Once moving to the area, I asked for hair salon recommendations from a few people. I had a few people mention PR at Partners, so I went in for a consult. I spoke to the front desk, and asked for someone who was good with short cuts, and had experience with dry cuts. Two people both decided that Mary L was who I wanted to see, and made a consult appointment with her for a few days from then.
I went in on a week day afternoon and the salon was packed. It was super loud and busy, which is a good thing for them, but definitely doesn't make for a relaxing experience. I filled out a flyer on how I like my hair cuts and met with Mary personally. We went over how I like my hair. Here's the thing- I have short hair, very short in the back cut with clippers and tapered up the back and short around the ears. The front of my hair is longer, and bangs sweep front over my forehead. There are a few spikes up top- nothing like a mohawk - but just some spiking on the crown of my head. I walked in with my hair three weeks post cut, in the style that I wanted. I needed a clean up- I told her I liked a little funk, but not much of a change. I've had my hair about the same give or take a a few inches for the past 14 years or so.
She said she had experience in dry cuts and that she would love to cut my hair. We decided to let it grow for a few more days and that I'd come back Monday morning for a cut. I came in on Monday bright and early, with my hair styled, completely dry, just ready for the cut. Thank goodness, Mondays are dead at the salon, and it was much more quiet and relaxing when I returned. Mary immediately got to work, with the clippers, she cut my hair the exact number that I wanted and the back was great. Unfortunately, she went way too short up the sides of my hair, completely disconnecting part of my cut, that used to be connected over my ear. It was almost sort of a mohawk. The sides were cut way too short, and unfortunately, the top was kept too long for my taste. Since I require a haircut once a month, I could deal with it for a bit. And, thankfully, having had this hair for a long time, I'm very good at styling it, and was able to cover up my issue fairly well for the few weeks I needed to, before I needed to go back in for a clean up cut. Also, I was told that Mary charges $50 for a cut. I paid that, but in all honesty, for a DRY cut- which involves no washing and honestly minimal to NO styling, $50 is just ridiculous. I did pay it, though, hoping that after the next visit, she'd work out the issues. Plus, I figured I was paying DC metro area prices.
I made my next appointment almost 4 weeks later, with Mary again, hoping she'd be better on the second chance. I didn't want to stylist hop, since I hate finding a new one when we move! So, I went in, again on a Monday morning. I was VERY specific about what I liked and disliked from the previous cut. I explained to her that although I can style it to look alright, she took way too much off of the front side (and pointed it out to her) and explained what was happening because of it. I also told her that more needed to be taken off the top, because of growth. Again, this is only 4 weeks after the first cut, and I go in with my hair styled exactly like it should look when I leave (only shorter!). She listened to what I said and said we'd get it all worked out.
Before I know it, she's got the clippers out and is cutting EXACTLY the same way she did the first time, and in the EXACT spot I had told her not to cut that short with the clippers again. I just closed my eyes and sighed. So, since you can't put hair back on when it's shaved, there wasn't anything I could do right then and there.... I stayed silent. Until she starts cutting the top and can't figure out why one certain piece of hair is sticking up. I told her it's because she cut the piece that is making it stick up, exactly what I told her not to do in the first place. Then she understood...and was like "oh...now I see..." okay. And that would be why I specifically asked you to let that reconnect to the bangs and let it grow. Atleast it's hair and it grows quickly.
I almost was going to give her a third chance until 2 days later, I realized that she did a horrible job up on the top of my crown and I needed to go in for her to cut that shorter. So, she cut it for me- and I thanked her. and I left... and that's that. I'm done with PR at Partners. $50+ tip for a dry cut that isn't even good is ridiculous. read more