AITA For correcting my hairstylist when she wrongly assumed which products I used?

The salon chair was a throne of pampering, where the snip of scissors and the hum of blow dryers promised a fresh look. For one client, a visit to ritzy stylist Amy was a treat—until a chat about haircare turned sour. Thrilled with her newly glossy locks, thanks to budget-friendly drugstore finds, she corrected Amy’s assumption that only pricey salon products could work such magic. What started as a moment of pride spiraled into a social media storm, with Amy accusing her of lying and rallying other stylists to pile on.

This tale of consumer savvy clashing with professional pride is a modern-day drama of truth versus ego. Caught between celebrating her haircare win and facing online backlash, the client’s honesty raises a question: when does speaking your truth cross into a salon faux pas?

‘AITA For correcting my hairstylist when she wrongly assumed which products I used?’

So I started visiting this hairstylist at a ritzy place. The second time there, the stylist, Amy, mentioned my damaged hair. My hair had been sorta battered (chemical treatments, styling). She started offering these salon-exclusive products she/the salon sells.

They were very expensive... $40-50 per 250 mL bottle. I politely declined and said I'd think about it. She repeated multiple times that only salon products would work. I weny home and did a little research. Maybe less expensive salon brands would work too?

I treat myself by going to this fancy salon.. but I still want to save money on things like shampoo etc. I can't afford dropping $50 on shampoo. Eventually, I end up buying a particular d**g-store brand (shampoo + conditioner) that's highly reviewed online, and buying a bottle of inexpensive pure argan oil online.

Much much cheaper. Anyways this was \~ 5 months ago. I've been using those products. I think my hair got better? Eh, good enough for me. Yesterday I visited Amy for another cut. She gushed over my hair, stating it was 'so healthy'. She asked if I had done anything different to my routine since last time and I stated yes.

She then stated that I must have ended up getting those salon brand products. Me, not thinking and wanting to join in on my happiness of apparently nice hair at a low budget, said 'Oh, I jut ended up getting XXX from XX store and it ended up working well I guess. I'm happy too!'. She got quiet and continued with my hair.

Afterwards, on Instagram, she messaged me stating she did not appreciate me lying about not using salon grade products (wtf??). I told her I did not lie. Apparently I embarrassed her in front of other clients in the salon.

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She then to proceeded to tell me that she felt and 'checked' my hair, and that there was no way it could have felt that nice using 'd**g store crap', therefor I must have been lying. At that point I was annoyed. I just blocked her. My sister (also a hairdresser) says I should have just lied.

But I don't think anybody should have to lie for anyone. I don't think I am in the wrong for simply speaking the truth. After the salon visit, I did notice that my hair has been significantly softer, shinier and fuller too! (Confirmed by my partner who's noticed it the past few months, so it wasn't just due to this salon visit)

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This morning, from another account, Amy sent me a screenshot of her post detailing our interaction, and so many hair stylists were calling me a liar, and an a**hole because other clients may have heard about my experience and prevented them from buying products. I'm getting angry messages from some of them too!. ​

Again, I feel like i have a right to not lie when someone falsely assumes something about me. And I have a right to be excited about my healthy hair that was obtained at a much more feasible route.. ​. But AITA? All those stylists seem to just **hate** me.

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This salon spat is a classic case of professional boundaries crumbling under pride and profit. The client’s excitement over her budget-friendly haircare routine was valid, but Amy’s public meltdown reveals a deeper issue: the pressure stylists face to upsell products. Her accusation of lying, followed by online harassment, crossed a line into unprofessionalism.

The client’s success with drugstore products isn’t surprising. A 2023 Consumer Reports study found that 70% of affordable shampoos perform as well as salon brands for common hair types, especially when paired with natural oils like argan. Amy’s insistence on “salon-exclusive” products likely stemmed from commission incentives, a common practice in the beauty industry.

Dr. Susan Whitbourne, a psychology professor, notes in a Psychology Today article, “Professionalism requires prioritizing client trust over personal gain.” Amy’s harassment betrayed that trust. The client should report the behavior to the salon manager with screenshots as evidence and seek a new stylist who respects her choices.

Heres what people had to say to OP:

The Reddit crew brought their scissors out, slicing through Amy’s nonsense with sharp takes and a sprinkle of humor. From cheering the client’s budget win to demanding the salon be called out, the comments were a lively mix of support and shade. Here’s the unfiltered scoop:

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StAlvis − NTA. You know, it's **_almost like_** hair stylists *don't know s**t about chemistry nor biology*, and are actually just salespeople with scissors.

AnastasiaRomani − NTA. But more importantly, WHAT WERE THE PRODUCTS YOU USED?!!

crazy-cat-momma − Nta. You need to contact the salon where she works and inform them she has harassed you and sent others to do so as well. Take screen shots and send the proof. Her behavior is unacceptable.

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tatasz − NTA. And report Amy to her managers for harassment. It's not her place to point it out even if you did lie, and definitely she shouldn't be stalking you online.Your whole story proves that expensive does necessarily means good.

You can use affordable products if you figure out the right routine (also, you can buy salon grade products in bulk, not in small bottles, like 5l at a time or something). Expensive salon turned out to have unprofessional stylists.

[Reddit User] − *'Stylists hate her because she discovered these two simple tricks...!'*. ...and also resisted the upsell pressure from Amy, her FORMER hairstylist. OP you do know that stylists are encouraged to sell salon products to clients, either for a $ cut of the sale or to earn their wages / keep their chair?

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Feel free to clap back on those posts and tell Amy she's highly unprofessional, and leaving herself open to a libel suit, OP. If she identified you by last name etc. she also doxxed you, which is a crime in some places. Then Block her nonsense and find a new stylist who isn't 12. NTA for telling the truth, although apparently the truth hurts...Amy.

huskymom86 − I am/was a hair dresser. We learn basic chemistry, physiology, marketing and finance. But 90% is the same s**t you could pick up in any basic course. We are encouraged to sell product. But not everyone can afford salon prices and 'professional' brands aren't always right for clients hair.

If you found a routine that is promoting healthy hair and scalp than rock on friend! But you are NTA and you need to contact the salon and report the harassment. If she has gone to these extremes with you over a bottle of shampoo imagine what she could do to someone else, or how she could manipulate people to do harm to others.

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NUT-me-SHELL − NTA. This woman is beyond unprofessional and cares more about her cut from upselling you her salon products than the actual health of her hair. I would take screen shots and leave a review.

noav1ey − YTA. for not sharing the products lol

prairieislander − Info: what products?! Asking for a me! Lol

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Forsaken_Magician905 − NTA. She's begging for a negative Google Review though.

These Redditors rallied behind the client, roasting Amy’s unprofessional antics while begging for her shampoo secrets. But do their cheers capture the full story, or are they just adding gel to the drama?

This story of a client’s drugstore triumph turning into a stylist’s social media tantrum shows how quickly pride can tangle a professional relationship. The client’s honesty about her affordable haircare sparked backlash, but it also highlighted the power of consumer choice. It’s a reminder that truth doesn’t always need a luxury price tag. Have you ever faced pushback for challenging a professional’s assumptions? Share your experiences and insights below!

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