You all are making me realize HOW amazing it is to have a hair stylist for a best friend....
She cuts my hair. I take her out to dinner. If I want color, i just have to pay for the color (usually $20)
No awkward small talk either...she's been my friend for a long time!!
In fact when my girls were visiting last summer she did their hair too. I used to have a stylist, I loved what she did with my hair (highlights, cut, style) but I hated paying her $100 to do it. LOL then she moved to TX so I lost her, now I just go to the Supercuts/Great Clips equivalent that we have and pay $15 and that's that. I've been going so long that they know me there (well most of them do) and it's very easy to get my cut. I noticed yesterday it's getting close to time for another one but I will wait a while longer to go in. I don't mine chatting, last time my stylist was a lady who lives behind me and I found out she called 911 a few years ago when our home went up in flames (New Years Day morning at about 3). LOL We are actually kitty corner fence sharers. 
