What to do about this bad haircut?

[scout]

I got a bad haircut.

My hair is really thick and stylists are always messing it up because they try to cut too short layers in my hair. Despite me warning the stylist about cutting too short layers in my hair, I now have the Rachel do from 1996. It looks really stupid and I can't even pull it back in a ponytail because the layers are too short and poofy.

Do I let it grow out?
Do I go somewhere else and have them chop it all off?

[ManteoChik]

I'm sure it can't be that bad! ;) But we've all had a bad haircut at some point.

If you really think its that bad, you could always invest in a nice hair straightener (flat iron). Because you have thick hair, it could take you a bit longer (and more passes) to get it straight but it will really help with the poof.

I have a friend with REALLY thick hair, and growing up she always insisted on having it cut to her shoulders. It was a really bad look - and always seemed to make a perfect triangle..lol. Anyway, in college someone finally introduced her to a flat iron and its been great ever since...lol.

[scout]

and always seemed to make a perfect triangle Mine resembles a mushroom right now, LOL!

I do have a good ceramic iron. It's just the choppiness of the layers I'm worried about.

Thanks for the input! :)

[dana b]

i have thick hair that i cut short recently -- it's a total puffball. i would just leave it and flat iron it. the key for me to avoid those choppy layers is to slightly bend the ends in with iron and using lots of product to smooth it down, i love kerastase oleo-relax.

[KGif]

I'd go back and let them know that after living with it for a few days it's not really what you were looking for. If you are not comfy with the same person fixing it let them know that. Let whatevr stylist know exactly what you're hoping for as a result of the fix before they even touch you. I've done this before. The "fix" was free but I still tipped as it was a different stylist. (the stylist who originally did my 'do had left for a new salon that same day).
Honestly - you paid good $$ for something you are unhappy with. And she did something you specifically asked her NOT to do.

[scout]

Thanks, ladies! Since it still looks terrible this morning (I guess I thought it would magically improve overnight) I'm going to back and ask her to fix it.

the key for me to avoid those choppy layers is to slightly bend the ends in with iron and using lots of product to smooth it down, i love kerastase oleo-relax. I'll try this too!

Thank you!

[meganth]

Do you know if they thinned it out while cutting it? I have super thick hair and they have to thin the crap out of it to get it to lay right.

[Suzlywoozly]

Post a picture and maybe we can give you some more styling ideas.

[MichelleRenee]

When I get my haircut the layers always seem too choppy for about a week. I usually spend that week thinking "she cut the layers too short" but then it seems to even out a bit.

I have really thin hair though.

Some advice on salons: although a free "re-cut" sounds great I always have to ask myself "do I want the person who screwed it up to cut it again?"

Also, it took me 25 years to realize this, but quality of salon does matter. You didn't mention where you went so I'll just throw this out there. I always went to a best cuts or whatever other place had a $10 cut and that was always what I got: a $10 cut. Last year I finally convinced myself to go to a nicer place. It isn't super fancy or anything. Cuts run in the $30-40 range. Ever since I started going there I LOVE my hair. I have never loved my hair before.

Let me also say that the first time I went to that salon I hated my cut. The lady who did it was a very strange, rude, old fashioned type of person and I was very put off by her attitude and by the way she basically styled it the way she wanted (very ugly, and very mid 90's!!!) She kept saying that what I wanted was too modern. (hello?) I called back a couple days later basically to let them know how disappointed I was. They offered a free re-cut with a different person and I've gone to her ever since. I am so glad that I finally found someone who listens to what I want and does a good job and I dont mind paying a little more because my confidence has gone WAAAAYYYYYY up since she first cut my hair 7 months ago.

(Oh, and I also learned that it is worth it to pay for the salon quality products, although you should ask for samples and try different things before just buying the one they recommend - because they always recommend the $$$$$$ one.)

[scout]

Do you know if they thinned it out while cutting it? She "texturized" it. I don't think she thinned it, although there was an awful lot of hair on the floor!

