A Hair-Don’t For Shortcake

A Hair-Don’t For Shortcake

June 13th, 2008 @ 1:02 pm by Mrs. Shortcake
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When my hair stylist and “friend” of five years double-booked my wedding day (with a more lucrative wedding offer several hundred miles away, no less), I was crushed. It felt like a slap in the face, especially because he told me only a couple of days before my only trip to Vancouver.

Because this was the only trip we would be taking before the wedding, it left me scrambling to find a replacement hairdresser that was available not only for a trial on short notice, but was also available to do 6+ updos on the morning of the wedding.

My mother booked a trial with a salon and spa near her house, and armed with the following images and a faint hope that everything would be alright, I set off yesterday morning.

(miscellaneous images from knotties kayrose and others, weddingbee, dancing with the stars)

I thought I knew what I wanted: an updo, with a side part and ’sweep,’ volume on top, maybe a chignon, maybe a higher updo. Something pretty, elegant, vintage-inspired, and above all, something that flattered my features.

Like many people, I am very insecure about my looks. Mr. Shortcake can tell me I’m beautiful a million times over, but if I’m having a fugly-feeling day, ain’t nothin’ gonna help.

Unfortunately, today was a fugly day. To me, my teeth looked like horse teeth, my nose was too big, my eyes uneven, my chin weak…I could go on and on. Armed with an arsenal of insults aimed at myself, it was no wonder that I was unimpressed and depressed with my hair trial. However, my mother (who thinks I’m pretty good-looking), made a disgusted face when I walked in the door.

“How much did you pay for that? I could do that myself, for free!”

…and I paid more for the trial at this spa then I would have for the trial and hair combined at my ex-stylist’s salon!

Ignoring that my hair is largely the same texture as the fuzzy, un-ironed mess that I came with (hair product? What’s that?), I think the back of the hair is quite pretty. Harder to ignore is the fact that the curls began falling out less than an hour after the trial…

…and even harder to ignore is the fact that the front is exactly the same as how I wear my hair everyday:

The hair is nice, but the overall feeling (despite my Miss Congeniality smile) I had and have about this hair-don’t is

“meh.”

Here’s the side view. Um, where is the volume I asked for? The hairdresser explained that because my hair was thick, she couldn’t do as nice as an up-do as she wanted…

And the side-sweep? I couldn’t have one, she said, because of my “hairline.”

The front is just SO boring to me - and with my (short, reception) drop veil on, the only cool part of this up-do is covered, so it looks like I’m wearing a bun.

I’m just so disappointed. I didn’t expect to pay a hefty chunk of change for such unimpressive hair and service - I even had to supply my own hair elastics! After three hours, it was already all loose….we’re thinking of not bothering with trying to find other salons in Langley and just doing my hair at home!

What do you think?

Tags: hair, trial, vancouver |

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49 Responses to “A Hair-Don’t For Shortcake”

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Member

pumpupthebass (message) 9 posts, Newbee

I actually like it but you’re right, it’s missing the side sweep. I think you can pull it off, just have them comb your hair that way and use hairspray!

6/13/08 @ 1:08 pm (reply)

Member

chocopie (message) 42 posts, Newbee

I think the stylist’s excuse of you having thick hair is pretty lame for not being able to have volume. As a person who has lots of thick hair I know this can be done w/ someone who knows what they are doing. My stylist uses curlers to set my hair and then back combs the front to create “volume”. Your hair looks nice but I feel you on the “not spectacular” and not wanting to spend so much on it. Oh, and BTW you look gorgeous.

6/13/08 @ 1:14 pm (reply)

Member

misschickie (message) 169 posts, Blushing bee

Well I think you look absolutely beautiful, but it is a very classic and, aside from the cool “bun”, it’s pretty plain. I think you’re looking for more dramatic, more glam, yes? I would try someone else! I have thick hair and my hairdresser has no problem creating volume–she uses velcro curlers, teasing, mousse, hairspray–voila! Try someone else. Oh, and for the front/side sweep–I don’t know how it is created but would you consider cutting layers in the front? I am thinking of nicole richie’s hair and she usually has the side sweep by just brushing her very long bangs off to the side.

6/13/08 @ 1:18 pm (reply)

Guest

sunflowers

you can do better. The stylist making excuses for her inability or unwillingness to do what you requested is simply… inexcusable. Don’t go back to her. Your hair should be the way you want it.

