I used to wonder why it was so difficult to get a guest to switch hairdressers, especially when they weren’t particularly happy with the one they were seeing. You’ll notice I said “used to,” because just recently, I found myself needing to find a new hairdresser.

In 2002 when I began my career, I found a mentor in the first salon I started working in. She also became my hairdresser and friend. We worked alongside each other through December of 2010 when she suddenly decided to retire. “Don’t worry,” she told me. “I’ll keep my license up to date and we’ll continue to do each other’s hair.”

Which we did, until January 1st of this year; but now seven long months later, I don’t have a hairdresser and I am having a hard time committing to seeing a new one. I have taken to coloring my own hair, which isn’t a piece of cake even if you’re a professional; but the cut, now that’s an even tougher one.

I can trim my layers just fine; it’s the back bottom that poses the biggest challenge. I have resorted to making my poor husband do it for me. “How hard can it be to cut a straight line?” were his famous last words before grabbing the shears. “Well, it’s pretty straight” were his parting words after he was done. VINDICATION!

I have curly hair; and because of that, I really need a trim about every six to eight weeks to keep the split ends at bay. I have had ONE, just one cut in the last seven months, and my hair is showing the wear. So I started the search. Online I went, thinking, “How hard could this be?” I was about to find out.

I typed in salon names I had heard about and diligently started looking at websites. No, no, no. None of them caught my eye. Then I started a more general search–page 1, page 5, page 10. No, no, and no. Alright, let’s try maps: page 1, page 5, and page 10. NO, NO, NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Some salons were not my style; some had little to no information on their site; and some had no site at all. Then there were the pricing issues–that is, if the website even had pricing on it. I am not paying $100 or more for a cut; but I don’t want a $10 cut either. I have now gone through hundreds of listings, and there were two that peaked my interest. TWO, out of hundreds. That is slim pickins!

I’ve had these salons bookmarked for months, and every now and then, I look at them again. I have gone so far as to fill out a contact form to find out if they have someone who specializes in curly hair, how long they have done hair, and the price for a cut. All of the answers were to my satisfaction, but I haven’t booked yet. My mind fills with “what ifs” and before I know it, I put off making the call until I look at my poor ends, and the cycle starts again. Pull up the website. I still like it. Review the email…all criteria met there. Review price…It’s in line with what I think is fair. Look at the phone number.

What if I hate the cut? What if she cuts my hair far too short? What if, what if, what if. Forget it! Maybe I’ll call tomorrow.

VINDICATION for every person who has gone through this exact same thing while I thought, “What’s the big deal?”

I again look at my ends and think, “Maybe I’ll call tomorrow.”

Finding a new stylist is never easy, but I can help take the edge off. Contact my Aveda salon today for hair care that remains unmatched. (702) 547-1444