THE WORST Possible Thing Happened! (And Rachel, I mean THE WORST)
May 26th 2007
Julia LondonWhen Goddesses Fall To Earth
It shocked me, overwhelmed me, reduced me to tears in my bathroom. I thought there was no way I could overcome. I didn’t know where to turn or what to do when my hairdresser wigged out and took off. He took off! The dude is gone.
I’ve been going to this guy for five years. In that time he transitioned my hair from a very dull brown with a little red and a bit of gray to a vibrant auburn with a little brown and no gray. He gave me a modern cut. He taught me about products they don’t sell in grocery stores and that I loved. He regaled me with bitchy tales of him and his partner and alternative clubs in
And then he walked out in a snit. No one knows where he went. He left me with a bad case of roots and no referral.
Hair is a big deal to me. Without proper attention, it becomes very huge and unruly. When someone points me to the right products, it actually looks pretty good. But these things are not intuitive to me. I need someone to say PUT THIS ON YOUR HAIR and DON’T WEAR IT LIKE THAT.
When I got over my shock—which was almost immediately, given my root situation—I began The Hunt for the new hairdresser. It’s almost as important as a new agent or editor (almost). I went to one place where she got the color right, but I did not click with the woman. She was proud of her teenage daughter and spent two hours telling me about her. Like any writer, I am interested in other people…but maybe not THAT interested. So next time, I went to another place—loved the guy, hated the color. He insisted the really dark brunette was perfect for me. I told him it was, twenty years ago. And the thing that really bugged me–the salon was nice but had a peculiar smell. Ick.
Two days ago, I think I might have found a new home. Good color, good convo, and it’s a nice salon, which I must have because I am very spoiled. I hope it works out. I have my fingers crossed. I never realized how much I took my stylist—and my hair—for granted.
What about you? Do you have a close, personal relationship with your stylist? Do you have a greater fear than losing your stylist? What’s your worst hair story?
34 Comments »
34 Responses to “THE WORST Possible Thing Happened! (And Rachel, I mean THE WORST)”
Judy F on 26 May 2007 at 8:19 am #
Oh Julia I know your pain. I had been going to Holly for well over 10 years. She knew me and my hair like no one had before. I could just tell her sometimes to do what she wanted if I had no clue and I would come away happy. She highlighted my hair too, so perfect that most people didnt know I had it done. Well my last visit was in dec. I was trying to let it grow out a bit so I didn’t call for an appointment till the first of March. Imagine my shock when they said she was on a medical leave and would be gone to up to a YEAR.
As I hope things are Ok I had to decide what I wanted to do. She had switched about a year or so ago to a place that was a bit farther of a drive for me. I didn’t want to go back there because of the drive. I debated for almost two months more what to do. Finally I went back to the place she was at before and just got someone they recommended. Brittany was young, very sweet and did a great job.
Judy F on 26 May 2007 at 8:22 am #
cont. I am very picky about who cuts etc on my hair so it was a major drama to decide to go to someone new. If and when my old person comes back I will decide if I go back but for now I am happy with the new girl.
Oh bad stories with hair I have plenty. I had my hair highlighted years ago and it was so blonde it glowed. Then there was the time that I got a perm, I had told the stylist my hair takes very easily to perms/color. She said she was the professional. HA. it was so tight my mother didn’t know it was me coming in the door.
I hope you have found a happy hair home Julia.
Nicole Jordan on 26 May 2007 at 8:59 am #
Oh, Juila, I feel for you! Finding the right person who clicks with you and your hair can be harder than finding the right doctor.
A friend of mine was just bemoaning this the other day. An expensive salon turned her gorgeous silver gray hair to some undefinable color that she hates, and now she has to let it grow out completely before trying again.
My worst story was a disaster… back when frosting first came out. This woman turned my hair a brassy blond that made me look like one of Claudia’s streetwalkers *grin*, and when I went back to see if she could fix it, she reverse frosted my hair so I wound up with black AND brassy gold! The horror still makes me shudder. I finally went to a different place and pleaded with them to save me. They used an ash toner which at least allowed me to go to work without a scarf over my head. I’ve never been so grateful to anyone.
