When planning a trip to the salon...

[pdy2kn6]

How do you prepare? I am planning on going to a salon (probably the only long hair salon I've heard of in England (Neil Ward and Patrick Ludde Salon), even though I know some people have had bad experiences there (e.g. they took off too much length), I think it is time I need to go get my hair professionally cut, and if they cut a bit more than I ask off, I won't be too fussed (this way they will be getting rid of more of my layers), and I know they are known to give one-length cuts. When you guys go to get a professional cut in the salon, what sort of things do you do before you get there?

Do you wash your hair the morning before you go/night before? I don't know if I want my hair washed there because I guess they probably use cone-products and hairdryers which I never use. How do you wear your hair before you go there? I want it to be in its natural state so the hairdresser can see exactly all the layers in my hair which bug me so much (rather than being artificially waved/bun waved/braid waved), but thenagain I'll be going all the way to London for the cut, so don't want to be sat on the train or going around London with my hair down. Perhaps just give in and get a cone-packed shampoo when I am there? How do you deal with it if you are a conditioner-only long hairer? Would you wash your hair CO before you arrive there or include a shampoo? I amCO in most of my washes, but like once a month I would use a mild cone-free shampoo 1st. When you get trims do you get your hair washed/wet or dry trim? Do you put your hair back up after you have had the trim and before you leave the salon? Sorry for so many questions, I haven't been to a professional salon in years, actually never since starting to grow long hair. My mums hairdresser used to come to the house. I'm a bit nervous, but know it is time to cut off my dry sundamaged ends. Any personal experiences would be really really helpful :) thanks guys

[Cat Lady]

Good questions! I have been wondering some of the same things so I'll be watching this thread :). I hope your salon visit goes well.

[Anlbe]

I go there, and no I don't get my hair washed mainly because it's an issue of cost. I wash my hair the day before, or the day I go so that all the split ends are nice an prominent, and with my hair up. Then he puts my hair back up again afterwards. I also really need get my hair trimmed again. I have a 25% off card if you want it?

[Ramona_Fosca]

I usually wash twice a week. I'd go to the hairdreser the day after washing as I'd consider it rude to have somebody handle my "well-it-really-needs-to-be-washed" hair.

I visit the hairdresser about 4 time a year and I submit to the cone-SLS-treatment... I really think it's not that big a deal. To me, it's more important they handle the hair carefully, i.e. no ripping, tearing, especially when the hair is wet.

I have finally found a hairdresser who handles the hair very gently - until finding her I used to ask for the brush and told them I'd like to brush it myself. Same with blowdrying afterwards: as long as the weather allows I'll leave the salon with wet hair. In winter, I'll ask for the hairdryer and do it myself (roots only, low setting, keep the hairdryer at distance).

I always take a ruler with me and show them "See, this is what I think is one inch..."

In addition, I make it very clear that I am fine if they cut too little, but that I won't return ever again if they cut more than we agreed. I'll watch the floor very closely for the cut ends, too.

Probably most salons consider me funny but really I don't care. I pay for a service and I'd like to get exactly what I want since this is not too hard to achieve.

Good luck!

[julliams]

I don't have any suggestions but please take a before and after photo so we can see the results. I'm considering the "take those layers out" cut as well but it would have me go from APL to shoulder length and I'm not sure I want to do that.

Juliette

[spidermom]

I wouldn't go with it hanging in greasey strings, but I do like to have my hair stylist wash my hair. She makes my scalp feel really good. I'm not fussy about products so that's not an issue. I think the most important thing is to make a firm decision about what you want and then stand up for yourself. Don't doze off in the chair and let him/her take 2 inches when you asked for 1/2 inch - pay attention, be firm. And if you don't want to have your hair washed and conditioned, do that yourself. They can wet it down without adding any product.

[motormuffin]

I used to have a hairdresser that would be very accommodating. I would wash my hair right before I go in...comb it all out and put it up in a bun. When I get there, it's still wet. They let it out and comb through, cut a little off. I never have it blow dried. I put it back up and that's it.

