Hairstylist/Client Loyalty: Does Such a Thing Exist?

A reader, a comrade in the beauty field, has a question about hairstylist/client loyalty and if such a thing really exists.

Happy Hump Day, Whoop Whoop! Welcome to Wednesday and another edition of Ask the Pro Stylist where I answer readers’ beauty and hair questions. This week’s query comes from another hairstylist, who began to take clients out of her house so she could work from home and take care of her 3-year-old daughter.

Hi Deirdre,

I have been following your blog for a few months now, because I started to work from home too, so that I can tend to my daughter; she is 3-years-old and loves to watch mommy do hair. The problem I am having is with a friend who is also my client.

I hate taking her money, but I know I have to. I am upset because she didn’t ask me to do her hair for her wedding. I couldn’t attend. I had another conflict, but offered to style it as a gift. I have done her hair since I became licensed and created a beautiful up-do for her sister’s wedding. I know she loves the way I do it, but don’t know why she didn’t ask me, even after I offered.

I am angry and want to break ties with her, but I don’t know what to do. Is there a hairstylist/client loyalty something or other that I should insist my friends adhere to?

Thanks for your time,

Annie from Peekskill

Hi Annie and thanks for writing in. Unfortunately, I know this scenario all too well. When I was younger, I probably would have told her off, where to go and how to get there, because we hairstylists are a sensitive bunch. Then, I would have felt guilty and second-guessed my actions, keeping my husband up at night to rehash my bad behavior. So, don’t do that.

If you value her friendship, then when you get together, ask her why she didn’t use you. Maybe, because you had a conflict that day and couldn’t attend her wedding, she assumed you wouldn’t be available to do her hair, but you won’t know unless you ask.

When hairstylists have clients that are also friends, we often assume they understand whatever financial burden we might be under and are hurt when they take their business elsewhere. And when a friend is planning a wedding or other affair, they tend to be quite caught up in the moment.

To answer your question, there really isn’t a hairstylist/client loyalty rule that we can push on our guests. All we can do as professionals is give our clients the best possible service, because after all, the customer is always right, and try to separate the business relationship from the personal one. When your friend is in your chair, she is a client there for a service. When you both are out for coffee, she is your friend. At that point if hair is mentioned or questions arise about booking an appointment, and you are not on the job, you do have every right to ask her if you can discuss her needs when you are working.

I have learned to ignore texts or Facebook messages that request appointments when I am not working, such as late at night, (after whatever time I have chosen not to take guests, say 7 p.m.), on Sundays (my day off), and any holiday. Just because a client is a friend, doesn’t mean you need to answer them when they get a sudden urge to book an appointment. That would be my only recommendation as a boundary for your hairstylist/client loyalty question.

If you have a question similar to Annie’s hairstylist/client loyalty query that you would like to see featured here on a Wednesday, then email me at DeirdreAHaggerty@gmail.com.