Please read...and perhaps advice?(LONG)

Let me start off by saying that my hair is the only thing of my physical appearance that I feel I have control over...my complexion is less than perfect, so I've always tried to compensate for my insecurities with my hair, and growing it long. My hair was past my bra strap, and basically all one length, no bangs...

I wanted a trim, and to get the face framing angles cleaned up. Because I don't have a 'style' to my hair, I hate having to pay $40 to clean up dead ends...so I usually just jet into supercuts for a $12 clean up. So I went yesterday as I always have. I sit in the chair and tell the man to just follow the angles and clean them up, and that I would be willing to lose the inch off the length to make it healthy again.

For the face framing graduated angles, I usually get the first angle to my bottom lip, cause it gives my hair some body. As he began cutting, I felt that the 3rd and 4th angles were pretty short. By the 5th, I knew something was seriously wrong, and stopped him and said 'what are you doing' and he responds with 'what you told me too'. Now when I looked at my hair from the side, it looked like I had a BOB, then a severed 'stop', then long hair. Basically, it reminded me of a mullet cut. I said again 'what the hell were you thinking', and I said this is nothing like what I told you - you did not follow the angles at all. I said how is long hair supposed to go with this, and he said 'it can't, I would have to cut the lenght some more'. Well, needless to say I became HYSTERICAL. I began screaming 'I'm getting married in 5 months, what am I going to do now'. The manager came over right away, pulled me over to her chair and started to look, as she tried to calm me down. I said 'you need to understsand, I am not prepared to have short hair - I cut my hair in college and didn't like it and I've been growing it ever since - that was back in 1994'. She kept looking at it and admitted that the guy completely messed up my hair. She said the only way to make it look 'natural' was to cut my hair another 4 inches!!!!!!!!!!!! I had to remember to breathe, when I told her that I'd be willing to go a little beneath my shoulders, but that was it. She said that of course she understood, but that it will still not be pleasing to the eye. She promised to let me keep coming in every 2 weeks - free of charge of course - until the problem was fixed. The only suggestion she had for me was to remember it will grow back, and that I should wear it up until I'm happy with the way it's growing out. She said I could come in whenever I wanted to keep the length right to go with the angle. She admitted it WILL NEVER be as long as it was for the wedding!!!

Guys - I am DEVASTATED. I came home crying hysterically - my FH thought I ran over the cat. I couldn't speak - and I cried throughout the night. Now, I realize my hair will grow back, and I don't have short hair now. But I will seriously have to wear my hair half up/down for the next 2 months at least until my angles catch up with my length - maybe even longer. I DO NOT EVER WANT TO GO BACK THERE, even to the manager, although she really did try her hardest to correct the situation.

My question to you is - and I'm not some money hungry person here, but seriously ANGRY - do you think I have any legal actions to be taken here? Or do you think I made my own bed and now I just have to lie in it, and let it go...I guess I'm just angry and feel the pain and suffering is sooo much for me to take....I mean, this guy obviously has no clue how to work with long hair, and he butchered mine. I'm just so upset.

Thanks for listening...and if you are a bride-to-be lawyer, or law student, I would also love to know what you think...

Re: Please read...and perhaps advice?(LONG)

I am sorry this happened to you. Try to stay positive. You still have five months until your wedding and your hair can grow a lot in five months. And yes it stinks that you will have to wear your hair up for th enext two months but I would love that. Less time I have to spend fussing over my hair. Everything will work out in time. I would defiantely not go back there, free or not. I learned the hard way too that you have to pay a little more to get better quality. The place where I go now charges $29 for a cut and blow dry. She is so great and I love the way she cuts my hair and I don't think $29 is too outrageous.
As far as legal recourse, I am not sure. Hopefully one of the law brides will be able to give you some info. but I hope my little pep talk helped a little.

Re: Please read...and perhaps advice?(LONG)

I feel your pain!!!! It happened it to me in high school! (but I actually got it chopped in a bob above my shoulders!) I'm not a lawyer so I don't know the legal actions. I hope you didn't pay for the cut. And I wouldn't go back their either!
This happened to my cousin the WEEK of her wedding. She actually bought a hair piece for the length. She got compliments the whole day on how great her looked.
I'm sure your hair will grow. The best bet is to go to a hair salon recommended by a friend. You might have to payth $40 but in the end you'll be happy you did.
I hope all this babbling makes sense!!

