March 25, 2010

NJ Adventure #3.....My First "new state" Haircut

I knew that finding a new salon was going to be an adventure....my first salon experience in our new state did not disappoint....it WAS an adventure. I was laughing....crying....screaming.....it was an experience. 

This is how it began......I was scheduled for a haircut in Feb with my NY salon. Things got so hectic....hair was the last thing on my mind....so I canceled the appointment. We arrived here the first weekend in March....and hair was still the last thing on my mind. Once it started laying so flat and I started feeling so frumpy....I knew it was time to make an appointment. I started my salon research and somewhere along the way learned that Tabatha Coffey from Salon Takeover/Shear Genius fame owned a salon here. I went to the website....saw that the prices were typical for this area and made an appointment(with one of her stylists). 

It was the day before my appointment and I decided to check out online reviews of the salon(Industrie Hair Gurus)....big mistake. I now do not entirely trust online reviews. Learn from my mistake ;)

The online reviews for IHG were not very good. Along the way, I kept reading about another local salon....a salon that had a ton of great reviews. The reviews said the stylists were so professional....the salon was clean....on and on. I quickly canceled the appointment at IHG and switched over to this reportedly "super" salon. 

My appointment would be for THAT day. I had no time to think....just wait for G to get home, jump in the car and deal with Friday evening driving in NJ(traffic!). It was also the weekend after the big flooding/rain. I had no idea that I was driving right into one of the areas that was hardest hit by the rain.

I arrive at the salon....which was in the back of a makeup store. This was new to me....but I was open minded. 
The salon was empty.....very 70's or 80's.....and very messy. I was still trying to be open minded. The thing is....it was SUPER dirty....hair everywhere. I'm talking....baked into every crevice in the place. I wish that I was not so open minded about that fact!! I must have been tired....and desperate. 
The gal finished her curl and set(yep) and motioned me over. She took me right to the washing station...red flag! You should always get a consultation first. I guess I had a mini one. She stopped me.....looked at my hair and said...."what am I supposed to do with this? You can't do much with that....what am I going to do!?".
 I replied...."well, I'm not growing it.....I'm okay with going shorter. I just need a shape up." She agreed, washed and sat me in her chair....the cutting began. Way too much cutting....with old school scissors. She was using thinning shears....I had not had thinning shears used on my hair if years. Besides, my hair is thin enough. But, I was still trying to be open minded. 

The gal began talking about politics....very passionately. She shared that she believes there would be another attack on NYC.....what's wrong with our country....her views....as I said...she was very passionate. My head was spinning. Halfway through, I noticed that my hair was not looking so good....it was looking pretty strange. So...I got bold and I said...."wait, please stop cutting. It's getting really short.". That was huge for me...I've never stopped a stylist before. She offered me a Xanax and told me to relax! She kept saying it over and over...."don't worry, I'll get you a Xanax and it will be fine....I'm a professional, I know what I'm doing. Don't you trust me??"
I had the worst stomach ache and wanted to flee!
She pretty much stopped cutting from there....thankfully. In my mind I was thinking....I can get it re-cut tomorrow...there is still enough hair. She kept repeating...."relax, relax, it will be fine".
I said "don't worry, it looks fine. Do you take charge?"
"no, cash...I take cash" she replied....nervously. 
Problem.....I didn't think I had any cash on me. I explained my situation and asked where an ATM was. By this time.....it was dark and I did not know the area at all. I found an ATM....but it didn't take my out of state card? I started having a mini anxiety attack...I just wanted to go home. I searched through my purse....found enough cash and went back to the salon. On the way, I saw someone leaving a parking lot with take out food on the top of their car...obviously they had forgotten it there. I was frantically waving my arms out of my car window trying to get their attention....no luck....I saw the food fly everywhere. It was that kind of night.

After 10 minutes of trying to find my way back to the salon.....and sweating....and whining to G and Carla that I just.want.to.go.home.....I finally found the salon again. I went in....paid my very nervous and uncomfortable stylist and went on my way. Again, she kept repeating...."it's all ok, it's all fine". I felt sorry for her....I tried reassuring her that my cut was fine....everything was fine. What I realized afterwards was that.....the salon most likely did take charge. I think that is where her nervous nelly attitude was coming from. Not sure.....but it was defiintely a learning experience.
As I left the parking lot.....I saw a giant blinking sign saying "officer shot..searching for suspect!!". I just wanted to be home!
I plugged in our home address to our GPS(Carmin) and headed on my way....only problem....Carmin did not know that many of the roads were flooded. I was driving in circles.....avoiding all sorts of rain debris and water. Finally....finally....things started to look familiar. I made it home....the crazy evening had come to an end. Now, I'm counting the days until my next appointment....where? I have no clue, but I'm sure it will be an adventure. It always is.

