After years of bouncing around every hair salon in town—like some kind of hair salon FLOOZY, really—I’d like to think I know a thing or two about the hairdressing talent pool in this city.
YES there are a few real gems, the brightest being my now Forever Hair Man Bill Angst. But I’ve also, during my years of beauty editor experimentation, had a few too many hair appointments gone wrong. Let’s just say that Toronto is no New York.
Which is why I now only let “my people” come near it. I know that sounds extreme, but every once in a while I’m reminded of why I made this rule…
Beware of hairdressers who think everyone should have layers
The other week, after a touch-up at my colour place, I got my hair shampooed and blown-dry by a new guy. Now tell me if this sounds familiar. (It should, because it’s the novice hairdresser’s standard M.O.)
His line of questioning starts with this: “So who’ll be cutting your hair today?”
“Uh, nobody.” I tell him I get my hair cut elsewhere.
They hate this.
I could just tell he was ITCHING to pull out his scissors and go to town on me. I started getting nervous.
Then—wait for it—as he’s combing through my hair he says in his all-knowing (borderline condescending) voice: “And why don’t we have any layers in here?”
First of all, WE?
And second of all, have you SEEN my hair, guy?
I don’t know what they’re teaching in hairdressing school these days, but people whose hair is simultaneously A) fine, B) straight and C) long simply cannot handle a lot of layers.
Exhibit A: Naomi Watts. Doesn’t this blunt cut (shown off at the Salt premiere a few weeks ago) look AMAZING?
Certainly much better than this, right?
Those layers weren’t working for her, were they? Because her hair is so fine, they just look stringy and make it look like she has even LESS hair.
I think the blunt cut is much better: her hair looks thicker and instantly 1,000 times more modern. Agree?
Now I’m not saying you shouldn’t have any layers at all. But if you do, they should be as LONG as possible. Like this:
DO NOT let your hairdresser try to tell you that layering your hair halfway up your head is the answer. I’ve been there, done that (got the T-shirt) and you’ll hate it. Trust. Layers may work just fine on curly hair but they’re not a one-size-fits-all solution for all hair types.
The lesson: Get a cut that works with your natural texture
Forget about what’s in style.
And don’t let your hairdresser talk you into a cut that requires tons of product/styling tools to look halfway decent.
Find someone who’ll give you a cut that works with what God gave you. (Granted, this is easier said than done in this town.)
But this is why, as I said, Bill’s giving me blunt cuts for YEARS now. I still remember, in our early days together, him telling me: “There’s not much you can do with your hair texture so focus on the colour, not the cut.” Wise advice.
So tell me…
Does YOUR hairdresser know how to work with your natural texture?
Do you even agree with my stance on layers?
Have you seen Salt yet? Speaking of hairstyles, that Angelina sure is rocking a lot of different ones in that movie…
70 comments
Wednesday, August 11/2010 at 3:55 pm
My hairdresser knows how to work with my texture – she’s actually a goddess! I went into her after getting a blunt cut that looked absolutely horrible (i looked like a 12-year-old trying to be 21…). Although i’ve had a horrible blunt cut, I do agree with your stance on layers – if your hair is fine and straight. Mine is fine, but has a slight wave to it so i tend to get “Spaniel ears” if my layers aren’t short enough.
and i saw Salt, and was really quite excited to see it, but i left pretty disappointed. I love Angelina though, and how kick-ass she is! Props to her for taking on a role that was originally written for a man, and totally owning it.
Wednesday, August 11/2010 at 7:02 pm
Oh don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely not against layers for any kind of curl… you need them, otherwise you end up with a triangle head. (Or Spaniel ears as you say… haha)
Too bad about Salt! I guess it’s a rental then.
Wednesday, August 11/2010 at 4:45 pm
Thank you for this post. I’ve had similar experiences with stylists trying to talk me into layers. I have lots of fine, straight hair and a blunt cut I got last year (similar to Naomi Watts’s but with blunt bangs) made all the difference in the world. My hair looks thick without piling on products and there’s no more string-y growing out stage.
Wednesday, August 11/2010 at 7:05 pm
So glad you feel the same… and that you’re rocking the blunt cut as well! I LOVE blunt bangs – they look especially great on blondes. I think Naomi’s hair would look even better if she had them.
Wednesday, August 11/2010 at 8:19 pm
It is actually INSANE how much better Naomi looks with a blunt cut!
I’m very grateful that after YEARS (too many!) of bad haircuts I’ve finally found a hairdresser who works with my a) hair texture and b) face shape. Why is that so rare??
Thursday, August 12/2010 at 8:10 pm
I don’t know, but it’s worrisome! I wish I could be a fly on the wall at a hairdressing school and find out what they’re teaching. You know, I find it’s the self-taught people that are often the best. In hair and in makeup. Bill, who does my hair, didn’t pick up any weird ideas about how to cut – he just KNOWS.
Glad you’ve managed to find one of the rare people that gets it!
