In The Hot Seat




Can I ask you a question?

Am I the only person who doesn't have "someone"
that always does their hair?

I just can't rely on ANYONE to consistently do a good job with my hair
and it leaves me waiting upwards of a year each time 
I need to cut my hair.

And I'm at this point again.

My last hair cut was May 2011.

I'm starting to look like Stevie Nicks.

I don't need anything fancy...
I just want someone that can consistently control my fro.

So if you are one of "those people"
who have long-term relationships with a hairdresser,
where/how/what did you do to find them?

{Londoners- any help?}

Does anyone else suffer from reoccurring trauma caused by the styling seat?



41 comments:

  1. I'm no help, other than sympathy. I'm with you. I normally cut my own hair because it's so hard (and expensive!) to find someone who can decently cut my curly hair. I actually got my hair cut about two years ago (here in Harrogate) and the girl didn't listen when I stopped her cutting broad layers- and then about 6 weeks later I had to hack off all my hair to my chin because it was so bedraggled growing out.
    Sorry.
    Difficult hair sympathy hug?

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  2. I am one of *those* people. I literally never got my hair done while in switzerland... which left it looking special when it was a while before I was back in the states. i'm that loyal ... or just a total control freak. I've been traumatized by the hot seat many a times. One time while at Ole Miss I went to someone who left me in foils while she went to KFC to get a chicken pot pie - then ate said chicken pot pie in front of me - theeeen was served papers for her custody of her child all while one appointment. Oh yes, and she admitted being on muscle relaxers. So after that I never took my lady for granted ... I pretty much worship the ground she walks on.

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  3. oh and my best advice is to ask other londoners with great hair where they get it done. really earth shattering great advice, huh?

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  4. When I lived in Toronto I had the best stylist. I could count on him for a great layered cut and highlights every time. When I moved to FL it was a whole different ball game! I had about 3 traumatizing experiences before finding a more consistent stylist. The one I have now is the owner and his brother is co-owner. While I like my guy I've noticed he hasn't been doing the great job I once thought. I had his brother come over and finish off the layers that frame my face 2 hair cuts ago and I was so glad I did. It was a bit awkward to switch for the haircut portion to a new stylist but I had to. Hair is one area I don't skimp on-my mom taught me that and she is so right. You can see a bad highlight job or cut a mile away.

    You asked how we found the stylist we now have. Because I was new to this city then I used review sites like Yelp to help me out. For me it's tricky because few people know how to highlight blonde hair so it doesn't look yellow-ish, orange-y or too ashy or unnatural. I have natural blonde hair so I already make it pretty easy for the stylist-I'm amazed when they really mess up. So, this was part of my important criteria when using review sites-looking to see who else had a similar experience.

    The other thing I'd recommend is if you see someone locally that has a great quality cut and seems to have similar thickness of hair to you (even if it's a stranger)-ask them who does their hair. Make sure you find out which stylist they use at the salon. This has helped me before in the past too!

    Good luck, Lauren!! I hope whoever you find does a great job. There is nothing better than a fresh hair cut! :)

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  5. I've been to Emma at Brooks&Brooks in Holborn (http://www.brooksandbrooks.co.uk/) a bunch, and she's great! I have curly hair, so I do look for someone who knows how to handle the crazy, but if she can do me I'm sure she can do you :)

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  6. I'm extremely NOT picky when it comes to my hair. but I also don't do anything fancy to my hair, so I can get away with picking a hair salon based on how little I want to spend. I just need someone to cut it, and if it comes out slightly different than I was wanting, oh well. it'll grow out and then I'll do the whole thing over again.

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  7. Referrals are what you need! Ask friends in the area!

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  8. Honestly, I found mine because she is my brothers friends mom! But also because we have similar (super curly and dry) hair so I knew should we know what to do with mine.. that's what I would look for someone with similar hair.

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  9. Ugh. The same guy cut my hair from middle school until I up & left my hometown in my early 20s. I went through a couple of terrible stylists until I found the one I have been with now -- fortunately I have long hair so it is somewhat hard to mess up. I think finding the right one is a litle trial by error and a little bit referral :) Good luck!

