raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,095 
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Post by raindancer on Nov 19, 2014 0:38:44 GMT
So I started going to a salon about 2 years ago. I'm a regular, and I go every 6 weeks. I book out the day I'm in for my service. I get a cut and color every time. In that 2 years I have had 4 stylists leave. The first 3 were local, they all moved further away than I'm willing to drive for my hair so I stayed with the salon. Now the stylist I have had for the past 4 cuts is moving back to Florida. She has been here just a few months and now is leaving after I finally worked out with her how I like things, color etc. It always takes some adjusting and I think I've been fair and patient.
But now I'm just irritated. Is this normal? I didn't have a regular place before this, and I hate change. This is why I found a place. Now it is annoying me.
I have no interest in remaining loyal to a salon if this isn't normal. Is it? Is it usual to go through stylists like this? Is there something wrong with how it's being run that makes them leave? I'm so sick of starting over every few cuts. They leave the color info of course, but the cut is never "right" the first time out of the gate.
What should I do? When they called to tell me the recent girl was leaving, I told them to forget about a new booking until I thought things through. I just don't know.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:06:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2014 0:41:33 GMT
I've been going to the same salon for more than 15 years. I used to go to the owner, but she cut back on her hours and it was hard to get appointments. So I switched to another stylist about 12 years ago. It's been the same 5 stylists since I started. They have very little turnover.
Of course, my salon may be the weird one. But I like going to someone who knows me -- it takes a long time for them to get used to your hair and how you like it.
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Post by oliquig on Nov 19, 2014 0:43:15 GMT
With that much overturn, there is probably an issue with the salon behind the scenes. My bff is a stylist/colorist and she has worked at the same salon for over 16 years. Maybe you could talk to your current stylist and get some recommendations of a new stylist.
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Post by ahiller on Nov 19, 2014 0:43:38 GMT
Not normal. I go to a fairly high end salon and had the same stylist for nearly 10 years. Most of the stylists with stations around her were there the whole time as well. Find a new salon.
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Post by hop2 on Nov 19, 2014 0:48:40 GMT
It's not normal at all salons. I've had the same colorist and the same 2 stylists for over 6 years now. (2 stylists because sometimes one is on vacation ) They encourage you to switch around at my salon but I am settled on the colorist and stylists I see now. High turnover is more of a reflection on your salon than on the stylists.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:06:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2014 1:39:35 GMT
I go to a low end salon...as in there is nothing fancy about it other than the amount the stylist charges. She is good, she gets me and my hair, she has good advice, and has been there forever (?) and has no intention on leaving. Parking is free, she is close to home and I am happy. She says she rents the chair and the owner is good so she will stay there until she retires.
That kind of turnover would make me think there is something wrong with the salon...
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Post by cmpeter on Nov 19, 2014 1:43:21 GMT
I have been going to the same salon/stylist (she is a co-owner with her husband) for 14 years...so I would say not normal. In college I saw the same guy for four years, when we moved to So Cal I saw the same guy for all three years. The only time I have really experience having to find a new stylist is when I move and am trying to find someone new in that new city/state.
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Post by darkangel090260 on Nov 19, 2014 2:05:25 GMT
IF I like the styles and they are just change salons I normal go with them.
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Kerri W
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,836
Location: Kentucky
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Post by Kerri W on Nov 19, 2014 2:06:29 GMT
Another who thinks it is not normal. I went to the same stylist, moved with her through three different salons, for six years. Finally fed up on the third move and went to another stylist in one of her salons and have been with her for the past six years.
I wouldn't be afraid to do a little bit of an interview when choosing your next stylist. How long have you been doing hair? How long have you been with this salon? that kind of thing.
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Post by melodyesch on Nov 19, 2014 2:32:23 GMT
No, not normal. I've been going to the same stylist for 13 years, but he is the owner. However, in all that time it's the same core stylists in his salon. A couple have come and gone over the years, but for the most part the stylists remain the same year after year.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Nov 19, 2014 2:41:36 GMT
I would say not normal, either... I found a stylist I liked, and have traveled 'with' her to three different locations in my metro area. She now works out of her home, so she doesn't have to deal with salon owners, etc. She knows how my hair grows and should be cut, so I don't mind driving 30-45 minutes to get a good cut and color. (of course, everywhere around here is a 30-45 minute drive for me, easy, so I'm used to it.)
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:06:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2014 2:44:38 GMT
I also vote not normal. Mine is the owner but she goes through other stylists quickly. I'm looking for a new place. My mom has been seeing the same lady for 15 years at least, only changing when the salon itself moved.
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
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Post by melissa on Nov 19, 2014 3:06:01 GMT
Normal at this one salon I used to go to. The owner cut my hair, but his employees had a bit of a rotating door. I imagine that he was not easy to work with as he wasn't easy to handle as a client-mandating how often I came in, always talking about eliminating clients from "his list," always talking about weight lifting and chasing girls- he was like a character on a reality TV show.
But yes, otherwise, not typical.
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Post by myshelly on Nov 19, 2014 3:21:24 GMT
I don't know...I'm typically loyal to a stylist following them when they move from salon to salon, not loyal to a particular salon.
I don't think I would be loyal to a salon. I mean, would you be loyal to an office building and say oh I'll just use whatever attorney/doctor/accountant moves in there because I'm loyal to that building? That's kind if how I see a salon.
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akathy
What's For Dinner?
Still peaing from Podunk!
Posts: 4,546
Location: North Dakota
Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
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Post by akathy on Nov 19, 2014 3:43:45 GMT
I've gone to the same stylist for over 20 years, probably 25. I've followed her all over town. To me it's more important to be loyal to the stylist not the salon.
