new thread
Hi all :-)
1. Running a fever and having walked over 5 miles in the rain last year because of car trouble, I "decided" to splurge and just let a Salon I was passing WASH MY HAIR ONLY. Nothing else mind you, and certainly no cutting. The woman couldn't even get that right and destroyed about 1/3rd of my long hair. How? She balled it all up when washing and it was a big tangle the size of a bowling ball atop my shoulder. Before I could think fast enought a metal comb was used and in less than 30 seconds there was my hair on the floor. I NEVER would have believed such a thing could happen and was I ever rippin mad at the idiot.
Conclusion: To walk into a Salon is taking a big chance no matter what is asked for, and we have all heard the horror stories. But for a simple washing? Give me a break. Despite all I managed for quite a while, althought the hair was looking a bit shabby.
2. Emergency surgery to prevent cardiac arrest followed a number of months later and more hair was lost. This of course was not my fault nor the fault of the surgeon who operated. But by then hair this long hung in strands and tangled all the time and was self-destructing itself worse and worse everyday. Something HAD to be done before I lost everything, and so my hair was cut to below the shoulders.
3. I have every intention of growing my hair back but am happily making the best out of all as it gets there. No sense cursing forever what couldn't be helped. Right now I am having a blast with all kinds of different looks and styles. Actually quite fun! :-)
The above top photo was taken last November following the hair cut. The bottom photo was the last photo ever taken of my hair when it was long and had NOT YET been demolished by that Salon idiot less than two weeks later.
Take care and Happy New Year to each and everyone of you.
Justin~
Hi Justin,
Nothing like the first blast of a new year eh! Let's hope not too many are weeping in the stalls :-)
Happy new year mate :-)
Cheers,
John.B
It's still shoulder length and looks great. Oh but you know how we rip on trimmers around here.
Really though you had a bad year dealing with lots of adversity and you pushed your way past it and look like your making a great comeback. So cheers to you for persevering and hopefully 2010 will be a great year for you and all of us.
Now you'll have to do those monthly updates.
Kevin
Indeed he looks fab for someone so young and it's a does wonders and of course we'll be looking forward to monthtly updates...eh trimmers! Time for me to find my fountain of youth!
Why do things by halves and go the whole hog...well done Justin.
Cheers,
John.B
Hey, thank you John
So young? LOL OK,time to admit it. You saw me in person as did Kevin and nobody can tell by my photos of the crinkles around my eyes when I smile. So, "Le Fountain de Antique" is what I am with a facade apparently due to crumble at any minute just like SF is suppose to tumble into the sea by 1956 as we were all taught in 1st grade back in 1954. Hmmmmmmmm, funny how the schools know so much that never comes true. Bet that is what is wrong with Salon School! :-0 Thank you for the kind comments John and I wish you the best in the New Year ahead.
Justin~
(PHD/MdB)
Hi Kevin
Thank you for the kind words and yes, even I think it still looks quite well and am enjoying what I have alot. I am not planning on growing as long this time around. Waiste length happens to be my favorite, so I may as well shoot for that. But then of course you know how it goes and so often one "creeps" over their previous goal.
All the best for a Happy New Year-
Justin~
Wow its difficult to imagine you angry... I've always imagined that you are a calm young man at any type of conflict.
Well, now you know. My long hair was such a prize. Demolishing that through absolutely stupidity by a so-called professional is hardly a call of joyfulness. Thank you for the "young man" statement........very kind of you. :-)
Even before I starting growing out my hair, I HATED going to these salons. Listening was never a job description for the stylists. Good luck with growing back out. Top photo looks good, at least you have a good start back on the hairy road.
Are you EVER so correct with that statement:
"Listening was never a job description for the stylists." I must remember that one for my little audience on YT when I do a vid warning for them about the salon and letting them see the outcome. Thankfully all is well (all things considered) and I still DO have long hair which I am making the best of and turning all into a bit of fun.
Take care-
Justin~
Wow what a horror story about the salon, you'd think a salon knows what they are doing.
Good luck regrowing your hair, I'm sure you'll make it.
