Clients seeking to change hairdressers face a common but sometimes awkward situation, according to Calista Carreon, a Montreal-based hairdresser and co-owner of the salon and barbershop Hair Anatomy. With six years of experience, Carreon shared insights on how clients and stylists can navigate this transition respectfully.

Carreon, originally from Toronto, trained in hairdressing before relocating to Montreal in 2021 with her fiancé, Nick, a barber. Together they launched Hair Anatomy, which houses both stylists and barbers. Over the years, Carreon has maintained long-term relationships with many clients, some lasting five years since her move.

Despite these connections, Carreon acknowledges that client departures are a normal aspect of the industry. The salon’s relocation from Old Port to Downtown Montreal in 2024 prompted some clients to discontinue visits simply due to inconvenience. While such changes can be disappointing, Carreon views them pragmatically, recognizing that external factors such as personal challenges or financial struggles often influence clients’ decisions.

Regarding whether clients should inform hairdressers when they decide to leave, Carreon suggests this depends on the nature of their relationship. For strictly professional interactions, silence is generally acceptable. However, if a personal rapport has developed beyond the salon, a brief message explaining the departure can ease the transition and maintain goodwill. Carreon recommends using text messages as a less awkward way to communicate intentions than face-to-face or phone conversations.

Carreon admits to occasionally checking former clients’ social media out of curiosity, but not out of resentment. She emphasizes that if a client is seen publicly with a new stylist, she would respond with a genuine compliment rather than confrontation.

Within her own salon, Carreon has experienced clients switching stylists due to scheduling preferences or pricing differences. She is unbothered by these changes, appreciating when clients stay within the salon network rather than leaving altogether.

For clients dissatisfied with a haircut, Carreon advises addressing the issue directly with the stylist if trust remains, allowing the professional an opportunity to correct the problem. If a client prefers not to return to the same stylist, reaching out to salon management to arrange an alternative solution is recommended. Carreon stresses that stylists generally prefer to resolve issues and maintain positive relationships rather than lose clients entirely.

Her perspective reflects how hairstylists manage the fluid nature of client loyalty while emphasizing communication and understanding in maintaining professional relationships.