Re: Please read...and perhaps advice?(LONG)

I have heard of some brides taking legal recoures against hair dressers before, usually in small claims court. There are lawyer brides who can offer you better advise on that.

As for your hair: I cut my near waist length hair when I got out of college to my shoulders and I cried, cried, cried. I kept it up and didn't show anyone for 2 weeks. But once everyone saw it they loved it and said it looked really nice. I bet your hair looks nice too. My advise: call the license board of NY and complain about that hairdresser. Then call Super Cuts main headquarters (it is a chain) and COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN. Call the BBB too. And never return to that store. I am sure if you go back any legal claim will not stand, nor will your other claims.
What town are in you? If you are near Hauppauge, New Attitudes on Rt. 347 in CompUSA shopping center is great. The guys are wonderful. And I think I paid around $30ish for a cut.
Your right your hair will not grow as long as before in time for the wedding, but that is okay too. I am sure that you can have a beautiful 'hair-day' with a 1/2 up, 1/2 down or all up hair style.
Try really, really hard to remember that you are BEAUTIFUL even without any hair. Not so perfect skin does not make you only kinda pretty- you are pretty. If you are worried about your skin I highly recommend Imakeup.com Jackie gave me a wonderful facial a few months back. I really liked the products that she used. So maybe you can splurge on a facial every month before the wedding ($50) or every other month. That might help give you some more confidence. And remember, you will make a beautiful bride short hair, medium hair, or long hair.

Re: Please read...and perhaps advice?(LONG)

I'm so sorry you had a bad experience.

As for the next 5 months, there's really not much you can do, but wait for it to grow. BUT, for your wedding, you can definitely get hair extensions. My uncle is a hairdresser and he does this all the time for his clients.

They can match your pieces to your exact haircolor and no one will notice (if you get it done by a professional).

My advise is to find a good hairstylist (we can all recommend one) and start going to them now. Talk about the styles that you want for the wedding and definitely experiment with some trials.

Just try not to get too upset about it! Easy for us to say...but I'm sure you will look beautiful on your wedding day! :)

Re: Please read...and perhaps advice?(LONG)

I think this has happened to all of us in some way sometime. As the other posts say, I would NEVER go back there. I would go to a good professional hairdresser and tell them what happened and see what they can do. I dont know where you live, but I go to a place in Coram and they only charge 18 dollars. It is not the price that draws me there, but the haircut. I always hopped around hair salons and I have been going to this place for 5 years. I am in the legal profession and listen to lawsuits all the time. I think even if you did have a case that you wouldnt get much, maybe your money back for the haircut (dont know if they ended up charging you). I dont know if it would be worth it to persue, but if you wanted you could call an attorney and ask for their advice. Good luck! Your hair will grow back. Try to look at it as your wedding is not next month so you still have time to grow it. Definetely go to a hairdresser, even if you have to spend a bit and ask for advice of what to do next to get you hair the way you want it in five months.

Re: Please read...and perhaps advice?(LONG)

First of all, I looked at your picture in your profile and your a pretty girl, you should be more confident. I totally understand your feelings about your hair, I have long hair myself and I am very hesitant to cut it. I've had bad haircuts in the past also, I'm sure most of the girls have. Only advice I have is to not sweat it, it will definitely grow out before your wedding, and besides I'm sure your FH is with you for more than just your hair.

Re: Please read...and perhaps advice?(LONG)

Michele31 couldn't have said it better.
I also went to a more inexpensive place to color my hair, the bi^&* burned it. I was devasted. My hair was falling out in CLUMPS! I actually ran into the bathroom & threw up.
If you look at the post on here entitled, I had my makeup trial today with JN, you'll see my hair was TWO colors, half lt brown & half blonde! I had no choice but to walk around like that for 1 year! If I even died it again, I swear it would of fell out. It is now one color, I finally cut it enough to recolor it and get it back in decent health. I understand your problem but be thankful yours is a case of just letting it grow out.
There are so many hairstyles you can wear on your wedding day. Did you see the other post on the hairstyles? The girls posted beautiful pictures and I even found one I would never have found probably on my own.
Anyway, I would get on the phone right NOW and start calling & complaining. Write a letter to the headquarters of the company, take it to the limit. No one needs this added stress 5 months before that wedding or at anytime for that matter!
I am sure you are a beautiful girl and I know my words probably aren't helpng you but just think, you FH is marrying you for YOU, not your hair and I am sure you will be stunning on your wedding day no matter which style you choose.
Let us know the outcome and don't let that man get away with butchering another girl.
If you need to talk, email me at [email protected]

