Experience of German Hairdressers

I have lived here a year now and only have gone twice to hairdressers here. Mainly because I'm nervous about getting a mullet or a harsh boys chop cut, which I do like on german woman, but it's not me. The language barrier doesn't help either.

The first time I went here when I arrive, the cut was fine but why is my hair only half dry and the finish no better than what I do on usual rush morning. I know I have thick irish redish hair and takes a bit of work to get a good finish but that's why I'm paying for 'cut and finish' and not a 10 euro cut.

This morning I try another local hairdresser in a nice salon. Very nice guy and very patience in understanding what I wanted through german. My hair was long enough that I wasn't worried about him taking too much off. Again I was let down in the finish. I told him, it looks like bed hair and still half wet and I perfer a smoother finish. So he started doing it 'right' and explaining how I can get the finish, but again he didn't finish it. Do they expect me to fix it when I get home?

I'm so disappointed and what a waste of money! I love salon hair and having a shiny glossy head of hair. But no, what a fecking waste of money and time. Is this normal? Too lazy to dry the hair completely?

A german friend of mine, went to some 'talented', in demand and very expensive hairdresser, and to be honest I couldn't see the difference to her normal hair. I'm not a guy, I'm supposed to notice these things.

Oh, this brings back soooo many bad memories.

I've actually come back crying from hairdressers here.
I eventually started taking in photos of how I wanted my hair to look (either photos of my own hair back when I got it cut in the UK or just pictures from magazines) AND pictures of how I definitely DIDN'T want it to look under any circumstances (mainly I wanted to avoid that whole shaved up the neck thing).

Well, you can guess what happened, can't you?

Got into some nasty shouting matches in a number of salons, where the excuse for doing exactly what I'd told them not to was "but it looks better this way" !!!???!!!

So I gave up. Now have long straight hair that I get cut when I'm in the UK (or my friend trims it for me).

Incidentally, I also have thick, red hair - wonder if that's what the problem is?!

Never actually got my hair cut in Germany but as I am a gal who goes for the 'harsh boys chop cut' and the 'that whole shaved up the neck thing' which is so short that a 10 second blast from a hairdryer will do the job, I have been making a big mistake sticking to the French side if the boarder.

My problem is that EVERY time I show the French hairdresser the picture that I want and point to the clippers they give me a look of absolute horror and confirm what I want about 10 times before they will even start (that just doubles the time I have to then spend in the hairdressers) One woman did the whole cut with a grimise on her face. She either did not worry about customer service or was to stupid to realies that I could see her in the mirror

Not just a girl's problem.

For those who don't know me, I have long hair / pony tail. I have known a couple of good hairdressers here, but I have moved away, or they have..

So I went to one across the road from here, which has all the cool photos in the window and was equiped as if they could do a good job.

There I am standing at the counter, and the owner comes over and asks what she can do for me. I suggested that I thought it might be to the point if they gave me a haircut.

She says: "Shall I cut it all off?"
I say: "No, I just want it trimmed and tidied up:"

So I wait.

Then I'm invitied to a chair, and she whips out a pair of scissors and a comb. I ask if she is not going to wash it first. So she does.

When I'm back in the cutting chair, she combs all the hair back, grips it in a bunch between finger and thumb, stretches it, and cuts about 3cm off the end. Then she gets out the hair drier and a brush.

After having convinced her that I could have done that myself at home, she condecended to actually do a tidy-up as well, before drying. And it was dry.

When I was paying for this pleasure, she looks at me and says: "But the next time you'll get it all cut off!"

So I won't be going back there again.

I remember a squaddie friend of mine going to a german hairdressers. this time he only wanted about half an inch off. So he tried to explain it by saying: Nur ein bischen! and showed with his fingers how much.

He walked out with a number 2 all over...

A couple of month ago I went to get my hair cut. All I wanted was to get it razored through to have it layered...and she said:

How do I do that
I stood up and told her how to do it. It took about a minute to do and they charged me 18 Euros
They didn´t even comb my hair. I wont be going back there again.

