In Praise of Hairdressers!
How to write a thank you note for your hairdresser, hairstylist, colorist or barber
"I think the most important thing a woman can have – next to talent, of course – is her hairdresser."
Joan Crawford (1905-1977), American actress
If you are lucky enough to have found a great hairdresser, stylist or colorist, don't take them for granted... let them know! A great way to do this is to send them a thank you note, telling them how much you appreciate all they do to keep you looking your best!
You might, at first, feel that writing a note to your hairdresser is a bit, well... odd. Indeed, when John Kralik in his book
A Simple Act of Gratitude pens a note to his hair stylist he places it in the chapter titled 'Extreme Thank Yous'!
But 'doing someone's hair' is more than a standard service – it's actually quite a personal relationship, and there are a number of occasions when it would be a great idea to write a thank you note to your hairdresser.
Here are some ideas and suggestions, with samples for each, that you can use as templates for your own thank you note to your hairdresser:
General Thank You Notes for Hairdressers
Dear Yvonne,
Just home from the salon and my husband and daughter confirmed what I was already thinking – my hair looks fabulous!
Thank you so much for everything you do – you're a truly talented stylist and I always enjoy my appointments. Please accept this gift card and get yourself some well deserved coffees on me.
I'm already looking forward to my next appointment.
Best wishes,
Joy
See my page on
thank you gifts that fit in an envelope for lots of ideas for showing your appreciation and making your thank you card a little more special.
Dear Marie,
I've been getting so many compliments since my last appointment with you that I thought I should stop taking all the credit and pass on some appreciation to the person who's actually responsible for my new look – you!
My hair looks and feels fantastic, and I'm so grateful to be in your capable hands. Your advice, as always, was perfect. You really are worth your weight in gold!
I'm recommending you to all my girlfriends.
Thanks again for everything,
A very happy Yulia
Recommendations
If a tip or gift doesn't seem appropriate, but you still want to give something, then how about recommending him/her to everyone you know? Many hairdressers appreciate being recommended as much as – or even more than – tips and gifts.
Dear Anna,
I know from what you told me last week that you're going through a tough time at the moment, and I want to take a moment to tell you how much I appreciate your skill with my hair, and how much I enjoy our chats. You're a very talented stylist and my appointments are always a real pleasure.
If you do decide to leave the salon then you can be sure that I'll stay a client wherever you move on to.
Wishing you all the best with everything,
Lisa-Jane
A thank you note to your Barber
There's no reason at all why a man shouldn't be just as appreciative of the barber or hairdresser who keeps him looking good!
Dear Paul,
The sign in your window thanking your customers made me think that it is really me who should be thanking you. I've been coming to you for haircuts for many years now, and I have to say it's always a great experience.
So thanks a lot, and keep up the good work!
Best regards,
Matthew Cooper
A Thank You Note to your Hairdresser after Special Service
Dear Alex,
I just can't thank you enough for fixing my truly horrible orange hair disaster yesterday, especially the fact that you squeezed me in at the end of a long day. I feel so relieved whenever I look in the mirror, and I solemnly promise that I will NEVER try to dye my hair myself ever, ever again! You are an absolute star and the best hairdresser in the world.
With enormous thanks and gratitude,
Liz
Dear Sam and all the stylists at 'Perfect Hair',
A very special THANK YOU for doing the hair for my wedding day last month. You did an amazing job with my hair, and I just loved how I looked. My mom and bridesmaids all looked wonderful too, and everyone said how great the hair stylists were. We all felt so pampered, and the champagne was a lovely touch!
I'm enclosing a photo of us all at the reception. It was the wedding of my dreams and I truly appreciate the part you played in making it the best day of my life.
Thank you!
Laura (and mom and bridesmaids!)
Dear Steve,
Just a note to thank you very much for making me feel a million dollars at my big presentation yesterday. As you know I was very, very nervous, but having great hair seemed to make all the difference to my confidence and I aced it!
Yours in gratitude,
Michaela
A Thank You Note for Hair Extensions
Dear Josh,
I feel I have to write to thank you again for doing my hair extensions – you've done a great job and I love them!
I really appreciate the time you took to explain the whole process and advise me on the best products. You're a fabulous hairdresser and I don't know what I'd do without you.
See you at my next appointment,
Kate
A Thank You note after a Change of Style / Restyle
Dear Josie,
I just have to send you this note to tell you how much I love my new hairstyle! I've agonized for literally years about going short, but you've done an amazing job and I'm so glad I finally went for it. Thank you so much for really listening to what I wanted – you got it just right.
Your service is brilliant, and by the way, your head massages are the best!
Thanks again,
Lynda
A Thank You Note after having a Wig fitted
Dear Charlotte,
Thank you so much for your assistance last week when I visited your salon to choose a wig. Despite my hair loss, being fitted for a wig is something that I had been putting off for such a long time and actually really dreading. Now I wonder why I did that to myself, as you made the whole experience very comfortable and even fun!
I love my wig and I feel so much more confident and happy. I really do appreciate how you have helped me.
With my best wishes,
Patricia
Marking a Milestone in your Relationship with your Hairdresser
Dear Sandra,
Following my appointment last week I realized that you've been cutting my hair – beautifully – for just over 10 years! I love coming to the salon for a little bit of 'me time' and you always do a fantastic job on my unruly locks, so I thought it was high time I let you know how much I appreciate you being my hairdresser.
Thank you Sandra for your great skill and service. And here's to the next 10 years!
All the best,
Jessica
A Thank You Note to your Hairdresser when you're Moving to another City
Dear Louisa,
As you know, I'm moving to Chicago next month and so, very sadly, I'm going to have to say goodbye after 5 years of coming to 'The Hair Studio'. You've been the best hair stylist I have ever had. You've kept me proudly blonde (not even my close friends know about those gray hairs!), and given me hair to be proud of. Thank you so much.
I'll miss our chats, and I so hope that I'll be able to find a new stylist in Chicago who is even half as talented and lovely as you.
Take care, and I hope 'The Hair Studio' continues to go from strength to strength. I'll miss you all!
Rebekha
'Breaking up': a Thank You Note for when you want to change Hairdressers
Sometimes, despite having built up a relationship with a good hair stylist, we feel we need a change... But 'breaking up' with your hairdresser is awkward and embarrassing, and it's a brave person who handles it face-to-face. Most, I suspect, simply 'forget' to make another appointment and hope the salon never follows up.
Instead of just disappearing from their client list like this, why not send your hairdresser a thank you note? It's a gracious and appreciative way to explain things. And it will certainly make things easier should you ever run into them in the street!
Dear Tara,
First of all, I want to thank you for being a great stylist and helping me to look my best over the past few years.
As you know I'm starting my new job next month and have a lot of other changes happening in my life. As part of this, I'm feeling that it's time for me to move on and try out some other hair salons and stylists. It's a hard thing to explain, and I sincerely hope that you won't be offended. Please don't think I'm unhappy in any way with you or the 'Hairways' salon. On the contrary, I have really appreciated having you as my hairdresser.
Thanks again and wishing you all the best for the future,
Susie