The relationship with your hairdresser is a very special and unique bond, there will not be many people in your life who you allow such close contact on a regular basis, but your hairdresser works within your personal space for a few hours each time, as often as once a week. So, understandably changing your hairdresser is like ending a relationship!!
In the beginning of the client/stylist relationship both parties are getting to know each other, finding common ground, having interesting conversations and both of you are enjoying the time spent together. Over time it can become monotonous both in the one to one time as well as the outcome, your hair. At this point you, the client, are starting to feel like 'just another customer' especially if you are asking for a change in style (even if the change is only slight it can be enough for you to love your hair again) yet your stylist isn't listening and does the same as you've had for the last 2 years!!
Despite being underwhelmed by the whole experience it is still so tricky to find a new hairdresser. Most clients will continue with a hairdresser for a lot longer then they want to as the fear of finding someone new can be terrifying! For some reason when a client finds a hairstylist they love and are really happy with they rarely divulge this information to their friends, which means if you are looking to change your hair salon you will need to admit to others that you are not happy in your client/stylist relationship. This is almost as hard as accepting you are unhappy in your personal relationships and of course once you have admitted it to others you will feel you have to do something about it, this takes time, research and possibly a few dodgy haircuts until you find a perfect match again. The easiest solution is to make do and book your next appointment with your normal stylist and put up with the monotony!!
And then you meet someone, at a party or through friends that you really get along with, they are totally on your wavelength and you find out they are a hairdresser!! Bonus!! Now the only risk is finding out if they are capable in their craft, once again you are on shaky ground as you don't want to upset your new friend if they make a hash of your hair, so you rebook with your original monotonous hairstylist who insists on doing the same cut/colour even though you are begging for a change!!
What if I could solve all your problems?
Any reputable salon will offer a pre consultation, I don't just mean the 30second consultation before being shampoo'd that starts something like this: 'Is it just a trim?'. I mean a thorough chat about any problems you are having with your hair or any styles you have in mind as well as options that will suit your hair best, usually lasting around 10 minutes. This is a perfect opportunity to really focus on you as well as allow both you and your new stylist to get an understanding of each other and know how to move forward with your new 'do'.
This kind of consultation should be happening whenever you are new to a salon before both colour and cuts, as well as anytime you ask for a change, if it's not then I would recommend you look for a new salon before you get stuck in another rut!! It's easy to find salons on social media and to get a feel for their service, salons with a business page on Facebook will have a review section, these are just as important as any images they put on, before and after pictures are a really good visual of the salons capability too. When you make your appointment ask if it's possible to meet your stylist first, or ask for some extra time if you are wanting a change to discus your options.