It’s no secret that a trip to the hair salon can be an emotional experience, as our hair is such a huge part of our identity. Whether you’re having a post-breakup chop (the girls who get it, get it), or just having a quick trim to rid your hair of split ends, the final reveal in the mirror is always one that has you holding your breath—so what do you do if you’re not happy with your new hairdo?
It’s a situation none of us want to find ourselves in, but, unfortunately for Gemma Gray (@gem.gray), the nightmare became a reality when a recent visit to a salon in London, U.K, resulted in a cut she said is giving “Willy wonker core.”
The Sydney, Australia-native was expecting to walk out happy with the service—something she was so sure would happen she recorded a before video to show her transformation on TikTok. The after, unfortunately, left a lot to be desired as the clip cut to an emotional Gray so distressed that she was unable to get her words out.
Gray’s chin-length bob had been cut up to her cheekbones, giving her a finished look that one commentor dubbed the “page boy do.”
The video, which garnered 8.3 million views in just four days, gained so much attention that Gray posted a second part, sharing more about what happened.
In the video, Gray said her hair was looking “a little better…. It’s looking less like a helmet—it’s still not good.”
She then shared the picture she showed her stylist in a follow-up post—a bob that appears to be a more similar shape to her original style than her new haircut.
Like many, Gray felt unable to speak up after her appointment, admitting in the video that: “When I saw the final product I did say ‘oh my God that is amazing, the best I’ve ever looked’ and paid, then promptly walked out and started crying.”
She’s since stocked up on hair accessories to attempt to style her new cut at home.
If you end up in a similar predicament and are wondering why your new hair feels a million miles away from the inspiration picture, hairstylist Jack Mead, co-owner of Jack & The Wolfe in Hampshire, U.K, provided Newsweek with the following take: “There are many factors why it might not have turned out like the inspiration picture. Her hair looks quite thick so the texture could be different. I actually think it looks cool when it’s left to dry in its natural texture.
“I think that the consultation as always is absolutely vital and maybe that went a bit wrong in this case, but hairdressers are human beings and mistakes do happen.”
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Gray’s short style is one we’re sure to see more of. Mead continued: “Short haircuts are having a revival because everything comes back around, but this time they are in a new undone style which I love—it is a new way of thinking, moving away from coiffured hair of years gone by.”
What Do the Comments Say?
One user questioned Gray’s efforts to find a new salon, commenting: “Do y’all do ANY research before going to salons?!”
Others shared their own hair horror stories, with one recounting when, “a hairdresser did this to me once and asked me what I thought, I just smiled widely and told her I loved it and walked out holding my tears.”
Another said: “I’m sorry, this happened to me too. I looked like Dennis the Menace.”
Others offered advice, with one recommending: “Style and add product for texture! it’ll look better I promise.”
Newsweek has contacted Gemma Gray for comment.
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Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.