6/13/08 @ 1:19 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Pineapple (message) 682 posts, Busy bee

first of all I am with Mr. Shortie and think you are stunningly beautiful. Secondly, I think you may be right, the stylist didn’t do you justice. It is pretty, but not what you asked for. It seems a little backward that she said you couldn’t have volume because your hair is thick. Wouldn’t that make it easier? I am always trying to create less volume with my thick hair…

I would go with your gut, try a few things at home or look for someone else who will make you happy.

6/13/08 @ 1:19 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Milkshake (message) 52 posts, Worker bee

i went to a good salon in new west many years ago, they used great product, and my hair didn’t budge. lemme know if new west is somewhere you want to venture on your wedding day

6/13/08 @ 1:19 pm (reply)

Guest

Melissa B.

You had to supply your own hair elastics? You’re joking, right?

Honestly, I love the way the updo looks from the back, but if it starts falling out so quickly that’s not a good thing, and I agree that it looks a bit plain in front. My suggestion would be to ask your ex-stylist for a list of recommended replacements. It’s the least he can do after bailing on you like that.

6/13/08 @ 1:20 pm (reply)

Guest

Wow, “hairline”? That’s almost as good as the hairstylist who told me she couldn’t do any sort of layers in the front of my hair because of my “cowlick”. Umm, in 24 years of haircuts, no one ever mentioned this “cowlick”…and like you, that hair cut cost more than I had ever paid in my life! That being said, my fall-back strategy for special occasion styling (because I am pretty much hopeless with a curling iron) is to have my hair roller-set at a Haircuttery or SuperCuts for about $20, then do minimal brushing before pulling it back into a twist/bun/whatever. This way, you get volume/texture on top without having to fuss too much with teasing or pinning.

6/13/08 @ 1:23 pm (reply)

Guest

Sara

First of all, you are gorgeous Shortie! Hang in there.

I do agree with the others that your hairstyle is a wee bit plain. I think it might not be a bad idea to consider MissChickie’s idea to cut layers in the front like Nicole Ritchie. I wear my hair in a side part every day, and I find that it lacks oomph when I try to style it for a side-parted updo because it naturally falls that way. Layers might help, and it might also help to request that your stylist really go for volume in the front. When I blow dry my hair with my head upside-down, for example, the front has a lot more volume (in a good non 80s way) than if I just blow dry it regularly. A deeper side part might also help?

No worries, though — you’ll be lovely!

6/13/08 @ 1:27 pm (reply)

10.

Guest

endb

If it makes you feel better, my first hair trial went horribly too — and it was during one of our only trips back to the wedding destination. The good news is, i think this is salvagable. As others said, you can do the side sweep yourself — just go in that day with the part where you want it. And perhaps it wasn’t as smooth/didn’t stay as long because she didn’t use as much product as would on the big day? During my trial, this is what my gal said she was doing.
All that said, it might ultimately be less stressful for you to DIY since you don’t have another opportunity for a trial.

6/13/08 @ 1:29 pm (reply)

11.

Bee

Miss Gingerbread (message) 644 posts, Busy bee

Shortie, given that Mr. Shortcake tells you that you are gorgeous a million times a day, I am sure that me saying that I agree with him is just going to bounce right off of you. But I’ll say it anyway. You are gorgeous and even if you wear your hair exactly as shown here on your wedding day, when you are in your gown and veil, you will not be able to not be gorgeous

Maybe you should try to find someone who is used to working with thick hair. Perhaps a place in South Van that has more South Asian clientele might do the trick? A lot of women with thick hair wear up dos. That stylist sounds like she was just playing on your insecurities to support her excuses.

I know that you are having a hard time finding a place to do your hair trial in short notice and can accommodate 6 additional updos on your wedding day. Can you consider getting rid of your second requirement and let your bridal party go somewhere else if need be? They will have time to continue scouting whereas you don’t. Just a thought.

Good luck! Sorry I don’t know anything about salons that do updos in Vancouver.

6/13/08 @ 1:35 pm (reply)

12.