This reminds me why I haven't been to the hairdresser here since May...last year. Have been to my UK one in the meantime, but now desperately need a tidy up. I even considered flying my guy over for the day

Can anyone point me in the direction of a website which gives German hairdressing phrases? Come on, there must be one

I gave up on hairdressers about ten years ago, partly because of this problem, partly because of price and partly because my wife reckoned I looked better with my hair cut shorter. Since then I do it myself (with a beard trimmer - funnily enough, worked better than a genuine hair trimmer) and my wife shaves my neck at weekends. Must have saved a fortune over the years - ah well, I guess the Scottish blood does show through, now and again!

Me too and if I remember rightly I had to pay 80Euros for the experience!! It was about 3 years ago my hair was shorter then more like a long bob so I had to keep getting it cut regularly. This is one of the reasons I decided to grow it again so now I can either go in the UK or if I do go here they cannot do that much damage really.

I must say another main reason for me is the cost. 80 Euro for just a cut and blow dry! I go to the hairdressers in Wales and she charges me 25 quid for cut, highlights and blow dry and she does a much better job!

When I first left the UK I lived in a hotel in Hof for 5 months, but I was working across the boarder in Czech. I was trying hard to learn the Czech language, and didn't bother much with German.

I wnet to a German hairdresser and asked for a "short back and sides", I came out looking like Vinnila Ice (big massive step in the back).
I had a big video conferance with the UK the following Monday. When I entered the room my UK bosses asked me to turn around, and proceeded to piss themselves at the state of my hair!

Now 5 years down the road, and many German lessons later. I went for a hair cut the other weekend, and guess what. The Russian girl doing the cutting in Kaufland gave me the exact same haircut!!!
Is it a style thing? this time my wife demanded that they shave it all off, I think her words were "thats a fucking discrace, what are you going to do about it?".

2 weeks to go and I'll be back in the UK for good, can't wait!!!

Dunc.

Thats one of the reasons I got myself one of those hair clippers, not that I'm scottish, but being from the north definately had an influence.
So far since December I must have saved almost 70€

I don't think I have come out of a hairdressers with a smile on my face in the 5 years I have been here.
I remember seeing the photos of my wedding and wondering what the f**k they had done to my hair.

N.

To be honest, I've mostly had good luck with the hairdressers here, and of course, they don't bother with the normal hairdressers-speakbollocks "how's the family, been on holiday this year, what car you driving"...

My friend is a hairstylist, she is a lovely American gal who arrived here a few months ago from New York. I think she is brilliant.

She works in the Essen area. I can't remember the name of the salon off the top of my head but if you are interested PM me and i will give her a call.

Hairdressers are so common here where I'm living in Hamburg. I've gotten at least 10 within a short walking distance. I'm badly in need of a haircut and I'm dreading getting one. I once tried it here and came out with an awful haircut, no idea what it was. Had to get the razor out and shave it off when I got home
It was ok when I was living in Frankfurt, at least there was a Tony & Guy there and you knew that they would be professional and not some home trained person!
While on the topic, can anyone recommend a good hairdresser in Hamburg???

Yea right, the mrs went to Tony & Guy in Stuttgart, €200 and 3 hours later she walked out of the salon completly pissed off. The next day she went to a small salon her freind recomended in Heilbronn, where she got the style she desired.

The whole process only took 2 days and €400!!! I need 2 jobs too keep up with her spending.

Duncan.

Mine tried the Dutch hardressers over the border in Roermond for a while, then a recommended local one, but in the end flying back now & again to Rita Rusk in Glasgow. £120 per session :excl: :excl: :excl: - but even I have to say it's worth it - looks good on her.

