[nonightowl]

I know this is a mental health web site, and this topic may sound superficial or trivial. But just cause I feel like $hit doesn't mean I have to look like it as well. And it CAN make me feel a bit better to look decent....

My hairdresser of 27 years retired and went back East. I'm now trying to find a new place. I don't trust stuff like Yelp and have no women friends to ask for referrals. (This is how I originally found my hairdresser, word of mouth. She told me it's the best way, if I see someone whose hair is like mine or I like it, find out where she goes)

I'm throwing caution to the wind by attaching a poll also, even though the last thread I tried to start here got just one reply.

Do you read Yelp or other reviews? Trial and error? Or try to get word of mouth referrals from acquaintances or even strangers?

This is directed mainly towards women who don't have women friends or relatives to ask.

There's beauty web sites too, and they have forums like on PC where people recommend stuff. Or lists of places in beauty magazines like Allure.

[bluekoi]

Word of mouth has worked best for me.

[Nammu]

I was in the same boat. I went to three places and told them to cut it however would suit me. They just left it the same and cut it shorter. So the last place I went I looked at the books and said cut it like this but to suit my face..she did and she cost less that the others did. I did want a change I told them all that, but they were scared to change it.

[ChipperMonkey]

I live in fear of having to find a new hair dresser!

Seriously, I haven't had to find a new one since I was in college, maybe 15 years ago? I've moved around the country a bit and I would actually schedule my haircuts around my visits home!

I actually found my current guy through word of mouth. My sister had him cut her hair, and she recommended him to me. Unfortunately he recently moved from a small place to an upscale salon so his fees practically doubled! Fortunately I only get my hair cut 1-2 times a year so I guess its not too bad. His haircuts are definitely worth the price!

Oh, but I'd avoid going to a place based solely on advertisements or the fact that they're high end. The absolute WORST place in my town is one of the most upscale. Every other place in town (save maybe the hair cuttery) has had to fix their mistakes. Its funny to hear these horror stories. (Well, funny yet sad...)

[Raindropvampire]

I don't trust yelp or online review sites. I've known too many trolls that if they don't like a place will make fake profiles and just bomb a place online OR they enlist ever person they know to "take the place down". I've also seen the other side where it was used to pump up a place. So I just can't take online reviews seriously.

I go for trial and error/word of mouth. I've been known to stop a complete stranger and ask where she got her hair cut. Sometimes I'll just get a what the hell attitude and go in someplace I'm driving past. I mean it's hair even if they butcher it it grows out.

[nonightowl]

Originally Posted by Raindropvampire

I don't trust yelp or online review sites. I've known too many trolls that if they don't like a place will make fake profiles and just bomb a place online OR they enlist ever person they know to "take the place down". I've also seen the other side where it was used to pump up a place. So I just can't take online reviews seriously.

I go for trial and error/word of mouth. I've been known to stop a complete stranger and ask where she got her hair cut. Sometimes I'll just get a what the hell attitude and go in someplace I'm driving past. I mean it's hair even if they butcher it it grows out.

LOL, I haven't heard of the word "troll", that's funny. I think of those little dolls, I have one actually.

I just know that there's no way you can be sure reviews on Yelp are written by a real customer. Anyone can create a profile and just make up something. It would be easy. They could have multiple profiles or e-mails to pull it off.

I don't like places with signs that say "People love us on Yelp." WHAT people? Are they bogus? I don't know!

You're right that it grows out, and my hair grows fast. But still the thought of someone else touching my hair literally makes my skin crawl.

I'm trying the "what the hell" thing this Sunday, as I decided to try a local place I can walk to. I had to wait for this independent person to call ME, something I'm not used to. I'm used to booking an appointment through the receptionist. Seems they don't have one. I haven't even met her, just talked to her on the phone.

Also, they don't take credit cards. Cash or check only.

She wanted to know why I wanted Sundays. I first asked why does she ask why, why do I need to explain. I then said it's hard enough to go to a new place, let alone a new PERSON, after 27 years. At least I can keep the same DAY if possible. I hope she doesn't ruin my hair.

I hated trying to explain what it looks like and what I want.

My hairdresser was more than someone who did my hair. She was like a big sister, a friend. Even though it was a business relationship, there was a lot of personal overlap----on both sides. We had some things in common too, that we could talk about. Like we are both "bookworms", so we'd talk about the books we're reading and recommend stuff to each other.

Someone said to me, "Can't you just go to her replacement?" I said there's no replacement for her. It's not that simple. Even if someone was in her station now, SHE can't be "replaced." I miss her dearly, and it's only been about a month.

I HATE change, so if I have to do this, I want to at least get some place closer to home. My old salon that I went to (where she was) is not far but the drive is horrible, so much traffic even on Sunday mornings. AND it IS pricey for me, but I was attached to her. I followed her to that salon after she left this other place.

I can walk to this place.

It's been so long, I forgot I originally found HER via word of mouth. A friend sent me to her.

I don't want to go to a place with a high turnover either. A friend (guy) told me he went to Supercuts and Fantastic Sam's a couple of times, but the turn over is high. So he wouldn't see the same people.

I want to find someone I like that I can keep going to. And I prefer mom and pop shops, not corporate chains like Supercuts.

Sigh.......

Want, want, want....

Rant, rant, rant.....

P.S. I like your member name. I love rain and love vampire stuff: Books, TV shows, movies.

