Spygirl

That's what their precision cut styling is all about, Elle, the use of electric clippers rather than scissors-it's the way they are taught -I know, I've asked them about it, because it was a novel concept to me at the time (some 10 years ago when I first went to them in Paris). That's not to say they don't have scissors, or use them, but that's not what they're known for, or the "JLD method" as I think their magazine puts it.

Leona

I had my hair cut in Paris at Jacques Dessange and loved it. (Used to frequent them in NY until they closed.)

And what were those idiotic remarks about Jean Louis David? They use scissors, occasionally a razor for texture, and I have never seen any stylist use electric clippers in their salon on 57th St. And by the way, the same stylists have been there for years.

So please don't speak (or especially write) about something about which you apparently know nothing. You may not like a "chain" salon, but there are enough people (especially in NY) to keep them in business.

elle

Spygirl, I didn't know that. Are electric clippers used largely on short hair? Mine is pretty long, so maybe that's why they didn't use them (although the "Amelie" cut was pretty short for me. . . )

Scarlett

Leona, I lived in NYC, for a looong time, until moving just a year ago, and believe me, I know about hair dressers LOL
Actually, there was a JLD not far from our home, upper East side in the 60s.

I was told once by a Fabulous haircutter that a Good haircutter can cut with a broken bottle..ya'll can figure that out yourselves
These days I have been getting razor cuts, on long straight hair..blunt bobs (kinda suburbabn looking)are not really in style these days, are they?

Spygirl

Elle-my hair is below shoulder length, and I LOVE that electric clipper! I have been to most all the JLDs in NYC (my favorite is the one on Madison Ave.,(Leona-I believe that's the one on 57th-but it might be another one-there are two that are pretty close together there) but I also like the one down in the Village, between 12 and 13th as well).

To answer your question, it could be that some of the JLD salons use scissors for long hair and clippers for short hair, Elle, and Leona may be right as well, I have noticed differences in the JLD salons in NYC (not the ones in Paris though-the ones I've been to there all use clippers) but I always insist on the clippers, and since I just got my hair trimmed there two days ago, I can tell you it looks SO much thicker and less scraggly on the ends-I'm quite a fan of the clippers/razors for the blunt edges-your hair swings so much more naturally (or at least, my hair does) when it is cut with clippers rather than with scissors.

You should try it out-I think you might like it.

BTilke

Really, Spygirl, if you're going to chide NYCFS about her spelling, you should watch your own.
It's BIguine, not BEguine. And it's Jean-LouiS, not Jean-Louie. The Regis corporation, which owns JLD, spells it without a hyphen. (JLD is part of the Regis empire, which includes mall chains like Supercuts, Cost Cutters, and Magicuts, the SmartStyle chain found in Wal-Marts, and the Hair Club for Men.)
I have nothing against JLD, my husband gets his hair cut at their new salon in the Brussels Midi train station. Although I thought his last cut was much TOO short--he got a better cut at an individually owned salon in Angers and at a small salon in central Germany run by an aging dominatrix. I prefer an individually-owned salon where there isn't so much turnover. The same stylist in Brussels has been doing my hair for three years and I like the continuity. Plus, it's nice to support a small business rather than seeing the money swallowed up by just another big corporation.
I've had good and bad experiences at the various chains like JLD, Biguine, etc. In France and Belgium, when you go into those walk-in chains on a Friday or Saturday, you can face a LONG wait. So Ronda, if you're going to do that, go Monday through Thursday (it's cheaper then too). And I'd err on the side of caution *if* you have time. Have your friend get her hair STYLED but not cut. If she really likes the way they style it and the way they treat her, then she could go back another day for a cut.
You have a gazillion choices for facials (soins)--Sothys, Clarins, Guinot, Maria Galland, Darphin, etc. Personally, I would recommend Darphin or Maria Galland. You would definitely need to book in advance for those.
www.darphin.fr (salons on the rue du Bac and rue Saint Honore; they have a full makeup line as well as skin care)
www.mariagalland.fr (salon on 69 Blvd. Haussmann; they have only a limited makeup range)
FWIW, facials in Paris cost twice as much as facials in Brussels (in case your travel plans take you up that way).

