges now run the hair and beauty departments as if they were part-time salons, so the students study theory part of the time, practice on one another and doll heads part of the time, then have to take calls/ book appointments/ see clients part of the time (only seeing the public after they pass their exams, and still well supervised by their tutors).

Once they are qualified I don't know if they need a license or to be registered anywhere, they would need public liability insurance of course, but the college qualifications are standardised and recognised so no extra tests or exams needed, I suspect just complete a form, send your payment and a copy of the certificate. Beauty salons and hair salons are mostly separate businesses, sometimes a beautician will rent a room upstairs in a hair salon and run a service from there. You'd book a separate appointment and usually pay separately. We also have nail bars and people doing eyebrow threading from a stall in a malls now but that is a relatively new thing.

One of my wife's friends used to be a hair stylist in the UK and isn't allowed to do it in the US. We don't have any licencing for it there, but I didn't know much about the training. I don't know what Maryland requires, but probably she would have to pass exams in all kinds of stuff she never studied, which is a shame. As she has long hair and is a friend I would trust her to cut our hair, but she would probably refuse payment for fear of committing some kind of offence (ETA: in fact I believe once she cut our kids' hair, and that's exactly what happened). Not only is the law an ass, but it has to be seen to be an ass (roughly paraphrasing Pickwick from Dickens).

[YamaMaya]

I think I would have walked out when she said you have to cut your hair to make it grow, and I certainly wouldn't let her near me with a comb.

[HintOfMint]

The rudeness and condescension bothers me more than anything else. I like going to the stylist, partly because it's a relaxing, somewhat pampering experience. I don't want to sit in a chair and have someone make snarky remarks about my wishes or my hair. I wouldn't want a manicurist to scold me for being too sensitive if she nicks me in the cuticles or argue that I'm being ridiculous for wanting pointy nails instead of square, why would I want a hairstylist to fuss at me for what I want or expressing that she's hurting me or damaging my hair?