Part of Hair Romance’s Salon Advice series, helping you navigate the salon and love your hair.
It can be emotional to break up with your hairdresser. It’s easier if you just leave and go to a new salon and never see them again. What do you do if you love the salon but want to switch to a different stylist?
I’ve switched stylists in the same salon several times, maintaining friendships and without hurting anyone’s feelings. Here
How to switch stylists
1. Recognise that it’s primarily a professional relationship. Although it feels emotional, it’s a service industry. You’re the client and you should be happy with the service you’re paying for.
2. Go through the salon owner. The salon owner is impartial and will help you navigate the personalities and help smooth the transition to the new stylist. The salon owner wants to keep you as a client and doesn’t care who you see as long as you’re still a client of the salon. They will be your ally during the transition.
3. Change your appointment time. If you always have your hair done on the same day and at the same time to the same stylist they will really notice when you arrive and sit in another stylist’s chair. Go on a different day and you can spare your old stylist’s feeling a little. Try and book when they have another appointment so they will be busy when you arrive.
Once you’ve seen your new stylist and youre happy with your hair it’s easy to rebook and set a new routine in place.
If it doesn’t work out you can still go back to your old stylist, or find a new hairdresser.
Have you ever switched stylists in the same salon? How did your original hairdresser react?
I’m a salon owner and a 22 year client has been letting me color her hair and my partner a 13 year stylist cuts her hair. Two weeks ago I texted the client and reminded her it was time to book her color. She made an excuse about a grandchild being in the hospital (FB showed a picture of grandchild at the beach with client smiling and playing) She waited till the next day to let me know she had gotten her hair colored by someone else and a substantial lower price and was happy with her hair, she hoped I would understand. I texted her back saying if price was an issue, would she give me an opportunity to negotiate prices. She waited almost another whole day before replying, we need to talk face to face, have a good Sunday. This is Thursday and I haven’t heard from her. My fear is my partner gave her a lower price and she did the clients color. We have an agreement to check with each other on pricing before we do the others’ clients. My partner several times suggested other ways to color this clients hair in front of other clients with that particular client in my chair!! I have never in my 33 years of doing hair had this happen. Any suggestions on how to proceed with this delicate problem?
For years, a friend of mine cut my whole family’s hair. Last year, she stopped for personal reasons and we went to the person she referred us to, the manager of a salon in a chain beauty store. She’s friendly and we’ve been satisfied with the service. However, we just found out that my friend is going to start cutting hair again. The catch? She’s going to work at the same salon where she referred us previously. My husband and I both really want to switch back to my friend even though we haven’t really had any truly bad experiences with the current stylist. Best way to do this politely?? Help!!
I am going to get my haircut today with another stylist at the same salon. The old stylist I used rushed my hair and did such a rudimentary cut with no style, something I can do at home myself just by turning my head over and cutting straight across, that I always felt like I threw away money. The last time I went she was off and I used another stylist who did a beautiful cut. I made an appointment for today, which is supposed to be the old stylist’s day off, but just my luck, because of the holiday, she is working this day too. Oh well, I’ll just have to be nice and tell her that I came in to get my haircut with her last time (walk-in) and she wasn’t there and I used someone else and really liked it. Since I never really chose her to begin with, I hope there aren’t any hard feelings.
My hairstylist is the owner. She’s really good at hair and nice. It’s just that she is always running late. She has cancelled on me last minute a few times. And she takes a long time to do my hair. I’ve been seeing her for at least five years. But, today I went to a different stylist who fit me in because when I showed up at the salon, I wasn’t even scheduled. The new stylist did great and was really cool. I like the salon and my hairdresser, but she has no respect for my time. So, I want to break it off and see the new one.
Would it be improper to just tell your current stylist that you would like to try another stylist in the same salon. I was going to call my current stylist and just tell her I want to try someone else so that she is not shocked when I am sitting in someone elses chair. Your thoughts
I think it’s a great idea to be upfront if you can. I’m awful with confrontation so it’s not easy for me, but honesty is always best. It really depends on the relationship you have with your hairdresser. I’m sure they’d rather have a happy client in the salon and don’t mind whose chair they are in xx
Hello, I left a very talented Barber/Stylist a year and half ago and I want to go back to him. My partner lost his job back then and I tried to cut expenses. My partner is employeed once again and I can afford to go back, but would this be O. K to do and should offer an explanation. I just want to show him the respect he deserves, but I don’t want to make him uncomfortable by sharing too much information. Thanks, David
Definitely go back to your barber David. You can just briefly say that it’s been difficult to come in last year but you’re glad to be back. He’ll be flattered you returned. He was probably wondering if you were unhappy with his work and will be relieved to know it was just circumstances. It happens to everyone, and shouldn’t be a reason to switch salons.
The only snag is when the stylest you want to leave IS the salon owner…!
ooh that is awkward, time to find a new salon…?
I am going through this right now. The salon owner was off and let another stylist take me. I have got my hair redone again with the owner and I REALLY want to go back to the other stylist in the salon.
Maybe this is a bit sneaky, but if I switch, I usually book on the day that I know is the old stylist’s day off!
Great advice Lah x
Great article! I have switched within the same salon. I got a pretty drastic haircut and was pleased and impressed with the skills of the stylist. But I didn’t really “click” with her. When it needed touching up about a month later, I went back to the same salon and just asked for an appointment that day with anyone who was free. When I went back in the afternoon for the appointment, immediately my new stylist made me feel at ease and was really friendly. She did exactly what I had in mind and then didn’t even charge me because she said it took no time. When I looked surprised, she said just to come back any time and see her and she’d do it at no cost. So naturally, I’ve been back to her ever since, not because she does touch ups for free (that’s just an added bonus) but because she really makes an effort to get to know me and have fun conversations every time. As for any hard feelings from the other stylist, I don’t think so, I hope not. She did a good job, and that’s why I came back to the salon, but my stylist now makes me feel a lot more comfortable.
Sounds like you’ve found a great stylist!
I’ve only done it one but my old stylist gave me a total death stare when she saw me in a different stylist’s chair. I left that entire salon a few haircuts later.
Awkward! Hope you’ve found a better salon now