How do you break up with a hair stylist?

[csberry]

As an adult, when I didn't have a hair stylist friend in town, I basically went to the first place that would take me as a walk-in. I tend to avoid the big cheapy chains, but I don't think I've paid more than $18 (including tip) for a cut since shearing my long hair at a Jean Louis David in NYC.

When I moved into my house, I decided to try a place just a couple of blocks from it. Although I walked out hating the style, after a shampoo and combing it my way the next morning, I loved it. I've always believed that you judge a cut from how it looks after all the product is gone the following day. Sure enough, every time Stephanie has cut my hair: I hate it, I wash it, I comb it, I love it. But she's stumbled a few times over the past few years.

I've been itching to do something new with my hair. Even when I had a mullet in the late 80's and made an ill-chosen change to a skaterbowl, I've basically had the same haircut all my life (OK, you've gotta ignore the Hair Liberation Years of 91-93 that ended in the previously mentioned shearing in NYC).

This "business cut" I wear needs to be refreshed and Stephanie isn't the person for the job. I've been going to her for over 3 years and am going to be feeling guilt (albeit unnecessary) about leaving her. If it wasn't for my reading SOMEPLACE (LJ, lite article, advice column?) recently about how people should tell their stylist if changing to someone else, I would have just done it and dealt with that nagging emotional toll. But now I have to announce my intentions?

Was what I read bogus? I really have no interest in telling her that I want to try someone new. If there were things she did that I could state as reasons, I think I could do it. How do I tell someone that I find their creations boring?

NOW...for the guys (if any are still reading)... How much do you usually spend on a cut?

For those in HSV...Any suggestions on stylists for me to try that won't require I save up to visit?

Comments

[otopico.livejournal.com]

i dont spend anything on haircuts.

you people with hair are all suckers.

But I'm going gray

[csberry.livejournal.com]

I'll leave the head shaving to the balding guys, thanks.

ugh...

[bluevinylangel.livejournal.com]

Never mind the android reply above.

No, you don't have to tell her you're going elsewhere. I understand the hair frustration. As much as I like my stylist, I'm just never quite satisfied with the cut, though I always love the color. Now, *I* might tell him I'm going to keep coming back for color, but I'm going to try person X, Y, or Z for cut. That would be appropriate. Telling a stylist you never expect to see again that you're trading up? That's just taking PC too damn far.

Sheesh, I have no idea what a men's cut goes for these days. I take Sean to my guy and he does a fantastic job, but it's always hidiously expensive because it's lumped in with my cut and color. And Dad takes the little one's to a barbar, so... good luck getting an answer to that one. I can call my guy and ask. . . ?

[auronsgirl.livejournal.com]

I've gotten conflicting advice on that score. I keep wanting to call my old stylist and tell her that I won't be going back, but others have said to just let it go. There's also the point that hair stylists can sometimes be rather transient themselves - I've had a stylist or two just up and leave the salon and not say a word. But I know what you mean. I kind of felt like I was cheating on my stylist last night. How weird is that?

I spent a fair bit more than $18.00 on my cut last night, but I didn't pay a price that was unreasonable for the service I received. The price I paid was about average for Lexington stylists, and as you saw in my journal, I was very happy with the results. I didn't get my hair to look as pretty as it was last night when I tried to replicate the look this morning, but the cut is still great.

[here2bsilly.livejournal.com]

serenity down on off south parkway.. but I think haircuts are like $30.

[csberry.livejournal.com]

I'm willing to do $30. It's the $50+ haircuts that I'm absolutely avoiding.

[singinbutterfly.livejournal.com]

No recommendations myself, but I know how you feel. I recently "broke up" with my old stylist because she kept doing the same thing and my hair was actually starting to RESEMBLE a mullet!!!! AAAAGGGHHHH!!! I have moved on without giving her any notice, even though she's always cared a lot about me and asked me lots of questions about my life. Sometimes I wonder if that was part of the problem: blah, blah, blah, snip snip snip and before you know it half my hair is too short. She DID attend my senior voice recital, and she's done my hair for important occasions. But another excuse I have is that she's switched salons and I'm not *sure* where she is. If I cared to I could hunt her down, though. She hasn't called me, so why should I bother calling her, ya know? Of course if she happens to run into me or get in touch, I would tell her why I left in a polite way.

~Nessa~

[chris21718.livejournal.com]

I usually expect $20 or $25 with my long hair. I let Jason Dean at the salon across from the coffee shop do mine.