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Post by monicad on Nov 19, 2014 3:50:38 GMT
Not for me. I've always had long term stylists. I was with one girl for about five years, and I've been with my current guy since 2006. I think I'd look elsewhere (which is frustrating, I know).
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Post by gar on Nov 19, 2014 9:26:32 GMT
That's a fast turnover. I would find somewhere else I think. You could ask in advance how long most of the stylists have been there. Maybe junior/younger staff move on more quickly when they're finding their professional feet?
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Post by DinCA on Nov 19, 2014 10:10:15 GMT
I'd say there's a problem with the salon or they're just not building a clientele to justify staying. I follow the stylist if she leaves. I don't like change either and I really don't like driving further but I'd rather drive than have to break in a new stylist. I've had the same manicurist for the past 15 years and the one before that for over ten. I've changed stylists several times, though, over the past 20 years for a variety of reasons but if I find one I like, I stick to her like glue.  |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Nov 19, 2014 11:54:09 GMT
Unless that salon is super convenient for you or one heck-of-a nice place, you might be better off following whichever of the stylists you liked best to a new location.
I'm definitely stylist-loyal. I last lived where I live now thirty-five years ago... and I'm back with the same guy who did my hair back then!
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Post by wandawoman on Nov 19, 2014 13:05:15 GMT
I've gone to the same stylist for over 20 years, probably 25. I've followed her all over town. To me it's more important to be loyal to the stylist not the salon. That's what I have done. I think stylists move around often, so when you find one you like you have to move with her. |
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anniebeth24
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by anniebeth24 on Nov 19, 2014 13:44:34 GMT
I went through a phase where stylist after stylist had babies and didn't come back to the job. I understand your frustration! My current salon has two stylists who have been there for at least 8 years, but the one chair seems to change over every few months.
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raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,095
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Post by raindancer on Nov 19, 2014 14:09:20 GMT
I don't know...I'm typically loyal to a stylist following them when they move from salon to salon, not loyal to a particular salon. I don't think I would be loyal to a salon. I mean, would you be loyal to an office building and say oh I'll just use whatever attorney/doctor/accountant moves in there because I'm loyal to that building? That's kind if how I see a salon. Well I already drive an hour north from my home and all of the stylists that stayed local moved an additional 30-60 min. NORTH of there. I realize though that it's difficult for people who aren't familiar with Tucson to envision this, but since I drive all the time to the University and this is about 20 min. from there, it works for me, but an additional 30-60 min. can leave me very far from home for a hair cut. That's why I don't follow them. |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:06:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2014 14:16:51 GMT
I'd be asking around for referrals to long-standing stylists. I've seen the same person for 8 years. I'd be pretty frustrated too - hope you can find a new stylist.
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grinningcat
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Jun 26, 2014 13:06:35 GMT
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Post by grinningcat on Nov 19, 2014 14:18:18 GMT
I have different stylists all the time at the same salon but I'm not particular about how my hair is cut. I tell them minimum length and then tell them to do whatever they want... and I've never left disappointed. So I don't really know how the turnover is because I change all the time for whomever is available. But that said, that kind of turnover doesn't sound right. I'd look for another salon closer to where you live/work.
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Peal
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Jun 25, 2014 22:45:40 GMT
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Post by Peal on Nov 19, 2014 14:27:49 GMT
How old are the stylists? My SIL owned a Salon and she had a really hard time keeping stylists because they were young and they would get married and move to wherever their DH was going or they started having babies and wanted less hours or to work closer to home. Also if they were just starting out, they would build up a client base then get poached by another salon and they would take all their clients with them.
It's one of the reasons she sold her business and went to work for someone else.
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 20:06:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2014 15:34:33 GMT
It is common here.
There is a group of stylists that moves from salon to salon. They steal client lists then move to another salon. From what I heard, the clients go back to original salons with in 2 months or so.
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Post by littlemama on Nov 19, 2014 15:48:21 GMT
Generally a person is a client of the stylist, not the salon - when a salon needs a new person, they almost always ask for one with their own clientele. I'm surprised none of the stylists tried to take you with her.
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Post by snappinsami on Nov 19, 2014 16:01:36 GMT
Another vote for not normal here. I'm like you... I don't like change in my stylists because it just takes too long to get to the point where they really know what I want, etc. (and I only go every 3 months or so, so it takes even longer). I don't think I've ever had a stylist I've used leave a salon, even after 5+ years. So if there's that much turnover, it would lead me to believe that there's something going on in the salon that is making people not want to stick around. Perhaps it's time to just look for a new salon. When we moved a few months ago, I read a lot of reviews on Yelp to help find a new salon, and looked at them to see if clients had been going to the same salon/stylist for a decent period of time. That was a good sign for me.
Of course, it could be that in your area the stylists are more transient. If they leave, I think it's typical for them to take their clientele with them, but of course if they're moving further away than you want to travel, that won't work for you.
Hope you can find some long-term styling happiness!
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River
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Jun 26, 2014 15:26:04 GMT
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Post by River on Nov 19, 2014 16:13:22 GMT
I've gone to the same stylist for over 20 years, probably 25. I've followed her all over town. To me it's more important to be loyal to the stylist not the salon. This is me too and I agree completely about being loyal to the stylist not the salon. I know my stylist had a bit of a time finding a good salon to be happy and comfortable at. |
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momto4kiddos
Drama Llama
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Jun 26, 2014 11:45:15 GMT
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Post by momto4kiddos on Nov 19, 2014 16:27:21 GMT
I've gone to the same stylist for over 20 years, probably 25. I've followed her all over town. To me it's more important to be loyal to the stylist not the salon. I had a stylist I followed all over town for a long time too. I'm more stylist loyal than salon loyal because it's the stylist who is doing your hair! In the past i've gotten recommendations from someone I know and found stylists that way. When you find one you like, stick with her. |
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