Re: Please read...and perhaps advice?(LONG)

Hey hon. I am so sorry this happened to you. Fist off you are a beautiful girl. I am sure you have not changed that much since library school days. Do not go back there and write some letters to newspapers in the area and better bussiness. Try the hair extensions if you want. You will make a beautiful bride and 5 months is still some time for it to grow in.

Re: Please read...and perhaps advice?(LONG)

Manrles - I am sooooo sorry that this happened to you - we all have had a horrible hair experience at one point or another in our lives - but I feel for you having to deal with this stress several months before your wedding.

I go to supercuts too to save money - now I will never go again!

You will look and feel beautiful on your wedding day. It will take some time and creativity to make your hair work - but - the women on this board have some great ideas. And luckily you have time to try a few of their suggestions and find one that works for you.

My thoughts are with you - hang it there!

Re: Please read...and perhaps advice?(LONG)

Marni...

I'm sorry about the haircut, but try not to stress about the wedding...it may make you feel better to have a hair trial to see what could be done with the new style...

you will be beautiful no matter what!!

A Possible Fix!

I can't give you advice about legal stuff -- but I know that my hairdresser commonly uses hair extentions / hair pieces when he does bridal hair. (these would be non-permanent pieces). I have very fine brown hair - and I'm going to be using them.

I'm using Maximus Salon in Merrick -- but I'm sure there are other hairdressers that work with them. At least that way you'd get the length you'd want...

Re: Please read...and perhaps advice?(LONG)

Im so very sorry to hear your story, I can tell you are devestated. I also was the victim of an extremely bad haircut once (it was shaved in the back, long on the sides...awful)!! But it grew about 3 - 4 inches in 6 months and my hair grows slow!! Im sure by the time your wedding comes around, it will be back to your length or close to it.
If in the meantime, you are looking for a good place to get a haircut, I highly recommend Luis Miguel Day Spa in Amityville, a little pricey, but very, very good.
Please let us know what you decide to do about the hairdresser (reporting him, etc)

Re: Please read...and perhaps advice?(LONG)

I am so sorry for you
first off.... where did you go to cut your hair???So we all know to avoid that place
second, is this someone you use all the time????
unfortunately, while I just graduated law school, I have no expertise on this but I have heard of people being upset with so called service contracts, unfortunately from what I have heard they have litttle to no recourse---especially....... if they paid
did you pay for the hair cut??? chin up though
even though you loved your long hair and it may not grow back in time fully for your wedding..... did you consider wearing your hair up for the wedding?? most people do an up do anyway and there are so many....... updos where a great stylist can make your hair look beautiful whether it is long or short........ while anyone can sue anyone for anything, I do not think this would go very far...... even if you went to small claims court, it takes months to get thru the rigamorale (spelling is off :)
of paperwork and we went there once for class and people had receipts and this and that
I think the most IF you got anything would be the price of your hair cut..... small claims I do not think gives out punitive damages......
what you should do is go to www.findlaw.com and www.nassaubar.org
and search small claims.... but not even as a lawyer to be just as a regular bride :) unfortunately I do not think you will get money for this....... but I do not know so I dont want to give you advice, just giving my opinion, probably not worth much lol
but stuff to consider and besides, you can complain like other brides said to the BBB and to ugh my mind just went blank, that place in hempstead that investigates...... not the BBB but another name....... then whenever anyone calls to find out about this place, they tell people whether there has been complaints.......check your yellow pages, I cant think of the name of the office
or better yet why dont you call the fox five problem solvers or that lady on channel 7 now that is embarrassing!!!! keep us posted and WHERE DID YOU GO FOR THIS Cut?? MAYBE one of the brides who already is a lawyer will know more on small claims b/c maybe they go there often and can help more on advice

Re: Please read...and perhaps advice?(LONG)

oops didnt realize your said it was supercuts
which one?? My fiancee goes there
maybe I better put a stop to it!!!

