Amiable's Blog

You know you got a bad haircut when....

November 26, 2013

... you see 3 inch segments falling to the floor while they're working on a part that you said you just wanted trimmed a bit.  (I figure once you see it fall, it's too late to bother saying anything - what are they gonna do - leave a hole?).

... the stylist's asks her supervisor to come check her cut, and that supervisor redoes almost the entire cut.

... the stylist asks you if your hair grows quickly, so that it'll grow out this cut soon.  

... the stylist runs away crying as you're walking out the door.

... you figure, "well - at least it was only $8 - you get what you pay for, I guess".  (To be honest, I probably could have done just as well at home,  but that's beside the point...)

Yes, I tipped her anyway.  No, I won't be returning to her.  Though quite honestly, it makes me chuckle.  It's only hair, and I suspect that in about two months, maybe less, I'll like it.  As it is, my neck is cold, but it's not anything worse than I've done to myself once or twice, and I can live with it.

I asked for the back trimmed up a little, so that it'll grow into a bob with some gentle a-line type layering in the back.  I took in several pictures, one of which was an a-line (they were all bobs).   The stylist's supervisor really zoned in on "a-line" (she herself had a rather severe one) and whacked away, after the stylist had done what she thought she should do with the back (which I have no idea what it looked like - because neither of them ever showed me the back of my head?!)

Anyway - here, for your chuckle as well, are before and after pics.  I don't hate it,  - it's probably better than the "before".  Besides, there's nothing that I can do at this point anyway.  I think I'll get a hat that covers my ears and neck to make it through the winter :)

#1-4 are before
#5-8 are after

Ever had a bad haircut?  What did you do and how did you know?

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Posted in the General category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

46 Comments

  • AviaMariah replied 10 years ago

    You are such a good sport!  I'd be much more upset - although the cut looks really cute on you.  I've had the similar situation where "just a trim" turn into fringe cut in twice as thick etc.  

  • LACeleste replied 10 years ago

    Amiable, You are an exceptional person!  Brava for not being upset by a (perhaps less than ideal) haircut.  Your face is lovely--your smile radiant--your talents many.

    I aim to be more like you!

  • bj1111 replied 10 years ago

    you are amazingly zen for this.  

  • replied 10 years ago

    I once asked a friend in university to trim my then waist-length hair. She cut it above my shoulders because "she thought it would look better". I was so upset!

    I am sorry you didn't get the cut you wanted! It hopefully will grow fast for you.

  • Astrid replied 10 years ago

    Omg, how can you be so calm? Look at these super short layers in the back... Sorry, I don't want to make you feel bad about it after you've been so accepting, but this reminds me of the catastrophic cut I got at the beginning of the year. I only posted the rescue cut on here, it was worse before that. I had luck to find a stylist in the meantime who knows what he's doing (and for less money too!). I'm going to go have another cut before Christmas and then most of it should be corrected. I wish you speedy hair growth! :)

  • carter replied 10 years ago

    I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I just love someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously! It's not the best cut in the world, but the good news is, your head's going to be so frigging cold, you'll be wearing a hat for the next couple months. It's only hair, it'll grow. For heaven's sake, you've got to spend more than $8 on haircut next time!

  • amiable replied 10 years ago

    To be honest, to me it really is only hair.  Luckily, my hair grows rather quickly.

    I knowingly went to a cheap place where I knew it was a risk, and I ignored a host of bad-feeling type "signs" - a closed road on the way, parking problems, the waiting room filled with somewhat "unsavory" characters, the stylist being quite late in getting to me - despite her being not being with another customer.

    I don't mind it - it kinda makes me laugh. But it's SERIOUSLY short in the back.  I'm amazed that they did it with scissors instead of breaking out the shaver :)

  • amiable replied 10 years ago

    You are so right carter!  I've gotten good $8 haircuts - but it's always a risk.  I normally cut my own hair - I decided to go in because the shape had gone south on me and I figured it needed fixing.  It got "fixed" for sure - in a different sense of the word....

    Hmm... now I get to peruse cute hats for inspiration....

  • replied 10 years ago

    Oh dear, what an experience. You are so kind not to make her feel bad! For what it's worth, I love the front view, and the length that she brought up on your neckline. I would have wanted to keep the layers long near your crown, though. At least you can't see that part in the mirror! You have a great face for a pixie-bob, and I think that's what this is! :D 

  • K. Period. replied 10 years ago

    It isn't the haircut you wanted, but it looks nice!

