Grooming

[squeequeg]

I'm in need of 1) a haircut and 2) advice on said haircut.

I've had my hair the way it is for some time (shoulder-length, pulled back when it needs to be, not much else done with it), and I think I'd like to try something different. The trouble is, I can count the number of times I've had an actual change of hairstyle on the fingers of one hand, so I honestly don't know what I'd want it to look like.

Is it safe to go into a salon and just say "Any ideas?" Or am I likely to walk out with a monstrosity that'll take forever to grow out?

Should I wait until I actually know what I'd like and then get a really nice cut? Or will I just end up sticking with the current style (or lack thereof) out of inertia?

And does anyone have recommendations for salons in the Boston area? It's been CheapCuts for me for the last several years.

Comments

[laobscuridad.livejournal.com]

I have found that asking a stylist for their input has generally worked out well for me. You don't have to stick with their suggestion, but they cut hair all day long, and they do get a feel for what styles work with what face shapes and such.

Besides, monstrosities don't take *that* long to grow out.

[stealthmuffin.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I think I may do that, plus Rissy's advice on looking through the books o'styles.

[sigerson.livejournal.com]

Shave your head!
Shave your head!
Shave your head!


...and PAINT IT GREEEEEN!

[sal-sal.livejournal.com]

AGREED!

[stealthmuffin.livejournal.com]

Thanks. You've been very hlepful.

[rissymonster.livejournal.com]

Mohawk? Dyed purple?

Seriously, once you've got a trusted hairstylist reference, I don't see much wrong with asking them for ideas. Also, they'll usually have books with 100's of photo styles, so you might just plan to get there early and flip through for ideas.

[stealthmuffin.livejournal.com]

Or maybe I should go through all those fashion magazines at the gym.

I just know I don't want bangs again. I didn't like them then, I don't like them now.

[cycon.livejournal.com]

Spikes.

Striped.

[stealthmuffin.livejournal.com]

See above re: hlepful.

[nadyezhda.livejournal.com]

If you want to drive to Conway, NH, I've got a recommendation... but that's 6 hours for a haircut. Which isn't to say I haven't done that.

[stealthmuffin.livejournal.com]

As I remember, you had good reason at the time. But yeah, a little far out. Besides, I lack your wealth of hair.

[magdalene1.livejournal.com]

Ask the stylist for recommendations, yeah. "If you could do anything you want to my hair, what would you do?" Also, if you're not into blow-drying, etc., make it very clear that you are a wash & wear type of girl.

[stealthmuffin.livejournal.com]

Oo, good point. Brushing my hair and maybe pinning it back has been the extent of my styling abilities to date.

[cmprince.livejournal.com]

If you're worried about inertia, make an appointment for next month. Then you'll have time to figure out what you want and a fixed date for change.

Otherwise, yeah, rock the purple mohawk.

[stealthmuffin.livejournal.com]

See, but I'm sick of the split ends now. They're really gross. I could just trim it and then go in for a real cut later, though that's too much trouble.

[xclamationpt.livejournal.com]

Hi hi. Greenapple2004 and I went to a nice swanky salon on Newberry street. Unfortunately, I forget what it's called. But here are some that had great reviews (and coupons on the website too!)

I feel like you'll need to strike a balance between going to someone who *really* knows hair, and then avoiding places that are kind of pompous.

http://www.runwaysalon.com/default.aspx
($25 coupon, check out being a hair model *wink*)

I could list all the places I found, but why don't you check them out yourself?

www.citysearch.com --choose Boston and search "salons"--you can read the reviews, get a good stylist even and print the coupons since haircuts are godawful expensive.

YAY! Good luck!

[stealthmuffin.livejournal.com]

Hmmm...interesting. Thanks!

[jenwrites.livejournal.com]

It helps to have an idea of what you want and how much work you're willing to put into its upkeep. When I went from really long to really short, I brought photos to the salon with me, explained how my hair behaved, explained how much work I was willing to do each morning, and asked which style out of the ones I'd brought would be best. And they picked a winner.

[stealthmuffin.livejournal.com]

I know the latter, but not the former. I do, however, know a few looks I like...time to start browsing fashion sites.

[megastoat.livejournal.com]

when i was in a similar quandry, sanj recommended Judy Jetson in Cambridge (near Porter Square). I went in and explained that i wanted a short, wash-and-go sort of cut, but had no clue beyond that. and they *listened* to me and gave me a very convenient 'do which got me many complements. ;)

[stealthmuffin.livejournal.com]

I've heard a number of good things about them. Thanks!

[megastoat.livejournal.com]

oh, and in case it reflects on the quality of the recommendation -- i do in fact know the difference between "complements" and "compliments". gah! ;)

[stealthmuffin.livejournal.com]

Is it good or bad that I didn't notice? I know the difference as well, but I think my brain must have parsed it as the haircut complementing your face or something like that, because I didn't notice until you pointed it out.

I'll go turn in my Spelling Nazi badge.