Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Salon Talk

On The Flipside Guest Blogger: Forgetfulone


Forgetfulone posted this post on her blog on 7/10/08 (http://forgetfulone.blogspot.com/2008/07/salon-talk.html) and she has now agreed to repost it here On The Flipside and be today's Guest Blogger - Thanks so much Forgetfulone!


Please read her post below and then offer your opinion in the comments. And ... make sure you go by and visit her blog (Forgetfulone).





Salon Talk






Are you an independent salon girl, a Toni & Guy or Visible Changes gal, a Supercuts girl, or somewhere in between?

I've been all of the above, but I prefer the independent salons. There is a locally owned salon here called Menchaca's. They have four or five locations, but they are not a nationwide chain. The owner does my hair, and he's fabulous. It can be rather pricey, though. I've learned the hard way that it's worth every penny!

My step-daughter has had a really awful haircut at Supercuts. My 12 year old son has had a bad haircut at TGF Haircutters. And I had the worst experience recently at Fantastic Sam's. Now, I realize not all of the stylists at these places are bad. In fact, most of them are fine. But just before we went on vacation last month, I decided I needed a hair cut. I didn't have an appointment at Menchaca's, I wanted to save money, and I needed my hair cut NOW. Next time, I will simply either wait or plan ahead better.

I wanted a really small section of bangs (I don't think I look good without bangs). I have a huge chunk of bangs now, and I am still having to cut them to even them up. They are so completely jagged! The stylist asked if I wanted the sides tapered to the front. I told her no. I wanted a blunt cut. Guess what? She tapered the front! I am old enough to know how I want my hair styled! I have thin, baby fine hair, and I know what works and what doesn't.

I will give some freedom to my regular stylist, but when I go somewhere new or unknown, I don't want that person to experiment on my hair. In a few weeks, I plan to go to my regular stylist and beg his forgiveness for letting someone else touch my hair. I know he'll be able to make things right. I found out the hard way that it is worth it to be patient and to spend the extra money to get a decent cut. It's true that you get what you pay for!

Originally posted by forgetfulone at 2:40 PM 07/10/08



What do you think? Have you had good or bad experiences with "quick-cut" hair salons? Do you prefer small salons? Are you okay paying more for a beautician you trust?


Please give your opinion/experiences. And, make sure you go over to the sidebar and participate in the poll on this topic.

Poll results: When You Have Your Hair Cut Which Do You Prefer? 15 people participated in poll. 3 (20%) said they preferred an expensive salon. 3 (20%) said they preferred the "quick cut" type salons. 7 (46%) said they 2 (13%) had a friend cut their hair. 0 said they cut their hair themselves. 2 (13%) said that it didn't matter much to them where they got their hair cut.

19 comments:

Brittany said...

It's not that I don't care about my looks, because that is actually quite the opposite. If you know me, you know that I cannot even leave the house without make-up...that's just how it is.

But when it comes to getting my hair cut, I just don't have a preference. I've done the cheaper places, I've gone to big name salons, and I've gone to little privately owned places. And honestly, I don't think I've noticed a difference. Maybe I've just been one of the "lucky" ones when going to the cheap places? Who knows?!

Rosemary said...

I've had bad experiences at places like Fantastic Sams. Even my boys hair cuts look bad from there. I don't think you need to go to a real pricey salon but I avoid the discount places.

AdriansCrazyLife said...

Yes, I have had some horrendous hair cuts, both for myself and for my 2 sons. I've had perms that didn't take, color that was terrible, and boys hair cuts that are too short to bear. Virtually ALL of these came from the "cheap" salons.

Now my niece cuts my hair in her professional home salon and does my older son as well. I still take my 10 year old to the cheap places, but I give them very explicit directions and I watch them like a hawk.

C said...

I have a general ditrust in hairdressers, whether they're in fancy salons or in cheap places.
They never seem to do what I want, or they talk me into something I don't want... so either way I come out unhappy with my hair.
There's a place near me, that is part of a very high class chain within New Zealand. It's horribly expensive, and I've only ever been tehre twice. But it's left me feeling happy with my hair.
My mother goes to another local place - nothing fancy, but she likes her hairdresser - my sister uses him too. So maybe I should give him a go... he's a lot cheaper. But we'll see.

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

I learned the hard way to avoid those box salons like the plague. I too look for small, private shops. I've had the worst luck with finding a good stylist though, and now that I've found one I really like, I'm convinced she's going to drop dead or move to China. :::sigh:::

jenn said...