NicoleJ
Rachel G on 26 May 2007 at 9:05 am #
In the 80s I wanted Flashdance hair. So I got this spiral perm that made me look like a maniac, which hadn’t been the goal. The bottom was really curly and the top was straight.
rachelg
Krisy on 26 May 2007 at 9:15 am #
I actually have 2 stylists. They’re twins named Jackie and Jill and they are awesome. They do the coolest things to my daughter’s hair. They call Haley their little rock star. We actually lost them for a while. They walked out of their original place of employment in a snit, and were missing for months. We called every salon in the area until we found them. Jill gave us her cell phone so we’de never lose them again. I have no idea what we’ll do when they graduate from college and leave the hair business. I have no interest in breaking in another stylist.
MizMacgyver on 26 May 2007 at 9:21 am #
I lost a hairdresser once, when I was a sweet young thing and had my hair done every week. (the early 70’s-I wore my hair “up” generally in a modified Gibson. Considering Gibson was my maiden name I thought that was kind of cool) Richard could do anything with my hair, he knew that though I wore it up it couldn’t be on top of my head, I hated it that way so he always put my mass of hair at the back of my head so I didn’t cry when I looked at it. I have pictures of one of those disasters, red nose from crying and all. Richard left me and went to Florida. I never did find another regular hairdresser. I simply quit getting my hair done.
One disaster that comes to mind immediately was getting a perm in my very thick, long hair. Every morning I would get up and cry over my hair, I finally grew it long enough that I could get the perm cut off. I had to keep my hair wet for months!
ladydawgfan on 26 May 2007 at 9:37 am #
Believe it or not, I have never had my hair either colored or permed. I have naturally curly hair that does not grow very fast, and have yet to find a stylist who knows how to cut it to allow for the curl, so I wear it long and natural, only getting the split ends trimmed off every once in a while. I tried to get it styled before, and had a stylist actually tell me that no, my hair WASN’T naturally curly, my perm was just growing out!!! I hadn’t had a perm and she couldn’t tell the difference!!! Needless to say, I didn’t stick around long enough for her to use her scissors.
gannon on 26 May 2007 at 9:43 am #
Julia,
Finding a good stylist is so key for me. I’ve been lucky every time we have moved to find a good one. And fortunately, if they change salons they let me know and I follow them!
Now we are moving once again–last time–and I will again begin the search for someone who can make my hair look just right. I told my DH that a good stylist was as crucial as finding the right doctor. Hey, I consider good hair a key to my mental and physical health!
Good luck with finding a new stylist!
epfeiffer1 on 26 May 2007 at 9:47 am #
Ah Julia – I understand completely. I recently moved to Texas and have had to find someone new to cut my unruly, curly hair. I took the first referral I got (other than just “go to JC Penneys and get who ever is available”) and while I can’t say she does a great job with my hair, she at least can keep the grey at bay. (If not at least contain to some degree my tendencies for big hair, thanks to this humid spring weather.)
Although, when I go to her salon I feel like it is Dolly Parton’s place in “Steel Magnolias.” The twang, the gossip, the giggling. I guess I go there more for the atmosphere than the actual cut.
But – if anyone knows of a good hairstylist in the northeast portion of the Dallas metroplex – please let me know
-Beth
Noelani on 26 May 2007 at 9:53 am #
I feel you Julia!! My mom started taking me to her stylist when I was 12 and he’s been cutting my hair ever since. I’m 27 now….so like 15 years. Sadly my husband and I moved from Maui where I grew up about 3 years ago. Here’s the kicker. He’s STILL the only one who cuts my hair!! I try to get back home every 6-8 months. That’s how finicky I am about my hair!! I go that long between haircuts, ack! I’ve tried about 3 stylists since moving here to Texas, and didn’t like any of them. Sigh. That’s a big highlight for my during trips home lol. Most people hit the beach, relax, eat the good food! Ha, not me….it’s off to the hairdresser baby!!!
Julia London on 26 May 2007 at 10:09 am #
Perms!! Ohmigod, I don’t know what possessed me in the 80’s to perm my naturally curly and frizzy hair. I had the HUGEST hair. And talk about maintenance! It was a mess.
Worst hair story — in college, I fell asleep on the couch with gum in my mouth. Woke up with it glued to the side of my head. Being the genius that I am, I tried to cut it out and had a place where hair had been hacked off. I had to go to a salon and get them to fix it. They fixed it by cutting my hair.