Sunday, November 27/2011 at 1:35 pm
It’s because most hairstylists are either too lazy to work with a clients features and would rather just do a basic haircut, or, they went to school before face shape and working with texture was taught and haven’t bothered to continue their education.
Thursday, August 12/2010 at 12:57 pm
I totally agree every time I go for a haircut they insists on doing more layers or “freshening up” my layers I wanted a blunt cut for so long but my hairdresser always says layers look better. Its so annoying thats why I change salons SO much they just dont listen! I think they need to teach a class on listening skills in beauty school this has happened so many times with me.
Thursday, August 12/2010 at 8:12 pm
Yup! And they wonder why we cheat on them all the time!
I guess the best thing to do is to bring a photo and insist on that exact cut. I really hate when they try to do their own thing, but it’s so hard to argue when you’re sitting captive in their chair and they are holding scissors!
Thursday, August 12/2010 at 6:04 pm
Yes! So true! Of course, with my wavy to curly hair, too many layers can give me a total ‘fro. Very uncool.
But it’s that schoolmarm as hair-stylist voice that kills me. And makes me feel like a bad child. And makes me never want to go back. The same voice saying “Hmmm. Who cut your hair?” Hateful.
Which I why I love the great haircuts and all around great guy-ness of Montreal’s Alain Larivée (of CAJH Maitre Coiffeurs in Montreal.) BTW – that top image of Naomi W – that would look great on you: the hair, the makeup. Thoughts?
Thursday, August 12/2010 at 8:18 pm
They TOTALLY have the schoolmarm voice. Terrible. And they must teach them to say “Who cut your hair?”
(Shudder.)
And then you can feel the judgement. It’s like they have to criticize the work that came before in order to make themselves feel better. Terrible sales tactic.
I’ve never had Alain do my hair – he came after the Swearing Off All Free Cuts period… but yes he’s a sweetie.
I’ve had Naomi’s style of super-blunt hair before but right now Bill is feeling long so I just do what he says. (That’s the great thing about him – I just sit there and say “do what you want” and I have total trust.) I’ll go back to it someday though.
And Naomi’s makeup? YES – love the smokey. The problem is that most eye makeup disappears on me because of my non-existent eyelids. But will try…just for you
Thursday, August 12/2010 at 9:33 pm
Non existent eyelids? I did not notice. Perhaps you are exaggerating.
I think it would really suit you – the lip colour, the cheeks, the porcelain skin, the many many coats of mascara…all you need is the nubbly strapless dress.
Thursday, August 19/2010 at 5:31 pm
Wait until you see the David Goveia makeup – he told me to always, always do eyes. (not lips) Apparently I have not been applying enough mascara…
Oh, and he told me my eyes are more “Asian” even than other people at the event that actually ARE Asian. Go figure.
Friday, August 13/2010 at 11:28 am
I have the finest hair and it’s so hard to find a hairstyle that works. My pixie cut was awesome, but I rocked that for years and needed a change. Right now I’m in the process of getting it healthy after a bleach disaster, and growing it out in hopes of trying the angled bob look. No one has told me it’s the wrong look for me, so here’s hoping I’m heading in the right direction.
OMG, do not get me started on bad hair fiascoes … I’ve been to hell and back with my quaff in the last 6 months, with a few perms and colours gone wrong over the years. Oh, and did I mention a really BAD attempt at the Rachael cut? SUPER bad example of layers gone wrong!!! I try to have the “it’s only hair, it’ll grow back” opinion, but that doesn’t always work … especially when you’re hair has been over-bleached and is falling out!!!
The hard part for me right now is finding a hair stylist that I can trust. I’ve asked TONS of stylists all over Toronto for advice on caring for my severely damaged hair, every one of them saying something different. I’ve tried expensive salons, thinking the “you get what you pay for” thing came into play … good cut, bad colour!! How do you find someone to give you a good cut for your face/body style when you’ve lost all faith in them?
Thursday, August 19/2010 at 6:45 pm
Poor Gimped! I hear you—you would think us beauty editor people would know all the good hair people in this town, but sadly there aren’t too many places I would rave about. I think the best thing to do is to spy on people – start people watching and if there is someone you see with a cut/colour you like, ideally with a face/body shape similar to your own, track them down and ask them who they go to! Otherwise it’s hard to judge a hairdresser’s work… it’s not like they give you references. (Although I think they should!)
This is how I found my current colourist, and my mom found Bill Angst, the guy who cuts our hair, from watching the makeovers on Cityline. She spent about 6 months making notes on the makeovers and decided that Bill’s were always the best. (I guess beauty geekiness runs in the family.)
I can 100% recommend Bill for a cut – I sent one reader there already and she wrote to say how thrilled she is. He’s expensive though ($150)… but in my book, the man can do no wrong.