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  10. This has always worked for me: be on the lookout for someone with hair similar in texture and length to yours whose hair looks great, then ask who does their hair. People are always flattered and usually give great advice. I have always found great hairdressers this way. Then when you get to the salon speak up about exactly what you want and bring photos. Good luck, everyone has had these struggles.

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  11. It took me a while but I go to Yana at Hari's on Old Brompton Road. My sister in law passed down the name to me since she used to live in London before I moved here.

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  12. I feel ya. I've lived in DC for a year now and just found a hairdresser I like. She's the only one who hasn't cut my bangs and left me looking like a 5 or 50 year old. Good luck!

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  13. Holy goodness. I'm so glad that I'm not the only person who is working on a year without a haircut!
    I get my haircut every time I visit my Family in Michigan because that's where "My" hairdresser is. I just haven't been able to find anyone in Connecticut who isn't afraid of my white woman's fro. :)
    Eat Cake

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  14. Living in Korea, I'm always on the lookout for a new stylist. I've unfortunately never had a decent haircut here and it's left me frustrated. On a trip home I actually had my sister in law (not a professional but cuts her own hair) teach me how to cut my own. I just need something basic like you and have actually thought about having my husband do it next time!! Hope you find someone you like soon!

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  15. Girls and our hair. I had a great relationship with my hairdresser in London - Vlad at Soma Aveda on Fulham Road. He was a no-fuss, good cutter with great taste for keeping it simple. I have long wavyish hair like you, and he always created an effortless layered style. Tell him I sent you!

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  16. I loved my hair girl that I had for 10 years!!! I loved her so much that when we moved 6 hours away for 2 years, I would still drive back and visit friends and make a hair appointment with her every 4 months or so. Being a blonde is tricky!
    So, when I called a few months and found out she left, I about fell apart. I got a bunch of recommendations and read ratings on this Aveda studio...and they RUINED my hair. I looked like a fake California beach bum blonde and it fried my hair.
    Anyway, I went and bought my own scissors and actually let me husband cut my hair a couple weeks ago! Ha! It looked pretty decent!
    However, I FINALLY facebook stalked my old stylist and found out where she is now...so, I am looking forward to having great hair again in the FAll.
    Yes, I am that loyal! (My hair is sort of a mousy blonde, so I really need highlights. And unfortunately, most people just don't know how to make them look natural)

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  17. I'm the same - when we moved to Africa there was definitely no one I could trust. I went about a year before my last cut and my hair was in terrible condition by that time.
    I would ask friends with great hair where they get it done and when you book an appointment at a new salon, ask for a more senior stylist to ensure you aren't getting the person fresh out of school.
    Good luck!

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  18. I'm a fellow londoner had the same issue but I finally found someone! Lottie at Paul Edmonds in Knightsbridge is great--it's on main road down from Harrods. Emma Thompson and Colin Firth go here but the jr stylist-like lottie- are only £45. I've been going to her for 2 years and always been pleased. You get to lay in a massage chair while they wash your hair and then have a great head massage. You get biscuits and tea in porcelain cups. Always been very pleased...lottie is fab! http://www.pauledmonds.com/ is the site

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  19. I am one of "those people". I go to the same girl every time and have been for a couple of years. I found her by accident honestly. I had been going to the same salon since high school, but would get my hair cut by whoever was open that day. I finally found this girl and liked what she was doing. Side note: I have the most plain / boring hair cut, so my philosophy in finding someone was "if you can't cut my hair, then you probably can't cut hair at all."

    If you find a salon you like, maybe bounce around to the stylists there until you click with one. That's what I did and eventually found one. :)

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  20. I completely feel your pain!!! I'm definitely one of those people as well!!! Having moved so much within the last 4 years it's hard to find someone you really looove.
    Now that we're in a more permanent situation I know of a girl who is graduating from cosmetology school who I will probably start trying to go to. The weird thing? I used to babysit her!! Talk about making me feel OLD.
    I hope you find someone you like! I used to avoid getting my hair trimmed because I hate going to someone I don't know!

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  21. I understand. It seems like getting a good hairdresser involves some amount of training. You have to train them over the course of a few appointments in how you like things done. I also like to take my iPad with me to show pictures of what I like to help the communication. But I also take photos of what I hate because sometimes showing what you don't like is actually more important than what you DO like.