I never pay for haircuts! Mine is a simple style; long all the way around. When I need a trim, my hubby does it. I buzz him and my son, and I still cut my girls hair. I'm dreading the day when I have to take the girls to a stylist...I just know it's going to cost an arm and a leg!

Ellyn said...

I ususally go to a local place. She does a great job and she knows I am a little crazy about my hair So she really listens to me and what I want. Plus it's nice to know that I am supporting a local business.

Anonymous said...

I have a friend who works at a big salon who has done my hair since she was in school! She usually comes to my house to cut it for me! :)

My hair style is pretty easy - I don't think anyone could screw it too bad unless they really really didn't know what they were doing!

Brenda said...

I go to a salon with several stylists but a lady I've known for 25 years works there and always cuts my hair. She knows what I want, does it, and we're done.

Jyl @ MommyGossip said...

My sister is a stylist. She used to own her own salon, which was a really upscale place. I have to say that I loved having my hair done there. Being offered a drink right when I sat down was just the pampering I needed--Voss water, no less (yep! My martini of choice!). She sold her interest a year ago, so now I get it done in her kitchen.

My opinion? As much as I loved the shee shee (sp?) salon experience, the quality cut and color is the same in either location. What is more important to me is spending time with my sis. And... I love that I don't have to pay salon prices for that!

Courtney said...

I go to a locally owned salon, but only because I would follow one particular girl just about anywhere. I love her and I won't let anyone else touch mine or my kids' hair. It also helps that she comes to my house for my kids because they are afraid to go to the salon. I love her!

Tabitha said...

I have at last found a hairdressers that I love, it is a bit pricey ~ but I totally love the way the stylist does my hair and she does what I ask ~ I have had disasters in the past ~ so I am happy with where I am now and I wouldn't change!!

D... said...

Been there, done that, didn't want the t-shirt.

In Memphis, we had a stylist who was perfect for us. I didn't even have to give her instructions. I loved it. We've been in Houston 10 years now and are still looking for that perfect place. My daughter & I used to go to Visible Changes but I got tired of all the added expenses & the push to buy products. My daughter just went to Shear Pleasure in Fwd and loved it.

bichonpawz said...

I have had my share of awful, dreadful cuts through the years. I am VERY particular about my hair. When I found someone I really liked, I stayed with them forever....or til they moved WAY too far away. Fortunately, my daughter went to school for cosmetology and is a stylist specializing in color...I have highlights / lowlights / the works...all for free...in my very own home by my very own daughter...who could ask for more??

dani said...

k, i actually do my own most of the time. however, if i get the urge for highlights or the such, i usually go to a high-end salon... as i find that for certain things "you get what you pay for":)
have a great week!!!
l,
d

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

I'll never, ever go to anyone but "my guy." I'll pay him however much he wants and I'll plan months in advance. I do not like bad hair days!

Anonymous said...

I've been to all kinds . . . and I ended up at an independent salon - the lady that cuts my hair is WONDERFUL! She understands my hair, she understands that I don't have lots of time to sit and chat, and she knows what I like :-) She's a little pricier, but after some super bad cuts, it's worth it. Another reason I've stayed with her . . . I like to support the little guy, especially when the little guy is a single mother of an amazingly cute little boy :-)

My 8 year old got a terrible cut at a discount place (we always take him there and this was the first bad cut) . . . I mean it was AWFUL! I was telling Janessa about it and she told me to come back after I picked him up from school and she'd see what she could do. She fixed it without making it shorter, which was a HUGE deal for him . . . and she charged me nothing. There will definitely be a bigger tip next time I got back, but I love her and she's worth every penny.

Janet said...

I spent years not bothering with my hair. Recently I've started going to Walmart. I got it cut REALLY short. Shorter than it's been since I was 5. I was back 3 weeks later to get it shorter, then 3 weeks later to get it shorter. The third time was the charm. I love them. It's cheap, you can walk in, and so far the two I've had have actually listened. It's a small town, so word will get around. (Ohmigawd who cut your hair!) and that stylist is toast.
I've also had my hair ruined by expensive professional salon types. And by the Supercuts types. But it grows out. With alarming speed.

Anonymous said...

After years of bad cuts and perms I am very careful who I allow to touch my hair. I have a lady in the next town that understands thin, fine hair. She and one other wonderful lady are the only two in almost 44 years who have not sent me home in tears!

I'm not a hair fashion diva by any stretch of the imagination, I simply want to be able to go out in public without looking like an experiment gone bad!