my salon strategy for trims

[dove4]

I'd like to share my salon strategy for trims.

1. When I go to the salon, I ask the hair stylist to show me what one inch (or whatever I want to trim) would be on my hair. That way, I know exactly what they were going to trim. If it's off, I can show them what I actually want.

This usually works. Hair stylists seem to have totally different ideas of what an inch is, but when we're both looking at the amount I want trimmed on my actual hair, it's easier than using words.

2. go in with squeaky clean, clarified hair. From listening to them talk to me and hearing what they tell each other about other clients, I noticed that some stylists are disgusted by "oily" hair. If they see any kind of oily hair with thin ends, some stylists think you don't know anything about hair, and don't know what looks good on your hair, so they won't listen as well.

Also, if they are feeling disgusted, they can't listen as well, because they are distracted. This includes any kind of product, or hard water build up.

It bothers me that professionals are so judgmental, but that is the way it is in my area, and I think they listen better when my hair is squeaky clean, and even clarified.

[Dark40]

Hello and welcome to the forum! :)

That's a good salon strategy for trims! Because, where I'm from it always seems like when you go in our salons in my city they don't know how much an inch of hair is. It seems to me they think an inch means 2 inches. That's the main reason why I don't go to the salon. Because, these days they are entirely too scissor-happy. All they want to do is cut, cut, cut. That's why I do my own trimming. Because, I always know how much I want to take off.

[GrowinIt]

That is a great idea to have a plan before going in. My strategy was to pick from the salon website based on the bio photo, and choose a person with very long hair. I chose someone with hair past her waist almost to hips, and knew she would understand what it is like to try to grow hair long. It worked well, I've been to her twice since finding her, and each time she said I just needed a dusting to even up the ends, and didn't need a full trim, and she didn't see any other damage to worry about since I don't heat style.

[illicitlizard]

GrowinIt oooh I'd not thought about choosing a hairdresser with long hair but it makes perfect sense! When I finally look for a regular hairdresser I'll definitely bear their tress lengths in mind.
Definitely found in the past showing directly on your hair where you want it cut is really useful. As is getting a hairdresser that you trust. If you get b*tchy vibes or an 'I know best' attitude, or it seems like they're not really listening to you, get out of there before they start snipping.

[dove4]

Thank you all for your replies and for the welcome! My method is not fool proof, but it helps. Before I started doing this, they cut too much about 40% of the time. Now, they only cut too much about 10% of the time.

Also, thank you for sharing your salon strategies! I love the idea of using a long haired stylist, but they seem to be pretty rare in my area.

The best stylist I ever had had long, naturally curly hair. She is the first and only stylist who told me that my 2a hair needs different care than straight hair. Unfortunately, we both moved, and I don't even know where she works anymore.

I forgot to mention, my hair is oily, so I was not trying to be rude about oily hair in my OP. My hair is oily, even though I shampoo every three days, and clarify and chelate about once a month.

[BleachedBerry]

If this strategy works for you that is great.

[DropStitches]

If this strategy works for you that is great.

Unless your hair is straight and solid one length, asking for an inch is a guesstimate a good one but still an estimate. Showing the length you want is always a good idea.
Depending on factors like curl or wether the hair is wet or dry or damp. I would allow for a anywhere from 1/8 inch up to half 1/2 inch off in either direction. You can't expect us to measure 1 inch everywhere when hair is uneven especially if you want an even hair cut.

If you ask for an inch off, and get 1 1/2 off, or if you ask for 2 inches off and only get 1, no biggie right.
If you ask for 1 inch off and get 5. This is unacceptable. They did not listen and your haircut was not done properly following a guide. Unfortunately this does happen.

Honestly going in with completely jagged thin ends that has like 6 inches in difference of lengths in the hem line . Then asking for 1/8 inch off to even it up. Disgust me way more then "oily" hair.
Men with crust behind there ears that cracks and bleeds if you bend the ear to cut behind it,
Hair that wreaks of cigarettes and smells like an ashtray when it gets wet.
Even when little girls come in freshly out of a chlorinated pool with 30 minutes of tangles to get through before you can even cut the hair, are a few examples of things I find can distract me from listening thoroughly.
Taking my comb from my hand in the middle of a haircut to comb your hair and make comments, my ears stop listening right there.

Washing your hair prior to a haircut maybe a preference for those with neck problems who do not want to lay back in a shampoo sink or those who want to skip the extra cost of a wash and dry.
5 days without a wash should really be no problem. If washing it first makes you feel better then please do so.
I am so sorry that you where made to feel disgusting for coming in with unwashed hair. People are lot less considerate than this.
I am a hair stylist if you can't tell. Though I am stay at home now.

It's really interesting to hear your perspective as a stylist, BleachedBerry. I can't believe anyone would take the comb out of your hand, that's so incredibly rude! And the description of crust behind the ears - yuck!

Thanks also, everyone for sharing your tips - I never thought of showing exactly how much I wanted off on my hair, or of looking for a long-haired stylist. When my hair is *finally* long enough to merit a trim, I shall try to remember these things!

[BleachedBerry]

You are very welcome.
I am appalled that any one would would make you feel that way.
Hopefully your future trim experiences are much better.

[lapushka]

Honestly going in with completely jagged thin ends that has like 6 inches in difference of lengths in the hem line . Then asking for 1/8 inch off to even it up. Disgust me way more then "oily" hair.

I don't see why. 1/8 inch or an inch on a 6 inch thinner hem, is still that amount off. Ever heard of fairytale ends, well they do exist, and people here have them (loads). It also means that when someone with fairytales wants a set amount off, it should be equally... no problem.