[lizardlady]

Owl, my answer is going to be absolutely no help. I got so tired of going into a shop, telling the stylist what I wanted and have her cut it the way she wanted. I even took pictures of what I wanted. Every place I went, whether it was a chain place or an upscale shop, I got the same crappy haircut. One place the girl was so busy gabbing with a friend that she cut one side W-A-Y shorter that the other side. She refused to fix it! I gave up. I cut it myself now. It's ironic because I have people ask where I got my hair done! I guess I do a good job.

I wouldn't go by on-line reviews for all the reasons already mentioned. How about asking people who have haircuts you like where they get theirs done?

edited to add

Do you have a picture of yourself that shows your hair the way you'd like it to look? You could take the picture with you to show them what you want.

[tomswife6975]

I have been a hairdresser for 27 years. I recommend this..

ASK a stranger who does their hair. When you see a good haircut..ask

word of mouth is always the best route. I have had many wonderful clients who were referrals from existing clientele.

BUT

you must know that even if you show me a picture..your hair type and condition will determine 75% of how your desired look will actually look on your own head. A good stylists will be honest about that and take the time to explain why.

You can find a good stylist anywhere.
You can find them in high end $100 cut salons....and you can find them in your $12.99 walk in joint. Its all in the person. I myself have had many good cuts and many bad ones too !!!

Please also be honest with us if you are not happy. Don't be afraid to stop something that's not what you want. My favorite line to some people is that I flunked mind reading class in high school .

My best suggestion is ask your friends first. If you wanna go the walk in route..just request someone in management..shows they have been around a while..and are passionate about doing hair.

Either way..good luck.

[nonightowl]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

Owl, my answer is going to be absolutely no help. I got so tired of going into a shop, telling the stylist what I wanted and have her cut it the way she wanted. I even took pictures of what I wanted. Every place I went, whether it was a chain place or an upscale shop, I got the same crappy haircut. One place the girl was so busy gabbing with a friend that she cut one side W-A-Y shorter that the other side. She refused to fix it! I gave up. I cut it myself now. It's ironic because I have people ask where I got my hair done! I guess I do a good job.

I wouldn't go by on-line reviews for all the reasons already mentioned. How about asking people who have haircuts you like where they get theirs done?

edited to add

Do you have a picture of yourself that shows your hair the way you'd like it to look? You could take the picture with you to show them what you want.

Liz, thanks for weighing in. I did ask this one woman at the gym about her hair, but it turned out she cut it herself! I'm not that skilled.

I went to this place this past Sunday. My cut came out okay---I don't dislike nor like it. Her technique was different from my old stylist, and she took much longer. I can also tell English isn't her first language, so it was hard to communicate with her.

She asked about kids---I know she's trying to establish rapport and make conversation but family is a painful subject for me. Ask about how I like the weather to break the ice.

I haven't found any pictures of what I like. And, like the post below, a picture just gives the stylist an idea. It won't look exactly like that on you, I know.

I know what you mean by chatting. I don't wany anyone chatting with someone and not paying attention.

This place is walking distance, and it's been in business over 40 years. That's a good sign I think.

Originally Posted by tomswife6975

I have been a hairdresser for 27 years. I recommend this..

ASK a stranger who does their hair. When you see a good haircut..ask

word of mouth is always the best route. I have had many wonderful clients who were referrals from existing clientele.

BUT

you must know that even if you show me a picture..your hair type and condition will determine 75% of how your desired look will actually look on your own head. A good stylists will be honest about that and take the time to explain why.

You can find a good stylist anywhere.
You can find them in high end $100 cut salons....and you can find them in your $12.99 walk in joint. Its all in the person. I myself have had many good cuts and many bad ones too !!!

Please also be honest with us if you are not happy. Don't be afraid to stop something that's not what you want. My favorite line to some people is that I flunked mind reading class in high school .

My best suggestion is ask your friends first. If you wanna go the walk in route..just request someone in management..shows they have been around a while..and are passionate about doing hair.

Either way..good luck.

I don't have any women friends. Just men, and obviously they don't have the styles/processes of a lot of women. And one is out of state now.

I've been paying attention to women's hair everywhere I go, but I haven't seen anything I like so far. All the ladies at the senior center have short hair, and they all have the same cut too. Other than that, I just have strangers to go by.

The owner of the above mentioned salon kept insisting on me bringing a picture, but I said I haven't found one. She also said she couldn't do my hair cause it's too long. And it would hurt her shoulder too much. Well I needed a cut. She referred me to someone who works well with longer hair. Now it's not so long.

Since you're in the business, what is this thing about the first name only on their business cards? Do they not want me to research them? "Teresa-hair and makeup." Teresa WHO? What services does she do done on hair? Cuts only? Color? Geez...I can't read minds, and it's a pain to ask all these questions about it. Why can't they put their last name on there and SPECIFY what exactly they do?

One salon had this guy who said he only works by referral. So since nobody referred me, I guess he was indirectly turning away my business.

I got one referral from one of my favorite checkers at the store (I might have siad this already), but I don't like that part of town. But keeping her in mind if I can't find anything else.

Does it matter if a salon specializes in African-American hair, which I don't have?

I do exactly what Tomswife has recommended.

I ask a complete stranger who did their hair. I've then made the appoinment with the exact stylist and she new who exactly I was talking about and I pretty much got the hair cut I wanted.

My problem is that I finally find someone I like and then either the shop closes down or the stylist no longer has a chair there.

I have NEVER shown a stylist a picture and gotten anything remotely like it.

[88Butterfly88]

word of mouth, trial and error