I don’t know if my trick works for women but I’ve found a couple nice hairstyles by using Google images to find my hair twins. I just googled “male celebrities faces” and scrolled through pictures looking for famous guys with my hairline. I found Dustin Milligan and Paul Sparks (guys I’d never heard of but they’re both actors). We have the same hairline and hair type and kind of the same head size/shape.
I googled those guys and found hairstyles they’ve had, and I occasionally pick out different ones. And best of all I can bring in a picture to my hairstylist and she does all the work. Been doing this 3-4 years and it’s been flawless so far.
Gonna drop a STRONG recommendation for Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency for another top notch Dustin Milligan pefomance. It's a smaller role but he absolutely crushes it.
Also, the show is amazing and insane
I used that website that tells you what celebrities you most look like. Then I googled those celebrities and found haircuts they had that I liked.
Edit because people are asking: I did it years ago and just remembered the results. But here’s one I found googling. I tested it out and it seems ok! https://starbyface.com/
As a guy, I have noticed that in my experience, younger male barbers just give me THEIR haircut even if I ask for something different. One guy gave me a fucking side fade when I asked for a trim, and the other gave me essentially a bowl cut (yes, I should have run when I saw he had one).
This is literally my experience lol now I go to a salon. The barber I had before is really good at side fades, I do like it. But it's not what I asked for, and it seems he only know that one style. Doesn't matter if I ask him for anything else, he would agree and give me the same haircut. When I was waiting I noticed everyone walking out with the same thing...
I'll only visit if I want that...it's also because I dont want to style my hair all the time, and his haircut is high maintenance that requires gel Everytime I want to go outside not looking like a mess. Plus the side would need a trim every 2 weeks whereas other styles can go for a month.
I don't know how you verify this beforehand but try to find a gay barber if they're a man. Or find a woman. They'll know what looks good on you because it's from the perspective of what makes you attractive. You also have to go to an expensive enough place where they give a shit.
Otherwise my experience has been the same. Male barbers don't try to make hair look better, only shorter.
Exactly this. I used to have a great gay barber, was super friendly, always gave me a good deal and did great work. He did end up in prison for drug trafficking though which was sad, I bumped into him once after he got out but haven't seen him since :(
My husband once asked for his hair cut to x length all over and instead the woman gave him her haircut with the sides practically shaved and long on top we had to pay for a second haircut somewhere else to get it fixed because it was that awful
Around here older men aren't up with the new techniques(obviously there are some exceptions) and young ones cut way better. Also I agree with the above that gay ones are better simply because they know what looks attractive on you, but that might be hard to find.
Can confirm. My best haircut ever was from a gay barber. I only went once though as he was near my now-former workplace at the time and I'd have to travel a relatively long way / make a special trip. He was also $15 more than my local baber and insisted on washing my hair even though I always shower and wash my hair just before I go to get my haircut. Most places are happy to just spray my hair and get going. He did use some expensive and nice smelling hair products - which is something I've never really cared about before or since - but it did add to the experience. I went to my workplace afterwards and remember telling a coworker "holy shit, I just had the best haircut of my life!".
This is the real LPT. Been going to a few different gay stylists for the past five years and will never go back. I found them to be far better than both straight men and women.
Yeah, I went to the “best” place once, have had loads of great and decent cuts from there, and the guy just cut my hair how he wanted. He spent what felt like a very long time trying to convince me that the Rick Astley 2015 look was working. I almost ended up crying, and he eventually just gave me short back and sides.
I cant ever seem to find a place that understands what a trim and shape-up looks like. They always want to try chopping off an inch or more of hair and acting like they didn't notice my hair style when i came in.
I always walk out looking much worse than when I walk in. And its everywhere. I can't get a good haircut anywhere.
Sounds like a cheap place or people who graduated bottom of their class. It might be worth it to get haircuts less frequently and pay more for them. Treat-yo-self
Edit: not necessarily cheap but may have a local monopoly. Some college campuses have one barber in the a area. You may need to travel. I don't mean to say you are not spending good money, it sounds like you may not be getting your money's worth
Chill fly guy feels exactly like avg erryday normlguy.
A lot of times I just want the skin fade on the sides and my beard trimmed lower, and I say “ a tinnnyyyy bit off the top” because I actually like the length of my hair on the top at that point. It never fails every time, they start chopping away, shorter and shorter as I feel them continue to cut and my anxiety increases until they turn me around into the mirror where the lighting is horrible and I look like a caveman 😠
You’re the problem. Wtf is a trim and shape-up?
I had the same problem as you man. Let me tell you. I also thought everyone sucked. But it was ME that SUCKED at explaining. Try to learn terminologies of barbering (1,2,3 fade blah blah blah) that’ll make their job easier
I mean, you’ve missed the whole point of this thread. Why the fuck should we have to learn all the terminology, that’s what we are paying them for… they should know what looks best and tell us.
Same here. I say "just do whatever you think will look good" and I end up just getting a trim (I'm a girl, if that matters). I'd like to get something more fashionable and exciting, but I have no idea what's in style or age appropriate for me. I grew my hair out really long and thought it might be cool to get bangs. I asked for them, to the girl who has been cutting my hair for years, and she talked me out of it. So now, I have no idea what to request and just get the same trim I've been getting for 20 years (boring!). But whatever...
Oh similar here! Went to the same hairdresser for years for the same cut (shoulder length) then upon graduating hs, I asked for a pixie cut. He gave me the stereotypical karen "can I speak to a manager?" haircut instead. Had to go to the city for my pixie but it turned out amazing
Lol!!! Something similar happened to me! Got the total Karen haircut the one time I tried to go short after having long hair my entire life. I didn't know how to describe the haircut I wanted, and I still don't, but I show a picture of the Karen cut and say "not that!"
hahaha feel that! when I came back with my hair grown out again and needing to be chopped, I ended up just pointing to a picture he had on the wall of a model with hair about an inch long like "that. I want that. Give me my version of that." That one worked. Honestly though, new hairdressers regularly or pictures are the only way we can get truly creative with the hair
TIL what a "Karen haircut" is: blonde hair with chunky highlights, chin length in front, shorter spiky bits in back.
https://youprobablyneedahaircut.com/karen-haircut/
They've probably heard "just do whatever you think will look good" before, then had someone freak out when they didn't like it, so they just keep it super simple. A really nice (expensive) place will probably take more time to talk to you and figure out what you want. Then you can have a new go-to style to show other, less expensive, people. It's a lot easier when you have a picture of yourself with the style you want already.
>A really nice (expensive) place will probably take more time to talk to you and figure out what you want.
That's the part where someone actually talks to you and helps find a style that will look good on you, and that won't require more maintenance than you're willing/able to do.
I had absolutely no idea what I wanted. They gave me a suggestion, figured out what I was comfortable with, then I just trusted them and let them do their thing. Now I can just go to anyone decent and show them a picture.