Also, it took me 25 years to realize this, but quality of salon does matter. After having a Great Clips royally screw my hair up when I was younger, I've always splurged on a good salon. Thanks for the input! :)


Post a picture and maybe we can give you some more styling ideas. Here you go! Excuse the no make-up and pouty expression. I have a toddler and a six month old baby who have been up all night lately, plus I teach 7th grade. Kind of stressed out right now! ;)

http://images.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp43237%3Enu%3D3239%3E236%3E67%3B%3EWS NRCG%3D323344%3A56%3A98%3Bnu0mrj

Here's how I usually wear it....this was cut by the same person just a few months ago:

http://images.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp4323%3A%3Enu%3D3239%3E236%3E67%3B%3E WSNRCG%3D323344%3A574396nu0mrj

[junkinmytrunk]

T: I think it looks BEAUTIFUL! What don't you like? And you are an absolute doll, BTW!

[scout]

Aw.....but you have to say that because you're my friend! ;)

[hub1176]

Scout I have the same type of hair, and for years had the "mushroom" cut because the stylist would always layer my sides. I finally found a stylist who realized the problem - and we let my sides grow out.
And seeing your "before" pic made me think she must have had something on her mind when she was cutting, because it is chopped! I'm not sure how she could fix it other than to let it grow out a bit?

[scout]

And seeing your "before" pic made me think she must have had something on her mind when she was cutting, because it is chopped! Yeah...I think you're right. She kept saying, "We can't see your face!" I asked her to take two inches of the ends because it was getting unmanageable. I told her that layers would be fine to give it some shape, but I even told her what happens when stylists cut too short layers in my hair. I was planning on going back in, but I just don't have the time, and I don't want it to get worse, so I just have to let it grow. Sigh.

[WonderWoman]

It's not bad! But I totally understand that a "bad haircut" doesn't always mean "cut badly" it sometimes just means "doesn't sit well on MY head." There was a long piece that I couldn't place...did she leave the back longer? If you are still hating it definitely go back and have them fix it. But the others are right, a flat iron might make you feel better about it.

I have super thick hair too and I always have to ask for the stylist who knows how to cut thick hair. I have to have it thinned and cut dry (it's also kind wavy in a spastic way)...I feel ya sista. I hate it when they don't know what they are doing and make messes with my hair.

Hope you get something you like, however you decide to handle it.

[diam124]

I was going to ask the same thing as Wonder Woman - is it longer in the back? I actually think if it was shorter - maybe slightly below your chin, it would look a little better. I actually like the way it frames your face - you have beautiful cheekbones.

FWIW, I had a horrible haircut once and I was too embarrassed (for me and the stylist) to confront her, so after I went home and DH confirmed that my hair was horrible, I called the salon. They assured me that one of their best stylists would fix it for me. I was a little hesitant, but she did a WONDERFUL job. I continued to go to her for about a year after that until she moved to CA. My hair never looked better. So if the salon offers to fix it I would take them up on it.

[Suzlywoozly]

I agree with the PP... Maybe have her take it up to below your chin. I think that would be really cute!

[kiki61872]

i dont think its bad at all. i think it would look super cute if you cut it up to just below your chin too.

[nic]

I think it's cute too but I agree with the others, cut the shortest layer right below your chin. You have great hair! I know you didn't ask but do you think the darker color of your hair makes you like the cut less?

[Shermy]

I know it doesn't help, but it really isnt that bad!

My 2 cents:
Last year I went to a new salon, becuase the person who normally cuts my hair had moved. A friend with wonderful hair recomended it. So, I ask for simple, classic layers, give her a picture and think all is well...

...until I see that she had given me a stylish mullet!!!:mad: She basically ignored everything I said, did what she wanted, and gave me a fricken trendy mullet. For the next 6 months my straightening iron and headbands were my best friend. The headband helped keep the layers (that started right under my eyes:rolleyes:) out of my face, and the iron helped to blend all the unwated layers and steps together until they grew a bit and I could put them in a ponytale holder.

OOO and if it comes to it, I agree with the PP who said that your hair would look cute if you cut it short. I think you have the perfect face for a short, edgy cut!

[yby1]

I don't think the new haircut looks bad! I have super thick frizzy hair and usually get my hair thinned out with layers. At first, I didn't know how to style my hair, because my ceramic flat iron would only make my hair look choppy. After a recommendation from one of my LJ friends and a call to my stylist, I picked up a big (1 1/2" or 2") ceramic curling iron. This worked wonders on making the ends not poof out. Most of the time, I use my curling iron to "relax" my hair instead of the flat iron since it's easier to flip the ends in or out.

[Kimberland30]

FWIW, I think it's cute too, but if you venture out again to get it cut, definately go shorter.