I have never had short hair except that time in my life. I stopped chewing gum then, too.
ericaleigh on 26 May 2007 at 10:30 am #
Julia I hope that this newest hair dresser is the one for you! I’ve been going to the same person for the last 10 years. Sadly I use that as an excuse. I’ve been thinking of moving somewhere else, for a fresh start and I keep thinking about who will cut my hair if I move. I’ve followed her from 3 different salons so far. When I was in college everytime I came home for a break I made sure I could get a haircut with her. I try to do all my coloring myself because I’m way too cheap to let my stylist do it, but a good haircut goes a loooooong way. Currently I’m on the hunt for a great nail person, for me this is just as big as the hair issue.
Julia London on 26 May 2007 at 10:59 am #
Toenails — that’s a big deal for me. I used to do my own, but then I had a couple of spa pedicures, and then….I hate to admit this, but in the interests of full disclosure….I don’t actually bend that way anymore. I feel completely contorted when I try and paint my toenails. And ridiculous. So a good nail salon is another thing I must have — right there with you, ericaleigh!
Sabrina Jeffries on 26 May 2007 at 11:23 am #
I like my new hairdresser–I just hate getting my hair cut. It requires going somewhere, sitting for an hour… just not something I enjoy. So I tend to let it grow too long. Finally, I’ve started making an appt. for the next one when I do the present one. That way I can’t avoid it. My hair looks horrible when it’s too long–it’s straight as a board and no amt. of “product” will keep it from looking like a limp dishrag. Also, I loathe “product.” So I have to stay on top of the cutting thing.
But if I could get away with it, I would let my hair grow out and do nothing to it. Nothing. Unfortunately, I would look like an aging hippie, and that’s just not a look I want to cultivate. Sigh.
Oh, and Julia, I know what you mean about the nail painting. I can’t contort my body to do the toes. Just can’t. Fortunately, I wear non-sandals most of the time, but I do have this great outfit that I suffer through sandals to wear, and for that I need a pedicure. So I get one or two in the summer.
Judy on 26 May 2007 at 1:37 pm #
Worst hair disasters…
I bleached half of my hair and left the rest black, you know the whole punk look, but in reverse, I loved it at the time, but now that I look back I see how wrong that color was on me…washed me out. Eew
Next, while not really a disaster, but I do feel self-conscience, a couple of weeks ago, I went to SuperCuts (solon’s are way to expensive for me) and told the girl I wanted something different, I wanted a short cut, but not too short and give me some bangs while your at it. And this is why ladies, I will never become a hair stylist, the cut that I wanted was really wrong, it just does not look right on me, so now I’m left with waiting for my hair to grow out, which you know takes months and months ::sigh::
MaryKate on 26 May 2007 at 2:01 pm #
Sabrina – You should do what I do, bring a book! I’m someone who goes faithfully every six or seven weeks to get all over color and a cut and dry. So, my hairdresser (who I’ve had for about 8 years) and I are very good friends. But she slaps the color on, and then I have to process for 30 minutes. That’s quality reading time, my friend!
Julia – I feel your pain! Last year, my hairdresser was considering moving to North Carolina. She’s already cut her hours back to just Saturday as a result of having Irish twins a couple of years ago, so it’s difficult to get an appointment, but I was crushed when she said she’d be moving. Happily for me, they elected to stay. Phew! Crisis averted!
foreverdelayed on 26 May 2007 at 2:14 pm #
I had the greatest lady doing my hair a few years ago, luckily she had the phone numbers of most of her clients and called us all when she moved to a new salon. I would still be using her to this day if I hadn’t moved very far away. I still haven’t found anyone I like as much as her.
Kimberly L on 26 May 2007 at 3:14 pm #
I have been with my stylists for 7 years. I hope she never quits. I went to someone else once and she chopped my hair up so bad I thought I’d kill her if I didn’t get out of there quick. Well I’ll never make that mistake again. I hope she never goes anywhere either.
Julia London on 26 May 2007 at 4:26 pm #
Wow — look at all the long-term relationships with their sytlists everyone has! Its amazing what we will go through to accomodate them, isn’t it? I just want a stylist I can grow old with, ya know?
