Dear Annie: Cutting ties with my hairdresser

Dear Annie: I don’t know how to break up with my hairdresser. I have been going to him for five years and my hair has never looked better. However, during the past year or so, things have changed, and I am no longer happy with his service.

It started when he sold me the wrong conditioner, which I didn’t realize until I got home, and he wouldn’t take it back, even though it was unopened. One appointment took an hour longer than scheduled because he was working on other clients at the same time. When he does have downtime between clients, he no longer chats with me while my color is setting. Instead, he sits on the opposite end of the salon playing on his phone, while I sit alone at his station.

During some appointments, his assistant does most of the work, everything except the trimming and finishing. He has gone through four assistants since I’ve been going there. He often berates and teases them. He even body-shamed one of the other stylists in front of all the clients. On top of all this, he raised his rates and didn’t tell me until I was given the total by the receptionist at checkout. He is the salon owner.

Should I text, call or write a letter to tell him the reasons why I no longer want to see him? Or can I just quietly slip away? – Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Dear Hair Today: If it were simply a matter of being unsatisfied with a previous service, then discussing your hair preferences with him for the future would be the appropriate course of action. But it seems something, for whatever reason, has sparked unprofessional and cold behavior, which doesn’t warrant your continued loyalty or any further conversation. You’re well within your right to find a new salon and stylist that better aligns with the experience you want – and pay – to have.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.