I think it's ok to phase out

Casadena

Dear Prudence,

I’ve had the same hair stylist since 2017. She’s amazingly talented and has done wonders with my hair. But a couple of years ago, I moved to a part of my city that makes it really difficult to get to her shop (at least 40 minutes one way without traffic or over an hour with traffic). Couple that with the fact that she’s cut her availability back a bit and it makes getting to her for a haircut difficult.

I recently decided to try out a hair salon much closer to me and got a really great haircut. I was actually surprised at how happy I was with the haircut. Beyond that, it’s so much easier to get to the shop and the woman who cut my hair has a lot more availability. I think I’m going to make this my go-to hair salon. Do I owe the woman who’s cut my hair since 2017 a “breakup” message? While we aren’t super close, we’ve definitely become friends beyond “service provider/client” over the years. She’d likely notice if I just completely stopped scheduling with her with no word at all. I’m probably overthinking this, but I’ve never been in this position before, so I’m not sure what the etiquette is.

VarunaTT

I asked another hairdresser about this.  My OG hairdresser and I had a 14 year relationship.  We were definitely friends, had even taken trips together.  He was getting difficult to schedule with b/c of other obligations and I really didn't care for how he reacted to my divorce.  My other friend was like, just break up and go.  So I did.

levioosa

This kind of stuff makes me uncomfortable and I’d probably do one last trip to say goodbye and tell her I’d moved and this would be our last time seeing her. But you’re not obligated to do that at all. 

ei34

Since you've become friends outside of the stylist/client relationship I could see a text explaining that you've moved too far away.  But then I wouldn't give it much thought after the courtesy text.  I changed salons when I moved too, it happens.