    I think you can have a lot of fun with it making it chunky and piecey and a little punk, kind of like how Angie makes hers all piecey instead of allowing it to lay flat. Yours I would see laying flat, but with piecey bits winging out around the sides and back. Do you have any styling wax? Aveda makes a great one--light elements shaping wax--which works well for us gals with lots of finer, straighter hair.  

    I can't tell you how to tell whether you are getting a good or bad haircut when you are getting it. My current gal absolutely defies logic in that way. I see huge chunks of hair falling. Giant pieces cut out of nowhere. Craziness.  If you saw what I saw, you would think you were getting the disaster haircut of disaster haircuts.  It always looks amazing when it is done, though, and it always looks as good or even better as I style it throughout it's 6 week life.  I am convinced she is absolutely magic. So, no idea how to tell whether it's good while it is going on. But I sure can tell whether it is good afterwards! 

  • kkards replied 10 years ago

    When I was in college I wore my hair super short, and punky. In my early 30's I decided it would be good to wear it that way again, well, it wasn't. I knew was soon as the deed was done, it was a mistake. Now, the cut was good, but it just wasn't right for me. But your right, what are you going to do? It's hair, and in a few months it will grow back, and you start again.

  • Gigi replied 10 years ago

    I'm so sorry! Yes, they did cut it quite short in the back, didn't they! I'm glad you have such a good attitude. 

    If you really need cheap haircuts, I have found Cost Cutters to be the best quality for the price. Their adult cuts were $15, at least a couple of years ago. I've had varying degrees of satisfaction with the cuts, but none of them have been bad. You can also sign up on the website for haircut reminders, which will give you $2 off your next haircut, I think.

    I have had a horrible time at Great Clips. I had a coupon for a $5 haircut one time, and the haircut I got wasn't worth the $5! I complained about Great Clips to the Cost Cutters hairdressers, and they all nod their heads and say, "Yup." Apparently Great Clips really rides its employees to get cuts done really fast. People leave there to go to Cost Cutters so that they aren't so pressured. The workers don't feel good giving those horrible haircuts either!

    I now go to a medium-price salon ($38 for a haircut), but she does such a good job that I can go for nine weeks between cuts rather than just the five or six with a Cost Cutters haircut. So I figure that is worth the extra money and less hassle.

  • Emily replied 10 years ago

    You calm, delightful person, you.  Of course it is only hair, but it is frustrating when you are paying for a service and don't get what you asked for.  You were very gracious!  The crying stylist almost did me in.

    The after looks a bit like Jennifer Lawrence's pixie to me.  I bet you'll have fun styling it!  

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    Love your attitude. It's only hair. So right. And Amy, I love the new 'do. It's just gorgeous on you. The chop was an accidental dash of fabness. xo

  • Sarah A replied 10 years ago

    I love your zen take on this! You're right sometime an $8 haircut is great and sometimes it isnt so great but I think this will actually grow out ok. And winter is hat time!

    (kind of OT: Funny story, yesterday DH came home with 3" cut off his hair and a wedge in the back than made him look like he was in about 6th grade again, I said what happened? Did you show her the pics on your phone? Same story kind of.... although, he was not nearly in as good of mood about it as you are! :))

  • amiable replied 10 years ago

    Wow Angie - you like it?  that's a huge encouragement!  Maybe I will too once I get used to it :)

  • KeepTheKey replied 10 years ago

    What a saint! And while you may not have received the haircut you asked for, I kinda dig it! I would love to have the courage to go that short. If I were you, I'd rock a P!nk-esque Mohawk type thing on date night :-)

  • Karie replied 10 years ago

    I like the new hairdo! And oh yes, I've had some bad ones myself. Let's see, there was the time the brand new stylist (who just happened to be my sister-in-law) was coloring my hair, and in a panicked manner called over about two or three others...I ended up with hair a lovely shade of green that time. Then there was the time a friend's mother colored my hair, and in a frantic voice said, "Quick! Go wash it off!" And you guessed it, more green-hued hair. Needless to say, I found myself a "real" stylist who knows how to color hair, and I'm sticking with her.

  • amiable replied 10 years ago

    Gigi - this wasn't a chain, it was a small local place.  I do have a Cost Cutters nearby - think I'll try them next time I need a shape change that's beyond my cut-my-own-hair skills.

