Ronda

My sisters and I are going to Paris for someone's 50th Birthday. She thinks we should all make appointments at a big department store and get our hair cut and styled. What do you think? Does this sound really risky? If you have someplace you like to get your hair styled in Paris, please give me a suggestion. Also, she wants to get her makeup done - perhaps a facial.

suze

I often have facial or manicure but not sure I'd want to risk a hair cut.

jules4je7

Having had a disastrous haircut in a foreign country due to my inability to communicate my wishes, I'd stick with the facial and makeup, and maybe throw in a massage. A bad haircut can stay with you an awful long time.

Jules

pilgrim

I concur. I had a cut done at Vidal Sassoon School in London, assured that a supervisor would make certain that the cut suited my age, facial shape and lifestyle. Well, I got short, boy cut and very spikey. (I entered with shoulder length curls).

I applaud creativity but this was heartbreaking. You might have better luck than I, but no guarantees.

Christina

I would never do that myself, as I've had too many disastrous haircuts even when speaking the same language. I had a friend who did that in Paris and she came back with a very unusual avant-garde short haircut which looked good on her if you wanted to experiment, but I would not have wanted to live with it. Some people will risk more with their hair, or it doesn't matter as much if it's short or grows fast.

I don't know a place, but in general, I'd just suggest the beauty salon section of one of the major dept. stores, like Galeries Lafayette. They have a lot of services there and are used to dealing with foreigners and language won't be a problem. They have information about that on their web site and you can make appointments. Printemps is the same way www.printemps.com

For just a facial, makeup, or spa/massage or something, I might go to Guerlain www.guerlain.com

vedette

Way back in 1968, when my wife and I were in our early 20s, we travelled in Europe. She was a very good-looking blonde, with very simple long straight hair. After a while, she needed a hair cut, which she got in the Florence train station. Without either of us knowing a word of Italian, the hair guy went to work. When he was finished, her hair was all bouffanted, basically a replica of Bridget Bardot. It was all good! But she had to fend off even more Italian lotharios than usual.

suze

*great* story!!!!

jody

I often..every trip or so ..go to Vidal sasson school in London..and while it might be a shock at first..it always "grows" on me and I always get compliments!

I see numerous shops in Paris.. so live dangerously and take a chance..after all it will grow out in a few weeks!

Spygirl

OR, you can go to one of the quite good but relatively inexpensive chain salons that Paris specializes in, like Salon Jean Claude Beguine or Salon Jean Louie David-I've used both of these chains in a number of countries-Belgium, France, Italy, and have always been quite pleased-because they specialize in the precision cut method and I like blunt cuts, so they are both very good if you're looking for a cut of this type (I've never had anything fancy done, however). Very hygienic too, as both salons advertise that they use a freshly wrapped and sanitized brush on each customer-(and they really do).

There's also the chain of Salon Jacques Dessange, however, this chain is quite a bit more expensive. I actually go to a JD here in the States, but for facials and other beauty treatments, not for hair, as they are too expensive-I'm one of those who doesn't believe in spending $100 on up for a trim. However, I think the JD stylists are quite good based on empirical observations, particularly with color. I do see some television faces (men) in there from time to time getting their color "refreshed." (smile)

I can tell you that in the Salon JD I frequent here in the States, every single one of the stylists, as well as the aestheticians, are from France, mostly Paris, or they are from a francophone country but worked in Paris before coming to the US. I almost never hear English spoken in the salon amongst the employees. In fact, when you call to make an appt., the recording is in French first and then English-so the point I'm making is that they are really into their Parisian thing, even in their salons here in the States.

There are a number of JD salons in Paris to choose from, and they all do make-up, as they have their own make-up/beauty/hair-care line. You might want to pick one or two of their salons in Paris, stop by and look at their price list and/or just talk to them about what you want done-all of the JD Salons should have English speakers, but not so for the other chain salons mentioned. Here's a website to check it out online: www.jacques-dessange.com, and click the English version.

Lori

I got my hair trimmed at the salon in Galleries Lafayettes a few years back. The stylist spoke English and had lived in Chicago and San Francisco for awhile. You can always ask if any of the stylists speak English. I speak some French but it was nice to communicate in English just the same when it came to how much to trim It all worked out well tho !!

elle

I popped into a Jean Louis David branch in the Latin Quarter one time for a cut. The cut was fine, if a little &quot;cute&quot; for me (my husband kept calling me &quot;Amelie&quot, but what I remember best was the wonderful rinse they put on, for <i>eclat</i>. My hair shone and shone. . .

