10 Warning Signs Your Hairstylist Sucks!

Glam Girl Gabi: What are some of the things that your hairstylist has done that has made you feel really taken care of? Leave them here and we can start a discussion! If you liked this video, check out this one next: **Daily Habits that RUIN Your Hair (STOP DOING THIS!!!) https://youtu.be/Y61tobhCN6M

04beni04: A hairstylist that knows how to give bad news tactfully _and_ make it a constructive conversation is a total gem. A while back I had some physical scalp trauma and no idea that the healed skin wasn't growing or supporting hair well. (It was a busy time and I wasn't styling my long hair much beyond quick-washing, quick-drying, and maybe pulling the length of it into a low pony or loose braid.) When I went in for my semi-annual cut and highlights/lowlights some months later, my stylist asked if I was on any new medications or something else that would affect growth. She showed me how to find the thin spots -- and hell, but 'thin' was an understatement! At least one spot was practically bald. Seeing my reaction, she took me to a back area and set up mirrors so I could cry in quiet privacy while getting a better idea of the damage. She stayed open late that night so I could come back for a consultation (without an audience) about adjusting my cut and colour to compensate for the changes. As a total bonus, she managed to make the experience feel like an opportunity to try something new and different, not panicky emergency repair, and seemed genuinely surprised when I tipped well afterward. I've always had fine hair but adjusting to life with thin hair would have been a lot harder without her. Needless to say, she's a keeper.

Yol2000: When my stylists husband got terminal cancer I knew she was very stressed. I noticed she made mistakes during that time but I never said anything. It was such a difficult time for her. Don't forget these ladies are people too. I give her a lot of credit for working during that time. God bless you all.

Interlocution: When I had my salon, I had a rule. EVERY client was offered coffee or other beverage. We had fruit water, and on weekends we even offered pastries. No matter whether the client was there for a simple eyebrow wax, or a full day of service, we wanted them to feel special. We offered aromatherapy at the shampoo bowl and manicure stations, too. It sounds like you really have a grasp of how to treat clients. I think a lot of younger stylists could learn from your example.

Joyce Childress: This hits home so hard for me! I, until very recently, still had mid back length, thick, wavy blonde hair. I was ready for a change, found a shorter style that I really like for me, set an appointment, and spoke with the stylist beforehand trying to explain to her that I'm not very good with hair, that I work 50 plus hours a week, and just wanted something simple that would look nice just having a brush run through it. I told her I wanted approximately six inches off of my hair, amd showed her a picture of what I wanted. She interrupted me multiple times, said "uh huh" alot, then said "yeah, sure, we can do that!". An hour and a half later, I left the salon with only two inches off of my length, and a cut / style that didn't even vaguely resemble what I showed her or asked for. Not only did she not get even close on the style, but never responded to me when I spoke to her during the cut, she also never looked at me from face on, and kept me turned away from the mirror the entire time. Several people have asked why I didn't demand that she fix it, and though I maybe should have, I'm a nice person. It was already long after hours, her husband and children were waiting in their car for her, and I was already frustrated enough. I paid her, thanked her for her time, but did politely tell her that it wasn't exactly what I was going for. To which she replied, "well, we can set another appointment for next week if you want, but it will be another cut fee". Yeah, thanks, but no thanks. This is similar to every salon appointment I've ever had. Now, sadly, I understand why some people would rather just try their luck by doing it themselves at home.

Weekend Wandering: As a stylist myself, I resonate with one thing in particular: education... I freelance and work outside of a salon environment, therefore I'm not getting to be a part of classes that salons have offered in the past. It has to be up to me to learn the new techniques and I've been trying to work on that for the past year. Although most of my clients have stuck with me over the years, I have lost a handful and I know it's because I wasn't doing my best work and part of that is because I wasn't quite sure how to achieve what they were asking for. I didn't realize that I didn't know how to achieve it until we got to the end of the appointment and it didn't turn out right ‍♀️ It is a real blow to the ego when this happens, but totally my fault. I've also learned that there are some things that I'm just not good at and I have to be able to tell my client sometimes that what they are asking for is not my forte, I can either refer them to someone who I know is better than me at that certain thing, OR if they really want to stick with me and want to try it, at least they know it's a test run for both of us and we work together to get there. I've been working as a stylist for 13 years now and it really wasn't until year 11 I started to learn the hard way that I'm not good at everything. It's my goal to work hard now at learning the new trends and techniques so that I can continue to impress and make my clients happy all the time!

Zoe Haskell: I went to the best salon in my town for 3-1/2 years and my hair looked terrible almost every time I went. Many people would point this out. I told the stylist that my hair had become fine and frizzy now that I am older. I asked her every time what can be done to improve it. I finally had to just research on my own and learned about hair thickening lotion and leave-in conditioners. How could the stylist not know about those products??? The stylist said she had been cutting and coloring hair for 30 years!! She would only color it two colors and it looked harsh and phony. Most hair is 3 shades. So, for the last two years I've been coloring the 3 shades, in layers, myself. I cut a fairly complex layered cut, too. It is not easy. I am so happy with my hair now and it looks good all the time. That salon was such a negative experience I still get angry thinking about it.

Julie Hiscocks: My Hairdresser was great until the last occasion when I asked for what I've always asked for, a good trim and blow out or straightening of my hair. I mentioned that my side bangs seemed to be being cut shorter and shorter and they were point cutting the ends when all I ever wanted was a blunt cut. I have fine, but thick hair that looks so much better cut bluntly and suits my lifestyle (putting hair up, braiding etc). I was told that my hair was always cut using point cutting and not being cut having a blunt edge. The Hairdresser firmly stated that they were definitely not going to blunt cut my medium length hair because it looked better this (their!) way. I was too embarrassed to be more assertive and so ended up with paying for an expensive trim. In the end, a couple of weeks later, I decided to go elsewhere and got just what I wanted. I felt amazing even though I had to 'sacrifice' another extra inch off of the length. I felt great to be listened to! I felt a bit disloyal and sad but at the end of the day I needed my hair to be me!