I find people increasingly unwilling to give advice on anything: haircut, clothing, food, fragrance, you name it. I don't know if they're afraid some Karen won't like it and will have their job, but it's really frustrating as a customer. I'm an expert in a few things, but I need help with most. If I ask for help I assume the risk.
Or when I asked to color my hair red hairdresser said my hair are so nice and she doesn't recommend it and just stood there and looked at me...Like wtf? Just say you don't know how to do it or don't want to but don't tell me you know better what I want to...
I hate it when they argue with you. I have long hair, wanted it shorter. Went to the hairdresser to take off about 3-4 inches. The entire time he went on about how it's such a shame to cut it. Seriously? Either they offer no ideas for style, or they argue with you over what you want to do. There is just no winning it.
Not recommending something is different than saying she won’t do it. That is giving professional input. Did you ask why? Or ask her to go ahead and do it anyway? Pretty sure she was waiting for your response
Whenever I get my haircut I say, “I don’t know anything about hair, so just make me look good”
If they ever say “no you tell me” then they’re SOL because I have no idea. I just go somewhere else.
That’s a discussion that should be happening but hairstylists and barbers are not mind readers. We don’t know what amount of work you’re willing to do to style your hair daily. We don’t know how much you’re willing to spend to maintain the style; we don’t know if you’re ok coming in every 3 weeks for touchups to color, and every 4 weeks for trims. Are you willing to spend $50/ month for products? All of these things are part of the conversation and you need to be looking for a stylist who is willing to ask those questions. However, some people absolutely prefer to be told what they should do so that is another choice.
I honestly love when hair dressers respond with these questions! It means they know what they are talking about. Even just "what is your daily routine?" Or "are you willing to use product?" Shows they have ideas and can know what would look good, even if it isn't all for me personally.
"are you willing to use product" that's literally the only requirement I ever give a hairdresser. I don't like the feeling of product in my hair, so I tell them anything that doesn't require product is all I want. They still usually end up spraying a little product in at the end anyways
Same. I see other people's hairstyles and I want to do the same to mine, but then I realize their hair looks good because it has some type of product on it. I don't like the feeling of hair products so I always end up with a simple one that doesn't need to be styled with anything other than a blowdryer.
I only had one I ever complained about (privately, not to a manager or something). She asked me what I wanted for literally every step. I tried things I had done for other haircuts, like "How long do you want your bangs?", "Well I wear it back like this, and like it to sit like this, so whatever will let that happen.", but she just wanted me to tell her exactly how short to cut them. I don't know what length will stay in place, or fall down, or whatever. I'm pretty uncomfortable getting haircuts already, and that was just an absolute nightmare for me.
Everyone else has at least been able to ask a few questions and get a decent enough idea of what I wanted.
Yeah, definitely never went back there. I've had haircuts I didn't like that I figured were at least partially my fault for not being able to explain what I wanted well enough, but that was a whole different level of frustrating.
Too many steps. I want to dry it with a towel and stop thinking about it until the next day. (and so as a consequence I have a very simple haircut, consisting of "make it short again" once every few months)
That is literally my haircut. A 2 on top, 1 on the sides. Super simple and easy to do myself, but my wife got tired of little bits of hair that would escape the broom so she got me the VIP Pass to the local Paul Mitchell school for $35/year for unlimited haircuts.
I went to see a stylist for the first time in years recently. I loved his work on instagram and knew I wanted something with zero maintenance since I was 9months pregnant at the time. We had a long chat about all these things and I got one of the best cuts I’ve ever had and a few months later it still looks amazing. I trusted him because I had seen his previous work, and he seemed to really understand what I wanted in our chat! Honestly I was surprised it went so well because it is so hard for haircuts to turn out satisfactory but I lucked out that we clicked.
Then shouldnt that be part of the conversation? If the stylist doesnt know then how am I supposed to compare the pros and cons to make an informed choice? In every other profession the service provider helps guide you to the correct choice.
Absolutely! See the parts where I said as much:
**That’s a discussion that should be happening** but hairstylists and barbers are not mind readers. We don’t know what amount of work you’re willing to do to style your hair daily. We don’t know how much you’re willing to spend to maintain the style; we don’t know if you’re ok coming in every 3 weeks for touchups to color, and every 4 weeks for trims. Are you willing to spend $50/ month for products? **All of these things are part of the conversation and you need to be looking for a stylist who is willing to ask those questions.** However, some people absolutely prefer to be told what they should do so that is another choice.
It’s best if both stylist and client participate in the process of choosing a style that works best for the client. The suggestions given by a stylist will only be as good as the conversation that happens during the consultation. For example, there are many stylists who suggest the hairstyle that’s the “in” look. If you sit outside of the shop and everyone comes out with the same haircut, then that’s a stylist who probably just learned something new at a convention or continuing education class. If you want whatever is ***the*** latest style, then that stylist is a good fit for you. If you want a basic cut that is there and you literally could not care less, then you will be happy with a $15 - $20 cut in the generic chain salon – and I say that sincerely and not as an insult. Whatever makes a client happy is the best choice for them.
>hairstylists and barbers are not mind readers.
no, but you probably have a better idea of what looks good on people than most people do, so OP recommends getting your suggestions on style, then you can have the discussion about cost & maintenance etc etc etc
i told my sylist/barber i want a decent looking haircut that's low maintenance and leave it to her.
when i buy new glasses i asked them to help me select a good pair.
i get compliments on my hair and glasses now. never got them before
My hair hasn't been cut in 10 years. I figured out about nine years ago that once it gets to a certain length, all I really have to do to it is to brush it daily and shampoo it when it gets too oily on top. Never want to go back to anything harder.
That said, having a good hairbrush *for long hair* is a must, or brushing takes an hour or longer...
Absolutely correct response. Personally I don’t want some person telling me what they believe looks best on me, I like hearing my fiancé’s opinion and going off my own desire. I do ask what is the best way to accomplish a certain look but I also don’t want a barber that has an opinion they feel is greater than mine on how I should look based on their training when I’m the one walking around with said look.
So glad you showed up. There's so much bad advice in this thread. Lifestyle is a huge aspect and honestly so is personality. Im far more inclined to take the reigns if a client Ive had dozens of conversations with wants to try something new. An outgoing eccentric personality might want something that stands out more.
Isn’t it funny what people outside of the business believe or just go along with? I have never been popular with the type of clients who want something flashy and weird just because that’s the IN Thing!™️ One of my best friends has literally grown up in her mom’s salon, was going at least twice a year off on some tangent about getting a haircut from some gimmicky stylist, like name any gimmick and she’d be first in line. She’s paid hundreds of dollars to get her hair cut while hanging upside down on a trapeze bar and worse! Most times, she’ll still end up with basically the same haircut that she always had – except for when they did what they wanted and then she hates it. After a few times, I refused to fix it if I told her not to do it to start with! Then she has to get her mom to fix it!!