Spygirl

well, if that second letter is an "i" and not an "l" then you'd be right, BTilke, it is Jean Claude Biguine.

NYCFoodSnob

<i>&quot;I think your information is a little out-dated&quot;</i>

Think what you wish, dear. I'm happy you've found happiness with JLD but you have <b>no idea</b> what I know.

I did speak in absolutes above and I apologize. I didn't mean to suggest that stylists at JLD don't own or use scissors. In NYC, they had no choice to allow scissors because they faced a serious crisis from all the clipper &quot;redo's&quot; they were getting. Also, it has become harder and harder to recruit hairdressers because most artists don't want their tool-use to be dictated to them. It's called business survival in a very demanding town.

Plus, the company &quot;mission&quot; changed when Regis bought it. Everyone in the beauty industry knows Regis is no place for &quot;super&quot; talent because they're &quot;super&quot; cheap. After Regis purchased the beauty salon at Saks Fifth Avenue in the late 80's, all their top talent defected. They are notorious for not paying well and employees are treated like just another number on a spread sheet. They got out of Saks sometime in the 90's.

<i>&quot;I was told once by a Fabulous haircutter that a Good haircutter can cut with a broken bottle&quot;</i>

I would say this is quite true of a <i>great</i> haircutter. The best haircutters are great sculptors and as long as the tool is sharp, magic can happen.

The next time you consider any salon for a haircut, especially one owned by Regis, consider this: Why on earth would any super-talented individual want to limit his/her income potential by working for a volume-oriented chop-shop that doesn't pay well?

Some of you girls don't have a clue how the game is played but I'm happy you all think you're walking around with a great haircut. Too bad we can't post pictures on Fodor's. I'd be happy to provide my critique.

What I don't &quot;get&quot; is why any woman can justify an overpriced, mediocre food experience at Centrale Lounge in Venice, which lasts one night, when the benefits of a great $150 haircut can last 3 months. Thank goodness it's a free world and people can spend their money as they see fit. I'll take a great $150 haircut over expensive, mediocre food any day.

orval

I agree with the analogy. Spend some money on the haircut. You are in Paris. Why come to begin with?

If one is concerned about getting a haircut in a &quot;foreign&quot; place, then get one before you go, as almost everyone does. If it is going to &quot;cut into&quot; your holiday time, then for gosh sakes, get a haircut scheduled a week or so prior to the trip.

Paris is reknown for their hairstyling and soins. No &quot;foreign country&quot; there. Perhaps the U.S. would be considered foreign to finding a really good hairstylist outside of a few major cities. People in the U.S. usually cringe when costs associated with d&eacute;jeuner in Paris are discussed. Likewise, the cost of a good haircut brings out cries of &quot;too much&quot; or &quot;ripoff&quot;.

I support all independent businesses in France. They will be gone with the wind in another generation or two, as the jeunesse d'or gravitate to technology. Why do you go to Olde Europe, if not to partake in what we here in the U.S. do not have?

All of the threads on how to live on the cheap, suggesting that one get a franchise baguette avec fromage et jambon... or wear your old underwear and clothes... or be only concerned with your super comfort, even if it means wearing old sweatpants...is this how someone really wants to spend a holiday in Paris or France? Perhaps the only time they may visit in their lifetimes?

Life is short. Enjoy the party.

NYCFoodSnob

Nice work, orval.

SuzieC

&quot;Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming...

Damn, What a ride!! &quot;

And, if one gets a chance, let a great sylist take you and your head to a show! After all ... its only hair.

Beatchick

Orval, some of us don't have as much disposable income as others, hence the need to ferret out ways to go cheaply. That's not to say that we won't splurge on a thing or two while there or that we won't have adventures (I know I always have adventures). Going on the cheap has allowed me to go to Paris 3 times (plus London one trip) &amp; I'll be going again in February. I'm thrilled that I'll be able to do something that few people I know (outside of Fodor's) is able to do.