JSteele Life with Jennifer Steele: Great topic for a video, Gabi! It was great. I especially liked the part about learning and honing your craft. I've been to stylists who aren't constantly trying to improve their work and talent, and just get comfortable. I also think it's so important to be detail oriented on all customers so they get quality treatment and don't have to return in between appointments to correct issues. Care and attention go a long way!

World Lit: Best hair apt ever - first (thorough) consultation, the next client had just cancelled - to which my hairdresser responded "wonderful, now I have even more time for you". She really took her time, she does not judge me for using box-dye for basic touch-ups, and is not mad when I ask for cuts that are easy to be maintained by myself (especially useful during a pandemic). I have been in good hands ever since.

Mary E: I absolutely love your videos. It is really hard to find a good stylist. Have experienced that many stylists have no interest in working with older women and have stereotyped ideas about styling.

Mindy Bond: The most frustrating thing happened when I asked for balayage and the stylist gave me two toned blunt highlights. She acted the whole time like she was going to deliver on what I had asked and never once said no, but she gave me something completely different from what I had asked. I wish she would have just said no if she wasn’t able or willing to deliver on what I had asked for.

Chris: I’ve been seeing my new hair stylist for two years now and I’m so grateful for her. My stylist before was great as well but she refused to do what I wanted. She wouldn’t take me blonde and told me it’s because my hair was “too brown and Hispanic” to get blonde. (I’m Mexican). For over 5+ years I accepted that I couldn’t be a “full” blonde. I finally branched out and went to a recommended stylist after seeing a Hispanic girl with beautiful blonde hair and asking her where she gets it done. Low and behold- I am a full beautiful blonde!!! I appreciated my last stylist for taking care of my hair and not wanting to “ruin” it, but I also think I should get what I’m paying for. I finally realized they just weren’t great at blonde coloring and I could go to someone who was or specialized in it.

Monique lindholm: I’m so glad I stumbled upon your channel. As a stylist for over 35 years I’m in need of inspiration. I recognized my own burnout from this video. Most of my clients are long time customers but I realize I probably need to up my game. Offer something new. I do go to continuing education for my hours but I need to do more.

Anne O'Neill: I cannot tell you how many times I've left a high end salon and had to go right home to restyle my hair. The cut is often great but too often they way they style afterwards is awful.

Silken: It's so hard finding a good hairstylist- I'm more than willing to pay for good craft and service...but I had been disappointed so many times. I don't think I'm difficult or anything.

rose d: It wasn't until living in Europe that I learned to take an interest in how my stylist worked their magic and started having conversations with them about my hair goals etc... Coming back to the US I definitely became a lot more particular about salons and stylists, appreciating you get what you pay for a lot more, I found myself putting an emphasis on building a partnership with my stylist. My worst experiences with stylists have been when I have had no real idea what I wanted to do and allowed a new stylist who didn't really know me do whatever they wanted, a recipe for disappointment!

Diana Holbrook: This was such a timely video!!! Many of us are looking for new looks in the new year! I love my hairstylist as a person but I decided I needed a change for my next haircut --- due to many of the reasons you stated in your video that I had been unable to put into words. What was most irritating was that on my last haircut, the blowout was very painful. It seems to me that an experienced hairstylist should be aware that they are hurting you when they are yanking through tangles. Very un-relaxing appointment. As much as I like her, I will be moving on.

Kim Gloslee: Thank you for doing this video. Would you be open to doing another video on what questions to ask before you book with a stylist? Or the best way to find a great stylist without having to experiment with an actual appointment and then hating your hair after?

H Hart: I'm so glad I found your video! Before the pandemic, I had been seeing the same stylist for about 4 years. She was great at color, but I found myself wanting to try something other than the lob I was growing out. I showed her a picture of a long cut with face-framing layers. Simple. Unfortunately, I ended up with the same cut I had before. After sitting in her chair for almost 3 hours I was just ready to go home. I tried again on our next visit to explain exactly what I wanted. I also showed her a picture for emphasis. Again, I walked out with what looked like the same cut I walked in with! I started realizing that lob cuts were her comfort zone and that I was likely never going to get what I asked for. During the pandemic, I learned to cut my hair at home and actually liked it more than what I was paying all that money for. I'm hoping that the next stylist I see with be a better listener and open to trying new things.

Katryna Weiss: You were by far the best hairstylist I've ever had. I never worried about getting my hair done and I always walked out happy. I desperately need a cut and colour but I'm too nervous to have someone else do my hair, especially the bleach. I miss you ❤️

Kelly C: I had a stylist who told me to stop lying to them because my hair was “super heat damaged.” At that point, it had been 5 years since I’d used heat on my hair outside of the 2-3 times a year I’d get my hair done.

stellar jazz: I appreciate this video. I recently moved and had to find a new stylist. I thought I had vetted her well enough but I left with a bad cut and so much tonner in my hair it took 5 washes to get it all out. I'm a med/dark blonde and have been doing various types of lighter blonde highlights for over 20 years and this is the first time ever I walked out with toner in my hair!!! My hair was down to my waist this time and wanted I to take about 5 inches off...she didn't want to take the time combing out the tangles so started cutting some of them out...and I think it was too short and now I have a weird layer in the back that is too short. She took about 8 inches off and it's shorter than I wanted. Will not return.

NOLA's Family: This is coming from a former licensed cosmetologist, ME :) This is a very honest video from you, similar to Ellebangs, telling the truth to help those who can not afford to go to the salon frequently. May I add to your list, some stylists or colorists want to do what they think looks best, not what the customer is paying them for and colorists who go for those short cuts of foiling the top and bottom layers and skipping the middle and when the wind blows, it doesn't look fluid. Just sayin' Gabi! Have a great day & keep telling the truth. Thumbs Up!

Chloe Jayde: Last time I went to the hairdressers, I experienced all of these issues in the one visit. On top of that, they had absolutely no clue on how to shape wavy/curly hair. She literally did not even look at my reference pictures and was rushing so much that she cut herself. This was my experience when I finally decided to bite thr bullet and pay extra for a hairdresser instead of going to a cheap one like I normally do.... Safe to say I just cut my own hair now

Waterjade : The worst hair stylist I ever had was when told my hair stylist I wanted shoulder length hair. I feel like she didn't listen to me and maybe didn't really want understand what I wanted so she never clarified that I want my hair length to be to the top of my shoulders. Instead the length was to the bottom of my ears. Obviously I was horrified, she did keep offering to fix it but you can't fix what you've already chopped off. I never went back.

