OT--Hair stylist dilemma

[Selkie]

OK, let me preface this by admitting that hair is NOT that important to me. I've very low maintenance and have wavy/curly hair that I simply wash, scrunch and go. Because of the grey, I have it colored and have done so for years (prematurely grey, unfortunately). For the past year or so, I've been having my hair cut/colored by a stylist---let's call her Anne. Anyway, she's done an decent job but she is kind of bossy. For example, I was thinking about getting highlights and she said, "no, your hair is vibrant enough." She does a nice enough job but she doesn't understand why I don't like to mess around, drying my hair after I wash it. It doesn't really bother me that much, as I'm 43 years old and have learned to laugh at this kind of stuff. She's a girly girl -- I'm a natural kind of gal (no make up, no fuss, etc). Anyway, she got pregnant and is out on maternity leave. The stylist to whom she referred me while she is out on leave--let's call her Ellen--is super---cut my hair better than Anne, willing to do what I want, I feel more comfortable w/her, etc. I'd like to switch to Ellen but I don't want to cause any hard feelings. Luckily, Anne will still be out with her baby when I'm next due for a cut/color, so I made an appt w/Ellen. I'm thinking about telling Ellen I'd like to see her from now on, but I don't want to hurt Anne. What is the proper way to handle this? I don't want to cause hard feelings--it's not personal, it's a business thing, but you guys know the potential "stuff" that can result from this kind of thing. I like Ellen and don't want Anne to think she's poaching clients either. Suggestions?

[Veronica]

Go see Ellen on Anne's day off?

V.

[WrensMom]

Or grow your hair out long and avoid both of them LOL

[bcipam]

Honestly it is a hard call but I had this happen as well. I reasoned haircutting is a business - no different from two bike stores competing with each other. If I always bought at Shop A but Shop B was willing to offer better product at lower prices I would give Shop B a try. If your hairdresser takes the change personally then she's in the wrong business. You have the right to a good cut for the right price and nothing is more personal than good hair!

[tulip]

Anne probably knows that she'll lose some customers to Ellen and others. But really, who cares? It's your hair.

Now if you want to just disappear from the whole scene, I can give you Kevin's number. He's in Old Town Alexandria and I think he's great.

[pooks]

Tell Ellen you like her better and intend to keep coming to her. Ask her if there's a tactful way to handle it. (Going on Anne's day off may actually be it, good suggestion.)

[kelownagirl]

I like Pook's suggestions about letting your new girl know. I switched stylists when mine was on maternity leave and never did go back to her.

[mimitabby]

so where is Anne? I need someone to cut my hair 2x a year whether i need it or not.

[dachshund]

I did the same thing, switched to someone else in the same place. I still run into the "Anne" equivalent at the shop - she comes by and says hi, chats for a minute. She had gone on vacation and the "backup" gave me a much better haircut. I think this happens so often that they aren't nearly as upset about it as we would think.

[Dianyla]

Or grow your hair out long and avoid both of them LOL

Hehe, that's what I do. I've had my hair trimmed in a salon once in my life, otherwise I just neaten up the ends myself with sharp scissors.

/calflength

[Cassandra_Cain]

You could always create a very convenient rationale for your switch. Explain to Anne that your schedule has changed, a longer commute, closer to home, etc - and that's why you are going to see Ellen.

Or...You could just tell her the truth, that you just feel more comfortable with Ellen. '

Your choice

[emily_in_nc]

I like Pook's suggestions about letting your new girl know. I switched stylists when mine was on maternity leave and never did go back to her.

Me too! I liked my previous stylist and had been with her for years, but when she was out on maternity leave, I discovered that I liked another gal in the shop even better for my hair, plus she was a little quicker (was never behind when I came in either), which helped a lot since I get my hair cut on my lunch hour. Fortunately, it worked out well as my previous stylist cut her hours way back post-baby, so it was much more convenient for me to go to stylist #2. At some point I did see my previous stylist (she came in to the shop while I was getting my hair cut), and we hugged. I said "I hope you don't mind that I switched to [stylist #2]; she just fit my schedule better." She was fine with it! Whew...big relief!

Good luck, and I hope your situation works out as well.

Emily

[Lise]

Hi from Chi-town, songlady! How was the trip?

Good suggestions from everybody. I go to a medium sized salon in a big city, and have changed stylists many times, sometimes because of my schedule or theirs, sometimes because I like the way somebody else cuts my hair. I always feel nervous about it, like I'm hurting the other one's feelings. But it's been so long now, that I can't remember whose feelings I might have hurt any more! So I just smile and say hi to everbody.

I figure-it's a business. You're paying your money, and should get the service you want. Since you felt uncomfortable telling Anne what you wanted sometimes, she may have felt uncomfortable, too. Bottom line, though, you should feel comfortable and happy with the service you're buying.

[KSH]

Tell Ellen you like her better and intend to keep coming to her. Ask her if there's a tactful way to handle it. (Going on Anne's day off may actually be it, good suggestion.)

This is a great suggestion! Use it!

[chickwhorips]

from working in a salon for so long i've seen this happen many times, and actually had clients change on me too.

its no hard feelings. just let your "anne" know before and so she doesn't just walk up on you with "ellen". i've seen that happen many times. feelings get hurt worse when clients start going to someone else without saying something and get caught in the "act".

having curly hair i know its hard to find a good stylist. i've changed i don't know how many times. even a few of my friends can't cut my hair right, and they admit it. its much harder to cut curly/wavy hair then it is to cut straight hair.

its your hair, you should be happy. if "anne" can't handle that, then she's not a good stylist anyhow.