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Another hairy problem: salon diplomacy and protocol?

Asked by Jeruba (55834points) July 16th, 2009

I resolved my last question in this sensitive area. In the end it turned out fine, thanks in great part to so much help from flutherfolk. Now I am back with another problem involving the delicate matter of client/stylist relations, especially tricky where there are two professionals involved.

If you remember Randy and Steve from last time, here’s where we are now:

Randy is still doing my color, and doing it beautifully.
— As a pro, Randy carefully guards his exact color formula.
— Last month, Randy had to break his appointment with me, so because I was seeing Steve for my cut, he gave Steve my color formula for just that one-time use.
Steve is finally getting my cut right. Perfect. Just what I wanted.
— Since then, I have reached my decision to take the early retirement package. I am going to be leaving the workplace and also making some reductions in discretionary spending. To me this means, for one thing, choosing between color and cut, which do add up to a luxury. After much soul-searching, I decided to maintain the color and let my hair grow out so I can tie it back or put it up, but not be fussing with dryers, curling irons, and lots of products every day. So Steve’s last great cut was probably the end of my present style.

Question

— Do I continue to see Randy for my color, and just have Steve oversee little trims to help me grow out gracefully? Is that fair to Steve?

or

— Do I ask Randy to take me back for the trims since he is doing my color, knowing that he fired me as his client for cuts and that Steve is the one who got it right (and is a better conversationalist)?

or

— Do I ask Steve to start doing my color now so he can also handle the trim, when Randy’s been my colorist for 20 years and all three of us know that last month Steve used Randy’s special formula on me?

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