Re: Please read...and perhaps advice?(LONG)

I am so sorry marni!!!! I have had this happen to me as well and I know its the worst feeling in the entire world...especially before the wedding..but please know that you will be beautiful no matter what!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everything happens for a reason, good and bad, and I am sure you will absolutely stunning not only on your wedding day but before and after as well.
As for the legal aspect, all I can offer is that the last time i went to the hair salon this girl came in with legal documents against some other salon because they messed up her hair right beofre her wedding. I dont know what she went through to do this or what she was doing about it but I do know that she claimed to have a case.

Girl, please call me if you want to talk or anything!!!! But like I said...I know your upset now but I am sure that everything will turn out fine and you will be just as gorgeous! I love ya!

Re: Please read...and perhaps advice?(LONG)

Hi {{}}
I am so sorry about this! I am sure we have all been the victims of bad haircuts. We know it grows out, but never fast enough. Like people mentioned her - at least now there are tons of alternatives (hairpieces, extensions, updos, etc.) I just know you will look beautiful on your wedding day!!!

Re: Please read...and perhaps advice?(LONG)

So sorry this happened to you and I can feel your desire to keep your hair long but here are my suggestions:

1- Go to an excellent stylist (expensive) and have them cut your hair so you look presentable. You don't want to have to wear your hair up all the time. A good short haircut is better than a bad long one.

AND

2. Consult with the expensive hairdresser about hair extension. Don't even think about doing this in a cheaper salon. Hair extentions are expensive but they look very real (Jennifer Aniston had them in for her wedding). You can cut out the extentions after the wedding and have the Jennifer Aniston cut if youdon't want to keep them forever.


I don't think legal action will get you very much except aggravation. You will have to prove pain and suffering and negligance. Since its their word against yours, what you could garner would not be worth the time off from work you would need.

Re: Please read...and perhaps advice?(LONG)

Hi Ladies-
Just a great big THANK YOU and *hugs* for your kind words and advice.

As for the legal aspect, you are all right, I probably don't have a case. And you know what - I don't even want one. I'm just angry, and when you're angry at any type of vendor, I guess you want compensation of some sort, and that was the only thing I could think of while I was in 'rage mode'.

For those who asked - no, I most certainly did not pay for the cut. The manager even gave me this stuff that they give to men and women for thinning hair, but I have chosen to not put any chemicals in my hair in fear of more damage. Also this was the Supercuts in Long Beach - by all means please don't ever go there. Perhaps if I take some business away from them, that will be satisfaction enough!

I am hoping, because my hair is very healthy now, that in about a months time, the short layers will begin to grow out a bit. I can continue to cut the length to go with the layers, and still have hair somewhat past my shoulders.

If I could wear my hair up for the wedding, I would, but my ears have always been an issue with me (they stick out a bit, and I was teased in elementary school, which scarred me for life!). So I never show them. Although I hate the fact that I have to wear my hair half up/half down for at least the next month, when I do, you can't tell of the bad haircut, so that at least makes me feel better when it comes to my wedding style.

Thanks again everyone for your kind words. You truly are amazing and supportive women. The best of luck to you all...

Re: Please read...and perhaps advice?(LONG)

Hi Marnles, I am sorry about your hair. I was just wondering if you had considered taking the hair and nail vitamins they sell in GNC or someplace like that. I started taking them and my nails grow really fast now, and my hair seems pretty healthy but I am not sure if it growing any faster than usual (I only just started taking them a month ago) but it wouldn't hurt to give it a try. I hope this helps. One more thing, I had my heart set on the hair style I was going to use for my wedding day (eeek 5 days to go)for months and months. But as it turns out when I did my hair and make up and put my dress on I hated the style so now I am doing something completely different( not a style I would normally pick) and I think it looks much better with my dress. So this may lead you to do a style you never considered before and you may wind up loving it (I Hope). Hang in there.