Changing Hairdresser

Def change. You re not rejecting her as a person, just as a hair dresser. I'd feel awkward too, but I d do it. Smile, say hello, when u meet, you can still be friends. She probably took one look at your hair and realised it was better than when she does it. Even go for a coffee when u meet, and casually say you now are having pamper days out where u get hair, a meal out, a shopping spree , and say you. Need these days out , me time. . ..?

When all is said and done....a Hairdresser is simply a 'professional'.....one hopes well qualified etc......being paid by us to do a professional job. Tending to someone's hair is, by its nature, a rather personal service and its not difficult to get quite chatty with said hairdresser and feel you are developing a personal relationship.
For several years I went to a local hairdresser and stuck to one of the senior stylists. She always did a decent job and the whole experience was a cheerful and pleasant one. I felt she had got to know me fairly well AND, more importantly, my hair!
However, a couple of months back she really messed up although at the time I had not fully appreciated what she had done. Instead of subtle highlights she had applied bog standard bleach and left it on too long. Looking back I had realised she was rather distracted and had spent half the time moaning about a customer sitting nearby who had been 'difficult' and had wanted something corrected.
I really had not noticed the warning signs - thinking about it afterwards I realised that all was not well at the salon anymore.
I had no wish to return and face what would probably be an unpleasant situation nor did I want to have an unhappy conversation with a hairdresser who, over the years I had got quite chatty and friendly with.

So I simply cut my loses ....did some research and found myself another hairdresser. I was impressed by the initial consultation.....she quickly recognised the damage that had been done, suggested some treatment and went on to give me the best cut I'd had in a long time.

I think we always need to remember that a hairdresser is providing a service for which we pay (sometimes too high a price hairwise) and although it can be an intimate experience where we chat about everything, we do need to move on when it is no longer to our satisfaction.

I used to have my hair done at the local shopping precint but the hairdresser I liked moved tp another salon so I followed her. After a few years she went freelance and I added my name to her list of clients, I now have my hair done every six weeks in my own home.
I would just move to another hairdresser and not give it another thought, you are the client and it is your choice.

The owner of my local shop who always did my hair had two salons, one in a neighbouring village. She sold the local shop to one of her hairdressers and went to live above the other. It seemed a bit mean to follow her so "the next best hairdresser" did my hair. But she's erratic. Sometimes it's great, others it's awful, but I stuck with it. I'm anaemic and my fine, flat hair is a nightmare so she suggested another perm. But she got distracted when her sister brought her (the hairdresser's) child in and the perm was on too long and I had to ask for it to be washed off. As she tried to blow dry it, the now crispy front of my hair broke in her hand. She panicked, the new owner panicked and so did I. They couldn't get me out of the shop fast enough! I was in a bit of a state so I got in touch with my old hairdresser and now go the extra journey to see her. She's been nursing my hair with treatments and great cuts and tells me "just one more cut and we're back!" If only I'd left with her in the first place!

Whether it's a local shop or a chain, it's still one person cutting one person's hair, and making a living from doing it.

Interesting reading this, I am in desparate need of a cut and colour, but cant find a hairdresser! I had a really nice cut and style at a lovely salon, which when I returned for another appointment was just so filthy, it was very stylish place, but was thick with dust and hair on every surface, it made me think about the hygeine of the towels etc, made an excuse and left and not sure how I can 'call' in see if its improved! Another is such a small salon but they have crammed 4 chairs in that I went for a blow dry, didnt have a cut, BUT was covered in the hair of the lady sat next to me, yuk. I thought I did well when I saw a hairdresser I had had years ago had started at a new salon, so I went there, she did a fab cut, but I had to wash my hair as soon as I got home because it was full of sticky gunky styling product....I am presuming I am very hard to please, but my hubby is now saying I really, really must sort out my grey!

I hate going to the hairdresser, it's worse than going to the dentist!

ggmarion
Like everything else as we get older maintaining our looks is a challenge.
You were happy with the results so go to the new salon.
If you meet your previous hairdresser and you wish to comment then what is wrong with killing two birds with one stone ie A day out in town to shop at leisure? get your hair done at the same time?
I am sure your previous hairdresser will not go out of business after all she could not fit you in even though you were one of her 'regulars'?.
Your life your money. Go for it.

I think you've made the right decision to change. However, word of caution! I've found all new hairdressers seem to do a fabulous cut on one's first visit taking extra special care and time. Gradually they do mediocre work.

I had to change a couple of years ago because my stylist moved away .... A double whammy because she's become a close friend, close enough that I could tell her if the cut wasn't right!

I still see her once a month as mates and always she says "let me trim your fringe".

I never tip .... Preferring to give them a birthday and Christmas present.

I do, however, have the same problem with my nail girl. She's a fab person but the manicures are wrong! Looking for a new one but will miss the banter with this crazy lady!

I JUST made an appointment with a salon I used to visit twelve years ago when I worked nearby. They were expensive but the best cut I ever got. I am not even seeing the same hairdresser too. What is it with hairdressers that they don't cut hair the same way twice? As soon as they start talking about their problems then I think it's all helter skelter. My stylist was getting divorced and she was flipping my hair and thinning it as she was madly talking about her husband.My hair was too thin on top and had all these hairs sticking out from her
razor cuts. She was a nice person but she was too emotional to be cutting hair.
If you feel you have to say something to your old stylist why not say that you have a friend who is cutting your hair for free nowadays. We shouldn't have to feel guilty.