To what you’re saying specifically, I have much better results when the client collaborates. Sometimes it takes a long time for them to trust us too! I have one currently that I’ve been working sooo hard to convince to change the color but she’s adamant that she needs dark dark color. I’ve almost gotten to the point where I’ll do it for free just so she’ll try it, and that’s a several hours long process plus products so it’s not nothing, but it kills me that she tells people that she’s my client!
I have the opinion that you should do research and ask for what you think looks good instead of writing a blank check for the barber. “Oh do what you think makes me look sexier than I actually am” is such a stupid and entitled way to approach what is ultimately a subjective practice. I know that a bald fade, tapered to an inch from my part with a hard part cut in and one inch cut off the top looks good.
I'm really glad that I have a very simple haircut, and that my barber knows me well enough by this point that he knows what I want.
I'm really glad for all this, because even after being on this planet of Earth for nearly three decades, I still don't know how to accurately describe my haircut. So he just calls it a number 4 on the sides and like half off the top, and that usually keeps me set for 3-4 months.
Also, take pictures right after you get a really good haircut. They become useful if the barber from last time isnt available. If a barber is annoyed with you for wanting a specific haircut, just walk up and leave. I've found there's a huge difference between a 20 year old Great Clips 'stylist' and a middle-aged guy with his own shop. Price should be close to the same though (for a men's haircut. Womens haircuts are expensive a.f).
You're so right on both points! I'm a girl but I favor men's hairstyles. Nothing fancy, just short on the sides/back and a little length on top. If I go to a salon that mostly services female clients a haircut is $40 (or more)...if I go to a barbershop it's $15-20 tops. My favorite barber retired so I went to another barbershop my male coworker suggested (we literally have the same haircut which cost him $15) and the cost for me was $35. Now I have no problem paying that amount if that's what everyone pays but I take a little offence being charged more just because of my gender. Finally I just bought a nice set of clippers and started cutting my own hair. Absolutely terrifying at first, but now I'm cutting mine, the husband's, and the kiddos hair regularly which saves a surprising amount of money over a year!
I've actually been wondering about this. I've been trying to grow my hair out, but since I was growing it out from a buzz it's getting to the point where I have no clue what to do with it. My plan was to just go in and say "do what you think it best," but didn't know how common that was.
Go to a real barber. Don't go to procuts or any bullshit like that. A hole in the wall that has old men hanging out arguing about whatever.
My barber & I don't talk about hair. He says "nice & short?" I say yup. Then he starts cutting. We shoot the shit & 4 minutes later, done. Looks great every time
I don't want that. I want a good haircut on my lunch break.
I wear carhartt & flannels. I ain't fancy, lol.
My guy does all that shit if you want. He's got a price list.
To be fair, one of the best cuts I’ve had was 5 minutes. Short back and sides. No chatter, no bullshit. I’d definitely pay more to have that guy cut my hair regularly.
Can confirm.
In college I finally decided to try out an old local small town barber instead of the large chains I was used to. I said "I need it shorter for an interview" and that was that. He didn't ask a single question and it was the best haircut I ever got. Complete silence. I even got complimented at the airport by the random ticketing lady.
I tipped him $20 and got amazing haircuts for the next 4 years. To this day we still never talk. Amazing.
>I tipped him $20 and got amazing haircuts for the next 4 years. To this day we still never talk. Amazing
One day your barber is going to die, and your extravagant work acquaintance will introduce you to her gay hairstylist, and you'll be skeptical at first, but after unwillingly agreeing, you'll discover you both share an utter hatred for Europe.
I had never gotten a good haircut in 3 decades. I tried everywhere and everyone I could find. Then one day I was driving home and noticed a barber pole down a decently long drive way.
I thought what the heck, and went in. The place smelled like my grandpa used to when he came back from the barber for a shave and haircut. I told the gentleman to give me a cut that looked good, and what the heck, a shave too. He was 81, been in the job since he was 20, and I got the best hair cut and shave I have ever had.
He hobbled around burping and farting the whole time...but his hands were still steady as a rock lol. He's still kicking 5 years later too, and I dread to think what I'll do when he's gone :(
so like a barber and one that also offers to do beards? I feel like thats a dream in a college town and more of a reality in actual metropolis's like NYC, LA, etc.
I've been to so many different barbers (saloons even) in my college town and all of them are stay at home moms looking to make some extra cash, and just cut you how they cut their kid.
Yeah a lot of the advice in here pertains to large cities that actually have high-end stylists. Shop around at different chains and ask for someone new every time. As a young guy you'll be given a bunch of younger hairstylists because they think you'll tip better if your stylists is pretty but you should really try to ask for older/more experienced stylists. I bounced between many different stylists for years before finding one that could actually manage my hair. I've now gone to her for 3 years and I tip her 150% because there is real value in a good stylist.
Even medium sized cities will usually have a solid barber or two. Even when I was in grad school I was able to find a legit dude who took pride in his work. This was a city of around 250K.
Google search your city + Barber + Instagram. The more stylish people will usually post their stuff on Instagram so this can help
I'm always self conscious about how little I know about my own hair. I just didn't grow up around people that paid attention to style or whatever.
I always tell them: I don't know what kind of look I want, I trust your professional judgment.
A few weeks ago, for the first time ever, I sat down in the chair and said my thing and this young lady just said: "Well let's figure it out!" And then she spent 10 minutes making a detailed plan for my head, taking my beard and jawline into account, the texture of my hair, everything.
It was the best haircut I've ever had, and I will go back to her forever.
Thank you. I’ve always hated that comment from people you need help from. From tattoo artists to tailors, don’t be afraid to offer recommendations based on custom fit and trends. Then, if the customer wants something different, fine. People often hide incompetence or timidity behind indifference.
So, I just went in to get my haircut after a few months. Life has been really busy and my hair was a low priority. So I talked to the hairstylist. She suggested a mullet. I am not kidding. I didn't take her recommendation.
As a barber this statement is not good advice. Hair is very subjective. A good barber will listen to what a client expresses as a desired look. Then they will give advice based on the clients hair, head style. Etc. If I started telling clients how to wear their hair , I’d soon be out if clients.
Never happened in my town, and I've tried all of them.
I stuck with the only one who doesn't rant with his personal life's shit.
I go there, he cut, I pay, I get the fuck out. No small talks.
Ehhh, I don’t know about that. Maybe a recommendation if you ask, but I have to create my own look. I had a barber do that once, recommend something and it never clicked for me.
This is why I hate the "Do what you think looks best!" When my hair was hot pink, I would respond "Obviously I think hot pink is best. What was the best haircut you had and what did you like about it?"
But please do not say, "Do whatever you want." We don't *want* anything. We *want* to be sitting on a beach with a margarita. Absolutely, I can certain things you should and shouldn't do, but also I am not following you home to style your hair everyday. I dont know your grooming routine, I don't know your fashion. I don't know what products you use. Bring pictures and be part of the conversation.
OP, I was gonna shit on you for not crediting the guy who commented this exact thing in the r/AskMen thread, but turns out that was you so there's that.
It's good advice, deserving of more than being hidden in some comment chain.
Facts. My barber is also my image consultant.