Susan Ruby: Years ago I got a botched hair color job and I ended up with black hair and white highlights. I had long hair down the middle of my back and had been growing out my hair for several years. I was so upset about the messed up color that I almost shaved my head. I decided to just call a salon in the area where I lived and see if they did color corrections. I found a nearby salon with a stylist that also taught at the Clairol institute. She worked on my hair for 3 hours and I came out of the salon with brown hair and blonde highlights. I went to her for twenty years until she retired.

Sandie: As a newer stylist myself, this was great informationThank you! In my prior profession and this profession, I found this philosophy to be the best of all... you can be, and should be, kind to ANYONE for 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 2 hours, regardless of circumstances. It will benefit them to experience kindness, but will ultimately benefit you - your business will grow, you will be less likely to be sued (as in my previous career) and/or slandered if the client felt cared for, and it's simply an easier and healthier way to move through life

Wendy Barker: I have just stumbled upon your video, and you are amazing! Such perfect timing, having cancelled my appointment with my hairdresser (of the last 4 years) last week. I felt invisible, taken for granted, ending up with cuts that were a clone (cookie cutter) of the person in the chair before me, in fact for all the reasons highlighted in your video. Wearing hearing aids, I'd repeatedly asked for a cut that would add width to my rectangular face which would also cover my ears. Instead the result was really short layers that accentuated my really fine hair and everything I was hoping to disguise. Thank you so much! I feel so much better now. Have subscribed.

ForeverDreamWithinADream: I am glad that I had a stylist that would say no to certain cuts and styles. Sure I can be a bit disappointment; but she probably saved me from having to deal with something that would be hard to maintain, manage or not look on me personally. Now she moved and I am seeing a new one and so far we talked on the phone about what she can and can't do (she couldn't do what I originally wanted without having to bleach it, so she told me other options that I might like that could work), so seems like she'll also be good as well.

Kelly E.: You make amazing points. The hair salon I went to placed the bleach on my hair nicely but they didn't care that my hair got damaged. She kept pulling the paddle brush roughly through my fragile bleached hair and there was a ton of broken hair in the brush. The blend is nice but they were too rough and didn't customize the bleaching process for my hair. I told them the second half of my hair was bleached a year ago and they still put the bleach on it for 50 minutes even though the strand test lightened in 10. That's why it broke off.

Stefanie C: My sister is just diagnosed with breastcancer, last week we went to a salon specialised in wigs and hairpieces, and they also do a cut before you lose your hair. My sister had really long hair so this decision was no joke. The owner really breezed through the cut, making her look so old…didn’t even offer us a drink, was chasing after her little dog in between cutting…afterwards we kinda were both in shock I guess…You would think that a person owning a salon specifically for people dealing with probably the most difficult period in their life would be more sensitive…I’m really into hair but nowhere near a professional, but I actually fixed her hair afterwards…my sister was so happy that I took my time for her.

AC Haley: Thanks Gabi, great vid…all boils down to humility and service. ❤️

June Houge: Text messages for appointment reminders are great. I am also able to book for entire year which helps with my calendar and theirs, too. The color system used is important as well as the salon products they carry. Love one-stop shopping! Mainly, my stylist gives me a hairstyle specifically designed and unique for me. The only con is that I have to drive a few miles to get this service.

Ash R: I never have a long-term stylist. I found the longer our relationship, the more comfortable with me and the service went downhill.

Jessica Edwards: This made me feel so lucky. My stylist is amazing. The salon is really trendy and they raised their prices just a bit because they moved to a bigger space. They grew because they're great. They have classes every Monday, they close their shop and learn more skills and have people from other states and countries come and show them things. My stylist is super trendy and is always noticing my eyes, skin tone, makeup changes, what's going on with me in general etc. If I show her an inspo she will say okay, we can do this and tweak a few things for your face shape. I've never been let down. She also keeps really detailed notes on my color so she knows exactly what was done the last appt. And they're still reasonable on price! I usually go every 4 months for a full color melt and cut and it's around $275 - $300. I think I found a great salon and stylist. Oh and multiple drinks / snacks if I want them! She's awesome

maia lowell: Great video! I have had multiple types of the stylists you have covered. My first stylist I went to for years when I got platinum blonde highlights in highschool but I grew out of that. Balayages are of course the new thing and that’s what I wanted to move towards and she completely butchered it. I think she’s just old school and doesn’t keep up with the trends so I left in hopes of finding someone more fresh. My second stylist I went to briefly I ended up leaving because of her being unprofessional and rude. She would constantly yell at me to give her tension and was so picky with how I held my head. Lastly, I found my current stylist who is amazing! She co-owns the salon. She is young, fresh, current with the trends, and takes her time doing my hair. She comes in special on saturdays to do my hair (when she normally doesn’t work saturdays) and gives out mimosas! We click so well and I’m so glad I found her!

Michelle Wei: One time I had a hairdresser take a phone call and hand me the hair dryer to dry my own hair. I found that quite unprofessional.

Kimberley Chavelle: You are amazing I love everything you said. I had a wonderful experience in a deva salon in NYC. They made me feel great the only problem was they really pushed there products. I let her know I was from out of town and couldn’t bring them on the plane ✈️. She eventually stopped. Being I could get the same products at home. It still was a good experience. My old stylist said she couldn’t highlight my hair they way I wanted, she said it wouldn’t work. I sure she didn’t want to take the time to do it. Thanks for all the great info

Hets Girl: 1; they use a razor. Razors absolutely ruin my hair! 2; they use thining scissors. Same reason! That's the first thing I say when I sit down, no razors or thinning scissors.

gonegirl: I love my hairstylist I sent her a photo of what I wanted that I found on Instagram and she went out of her way to research and found the actual color formula that was used on the girl in the photo And she never rushes thru our sessions Our last appointment took 5 hours and she still offered to curl and style my hair at the end even though I offered to just opt out since it was getting very late She is very expensive but it is worth it

Ashley K: So happy to have my current stylist, but I’ve had some nightmare hairstylists for sure. I’ll never forget the one time where I asked for a trim and the person cut about 7 inches bc she wanted to “surprise” me.

