find a good hair stylist

Time for a cut again. My hair is short so 5 to 6 weeks is my threshold. Previously I’d gone to the Beauty Academy during the day but I decided to give the evening crew a chance at my head. Last night after dinner I headed over.

It’s not as crowded or noisy as a Friday. I was taken by a nice young girl named Karen. Although I tried to chat, she was pretty quiet. OK by me. She didn’t ask me much after I told her I just needed a trim and to leave the back length alone – I wanted “collar length” (the last time it was too short). We went to the sink where she gave me the BEST scalp massage! Actually, twice. I love having my hair washed – now I know why my cat purrs when I rub his head!

The instructor came by, cut my hair a little and told Karen to just follow the prior cut, taking off about 1/2 inch. Sounds like a plan. No problem there.

She asked about drying it. I told her I don’t really dry it – I put product in and run a pick thru it (lucky me!). I may blow it a little to get the dampness out (it’s very thick) so I told her to go ahead if she wanted to.

So she did – she just kept drying and drying and drying. She kept drying it down and straight, like long hair. I kept explaining that I brush it back, to let the layers do their thing. So we wet it and started again. Then she did the same thing – down and straight (I looked like an afghan hound!). As sweet as I could, I said “Let’s try again – watch me” and I wet my hair, took out my pick and combed it back. It was wet but clear what I meant. Or so I thought. Again, she did it her way. Heavy sigh.

Finally I just let her play. I figured it was dark out and as long as the cut is good, it’s no biggee. That’s provided I didn’t run into a neighbor when I got home (I didn’t).

This morning, I washed my hair and lightly blew it dry. It looks fine.

I think this goal is history. The Beauty Academy will supply me with plenty of hair stylists to choose from and I’m pretty confident that I’ll be happy.

I’ll also try their other services – facials (another goal), waxing, mani/pedis….I like helping the “future professional” (as they call themselves).

I had the same “young man” do my hair on Friday. He was so thrilled that I asked for him. I told him to do the same cut and that I needed color. One of the Supervisors joined our discussion about the color…it made me feel pretty confident that I wouldn’t leave with green hair. I just sat back and let him have at my head.

Result? Cut and color – both great! A little shorter in the back than I like but it’s good. The color too. Very natural and no gray in sight. So far, I’ve gotten positive responses which makes me feel good too.

And financially? What a difference! A cut and color, plus tips, used to run more than $100. Friday’s adventure cost…$42.

I may go back for hilights or I’ll just wait for the next cut. After the next cut, I expect to mark this goal complete!

6 weeks already since I took a chance at the Academy. The cut lasted very nicely – I even got compliments on it thru last week.
Now the issue is the color…or lack-there-of. The summer’s gone -just like my hilites. What’s left is me: mousy brown with grey hilites.
I’m going to go back tomorrow for a cut – let’s see if I’m brave enough to let them give me a fresh color!

My appointment with my regular stylist was for today at lunch. I actually had to cancel it anyway because I had a meeting at 1pm. I tried calling her Monday only to discover she doesn’t have an answering machine-just a recording telling her hours. What? Why wouldn’t she want people to leave messages?
Anyway…I was stressing about what to say until I realized I just had to say I couldn’t make it. I was in meetings all morning today but I found a minute to call. I told her I couldn’t make it and she said fine. I added that I’d call her later in the week to try to reschedule. Now why did I say that? It just popped out. Guess the “pleaser” in me felt I had to say something. But it doesn’t matter. I don’t anticipate going back to her anymore and I’m good for about 4 weeks. Whereever I choose to go next, it’s up to me.

I went to the Beauty school for a hair cut today. A nice young man introduced himself to me and we chatted about my hair: what did I want (it’s short, keep it that way), the color (nothing at this time), how I style it (I don’t-that’s why I keep it short). He was nervous – and did I mention young?! – but everyone there was nice and the “leaders” check on the clients often. The kid basically followed the cut I had, just giving it a trim…a little at a time…He did a good job. I gave him a nice tip and he gave me a hug…did I mention he was YOUNG? LOL! Amazing how much money I saved.
I have to call my regular stylist to cancel my appointment next week. I’m not sure what I’ll tell her….should I say I found someone else or wait until next time so I can go to the Academy again?
Either way, I’m glad I did this…and glad it came out so nice!

I went to check the place out, maybe talk to someone about what they’d do for (or to) me.
Boy, were they busy! I did speak with a very nice girl who gave me a mini-tour and told me what they offer. It’s primarily the “Seniors” that do the styling and there are Leaders around that check things out. It’s a beautiful place (partnered with Paul Mitchell). She said if I want to talk to someone for ideas for my hair, it’s better on a weekday.
I’ll have to make time in the next 2 weeks to stop in again. My next hair cut is scheduled for 8/12. If I’m going to make this change, I’ve got 2 weeks to do it.

and I’m ok with it, for today.

I got foils – hello Blondie! – then cut it really short. She said to me “I just did the hilights and now you’re cutting it off?!”. Hello – it’s MY hair…..I told her it works better short, I don’t have to use a blow dryer and it’s summer for goodness sake!

I made another appoint in 6 weeks – so I have 5 weeks to make this change!

I was planning to go over to the hair academy in town to see what they’re like. They have a good reputation and got a good write up in the paper. Unfortunately, by the time I got done doing stuff today, it was too late to get over there.

I’ll get my cut/foil Tuesday as planned and I will make my hair-wishes clear on Tuesday so I am not disappointed again

Then I’ll give myself the month to make new arrangements. I know of 2 other places that have been recommended to me so I have a starting point.

This goal will be done next month. For sure.

I must do this. Every 5 weeks, I get my hair cut and 1/2 the time I’m not happy. Why do I accept that?

Last time, I told her I wanted shorter layers (my hair is thick “horse hair”) but at the end, she did what she wanted, leaving it longer than I wanted.

I did speak up. She pointed out if I wanted hilights/foils in a month, the hair needed to be longer to make it easier. Hey, who’s hair is it? If I left it longer now, why’d I’d bother to come for a cut? And in 2 weeks, I’d hate my hair. So she cut the layers shorter but didn’t really do it to my whole head. So guess what? After 2 weeks, I hated it.

I haven’t put in the adequate time to find someone but I don’t want to go another 6 weeks unhappy with my hair.

I have an appointment next week. If I don’t do something this weekend, I’ll end up going Tuesday to her.

Ah, the pressure…..

you can’t see it in any of my pictures but i found the perfect haircut for me. i have side swipe bangs and 3 inches longer than shoulders and 3 inch layers