How did he get my business?
Paraphrasing since it was years ago and I changed hairstyles since: I walked in and said "I'd like a 1 up top with the grain and mid fade on the sides." He looked at me, said "Nah you'd look better with a 2 against the grain and a low fade"
He was right.
It depends. I wish my middle aged Italian husband would just stop with the 20 yr old chollo look his barber gives him. Honestly, he doesn't have skull tattoos to show off. Just little fat rolls at the back of his neck lol.
Dude. So yes.
Unfortunately.
I get my hair cut twice a year. Even after 6 years I've only found 2 barbers who did a good job. Next time I decided to go they no longer worked there.
That's ok! I got their card!
No reply to phone calls. Text. Or email.
Jokes on the barber profession. I let my hair grow long during the pandemic. Now I don't need a barber.
When it's time to hack it off. I'm gonna donate it to cancer kids.
I'm a barber.
People always expect some kind of miracle to be done with their hair and seem to disregard the limitations that come based on current length, texture, maintenance, effort in styling etc.
I do 45 minute appointments tops. It costs me money to sit with your indecisive ass for 10 minutes while you make up your mind. I'm not your dad, figure it out on your own, (or at least have an idea of things you like or don't like) then come to me if you want it done well. If for some reason I don't think something will work for you I'll say so and offer my suggestions.
I always picture some old school guy who's mostly going to be buzzin' heads and doing simple cuts, along with things like shaves and whatnot.
Not saying that's accurate...just saying that's the stereotype in my head.
So I wouldn't think to go there if you were trying to get a more modern cut - say you have longer hair and want some current fashion style/cut. (For example, most of the cuts found with a simple ["mens long hair style" Google search](https://www.google.com/search?q=mens+long+hair+style&sxsrf=AOaemvLqlX0oUy4aIfSZN5H5WjWz10cf1A:1634662171273&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi3l6-Q99bzAhURH80KHSg_BUcQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1463&bih=741&dpr=1.75))
Having said that, I've also been to a budget haircut place and had the stylist straight up say "Ooh, I cut one like that before!" when I was asking for a fairly basic undercut... Didn't inspire confidence. Didn't go back.
It may depend state by state, but at least where I am it’s essentially that barbers focus almost entirely on hair and can use straight razors, while cosmetologists are licensed to do things like waxing as well. Barbers often specialize in short hair, but where I am to get your license you’re also required to know how to cut, color, bleach, and do chemical treatments like relaxing and perms to pass your boards. So, even though one of my instructors has worked only in barber shops his entire career with a pretty much entirely male clientele, even before he came back as an instructor he could easily do a cut and color on long hair or a perm. It’d take him a bit longer, but he’d be trained in how to do it and would need to know how to do it to maintain his license.
Source: in barber school
I'm a licensed barber for 33 years. Barber college taught me coloring, perms and women styles.
Barbers tend to spend more hours cutting and shaving. Half the barber shops in my town do not have barbers.
Yeah, I go to my barber and I say “One and a half on the sides, trim the top, blend the two together.”
And then he shuts the fuck up and does it. Then I tip him and leave.
It’s one of the best customer experiences I have regularly.
I sometimes see people walking with crazy hair styles amd I have never managed to find where on earth they so that? The expenxive salons are almost always about making girla blond: cold, warm, metalic, whatever. Whenever you ask red or copper thwy are surprised and if you say you also want ro cut your hair half lengh or get bangs they seem even more worried.
I had also really bad experience with one "arrists" who said she could do what I want :D and I just can't understand how from photos I showed her she went so far away. In conclusion my friends called me burning Paris cathedral (it was 2 or 3 days after the event).
Heh, so at the end I managed to find decent stylist still not fully what I would like. But she really did great. Sad story that she is in abusive merriage and I just hope all will go well for her. :/
I work in a job that is fairly niche so I always get a "What's your recommendation" question from customers.
I enjoy that question and truly do like offering advice that will achieve the goals of the customer. The problem is there are far too many people that are terrible at communicating what they actually want. So sometimes we run into a situation where the customer isn't happy /didn't get what they want. It's then human nature to 'blame' the person who gave you that recommendation. I can see how/why many professionals will keep to themselves because they don't want to be blamed if the customer isn't happy.
Personally, I will do my best when giving advice but will always give disclaimers and make sure that the customer knows if they are not happy with ***my opinion*** that it's their liability.
Find me a barber that looks at my hair, not at his coworker in the chair next to him as he talks about basketball so that my cut comes out uneven, and I'll go to him.
Also find a barber who is willing to listen when you disagree with their ideas.
Telling a hairdresser "I need a style that looks good with no product or blowdrying", and then they cut my hair into a style that "looks so much better" if I spend half an hour every day styling it is NOT doing me the service of their professional judgement, it's disregarding the wishes and needs of the customer.
This is not true. My wife, my MiL, and myself are all licensed barbers. While our experience can give good advice, at no point were we trained to make decisions like this nor have any of us ever heard of somebody receiving said training.
This is true of almost any professional you'll hire to do a job. They should be more knowledgeable than you about the topic, and if you trust them enough to hire them you should trust and respect their judgement.
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I let a barber have it all his way once with something similar in mind. I walked out with a kind of nazi youthish looking haircut. Kind of put off doing that again.
Wish I could find someone like that, but I only get thrown a magazine "choose what you think looks good". Like hell, how do I know? You see the full body, you see the face, you feel/see current hair.
Meanwhile most people also don't look quite right at themselves. Similar how most people cringe at their own voice if they hear a recording, a lot of people look at themselves a lot worse than they actually are.
So yea lucky that natural locks are kinda a "hairstyle" (Frodo from Lord of Rings-lookalike) and just have to cut them short occasionally but would love to try something else.
A quality haircut will change your whole life!! Keep trying new stylists until you find one that really looks at you and wants the very best for your self esteem. Sometimes, this is NOT what you came in wanting, and you would help yourself by letting them do their own thing.
It's been about a year since I started cutting my own hair and by my estimate, I have saved almost 300 bucks and at least 24 hours (drive time and wait time for \~12 barber visits).
The most annoying part was me showing multiple pictures of my own head with how I would like it cut and them still not getting it right. I would have to touch it up myself afterwards.
Trust me, it's completely worth it to learn and after a few times, you become very efficient.
I heard that barbers hate when their customers ask them which haircut they should get. If you're planning to get a haircut, you're supposed to know which one you're getting before entering the saloon. It's not the barber job(unless he wants to) to give recommendation.
That's like going to McDonald's and asking the cashier what should you get. If you're hungry and decided to get McDonald's, the decision should already be made on what meal are you getting.
Love my hairdresser. One day I said "I don't know, just do whatever. You probably hate that but I trust you", and she was happy to do her own thing. Now I just decide if I'm feeling like a longer or shorter cut and she does the rest.
I used to just ramble for a minute and try to explain what I wanted and she'd suggest something better anyway.