Hi Vincent and nice seeing you back :-) Hope you have a great New Year 2010. :-)
Yes, one WOULD think a salon would know what they are doing. Too many horror stories, even from woman I hear talking in the stores..........so I don't think we are all that wrong in our opinions about the fools. Luckily, some are VERY GOOD. One problem however. Trying to find that one person is almost like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Take care Vincent-
Justin~
By God, I've always believed (apparently, with reason) that hairdressers WANT longhairs to cut their hair. It's their vile conspiracy! I once told a hairstylist just to cut off the split ends - which weren't even all that numerous - and the guy practically cut the 2/3rds of my hair which was somewhat longer than the standard shoulderlength.
Will I go once more to his salon for a piece of help - you guess!
Just what on earth makes them want and do so!? Certainly not to make more money, as, at least in case of hairdressers in my town, the price is always the same regardless of length.
Anyway, happy New year and all the best!
Hey Nikola
The 1st person that is able to figure-out the riddle of the hairdressers, or better put "undresser hackers" will win a prize from me. Offer expires at the time of my death. The prize? Too exciting to tell now but something everyone would like. Hint: NOT a pair of sissors.
Justin~
Hi Justin,
You already know how genuinely sorry I am to know about this dreadful salon experience you went through, and the loss of your wonderful mane. However, you have an excellent head of hair to work with, it is still relatively long, and you can be assured of my support as you grow it to its former glory once again.
Also, I would like to wish you a very happy and healthy 2010!
Take care,
David
Hi David
You are so right as I still DO have a great head of hair especially considering my age. For this I am thankful. Actually the length right now is every bit as long as many of the long hair rock group stars of the 70's-80's so in a way it is like myself being cast back into my younger years and with this brings all kinds of happy memories. These now "retro hairstyle looks," at least to myself are ageless. Hence I enjoy what I have right now.
My best to you for a wonderful Happy New Year.
Justin~
-------------------------------------------------
That is terrible, Justin. I had a tiny trim in the mid 1990s about 3 years into growing mine out. I guess I got lucky, they trimmed off between 1 and 2 inches just as I had asked. After reading this, I will never set foot in a salon again.
Scott
Hey Scott
Yeah, kinda a bummer as it would have been interesting to see where terminal for myself would have ended. F these retards in the Salons. A number of years ago I went to one to ask for a 1/2" trim. I came out over 4" shorter. THAT DID IT..........from then after I did ALL myself and I might add it was quite successful. I sure hear you about your experience and don't blame you a bit. Even if ill, better to let the hair stay in need of washing then to risk a Salon.
Take care Scott and nice hearing from you.
Justin~
I had enough bad experiences with salons to never set foot in one in more than 20 years...
--
A Linux Longhair
Good for you and I am glad you are intelligent enough to stay away. Oh...........if "only" I hadn't been so tired and sick that day. But, how was I to know?
Sorry to hear of your troubles Justin, your does look really great though and makes you look much younger, so its not all bad!!
Take care and best wishes for 2010!!
~ Dave
Thank you Dave and that means a whole lot coming from you. True, it is not all that bad and a good thing I made the decision I did before it was further advanced and all I would be left with would be a wretched Buzz Cut! Parish the hideous thought! I am happy with the out-come, all things considered, and the "new look" is actually quite fun. :-) No sense dwelling on the past as that cannot be changed.
My best to you for a very Happy New Year.
Justin~
Hey Happy New Year Justin!
After reading your post it's almost like you do need a fresh start after the difficult year you had as I myself experienced.I've been avoiding salons now for over four years even though when I did still go the stylist did respect my hair and only took off the little bit I asked for.However I remember when they first wash your hair the person doing that work is less than gentle combing it out as they literally are ripping the comb through the length and you can imagine the hair that winds up on the floor!These hair washers are really barbaric.I always wondered if they treated the ladies hair that way when they washed it.Hmmmmmmmmmm.Anyway even though you had to trim your hair back I think you made the right decision to preserve what you had left.Your hair still looks awesome as I guess you have the nuttidave length now and it even has a bit of that wild effect:)Well I wish you much better health for you and yours in the new year my friend.Do keep the faith!