Jennifer Woodside: I had 2 strokes during emergency heart surgery in 2020 and am now adjusting to life as a wheelchair user. My face (especially eyebrows) is uneven due to damage to the 7th cranial nerve from the strokes. Therefore, it is very important to me to have a style with longer thickish bangs that go to the lower of the 2 eyebrows to cover up the uneven-ness/paralysis. I found a stylist who listens to me about my personal needs for a hairstyle and she washes, cuts, and styles my hair from my chair and I feel so normal in her salon suite!

Jennifer Vawter: My personal favorite, when the stylist hands me the blow dryer and had me blow dry my own hair because they were running behind and the next client was waiting !! And I’m paying HIM?? Needless to say I’m not with him anymore!

William Charles: I worked at a hair factory type salon, I had just moved back to Texas, right after salons just opened at full capacity. Every client was new to me, alot of clients I was getting haven't had a service in at least 6months to a year , once I noticed that " trend "and running behind I asked for extra time, cuz I was basically starting from scratch on every client. Nope, they flipped the script pointed the finger at me saying I was slow. So it got to the point I would go work with butterflies ,and that I just got pulled over, and may have a warrent, sick feeling in stomach. I couldn't take the anxiety so I bounced

bchbounds: I've had a few stylists I loved (1 was even a friend) since living where we do but sadly they've all moved out of state. Lol. One was so great bc like you said, she was honest & told me no when I mentioned wanting a cut I'd seen on a local news anchor. We were never in town for one & apparently that woman had that same cut for YEARS. (Funny too it's been almost 20 years since then & that woman STILL has that identical cut!;; Lol. My stylist had said it was an out of date cut & she said it wouldn't be my best choice. I appreciated & respected her so much for that

Beth: Thank you for this video. I've been frustrated with the salon I've been going to and this convinced me I should change it up. No matter what I would suggest, it seemed that they would always do the minimum to get me in and out and still charge a fortune.

Julie Goerke: What a timely video! I just switched to a new stylist who is very knowledgeable about color which is so important as my hair got badly damaged from the previous stylist. I have my hair double-processed meaning that I have to get my roots done for gray coverage and highlights so that I can be blonde. My natural hair color would be considered light brown. I liked that she worked quickly putting in the foils, but the results were not consistent. She said that I needed to sit under the hair dryer because my hair was “resistant”. The past few months, I have noticed my hair becoming more unmanageable and frizzy with frazzled pieces at the crown and in the front bang area. I mentioned them and she asked me if I put my glasses on top of my head. I said occasionally, but in all of my years of getting my hair done, I have never had this type of damage. We also have hard water where I live, so I know that contributes also. She also blamed the hard water. After realizing my damage is chemical (also confirmed by new salon), I texted her to cancel my appointment and made an appointment at the new salon. I realize that by having chemical services done on my hair that I am exposing my hair to damage and I can accept that. However, isn’t the stylist responsible for not damaging my hair? My new stylist said that heat shouldn’t be used unless you are trying to do a high lift which we weren’t trying to do. I think the former stylist was trying to fit in as many clients as she could to make more money. She was not expensive and now I know why! I also mentioned a shampoo to remove hard water deposits from Living Proof that I had been using and she was not familiar with the brand! Shouldn’t hairstylists stay current with products as well as techniques.? I should have known better when the salon was lacking in cleanliness and the clientele were much older than me and I don’t think the stylist has any interest in being current. Anyway, I really like the new stylist. We had a conversation about the condition of my hair not being able to handle any bleaching for a while and when I am ready, she will judiciously place them where needed. The salon also carries many product lines; however, I did not feel pressured into buying them. They were very helpful in suggesting a regimen and I bought travel sizes to make sure the products work before investing in the full sizes. I am so happy to have found someone who is interested in the condition of my hair and that we have a plan going forward. Communication is key!

Leigh Huggins: I LOVE my hairstylist. I've been with him over 3 years now and I won't let anyone else touch my hair lol. I tip him GENEROUSLY and he 100% deserves every $500 hair appointment he gets!

Hanna: I finally found *the* stylist. He listened to me, I was up to date, he cut phenomenally (the first time I went to him he cut like 10” off my hair, and as someone who has literally cried too many times in the salon it was amazing because I LOVED it) I didn’t even care I had to drive two hours. THEN he left to work for Dior in the capital (5 hours away) and I haven’t been able to replace him. I have curly hair & he was the only one who understood where to put the layers so I didn’t look like a triangle! I’m still mourning the loss of Junior. If he ever comes back. I will be the first person on his books! (Stylists in my local area are very stale. They can highlight, perm & set. Not much more! The problems with living in the middle of nowhere!)

L B: Years ago while getting a cut and color I randomly asked my stylist to give me bangs. She said, “sure, call me in two weeks and I’ll squeeze you in”. She knew it was a bad move and that I would come to my senses and she was right. I never made that call.

kairos elven: I didn’t even know you were supposed to be consulted first??? my goodness. I stopped going to a salon after the woman who had been doing my mom’s hair since I was a baby chemically fried off my hair and caused scalp damage. Absolutely ruined my self esteem for years. Walked around with cracked, fried & broken hair for 3 years. Just now grew back all the lost damage. Thank you for your advice always!!

sherryp: I have been getting my hair blown out every sat for 25 years and cut by her 25 years. I decided to try a new shag with my fine hair and I hated it. Layers were too short. I asked for a redo and my hairdresser said that I should find someone else to do my hair. This happened 6 months ago and I still have not gotten over how mean someone can be, when I tipped and gave her complements on her talent for years. I am in pa and cannot find anyone that can make my hair look good.

Dawn Frye: This was great to know, I’m going to a new stylist tomorrow, my prior stylist doesn’t suck but I’ve always wanted to go to a curly hair specialist and I finally found one in my area so I’m excited to see the difference with my cut & color.