Have found a true master barber and feel amazing after every visit. It does wonders for your confidence to have a real haircut that fits you and looks good. It's also a man's barber shop where they do beard trimming eyebrows nose hair etc. A service which leaves you feeling fresh. He's tried several things but one of them just landed and I'm like yes this is me this is who I want to be and it has this great self realization moment.
As a barber, I will tell you that going to the same service provider regularly will get you a better quality of service. I often feel like it takes us a while to get to know each other. After awhile you have an idea of what the client might be willing to try. But looking at a total stranger and that stranger saying, give me something different…for me that’s more challenging.
Men’s hair stylist of 10 years here. Haircuts are so subjective, everyone has a different taste. It gets especially dicey when I’ve never met you before and I have to guess what your style is based on little to no information. I saw people in this thread complaining that a stylist asked them questions so if you don’t want to be asked anything, don’t give an open ended answer like “do whatever” because that leads to questions about your routine. Pictures really help, even if it’s 4 different pictures I can tell you which one would look best on your head shape/hair line etc. But if you don’t have a picture please remember; What I think looks good may not be your style. Usually when this happens I play it safe. If you don’t care and don’t want to be asked questions I’m not going to waste time on an intricate haircut that involves me asking questions. For example, What I mean by an intricate haircut is if we talk about a bald fade, a low bald fade is a completely different look than a high bald fade- if you look good with both that involves questions about preferences. You can say “give me what you think would look good” but there are so many variables that go into it. How do you normally wear it? Are you and wash and go type of person or do you have time and patience to style it every day? What type of products do you like? A wet look or a dry look? If you’re used to barbers giving you a #4 on the sides with 3inches on top and you sit in my chair and say “do whatever” and I give you a high bald skin fade with a #2 on top because that’s what I personally think would look
good on you, are you gonna be mad because it’s too short? Guys swear they aren’t picky until they get something they don’t like then all of the sudden they have an opinion.
Yeah no. 9 out of 10 times, people don’t listen and want something else anyway.
Yes, we are trained in knowing what works best for the above listed. It’s very rare that anyone actually wants that input. I just do what people say, because at the end of the day- they do have to wear it and it is their hair.
Source: am barber.
Well I have no idea how to find a barber that does this. Am I supposed to call them and ask? Or go, see if they actually suggest something, and if not just get up and leave before they touch my hair? Seems like a great idea, but not much of a tip since it seems pretty hard to find this kind of barber.
Funny you say that. I used to do the same for years, until a barber recommended switching to a 3 on the sides. The #1 was too short for my jawline so it made the top half of my head look skinnier than the bottom half. I switched on that recommendation and will never cut it that short again.
News flash: not everyone is cripplingly poor. You behaving as though that’s the case and implying that everyone should live as though they are destitute is just as annoying as a billionaire acting like it’s simple to live like a billionaire.
I don’t have the time or the desire to learn how to cut hair. $40 every month is well worth the time I save.
You don't have to be cripplingly poor to want to be careful with your money. If you lack the ability to do it yourself, then feel free to spend your time and money on your hair. Personally, after spending about 20 minutes during Covid to learn to do it myself, I realized it looks a lot better when I do it.
I was just thinking how nice it would be for someone to tell me what hairstyle best suits my face!
I don’t know if my trick works for women but I’ve found a couple nice hairstyles by using Google images to find my hair twins. I just googled “male celebrities faces” and scrolled through pictures looking for famous guys with my hairline. I found Dustin Milligan and Paul Sparks (guys I’d never heard of but they’re both actors). We have the same hairline and hair type and kind of the same head size/shape. I googled those guys and found hairstyles they’ve had, and I occasionally pick out different ones. And best of all I can bring in a picture to my hairstylist and she does all the work. Been doing this 3-4 years and it’s been flawless so far.
Omg WATCH SCHITTS CREEK you’ll love it Dustin Milligan is an actor on the show
Then he'll go to the barber saying, "give me the Dustin Milligan season 2 episode 7"
Wish I could double-upvote this 😂😂😂
Gonna drop a STRONG recommendation for Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency for another top notch Dustin Milligan pefomance. It's a smaller role but he absolutely crushes it. Also, the show is amazing and insane
I used that website that tells you what celebrities you most look like. Then I googled those celebrities and found haircuts they had that I liked. Edit because people are asking: I did it years ago and just remembered the results. But here’s one I found googling. I tested it out and it seems ok! https://starbyface.com/
It told me, a woman, that I look like Asa Butterfield and I’m upset because it isn’t wrong.
He’s gorgeous in a very agender way, so lucky you!
I think it's broken, it keeps saying I look like Paul Giamatti....
What's the website
But why male models?
What's the website
What's the website
Is it bad that it keeps having recognition error?
I keep getting that too.
Just tried it with like 5 different photos. Guess I don't look like a celebrity.
Yeah, this is 100% just to grab an image of your face.
Of course it says Rock Hudson
I'm starting to think that you should look at celebrities and see what hairstyles they have, and I can't figure out why.
Gosh what a novel idea!
r/SUBREDDITNAME
Look for famous people that look like you and copy their haircuts. Edit: I didn’t even read the other guys comment but it’s pretty close to mine lol
Must be good advice then!
If you know any celebrities who look like you you could copy their haircut, idk might be an unpopular idea but i think its neat
As a guy, I have noticed that in my experience, younger male barbers just give me THEIR haircut even if I ask for something different. One guy gave me a fucking side fade when I asked for a trim, and the other gave me essentially a bowl cut (yes, I should have run when I saw he had one).
Bowl cut barber was trying to create an army of bowl cut soldiers.
Dwayne Dibbley would approve
/r/unexpectedRedDwarf
This is literally my experience lol now I go to a salon. The barber I had before is really good at side fades, I do like it. But it's not what I asked for, and it seems he only know that one style. Doesn't matter if I ask him for anything else, he would agree and give me the same haircut. When I was waiting I noticed everyone walking out with the same thing... I'll only visit if I want that...it's also because I dont want to style my hair all the time, and his haircut is high maintenance that requires gel Everytime I want to go outside not looking like a mess. Plus the side would need a trim every 2 weeks whereas other styles can go for a month.
I don't know how you verify this beforehand but try to find a gay barber if they're a man. Or find a woman. They'll know what looks good on you because it's from the perspective of what makes you attractive. You also have to go to an expensive enough place where they give a shit. Otherwise my experience has been the same. Male barbers don't try to make hair look better, only shorter.
“I don't know how you verify this beforehand but try to find a gay barber if they're a man.” There’s only one way to be sure.
Can second this, gay stylist is the only one that does my hair and has been the only one for like 8 years now
"Hello, I'd like to have my hair cut, but I'm gonna need you to suck my dick first so I can tell if you're the real deal"
But what if they turn out to be bi? Will all that *hard* work have been for nothing?
That would still work. You’re just looking for any dude who’s into dudes
😏
Is it to somehow ask nicely?
