Home Haircuts – Where Do You Stand?
A recent discovery of this old photo got me wondering (that’s my aunt cutting my hair over 20 years ago while my grandma sat by):
where does your family go for haircuts? Are you an at-home kind of family? Or do you make an appointment at your favorite salon or walk in to your local “chop shop”? Sometimes, the way we decorate and organize our homes defines simplicity. But when you get right down to it, the habits we create (or get brave and attempt for the first time!) really define simplicity far more. They’re the way we live.
Our take on at-home haircuts is pretty obvious…
Well at least half-way. I usually cut Martin’s hair in the bathroom or outside, depending on the season and where we’re living. Gotta love keeping a few bucks in our wallet! I go to locally owned little places for my own cuts these days (well minus a few self-chopping sessions I wouldn’t recommend). In Berlin, they run around 9 euros ($12) plus tip. Can’t beat that!
Where do you guys stand? Do the thought of home haircuts leave your hair standing on end? Let’s cut to the chase (and be done with my corny hair jokes!). Let us know how you do the do.
February 26th, 2010 at 6:31 am
Ha! Remember when you asked me to cut your hair?
You’ll never make that mistake again, huh?
February 26th, 2010 at 6:53 am
It was my husband’s idea for me to start cutting his hair about 12 years ago. I’ve been doing it ever since and love how much money it saves us. I also cut our children’s hair, but my 13 year old daughter is losing confidence in me as she is more concerned with how she looks now. So she has graduated to the Hair Cuttery.
A couple of weeks ago I cut my own hair for the first time ever. It’s long and all one length so it is super simple, but I wouldn’t recommend it. I look forward to having a professional cut my hair in a few months when it grows out.
I used to have short hair, but the frequency and cost of hair cuts deterred me from keeping it. Long hair is cheaper.
February 26th, 2010 at 6:58 am
Every couple of months I go to a local hairdresser that costs approx. 15-20 euros. Pretty expensive if you ask me!
But…I do dye my own hair in a simply way…plain chestnut I’m afraid :( , no highlights or anything that would require a professional
Last week I cut my bangs…NOT very succesfully…so next week is my due date to the salon. Something not to my liking btw!
My mom used to cut our hair and it was very common those days.
February 26th, 2010 at 7:04 am
I cut hubs and the two boys hair, and I get mine cut 3-4 times a year by a girl who does a great job, inexpensively. I too, would love to have short hair, but by having long hair, it saves a ton of money! :)
February 26th, 2010 at 7:40 am
My husband’s hair grows fast, so I do the cutting for him. My hair is plain – no bangs, so I tend to only get it cut every couple of years when I’m ready for a new style/length, and then I go to a salon. Growing up though, my mom cut mine, my dad’s and my brother’s hair.
February 26th, 2010 at 8:04 am
i cut hair of almost all my friends :) i like to trade skills (for example, one of them will fix my bike, make me a meal or give me a lift when i’m buying furniture) but it is not necessary: i just love doing it and enjoy i can give my friends a little gift and save them some money. i used to cut my hair before but now i do it rarelybecause i seem to give a great haircut to everyone but myself :D .now i go to an expencive professional twice a year.
February 26th, 2010 at 8:05 am
My husband is VERY picky about his hair and he has someplace he likes that’s rather inexpensive so he goes there. As for me, I’m not too picky about the cut but I am picky about the COLOR. And home boxes do not cut it. So I pay for the nice (but not SUPER expensive, as these things go) salon. I don’t feel guilty about it because I don’t shop for clothes or makeup or shoes or Starbucks. Sure, it’s a vice, but it’s my only one in the vanity department. And to me it’s worth it. :)
February 26th, 2010 at 8:08 am
A good haircut is one area I am willing to spend on. I have always had an issue with my hair. I live outside New York City and pay $80 for my last cut-but it was worth it. I am not a big fan of getting highlights-I can’t stay in the shop that long (2 hours) so I am thinking of letting it go natural. I don’t spend money on manis and pedis, so I figure I can splurge on haircuts. (Besides, I am a nurse, the only scissors I know how to use are bandage scissors!!)
February 26th, 2010 at 9:54 am
My husband goes to the barber. I invested in a pair of clippers to give haircuts to my boys because they are young and have simple cuts. My daughter doesn’t have enough hair to warrant a haircut yet but I imagine she will eventually get her hair trimmed at home too. My hair is long and simple and I have a friend trim who trims it for me once or twice a year.