D W: Every hairdresser needs to watch this video❣️ #thankyou

Southern Girl Ya'll: I know a hairdresser is not right for me when they take phone calls when working on my hair!! If that happens, I NEVER go back to that stylist!!

Sarah Sambucini: Great Video! On the flip side. I'm a client who knows my hair, not how to change it, but knows my hair. I went to a stylist for a body wave, stylist accused my of already doing it, being my hair had a bit of a wave, also I have natural highlights, she accused me of highlighting my hair also. I thought bad stylist, If I say and insist never chemically treated my hair, I didn't. I would not lie about it and get more chemicals put in! (after your video though, I can kind of see where she came from) First stylist I ever went to, I had hair to my knees. Even cut, thick and long. I tried dying my hair myself, oops! It turned several different colors. I had to have it stripped back to blonde. The next day, couldn't get a brush through last 4 inches. Sat in another stylist chair, she proceeded to cut off 4 feet. Needless to say, I cringe alot when in a chair.... You are great though, nothing to you love, Thank you for your informative video :-)

Shawna Kimberly: My stylist is amazing! She is honest about what my expectations are versus what the end result will be based on my hair and goals. She took me from a dark brunette with highlights (I’m a natural dark, dirty blonde and kept it dark for years) to a beautiful pastel silver over the course of about 6 mos to a year as she transitioned it lighter and lighter without damaging my hair. I got bored, as I easily do, and had her reverse balayage in a dark base. I ended up missing my pastel silver over time, and she helped me transition back to a platinum silver I have now, all while maintaining the integrity of my hair.

Maribel Pabon: Well I was going through my transition from dark hair to my natural silver hair. And she was so great and supportive. Till the very end when I cut the last bit of colored hair. And even gave Ideas on my first year growing it out . To style it using head band to cover the growth while I was going through it . And each time I went in saying I can't let Color it . And would have pictures of beautiful women going gray. And even told me about a support group on fb to join. And I'm so happy I did. Because I love my silver hair.

Laure Radloff: Great information! Let me add one thing as a 63 year old stylist of forty years. I no longer have the stamina to do four hour colors. Thats not unusual as we age. I will refer those long hair clients to another stylist that enjoys that type of work. However, it doesnt make me invalid as a stylist, just realistic :)

Jennifer Lewis: Great video! Yes, hair factories are set up to get clients in and out. They often offer inexpensive haircuts, so if I need a quick trim, I’ll go there. However, if I’m looking for something different with my hair, like a radical hair color change, a general color service or a new hair style, I’ll go to a “champagne” salon because I know that the stylist will take the time to do the job correctly.

Shannon: I had been growing my hair out from a bob and once my hair was past my shoulders and to the small of my back I kept it that way for another few years after that. I didn't really like how short hair looked on me and pretty much never wanted hair above my shoulders ever again lol. But I was getting tired of how much maintenance and brushing and how long it took to dry and wash and style and decided one day I wanted to go short again (I was thinking of somewhere between a shorter lob or a lob) and I showed the hairstylist a few pictures and what I was leaning on was that time Demi Lovato cut her hair into an asymmetrical lob type style several years back like 2014 or 2015? She saw how long my hair was and warned me that going that short could be a shock to me and had me trying a longer bob that hit just above my shoulders as opposed to a little bit below my ears and see if I liked it, and if I wanted it shorter, then she could cut a bit more off. She could have just went "sure okay" and risked me not liking it that short and having it wait to grow out so I was so appreciative that she didn't just chop off all my hair and risk shocking me lol. She did a really great job styling it after the cut and I did settle for it being just above my shoulders and thought it looked gorgeous :3 it was the first time that I've had that much hair cut off into a bob style and actually liked it and didn't immediately regret it and I've kept my hair that length ever since. If I still lived there she would definitely have been my regular stylist but I've moved around a few times since then, ugh haha

Victoria: I love that you’re open about your mistakes and you don’t beat yourself up about them. Goals!

buggy627: Gabi is a truly caring stylist anyone lucky enough to go to you I hope they appreciate it!! I wish you lived in the same country as me

Angie Gavin: Hi Gabi, Thank you for being so helpful and down to earth. I wish you could do my hair !!!

Rebeɔɔa: I went to so many bad hairdressers. When I was 18 I wanted my blunt bob to be slightly layered for more volume. I ended up with a old lady pixie. With 25 I wanted to get blonde but ended up orange and the hairdresser didn't told me to bleach it again or even tone it. Once I looked for a new hairdresser after moving to another town, she convienced me to pointcut my bangs. I have a big forehead and fine thin hair. It just looked weird and horrible. *And I had so many times ending up with too short bangs.* It's so sad that I just have to know better how to treat and cut my hair right. Before I trust any hairdresser to do it.

Music Lover: You are an exceptional communicator. A skill the client and stylist both need to perfect in order to have a harmonious and successful relationship. Wish we could clone you where we live!

Stacy Ahmad: My master stylist did my hair for 7 years. At first it was platinum service. After awhile she was taking haircuts and color during my appointment. If I'm paying over $300 for my service and your attention isn't on me, we have a problem. I was paying $75 for a haircut and there was only a small pinch of hair on the floor. I have naturally curly hair and everytime since I've been going natural she has been blowing and straightening my curls when I ask her not to use a iron or straightener. The last 4 times I she has burned me with the hair dryer by keeping it in the same place too long and too hot. She used to make my hair beautiful but the past year it's been going downhill. I get my roots touched up every 6 weeks which costs $150, it's over $300 if it's a total root to tip refresh. After 2 weeks all the color is gone after 4 washes. I wash 2x a week. I asked her about it and she never answered me. I then decided I was no longer going to that salon anymore and have been doing my own root touch ups and refresh. I am currently looking for a new stylist that will give me her undivided attention and not be doing other clients on my time.

Lee Crespi: For many years I stayed with a stylist because he gave me a beautiful cut but all he ever talked about were his other clients, particularly famous ones. It drove me nuts and made me feel like I was nobody. I finally got up the nerve to find someone else and my current stylist is very relatable and we have great chats. Plus I still get a great cut.

princess110473: I had one stylist burning my scalp as she was drying my. Rolled her eyes at me when I told her it was too hot and burning me.

