For the first time in my adult life, I have a hair appointment.

[eyesroll]

Meaning -- I'm going to a *salon* rather than a cheap walk-in chain, and I will be assigned a stylist (with whom I'm supposed to form a long-term relationship, if all goes well) and actually get something other "just cut off the split ends and even it out." What that is, I don't know. But I'll figure it out with my new stylist when I get there.

And I dreamed last night I walked out of the salon with bright blond streaks and a stiffly sprayed claw of bangs.

:scared:

[XemaSab]

1. And what's wrong with bright blond streaks

and a stiffly sprayed claw of bangs?

:shrug:

[Magrittes Pipe]

2. This:

[eyesroll]

3. On me?

:scared:

Blond highlights would be OK, but blond (white-blond) chunks against my dark-brown hair, as they appeared in the dream, would look cartoonish. And I carried the 1980s hair claw into the 90s (granted, I was 15), and that was enough.

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. Former hairstylist (still licensed, but only do work on people like

PassingFair and the Grumpy family now) checking in.

The only thing I can say is... If you don't like it, make them fix it before you leave. It's their job to have you leave happy. Okay, I guess I have another thing to say too. If the stylist makes you nervous for any reason, such as they appear inexperienced... walk away. Make something up if you need to and leave. You'll be happy that you did. :hi: Have fun.

*** I detested forming personal relationships with clients which is probably why I got out of the biz. :hi:

[eyesroll]

9. Yeah, I know the drill...it's really the same with a cheap chain

I'm gonna go in and basically say I'm a soon-to-be law student, with a small child in the house, and while I don't want lawyer hair or mom hair, I do need something that doesn't require a lot of fuss in the morning. And I don't want short hair -- it simultaneously ages me and makes me feel 10. So help.

[NewWaveChick1981]

5. Start off slowly with nothing drastic.

Tell the stylist your fears and just have him/her do a cut for now, and if you're going for color, just a simple color job. You can take it further next time if you want, but don't do anything rash right now! :)

[eyesroll]

10. No color this time...it requires upkeep and lord knows when I'll have time

to go in again.

I'm considering DIY color at some point -- not for gray (yet -- I've got 5 years, hereditarilly speaking) but for oomph.

This salon is pretty funky...triendier than I am, for sure (but not horrifyingly priced). So we'll see.

[theboss]

6. I really am a fruity guy, I guess

I've had the same "stylist" for six years. In that time, I've had my hair dyed twice.

I also highly recommend facials. And manicures.

Hey, John Gotti got them.

[eyesroll]

8. Heh...my SO had a stylist for a long time, until he moved.

He was sad to break up with her.

He now has a barber. But she's a woman, so he says it's almost the same thing, except half the price.

[crim son]

7. Yeah, and one more thing.

Make sure you're not intimidated into accepting any suggestion your stylist might make. I did hair for a couple years too, and one thing I learned is that even talented stylists can make you look terrible if you haven't agreed very specifically on what you want. I'm talking length of various layers, bangs cut, textured or no, etc. etc. And if after you've agreed, you see that she's doing something else, stop her before it's too late! Best of luck. :hi:

[eyesroll]

11. Thanks!

So long as they're not proposing anything too short (see my post above), or a "Rachel" c. 1996, I'm relatively open.

[Maddy McCall]

15. What is a Rachel?

I can't wait to hear this. :D

[eyesroll]

17. It's not horrible, but everyone had one in the mid-90s:

[Taverner]

12. Embrace the hair crimper, eyesroll

It is your friend

Aquanet Pink is also your friend

Embrace your inner Valerie Bertinelli

Ride your inner Camaro

[eyesroll]

13. Ever seen a crimper work a frizz-addled Jewfro?

(Which I've got going on right now due to the humidity?)

Not pretty.

[Taverner]

14. HAHAHAHA Jewfro

I've never heard that one before...and yet it describes my hair perfectly when humid

[asthmaticeog]

18. Humidity Jewfro commiseration:

:hug:

This sucks.

[RetroLounge]

16. Mohawk

'nuff said...

RL

[eyesroll]

19. Oooooh!!!

That'll make judges take me extra-serious-like. :bounce:

[eyesroll]

20. Update! I am missing several inches of my hair!

It's part bob, part razor-cut, part...dunno...and yes, part Rachel (but I guess that's how you tame the Jewfro)....and it looks....

Pretty damn good.

My stylist was fun, too -- she offered me beer.

Cool.