Cheating on your hairstylist?

kimberly_smith718

I have gone to the same stylist for years. She usually does a good job on my cuts and color. I go through periods of keeping my hair in a "pixie" cut, and wanting to grow it out. Ultimately, I always choose to chop it again!

I went to a CPR class over the weekend, and saw a woman with the most fabulous haircut! I asked her about it, and she said her stylist just cut it for her a few days earlier. She then gave me her stylist's name and phone number. Needless to say, I texted him, and now have an appointment for him to cut (not color) my hair this week. I'm already feeling guilty, since my regular gal knows I will be needing a cut and color soon.

Do I tell her? Can I go to the new stylist for cuts (if he does a good job) and my old stylist for color? Do I make a clean break? Help, please!

Guns_N_Buns

This is funny that I saw this, because I was just roasted by my hairstylist for having cheated on her. Some history: my current hairstylist was my client from a previous division I worked for. We grew a friendship and I started to see her for my hair needs. She always had excellent prices, as well. Instead of paying $160 for my cut/color, she'd charge me anywhere from $65-$80 -- yes, it was always different.

I, too, went with an A-line cut (shortest I've ever gone) and dug it. I then wanted to grow it out, so I took a bit of a hiatus from her. Before this, I also was getting a bit disappointed in her service. Her work was fabulous, it was more of the atmosphere. She had her own little studio inside of a building that housed multiple studios for various technicians/stylists. Initially, they were all full, but as stylists/techs started to move on, those empty studios started filling up with, what appeared to be, a lot of her friends! So, literally, every time I'd go there, the halls and studios would be packed with people. Even in my stylists' little studio, where there's room for, maybe 4 people, there'd be two clients of hers in there, even though it was time for MY appointment. Long story short, it took about 3 hours for me to get out of there, because she'd be doing other people in between my wash/color/hair dryer/etc.

I just got pretty annoyed. We were friends, but still, I'm on a busy schedule. So, I started going to another stylist that my mother-in-law used. She was great. It was a higher end salon, so I was now paying $115+/- for a minimal trim (keep in mind I'm trying to grow out my hair) and a color. I was also trying to veer into the low-maintenance range with this, as well, so it was generally one solid color.

Recently (last weekend), I went to my first hair stylist again. She was bugging my mom, husband, aunt...everyone (that I referred to her)...as to where I've been. So, I went there and had her color my hair a solid color without any cutting/trimming, whatsoever. She read me the riot act for "cheating" on her and I lied and said that I only did it once because I was "in the area with my MIL who paid".

She charged me $50.

Disappointed with that, as well. Only because she knows I'm also saving every penny for an upcoming surgery -- even grooming my dog myself -- and she said she'd knock 75% off just for coloring my hair. So, for literally just using one color and charging me $50...I wasn't impressed. I'll probably not be seeing her again for awhile.

Anyway, sorry for the rant. I wouldn't tell her. I wouldn't make it appear as if it's a big deal. She sees other clients, after all. Just go to the guy, if he doesn't work out and you go back to her, then she'll notice, you won't have to tell her. If you like him, then keep going to him. Don't make it more than it is...you're paying them for their services, so it's human nature to want the most bang for YOUR buck. =]

weightliftingaddict

I agree with AriesNV. If you like him, keep going to him. It's your hair and your money. I went faithfully to one stylist for 7 years. And while he did a fabulous job, being a perfectionist, he did not seem to listen when I said I was trying to grow my length out, no longer wanting short hair.

I would show up, he would comment on how long my hair was getting, and then would chop it all off....when all I asked for was a light trim (I am having a brain fart here trying to remember the word he used for barely skimming off the ends). So, for 7 years my hair "didn't grow". I could not have been clearer with what I wanted, so I had to move on.

amyk0202

If your current stylist has been doing a good job, I would stay with her. I would look for several pictures online of the cut that you want & then bring them in to your regular stylist. It sounds like your current stylist has been doing what you ask of her. She could probably replicate the new style if she could see what you wanted. I have been with my stylist for over 13 years. She comes to my house & does my whole family at one time. My daughter is 15 & changes her hair all the time with this picture method. If she is not able to do the cut correctly or you have other problems, then I would change but I think a working relationship of several years at least means that you should give her a chance.

goldmay

They're running a business, so unless you're friends with your stylist outside of the salon, I'm sure she'll understand. Try the new one out and for the next one go with the stylist you like better... though I think it'd be awkward if you didn't get the cut and color done at the same place.

You don't have to tell her you're switching unless she's the type to contact you regularly or remind you to schedule appointments.

Keepcalmanddontblink

I have gone to the same stylist for years. She usually does a good job on my cuts and color. I go through periods of keeping my hair in a "pixie" cut, and wanting to grow it out. Ultimately, I always choose to chop it again!

I went to a CPR class over the weekend, and saw a woman with the most fabulous haircut! I asked her about it, and she said her stylist just cut it for her a few days earlier. She then gave me her stylist's name and phone number. Needless to say, I texted him, and now have an appointment for him to cut (not color) my hair this week. I'm already feeling guilty, since my regular gal knows I will be needing a cut and color soon.

I would make sure it is a cut that would look good on you. I've had a lot of bad haircuts because I saw someone with a cute style and went to their stylist and had the same cut, and it looked totally different on me and not cute at all. Check with your stylist and see what she can recommend.

kimothy38

There's no easy way to do it. It's a business etc but still you feel bad don't you. You can justify in anyway that you like but it doesn't stop you feeling bad. Your hair is your crowning glory so you need to do whatever is best for you and not allow yourself to feel guilty.