I've been getting my hair done by the same person for 17 years. I've followed her to 4 different shops. We've been through everything together, birth of children, marriages, deathes. But the past year it's just been so difficult to get to her. We are now an hour apart. I've been growing my hair long but I'm thinking about getting it cut short which means more frequent cuts. It's hard to justify driving 2 hours roundtrip with the gas prices and then paying $40 for a haircut. Any suggestions on "breaking up!"

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Mom to Miss C & Mr. E
Former SAHM now working full time
feboll@neo.rr.com

No suggestion for you as I am in the same boat.

Followed mine through 6 shops. (luckily all in the same town).

I just feel like he is in a rut with me. HE is great, just feel like I need a change. But I hate to go anywhere else since he knows my hair.

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ellenboll- I think you tell her exactly hwat you told us. "Gosh, I hate that gas prices are up so high and you are so far away. I have to make a change although will miss you and our history together". Send a rose and be done with it. BUT, before I broke up with her, I would have a for sure second choice ready to go. Have you been inventorying your friends to see who they go to?

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Lyn Clarke

I went though almost the same situation this past year - I love the way she does my hair, and I followed her to another shop further away. Have gone through family stuff, etc. over the years.

however, I was getting tired of driving so far (not as far as you are).

she just recently cut her days to work, and that was my opportunity, as she no longer works on my day off, and I just don't feel like going there after work.

just explain about the driving - she can't fault you for that

I have to admit, though, I am now having difficulty finding someone to cut my hair the way I like for the price I paid her

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Bevogal

i just stopped going to my hairdresser (been going past 4 years). the worst part is that her husband is friends with my brother-in-law! we never talked outside of the salon, so it's not like we were close friends or anything. i still haven't found someone new that i like, but after being disappointed the last 2 cuts i just can't bring myself to go back. she did send me a postcard about coming in for a cut, but i'm just ignoring it.

Why can't you just stop going to her? If she's charging $40.00 for a haircut, it doesn't sound like she's cutting you any breaks for being such a long-term customer or anything!

Just tell her the truth with a note of appreciation for all shes done. Unless she's willing to give you a discount to make the trip worth it, i'd say look elsewhere.

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"Never loan your car to someone you have given birth too"

I've divorced more hairdressers than I care to think about!! LOL I'm sure some of them were glad to see me go, unfortunately. I think the drive is reason enough for this one though. I would certainly understand if I were her....

$40 would be a break for me. I hate to admit what I pay for a cut.

Just tell her what you just told us. I've had to do the same thing to people who've cut my hair. Besides, after 17 years, you'd probably welcome the change.

I would by her a nice little gift, and in the card I'd tell her to let me know if she ever moves back to a closer salon chair!

Good luck! Why is it that we all have surprisingly strong connections to our hair stylists? I don't feel the same way about my dentist...

I'm in the opposite boat. I can't find anyone that can actually cut hair. We've been all over this area (myself and 3 young daughters) and I can't seem to find anyone that actually can do for example a decent bob (for my youngest daughter) or just a decent haircut at all or perm for that matter. I'm kinda leaning on the if you have found someone you like that does an awesome job w/your hair, I think I'd stay. Living with a bad haircut (hairdo of any type) 'til it grows out stinks. I know the drive would be miserable though, depending on how often you have to go I suppose.

All I can do is offer sympathy. I have changed hairdressers three times in the last year. Sigh!!! My sister lives 650 miles away and she is the only hairdresser I have ever used who actually gets it right.

Now what? We need to start a nationwide database of hairdressers with pictures of their work.

All I can do now is to look at peoples' hairdos, find someone whose hair is the same texture as mine, ask them who they go to and hope for the best! My color is okay I did it myself but it's time for a cut and I am scared out of my flip flops to try someone new.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I don't see any reason for a 'divorce'. She's not family and she obviously isn't as attached to you as you are to her. A hairdresser has multiple 'wives' and they all feel much closer to her than she does to them. If she's charging you $40 to cut your hair, it's just another business transaction for her. I'm sure she'll be sorry to lose such a devoted customer but I doubt she'd expect you to continue to follow her wherever she goes. If I ran into her and was asked why I stopped coming, I would just say the two hour drive was too long and I had to find someone closer to home.