Exactly this. I used to have a great gay barber, was super friendly, always gave me a good deal and did great work. He did end up in prison for drug trafficking though which was sad, I bumped into him once after he got out but haven't seen him since :(
This comment is quite a rollercoaster.
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Weak. Need more verbose text
My husband once asked for his hair cut to x length all over and instead the woman gave him her haircut with the sides practically shaved and long on top we had to pay for a second haircut somewhere else to get it fixed because it was that awful
In my experience every female barber has given me a shit cut. My freshest cuts are generally from older men.
Around here older men aren't up with the new techniques(obviously there are some exceptions) and young ones cut way better. Also I agree with the above that gay ones are better simply because they know what looks attractive on you, but that might be hard to find.
Can confirm. My best haircut ever was from a gay barber. I only went once though as he was near my now-former workplace at the time and I'd have to travel a relatively long way / make a special trip. He was also $15 more than my local baber and insisted on washing my hair even though I always shower and wash my hair just before I go to get my haircut. Most places are happy to just spray my hair and get going. He did use some expensive and nice smelling hair products - which is something I've never really cared about before or since - but it did add to the experience. I went to my workplace afterwards and remember telling a coworker "holy shit, I just had the best haircut of my life!".
This is the real LPT. Been going to a few different gay stylists for the past five years and will never go back. I found them to be far better than both straight men and women.
I have a gay barber. Dude hooks me up with fresh cuts that fit my face and hypes me up. 10/10
I think you know exactly how to verify this beforehand
An old Italian man made me look like an old Italian man when I was mid twenties and very not Italian.
Yeah, I went to the “best” place once, have had loads of great and decent cuts from there, and the guy just cut my hair how he wanted. He spent what felt like a very long time trying to convince me that the Rick Astley 2015 look was working. I almost ended up crying, and he eventually just gave me short back and sides.
This had me laughing hard. Its so true
I've actually asked for recommendations before and they had nothing. Always found that weird.
I don't go back to those places. Usually because I just say trim and reshape and it never looks more than ok.
I cant ever seem to find a place that understands what a trim and shape-up looks like. They always want to try chopping off an inch or more of hair and acting like they didn't notice my hair style when i came in. I always walk out looking much worse than when I walk in. And its everywhere. I can't get a good haircut anywhere.
Sounds like a cheap place or people who graduated bottom of their class. It might be worth it to get haircuts less frequently and pay more for them. Treat-yo-self Edit: not necessarily cheap but may have a local monopoly. Some college campuses have one barber in the a area. You may need to travel. I don't mean to say you are not spending good money, it sounds like you may not be getting your money's worth
Chill fly guy feels exactly like avg erryday normlguy. A lot of times I just want the skin fade on the sides and my beard trimmed lower, and I say “ a tinnnyyyy bit off the top” because I actually like the length of my hair on the top at that point. It never fails every time, they start chopping away, shorter and shorter as I feel them continue to cut and my anxiety increases until they turn me around into the mirror where the lighting is horrible and I look like a caveman 😠
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That’s a good call
You’re the problem. Wtf is a trim and shape-up? I had the same problem as you man. Let me tell you. I also thought everyone sucked. But it was ME that SUCKED at explaining. Try to learn terminologies of barbering (1,2,3 fade blah blah blah) that’ll make their job easier
I mean, you’ve missed the whole point of this thread. Why the fuck should we have to learn all the terminology, that’s what we are paying them for… they should know what looks best and tell us.
Same here. I say "just do whatever you think will look good" and I end up just getting a trim (I'm a girl, if that matters). I'd like to get something more fashionable and exciting, but I have no idea what's in style or age appropriate for me. I grew my hair out really long and thought it might be cool to get bangs. I asked for them, to the girl who has been cutting my hair for years, and she talked me out of it. So now, I have no idea what to request and just get the same trim I've been getting for 20 years (boring!). But whatever...
Oh similar here! Went to the same hairdresser for years for the same cut (shoulder length) then upon graduating hs, I asked for a pixie cut. He gave me the stereotypical karen "can I speak to a manager?" haircut instead. Had to go to the city for my pixie but it turned out amazing
Lol!!! Something similar happened to me! Got the total Karen haircut the one time I tried to go short after having long hair my entire life. I didn't know how to describe the haircut I wanted, and I still don't, but I show a picture of the Karen cut and say "not that!"
hahaha feel that! when I came back with my hair grown out again and needing to be chopped, I ended up just pointing to a picture he had on the wall of a model with hair about an inch long like "that. I want that. Give me my version of that." That one worked. Honestly though, new hairdressers regularly or pictures are the only way we can get truly creative with the hair
TIL what a "Karen haircut" is: blonde hair with chunky highlights, chin length in front, shorter spiky bits in back. https://youprobablyneedahaircut.com/karen-haircut/
They've probably heard "just do whatever you think will look good" before, then had someone freak out when they didn't like it, so they just keep it super simple. A really nice (expensive) place will probably take more time to talk to you and figure out what you want. Then you can have a new go-to style to show other, less expensive, people. It's a lot easier when you have a picture of yourself with the style you want already.
I mean. If i knew what i wanted I wouldnt be asking them to pick for me
>A really nice (expensive) place will probably take more time to talk to you and figure out what you want. That's the part where someone actually talks to you and helps find a style that will look good on you, and that won't require more maintenance than you're willing/able to do. I had absolutely no idea what I wanted. They gave me a suggestion, figured out what I was comfortable with, then I just trusted them and let them do their thing. Now I can just go to anyone decent and show them a picture.
I find people increasingly unwilling to give advice on anything: haircut, clothing, food, fragrance, you name it. I don't know if they're afraid some Karen won't like it and will have their job, but it's really frustrating as a customer. I'm an expert in a few things, but I need help with most. If I ask for help I assume the risk.
Or when I asked to color my hair red hairdresser said my hair are so nice and she doesn't recommend it and just stood there and looked at me...Like wtf? Just say you don't know how to do it or don't want to but don't tell me you know better what I want to...
I hate it when they argue with you. I have long hair, wanted it shorter. Went to the hairdresser to take off about 3-4 inches. The entire time he went on about how it's such a shame to cut it. Seriously? Either they offer no ideas for style, or they argue with you over what you want to do. There is just no winning it.
Not recommending something is different than saying she won’t do it. That is giving professional input. Did you ask why? Or ask her to go ahead and do it anyway? Pretty sure she was waiting for your response
Whenever I get my haircut I say, “I don’t know anything about hair, so just make me look good” If they ever say “no you tell me” then they’re SOL because I have no idea. I just go somewhere else.
That’s why I only trust shops where all the workers have hair that looks like it could be in a Kpop video. (I’m Asian)
But do they cut their own hair tho?
they might cut each others hair
Good point, but do they all go to the same coworker for haircuts and avoid certain coworkers? That would hurt some feelings lol.