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    I love it, Amy. I really do. Give it two weeks and I bet you will love it too. xo

  • replied 10 years ago

    Amazing attitude, cute cut. 
    When I was a stylist one of my co-workers was sued in small claims court for cutting the ladies bangs too short.  I don't remember the outcome of the case.

  • amiable replied 10 years ago

    Yikes tracina!

    It has been my experience before that my favorite haircuts are the ones that I didn't like at first.  So I'm going to believe Angie and rock my new do.  :)

    Thanks Angie!

    (Still making myself a hat though.  It's cold.)

  • JAileen replied 10 years ago

    I'm sorry you didn't get what you wanted, but I think it looks cute! And like you said, it'll grow out.

  • Word Lily replied 10 years ago

    I'm amazed they got the back that short/high at the nape with scissors! It wasn't what you went in wanting, but I, too, think it looks good. And yeah, hat/scarf/cowl for the neck. Brr.

  • Gracie replied 10 years ago

    Your haircut doesn't look that bad, your bright personality and smile come through and overrides any mishaps. I've had almost the same cut "happen" to me, with the added bonus of it being shaved pretty high on the back, I felt naked. It was winter and turtlenecks and hats, plus popped-up coat collars helped a lot. It grew quickly and now I keep a pretty close eye when my stylist (a different and excellent one) asks me if ok to do a bit of cleaning on my neck. My friends and family were very supportive and that helped a lot. I didn't focus on the mishap but I noticed my shampoo and conditioner bottles lasted a lot longer : )

  • DonnaF replied 10 years ago

    Amiable:  You are so amiable and such a role model!  Thank you!  For an inexpensive cut, you might also want to consider cosmetology (beauty) schools.  The teacher comes around to check and may show the student the initial angle, etc.  Maybe others will chime in on how to find the most talented students and best times to go.  Years ago when I was a poor student, I used to get my hair cut at a Vidal Sassoon academy where licensed, experienced, and generally upscale stylists would go to learn the Sassoon style which was very big at the time.  I could still go, but the look doesn't appeal to me any more. 

  • Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago

    I have had a similar experience but paid a lot more for it :) I also agree with Angie give it a couple of weeks & you will be feeling much better about it - love your attitude :)

  • Sveta replied 10 years ago

    You are a real trooper, Amy! However I am with Angie: it may not be a stellar haircut but it is not  total disaster either. Give it a week or too and use some product to increase the texture and you may even like it!

  • Deborah replied 10 years ago

    Amy I have nothing but respect and admiration for you.  I would have gone ballistic lol.  As it turns out the cut actually looks really good.  The course of events you describe would have sent my stress levels spiraling. I particularly love it from the front.   Going to the hairdresser should be a relaxing and enjoyable experience and the fact that you tipped the stylist demonstrates you are truly a gracious woman.

  • Jaime replied 10 years ago

    Amy you are truly a rare soul! Such a wonderful attitude! Anyway I am with Angie and I think this is going to grow on you (ha ha). Don't judge it for a week or two. I had too much taken off the back also recently, and I thought too much left in the front, but after 2 weeks it grew in and I am getting a lot of compliments. 

  • pil replied 10 years ago

    From your post I wasn't expecting it to look this good :)

  • karymk replied 10 years ago

    Amy dear. The haircut looks cute from front and sides. Just the back is what needs a little feminizing. I agree with Angie. In four weeks it will be perf.

  • Beth Ann replied 10 years ago

    I've had a rather nasty day, and I was, literally, just breathing and praying for resilience and grace.  Then I read your post!

    Your flexible spirit is a thing of beauty --- worth more than a $100 haircut!  Yeah, the back is short, but the face framing is good, and your hair is bouncy and shiny.  I second a little hair wax around the face!

    Oh, and thanks for giving me a reason to smile at your fabness!

  • Hil replied 10 years ago

    I think you're a good sport Amy - truly! And I honestly don't see a bad haircut, just a really cute, short cut which you will rock!

    I've had some disasters myself, the most memorable of which was a very rash decision to cut my hair very short with a hairdresser I had never been to before just 2 days before my daughter was born. I look back at her new born pics and wonder what I was thinking. And the stylist should have known better than to make such a huge change on a 41 week pregnant woman!

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    Amy, what everyone has said! You look fine to me and I love my hair short in back - it looks like you have a high hairline anyway. You are amazing and I need some of whatever you're having that makes you so amiable!