Thursday, August 19/2010 at 10:01 pm
I have very fine, very straight, very thick hair and I was always told by every stylist i went to that “you need layers” (otherwise I get the broomstick effect). Till one day, I finally found my HG stylist. She keeps the outside one length and uses a razor to thin everything out from underneath. It’s pure hair magic, and keeps it sleek and sophisticated with zero maintenance on my part. And no more stringy layers!
Saturday, August 21/2010 at 3:05 pm
Yay! I must confess, I’ve never had a razor cut…kinda scared of them! But I have a friend, also with straight hair, who swears by them too.
Friday, August 27/2010 at 8:32 am
Was surprised to read that straight haired suffer as much as curly haired re: trying to find a hairdresser. I just wander from salon to salon. I’ve tried bringing pictures, they nod and then do whatever they want.
Anyone have any tips re: a good hairdresser in Montreal? I’ve tried Alain …the first cut was fine, but the second time was horrible.
Sunday, August 29/2010 at 11:36 am
Hahaha – that’s hilarious. (Well not really since it’s your hair on the line.) But soooo true – I know exactly what you’re talking about re: the nodding/doing whatever they want.
Honestly, the only hairdresser in Montreal that I know is Alain (since he’s the John Frieda spokesperson). Let me see if I can post something to Twitter and get some Montrealers to recommend some places.
Monday, September 13/2010 at 6:49 pm
Thank you a billion times over! I need to secretly send these comments to several salons nation wide. I have fine, straight (though thick) blonde hair exactly like Naomi’s and EVERY hair stylist wants to give me “fringe”. It’s the worst cut anyone can get for this type of hair, and it doesn’t need to be prepped with goopy hair products they claim will “give it volume”!!! I’ve got a tip: clean, conditioned, highlighted/colored, bluntly cut hair will have “volume”.
Tuesday, September 14/2010 at 3:37 pm
Haha – so good to see all of us fine & straight-haired types coming out of the woodwork after years of hairdresser abuse!
What is REALLY telling is that I had my hair done by Sally Hershberger’s right hand men on Friday (they were in from NYC—post on that coming soon). Anyway, if you know anything about Sally, you know that she is the QUEEN of layers.
WELL… even those guys told me that I shouldn’t get layers. Just like you said—they recommended a blunt cut, a few inches past the shoulders so basically what I already have (I’m just overdue for a cut right now).
So yeah… don’t let these One Cut Fits All hairdressers tell you anything different!
Friday, October 22/2010 at 12:00 am
Hi everyone
thanks for reading my woes! Jemima xx ps. to make it worse…I went back to complain, he told me that a dark red rinse and some tongs would help..did I want to purchase these?!!!!!!!!!
I was very glad to read these comments – and yes, straight fine to medium hair actually needs a very skilled, well-trained stylist (probably moreso than for curly hair as straight hair shows up flaws in cutting x 100 times more!).And yes…yawn…I am a victim of the layering maniac too
Last (ever) visit to a ‘trendy’ high priced salon in Barnsley, South Yorkshire UK as after first wash, I found that their “lets choppy it up a bit shall we!” handiwork was actually NOT the easy-care, sleek, jolly little shoulder length bob my fine to medium (lots of it), dark brown (and actually very healthy and shiny!) straight hair required. Neither did the chopped up over layered mess allow for my quiet, reserved personality or my small ‘quiet’ face shape either – Oh! and the nasty little git threw in a comment about ‘making you look younger too!!’.(hmm, Im usually told I look 35 not 48 and I dont care anyway…looking good WHATEVER my age matters more!)..so – being a bit pre-menopausal, shy and recently bereaved of my mum – wanting to cheer myself up – I ‘let him do what he thought’. I am now in tears most mornings with my wispy dried up ends just touching my shoulder tops and a great thick lump of over-layered, uneven layered ‘hair’ at about ear height – some of it is shorter that this actually! It doesnt move at all or swing in a healthy shiny way as it did, it looks dull (due to all the layers), thin and dead or thick and immobile. The whole thing is vile. The longest layer is 15″ long, shortest layer way up on back of head is 4″ long. My face looks rugged now – reflecting the rugged ragged hair style. Any advice AT ALL would help please! my hubby says keep having the longest layers snipped, ‘catch it all up together and it will take 1 year and then go somewhere established and take a pic of Thandie Newton’s bob….I am trying, but am heartbroken.
Saturday, November 6/2010 at 5:26 pm
Oh my gosh Jemima! So sorry to hear about your hair woes!! Why are these people such BUTCHERS? Gawd it drives me nuts. And you’re right – when they layer it so much it takes away all the shine and looks so thin and lifeless.
I think the only thing you can do right now is to maybe get someone to just trim the bottom ONLY – not to take off any length but just to make it really blunt so you don’t get the wispy, raggedy ends. Then you’re going to have to let the shorter layers on top grow in. But I would not go back to the same place that did you in the first time! Can you ask around – even stop someone on the street whose hair you admire – and get some recommendations? I find that’s the best way to find a good haircutter.