Member

mrsmari (message) 6 posts, Newbee

You are gorgeous! You are such a natural beauty, that you can honestly do anything with your hair and you would still be so pretty!
Although i really like simple, natural hairstyles- i do think your hairstyle needs a litte more Oomph!
Is it possible that this was just a rough trial, and that the hairstylist will make sure there is more volume and hold on the wedding day? I know a lot of hairstylists don’t want to spray the heck out of someone’s hair because they want to play around with it to show you differnt looks.
I personally think the fron just needs a little more somethin somethin- Kayrose’s picture that you have in the inspiration picture is gorgeous and i think you should try to do the front like that- can you cut your hair a bit shorter in the front? There is no excuse to get a nice side swept in the front of your hair- perhaps tell your stylist that you were a little dissapointed with the front and see if she can have you come in again before your wedding to do something with the front- she should not charge for that, but if she does it should be really cheap since she is just working with the front of your hair- not doing the updo again. Perhaps a short trim at the front will help you achieve the look.
Good luck with everything. Like i said, you are such a beauty that there is no way possible you can look bad

6/13/08 @ 1:36 pm (reply)

13.

Guest

nashgirl

my first hair trial was a disaster. the stylist hardly touched my hair, and i walked out with the same pony tail that i walked in with because he said that he’d need to “go home and practice” to get what i wanted. (I didn’t ask for anything elaborate either!)… and then he had the nerve to charge me AN INSANE AMOUNT for a hair trial that he didn’t even DO?!

long story short, I found a different stylist who did exactly what I wanted, no excuses, no practicing required. I’d recommend you find someone else who is committed to doing their very best to leave you feeling beautiful and ready for your wedding day

6/13/08 @ 1:43 pm (reply)

14.

Bee

Miss Pomegranate (message) 957 posts, Busy bee

Miss Shortie - you are absolutely beautiful.

It’s rather irritating that when you walked into the salon asking for some completely reasonable hair requests, you were bombarded with reasons why you wouldn’t be able to have have them met! RIDICULOUS! People with thick hair can have volume. People with hairlines like yours have have side-swept parts (HELLO - just make the part slightly more to the side). People pay for extensions to get hair like yours and the woman should have been no less than grateful to work with you!

With that said, I think your hair looked gorgeous - but I didn’t see it in person and if YOU are not happy with it, I recommend going with another salon or doing it yourself. Let’s see a hair trial done by YOU!

6/13/08 @ 2:00 pm (reply)

15.

Guest

rzblna

You look very pretty, but you need to find another hairstylist with a better attitude. I had to do three hair trials, each with a different stylist, and each costing $$$. I’m still not 100% happy, but at least the last stylist was eager to please.

6/13/08 @ 2:09 pm (reply)

16.

Guest

Lesley

Miss Shortie,

I feel for you, I really do. I have the same problem you do, frizzy and thick hair, and I found a hairdresser that knows her stuff, and does my hair exactly what I want, and also gives me what I need.

She is at a hair Salon in South Surrey, if you would like to get in touch with her, PM me. She is so nice, professional, and will make you feel beautiful.

Let me know.

6/13/08 @ 2:16 pm (reply)

17.

Member

marianneinvan (message) 197 posts, Blushing bee

I agree with the others - you look gorgeous, but your concerns make sense. “Hairline”? What a pathetic excuse from the hairdresser.

6/13/08 @ 2:16 pm (reply)

18.

Member

cannotwait (message) 2,166 posts, Buzzing bee

That’s BS. I also have thick coarse hair, and I think a similar forehead to yours. I agree my hair looks best side swept. (I’m saving your inspiration boards!) I’ve never had the lift in the back, but I really think it is possible, you just may have to do some backcombing. Just be aware that if you want a do w/ backcombing, you will spend a lot of time on your wedding night “unratting it”. Maybe there is a way for them to just pull up your sides and clip with a barrette, then do the bottom separately. I have had the best luck when they do my updos in sections.

Good luck!

6/13/08 @ 2:18 pm (reply)

19.

Member

pattyb (message) 102 posts, Blushing bee

I also agree- you are STUNNING no doubt, but if you don’t feel it, then move on. I have very thick hair as well, and my stylist made no excuses about not being able to do the type of updo I wanted. And what’s this nonsense of providing your own elastics??

6/13/08 @ 2:18 pm (reply)

20.

Guest

AmandaRyan

Miss Shortcake, I’m not sure how far you want to venture but I have a fabulous hair dresser who just left her salon and opened her own in Maple Ridge! For our wedding (which we cancelled for a DW) she was going to come to our house where all the girls were getting ready. I’m not sure if that’s something she offers for everyone but you could definitely try!

6/13/08 @ 2:22 pm (reply)

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