How do you tell someone their work sucked??

[Auryn]

nicely that is.
I am usually great at this but I don't want to hurt this girl's feelings.
Here is the quick story- I'm 28- In my entire life I have only gone to the same hairstylist 4 times. Usually they either don't give me the cut I want or if they are great, when I go back to get it done again that stylist is no longer there.
The one guy that I really liked and went to several times has gone crappy on me so I had to find a new stylist.
I found one back in August, she gave me my all time favorite hair cut. I loved this stylist, to the extent that I got her email address so as to make sure I could find her when I needed a trim.
So 2 months later I call- of course she is no longer at the same salon- she is 40 minutes north now
-ok fine no problem, I make the appointment and trek my butt up there to get a trim to refresh my cut to the original one she gave me.
Well 25 miles each way, $70 plus tip and 3 hours later and I HATE my haircut.
I've had bad haircuts before but none I disliked as much as this one. This cut has absolutely nothing to do with the one she gave me last time.

She emailed me a couple of weeks ago to find out how I liked my cut- I havent replied yet cause I don't know how to word it without sounding cruel or like a belch.
I guess I feel extra strongly about the cut because I was so disappointed since it wasn't the same as the awesome one I got from her before.

How should I word it??

[Ferret]

Be very clear about why you are unhappy with it.

Don't tell them they sucked, let them know what they didn't achieve.
Ferret

[LordEustace]

next time you get it, take a pic of yourself front and back, so you can take it with you when getting a new cut.

[Merlin]

I love my hair stylist.

[Betty Munro]

She emailed you because she cares about her work.  You are not obligated to reply, but it would help her to be a better stylist, or know that she had an off day.  It will also give her the opportunity to correct what is wrong.
So, my first question to you is can you specify for her what was wonderful about the first cut and what was lacking in the most recent?  It doesn't do any good to say just that it sucked, because that can't be fixed, but if it was too short, or not even, or too blunt ...
If you can be specific and descriptive in a way that will help her to improve her work, then let her know.

Merlin,
I love your hairstylist too ... smart weed puller 

[Noble Dreg]

Speaking as someone who has stood on the other side of the scissors...Yes, tell her but do it nicely.  She has shown you she can cut it right, help her do it again.

Lord Eustace nailed it...Take pictures of what you like!  And be realistic (Always got a kick out of the client that would show me a picture of Rapunzel but came in with a Page Boy).  Most clients would have little idea as to what they wanted and would try to describe something they saw but had no way of putting it to words.  A discussion with your stylist should not be a game of charades.  Pictures are best.  If you show them pictures and they still get it wrong then it's time to run.  If I had a dissatisfied customer I would always comp their next cut.  Thank God, hair grows back.

By the way, if your avatar shows what your hair looks like I LOVE it!  Now that I am an engineer fun hair is completely "out of the equation"!

[Auryn]

Thanks everyone.
The first time I had her cut my hair, I went in the day before my appointment and we spent 30 minutes talking about it. I brought in about 7 pictures of similar haircuts and she came up with an awesome unique version.
I guess its partially my fault because the second time I went in- we had emailed beforehand and she seemed really secure in remembering what she did the first time- plus I figured she just needed to trim the existing hair back into its original length.

Noble Dreg- I wish that was my current hair color- its a wig. My hair is almost that short though and next week its going to be a bright coppery orange. 
I guess I will write up a nice email and send it to her.

thanks guys, I'll let you know if anything comes of it

*edited for spelling errors*

[Auryn]

Well I guess she didn't care that much.
I emailed her back nicely on thursday- never got a response back.

[Ferret]

Well I guess she didn't care that much.
I emailed her back nicely on thursday- never got a response back.

You got your answer then. You need to find a hair dresser that genuinely cares about her customer's happiness and not just go through the motions to keep their business.
Ferret