Suzanne Enoch on 26 May 2007 at 6:11 pm #
I’ve been with the same stylist for five years now, after being with the previous one for about eight years before she cut her hours back too much. I’m like you, Sabrina — I always let it get too long between cuts. She just calls me Cousin It (from the Addam’s Family), and machetes it back into shape.
My worst hair experience: ah, there were several. Probably that Christmas when I lit candles and poofed away a third of my bangs. It was a very “interesting” look for all the relations when they came to visit.
MJ on 26 May 2007 at 6:49 pm #
I like my current stylist so much, I’ve invented a reason to keep going to her even though I’m growing my hair long again….YES it needs a trim every now and again….but I’ve decided to become a dark, mysterious brunette as my current expression of mid-life crisis. [I've spent most of my life as a blonde (dirty blonde, lately, but not a particularly nice shade, you know...'mousey'.) and you know what? I think Brunettes have more fun.]
She is funny, feisty and entertaining. She talks as fast as I do…can switch topics on a dime…and doesn’t mind when I do. (And I DO, when I get excited. I’m VERY non-linear when I start getting enthusiastic…) Our chat has an energy I really enjoy! I met her when I dropped in with a friend after a downtown Saturday breakfast…and we laughed up a storm while my friend had her hair cut. On a whim, I had her do mine right then…. She Knows Hair…. she’s honest to a fault – says straight out what she thinks of your hair idea..
Julia London on 26 May 2007 at 7:05 pm #
I am currently a brunette. I have been trying to get back to my real shade…but I confess I can’t remember what it was.
See, MJ, that is waht I like — a stylist who can carry on a good chat. I’m there for a couple of hours because of the color thing — I can’t sit and look at myself the whole time. I need some conversation.
But a cautionary tale — I had a friend who became friends with her stylist. And then they had an argument, and my friend was stylist-less because she is a girl, and you know how we girls are — we can’t shake it off. We have to find a new stylist, LOL (ooopss….LIMH)
Claudia Dain on 26 May 2007 at 7:39 pm #
I think the hardest part about any move is having to find a new stylist! I’ve had mine for about 15 years. I’ve seen her through a divorce, dating, and a new happy marriage. She does everyone in my family, too. She’s one of us!!
I would DIE without her. She’s great with my hair. One of those stylists where I can say, “You decide. Do something fun.” And I know I’ll come out looking adorable.
Her husband is the guitar tech for Aerosmith, Green Day, Hootie and the Blowfish…she has AMAZING stories. Her husband also fills in as guitar back-up when anyone is sick in these bands, playing rhythm, lead, base…whatever! Is that totally cool or what?
I LOVE HER. I WOULD DIE WITHOUT HER.
dbrown3400 on 26 May 2007 at 7:52 pm #
My best friend did my hair, cutting, highlighting, everything, from the moment she entered beauty (pardon me, cosmotology school) after deciding college wasn’t for her.
When I got a great job offer in MA, I coasted somehow until I moved to NJ and found a great stylist there. But when I started working in Manhattan I was at a loss until I found a great stylist, the flamboyant Rick, in a large department store. Although I was out of town most weeks, I scheduled appointments when I could. I was scheduled for the cut I needed badly and a different stylist was at Rick’s station. “Oh, he’s on holiday. But I’m just as good.” What could I do. My hair was not quite shoulder length but I was tired of even that so I asked for something a little shorter that didn’t need so much care.
“Don’t worry, I know just what you need, my dahlink.” Or some such garbage.
I was tired and fell into the dozing technique learned while commuting on the PATH of sleeping upright.
dbrown3400 on 26 May 2007 at 7:59 pm #
A buzzing sound woke me, you know, the sound of the shears you hear when your little brother is getting the “Regular Boy Cut” at the barber shop? The stylist handed me the mirror with a big smile on his face and probably said something like, “Voila.”
I almost died. The front was two different lengths, something you would see on the cover of British Vogue and the back, OMG, wasn’t there. Well, nearly. He had shaved my neck clean and layered the neck into almost ducktails. I thought my hair would never grow out, especially in front where I have a cowlick. The front kept fighting with itself for position. Finally I had to laugh. What else could I do? Have hysterics? Now there’s a thought.
