I will be travelling with my mom, who likes to have her hair done once a week. I figure this will be a fun way to interact with the folks in several cities and countries...I just need to know if anyone out there has some experience with salons that do the old fashioned wash and set--nothing avant garde here!
We'll be in the following cities on "hair day", so if anyone can help, I will be most appreciative:
Madrid
Avignon/Nice
Rome
Paris
Florence
Thanks for any tips!

You could ask at your hotel front desk for someplace nearby. Or keep your eyes open as you are out walking around. My thought is you wouldn't want to go all the way across Rome (for example) for a suggested spot. Lastly, maybe a Google of the cities and 'hair salon' could give you some ideas.

Agree with Suze. Your hotel concierge is your best bet. I hope your mom isn't like mine was, has to be rolled up wet & sit under the dryer. Very few Parisian salons do that anymore. But they do wonders with the blow dryer.

My mom was the same way and after a few mishaps she then carried a detailed photo taken at home after her regular hair day. She would then show that to the operator. It worked out pretty well. Good Luck.

When I need to get my hair done in Paris, I go tot Thierry Elia Coiffure (116, rue St Dominique. I am not sure whether they do the "old-fashioned" set-and dry (I get color, cut, blow-dry), but it is a private salon, not one of the young trendy chains, and the clientele appears to be local women. Your concierge could call and find out for you (01 45 51 21 62).

I get my hair done, too, and haven't found salons in Europe that do anything except a round-brush blow dry. I take a picture, too, but they just nod and go on with what they want to do. At least my hair is clean, and no one knows me anyway. I have to say I've gotten the best looks in Italy of anywhere.

One funny story--I was in line at a post office in London when a woman asked me where I got my hair done. When I said in Louisville, KY, she said, "Oh, I was hoping it was local," to which I replied, "But as soon as you heard me speak, you knew that wasn't so, didn't you?" We both laughed.

Hey! Great idea all. Funny about the picture and the negligible effect. But, all you can do is try, and this is a good one! Thanks everyone. I hope to try the Paris salon. In my searches I found loads on Rome, but only a few in Paris...odd.
Thanks again, and happy trails.

I too have my hair done regularly and in the the bigger towns or cities usually try a Salon in a department store or a more tourist oriented area as I find these operators are used to handling many different styles and clients.

Thanks prue--good idea! I'll try it!