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Changing Hairdresser

(58 Posts)
ggmarion Thu 06-Apr-17 08:31:49

My local village hairdresser who I have gone to for the 10 years I have lived here wasn't able to fit me in when I wanted although did her best to do so. I went to a hairdresser in the next town and had the best haircut for years. The experience was so much more pleasant,modern shop, head massage, coffee etc. It did cost a bit more but I felt it was worth it. My dilemma is that I feel disloyal if I change and would feel embarrassed if I met current hairdresser in the shop or around the village. What would you do?

merlotgran Thu 06-Apr-17 08:45:55

Change!

It's your hair, your money and your decision.

If you meet her in the village shop just smile and carry on as normal.

I've always avoided using any village hairdresser because having my hair done is MY time and the further away I can get from my everyday life the better.

Don't worry about it.

Mapleleaf Thu 06-Apr-17 08:53:14

I agree. If you are happier at the new hairdressers, continue to go. ?

rosesarered Thu 06-Apr-17 09:00:40

When I first moved to my village I used the local hairdressers quite a bit, as I like to support small local business, but the styling wasn't great, it was a tiny salon and generally didn't like it....so found a better, larger salon in a nearby town.It's still a local business ( not a chain) and the stylists are really good, and friendly too.At first, it was a bit awkward, as found I was often passing the local village owner, and saying hello, but it was my hair and my money after all.

cornergran Thu 06-Apr-17 09:07:13

Change, it sounds so much better for you. Sounds as if your village hairdresser is very busy, she will be used to clients coming and going. Just smile when you see her, it will be fine.

annodomini Thu 06-Apr-17 09:09:00

I'm thinking of changing but after every appointment, my hairdresser makes the next appointment for me and I can't think of a good reason to put her off! I get along well with her and her colleagues and, like others on this thread, would feel a bit embarrassed trying to explain.

DanniRae Thu 06-Apr-17 09:16:49

I stopped having a hairdresser (who came to my house) because I didn't like the way she cut my hair but we had become quite friendly. I then found an excellent hairdresser who does my hair at her house - she has a lovely home and I really enjoy visiting her. So far, so good BUT I then bumped into the first hairdresser, we chatted and she invited me to her house for a cuppa. I went, we had a pleasant time and I now visit her from time to time BUT we never mention anything to do with where I get my hair done now!! So my advice is go to the new hairdressers, as already said, it's your hair and your money. Good Luck!

shysal Thu 06-Apr-17 09:19:35

I have the same dilemma, but the original hairdresser is my daughter, who was in the profession in the past! I have always paid her over the odds for the cut, for which she is grateful, however, she has a busy life and can't always fit me in in her spare time. She didn't seem put out when I told her I had been elsewhere on the spur of the moment, but probably thinks it was a one-off.

Lona Thu 06-Apr-17 09:24:43

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.

TerriBull Thu 06-Apr-17 09:26:17

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.

Greyduster Thu 06-Apr-17 09:47:31

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.

ggmarion Thu 06-Apr-17 10:00:52

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.

inishowen Thu 06-Apr-17 10:15:46

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".

Morgain11 Thu 06-Apr-17 10:16:36

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

NannyCool59 Thu 06-Apr-17 10:23:52

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!! blush

adaunas Thu 06-Apr-17 10:27:39

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.

Legs55 Thu 06-Apr-17 10:28:38

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 cutblush).

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 thathmm. I love the "me time" in a salongrin

Christinefrance Thu 06-Apr-17 10:30:24

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.

Dharmacat Thu 06-Apr-17 10:32:50

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.

Lyndie Thu 06-Apr-17 10:41:04

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. sad

yogagran Thu 06-Apr-17 10:43:57

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...

Nanevon Thu 06-Apr-17 10:49:34

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.

Poly580 Thu 06-Apr-17 10:56:04

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!

Rhinestone Thu 06-Apr-17 10:59:22

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.

Teddy123 Thu 06-Apr-17 11:13:08

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!