Donna
Ann in IL on 26 May 2007 at 8:15 pm #
I have very fine hair, but a lot of it. It has no body, so I keep it short. My stylist retired (at 42 !!! ) so my niece recommended a new girl at her spa. She’s great – very young. Here’s the problem, after I wash my hair I don’t want to put all that gunk in it. “Product”…….yuk. She actually asked me if I have canned DIRT. Yup, they now have canned dirt to spray on your hair so it looks like you spent two days in bed with a head cold. Ewww.
The greatest thing about this spa is the wash sinks. You don’t have to break your neck leaning back into the neck groove. You have a footrest and the sink tilts toward you. It’s the only place in town to offer such a luxury. I love it.
Caren Crane Helms on 26 May 2007 at 8:25 pm #
Claudia’s not kidding, y’all she *would* die without her hairdresser. And I completely feel her pain. My hairdresser has been doing my hair for about 8 years now. He is a dream! He tells me when I need to update my look (usually once a year), get color, whatever. He actually made up my haircolor. No one could replicate it unless they had his little card he wrote it on and keeps in his file! He said he loved my hair color so much he has tried it on a couple of other customers, but it’s never as pretty. I adore him!
The only downside is, I’m rather tall and he’s a very short Mexican man, so when he’s working on the top of my head, he has to lower the chair all the way. Then I have to slouch.*g* But the conversation is fabulous and the spa is, too!
MJ on 26 May 2007 at 9:05 pm #
Unhuh…. I do hear you, Julia….always a risk to get friendly with anyone you’re dependent on….
but – hey – life is full of Perils….at least mine is….
In fact, she usually takes a weee bit too much off if there’s still a great deal of a good story to go, I notice. (-; (The story is usually worth it, though. I can grow more hair.)
(Says MJ, looking with great satisfaction at her recent pedicure (today) and contemplating the new sandals that bought themselves on the way out of the mall, and that match the little piggys’ polish…amazing how little it takes to amuse me, isn’t it?)
Ann – I HATE product in my hair. Goes totally stiff and limp. It took some persuading…but Rina can finally lets me sneak out of the salon by the back door with wet hair and no product. (I haven’t blow-dried in 10 years….) But….all my close girlfriends have the full daily hair routine and look marvelous….so I’m just a freak, I guess.
Julia London on 27 May 2007 at 12:41 am #
Ann and MJ — I cannot live without product. That picture of me at the start of the post is not far from the truth without it.
Sherri Erwin on 27 May 2007 at 2:19 pm #
I was so low maintenance. Same hair since college(okay, high school) and I pretty much just figured out what worked, what didn’t, on my own. Occasional trims, blunt cut, sometimes shorter, sometimes longer, usually curl it because I have the finest straightest hair on earth, and that’s it. Naturally blonde with some strawberry highlights. No gray yet, or at least it blends with the blonde and doesn’t stand out. Lucky me. Until I met Julia London and realized I should be worried about things like having a stylist and getting highlights and maybe a few layers and now… not so low maintenance. My stylist thanks you, Julia.
Julia London on 27 May 2007 at 3:29 pm #
Hold tight to her, Sherri. Once you’ve gone glam, you can’t go back.
TheNightPoet on 28 May 2007 at 6:46 pm #
My hair dresser I went to ever since I was a little kid ended up moving to a city that’s an hour and a half away from where I live. I was devastated, because she knew I have a tender head and she knew how to work with my hair. But I luckily found out about my current hair dresser through a family friend of ours and have been going to him ever since.
I love him! He does a great job and my hair actually grows faster now than it ever did with my old hair dresser. I’m so glad I found him. 
My worst hair style was when I was a little kid. My mom told the lady(this was before we found my one hair stylist) to just trim my hair and the lady hacked it ALL OFF!!! She cut it above my ears!!! I looked like a boy and even had people asking if I was a boy or a girl! So ever since then I don’t get it cut too short.
Andrea
georgia_peach on 29 May 2007 at 3:53 pm #
My very best friend (since first grade!) is a master stylist and does my hair; cut, color, highlight for free whenever I want. I do tip her graciously though.
She usually charges 60+ just for a cut so I’m saving big bucks.
TinaLouiseF on 29 May 2007 at 6:45 pm #
I got a new hairstylist a few years ago. She does gripe at me when I hack at my bangs instead of making an appointment to get it done correctly.
I have natural curly hair, and have never gotten a perm or highlights.