Hairdresser reveals common phrase all stylists hate to hear from their clients

Daily Mail​

22-05-2025

A hairdresser has revealed the most annoying things clients tell her.
UK-based hairdresser Sarah Louise Tyne took to TikTok to reveal one particular remark that's left more than a few stylists gritting their teeth behind the salon chair.
According to Sarah, it's not a matter of snipping too much or choosing the wrong toner - it's what a client says when settling in for their appointment.
The dreaded phrase is: 'My old hairdresser used to do it like this.'
For some stylists, it's an innocuous comment. For others, it's a 'red flag'.
As Sarah explains, it can spark an immediate internal reaction and cause you to think: 'I'm not your old hairdresser.'
Suddenly, they're in a head-to-head comparison with someone they've never met.
The video has resonated with stylists across the app, many of whom admit they've faced the same situation.
As the poster notes, it's not necessarily the client's fault. They may have lost their favourite stylist to relocation, retirement or some other unavoidable life event.
Still, the phrase often unintentionally sets the tone for tension.
'You feel like you're in a competition to be better than a hairdresser that you've never even met,' she says in the video, describing the uncomfortable position of having to live up to someone else.
Rather than spiralling into frustration, however, she offers a diplomatic approach.
The TikToker outlines three ways stylists can navigate this delicate dynamic with grace.
First, she jokes stylists 'could get really a**ey and say "Well go back to them then".'
Instead, she encourages reframing the conversation: 'Rather than showing me how your old hairdresser used to do your hair, can you show me some images of what you're hoping to achieve and I'll see if they will work with your hair type/texture?'.
@mobilestylisthubclub
When your new client says "My old hairdresser used to do my hair like this" How do you answer/respond ? You could get really arsey and say "Well go back to them then" OR ☆ Say " Rather than showing me how your old hairdresser used to do your hair, can you show me some images of what you're hoping to achieve and I'll see if they' will work with your hair type/texture." ☆ Rather than getting annoyed by the comment say " I appreciate you may be nervous about having your hair done by another hairdresser, but you really are in safe hands" reassure them and help to calm their nerves. ☆ If it seems that no matter what you do/say nothing seems to reassure/relax and your client continues to say " he/she/they didn't used to do that, it doesn't look like - - - - - used to do my hair" The 2 of you just may not me a good match, it happens. Do your best to offer the best possible outcome, and politely explain that you may not be a good fit for each other. How did you handle this situation when it happened to you? tell me in the comments. #themobilehairdressingguru #mobilehairdresser #petpeeves #redflag
♬ original sound - Mobile Hairdressing circle
The Brit also reminds fellow stylists to extend empathy. 'I appreciate you may be nervous about having your hair done by another hairdresser, but you really are in safe hands,' she suggests saying, recognising that the client's comment may stem from anxiety rather than arrogance.
And if nothing seems to bridge the gap, Sarah says: 'If it seems that no matter what you do or say nothing seems to reassure or relax [the client] and they continue to say 'he/she/they didn't used to do that', it doesn't look like they used to do my hair'—the two of you just may not be a good match. It happens.'
Ultimately, she advises doing your best to offer the most positive result and, if necessary, 'politely explain that you may not be a good fit for each other.'
So the next time you find yourself in the salon chair, perhaps think twice before invoking the ghost of hairdressers past.
Other hairdressers took to the comments to leave their own thoughts on the topic with some saying they don't mind it when a client brings up their old stylist.
One person said: 'It crosses the line when they say. My old hairdresser ONLY CHARGED me XYZ.'
Another added: 'I normally ask what they liked about how they did it or I'll explain why I do it differently.'
Someone else added: 'I don't see this comment as a problem, if they liked that way I would try to do it the way she wanted.'
While stylists agreed with Sarah, others felt the comment was innocuous and not indicative of an issue
To which Sarah replied: 'Totally, but it's also about establishing a new relationship. Also what if the client is keeping to that style because they've never been offered anything different?'
Sarah is not the first of her profession to offer some advice on what to do and, crucially, what not to do when it the stylists seat.
Telesa Brown, from Canada, took to TikTok to explain the most infuriating mistakes a client can make.
While some tips are obvious, such as arriving on time, others have surprised viewers.
One even claimed that Telesa's points are the 'reasons I got out of hairstyling after 34 years.'
Showing up late or not turning up at all was the first point Telesa gave.
She said: 'We get that things happen, but typically, a busy hairstylist has a full day of clients and showing up more than five minutes late affects the rest of the day.
'No shows, I mean come on, obviously we don't make money with no one in our chair, expect to be charged for this.'
Next, Telesa shocked viewers with the second stylist peeve. She said: 'The second one is showing up to a colour with dirty hair.
'I understand for years, hairstylists were telling you to do this; it's not your fault. But I'm here to correct it. Hair colour works better on clean hair, so for the best results come with clean hair.' Before adding: 'Also, it's gross.'
Telesa also listed showing up sick. She pleaded to her viewers to never show up sick, even if they've waited for a long time to secure the appointment.
The fourth reason Telesa gave was: 'Asking for a completely different appointment than what you were booked for.'
She explained that it's 'difficult' to accommodate but hard to say no to as a self-employed stylist.