Mark
Hey Mark-
Happy New Year to you as well and you have rather hit the nail on the head so well. Anyway, what has been done was done and it WAS necessary. I think just about everyone on this board knows I am not a cut and trim person. When things need to be done, I do them myself rather than risk a Salon.
When choosing a Salon to cut the hair shorter I located a place in Portland with a good reputation. (Not that that means all that much.) In short, I met with a man over a period of 5 days before anything was done who gave of his time for free in deciding just what should be done for the best and still keep the hair long. I have NO regrets about him as he was sensitive to his clients and does not rip right into a head of hair and demolish.
You are so right about these Salons Mark and the word is perfect. BARBARIC!
Take care my friend-
Justin~
So sad to hear what happened.
But why would you go to a salon to "just wash your hair", as you put it?
Can't you have done that yourself at home?
I was en-route to home with a fever and having walked over 5 miles in the rain with a mile yet to go. Too darn tired and weak to wash it myself so just figured "what the heck, just ask to wash, they CAN'T get that wrong. But they did! :-0
Hi Justin,
I am totally SHOCKED at reading your story. In spite of your horrific ordeal, I have to say that you have an excellent attitude and outlook in how you're handling yourself after-the-fact. I greatly admire that!!! Also so good to hear that you're having fun w/ your new look and style -- as well as I'm grateful that the idiot hair stylist didn't ruin every available inch, at least (give her the time and opportunity, though, and I'm sure that she COULD have)!
I guess I've just been very lucky. Even my devastating Y2K haircut I don't blame on the stylist, because he did exactly as I had asked... In that case, it was the unthinking idiot in the chair (ME) that I guess just had to learn the hard way that short hair is just not for me.
Back in the day when I used to keep my hair shorter than ponytail length, I would occasionally have a bad experience in a salon. I remember one time I was so mad that I left kicking the base of the tall buildings in downtown Chicago, I totally HATED that haircut so much! It only has happened whenever I've gone to a new stylist that I had no previous familiarity with, though.
I think also that some stylists (especially the DEAF ones) are simply NOT familiar with EVEN COMBING out looooooooong hair, -- all thay know is how to cut, how to color, how to perm, how to cut, and then how to cut some more... It's as if longhairs must come from another planet and look like an alien species to them!
In any case, Justin, my best to you in 2010! May it prove to be the beginning of a much kinder, gentler, more longhair-friendly decade than this last one!
Looking forward to your updates now!!
- Ken
Hey Ken
I WAS shocked when it happened but not feeling well enough that it really hit home until a few days later after the fever broke from whatever virus I had. One thing to "ask" for it, but another to lose because of complete lack of intelligence. If someone in a salon doesn't even know how to wash long hair correctly, I would hate to know what would have happened next if I had gone in for a "trim."
Sorry you fell for the Y2K thing but you did very well after that and to be admired.
Hey........I can STILL make a good-enough Ponytail and when this way I almost look "normal." Yikes...........the very thought of me being "normal" scares me half to death! LOL :-)
Take care Ken and hope you have the most wonderful New Years of your life.
Justin~
Oh Justin
I can hide that it makes me so sad that you had this big of a step back on your hair lenght. I have to agree tough, that your reaction is being very healthy, and I admire you on that =)
Also, the new look does suits you. I don't ever put long (or longer) hair in question, but this style makes you look younger =) I still hope you'll be growing your old beautyfull lenght back.
I myself have been thinking of having a trim (in the distant future) for when I want a more drastic clean cut on my ends. But, one thing I know, is that I'm gonna talk to the hairdresser first, and when I go there my hair will be already washed and detangled by myself. I would never let a hairdresser comb my hair, they simply don't know how to do it or just want to make it fast.
Anyways, I'm glad your health is back up again. I wish you a very good year, and may it bring you all that you dream of =)
Hey Joao
Thanks for all you have said and I KNOW that you will be very careful when it comes to choosing the right hairdresser. I was VERY CAREFUL in who I got to do the haircut and it was discussed for an entire week. Whew..........could have been worse. Nice having you pop back here and hope you will have a wonderful New Year.