Ronda

Thanks for all the responses. I will forward this thread to my sis and it will give her plenty of food for thought. Myself, I don't think I want to spend time in a salon while on vacation.

anna_in_france

I just got my haircut in France at a Jean Louis David salon (at at mall!) and I'm vry satisfied! It's better than the more expensive cut I got back home in Boston at a very exclusive Newbury Street salon by some incompetent young woman who probably just graduated beauty school. Of course, my new cut is just a plain bob but it's just the way I wanted it and yes, it was done all with an electric clipper. I was a little nervous, but I agree with the previous poster that this method of cutting really does give hair more movement. But of course, I think the stylist matters much more than the specific salon. At this JLD I asked for a specific stylist to cut my hair based on seeing him working on other clients and liking what I saw. Turns out he wants to transfer to the JLD salon in NYC so he also liked being able to practice some English with me! I also liked a cut I once got at a Jacques Dessange salon here. The worst cuts I've gotten here in France were actually at a fancy salon in a the city south of Paris where I live. I only went there because the woman was British and I was really bad at French at the time. Turned out she was awful and liked to hack my hair up with her thinning shears!

Girlspytravel

My goodness-why ever not? On posts of this type here on this board I ALWAYS recommend Jean Louis David Salons both in Paris and other parts of its native France, but also in Italy and Belgium. I've used JLD and been very happy with them in all the above countries-and have gone to them now for over 10 years. You can check here for locations:

www.jeanlouisdavid.com

Also, another excellent French chain salon in Paris that is similar to JLD is &quot;JEAN CLAUDE BIGUINE&quot;-shops all over Paris, other cities in France and a number of other countries as well (I understand they have a Biguine salon in NYC).

Pegontheroad

I never get a haircut in Europe unless I'm absolutely desperate. My own hairdresser knows how to cut my short, limp hair, and no one else can do as good a job as she. Whenever I've found it necessary to get a haircut in Europe, the results have ranged from bad to disastrous. Even with a skilled haircutter, it usually ends up way too short.

Three of my haircuts have been in Germany and one in Spain, the one in Spain by a Vidal Sassoon haircutter.

AnthonyGA

The chains won't give you any better cuts than chains at home. A good haircut requires a good haircutter, and they tend to be born rather than made. Some of them <i>start</i> their own chains, but unless they are personally cutting your hair, you won't necessarily get any part of their skill.

For various reasons, I've had the opportunity to see the best of the best at work, and a very good haircutter can work seeming miracles. I've seen people completely transformed in appearance in just a minute or two of seemingly random snipping. But it's unusual to see that at a chain&mdash;anyone that good soon opens his own salon (or chain of salons).

Also, a fair number of the best cut down drastically on the cuts they deliver themselves and concentrate on other aspects (tours, shows, sponsorship, running a chain of salons, developing products, etc.).

Girlspytravel

Ronda-in 15 years of using JLD (and occasionally JC Biguine) I can tell you that they are not even anywhere near the same category as some of the cheap chain salons in this country. They employ different cutting techniques-I've never walked out of JLD without someone either stopping me on the street or asking me where I got my hair styled-for me they have worked great, and what I love, is that I can go to them in Italy and Belgium and get the same results there. Not only that, but their emphasis on cleanliness leaves the American chains in the dust (sanitized, SEPARATE brushes used on EACH new customer). Highly recommended.

kerouac

Think about what your normal style is. If you think that Betty White in the Golden Girls is the way to go, you won't want to get your hair done in Paris. In other words, do you want &quot;French hair&quot;? -- check out how French women your age are coiffed and see if you like it before taking the plunge -- particularly since all of the photos advertising these salons show women around 18-22 years old.

Girlspytravel

Kerouac, do you have any personal experience with JLD and Biguine, or are you just trying to make an argument for argument's sake?

Because what you describe as &quot;French hair&quot; for &quot;older women&quot;- what in God's name is that?????I have NO IDEA what you are talking about-the salons I have listed and have gone to for several years (and I am NOT in that young 20's age group you described, by any means!) are in several countries, including NYC, and since they employ the same styling techniques whereever they are located, I think one can safely conclude that there is nothing remotely resembling &quot;French hair&quot; whatever YOU happen to think that is.

I have long hair, and they do a great job for me. I also see many many older- than- me- women (however you want to define that!) at these salons in Paris, Brussels, Rome and Florence, among other locations- getting great-looking coifs at the self-same salons.

Something makes me think you must put a bowl on your head to have your hair cut....