Getting your hair done is supposed to be a relaxing, good experience. I know we get chatting to our hairdressers and it becomes a more personal experience but really they are selling a service which you are paying for. If you were buying fillet steak and it tasted tender and better in another shop, where would you purchase? Relax, enjoy your time. People change hairdressers many times. I agree with the above post, just ? if you see them. Enjoy your next hair day treat!

I used to go to our village hairdressers when we moved here. Use local talent I thought. However after many months of regular visits, if a new client came in they would do her hair first and leave me sitting twiddling my thumbs. This used to happen so often I changed hairdressers. Loyalty seems to count for nothing sometimes. As others have said, you can spend your money when and where you like.

It seems that there are lots of us that are loyally, but regretfully, tied in to a hairdresser that we've been using for years. I am as well! This thread has given me lots to think about but I still have to pluck up the courage to tell the hairdresser (who has been doing my hair for over twenty years) that I'm changing. What a coward...

I have been through 3 village hairdressers. When I lived in London, most of my life, I had a hairdresser who was amazing but it's 2 and a half hours away. Still looking and I have been here 3 years.

anodomini - if you need an excuse for not making another appointment, just say you are thinking of going away in May/June (month of next appointment) and say you will phone her

My wonderful guy . one man business, broke his wrist at Christmas and will not be back at work until Easter. I had to find another salon and although the results are good i will return to my guy after Easter and tell her I will phone when I need another appointment as I am going on holiday in May - actually true!

ggmarion - As everyone else has said : your money, your choice, hope the new hairdresser makes you feel wonderful.

Yes what is it with hairdressers that we feel we have to pander to them. Why do we tip them, why are worried about going elsewhere, why do we say " yes that's lovely" when we don't like what they have done. Can someone explain please.

I have often changed hairdressers when I've either been unhappy with the cut or found a more convenient place. I'm in a new area now & there are 4 hairdressers in our small Town, I've tried one this week & I'm happy with the results (after over 2 years of not having my hair cut).

I hope to start using the local College at some point, they are good from my past experience, always supervised, reasonably priced & gives the students good practical experience.

My next door neighbour offered to cut my hair as she's been a hairdresser, been there, done that. I love the "me time" in a salon

What a relief to know it's not just me who has this problem. Had my hair coloured, highlighted and cut last time at a totally different hairdressers because the girl who usually does my hair couldn't fit me in and I loved it . But it was embarrassing when she complimented me on my cut the next time she saw me.

I was using a hairdresser in our village, a well known chain and very expensive! I changed to another place in a local town. But I really liked the hair gel and I'm so daft I cannot go back in to buy it as I'm embarrassed. Isn't it mad how in my fairly high powered career I've taken on MPs but in scared of a young hairdresser!!

I always think .. would
Your hairdresser continue with someone who they were fed up with to do their hair?

I had a similar dilema. For years i went to a particular girl at my hairdressers. She always seemed reluctant to cut more than a tiny bit each time. Then she went on maternity leave and the owner started cutting my hair. She was much better and when my old hairdresser came back I didn't go to her. It's rather embarrassing as she seems to glare at me in the salon! Once she came over, tapped me on the back and said "hi". It was as if she was saying "I'm still here you know".

Thank you all. You have confirmed what I was really feeling. I have now booked appointment at the new hairdresser and feel so relieved. As you have all said, it is my hair and my money and a bit of 'me' time is always welcome.

I have had the same hairdresser for over thirty years. I'm happy with the way she cuts my hair and she always manages to fit me in even when she's busy if I need a cut in a hurry. When her mother died last year and she had to close the salon for a while, I did wonder whether to try a change and get my hair cut somewhere else, but couldn't bring myself to do it. It seemed so disloyal to desert her at such a time, and I'm glad I didn't, but if you think you would be happier going somewhere else, why hesitate? DD has just changed her hairdresser as hers were going to the dogs a bit and they started messing her appointments about. For what she was paying, I don't blame her and she says the new ones are much more pleasant and professional.

I changed recently for the same reason I gave two weeks notice and I couldn't get an appointment for the day I hoped for, we were going to a special lunch the following day. I felt no remorse trying another hairdresser. the guy who usually did my hair took twice as long as anyone else I have ever been to. I have highlights and a base colour put on, most hairdressers do both at the same time, but he does the base colour first, washes that off then does the highlights, washes those off, after cut and blow dry. I was beginning to get sick of being in the hairdressers for close on 4 hours. With the new hairdresser, the process took 2 hours and I was very happy with the end result. As others have said, it's your money. I don't allow hairdressers to book another appointment, I go every 3 months and tend to book an appointment around a "special going out occasion" as and when they arise, sometimes I'll go longer between visits if I know I have something coming up.

I've just changed yet again!
Just go to where you get the best hairdo. You wouldn't keep buying clothes/food you didn't like from a shop just because they had friendly staff, would you?
Anno, just say that you're thinking of growing your hair a bit longer and you'll be in touch.