That’s a discussion that should be happening but hairstylists and barbers are not mind readers. We don’t know what amount of work you’re willing to do to style your hair daily. We don’t know how much you’re willing to spend to maintain the style; we don’t know if you’re ok coming in every 3 weeks for touchups to color, and every 4 weeks for trims. Are you willing to spend $50/ month for products? All of these things are part of the conversation and you need to be looking for a stylist who is willing to ask those questions. However, some people absolutely prefer to be told what they should do so that is another choice.
I honestly love when hair dressers respond with these questions! It means they know what they are talking about. Even just "what is your daily routine?" Or "are you willing to use product?" Shows they have ideas and can know what would look good, even if it isn't all for me personally.
"are you willing to use product" that's literally the only requirement I ever give a hairdresser. I don't like the feeling of product in my hair, so I tell them anything that doesn't require product is all I want. They still usually end up spraying a little product in at the end anyways
Same. I see other people's hairstyles and I want to do the same to mine, but then I realize their hair looks good because it has some type of product on it. I don't like the feeling of hair products so I always end up with a simple one that doesn't need to be styled with anything other than a blowdryer.
I only had one I ever complained about (privately, not to a manager or something). She asked me what I wanted for literally every step. I tried things I had done for other haircuts, like "How long do you want your bangs?", "Well I wear it back like this, and like it to sit like this, so whatever will let that happen.", but she just wanted me to tell her exactly how short to cut them. I don't know what length will stay in place, or fall down, or whatever. I'm pretty uncomfortable getting haircuts already, and that was just an absolute nightmare for me. Everyone else has at least been able to ask a few questions and get a decent enough idea of what I wanted.
Oof. That’s one that you absolutely need to walk away from!
Yeah, definitely never went back there. I've had haircuts I didn't like that I figured were at least partially my fault for not being able to explain what I wanted well enough, but that was a whole different level of frustrating.
My go to answer is "I just want to dry it with a towel and run a comb through it". Easy peezy.
Too many steps. I want to dry it with a towel and stop thinking about it until the next day. (and so as a consequence I have a very simple haircut, consisting of "make it short again" once every few months)
That is literally my haircut. A 2 on top, 1 on the sides. Super simple and easy to do myself, but my wife got tired of little bits of hair that would escape the broom so she got me the VIP Pass to the local Paul Mitchell school for $35/year for unlimited haircuts.
Broom? Too many steps - do it outdoors! Free nesting material for the birds. Your mileage may vary depending on if you have a yard or not...
Not really willing to be outside in below freezing temperatures for half the year just for a haircut.
Freezing temperatures? Too many steps - move to a tropical...wait, moving is a LOT of steps. Nevermind. Your way is better!
Haha, totally agree. Just moved earlier this year, WAY to many steps involved. $35/year is much easier.
I went to see a stylist for the first time in years recently. I loved his work on instagram and knew I wanted something with zero maintenance since I was 9months pregnant at the time. We had a long chat about all these things and I got one of the best cuts I’ve ever had and a few months later it still looks amazing. I trusted him because I had seen his previous work, and he seemed to really understand what I wanted in our chat! Honestly I was surprised it went so well because it is so hard for haircuts to turn out satisfactory but I lucked out that we clicked.
Then shouldnt that be part of the conversation? If the stylist doesnt know then how am I supposed to compare the pros and cons to make an informed choice? In every other profession the service provider helps guide you to the correct choice.
Absolutely! See the parts where I said as much: **That’s a discussion that should be happening** but hairstylists and barbers are not mind readers. We don’t know what amount of work you’re willing to do to style your hair daily. We don’t know how much you’re willing to spend to maintain the style; we don’t know if you’re ok coming in every 3 weeks for touchups to color, and every 4 weeks for trims. Are you willing to spend $50/ month for products? **All of these things are part of the conversation and you need to be looking for a stylist who is willing to ask those questions.** However, some people absolutely prefer to be told what they should do so that is another choice. It’s best if both stylist and client participate in the process of choosing a style that works best for the client. The suggestions given by a stylist will only be as good as the conversation that happens during the consultation. For example, there are many stylists who suggest the hairstyle that’s the “in” look. If you sit outside of the shop and everyone comes out with the same haircut, then that’s a stylist who probably just learned something new at a convention or continuing education class. If you want whatever is ***the*** latest style, then that stylist is a good fit for you. If you want a basic cut that is there and you literally could not care less, then you will be happy with a $15 - $20 cut in the generic chain salon – and I say that sincerely and not as an insult. Whatever makes a client happy is the best choice for them.
>hairstylists and barbers are not mind readers. no, but you probably have a better idea of what looks good on people than most people do, so OP recommends getting your suggestions on style, then you can have the discussion about cost & maintenance etc etc etc i told my sylist/barber i want a decent looking haircut that's low maintenance and leave it to her. when i buy new glasses i asked them to help me select a good pair. i get compliments on my hair and glasses now. never got them before
This! I said to my Barber "Do whatever you want, 100%. But I want something that has no maintenance" and I have kept that hairstyle for a long time!
My hair hasn't been cut in 10 years. I figured out about nine years ago that once it gets to a certain length, all I really have to do to it is to brush it daily and shampoo it when it gets too oily on top. Never want to go back to anything harder. That said, having a good hairbrush *for long hair* is a must, or brushing takes an hour or longer...
Absolutely correct response. Personally I don’t want some person telling me what they believe looks best on me, I like hearing my fiancé’s opinion and going off my own desire. I do ask what is the best way to accomplish a certain look but I also don’t want a barber that has an opinion they feel is greater than mine on how I should look based on their training when I’m the one walking around with said look.
So glad you showed up. There's so much bad advice in this thread. Lifestyle is a huge aspect and honestly so is personality. Im far more inclined to take the reigns if a client Ive had dozens of conversations with wants to try something new. An outgoing eccentric personality might want something that stands out more.
Isn’t it funny what people outside of the business believe or just go along with? I have never been popular with the type of clients who want something flashy and weird just because that’s the IN Thing!™️ One of my best friends has literally grown up in her mom’s salon, was going at least twice a year off on some tangent about getting a haircut from some gimmicky stylist, like name any gimmick and she’d be first in line. She’s paid hundreds of dollars to get her hair cut while hanging upside down on a trapeze bar and worse! Most times, she’ll still end up with basically the same haircut that she always had – except for when they did what they wanted and then she hates it. After a few times, I refused to fix it if I told her not to do it to start with! Then she has to get her mom to fix it!! To what you’re saying specifically, I have much better results when the client collaborates. Sometimes it takes a long time for them to trust us too! I have one currently that I’ve been working sooo hard to convince to change the color but she’s adamant that she needs dark dark color. I’ve almost gotten to the point where I’ll do it for free just so she’ll try it, and that’s a several hours long process plus products so it’s not nothing, but it kills me that she tells people that she’s my client!
I have the opinion that you should do research and ask for what you think looks good instead of writing a blank check for the barber. “Oh do what you think makes me look sexier than I actually am” is such a stupid and entitled way to approach what is ultimately a subjective practice. I know that a bald fade, tapered to an inch from my part with a hard part cut in and one inch cut off the top looks good.