[RancheroTheBee]

I wash my hair the night before, even if he/she is going to wash it, just as a courtesy. I usually get a wet trim.

Here's a suggestion: Braid your hair, or put it up, or what have you on the way there, but bring a photograph of what your hair NORMALLY looks like so your stylist can see what your issues are. :eek:

ETA: Also, you can ask if there's any 'cone-free conditioners available. And seconded what spidermom said; be ever vigilant about how much they're trimming off. Don't just say, "I want half an inch removed". Show them with your hands so they're very clear on what you want.

[gnegirl]

I don't have any suggestions but please take a before and after photo so we can see the results. I'm considering the "take those layers out" cut as well but it would have me go from APL to shoulder length and I'm not sure I want to do that.

Juliette

Me either... the longest layer is barely APL. When that layer gets to BSL i may leave it there until they all catch up.

Note to self: Bobs are EVIL, do not do that again! (i'm growing out an evil mom-bob that i thought was a good idea last year)

[Shastrix]

Is it not acceptable to wash your hair beforehand and if they want to wash it again there just take your own shampoo and conditioner with you and get them to use that?

[Shermie Girl]

Is it not acceptable to wash your hair beforehand and if they want to wash it again there just take your own shampoo and conditioner with you and get them to use that?

Sure it is. :) I always wash my hair beforehand, as I don't like to go into a salon with dirty hair. I usually do have a shampoo because it is so nice to have my hair washed for me and the scalp massage is lovely and gives me a moment to fully relax and zonk out. :D You can take your own products in with you. I have and the stylists never seemed to mind. :)

[pdy2kn6]

Is it not acceptable to wash your hair beforehand and if they want to wash it again there just take your own shampoo and conditioner with you and get them to use that?

I probably could, but I'm really not sure whether (most people do or don't?) wash hair there or just the night before. If I wash my hair there wouldn't I have to have wet hair for the rest of the day after the cut? Which wouldn't be too good because I plan to put it up straight after I leave the salon. It's quite windy in England recently so I wouldn't risk the tangles leaving it down after I leave.

[2peasinapod]

I would also wash my hair, but not the night before. Just washed hair can be very hard to work with for many people, so I usually wash it a couple of days before.

You don't have to get your hair washed at the salon because unless you let them blowdry your hair, it will be wet when you leave. Some places use a squirt bottle to help detangle, so your ends are a little damp, but they dry quickly and you can still put your hair up.

Good luck :)

ETA: I personally never have my hair washed at the salon because wavy hair stretches out when wet and then shrinks back when dry. I know it's obvious, but I used to never think about that, and my hair was often shorter than I wanted as a result. Now I get my hair cut dry, and I also get a little less cut than I think I need, so I can see how much it shrinks. As you know, it's easier to get a little more cut off than have a little more put back ;)

[pinchbeck]

After your trim you could put one simple braid at the back and leave it alone. The wind won't blow it around. And now that it is getting cold out donning a hat will help.

Before you leave the salon you could always take a towel to blot out the extra moisture. It has already been mentioned and I will mention it again: Ensure your hairdresser and you are both on the same page when it comes to how much of a trim you want to avoid confusion and disappointment.

I understand you're trying to grow out layers, but in an effort to do so without dusting they can interfere with the ability to manage your hair. Getting them dusted or having them trimmed 1/8" - 1/4" would be a good idea. Afterall, you want all of your hair to stay healthy on your long hair journey.

I am truly excited for you and am looking forward to before and after shots! In March when I am due for a trim I will post before and after shots. It will be a first for me.

[RocketDog]

I won't go in with lank, stringy hair but I don't want to have it washed twice in one day so I usually try to time my last wash for a day or two before my trip. As far as styling and products, I figure that my salon trips are getting fewer and farther between so I might as well enjoy having a nice blowout when I go in. My stylist isn't big on using a ton of product so I don't have to worry about that.