I have often thought that if the local vocational/technical school would offer a short course on “haircutting for moms” I would gladly take it to increase my skills.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:11 am
The last 3 times I’ve gotten my hair cut I’ve donated to Locks of Love so I’ve waited about 1 1/2 years between haircut! I go to a really nice salon and take advantage of their fresh talent program. Their newest stylists cut my hair (supervised) for $15. This includes a scalp and shoulder massage and my hands dipped in warm wax. They take a little longer but since it’s so relaxing I don’t mind! I figure a good salon is probably recruiting better stylists so I’ve never worried and have not been dissappointed.
February 26th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Katie,
For my son and I it is one of our father son things. We always go together, to a place called Sports clips. It is a place just for male hair cuts. They have the screens all over with just sports on. It makes him feel grown up to go and get to do the same thing his dad does, plus he always gets a sucker when he is done. It will be one of those things that when he his grown up I will remember fondly. I dont even mind the $30 it costs for both of us to get it done, which I feel it is a little high.
February 26th, 2010 at 11:17 am
We’re a home hair cutting family. I cut my husband and son’s hair and have even attempted my own (not the best idea, but probably not the worst either). I just can’t justify the cost of professional hair cuts for my boys when I can do a pretty decent job myself.
February 26th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
My husband cuts his own hair! But I shave his neck every couple of weeks. He tried to cut my hair once and I had to lean my head to one side to make it look even (won’t do that again). I like to go to the beauty academy about twice a year for a cut my someone in training.
February 26th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
I have been cutting my husband’s hair for almost 17 years. I’ve been cutting my own hair since I was about 4! Ha ha. I just KNEW I could do it myself! (I was young and delusional.) It’s true, that back then, kids OFTEN got haircuts at home.
I remember getting very few professional haircuts when growing up, and I ALWAYS hated the outcome. I insisted on cutting my own (longer) hair when I was in junior high school. Since the beginning of high school, I’ve had, probably, not even 10 professional haircuts; terrified of the outcome.
I’ve been cutting my own hair for probably 45 years… oh, no, no, no, that’s surely a typo. Nope… I’m really that “experienced”. (rolling my eyes)
Now, I cut my mom and dad’s hair, too, about every other month. They are in their 70′s and 80′s, and appreciate not having to get out. We usually get together for haircuts on birthdays and holidays – my sister usually comes over, too, (but does not get her hair cut) and we share a meal or dessert and coffee. It really makes it a lovely special occasion.
My haircutting expertise: none; only a willingness to do it. I tell my family that if I mess up, and they don’t like it, they are welcome to wear a hat until it grows out. AND THEY AGREE to those terms!!! LOL!
I’ve learned to cut my hair REALLY short. I use what I call the “Braille” method in back. I just “feel” how short I want it. Clearly, I will go to extreme measures to NOT go to a salon. I (now) think really short hair is as easy to cut as long hair. I trim it up about every three weeks.
I tried my hand at coloring my own hair about 20 years ago, until ONE time it turned out the EXACT color of yellow TOILET PAPER; that’s when I went back to “natural”. I now love my naturally “frosted” hair.
Kathryn Kistner in Texas
February 26th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
You didn’t ask about this… but instead of hair mousse and gels, I use egg whites. (When traveling, I use dried egg whites, found in the baking aisle at the grocery store.)
I separate the egg, and keep the whites in a small jar, in the refrigerator. I don’t whip it; I just dip into the jar and “lather” it a bit between my palms, and spread it on my hair.
Then I “spike” my short hair, straight up, to dry. When the ROOTS stick up, the rest of the hair will fall over, slightly, and the straight-up roots give the hair “lift”. (Mousses and gels fall flat with my fine hair.)
The egg whites will not work on very dark hair; it will show.
Kathryn Kistner in Texas
February 26th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
I love good haircut and am willing to pay for it. Same person is doing this for me for couple of years, i am very picky to who I will give my head to LOL. Some average price for expensive german city would be – cutting, hair color and some hair mask around 50,00 €. I see it as doing something good/pampering for myself nas as a reward for long working hours. My husband also goes to a hairdresser.