You’ll probably want to get a few trims along the way as it grows out – just keep trimming the bottom layer up so that it matches the top ones. As the layers grow and start to match up it will start to feel thicker. Don’t let them cut the layers to “freshen them up” – just leave them until they grow long again.
I would stay away from colour if you’re happy with your current shade – ain’t nothin’ that’s gonna do to bring your hair back! And I don’t trust that place anyway. But playing with your hair texture will definitely help… I’d try to wear it a bit wavier if you can, it will disguise the layers. Try hot rollers, velcro rollers, curling with a flat iron or even old-fashioned pin curls. Brush out the curls and it should give it some body and fullness.
Maybe invest in a beach hair texturizer (like a sea spray) to give your hair more body. I really love root-lifting products as well for fine, straight hair.
Oh and try playing around with where you part your hair… and maybe adding some hair accessories too. You could try pinning it half up, or behind one ear…something like that. Sometimes changing your usual style is the only way to get through the horrible growing out process.
I hope those tips help somewhat!
Tuesday, February 8/2011 at 7:46 pm
I’m getting layers and im a middle school kid so i dont know if this is the best choice for me i have really long really strait hair but idk will the layers look good??? please help im young and i dont want to make the biggest mistake of my life people tell me how they love my hair now so idk what will happen after we will see PLEASE HELP!!!???
Friday, February 11/2011 at 7:29 pm
If your hair is very fine I wouldn’t recommend layers at all (and keeping your hair on the shorter side will help it look thicker). But if it’s medium-thick then you can probably pull off long layers… just don’t let them cut them too short. Chin-length and longer is best.
Monday, April 18/2011 at 7:39 am
Oh dear, I feel like my life is flashing before my eyes reading this! (Bit too dramatic maybe?) But similarily, i have fine hair but not much of it. ie its thin on my head also. Highlights, drying my hair upside-down & dry shampoo are my fail-safes. But after too many years of blunt cuts and bobs making me look 12 I’m too scared to say no to the layers. I’m convinced adding a few all the way around for an inch or two at the end give some nice movement but after seeing the pics of Naomi i see that having them framing the face is a no-no.
Does this make sense and is it even possible- to have some at the end or does this defeat the ‘blunt’ rule?
Unfortunately, finding a trusted hairdresser is out of the question at the moment as i’m moving around a lot for work so i end up being super strict about what i ask for. Maybe i’ve been asking for the wrong cut?!
Sunday, May 1/2011 at 4:01 pm
I like layers around the face – just a few, it makes you look softer – but prefer the rest of the ends pretty blunt. I’m super strict with hairdressers too (at least colourists) so not to worry! Until you develop trust, you kind of have to be a little dictator to get the results you want. The best way is to bring photos instead of trying to describe with words. Gossip mags are best for this because you see celebs that aren’t heavily styled – instead of looking at models in photo shoots with good lighting!
Wednesday, June 22/2011 at 5:25 pm
This article is so right on, and should be REQUIRED READING FOR ALL STYLISTS!!
Terrible. Finally, I “wised-up”, and have been growing out those terrible layers into a hairstyle that’s all one length. The top part of my hair looks/feels thicker and full. I keep getting blunt trims on the bottom (by my mom, by the way — hahaa — I’ve sworn off ‘high-end’ stylists who only destroy my hair), and soon my whole head will be one length. I’m FINALLY really starting to like my hair. I really don’t understand why it took me so long to realize WHY my hair looked so frail and thin — stupid layers! Thanks for letting me vent!! 
I have very fine hair, and for years, every single hairdresser that I’ve ever gone has told me the same thing “if you cut layers into fine hair, it makes it look thicker”. BS!!! So, for years, in hopes of having beautiful looking hair, I’ve had my hair hacked into thin, see-through strands.
Sunday, July 24/2011 at 10:35 pm
Welcome! And congrats on ditching the layers!
Sunday, June 26/2011 at 11:29 pm
I’m so happy that you did this post! I have long, straight, fine hair as well. Right now I have a blunt cut in the back with it a bit shorter around my face and in the front, and I’m thinking about getting a v-cut but I’m not sure if it will make my hair look thinner? also im not sure if I should have face framing layers or not?
Sunday, July 24/2011 at 10:18 pm
I think the V shape is best on thicker hair. A few layers around the face would be fine though!
Wednesday, June 29/2011 at 8:28 am
Completely agree. What are they teaching hair dressers in school? Never EVER layer fine, thin, straight hair. I have ended up crying every time I’ve ever let a know it all hair dresser talk me into it. I wish I had thicker hair and could wear long sexy layers but the facts are there. I just can’t.
Friday, July 29/2011 at 2:22 pm
Professional here and I agree and funny I also agree with the comment the best hair and makeup artists are self taught. Not that I recommend skipping cosmo school you need the basics, and you pick up tips, shortcuts, etc there and from coworkers and bosses imo to be exceptional you need to trust yourself and your own instincts. And most self taught people in any field are great listeners and researchers. We all know just how important listening is for a stylist.