One thing that always helped me was finding photos of the style I wanted, or photos that had elements I was hoping to have incorporated in to my style. It can be really hard to describe what you want even when you have a clear mental picture of it, since a 'light fringe' or a 'few layers' might mean something totally different to you than it does to your stylist. Plus, having photos means you can discuss styling techniques and possible difficulties based on your hair's texture and thickness BEFORE your stylist starts cutting. I know that I used to be willing to do a lot of manipulation via heat styling and product use to get the look I wanted when I wore my hair in a short, stacked bob, but not everyone has the time or motivation to spend an hour every day on their hair, and a good stylist will help you find a look that you'll like AND be able to replicate out of the salon.

Good luck, and enjoy your visit!

[zsuper]

Since you only really need to go to a salon once every month-and-a-half, I suggest binging and picking the most expensive/appealing one you can find; you usually get what you pay for.

The salon I go to includes a rinse/shampoo/condition and style (anything from flat ironing to a braid) with every trim, so you don't have to worry about things like that. I'd think a lot of other salons do that, as well. My stylist also says she prefers long hair to be wet when she cuts it because it's easier to cut evenly, so no more than needed gets taken off.

In the case of a more expensive salon, I'd expect them to use more natural products. Everything my stylist has used on me (which thus far is only products by Eufora and Moroccan Oil) is cone-free.

[PhillyGirl1978@]

Well, I had been getting the CurlyGirl cut so she would cut it dry and I just did it like normal, no combing, no shampoo or anything. Next time I want a cut straight across and for it to be even it has to be combed, and that only happens when wet. I don't really trust anyone to detangle my hair so I think I will co-wash, conditioner and comb thoroughly and then put it back in a bun or something. That way when I get there it'll still be wet, mostly tangle free and contained. My hair dresser will just be able to comb and cut.

[Fractalsofhair]

You can bring your own products! If they really bug you about it, you can just say you have sensitive skin. Nearly everyone has found a product out there that bothers their skin, either drying it out or making it too oily at the least, and it's generally a feasible reason.

I'd say you can go in with greasy hair if you're getting it washed, otherwise, make sure your hair is very clean. Maybe wash it at home, let it dry at home, then braid it for the train trip once it's dry? It's up to you if you want it to be dried under a drier. I suppose it depends on how your hair reacts to heat. My hair reacts very poorly, so I simply get a very thorough towel drying and then it dries in a few hours. If your hair can tolerate heat, once a year or once every 6 months, I suppose heat wouldn't be a big deal! Then you could see it and put it up.

[Kris Dove]

Is it not acceptable to wash your hair beforehand and if they want to wash it again there just take your own shampoo and conditioner with you and get them to use that?I've done this because I'm a vegan and want to use my own products, many other people do this because of allergies etc. I've never met a hairdresser who objected.

I always wash my hair before going as I'd be embarrassed to have anyone handle my hair if it were greasy.

Be very specific about exactly how much you want off . I've been to a few scissor-happy hairdressers who have taken far too much off after being told just a trim to tidy it up as I'm trying to grow it!
I haven't actually been to a salon in a while as I've started self-trimming using Feye's method.

[DARKMARTIAN]

Salon huh?...wow.....im certainly not qualified for this thread. . havent even had a trim in over a year.......

[pdy2kn6]

Oh I forgot to ask, would it be best not to do my normal CO and do a proper wash with my mild shampoo and then conditioner? I don't think I should put any oils on my hair so he can see what my hair is really like in its natural state, what do you guys think?

[Kris Dove]

Oh I forgot to ask, would it be best not to do my normal CO and do a proper wash with my mild shampoo and then conditioner? I don't think I should put any oils on my hair so he can see what my hair is really like in its natural state, what do you guys think?
CO should be fine I'd imagine, as long as your hair feels and smells nice thats the only reason you'd need to wash it. I'd probably leave off the oils though for the reason you mentioned.