M. P.: I live in Lisbon and I've never had a positive experience with hairdressers, whenever I asked them for anything beyond brushing. I got tired of looking for one place where I could get decent customer service. I just started cutting my own hair at home and I've never looked back.

archeewaters: my hair stylist will text me, she will give me the phone number of another stylist if her schedule is full. she will even give me the recipe for the color. i really trust her

Georgie Girl: I think January is hairstylist suck month!!! LOL. I just had a conversation with three of my friends who all had the worst haircut they ever have had. Uneven, too short and cut their ear!….. I think we need to start asking the stylist if they are in a good mood before they lay a hand on us.

H.P Night: 2 issues I have seen frequently in salons, and schools: 1) dandruff. Obviously it isn't pleasant, but clients with it are already self-conscious about it without a stylist commenting. It is something you are going to encounter in the workplace, if it makes you squeamish, you should probably find another field. Always be kind, and discreet in any service industry. 2) dry, or semi-dry cuts. Some stylists and students won't due them, but for girls with more textured hair, too much water and moisture from shampooing/conditioning can really change your hair when it comes time to cut. The result will often be hair that dries way shorter than is wanted, or looking like a chia pet because the layers shrink and change as the hair dries.

JenHop13: I had the same hairstylist from 1998 to 2021 literally every 28 days for cut and color. Towards the end she had a bad attitude and stopped treating me like a new client with care. Then menopause made my stick straight hair go fabulously curly. I did research and realized I needed a curly cut specialist which my hairdresser was not. Part of me was glad to be getting a new one. I had a consultation with who on yelp was touted as amazing for curly girls. During the consultation we discussed having an olaplex treatment as I had just bleached the 30 years of red hair out to my natural blond/grey and ,u hair was damaged big time. The day of my appt she yelled at me as I came with clean non styled hair. She never told me to come with my hair styled to see how my curls were. She started cutting and I asked her how do you know what to cut if my hair isn’t curly? She had no answer. Then it came time for the olaplex. Whoops we don’t have any/why did I have a consultation 2 weeks earlier? So they sent someone to go to the store and she kept cutting!!!! I ended up with the big chop without as,I got for it. It was uneven awful. They charged me for a product I didn’t want and got mad when I made them refund me. I complained to the manager who when found out I didn’t want my money back didn’t care at all. The second curly stylist was a bit better but the third one I found is amazing and my hair is so curly and healthy and she treats me well and teaches me how to style as I still have no idea what I’m doing. This was a great video. Sorry for such a long comment

Toni Lyng: I had an experience where my regular hairdresser left the salon where she worked. Let’s call her Daphne. So I made an appointment at this place asked for Daphne and was told she was no longer there but we can give you an appointment with Laura. Ok, I’m flexible. Well Laura proceeded to insult me. She said that I didn’t know what I was doing when I coloured my hair myself. Hmmm, ok, maybe she was having a bad day, it happens. I just asked her to do the colour and cut, tipped her and left. So again in 5 weeks, I went back to see Laura; give her another chance. Nope, she insulted me again; this time I didn’t condition my hair properly and causing it to look strange. That was it, I am never going back. In the meantime, I am out shopping and I run into Daphne. She gave me her card and gladly made an appointment at her new place of work. I ran into a co-worker of Laura’s and I told her that Laura should really learn how to tell a customer politely they screwed up. And no, don’t fire her, just tell her to be more diplomatic. Don’t insult your customers; they are your livelihood and they can take their business elsewhere.

Rosani Lebron: Wish someone like you could do my hair!!! (I live overseas). Last year, a young friend of mine with long gorgeous hair, wanted the trendy shag. I told her to be careful, because she could end with a 90s Rachel if the hair stylist wasn't skilled enough. She went to a salon, but didn't told me. Well, I had to wipe her tears. She came back with a Rachel! With a terrible, horrible, color work on top. Major hair disaster. I haven't gone to a salon in seven years due to this. I cut my ends at home and my hair is super long.

Brianna Nicole: having stylists not listen to me has created such a fear for going to salons. i'm allergic to a lot of shampoos so i feel annoying asking for a certain shampoos even if they think something might be better for me. yeah it might be better in theory but i don't want to have a burning scalp..... i discovered one who always took that into consideration with me and even helped me discover more shampoos i could tolerate but then she moved away haha. Luckily her co worker was just as sweet, a good stylist really makes or breaks things

Karen Arias: One problem with hairstylists that Ive always had is that they dont take the time to hear to learn about my hair. Ive had my hair all my life, i know how it dries, when it gets frizzy, how it curls with different amounts of layers, how it looks like the second day after washing. Ive gotten told before that things wont work with my hair or that the pictures i showed them are how it looks like styled and not how my hair will ever look like this on its own. Im not asking for much lol usually i just want a U shape cut with 2 long layers and face framing curtain bangs. (To have that blow out look) now my hair is really wavy 2c almost 3a hair the moment its washed but the next day it turns into 2a -2b hair. Most of the time i repeat my styles so i know it works with my hair and theres always someone telling me it wont work, when ive clearly had it and had been happy with it before. Its frustrating to know that I need to settle for what they give me instead of them trusting me that the haircut i am asking for is something that works with my hair and has worked many times before.

Janes Twocents: This was so helpful and fascinating! I had a stylist who just set me right diwn at washbasin without talking to me, assuming she knew what the job was. I hadn't even been going to her that long. Maybe six or eight months? I just assumed it was because she was experienced, because she was, but I realize now she was just over it. a kind person, but ready to hang up her scissors i think. So she wouldn't really check in with me each time when I arrived. i wear a textured pixue and she would return to tools that i said left my hair weird...it is hard to leave, but we do eventually. so awkward....

The Frontier Family: The first lady I went to took the whole afternoon on me, listened to me, was great. But...m hair didn't lift!! So she charged me half price and I walked away looking no different. So I went to another gal who specialized in blonding...she rushed through and it ended up with just a few highlights that were very orange. She didn't have time to fix it so I booked with another lady who promised me she could get me what a wanted. She got me brighter but rushed through it and was doing other clients at the same time!! It still wasn't what I wanted and I think she used a really HIGH developer because my hair is breaking off and coming out everyday. Also she trimmed off 3 inches when I was insisted on no trim. She literally cut it off and said "I know you said no trim but this is just a dusting"...3 inches is not a dusting. I give up!! No more color and no more stylists.