I too have always been against moderate to heavy layering of fine straight hair. You can’t have the “long, sexy layers” not my words but you have the ideal hair for the slinky straight styles. The ABSOLUTE best hair for a blunt cut fringe whether chin length like Louise Brooks shine gorgeous helmet, or longer ( in NY we unpc like call this the “china doll cut”).
Also another option for this type of hair is keeping the all or mostly one length which is key, but losing the blunt cut, a shattered perimeter. I love this look
Sunday, July 31/2011 at 9:52 am
Glad to have a pro agree! What is the shattered perimeter?
Wednesday, August 10/2011 at 6:18 pm
i’m only in high school, but i’ve already had my share of bad hair cuts to last me a lifetime. I have baby fine, pin straight hair that lies completely flat against my head. Every single time I go to salon I ask for layers because of the countless magazine’s i’ve read saying that layers will create volume and lift, and hoping that I will come out of the salon with voluminous hair..no such luck. It has finally dawned upon me that the only time when I am somewhat happy with my hair is when I haven’t had it cut in months, when it is long, and the layers have almost all grown out. I look back at pictures of myself, and the ones where my hair looks nice are the ones where my hair is almost all one length. I’m getting my hair cut soon (for the first time in a couple of months…really need to chop off those split ends!) and I see why face framing layers can not work just by looking at the picture, but having my hair one length all over just isn’t going to work for me. I need something, some little pieces of hair at the front of my face that I can braid back, pin back,.. basically just subtle face framing layers. But I don’t want to ask for some some subtle face framing layers and then for the stylist to go all out. I’m afraid of recreating one of my past hair nightmares. Any suggestions on what I should ask for?
Saturday, August 13/2011 at 5:41 pm
Oh I’m not against a few layers at the front, or even long layers all over… it’s the very short ones, like halfway up your head, that I’ve had bad experiences with. I do love an all-over blunt cut as well, but long layers that are just a few inches shorter than the bottom are fine to give hair some movement.
I would be very clear with your hairdresser about the overall length and then show him/her the very shortest you want your layers. For around the face, I love a side bang (or long bangs parted in the middle). Photos are the best way to communicate, so make sure to bring in pics of styles you like. For example I love Sienna Miller’s cut – slightly layered at the ends and face-framing long bangs.
Tuesday, September 27/2011 at 7:13 pm
Glad I found you, but too late! Just had my haircut this Saturday and I have been trying to explain to so many hairdressers that have been highly recommended to me that I don’t want layers because it doesn’t work for me! All the pictures of what I want, and what I DON’T want to look like just don’t do any magic. I still end up going out of that salon with layers that I hate so much because it makes my light, thin, very straight hair look so dull and dead! I really hate my haircut and want to get rid of these stupid layers. The shortest layers are just about touching my shoulders and I would go that short (my actual hair was just a bit longer than my lats on my back) to get it fixed and go blunt. Any advice? My problem is when I do force the hairdresser not to put ANY layers into my hair, the ends of my hair are very heavy and don’t look right. I asked for her to slice into the ends to thin it down, but still didn’t do what it’s supposed to. Can you help me find professional hairdressing terms and very good picture examples of the front & back of long haircut showcasing what has to be done? I find it very difficult to find great pictures showing the back of a haircut that I want, so then every hairdresser insists there must be layers in the back we just don’t see them.
I hate my haircut sooooo much
Monday, October 3/2011 at 5:25 pm
Us Weekly or any gossip mag is my go-to for hair pics… but yeah I’m not sure you’ll be able to find something this specific and from the back. It sounds like the problem is more the actual hairdresser you’re going to if they’re giving you bad blunt cuts. I’ve been getting blunted ends for years and have never felt that they looked “heavy.” I think what my hairdresser (Bill Angst in Toronto) does is cut it ever so slightly shorter underneath (like we’re talking milimetres). Have no idea what this is called though and probably there are other techniques.
I would recommend stalking girls in your city
who have the same hair texture as you and the cut you’d like. And then have lots of consultations until you find someone who gets it.
Wednesday, October 12/2011 at 2:09 am
Hey, just a shout out – can you tag along with me tomorrow to my hair appointment? It’s in Adelaide, South Australia @ 1:00pm. I need some extra girl power when I ask my hair stylist to give this fine, thin and straight haired girl a blunt cut. AND NO DAMN LAYERS thankyou very much. Wish me luck, i’ll need it.
Wednesday, November 2/2011 at 6:02 pm
Is it called an undercut? I usually either get that or a blunt/straight cut after years of hating my layers, but thinking it was my only choice!! Undercut is what my stylist called it when they cut the underneath slightly shorter than the top… it is supposed to make the ends turn under slightly, although it doesn’t really work on me.
Sunday, November 20/2011 at 1:02 am
You’re so right.