My wonderful stylist was double-booked, so I had another person in the salon cut my hair. My usual stylist usually used thinning shears to cut out some of the bulk of my hair (very curly, very THICK hair), but the new lady used a razor and "texturized" it. It looked okay the day of, but I couldn't do a damn thing with it. Even my flat iron didn't help. I just had to deal with it until it grew out, then I had a few inches cut off to even everything out (with another great stylist). I'll never let someone use a razor to thin out my hair again.

[scout]

Thanks for all of the input, and for the nice compliments! It IS longer in the back, and I think I do think of it as "mullet-ish". I do usually get it cut to the longest layer when things like this happen. It's a good idea. Thanks!


Nic I definitely don't like the darker color, either, but that's my fault! :)

[phoenics]

I like the cut - honestly it's very cute.

This is what I would do (I have massively thick hair - way thicker than yours). I would get it cut into an angled bob. That way the back will be a bit shorter and the part at the front would hang just a bit below your chin. Katie Holmes now has a similar cut, but I had a cut like it years ago (bobs - and angled bobs were really popular amongst the AA women set years ago and now it's back in style) and I loved it.

I also saw a girl with hair color and thickness similar to yours at a restaurant last week and the angled bob looked great on her. Make sure you have them thin the edges closest to the front of your face (hair at your hairline) so it lays nicely.

You are about to have a ROCKIN' haircut!

Even though it's still cute the way it is. The main problem with your current cut is that the bob part is too thick and the fringe part is too thin... it's not balanced. Just cut the fringe off and go with an angled bob (shorter in the back than the front).

You'll love it - I promise!

[laura]

I would have it cut to the longest layer, too. I think that haircut would look really cute on you (though I don't think it currently looks terrible). BUT - I have naturally curly hair that would never work in anything remotely resembling a bob, so I admit, I am oddly fascinated w/ that angled chin type cut.

[scout]

You'll love it - I promise! Are you thinking something like this?

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:g6YPUznfidM9-M:http://www.popcornnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/posh.jpg

It is cute! :)

[laura]

That is what I was thinking.

[kari]

You should TOTALLY do that!!!

[phoenics]

Are you thinking something like this?

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:g6YPUznfidM9-M:http://www.popcornnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/posh.jpg

It is cute! :)

The image isn't coming up for me, but try this (http://img.metro.co.uk/i/pix/2007/06/katiehairRET_450x300.jpg).

[KiKi'sMommy]

I think the above cut would be adorable and you could always ask for some highlights, I think highlights would make a HUGE difference. If you don't like the color, TELL HER. She might even be willing to fix it for free. Most stylists would rather fix something for free than totally lose a customer. It is worth a shot.

[scout]

I took your suggestions!

Here's the new cut!

http://images.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp43235%3Enu%3D3239%3E236%3E67%3B%3EWS NRCG%3D3233455%3B79%3B47nu0mrj

[lbs27]

That is really cute! I love the highlights in the top/front also! The shape of the cut really flatters the shape of your face! I hope you're happier with this cut! :)

[Rose]

The new cut turned out really cute!

[laura]

Cute!

[junkinmytrunk]

T~
You look GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!! I love it!!! Have you styled it yourself yet?
And the color is really, really pretty, BTW.
:)

[scout]

Have you styled it yourself yet?
And the color is really, really pretty, BTW.
I haven't styled it by myself yet. It may be a completely different story once I wash it, LOL! You'll probably hear me complain in my journal once I try to do it myself. :o The funny thing about the color, is that I didn't change it--it just looks a lot lighter in that picture. Not sure why!

Thanks, everyone for the advice and tips. I never would have gone this route without encourgement, and I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

[bluebunny]

I didn't weigh in before but I love your new cut! It looks so great on you! :)

[cr8zyforaf]

T - I think you look fantastic.

[kindermom]

I love it.

[scout]

Aw...thank you! :)

[hub1176]

That cut is awesome on you.
Very trendy:)

[dana b]

it looks great. we have similar hair and i have a similar cut. definitely try the flat iron with bending the ends in as you go. it took me about 4 mos to finally figure out the best way to style mine. blowing it out with a round brush left it way too fluffy.

[diam124]

Love it! I think it's very flattering.

[scout]

definitely try the flat iron with bending the ends in as you go. it took me about 4 mos to finally figure out the best way to style mine. blowing it out with a round brush left it way too fluffy.
Thanks for the tip!

Thank you all for the nice compliments!