Hairdressing

[benson]

If anyone is looking for a good hairdresser I can reccommend one.

She is English fully qualified and Mobile (Dept 23)

PM me for details

[Teamedup]

What does fully qualified mean please.

I only ask as according to my hairdresser 'mobile's hairdressers qualifications do not have the same requirements as someone who works in a salon.

[letrangere]

On the subject of hairdressing, I was talking to a relatively new arrival in France recently and she was saying how pleased she was that she'd managed to arrange this, fix that, etc. all with her school girl French.  I told her that IMHO the two real linquistic challenges were a) getting your hair done to your satisfaction in a French salon (especially colouring) and b) having a pap smear!  There are probably lots more but these are two that stick out most in my mind.  M

[benson]

As far as Im aware she is mobile only because she hasnt set up a salon as yet and also felt that being a mobile hairdresser in a rural area of 23 would be beneficial to alot of potential clients

Ill check next time I get my hair done if you like!

 

I also agree with MWJ.  I dont consider my french language skills to be up to a visit to a french salon as yet. Im petrified of coming out with a shaven head or something!!  Which is why I posted the original topic.  I'm sure there must be a few others who would appreciate an English hairdresser while they are  improving their french!!

[Iceni]

As someone who is having very real problems with learning French and is making quite an effort but is scared of strange people and places, the one thing that has been very good for me is going to our local French hairdresser. He is kind, has customers coming in from far and wide and in a town of 500 or 600 inhabitants at times I have seen 4 hairdressers working there at once.

Now, why is this good, well I am seen to be using the locals, they take an interest in what you do so why not let them know that you appreciate this. My hair is as good if not better than my UK hairdresser who I thought was fantastic and it is a 'challenge' being dead straight, grey and very very thick. He manages it, the colour is exactly as asked for and the cut is superb - all this for 40€ when it cost £70 for the same service in the UK.

Serge has started to practice his English on me and I practice my French on him. The locals can put a face to the mad woman who lives in a derelict barn in the hills.

Our French friend once told us that 'they know when you change your socks in the Lot' trust me, they do that.

Give your local hairdresser a go, you, like me, might be not just surprised but very very impressed.

[Will]

Di, I totally agree with you (and as a mere male too). Our own experiences have beenvery similar.

I do hope you are not taken to task for your arrogance at suggesting you should fit into the community, support local French businesses and make a bit of an effort with the language, as has happened in another recent topic about internet auctions. Not all of us want to get stuck in English-speaking ghettoes, whether or not we can speak French well (I can't).

I have nothing whatsoever against English-speaking hairdressers or any other businesses in France, and wish them all well. Though I prefer the term 'bilingual' to 'English speaking' as I think they should exist alongside each other rather than either English or French businesses catering solely for one nationality.

[letrangere]

"all this for 40€ when it cost £70 for the same service in the UK."

Absolutely, Di.  I've had my meches done several times at a small local salon in a large rural village in the SW for a similar price.  Doesn't look much of a place but you get a fabulous cup of coffee, 2 hrs of non-stop local gossip and colouring better than a London salon.  They take their time and they really care about doing a good job.  And, of course, if you're not a permanent resident, they're even more delighted to see you because they know you could easily have it done elsewhere.  Incidentally, am I the only woman who finds it hard to explain to a hairdresser in any language precisely what she wants done?  I'm often lost for the right words in English!  M

[Russethouse]

Margaret you are SO right....how can I possibly speak French when I haven't even mastered 'hairdresser' ?

[SaligoBay]

Give your local hairdresser a go, you, like me, might be not just surprised but very very impressed.

Je suis tout à fait d'accord.   One thing I like about French hairdressers is that they'll do more cutting once it's dry if necessary, and that can make all the difference.   In Britain it seems like a point of honour that dry hair and scissors shall never meet.

My hair lives a life of its own, and I would say it was well integrated in France.

[Teamedup]

I think a good hairdresser is the luck of the drawer in any country. I started to use  a chic salon in a major city just after I got here and for the first few time, very successfully.  Then distaster struck. I was growing my hair into a Mireille Mattheiu bob. The hairdresser, (remember this is a very expensive salon) did one side squared, asked if it were fine, I smiled said I was delighted and then she 'did' the other side and cut it rounded like a purdey cut. Once that cut was made it was too late and then the cheeky 'XXXXX' said she prefered the square cut side.

I didn't go back.

 

I know exactly what to ask for here, I know exactly what to ask for in England, it always seems to be down to a whim of the hairdresser on the day. And I hate it when they take more than 20/30mm off and take the liberty of taking a cm on my already short hair. And I have yet to find a hairdresser who won't do this without a mere thought for the client.