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Hope you like your new do, too, Miss J.

I'm going for a hair cut today and dread it. I've not been since the spring and my hair is SOOO long. I am just not ever satisfied with haircuts. I am undecided and what I think will look good on me does not.

Miss J, be grateful your hair is coarse. Mine was too for most of my life until after I had no more estrogen, then each hair began thinning in diameter until they are all quite fine now. Sigh. Makes all hairstyles a challenge, whereas coarser hair leaves you with many options that finer hair does not--at least for me.

Also, does everyone's stylist have harsh lighting? I HATE to look at myself in the mirror when there is overhead, harsh lighting at every salon I've ever been in. It's NEVER flattering and always seems to highlight everyone's facial flaws. I've had this discussion with friends and they say it is that way at their salons as well. Salons need to take this part of the styling process seriously as how you look when you're turned around to look at yourself can be totally spoiled by bad lighting.

My hair diameter has gotten less with menopause. It's not that coarse anymore and has thinned out. It's still frizzy but thinner frizzy.

Well, it was hot today. So, I swam.

DCNGA: Also, does everyone's stylist have harsh lighting? I HATE to look at myself in the mirror when there is overhead, harsh lighting at every salon I've ever been in. It's NEVER flattering and always seems to highlight everyone's facial flaws. I've had this discussion with friends and they say it is that way at their salons as well. Salons need to take this part of the styling process seriously as how you look when you're turned around to look at yourself can be totally spoiled by bad lighting.

I refuse to look. I absolutely will not look in that damn mirror while sitting in that damn chair. And by now my stylist knows not to try to cut my hair and talk to me in the mirror, with me facing straight into it. It's horrible and depressing. My stylist claims salons are lighted that way so they can see what they're doing. Still. It's awful.

Well, the lighting makes it harder for us in a way because it shows every stray, broken, fly away hair after a blowout that would otherwise go unnoticed. Then we have to use additional product "tricks" to tame them. Of course, it makes the cutting and coloring easier, but some people will inevitably have these flyaways. I don't mind looking in the mirror because I am better looking than my barber even though he's 8 years younger, lol. YES, I go to a BARBER for my sides and back, but cut the top at home myself. I would never go to a barber or stylist who I thought looked better than I do. Makes a big difference when looking in the mirror.

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That's funny DC - and hoping you find her too - speaking of inexpensive hair "trims" - have you looked into beauty schools - if you get a student close to graduation, with natural talent and under the teachers watchful eye you can get a good result - and its like $5.00 where I go - I generally tip $5.00 so its $10 for a good trim - also sometimes you can luck out and find a gem - like a couple of years ago I went for a trim and lucked out when the student was an older woman from Iran who had been a hairdresser in Vienna for 15 years but couldn't practice here till she went to school her for her American license - she once gave me a haircut that was amazing - and for $8.00 - so you never know - I would look into it - however you will generally find young women there though - with gorgeous skin and thick hair and firm necks - I guess you can't get everything LOL

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Hotels in Cleveland

There are no 'beauty' schools close to me. My stylist is at an Aveda salon, she was Sassoon trained though.

There are a lot of good stylist in ATL that are a lot less and it's not as if I have some complex hair style. It's long, straight, one length and I wear bangs. It won't take a rocket scientist or great gobs of skill for that matter.