February 26th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
In Buffalo, I always went to a friend who worked as a professional “folicular consultant.” These visits cost me about 30-35 dollars after tip. Since moving to Cali, though, I purchased some clippers and just recently gave myself a haircut that is perfectly serviceable. I’ll hopefully get a bit more graceful at it! The trick is to keep them clean, sharp, and well-oiled. I just can’t bring myself to go to most salons where women pay 10-20 dollars more than men do, even if they have a haircut like mine!
February 26th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
I cut my husband’s hair. Yay for saving lots of money. He’s in the military so frequent haircuts are a must as he cannot have it touch his ears. My own hair is very long and in a simple cut. I prefer it that way. I get it trimmed every 6-9 months or so to keep the ends looking nice. I normally go to a lady who has her own private shop out of her home and pay about $20. I can remember my mother trimming my hair when I was younger. (I used to sit in the backyard on tall stool with my eyes closed.)
February 26th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
I used to cut my boys’ hair, but it’s so convenient and cheap for them to go to the barber here (about $2), that I don’t bother anymore. They are so wiggly that I am happy to pay someone else to do it, and do it well. My husband gets his hair cut at the same barber for about $4. I go to a nicer salon and get haircuts for just under $20. I usually try to stretch it out and only go every 3 months or so. I have short hair, and need more frequent cuts to keep it looking “cute,” but hate spending the money and taking the time to do it!
February 26th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
Last summer I let my best friend cut my hair off. I donated the ponytail to Locks of Love. My hair is now super short, and she’s maintained the cut for me since then – so I haven’t paid for a haircut in almost a year! Right now I’m not in love with the cut, but that’s ok because with short hair it will be different in only two weeks or so! :)
February 27th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Wow! What a hot topic – look how many people weighed in their opinions! For the results of my last hair salon appointment perhaps I should do it myself! LOL! – Seriously – I dont do my own hair and sadly have found that as my age increases, so then does the bill at the hair dresser! But my husband on the other hand, I trim his hair in between appointments. He likes a clean cut around his ears and neck and it’s my duty to keep him spic-n-span!
Hope we catch up in person soon!
All the best,
Toma
February 28th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
I’ve been cutting Matt’s hair ever since I met him. I have YET to find a good, affordable salon here in my new hometown of NJ – FOUR years after moving here. Sigh.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:10 am
just found your blog! for us its been …. both! and hugely due to $$ whether we pay or stay =) when we were first married i cut my hubby’s hair. very easy style to do on him. then we got away from it somewhere along the way. now wer’e back at it for the most part. i cut my hubby’s hair 90% of the time. just had him get a professional cut since he had a big interview coming up. and i cut my son’s hair most of the time, tho he is a challenge. he’s special needs and hates the scissors and sitting still. i need to trim it up and i’ve been putting it off. i also trim my own bangs and wear my hair long. i go months before getting the ends trimmed.
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:47 am
That is so funny that you posted this, I saw it right after I gave myself a home haircut last night! It turned out great, if I do say so myself. Better than the salon cuts that I’ve gotten in recent years. But then again I haven’t had any kind of haircut for almost 2 years! I always cut my husband’s too….and have for 3 years or so. It is the way to go for us! Lol:)
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:15 pm
I cut everyone else’s hair, but I can’t manage to do more than my own bangs. I do, however, color my own hair and have for years and years. I found a lady who does a great job on a “real” haircut for $15 including tip (but then I tip her another $3 because she does such a great job). Unfortunately, I forget to schedule haircuts and went 15 months between haircuts last go round.
March 6th, 2010 at 11:26 am
I have been cutting my husbands hair since we got married and he prefers it to going to a professional. Sometimes he will find a hairstyle online that he likes and show me the picture and then I try to match it as best as I can.
He did try to cut my hair once after we got married, but that was a disaster. Since moving to Seattle and not having the money we had in Norway I have had a hard time finding a good hairdresser. Instead I try to get my hair done when I am visiting in Norway, though I do get my hair done here as well it is just not good.
My daughter gets her hair done at a salon too, but we have found a lady who prizes according to age up to 12. Right now that means we pay 5 dollar + 1 dollar tip.
March 10th, 2010 at 11:43 am
I love Mother of Pearl’s idea. Thanks for sharing this awesome idea:
I have often thought that if the local vocational/technical school would offer a short course on “haircutting for moms” I would gladly take it to increase my skills.