Nikko

I don't know what it is with my hair; it's not straight, but definately not the curliest I've seen, though it's not smooth, it's texture isn't the kinkiest, and it's definately thick, but I wouldn't think unnaturally so.

But there is something about it.

Every time I go to get my hair done, or cut, or anything, I try to warn the stylist only to be smiled at, usually with the response "Don't worry", or "I understand", or the ever popular "I've been doing this a looong time...". Despite their reassurances, every time (no exageration. Every Single Time) about half way through they will make a comment about how different my hair is, or how they have never seen hair like mine.

I used to pass it off as those little dime a dozen compliments they try to give you every five seconds, but then they started commenting on how unusually thick my hair is, and despite my warnings, about half way through, act shocked at how much is still left to go.

I usually take at least twice as long as they plan for me. I've had stylists literally have to leave me on hold in the middle of a blowdry to go do a quick appointment that had already been waiting a half hour. I've broken brushes. Had to switch off stylists in the middle of a keratin treatment (which didn't really work, but w/e) because she couldn't "feel her arms".

Forget about me styling my own hair.

I don't mean to complain but how can I explain it to them any better. Because often enough a simple hair cut costs more than they first evaluated. Which is not cool. I live on a strict budget, so when an estimated $20 cut (their estimate, not mine) turns to $30 or $40, without informing me, it ruins my planned budget. (Worst expirience, keratin, estimated $200-300, end result, not that effective and $500! I died a little inside. And despite our complaints, they refused to see the problem. I mean, what would I have done if my mother didn't have that kind of money for it! What the !)

But in that kind of situation, what can you do? I usually get frustrated and don't return, but I still have to pay. This has happened too many times to count. But the most frustrating part is that I WARN THEM! I really try. Even when they laugh it off, I try to explain to them...

I've been to multiple salons, ranging from a simple Supercuts, to one of those fancy salons where they serve you coffee, cookies, and sometimes little precut sandwiches (definately not my kind of place). Do I just have really bad luck with salons or is it something else?

(Side note, I also have multiple problems with shaving, so I'm thinking there might be a problem with my hair...)

WildChild

Your hair is what it is. I can't imagine there is a "problem" with it. Before I had kids I had really thick hair, fine strands, but tons of it. I went in for a body wave once (in the 80s)and my mid back length hair, which they has estimated would take 3 or 4 hours to do, took 8! They ended up with 2 of them working on rolling it. Then it took twice as long as the "usual" for the perm to set because my hair just resisted it. That wasn't anything wrong with my hair, it was just how it is. Since having kids I have less hair, still plenty but not like it was.

Why not try a good beauty school? Thye are often looking for victims, um, people to practice on? Really they charge less and are supervised. I doubt it would any worse experience than you've had and all those future sylists will have then seen hair like yours before!