I have thin, fine hair, and almost every hairdresser would cut lots of short layers in it,, and thin it out,so it just looked even thinner scraggly- I couldn’t even condition the ends, as it made them look greasy because there was no weight in it ! I finally found a hairdresser who actually listened, and gave me a blunt cut with just a few long layers, and it looks like a different head of hair!
Wednesday, November 23/2011 at 12:03 pm
Thank you for this post. I finally took your advice and requested a blunt cut when I went to my stylist yesterday. She cut off 3″ of layers and my hair looks and feels so thick and full and it’s bouncy! I don’t think I’ll ever go back to layers.
Thursday, December 29/2011 at 10:10 am
I’m still so happy with my blunt cut that I wanted to follow up for anyone hesitating trying this style. I no longer fight with my hair in the morning and I actually do less styling and spend less time on it and it looks better than it ever did before.
Thursday, December 29/2011 at 10:36 am
So, is that all you asked for, a blunt cut and you actually got one?? I don’t believe you!!
All jokes aside, do you find your ends too heavy and thick, or did she point cut the ends to get rid of the thickness?
Last time I got a blunt cut, it was straight up blunt cut and it looked like my mom cut my hair. My ends were way too heavy and so thick it ruined the whole haircut. Any advice on what the actually say to the hairdresser when it comes to your ends?? I’ve become so frustrated with my haircuts I actually want to come to the salon with a list of directions and just make sure they follow them, and hopefully come out with the hair like I want. Last hairdresser that gave me the blunt cut basically ended up saying I said I didn’t want layers and that’s why the ends are so thick lol. You can’t win!!
Thursday, December 29/2011 at 10:45 am
I have a good relationship with my hairstylist, so she listens to me. That helps.
But what helped the most was saying that I wanted to go for a complete change, something totally different. I think that helped shift her to understanding what I really wanted. Then I said that I wanted to get rid of all of my layers and have a blunt cut with no layers, no thinning, no point cutting, no nothing.
We looked over my hair and determined how many inches to take off to obtain this, but not get too short for my comfort. This did mean leaving some slight layers around my face because I didn’t want a short bob. My ends are much heavier than before, but it looks good. You might ask for just slight layers on literally the bottom 1″ of your hair to get rid of the heavy edge, but not actually thin out your hair?
Sunday, November 27/2011 at 12:51 am
You are so right!
I have fine , quite thin hair, and most hairdressers I have ever been to layer it heavily with short layers , , and feather the endsI hate, as it looks like a man’s cut, and I could never style it properly. I now have a hairdresser who has cut just a few long , and left the ends blunt, and hey presto it takes no time to style and looks 10 times thicker!
Thursday, December 15/2011 at 8:59 am
I have thin, pin straight hair and my worst cut was when a hairdresser told me she needed to cut some short layers in my long hair, to give me volume. Because my hair being so thin at the back, I ended up looking like I had a mullet. Fortunately, that is in the past, but i am still not happy with my hair.
I would like a blunt cut, but I am affraid it wouldn’t look good on me cos I have a square face shape and it would make me look harsh. I am thinking long layers would be a better choice for me.
Wednesday, December 28/2011 at 2:55 pm
I was so happy to see these posts. I don’t have straight hair… in fact, my hair is very curly… but I have come across all the problems listed and feel comforted by the fact that I am not alone. I especially laughed about the part where the hairdressers nod to my request, and then do whatever they want. Don’t I know it. I just had my hair cut last week.. all I asked was that she not cut more than 1 cm at any level.. she nodded and then cut 5 cm off the top. I can also relate to them wanting to push “latest fashion” styles, even though it has nothing to do with my hair texture and cannot be re-created without the use of flat irons and tons of product. For thin, curly hair, the problem isn’t layers, but thinning and texturizing. As many times as I say not to it, they still go ahead and do it…leaving me with straggly hair.
For the person who mentioned having gone to Alain at Cajh… I had the same experience.. one pretty good cut followed by a horrible one. It was about 10 years ago, but I still can’t forget how awful it was.
One thing I have learned is to follow your instincts. If you have a feeling that the stylist is not listening..leave. Same thing for those who don’t want to look at your hair before it is washed. If, as the cut starts, you see them going off in their own direction..leave. It is easier to wait for one spot to grow in than a whole head of hair. Be wary of stylists who say “trust me..I’m a professional”. Also, stylists who win awards, work in magazines, etc., are not interested in anyone who doesn’t have “good” hair. I would also suggest that if you get a bad cut by someone with attitude that you go elsewhere to have it fixed. I’ve never had a successful repair done by the original stylist. (Oddly, I have had several “repair” cuts at a second salon that were quite good. But then when I went back for a “from scratch” cut, they completely screwed it up.)
Lastly, I would say that my least bad haircuts have been at cheap places in malls, etc. The stylists there have less attitude and seem to want to please their clients rather than themselves. (although sometimes the technique is lacking..but they can be trained)
Thursday, February 2/2012 at 2:02 pm
I actually go to a cosmotology school to get my haircut. I have fine hair, and a student at the school was the first person to ever tell me not to get layers in my hair. I was so glad I had gone to her and not my usual hairstylist. I had almost grown out my layers and am keeping it shoulder length, but I had thought about going back to layers. She convince me not to, and I was very happy that I listened.
