How would you handle this? Hair, hair salon, and stylist question [Archive]

View Full Version : How would you handle this? Hair, hair salon, and stylist question

southjerseymom

11-13-2006, 08:34 AM

I have been "shopping" around for a new hair stylist since the one I went to for 4 yrs moved out of the area. My hair is thick, wavy, and curly and it is difficult to find someone who knows how to work with it. I haven't been wowed in awhile by the few haircuts I've had over the last 2 years. I went to a website for people that have hair like mine. On it, you can find stylists who specialize in cutting wavy/curly hair in your area and reviews from people. Well, the only stylist I found in my area happens to work at the same salon my DD's best friend's mother works . They are also our neighbors. You know how sacred a relationship between hairstylists and clients are. I just don't feel comfortable going to someone I am aquainted with outside the salon for obvious reasons. I don't want her to be offended if she sees me there on Friday or finds out somehow. Should I say something to her?

LakeMartinGal

11-13-2006, 09:05 AM

I would say something to her... it'd be better coming from you initially, rather than her just seeing you there, or finding out from someone else. I think I'd just say to her in casual conversation that you found someone on a website that specializes in your kind of hair and you were surprised/pleased to find out she was close, and thought you'd give her a try. She may come back with a positive reaction, if she's a fairly stable individual. You can probably word this better than I can, but I would definitely say something first! Have you tried this woman out as a stylist?

nanco

11-13-2006, 09:16 AM

I am a stylist. First, DO NOT do anything behind her back. Truthfully, You do have a right to go where you please. I know I would question in my mind "I wonder why she did not ask for me". It is a sticky situation. I had a roommate once go to one of my co-workers (I did my roommates hair) before her class reunion. It was behind my back. She continued her services with me because he charged more. She moved a way and has since moved back. She has lied to me on where she goes. She claims she still goes back to get her hair done when she travels. I see her appointment cards on her counter. She goes to my former coworkers salon he owns now. It really hurts that it it was not truthful. It is hard to do friends. I have friends that love coming to me and would not think twice. I have neighbors come and "test me". I see them after what the next person does to them and I think "what is so special about that?" Just a llittle "insiders "advice!

trish_ks

11-13-2006, 09:19 AM

I agree, you should just talk to her, just be honest that you're looking for someone who specializes in cutting hari like yours. You have every right to go to whomever you please, just be courteous of her feelings in the process.

Could you post the website you referenced? I have thicky wavy hair myself and have had similar problems finding someone who knows how to cut it.

Good luck!!

southjerseymom

11-13-2006, 09:40 AM

The website http://www.naturallycurly.com/

Thanks for your advice. I, too, definitely thought I should say something. It's not that I have anything against her, she does a wonderful job on hair. I just don't feel comfortable going to someone I know and have to face for years to come. Figures I find someone who specializes in my kind of hair at the same salon she works at! Now to choose my words so that I don't offend her....

sarah2397

11-13-2006, 10:13 AM

A dear friend who DH has known since high school, and I've known since I've been w/ DH, is a stylist. DH and most of our friends in that circle go to her. She does a wonderful job. I have terribly thin hair and have never, ever left a salon liking the way it looked out of the chair. I usually look like a wet rat when the stylist is done blow drying it. I do not want to go to anyone I am friends with when I get my hair done because it is not something I can get enthused about and if I really don't like it I don't want that to be between me and the person I know. This hair stylist friend totally understands this. She tells stories of how sometimes someone's client at the salon sees that a different stylist is really good at a certain kind of hair or cut. At her salon they are all really open about it being okay to go to others, and there will be no offence. I think the important thing is to not try and hide it, just be honest.

nanco

11-13-2006, 11:06 AM

You also could say " when the recommendation was to the salon you worked at, I felt confident it would be a good choice. I knew you had good taste and would not work somewhere there was not talent." or better yet "say, I am best comfortable with someone I don't know in case it does not work out for the both of us"

I would love to know how the website determines "who's good". I have a client who read once that you should never shampoo curly hair. SO, she shampoos with conditioner. It never gets full cleansed and it is so built up with conditioner (of course she uses what she read about!) Good Luck and be as honest as you can.

donleyk

11-13-2006, 12:08 PM