how do I find a REALLY good hairdresser?

Question

For 20 years,i had the same hairdresser who used to take up to 30 minutes to CUT my hair. He took such great care and my hair always looked great. Since moving here over 3 years ago I have been going to a Salon where the hairdresser takes just 10 minutes. She is basically chopping it and not doing it properley. How do I find a really good 'cutter' without having to visit every Salon in town? Word of mouth doesn't seem to work!

Answer 1

Ask people with really nice hair cuts where they went

Answer 2

I am a stylist in MO. Some people take a long time to cut, and some people you can get done with pretty quick. My advice is to ask for a shampoo cut and style. Not just a haircut. I know, that I can be a lot more thorow doing a haircut when I style it, because you can see things that you don't see when it's wet. So I usually cut wet, dry and style, and then depending on what I see, cut some more. You don't have to book an appointment in the most expensive salon in town. Believe it or not, WE ALL LEARN FROM THE SAME PLACES! Chances are, there are only a few schools in your area... so the majority of stylists all learned from the same places! So, you don't need to spend $50 to get a good haircut! I suggest going and talking to some stylists, and then making an appointment, as opposed to just walking in and getting a haircut. This kind of conseltation, allows you to communicate what you want and like, and lets you get a feel for the stylist before you let them touch your hair!

good luck!

I live in SW Missouri, so probably not in the area, but if you are, let me know.

Answer 3

allure.com has a directory of salons w/ reviews.

Start w/ recommendations from people who's hair type is like yours & then visit a few of the salons that are convenient for you. Check out the places& observe the stylists on a busy day. Book a consultation & trust your gut reaction.

It also helps if you bring photos of yourself w/ a hair cut you like or photos of other styles you're considering so the stylist can literally see what you want.

Here are some helpful links:
http://beauty.about.com/od/hairbasics/a/flattering.htm
http://www.visual-makeover.com/face.htm
http://www.matrix.com/find_your_hair_style/

Answer 4

its generally true that more expensive and well known places (ie nationwide salons) will do a better job on your hair, though this isnt always entirely reliable. often you can find customer reviews online etc, but id definitely say asking people with well styled cuts where they got theirs done is a very good idea. and its always helpful to make a consultation appointment with someone, so you can go down to the salon and get a feel for the place, and also surreptitiously watch the other stylists while one of them's talking to you, because it will give you a sense of the care the stylists give to their client.
good luck =)

Answer 5

Your best bet is to book a consultation with a salon.This should always be FREE.If there is anyone working there who's hair you like then ask who cuts theirs.I would then book an appointment with them.That is normally a good way to go.If you are not inspired by anyone there do not feel obliged to book an appointment and try somewhere else.
I was a stylist for 12 years and used to find it took at least 4 visits to allow the client to get used to you and come to a mutual understanding. always make sure the stylist understands exactly what you want doing.
Hope you find one soon.

Answer 6

I agree with answers already given, ask friends colleagues, people in street, but I would never have my hair cut on the first visit to a new stylist, always a shampoo and blowdry and watch other stylists working, you will also get an idea of what the stylist is like working on you, see if she asks you questions about your hair, ask her questions whilst she is doing your hair.

Answer 7

I agree with the previous 2 posters....whenever I have moved to a new place, I have to do a stylist search. (just for reference, I have moved 10 times in 12 years). I seriously will ask any person on the street (if I like her hair), "Your hair looks great! May I ask who cuts it? I just moved here and am looking for a good stylist." People are always happy to answer, and I just jot down the name and place on a notecard. When place or stylist gets mentioned again, I place a tick mark beside the name. I kid you not, within a few weeks of faithfully asking everyone (whose hair you really like), you will start to see commonalities. In my experience, it usually comes down to 2 stylists, one more conservative and one more extreme.

Happy searching! p.s. Avoid "hair mill" places like Great Clips--they never take their time.

Answer 8

If I were you I would book a blowdry only in the most expensive salon in town- watch as the stylist are cutting other people's hair. If you like what you see, book a haircut there. If not, try the second most expensive place in town and so forth. I'm not saying it is all about price, but most stylist who know how good they are charge well for it. Best of luck.

Answer 9

Ask people you know to recommend a hairdresser. If you see someone with a hair cut you like ask who did it.

Answer 10

I go to the local hairdressing college, its does take a lot longer to get my hair cut but they are friendly, give a good consultation, check that they are doing ti right so it rarely goes wrong and its cheap.
I always leave happy with my cut tho.
if you can spare the extra time to get it done try your local one.