  • Gaylene replied 10 years ago

    I love your attitude, Amy, as well as your new 'do. While your new cut might not have been exactly what you'd wanted, I can certainly see you warming to it because it shows off your pretty features so well. Your decision to leave the young stylist (?) a tip was wonderful; not many people act with that much restraint and class when something doesn't turn out exactly as they had expected. You are pretty fabulous inside, as well as outside.

  • rachylou replied 10 years ago

    Lol, Ames, you have a heart of gold. A lesson for us all.

    But the girl is lucky, because you've got what it takes to carry a cut this short. And you do. You look quite sassy :)

  • JG replied 10 years ago

    I think the front and sides look great. Popped collars or turtlenecks will hide the shorter-than-you-wanted back until it grows a little.
    Bad haircuts? I've only had a few good ones in my life. My hair is apparently as challenging for professionals to cut and style as it is for me. (I cut my own hair during high school and college after too many failures.)
    During one memorable hair appointment the new-to-me stylist fluffed my hair this way and that, lectured me on the impact of a conservative, dated style, pointed out my good features that were not being flattered, and, after several minutes of parting and brushing, grew silent and visibly tense. He finally exclaimed, "I can't do a thing with your hair! " I asked him to just trim the split ends and clean up the lines of my cut. Apparently he felt that he had accomplished the task a few minutes later, because he walked off. I waited in the chair a few minutes, decided he wasn't returning, took off the smock, cleaned the hair trimmings off my neck as well as I could, and went to the cashier to pay. She asked me if I wanted to book my next appointment with the stylist and I told her that he had shown no desire for me to return. I left the shop, which had a good reputation and charged higher prices than I was accustomed to paying, with my hair in the same "unflattering" "dated" basic bob that the stylist had derided half an hour before.

  • Neel replied 10 years ago

    I wish I could come around and give you a hug!!  You are such a sweetheart!  I might have been boiling and stomping my feet!  o_O  I have a serious inferiority complex now! LOL!

    I agree with Angie that in two weeks it should look much better!  And yay for the opportunity to try new hats!  ;)

  • Jeanie replied 10 years ago

    Oh no!  You have such calm and grace.  This story made my day.

  • E replied 10 years ago

    Wow! That is an insane story, and I'm so impressed with how calm and cheerful you stayed! I love the roundness of the back of the cut, even if it is shorter than what you wanted. And at least the back of pixies always grows more quickly than the front! And I really like the fluttery bits around your ears. :)

    Once when I was growing my hair out from a pixie to long, I'd finally gotten the shortest bits about mid-neck length. So I went in with a bunch of pics of blunt longer bobs so that the hairstylist would just trim up the old pixie layers and make it all one length. The bobs also had bangs, because I thought it would be fun to try bangs. Somehow, this stylist interpreted that to mean in addition to bangs I wanted all of these face framing layers, which looked hideous on my face and made my hair look flat and thin and stringy. The shortest layers hit at my cheekbones. I was inconsolable thinking about how long it would take to grow back; there was definitely a lot of sobbing. And that was not at a super cheap place! I've found hair cuts to be such a crap shoot, regardless of cost.

    But nowadays, I repeat "I hate layers" over and over like a chant. lol

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    You get "Best Attitude of the Year" Award Amy! Seriously, it is truly admirable that you didn't get visibly upset when you were not given the cut you asked for. But like Angie, I actually really like it on you! I think it suits you and you have quite a beautiful neck so why not show it off!

  • Kimberley replied 10 years ago

    Sorry Amy, but I don't think your description matches your pictures!  I think this cut is cute, even if it wasn't what you were expecting :).   Give it a couple of weeks, and you will be feeling it! 

  • replied 10 years ago

    I want to be you when I grow up. Oh wait...I am 43 so I guess it is time to grow up. Seriously I want to treat people the way you treated that lady. That is the best holiday present EVER!

    Maybe you need some of Angie's hair styling creams/gel and get it all sticky uppy (that is a word right). I think your hair cut (in the front - cant tell about the back) is really cute. Not what was planned but cute!

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Amy, you really ARE amiable. What a trouper! And what a gift you gave that stylist with your attitude. 

    I'm also with Angie. Heck, my own hair is that short at the back -- and I like it! Once it grows in a little bit it will follow the shape of your head a bit more and I think you will actually enjoy it. 

  • replied 10 years ago

    Well don you for such a great positive attitude. but you know what? It isn't all that bad. I like it! I think in a couple of weeks it will blend beautifully.

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