Someday I'd like to try one of the more chic salons, but that requires planning ahead.

Spygirl

Elle, speaking of JLD, I was just there yesterday...had my usual great trim with the electric clippers-when I come out of there, I've had people stop me in the streets of both NYC and also Florence (!) to tell me that my hair looked great. I like the symmetry of their cuts, and the knowledge that I'm getting uniform services, in whatever country I and the salon happen to be in. They are my favorite. Can't beat 'em-$US 41.00-cut, wash, blow-dry. Same equivalent price in Euros.

NYCFoodSnob

Since the French have been mastering beauty for centuries, Paris is the one city I would trust for a total hair make-over. But, I wouldn't go just anywhere (and I wouldn't be caught dead at John Louis David).

In Paris, the beauty business is separated into two categories: spa and hair services, and these categories don't necessarily share owners or locations. Most often, they have no professional relationship whatsoever. In other words, one wouldn't go to a spa for a fabulous cut and color just as one wouldn't go to a hair salon for the best facial and massage.

If you're shopping for a chic new haircut in a very special, private space, I would consider trying the David Mallett salon (01 40 20 00 23). A second choice might be Kyang (06 20 45 39 39).

For a color splurge, I might try Christophe Robin (01 42 60 99 15).

I love pampering myself when I'm in Paris. The language barrier can be fun, especially for the hairdresser, and most professionals will respect you for jumping into the lion's den. They'll work extra hard to send you home looking your best. Good luck!

ps Don't expect this post to last very long.

Scarlett

I have to agree with NYCFS on this! JLD is just another chain hair salon these days. If you are in Paris, why go to a salon that is in a mall back home?
I forget the name but on the rue St Peres between the Seine and rue Jacob, is a lovely salon where I had a shampoo and blow out years ago. They spoke just enough English to ask me questions, they did a lovely job on long hair and it was a treat
All around the 6th you will find small charming salons, Good luck!

Spygirl

Snob-you don't have to be caught dead at a Jean (not John) Louie David-I love them, and I personally wouldn't be caught dead going to some overpriced French salon or American salon for that matter, that charges me $150.00 to do a trim that's not nearly as good as what I get at JLD.

The point of my email is that there are good, inexpensive options in the chain salons in Paris, JLD is one and Jean Claude Beguine is another. Then, there is Jacques Dessange. And if you want consistency of cut, you go to a good French salon. If you want to take your chances and pay an outrageous sum of money for a trim and style, why, you can do that too, except I personally would rather spend my money on other pursuits while on holiday, and certainly don't want to have to worry or be upset about all the money I spent for a mediocre to bad haircut.

mermaid_

Scarlett, are you thinking of the salon at 52 rue Saint-Andre des Artes? (website www.mariannegray.com/index-gb.htm)

Like Lori, I had my hair cut at Galleries Lafayette, but mind you that was a good 15 years ago. It mustn't have been a memorable haircut because I don't remember it. What I do remember is arranging to meet my husband at the &quot;down&quot; escalator and he was at the &quot;up&quot; escalator and I nearly missed my plane home due to the delay in waiting for him! (Moral: never get your hair cut on departure day, duh.)

I am of mixed opinion about getting a hair cut from someone I don't know, Ronda. I used to be really casual about it--hey, hair grows, what's the big deal--but now I really value a good cut from my stylist, who knows my hair inside out. I don't know if I'd trust anyone else! I guess it boils down to how much of a risk-taker you are. How about you send out a &quot;scout&quot; from your party? She could get her hair cut first, and if it looked wonderful, the rest of you could sign up for the full treatment, too.

NYCFoodSnob

Scarlett, &quot;just another chain&quot; should be their only problem. Their turnover rate in hairdressers is among the highest and what woman in her right mind (unless, of course, she's a bull-dyke lesbian) wants her hair cut with electric clippers? (Electric clippers is THE mandatory hair cutting method at JLD.)

JLD is for women who fall prey to (French) chic can be cheap. Not for my hair.

NYCFoodSnob

Spygirl, you're right about the spelling. Normally I care about spelling people's names correctly but this time, apparently, I didn't.

elle

&lt;<i>&quot;Electric clippers is THE mandatory hair cutting method at JLD.)&quot;</i>

Not true. My stylist did not use them. She used something old fashioned. . .I believe they were called scissors.

SharonG

Whatever happened to a similar post about getting your hair cut in Rome or was it Italy?