Justin~
Such a shame for the horror story, Justin. I'm actually a bit sad that most of your hair is gone now, but like said before, this is the occasion to show some good progress pictures !
Take care,
Vivien
You are so right Vivien and it is all water over the dam now. Sure, I am not exactly all that happy that my hair was demolished the way it was in the salon and if only the surgeries loss, even that wasn't as bad as the salons job of ripping my hair to shreds. They have seen so much of me for years here that if I do show an update picture, it will be in a year.
Bye for now and Happy New Year! :-)
Justin~
I read that and thought to myself, "If it weren't for the damned car, he'd be all right."
Cars make us lazy and out-of-shape. Had you, like me, been a cyclist instead, you wouldn't nave been looking for a convenient rest stop after only five miles of walking. Chances are, you wouldn't have had to walk at all.
The two most common cycling breakdowns--flat tire and broken chain--are easy to fix, in 15 minutes or less, sitting on the side of the road.
Second, depending on the type of cardiac problem of course, it could have avoided the issue with the cardiologist entirely.
I got rid of my car just shy of 12 years ago, and I've never looked back. I travel almost exclusively by bike. I was tired of broken cars, spending money on broken cars, and scared by my father's first heart attack at age 55.
Now at age 53, I'm healthier than I was in even my teens, my resting heart rate is only 42, and instead of car payments, I have lots of leftover money in the bank.
And no-one has cut off my hair.
Cycling photos don't make good hair photos, and all I have recently are cycling photos.
From left to right:
1) Weather isn't the issue you might think it is. Hell, rain knocks 40 years off my state-of-mind. And you see snow and cold aren't an issue--I make my own heat. That's my primary workhorse bike, an '06 Trek Portland. It gets 2/3rds of my miles a year. I bought it new, cash. My annual repair budget is $200, mostly for tires, chains and brake pads.
2) My only real hair shot lately. Wearing a cycling skullcap under my helmet wicks away sweat from my scalp and hair, and keeps the helmet from damaging my hair. Ordinarily, I also segment my tail. That day I didn't.
3) On Peak-to-Peak Scenic Byway in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. I don't remember if that's Long's Peak or Mt. Meeker--both are in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Being car-free doesn't keep me from taking great vacations either. Amtrak to Chicago, then Denver, then bike around the state for almost two weeks. And how many 53-year-old men have you seen that have a shape like that?
So see? I don't think it's a hair problem you had at all. I think it was a car problem. :)
True.......the salon never would have happened.
I don't carry a bike in my car. I do daily 30 minute Gym work-outs.
I know and I can do it as well.
Not in this case.
Good. Heart problems are a genetic thing in my family. The average life-span being around mid 60's to 72 across the board without exception. My grandfather Penfield was a concert pianist who died of a heart attack at the age of 39 in 1930.
This is wonderfull news and I am happy for you.
Good.
Glad you know so much. :-)
Hey Justin,
Let me start by saying I'm new to the site, started growing my hair last August 2009, or should I say I stopped cutting it then. I've always wanted to grow my hair, just too afraid of what others would think in the past. Interesting thing is my partner has shoulder length hair for the last 12 years. Back around Aug. '09 is when I watched your series of videos on long hair (before I even found this site)... what an inspiration you are! I guess from that time on I have felt confident that I can do this and get through the awkward stage. I have thick, wavy hair which will probably make this stage longer and more difficult.
I am so sorry to hear about your car problems, being sick, and most especially the damage to your hair. That is awful, I can sure see that you had beautiful hair and really took pride in it. What a terrible loss, however you have such a great attitude and outlook I think things will go well.
Lastly, I was shocked when I read some of the above comments about your problems, blaming them all on a car! I guess all I can say is you did your best at the time, worked with what you had. All of us have different work-out programs, and we need to respect that. I'm an avid swimmer, I can't expect all to swim.
In closing... thanks so much for your wonderful videos and being such an inspiration to newbies like myself.
Peace,
Kenny
Sorry to hear this happened to you, thankfully it isn't buzzed.
I would have been furious if it happened to me, what did you say? How did they take it after your reaction?