                                          I don't love it....but I can work with it. It will grow.

16 comments:

carol g said...

Wow, what an experience...I think I would have fainted. You know how we women are about our hair. They didn't base a whole philosophy on "Having a Bad Hair Day" for nothing. That's how much our hair affects us.
Well, anyway, you look great. You'd look great if you shaved your head.
It was so good to talk to you. Looking forward to more adventures. Love you!!!!

Delane said...

Oh my gosh, Mimi! I think getting your haircut by someone new has got to be one of the scariest experiences. And the blinking light about the officer being shot, is it like that everywhere? I live in such a small mountain town, that would terrify me. Glad you're ok, and your hair does look fine. Have a wonderful day!

really.truly said...

I'm realizing that having a cut by a new stylist IS scary. I used to enjoy it...not so much anymore.

NJ is very diverse. You can drive through chaos and then a small cute town. You never know! I'm getting a feel for the areas, some make me a bit more nervous than others ;)

Wendy said...

Oh, Mimi, you are a riot! And you have a great attitude. ;) I think it's cute, but I know how it is to have a cut you aren't crazy about. (like right now....got bangs recently and I regret it!)I once had a stylist cut my long hair (you've seen it) about as short as yours was before you got this cut....I didn't know what to do. I had been thinking it was taking an awfully long time but never realized until it was done that she had taken so much off....I paid her, but I later thought I should have refused or something. Good for you for stopping the girl when you realized it wasn't right! Hope your new appointment is more fun and with a great stylist...and someone who DOES take a card!

Tara said...

You survived and I like it! I'm trying to decide if I want to try someone new. I just can't keep paying $$$ and I think my haircut is simple enough that somebody would just have to be plain ole stupid to mess it up. I haven't worked up the nerve yet. Glad you stopped her when you did though b/c it is pretty short.

Jana Guild said...

Scary experience!! You are a brave lady venturing out into the unknown city and worse............unknown hairdresser! Eeeek! Only in my nightmares!

You're lucky, your hair looks really cute. I don't think it's possible for you to look bad, my dear!

Good for you that you spoke up to her while she was cutting. I'd be scared that she was offering me Xanax for the experience. She sounds like she was pretty peaceful, wonder what she was on? Lol!

You look cute and sassy..... :)

Hugs...

bunny, The Paris House said...

I love your hair, you are so pretty nothing can make you look bad. !!! what a story, try the Mendham Spa and ask for Megan, Elise or Frank...but everyone there is good.
I'm glad you made it home Ok
btw, my blackberry crashed I lost all of my contacts, can you call or email w/ your #'s. when you have time. Let me know your schedule so we can make plans..I can't wait to see you.
xoxo

Carla said...

Don't forget that she told you not to "panic"....I think I would have cried, thrown up and gotten up to leave. I have had stomach aches before when they've cut too much off and I was AFRAID to tell them. I tell them now!!!

Darcie said...

First you are so pretty no matter what. I mean that sincerely!

Second, after just my short adventure to meet you in Trenton I can almost fully enter into your story. That area would seem so intimating. I know we have to be brave and it takes time to find our way around new places. But, WOWZERS...I have a new whole respect for you easterners.

I take it...you are still on the hunt for a new hair dresser. You will have to keep us up to date on any further adventures. ((hugs))

Darcie said...

Hey there girl! One more sweet lady asking about you. You probably remember Pilar. She didn't realize you had gone private and would love to still follow along with you. You can check out her comment on my post!

Life with Kaishon said...

You don't love it? I LOVE it! It looks awesome. You are always so pretty though. I don't like Tabatha, but I do think she cuts hair well : )

Becca~CapturingSimpleJoys said...

My heart was pounding for you as I read this!
It's cute, I'm glad you showed a picture or I would have been imagining all sorts of things your hair might have looke like:)

Pilar said...

Wow, that is a story! I couldn't believe all that went on.... well, you still look super cute!!! Thanks for inviting me in, I have lots of reading to catch up on with you!

Alicia said...

Oh my gosh, I was getting nervous just reading this!! It was sounding so intense! What a day!! But, I think it does look cute!

Alana said...

Wow!!! I nearly cried reading it...gave me flashbacks of the large drunk german man stylist who butchered my hair and made me look like Ziggy Stardust. I cant believe she offered you a Xanax!
Honestly though...I think your hair looks adorable!!!! Although, I think you would even look wonderful with a shaved head. :-)

whimzie said...

That was one of the most terrifying hair stories I've ever heard. I was afraid to scroll down and see the picture. Then I saw it and you look great! You're a great short hair girl!

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