what's the etiquette if I want to go back to my old hairdresser after 2years away?

[theidsalright]

Had a hairdresser for three or so years. Pricey. I had long hair so only went every 3 months or so, for cut and colour.

Then had DS and the same hairdresser chopped off my hair for me. I've not been back since because
a) he was a bit arsey with me the day he cut it and made me feel even more vulnerable than a hair chopping off session would have been anyway
b) mat leave=little money
c) home colouring has been fine

I want to go back as I've now grown it again (in prep for pregnancy, naturally) and I cannot find a hairdresser who cuts my hair in a semi reasonable way (i.e. remotely what I asked for).

How do I explain my absence? Do I have to? How will I explain that yes I know my colour isn't the best but I don't have the £90 he would charge and I just want a cut....

Or do I just have to find a new stylist?

I'm over thinking this aren't I?

oh dear I am clearly over thinking :)

Been there done that. I recently went back to mine for some highlights after a period of at least 7 months "home colouring"

I sort of lied and said "it started with a Groupon voucher" when in actual fact I originally strayed because I was bored.

Just go back, sod it.

You are paying him, you don't have to explain a thing.

I went to one hairdresser for seven years and then jumped ship to another hairdresser in the same salon.

I've managed to brazen it out so I am sure you can too.

it's pathetic, isn't it? No, lets rephrase that, I'M pathetic!

looking in the mirror at my triangle shaped head should be all the encouragement I need-right?

yes franup I need to be brazen-the perfect word!

God, my mother is like this and I really don't get it. She makes me ring up for her appointments in case the old one answers the phone. She changed 7 fucking years ago!

Just make an appointment and go. It's your head!

right then, first thing tomorrow I'll have my SECRETARY phone and make me an appointment for Friday

It's a hairdresser you don't need to explain anything!

you're totally overthinking it. If he asks just say you've been busy being a mum but you're back now. You dont owe him anything.

I totally get why you're nervous. If he's cheeky enough to ask, just shrug apologetically and say "our finances have been shit, to the point where a haircut and colour was a luxury, you know how it is" and drop it from there. If he wants to pursue it, just say "let's not talk about it, it depresses me just to think about how long I had to save up for this appointment. Now, what's new with you???"

Agree with Jackmania.

thanks everyone!

I sometimes home colour/sometimes salon - I've said before to them I'm trying to economise - they understood - it's a recession and I don't feel ashamed about saying I can't afford something.

agree with Jacksmania

A few years back, my old hairdresser remembered me from years ago but I thought what the hell. It was his own (new) salon so thought he'd be glad of a new client and it was fine.

:o

I'll never have this problem as I go to a new hairdresser every time I get a cut (still searching for the elusive perfect cut)

I've done it, including with my excellent present colourist. She is really nice and was absolutely fine - welcomed me back. Have also done it with a potentially more touchy stylist and did make some sort of excuse about having been abroad - again he seemed fine. Not sure I needed to have bothered but it did seem to be a sort of face-saving exercise on both sides.

The direct approach already suggested seems best. Good luck.

So did you go back, and how did it go???