It come to something where you can get 2 return flights for less than the cost of a cut. blow dry & colour

Have you noticed in Germany there seems to be very popular purple tint going round - all cut to the same style? (I can't believe I'm discussing hair - minus "man points" in the words of BB's Anthony. :$

The first time I had my hair cut here, I also cried all the way home. After growing out my hair (to one length) for over a year and telling the hairdresser to take only 1-2 cm off, he cut masses of layers in to it and about 4-5 inches off. I have tried a few others since then but they have either been lopsided, badly cut, ignored my instructions or, on many occasions, not finished it properly. I have almost given up on even getting a blowdry for a special occasion after the last one gave me Dallas style hair! Instead I've learnt to dry it myself, have it cut in London when I'm home or drive all the way to Vidal Sassoon in Frankfurt for a colour and cut twice a year. My other half thinks I'm mad but it's better than the tears!

What beats me is that the training for German hairdressers seems to be very lengthy compared to the UK but they seem to have little practical experience in cutting hair and especially dealing with long hair. At least, that is how it appears to me.

Sorry - rant over - raw nerve here!

Well I happen to be a Hairstylist from NY. Ironically, when working in NYC my boss came from Germany, and was one of the best stylists I have ever worked with- teaching in Japan and London. He taught me alot about detail and what makes a $130 haircut. I worked in a salon/art gallery while in NYC and spent an hour and 1/2 with all of my clients.
So now love has brought me abroad (another German- not my boss!) And I am trying to build my clientelle by making housecalls. My women's haircuts are 35 Euros, and Mens are 20 Euros. I am 28 years old and have been a hairstylist for 12 years. I specialize in haircutting, and believe that if you have a good haircut, it should not take a lot of time or maintenence to do yourself. My work varies from razor cuts to trendy, to classic, but my philosophy is that it must be able to work with your face shape and style.
So if anyone is interested, or would like some pictures from my portfolio, I would be happy to pass them along.
I live in Essen, but will take the train if you live within a reasonable distance.

I should have guessed something was wrong, when the hairdresser here asked me "coffee? tea? single malt?"

he guzzled whiskey the whole time he did my hair and the result was appalling. I now have it done in Oxford!

My last experience of a German hairdresser was two years ago in the backwater where we used to live near Neuss. The hairdresser refused to cut my hair the 2 inches shorter that I asked for, and just gave it a trim,

Since then, usually wait for a trip to the UK, but cannot wait any longer, it is driving me mad. I have booked an appointment in Bonn for this afternoon.

Having read this thread last night, didnt sleep too well, dreams involved crew cuts and tears!!

Worried? Moi?

How far is Bonn away from Essen? I think that dream was a sign! JK-Not to make you nervous! But if you want to cancel that haircut- I'm available on Friday and Sunday.

Look no offence to any lurking hairdressers.
But really these people are satan's spawn and its not a German thing its universal.
You give them a pair of scissors and they turn from being sane normal people into the hairdressing version of Edward Scissorhands.
They interpret simple instructions like "just a little trim" as "cut as much hair off as you can in the shortest possible time"

I think its a German thing. I've noticed that there seems to be a common trend here in people's hair- over- colored, and asymmetrical cuts- I'm not sure if its done on purpose or not. That style is all you need to blend in here- Oh that and about 100 trips to the tanning bed!

You have a high opinion of Germans then

I think a lot of the german hairdressers are old fashioned too

Thats true- there's no happy mediums. Oh and I do have a high opinion of Germans- if they have a good hairstyle!

LMAO OK it has to be said, we see American television.
Three words pot, kettle, black.

Anyway if you cut your hair regularly you don't live as long :excl:

Pardon? I go around every 8 weeks but hubbi goes every 5 weeks (to the Deutsche Meister, ask Veela about him, she's been there too..)

Have you picked out the songs you want played?

Remember, this a country where the mullet is still in style (even the femullet), and every third woman (I've counted) has the same fake red hair dye.

It took me two years to find a good stylist in the US after I decided to give up the long hair I'd had for 7 years (I finally went out looking for they gayest salon I could find), and it took about the same amount of time to find one I'm happy with here (although not nearly as good as where I went in the states).