Well, I wasn't exactly thrilled with the whole thing. And what did the idiot say? 1st she said she didn't know what happened. Then she said she knew and could fix it and before I knew it she announced that ALL WAS NOW FIXED! My reaction did not even penetrate her thick brainless skull.
Hi Justin!!
Im sorry to hear your sad story.... Unfortunely: You are now a living proof that hairdressers don´t listen to what people want... Luckily she didnt cut a really "short" hairstyle. (maybe you feel its short now?)
DID SHE MAKE YOU PAY MONEY FOR DESTROYING YOUR MANE?????
She should pay you for damaging 7 years of hair!
Do you have plans to make a youtube-video about avoid salons?? It would be a good thing to bring up the subject. And it would fit great into your other video collection.
Wishing you all the best =)
Jim // jimho85 (same name on youtube)
Hi Jim
OMG........I was a FOOL and paid 6.00 in advance for ONLY a washing. Well, she sure as heck took me to the cleaners.
A vid about this? Absolutely. Probably later this month. I am trying to think of a title. Any ideas?
Justin~
Im a bit amazed that you manage to smile in the "after-picture".
I would have cried if someone cutted half my hair off.... and still made me pay for it
Anyway here´s some name suggestions:
1.same as here: "BEWARE OF SALONS!!"
2. "Barber shop = Hair-Butchers!"
3. "Just a wash at the salon...."
4. "My hair was CHOPPED against my will"
5. "Avoid the hairdressers"
I´m looking forward too see the video =)
Take care!
// Jim
Thank you Jim. It just so happens that I have made the video and You Tube right now is processing it. I called it: FOR GUYS GROWING LONG HAIR: BEWARE THE SALONS!!!!!! It should be ready shortly to be seen and I will announce this one to the board. (Don't usually announce my videos here.)
Justin,
I am sorry to hear of all this ordeal that you've had to endure. The two good things are that your hair is growing back right now that it might even be better this time around. Just think how much more you've learned about taking care of long hair since the first time you grew it. An even better thing is that you look really cool with this style now, even though it's the result of a bad episode with a stylist. But, the best thing is that your doing better, looking healthy, and maybe in the clear with your health!
I imagine you might follow my decision to let no one touch the hair from now on. After my last cut in 2006, I decided that no one would, and no one has, except in amorous situations of course :-). If the ends need a trim, I do it. I may not have the best hair around, but I'm in charge of it.
A lot of it has to do with women looking at hair differently from men. Women see hair as an infinitely renewable resource. They don't have to deal with MPB for example. Women can destroy their hair with treatments, teasing, dye, fix sprays and so on and when it gets too awful, they can just shave their heads and wear wigs. When it grows out they can get through the awkward stage with all kinds of clips, and plastic holder things that a guy can't use because for men in most places they are not socially appropriate. So they tend to be cavalier in hair care and not think much about saving it because they didn't go through hell to grow it and aren't worried about being bald some day. You need to find a salon that employs a guy with long hair. Good luck with that, so yeah, the solution is probably to avoid salons.
Sorry - dont agree. It's to do with idiotic people known as 'hairdressers' who think they have the right or power to lop off hair which you have entrusted them with.
The exact same thing happened to me many years ago (I am female), I asked for 1 to 2 inch trim (my hair was down past my waist like this guy) and when she finished - she kept pulling it back so I couldnt see what she was doing in the mirror - it was just below my shoulders.. I nearly died when I realised ... too late (and its no big deal to them) - f*ckin&* b*tch imo. I have NEVER been near a salon since or allowed anyone to go near it (it took about 5/6 years to regrow) - honest, it happens to women too and its devastating.
Hey--just checking back in here.
Sorry to hear about your salon misadventure. Here's hoping for some healthy new growth soon.
But I've gotta say I only WISH my hair would act the way your new hair does! (I don't know if that helps or makes things worse--I hope it helps.)
Sorry to hear about your hair and your health. I am glad that you are recovering. The way that I found a good salon was to talk to a guy I knew that had long hair. He told me about a woman who does a very nice job. She listens and does what you want. If you ask her opinion she will give it however, she will only trim that amount if you agree.
Darrin