Bangs Cut Too Short
A: This is frustrating, and you're absolutely right to feel annoyed about it. While it might feel like your hairdresser isn't listening, cutting bangs is a mix of hair physics and communication. Let's look at why this keeps happening and how to solve it once and for all.
Tension and Shrinkage
First, there is a technical factor to consider: tension and shrinkage. Wet hair stretches, and when a stylist pulls your bangs taut between their fingers to make a precise line, the hair gets temporarily elongated.If she cuts them right at your eyebrow while wet or under high tension, the moment the hair dries, it springs upward; potentially landing well above your eyebrows. Wavy hair, cowlicks, or high hairlines make this bounce-back effect even more dramatic.
A skilled stylist should account for this by cutting bangs dry or leaving them extra long while wet, but high tension during the cut is the most common technical reason bangs end up too short.
Autopilot Stylist
Second, consider how long you've been seeing this particular hairdresser. If your desire for longer bangs is a recent change, your hairdresser might be operating on autopilot, defaulting to a habit without fully processing your new instructions.Communication before and during the cut is crucial to fixing this:
• Specify the length before tension: Don't just say "leave them at my eyebrows." Tell her, "I want them to cover my eyebrows when fully dry and styled, so please cut them dry or leave them longer to account for shrinkage." You can even point to the bridge of your nose as the initial wet cutting line.
• Watch the process: Ask her to trim a tiny bit first, dry them completely, and show you before cutting any higher.
• Speak up immediately: If she starts pulling the hair too tight or cutting higher than you like, speak up right away. Don't smile politely and leave the salon feeling disappointed. Say something like, "Let's stop there; they look like they're going to shrink up above my eyebrows once they dry."
Your silence can enable the pattern to continue if she assumes you are satisfied. As a paying customer, you have every right to expect that your preferences will be respected.
Your Next Appointment
My advice is to have a straightforward conversation before your next appointment begins. Mention it when you arrive, before she picks up her scissors: "I want to address my bangs. They keep springing up way higher than my eyebrows after they dry. Can we cut them dry today, or leave them longer while wet, so we account for that shrinkage and keep them over my eyebrows?"If the problem persists despite clear communication and accounting for shrinkage, it might be time to find a new stylist. Following clear instructions and understanding how different hair types bounce back after a cut are fundamental parts of the job. You deserve to leave the salon feeling happy with your hair.
©Hairfinder.com
See also:
How to cut bangs
Why hairdressers never do what you want
Why do hairdressers always cut your hair too short?