Getting a good haircut is difficult enough, but trying it in a foreign language is one of the most terrifying things for me. I'm lucky I've finally found someone who knows what I want and just gives me 'die gleiche noch mal'. No single malt, though. That would be nice.

yes it cost me an arm and a leg

but the hairdoo was very good

I don't go to german hairdressers, I go to a Turkisch one!
Great service, you want it cut right back to keep cool in summer or just a little trim for an appointment - you get it. Coffee or juice while you're waiting, no probs. Pay with your card and off you go.

Cost - € 13,00

Do German hairdressers have to go on training courses to update their skills? I don't think the ones where we live do, thinking about the faded certificates on the wall from 25 years ago!

a few years back I bought myself a set of clippers. Cost me €40. Once every 4-6 weeks, quick once-over with the 9mm setting, and bobs yer uncle. I would like to change to the 3mm but not allowed to. I did that once and Mrs Maaph actually cried and said I looked like a hooligan.

Whenever I ask her what she spends at the hairdressers, she replies "money, they don't accept buttons". Which obviously means a lot, which seems strange, because it never looks any different!!!

Typical man! With my hubbi I never notice the difference because he goes so often. I just know it because I sometimes go with him and find the experience very amusing.

Why do these men keep their hairstyle so short, is it due to receding hairlines, I'm just waiting for the day when hubbi's bald patch gets to such an extent that he has to do it too.

Just returned from hairdressers. With a smile on my face. She was a lovely lady who did it the way I wanted it done, Phew!

Cost me €30 for a cut and blow dry which is about what I pay in Engerland.

Only problem was it was a bad move to go into the centre of Bonn today with all the pilgrims!

They keep walking up and down the road outside the hotel carrying their flags. They look so sweet. I just wonder if they know where they're supposed to be going. Düsseldorf Hbf is full of them.

Never really had any problems. I normally go to the Hauptbahnhof here (actually for the last 16 years) and they know now exactly what I want. Occasionally I try somewhere else and it doesn't always quite work out the way I want but at €20 for wash and cut you can't complain too much. I actually live around the corner from the Wella haridressing school which can be an interesting sight during the summer when the young ladies are all having a break

My hairdresser is great shes not bad to look at either

Edit: But my gf is even better to look at

what I really think is laughable is the huge "fluffy buffon" men wear to cover the fact that they are actually going bald. That and of course the "Bobby Charlton", scraping the hair from just above one ear right across the shiny plate!

In any case I would rather have a receding hairline than an advancing one !!!

Once in Munich I walked out of hairdressers without paying. Only wanted it tidied up and came out almost shaved. Asked the guy if he was a gardener as well, told the people waiting to leave and walked out.

In Frankfurt, I go every 3 weeks to an old guy with one eye. He asks me if I want it "wieder kurz", I say yes and we don't talk again until I give him his tip at the end. Same haircut everytime. Actually I need to go today ... hope he's not off on his holibobs.

You poor things! I've been going to the same hairdressing salon for over 20 years. My hair is short and fine and silver greyand they cleverly layer it and put in lowlights to make it look thicker and modern .They noticed very early on that my husband had alopecia (where your hair falls out in patches) and they recommended he saw a dermatologist. My stylists husband is a trainer with Wella so perhaps that reflects on the fact that they are very up to date at the salon resp. styles and colour. I pay € 27 for wash/cut/blow dry and € 54 for lowlights plus the rest.

How desperate are you?

If you willing to drive to Babenhausen (about 45mins from Frankfurt between Dieburg and Afenschachenburg) I know of a top notch hair stylist. Julia speaks perfect English and is by far the best hair dresser wifey has been to. She's also young (24 and up to date on the latest styles) We moved a year ago but still go back.

Took her a while but she did talk Chris out of a perm, shocked the hell out of me when I first saw her! 15+ years with a perm and then whamo straight short hair.