Jenny Rose: I had to get so much hair chopped off today because of several stylists not cutting my hair even. Choppy pieces and uneven. And they damaged my hair by putting my bleach highlights under the dryer. I found a curl specialist but now I have to wait till my hair grows out to see her in like 6-8 months. Wish I'd gone to her first. Thank you for these tips.

catitude4: I was going to my hairdresser for many years. The only reason is I need a two step process to color my hair, bleaching then toning. She was the only one who would do it, they all wanted to do a one step process which does not work on me. She was great at getting the right color. Then my last appointment she wanted to do a one step, insisted on it. I'm thinking maybe things have changed and it would work. I should have known better. I now have have three colors in my hair, the longest part that was bleached properly which looks nice, the eight week mess she made, banding with hot tones coming through, and my natural level 6 hair. I wish I had walked out when she suggested this. Now I have to fix it. I bought some professional product. Many years I did do it myself so I'm no stranger to it. The eight week mess she made is a couple shades lighter than the root so I think it will work out using a 30 volume developer on the mess and the root. If the mess was darker I would do that first. Then I'm going to put in a dark blonde. After she messed up my color, she wanted to layer it. I had to practically yell at her to stop her. She is terrible at cutting, it's always crooked and I always have to fix it. The only hairstyles she can do is the old lady bubble do from 1968, or big hair from the 80s. Needless to say if I have to do this myself I'm not going back because SHE SUCKS. I used XMondo's bonding conditioner on it to get my hair ready and did a test on a strand of hair I had cut off years ago to see how it would turn out before I do anything.

Jessica: I had a stylist that I just quit seeing that gradually started messing my hair up. I go platinum, have been for a decade with no issues, but the stylist I’ve been using the last few years started having issues with not getting the right level of bleaching and leaving me with yellow hair…call in to see about getting it fixed….oops guess we didn’t process long enough, then she charges me to bleach bath/tone. This last time I went in, had a heart to heart about let’s make sure we leave it on longer, really want to avoid yellow. She does my hair and looks good, bright white. However when I get in natural light and at my house I have yellow banding and streaking throughout. Plus purple streaks where she tried purple shampoo. Messaged her less than an hour after my appt to alert her and ask what we could do. She didn’t message me back. Two weeks have gone by, have messaged her 3 times with no response. I’ve been seeing her nearly 3 years up to this point….ugh.

Luan Minitti: Some hair stylists suffer from a high level of narcissism and it REALLY shows. These stylists will never have a client base that will grow. In ANY profession, it doesn’t matter how great you are because there will always be someone better ‍♂️

Liliana Medina: When I was a teenager, I had super long hair passing my booty. I went to a hairstylist and asked for highlights. She told me I had to get it choped off short. I got up from the chair and left. I should have argued and called her lazy lol!

Brooke Lee: I’ve been seeing the same stylist for almost 15 years, and i’m only 29 years old. I’ve grown up with my stylist from where she was manager in a Walmart cuts and now she owns her own salon. I refuse to get my hair cut by anyone else. Over that 15 years only 2 other people have touched my hair and that’s why I refuse to see anyone else. I’m extremely lucky to have a stylist that’s also a great friend.

C Foster: I just went to a stylist a week ago for the first time. I scheduled a consultation with her along with a straightening service. The shampoo girl came to get me first and then the stylist took over only saying "how are you?" and not introducing herself. I thought she was another helper because with her mask hiked up I couldn't tell it was her from her Instagram pics. She proceeded to do my hair in complete silence. I don't need to talk during a whole visit but this was awkward. I finally spoke up and told her I was supposed to do a consultation with her. She said "ok do you have any questions?" as she continued to work. I asked my questions but after a while it felt like pulling teeth. She didn't go out of her way to give me any extra advice. Short answers and no elaboration. It was clear to me she just wanted to get me out of her chair and clearly didn't give a damn. So i just shut up and let her work. She was quick and definitely skilled I looked AMAZING! I won't be back though. I like a little chatter with my stylist and advice. I don't feel like this one was focused on hair health but the style only. None of the stylists were talking to their clients including the owner who was walking around with a funky look on her face. It definitely wasn't the atmosphere that was described on the website and in reviews. Also, I am not fond of people digging the crap out of my scalp with their NAILS while shampooing. Which the shampoo girl did and the stylist as well when she took over was even worse. I have one more stylist I'm going to try. If she doesn't work out I'm going full DIY.

A.V: It has been a nightmare to find a decent stylist and I have tried for YEARS. Now I do my own hair and I see one person for extensions as needed. You described so many I've had, lazy. Then I have to fix my hair.

Audi Audi: Had a fantastic hairstylist for 6 years! She moved so I went to the girl who took over her chair, she was also wonderful! But as fate would have it she moved away also :( So I tried a new place and stylist and was so unhappy with what I got... varying shades of green and a mushroom looking cut. Covered it with blue myself and gave myself a cut... the cut is jagged af but I'm way happier with my DIY hair than what she did! Fingers crossed the next stylist I try I can keep going to for years!