[BleachedBerry]

I don't see why. 1/8 inch or an inch on a 6 inch thinner hem, is still that amount off. Ever heard of fairytale ends, well they do exist, and people here have them (loads). It also means that when someone with fairytales wants a set amount off, it should be equally... no problem.

I do understand fairy tail ends. I had them myself for quite a long time.

Think about this, If you have 8 hairs that reach past your waist and a chunck at BSL and majority is MBL. You ask for 1/2 inch off to even it up. How do I do that? I explain this and then always do what is asked. Even if it means only cutting 8 hairs and charging for a full haircut.

[lapushka]

I do understand fairy tail ends. I had them myself for quite a long time.

Think about this, If you have 8 hairs that reach past your waist and a chunck at BSL and majority is MBL. You ask for 1/2 inch off to even it up. How do I do that? I explain this and then always do what is asked. Even if it means only cutting 8 hairs and charging for a full haircut.

Just cut the requested 1/2 inch, and no more (or you will have problems on your hands, I'm willing to bet). I'm sure you could charge what it takes to cut bangs for that?

[MusicalSpoons]

Just cut the requested 1/2 inch, and no more (or you will have problems on your hands, I'm willing to bet). I'm sure you could charge what it takes to cut bangs for that?

It sounds like the problem is people expecting to get an even, 'perfect' hemline when it's not physically possible without whacking off several inches. Generally we LHCers know what we're taking about when requesting specifics from a haircut, but not everyone does. Before LHC and before seeing my hair from the back I had no idea how mangled my ends were from using hairties, and I'd ask for a couple of inches off 'to even it up' and it was always a compromise between actually getting it even and how much length I was willing to part with. Thankfully our hairdresser was great and I was always happy, and if she took off more than I originally wanted it was only with consent and because I always trusted her not to take off more than necessary. Sometimes I wasn't willing to part with enough to make it even and then she'd make it clear that okay, she wouldn't cut more than I wanted but it wasn't going to be perfectly straight. But until I actually saw a photo of my hair from the back as a teenager, I genuinely didn't understand!

[BleachedBerry]

Sorry guys. I didn't mean anything by the jagged hemline comment. I was simply giving examples of things that bother me personally as a stylist more then "oily" unwashed hair.
And the fact that op was made to feel that stylists where so grossed out by unwashed hair to the point of clarifying her hair before a simple trim. I don't know maybe some are.

[BleachedBerry]

It sounds like the problem is people expecting to get an even, 'perfect' hemline when it's not physically possible without whacking off several inches. Generally we LHCers know what we're taking about when requesting specifics from a haircut, but not everyone does. Before LHC and before seeing my hair from the back I had no idea how mangled my ends were from using hairties, and I'd ask for a couple of inches off 'to even it up' and it was always a compromise between actually getting it even and how much length I was willing to part with. Thankfully our hairdresser was great and I was always happy, and if she took off more than I originally wanted it was only with consent and because I always trusted her not to take off more than necessary. Sometimes I wasn't willing to part with enough to make it even and then she'd make it clear that okay, she wouldn't cut more than I wanted but it wasn't going to be perfectly straight. But until I actually saw a photo of my hair from the back as a teenager, I genuinely didn't understand!

Yes. This.

[Kalamazoo]

Maybe the hairdresser could make use of the camera on their phone? Start by taking a picture of the customer's hair from the back, & show said customer the photo. Ask, "Where would you like your hemline to fall when I finish cutting?" Perhaps the client will hold their hand at the body marker they have in mind, or draw a line on the photo.

If the client persists in saying they only want 1/2" taken off, & it's only going to shorten 8 hairs, then do exactly what the customer said, take another photo from behind, show it to the customer, & ask, "Is this what you wanted?" Maybe they'll be happy that way, or maybe they'll ask you to take off more.

So long as the problem is that you haven't taken off enough, you can always fix it. Trouble doesn't start until you take off too much.

Or perhaps the customer could walk into the salon, hand the stylist the phone, & say, "Please photograph my hair from the back," and then initiate this conversation?

[lapushka]

Sorry guys. I didn't mean anything by the jagged hemline comment. I was simply giving examples of things that bother me personally as a stylist more then "oily" unwashed hair.
And the fact that op was made to feel that stylists where so grossed out by unwashed hair to the point of clarifying her hair before a simple trim. I don't know maybe some are.

Oh no worries, but it depends on how you view things, I guess. The hairdressers I have known were very hateful towards fairytale ends, and they viewed it as "damage" that needed to "all" be cut off.

[squirrrel]

I still remember the trip I took to visit a place which offered ‘treatments’ for long hair. I booked an appointment, and went to see what kind of thing they were offering. I met a young girl who lost interest the moment I made it clear that colouring my hair was not an option. She then insisted that to keep my hair healthy she suggested cutting ‘two inches’ off. This two inches would have taken me from hip to above waist again and was more like five inches. I pointed this out (and yep, we deal with metric here, I was never formally taught imperial measurement, but I have picked up something from my time playing ‘apprentice’ to my Dad. What with driving signs being in feet and miles, I’m almost more Comfortable with that now). Anyway, when I pointed this out she reasserted her view that it was two inches and I left soon after. I remember thinking as I returned home that I wished I had suggested she get out a measuring tape so we could check... honestly, our tradesmen have to be accurate in their work and would never accept something a good three inches out, why do we have to accept it in hair?