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  22. I feel your pain. When I lived out West, I was in class (as the new girl) and was asking if anyone knew of any good hairstylists. This one kid literally awoke from his slumber and said, "Yes, my mother. She used to be Jennifer Aniston's stylist when we lived in Southern California." The BEST haircuts I've ever received in my entire life. Needless to say, it's all been downhill, now that I live back East.

    I think the best solution is for you to go to the Richard Ward salon so that you and the Duchess can spend time in the salon together. I mean, The Prince of Wales has already smiled at you, so the Royal family pretty much enjoys your company. Obvs.

    You can always compliment someone on the street (whose hair you actually like) and tell them you love their haircut and would they mind sharing which salon they go to, and which stylist they see?

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  23. I am the last person to answer! Hahaha! I get a lot of compliments on my hair... and I always go to some cheap place like SuperCuts. Always. The last time I went to a real salon was 2003. However, I should also admit that my hair isn't that big of a deal to me. If it were to get messed up, and then I had to cut it a bit shorter, I wouldn't cry.

    I went to University of San Diego which is primarily Caucasian, blonde, and rich. In my Research Methods class, the professor took a poll of the class to use cost of a haircut as an example. Some girls paid $200 ever six weeks. I proudly raised my hand along with two guys in the class when she finally got down to the $20-40 range. BAHAHA! The girls sitting next to me asked, "Are you serious? But your hair looks so good."

    "I know. And I saved a lot of money."

    I didn't care who would judge me. I thought it was hilarious!

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  24. I found mine by trial & error. After a few stylists I found the guy I've been going to for 6 years & just really liked him & the cut he gave me. I did take a photo with me the first time, which I think is helpful.

    I have no advice for London!

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  25. I am in a long term relationship with my hair dresser. I have crazy curly hair which I tame to the point that everyone who sees me has no idea of the fro I wake up with. It's hard to find someone because no one believes me when I tell them what is going to happen when my hair gets wet. You know how you couldn't get a gremlin wet? It's sort of the same. Once I find someone I tend to stick with them but it took me a while to find my current girl but she's excellent. I did find her by trial and error as well though. I like Aveda salons and I made an appointment at one and I was with a girl who was just ok but had cut my hair several times but she then moved away and they shuffled me to my current hair stylist who I love. It was really just chance that I ended up with her.

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  26. When I lived in London I went to Eleven off Bond street and saw Russell. I was really happy with my cut and highlights, but it was not cheap.

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  27. I inherited my hairdresser from my mom (we broth still go!) and she is just the best. She know what I like! But in London it must be hard. Of course I would start new and go somewhere you haven't gone before. I suppose the best option is to do some trial and error! See where you like and hope for the best! Also your blog is preeetty popular so I am sure you have some good tips from readers based in the uk :)

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  28. Highly recommend Brent at Bar Hairdressing near Farringdon. Women's cuts are around £45 and Brent is lovely and very thoughtful! As a fellow American-in-London I desperately miss my stylist back home and thought I'd always just be better off waiting til my next trip home to cut my hair 'properly' ... but Brent is excellent! I took my bf's recommendation (he has gone to Brent for years) -- it's always a bit of a risk trusting a boy's hair advice but honestly, no regrets. I actually recommended that my very hair-particular boss (think Uncle Jesse from Full House) see Brent and he was super pleased with the result.

    Lovely people, good location, really reasonable price for London (without mucking around trying to book in with a junior stylist to save a bit). Plus from your posts, we seem to have pretty similar-looking hair...

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  29. Oh my gosh, this is ME!!! I had the best hairdresser for five years, but then she got pregnant and left. I've had a couple other people do my hair since then, but it hasn't been good.

    This weekend I got so frustrated, I bought some haircutting scissors, watched a TON of videos on YouTube, and cut it myself. It isn't the best, but I can see getting better. And I have a friend in Austin who is a great hairdresser. I may go to her a couple times a year (I live quite a ways away) and then keep it up myself.