Kim Warner: Finding a stylist has been so disappointing lately. I thought I finally found a good one, I went last month, partial foil & trim , no big deal, easy. I liked it. However, I did not like the lack of conversation. I can understand being burned out, I don’t tell strangers everything but all she asked me was if I had kids & when I said no, the whole conversation stopped. It was awkward & uncomfortable. Her room/loft was freezing cold, no music, dirty , but I did like my hair. So, I went back last week. My hair is already above my shoulders, I just wanted more layers in it , more shag, I guess. We did a little more foils, no root touch up & I understood some roots can still show but omg..it’s like I already have 3 weeks of re growth. The cut wasn’t what I showed her. I could see one side was a little longer then the other & i felt awkward saying so but I wasn’t going to leave with my hair like that. She did fix it & offered to put in more highlights this week. She said come back in a couple days. I said okay, what time Saturday? ( this was on a Thursday) she said oh no how about next Thursday or even Friday? I said fine, whatever, what time? She said I’ll let u know but I have to get to my sons game right now. Like it was my fault it took her FOUR ..yes, FOUR hours to do a basic foil & cut! I just wanted to get out of there. There was color on the sink from the client before me, she never wiped it clean, she dropped a comb on the floor & went to use it on my hair, again room was ice cold, dusty as hell, no conversation at all except about the cut I wanted. She was a master stylist with 20 years experience. That’s why I chose her, based on her profile. She took forever getting back to me on a time for this week. I got so fed up the more I thought about it, I had the charge reversed by my bank yesterday. Lo and behold, I get a text finally asking me about this Thursday. She said i meant 3:45 this Thursday. I didn’t even respond. The thought of going back there, sitting in that dirty , cold loft with her & zero conversation, no way. My entertainment was listening to the stylist next door, laughing with his customers! I was there four hours for something so entry level, I didn’t understand what happened between the first visit & this disaster. But I’m never going back again. She’s a joke.

Rosie Vriesinga: Last sunday I let my grown out bangs cut into a a arched rounded bang ( I have a round face but I still can pull it off better than side bangs) and the hairstylist did ask me such questions as you did like what do I do with my hair and vice versa. What colour did you hairstylist use so we can maintaining your color in the next appointment ( I moved so I sadly need a new one)? Thanks to you I know can assume it is a good stylist. I already like the cut , very edgy but with this video I an even more sure .

Cecilia Reynolds: I love how you tell it like it is!

Saw It: I have never met a hairstylist who didn't suck. I have walked into a salon with back length hair, asked for a trim of my split ends, and walked out with a pixie cut--more than once. I cannot tell you how many years I got up the courage to dye my hair blonde, walked into a salon, and was somehow talked out blond because they didn't think it would suit me. Finally I went blond, and it looked great and I got massive compliments. I didn't keep it (too much maintenance), but it was great while it lasted and I wondered then why every. Single. Time. I walked into a salon for years, I was told they wouldn't do it. It's my hair. I'm paying you. Do what I ask you to do. Yet, so many stylists will dye their clients hair pink, blue, purple? Now that I'm older and more confident, I don't allow this nonsense. If I ask a stylist for something and they immediately start trying to talk me out of it, I Leave. But it has put a bad taste in my mouth for the entire industry. I don't want to hear your video about why "clients" suck so I skipped it and moved my comment over here. Most of them just want you to do what they're paying you to do. If it turns out terrible, that's on us. I'll be happy to sign a waiver. But for God's sake, do what I'm paying you to do. You do not get to make decisions about MY hair. If I want it long, I don't care if you think it'll look better short. If I want to be a blond (or a certain shade of blond), I don't care if you think it's a bad decision. This is the equivalent of my paying a dr to give me a nose job, and them deciding I don't need a nose job, I need an eye lift, and doing whatever they please when I'm under. We are completely at your mercy once we get in that chair and half the time we can't see what you're doing until it's too late. Let me reiterate for the deaf: It's my body, my hair. Stop telling me you know better than I do and doing whatever you want. Yes, I DO know better than you what I want on MY Head that I have to live with. Just Be honest. Most Stylists suck and honestly don't care what the client Wants. They just want to push their style on You against your will. They do not listen to the client. At all.

Mae Picnic: I had a hair stylist very renowned in la rip out my hair brushing it unnecessarily over and in between…and when I got home I had the biggest frizz halo in my life it was depressing and aggravating to the moon— So I warned my grandmother this stylist is too rough and snaps hairs without consideration but my grandma went anyway…coming back said she was very gentle and very considerate. Soooo the stylist was just sabotaging me evil eye style?! She pretended to care about me and got to know me she knows my whole family but at least she didn’t do my grandma dirty.

Sunny Girl: I don't think I've EVER gone to a stylist who wanted me to look and/or feel pretty. I feel like all the stylists I've dealt with have had an odd resentment or hostility towards me. The lady I go to now is kinda neutral and does the basic skills well, and that seems like the most I can hope for.

Terrible Painter: When I became a regular I noticed that the service declined, such as getting calls moving my appointments around which became a pattern. Working away from home for 2-4 weeks and then being cancelled when I was at home and supposed to have the appointment forced me to run around with outgrown hair etc when leaving town again. I switched the Salon. The other time a hair dresser asked me tons of questions about my life/situation/work. I don’t mind conversing, but it was like an interview the first 2 times I saw her and I was uncomfortable talking about my life and opening up like that. It was tiring answering all these questions because I was polite. I didn’t go back. Of course I had great experiences too.

WV Girl: I am in my 60's and I can honestly say in all my years of going to salons I have had two that were great. Unfortunately one moved to New York and I don't know where the other went. I always seem to get the same type of stylist. The first thing they want is to cut my hair in a bob, I don't like bob hair cuts on me. I look like the moon with hair hanging on the sides. I try to give the stylist some freedom with my hair because I do like to change it up and do something a little different. Then I follow that up with, it's hair, if I don't like it, it will grow out. I guarantee before its all said and done I will end up with a bob like the one I'm wearing now. When they do that, I find someone else.

katherine: Some clients just want the mcdonalds fast food hair treatment, some want you to spend time and care on their hair. Im a stylist who tries to do the best job i can and take my time to be immaculate but working in a salon where the owner just uses 30/40 vol on everyone and gets them in and out fast. She books my appointments way too close together to either try to make me work faster or make more money, I dont always have control over how my day is booked so its frustrating.

Miss Christmas: Anyway to get around this scenario? I went to a stylist I really liked and loved the experience except for one detail, the styling chair was so uncomfortable. I’m bigger but not by any means outside of “normal” and I was so uncomfortable I haven’t gone back. I really liked the experience and the way the stylist did my hair and totally would have recommended her to many people but I couldn’t because I knew they would be uncomfortable too. For clarity the chair was a fancy one with a plush seat, the problem was the plushy-ness of the chair kind of ate u your butt space and the back was pretty low so it wasn’t very supportive to sit for my stylist.