Sunday, February 5/2012 at 10:54 pm
After years of horrid layers, razor cuts, etc, I have now developed major trust issues with anyone brandishing scissors! Finally my layers have grown out, as I only let my husband cut my hair – one straight line across the bottom. Easy peasy!
Wednesday, August 15/2012 at 12:57 am
I get a blunt cut, then have my stylist Tatiana use blocking/thinning shears and use the notching/slithering technique on the ends and the crown to give my fine, limp hair texture and volume.
Layers on fine hair is a mark of a lazy or uninspired stylist IMHO.
Tuesday, March 19/2013 at 3:08 pm
Well-most are Lazy and Uninspired–yet want to earn a nice living…by just over layering our manes!
I now also have a trust issue – with anyone brandishing scissors!
Friday, September 7/2012 at 1:43 pm
I finally found a stylist that understands this. Unfortunately she isn’t in the city where I live, so I can only go once or twice a year when I go to visit my dad (after a 2.5 hour plane ride lol). I’ve had stylists cut so many layers into my hair thinking that it’ll cut out some of the weight at the bottom that it turned out looking stringy and greasy.
Now I just ask for some framing starting under my chin, then a couple long layers and thinning at the ends to break it up. I have long hair, so it lays nicely with the couple of layers, but when it’s shorter it looks a little like a cotton candy puff (I’ve considered dying it light pink before just to see what it looks like, but thankfully talked myself out it)
Tuesday, November 6/2012 at 3:07 pm
I agree. The last place put so many layers in my hair, I feel bald. And to top it off, they used a razor to angle the sides. Now the sides are all wispy. You don’t use a razor on thin hair!!!
Saturday, November 10/2012 at 12:16 pm
From when I was a kid I went to a certain hairdresser who always gave me kind of the same thing no matter what I asked for. The. Same. Layered. Thing.
Ughh.
After that I’ve tried a few hair dressers, but none really impressed me, I hated going to the hair dresser because I my hair way always okay, never gorgeous. So I just started cutting my own hair when it got too long (no bangs, no layers, no nothing).
Then on a weekend vacation I saw some random place and thought, oh well, I’ll give it a try.
GORGEOUS! I just asked for more shape to my straight, she wanted to also remove some more length, I said okay, and BAM! Best ever.
Monday, November 19/2012 at 10:01 am
I have fine hair, that I’m in the process of growing out. Haven’t had long hair since I was about 10, & I had to great idea to keep it in a short chin length bob until about 18 years old. Now I’m itching for it to grow long, but the thin blonde hair I have (much… exactlyy like Naomi Watts) is making it seem impossible.
So anyways, thank you for the tip! I’ve always gotten layers (mostly long) with my haircuts. So now I’ll see what a blunt cut does for me!
Monday, December 17/2012 at 10:05 pm
I love, love,love this article!!! I have thin and straight hair, and I couldn’t agree more. Unfortunately, the most recent hair cut I got, the hairdresser went against my wishes for no layers mangled my hair. Now I have these horrible, stringy, and very SHORT front layers. Any advice on how to fix this so I don’t hate my hair so much until it grows out???? Thank you
Saturday, January 12/2013 at 2:10 pm
Hi, I have extremely fine thin hair, chin-length, which every hairdresser I ever went to would cut really short top layers into, saying it “would give it volume”( it didn’t!),and thin out the sides, so it looked really wispy, like an old 70′s feather cut. One stylist even commented that it looked like two cuts in one!
I absolutely hated it, but now I just ask for a few LONG layers, and blunt ends, and it looks much thicker and up to date.
The best thing to do with really short layers is simply to pin one or twoof them back so they don’t show, and if the sides are thinned out and straggly, as mine were, just push one side behind the ear! It’s not ideal, but at least you will be able to live with it while the layers grow! I had to wear my hair like this for nearly 2 years until about a month ago,after being a “victim” of thinning, as the layers grew !
Tuesday, March 19/2013 at 2:59 pm
Thank you! Layers are NOT the answer – as every idiot stylist without know-how believes. Especially on fine hair. Layering only equals more maintenance…and product usage. A nice blunt cut with very few long layers in the front do wonders for a fine mane. But of course, that doesn’t create future, and ongoing appts. for these stylists–which is what it’s all about…the almighty dollar.
I Hate layering by the way. It weakend the hair – especially when they butcher the hair with those “shears” and start texturizing like a mad scientist.
Friday, January 25/2013 at 1:06 am
Amen, sister!
The problem I have is that I have found exactly 1 hair salon whose stylists consistently make my fine, straight, blah hair look amazing just by hanging there like it should. And this salon (Salon Red, in Decatur, GA) is, according to the internet, 8,680 miles from where I now live (in Africa).
