Asking a stylist for a microtrim

[Kapri]

For my last haircut I asked for the layers to be 'dusted'. Looking back I have no memory of a painstaking microtrim. I go to a lovely, experienced stylist but she is at the high end, fashion end of the industry (I go because she does free fringe trims and cappucinos whenever I want them and because she has become a friend).

I love the shape she puts in the hair but can only go once every three months because it would be too expensive otherwise.

Am I going to the wrong 'school' of hairdresser or do I need to spell it out better and if so how?

I am also wondering about getting one of the juniors to do the trim with her supervision. But I do wonder whether 'trendy' hairdressers today do microtrims.

Kapri

[celebriangel]

Ohgods. The money I would pay stylists if I could be confident of getting what I wanted...if I found a stylist willing to do microtrims she would have an every-3-months customer for LIFE with extra tips and flowers on her birthday.

I really am not joking. However, I've never heard of a stylist doing a microtrim with the exception of the George Michael salons.

There again, I'm not a hairdresser.

[Sunsailing]

Yes. A GOOD stylist will do whatever you ask for.

While I was growing my hair, I would go in every 3 months. She would take off 1/8 inch each time. I could verify that by what I saw on the floor. She is not a long hair specialist.

If you have a good stylist, stick with that person! And tip them WELL!

[battles]

My usual stylist asked me if I wanted a microtrim and for the layers to be dusted last time I went in. :D That was after I told her I was starting to grow my hair out.

[Kapri]

Thanks all,

I think next time I see her, I will ask for a micro trim rather than 'dusting' and watch very carefully to see whether the layers are each trimmed in detail. I may ask about how the layers are doing etc to get her to focus on them.

By microtrim, I mean that she will not only trim the bottom layer but also the other two layers where the hair is very weedy because it doesn't get noticed on the way down to the hem line.

It will be in a month and I will report back, Kapri

[spike316]

I'm lucky in that my stylist is a friend of mine and we're both trying to grow our hair out and I'm her massage therapist (so she definitely wants me to be happy! :O)) so allow me to lead with that. She does do a lot of cutting edge stuff (see my pre-lhc photo album for reference) but when I tell her I want a microtrim she gives me a real microtrim of 1/8th of an inch and has no problem with that. Next time you go and see her tell her the exact measurement of what you're looking to get cut off. Perhaps "microtrim" is too arbitrary for her? However, if you're looking for an S&D service that's generally too much to ask someone who's not a specialist as it is VERY tedious, and generally not what they signed up for.

[Amber_Maiden]

"Dusting" is a term few stylists/hair dressers know... They figure it's cutting off 3in, in my experience. :p

[Panth]

Personally, I wouldn't say "I want a dusting" or "I want a microtrim". Those terms are LHC terms, not hairdresser terms. I would say "I want you to trim 1/4" off my hemline and don't touch my layers" or "I want you to trim 1/8" off my hemline and make each layer 1/8" shorter". Specific is good. You may also want to make the stylist mark off on her comb how big she thinks 1/8" is, or hold her fingers 1/8" apart - it's surprising how often people's guess of what a measurement is is no where near the actual measurement.

Of course, that isn't going to help you if you have the sort of 'fashion hairstylist' who thinks they're an 'artist' and their opinion of what to do to your hair trumps what you tell them. However, if it seems that the stylist is competent and listens, then specific instructions should be all you need.

Also, if you're specific in asking for an 1/8" trim, or whatever, and the stylist says "What, I can't do that!" then you know to run a mile - remember, not everyone is skilled and steady-handed enough to trim that little.

[jesis]

I have had the same hairstylist since before I started the long hair journey. I was really nervous about keeping her as a stylist because I wasn't sure she would deliver the results I wanted. However, I had a long talk with her about this site and everything I was doing and going through to make sure my hair stayed as healthy as possible. I will usually go in expecting anywhere from a 1/8"-1/4" trim (I usually go every 3 months). She always trims as little as possible, usually around 1/16". She's really great about it because she knows I am working so hard to get my hair to a better place. She also does an awesome job on my layers and always puts into perspective that my hair IS growing, even if I don't think it is. She has also become a very good friend to me in the 4 years I have been visiting her.

Also, when I first started my long hair journey, I would S&D before I went into my stylist and then have her evaluate my hair just to kind of "test" her. She always told me how healthy my hair looked and barely had to take anything off, just enough to even out my ends. That's how I knew I could trust her.

I would not recommend letting anyone without much experience cut your hair. I barely trust myself sometimes with my own hair, more or less someone I don't know who isn't top notch. Find someone you can trust. Have a talk with your current stylist. Or, if you can, learn to cut your hair yourself! :)

A good stylist should understand and try to help you achieve whatever it is you are looking for! When you find a good one, hang on to them!

[tori93]

I've been going to the same hairdresser since january when she cut it to chin length. The last time i had it cut in september i said i didn't want to lose any length and just wanted the layers cut. She said that she would just take a tiny bit of the ends and she literally only cut a couple of mm. You just have to find somebody you trust or get them to show them how much they are going to cut before they cut it.

[Kapri]

Thank you all!

I will ask very specifically for what I want next time. She is most respectful of the length issue and it is just the layers that concern me and how to communicate the level of thoroughness I require.

All this feedback has clarified things for me,

Kapri x

[celebriangel]

Hmm. Maybe I ought to seek out a friendly stylist then?

Honestly, at the moment I'd really love a microtrim, but I don't know anyone I trust enough to get it right. I know self-trim methods exist, but I also want a little more trimmed off the middle than off the sides (to slowly convert my deep U into a soft U) and I don't know how to achieve that myself...

I wish there were some sort of stylist interview process.

[Tabitha]

Ohgods. The money I would pay stylists if I could be confident of getting what I wanted...if I found a stylist willing to do microtrims she would have an every-3-months customer for LIFE with extra tips and flowers on her birthday.

I really am not joking. However, I've never heard of a stylist doing a microtrim with the exception of the George Michael salons.

There again, I'm not a hairdresser.
Would you pay for a day trip to London? there's a GM salon just off Regent Street - I went a few months ago.

[celebriangel]

Would you pay for a day trip to London? there's a GM salon just off Regent Street - I went a few months ago.

Oh, of course! Why didn't I think of that? I think I thought they were only in america for some reason...

I'm in Birmingham, so actually a day trip to london, if I booked in advance, wouldn't be horrendously expensive. Hmm. I may just try that!

*saves up*

What was your experience of the GM salon like?