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  30. As a fellow American living in London, I recommend anyone at Feel in Soho. I've had my hair cut there a bunch of times - each time by a different stylist - and I've always been really happy. They're reasonably inexpensive, as well. http://www.feelsoho.com/

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  31. I SO feel your pain! For a brief time in Dallas, I had the BEST hairdresser. He literally gave me a cut that changed my look (for the better)....until he decided he wanted to go into PR. Next to San Fran where I never really found the perfect salon. In NYC, I went through a number of people before finding a woman (name I can't recall) who again seemed to cut my hair in a way that made it happy. Charlotte....took me several tries and finally found Macee, who knew what to do to my fine (as in not thick) locks. Finally.....after years of bad haircuts, I finally found a guy. But, no one ever seems to blow out my hair the way I like, so I take my own tools and once I realized what I was saving on blow outs...it's my new normal. That said, I haven't had a haircut in months! Ponytails and half up/half down is my day to day "do"! :)

    Good luck!
    xoxo Elizabeth

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  32. Haha, Stevie Nicks! I am sure you look nothing of the sort :)
    I liked Sarah Tucker's advice to just ask random ppl with good hair. I have done that! :)
    But I found the most success doing a little research. Take ten minutes online and check out the websites of a few major hair lines... Paul Mitchell, Bumble and bumble, and maybe Aveda (though I don't think Aveda is super stylish, with all humility)... I am pretty sure all three of those are large enough to have a European presence. Or check out whatever hair companies run the big hair and cosmetology schools over in there.
    The thing is, each of those glamorous schools of hair pride themselves in a sort of signature look. I finally found my own stylist when I fell in love with the Bumble and bumble cuts - they are soooo fresh!
    Just like each college has a signature emphasis, or personalities that they tend to attract, or each Couture Fashion designer has a "look" that they are famous for... I believe that the really good, creative cosmetology schools are no different. You want to find a particular hair "school of thought" that you like, so to speak, lol... then look for a salon that uses their products and is under their name. There are many small-privately-owned companies that do that sort of partnership with the bigger salon brands - so you're not going to a chain, but they just hire within the schools and stay licensed through the bigger salons.
    Sorry for the super long comment - but it IS really intimidating to find "a person" (not as bad as finding a babysitter however... TERRIFYING!)... and I never was successful until I went this route!
    Good luck :)

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  33. Luckily, I do have a guy that happens to now be a good friend here in Birmingham. He used to be in New York but moved back to the south…he also is hired by Angelina, Faith Hill and many, many others that fly him to them! He is wonderful! I love him and I went today as a matter of fact! The best thing is…he's a friend as well as a hairdresser! My mom on the other hand changes with the wind! I like to find someone and stick with them….I can always rely on him!

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  34. That used to happen to me all the time! I had finally found a hairdresser that I liked... and she moved back to her country 3 months later. But now, my good friend graduated from beauty school, so she does my hair and make-up when I need! ;)

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  35. I'm SO glad you posted this!! I have had horrible hair experiences in London (and all have cost me a small fortune each time I go...very expensive mistakes to be leaving the salon in near tears) so unfortunately I'm not a lot of help suggesting who to see, but mostly who NOT to see (sadly there's a long list). I'm all ears if you find someone! (oh and I've also heard great things about Soma on the Fulham Rd) xx

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  36. I think finding someone that knows your hair and has a nice chair manner is key. I flounder, thinking that the $$$$ salons really are worth it, but truth be told, I have a salon nearby and they know me, my family and my hair. Now, I am thinking of a new doo for Autumn.....
    pve

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  37. I don't hence I hardly cut it! But Im mainly here to read the comments and see what other Londoners do!

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  38. I was very fortunate to find my stylist, Chase, a few years ago. I can trust him without question to take care of my 'do - never have to worry that he'll do something crazy to it! I've definitely had some rough experiences in the past...as in, red highlights turned purple.
    So, you can imagine that I have been wondering what I will do without him in London these next few months. All of this great advice will really help me out as well! :)

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  39. A little bit late to the game here (catching up on all my blogs after a holiday!) but Taylor Taylor in Spitalfields is amazing, have been to a few people there and have never left disappointed. It helps that they have an in-salon bar!!

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  40. Wow, it seems that every woman I have ever met has problems with finding someone they can trust to give them a decent haircut. Needless to say, I have had far too many bad haircuts in my life. I found my hair stylist by accident. I needed to get my hair trimmed a couple years ago and the new guy I was dating had a sharp pair of professional shears, patience to listen to what I wanted and I got the best haircut of my life in his kitchen. Price was right and still is. :)

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  41. I get mine cut at home, my guy gives a great haircut and the price is right. FREE :)

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