I tell you, though, it is almost worth the $2,000 to get there. Sigh.
Friday, March 8/2013 at 11:13 am
Ok, i almost shed a tear! hahaha!! THANK YOU! You must be the first person who actually agrees with what i’ve been saying for years!!!! My hair is fine with not much volume.So every single hair-dresser and every single magazine, beauty website etc has been trying to convince me that “layers will give volume and movement to my fine hair”. BS!! All layers do is emphasize it even more, and make my ends look like rat’s tales.Plus, blunt cuts make it so much easier to maintain healthy ends!
Tuesday, March 19/2013 at 3:02 pm
HAHA! Rat tails! Precisely. I thought I was alone on this view. But it’s true. Fine hair that has been butchered with too much layering – looks awful, and weak, broken, and dead. I see tons of women in NYC walking around – looking as though they have no hair in the back of their heads. Why? Because of over layering. It leaves one with a straggly look…who wants that? Healthy, bouncy, and a voluminous look and healthy ends – is what we want – no??
Monday, March 11/2013 at 10:31 pm
Well, I don’t have long, straight, fine hair (long and fine, but not straight), but I am intimately familiar with the whole “hairdresser-knows-best” syndrome. Why do they always cut off more than I tell them to? (Is it like some ritual sacrifice to their shears, or what?) So here is my problem:
a) I want to tell my hairdresser to stop cutting my hair so short
b) I want to do it in such a way that doesn’t make her give me a “revenge cut”.
Any suggestions on polite yet effective ways to to tell the hairdresser to STOP TAKING MY HAIR ??
Monday, March 18/2013 at 12:38 pm
Thank you so much for the advice. I have long, straight, fine hair and I have been looking for the best cut possible for my hair. I am going to try the blunt cut with a few long layers around the face but I really cannot “do” bangs, even long bangs – they get on my nerves because I do not like having hair in my face. Will this be ok? I am very low maintenance – only really style my hair and wear make-up when I go out on the weekends. Thanks again.
Tuesday, March 19/2013 at 2:56 pm
Keep in mind, that some stylists – cut – for repeat business. That is, they WANT their clientele – to get color that requires maintenance. Why? Because this spells into added business. A cut that is too simple–like a blunt cut – doesn’t require many more quick upcoming visits to them. All that requires are trims – possibly every other month – but if you get a pixie cut, or one of those ugly bobs–you need to see a stylist more often for re-shaping. Cha-ching…into their wallet. It’s a business, like anything else.
Tuesday, March 19/2013 at 2:53 pm
99.9% of hairdresser in NYC – seem to subscribe to the idea that layering (in general) adds body and volume to ANY hair. When clearly – it DOES NOT! I have fine hair – and yes, it’s long–but I don’t like the wispy, thinning look that layers does to my hair – it leaves it looking frail and straggly – and especially when these scissor-mad stylists start to “over texturize”–by not cutting straight lines – but into the ends. Why do they do that? What’s with the shears?
Tuesday, March 19/2013 at 3:12 pm
Funny – Please say NO to layers! It’s truly outdated…and makes fine hair – look straggly, finer, limper, greasy, and weak! No layers for fine hair. And for the women who think that by heavily high-lighting their tresses, it’s going to make a difference. Not! The combination of over highlighted and layered hair – is “Cheesy”…and very unappealing. Not up to date at all…it actually goes well with “Mom Jeans” on the soccer fields! lol.
Thursday, March 28/2013 at 2:58 pm
Completely agree! But layers on long, thick, wavy hair are gorgeous
Sunday, April 7/2013 at 12:57 am
The ONLY way I can have long hair without looking like a half drowned wildebeast is with one length/blunt cut or with a few face framing bangs. I too have been the victim of razor cuts, texturizing, and of over zealous weed wacker stylists. Razor cuts look good when you leave the salon, but a few days later the ends just get so unhealthy and fly away. NOT attractive and hard to style without being a slave to a daily hair routine. Plus , blunt cuts make people look more youthful, in my opinion.
Monday, June 10/2013 at 2:31 am
I find that my hair looks best with about three layers. When there are too many, it looks too wispy and i don’t have enough hair in the bottom layer. When there are none, all of my hair weighs itself down and appears limp.
I believe that this is due to the fact that my hair has a slight inward flick to it. If i have a layer at chin length, one at collarbone length, and the last layer just touching the tops of my breasts, it has a cascading, waterfall-like effect.
But since my hair is so fine (and very heavy since it’s also thick) when all of it’s the same length it just kinda hangs there. A few long layers do add movement and body to my hair.
I’ve been asked a lot by people my age how i get my hair to look the way it does and i never know what to say
Most people think i use a roundbrush while blowdrying.
As a sidenote, my hair never ever dries. It’d take over an hour to blowdry my hair on the highest setting. The best thing i can do is brush it gently while wet and scrunch the water out so that at least it’s not dripping. Is water retention a common problem with fine hair?