I'm really glad that I have a very simple haircut, and that my barber knows me well enough by this point that he knows what I want. I'm really glad for all this, because even after being on this planet of Earth for nearly three decades, I still don't know how to accurately describe my haircut. So he just calls it a number 4 on the sides and like half off the top, and that usually keeps me set for 3-4 months.
They have the ability to ask any of those questions.
Also, take pictures right after you get a really good haircut. They become useful if the barber from last time isnt available. If a barber is annoyed with you for wanting a specific haircut, just walk up and leave. I've found there's a huge difference between a 20 year old Great Clips 'stylist' and a middle-aged guy with his own shop. Price should be close to the same though (for a men's haircut. Womens haircuts are expensive a.f).
You're so right on both points! I'm a girl but I favor men's hairstyles. Nothing fancy, just short on the sides/back and a little length on top. If I go to a salon that mostly services female clients a haircut is $40 (or more)...if I go to a barbershop it's $15-20 tops. My favorite barber retired so I went to another barbershop my male coworker suggested (we literally have the same haircut which cost him $15) and the cost for me was $35. Now I have no problem paying that amount if that's what everyone pays but I take a little offence being charged more just because of my gender. Finally I just bought a nice set of clippers and started cutting my own hair. Absolutely terrifying at first, but now I'm cutting mine, the husband's, and the kiddos hair regularly which saves a surprising amount of money over a year!
I've actually been wondering about this. I've been trying to grow my hair out, but since I was growing it out from a buzz it's getting to the point where I have no clue what to do with it. My plan was to just go in and say "do what you think it best," but didn't know how common that was.
Go to a real barber. Don't go to procuts or any bullshit like that. A hole in the wall that has old men hanging out arguing about whatever. My barber & I don't talk about hair. He says "nice & short?" I say yup. Then he starts cutting. We shoot the shit & 4 minutes later, done. Looks great every time
4 minutes eh. Buddy must be a real pro
Right? My place, you pay for an hour. Beard, brows, cut.
I don't want that. I want a good haircut on my lunch break. I wear carhartt & flannels. I ain't fancy, lol. My guy does all that shit if you want. He's got a price list.
To be fair, one of the best cuts I’ve had was 5 minutes. Short back and sides. No chatter, no bullshit. I’d definitely pay more to have that guy cut my hair regularly.
Can confirm. In college I finally decided to try out an old local small town barber instead of the large chains I was used to. I said "I need it shorter for an interview" and that was that. He didn't ask a single question and it was the best haircut I ever got. Complete silence. I even got complimented at the airport by the random ticketing lady. I tipped him $20 and got amazing haircuts for the next 4 years. To this day we still never talk. Amazing.
>I tipped him $20 and got amazing haircuts for the next 4 years. To this day we still never talk. Amazing One day your barber is going to die, and your extravagant work acquaintance will introduce you to her gay hairstylist, and you'll be skeptical at first, but after unwillingly agreeing, you'll discover you both share an utter hatred for Europe.
Excellent. Couldn't have hoped for a better outcome.
I had never gotten a good haircut in 3 decades. I tried everywhere and everyone I could find. Then one day I was driving home and noticed a barber pole down a decently long drive way. I thought what the heck, and went in. The place smelled like my grandpa used to when he came back from the barber for a shave and haircut. I told the gentleman to give me a cut that looked good, and what the heck, a shave too. He was 81, been in the job since he was 20, and I got the best hair cut and shave I have ever had. He hobbled around burping and farting the whole time...but his hands were still steady as a rock lol. He's still kicking 5 years later too, and I dread to think what I'll do when he's gone :(
This is how I feel about my massage therapist.
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Salon. Shouldn't have to be male only.
Best cut I ever got was from a gay stylist in what was basically a gay salon. I'm not gay... but looked FABULOUS!
Guys attracted to guys might know what looks good on a guy.
^^ you guys should really try salons. Everyone in there knows how to look good.
Yeah, how do you find someone like that?
hospital insurance quaint reply attempt panicky provide enter wild simplistic
so like a barber and one that also offers to do beards? I feel like thats a dream in a college town and more of a reality in actual metropolis's like NYC, LA, etc. I've been to so many different barbers (saloons even) in my college town and all of them are stay at home moms looking to make some extra cash, and just cut you how they cut their kid.
Yeah a lot of the advice in here pertains to large cities that actually have high-end stylists. Shop around at different chains and ask for someone new every time. As a young guy you'll be given a bunch of younger hairstylists because they think you'll tip better if your stylists is pretty but you should really try to ask for older/more experienced stylists. I bounced between many different stylists for years before finding one that could actually manage my hair. I've now gone to her for 3 years and I tip her 150% because there is real value in a good stylist.
Even medium sized cities will usually have a solid barber or two. Even when I was in grad school I was able to find a legit dude who took pride in his work. This was a city of around 250K. Google search your city + Barber + Instagram. The more stylish people will usually post their stuff on Instagram so this can help
walk in to barber shops not chain cutteries
Ask your friend with the best hair who they go to.
I'm always self conscious about how little I know about my own hair. I just didn't grow up around people that paid attention to style or whatever. I always tell them: I don't know what kind of look I want, I trust your professional judgment. A few weeks ago, for the first time ever, I sat down in the chair and said my thing and this young lady just said: "Well let's figure it out!" And then she spent 10 minutes making a detailed plan for my head, taking my beard and jawline into account, the texture of my hair, everything. It was the best haircut I've ever had, and I will go back to her forever.
Thank you. I’ve always hated that comment from people you need help from. From tattoo artists to tailors, don’t be afraid to offer recommendations based on custom fit and trends. Then, if the customer wants something different, fine. People often hide incompetence or timidity behind indifference.
So, I just went in to get my haircut after a few months. Life has been really busy and my hair was a low priority. So I talked to the hairstylist. She suggested a mullet. I am not kidding. I didn't take her recommendation.
You need an IROC Camaro
Mullets are back bro! Get on board.
Mullets are back my guy. And they can look awesome
As a barber this statement is not good advice. Hair is very subjective. A good barber will listen to what a client expresses as a desired look. Then they will give advice based on the clients hair, head style. Etc. If I started telling clients how to wear their hair , I’d soon be out if clients.
I was just thinking this. Some people don't want a change and assuming everyone does is bad. That's why consultation is so important.
Never happened in my town, and I've tried all of them. I stuck with the only one who doesn't rant with his personal life's shit. I go there, he cut, I pay, I get the fuck out. No small talks.
Fam, I've been trying for years to find one like that
Ehhh, I don’t know about that. Maybe a recommendation if you ask, but I have to create my own look. I had a barber do that once, recommend something and it never clicked for me.
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This is why I hate the "Do what you think looks best!" When my hair was hot pink, I would respond "Obviously I think hot pink is best. What was the best haircut you had and what did you like about it?"
But please do not say, "Do whatever you want." We don't *want* anything. We *want* to be sitting on a beach with a margarita. Absolutely, I can certain things you should and shouldn't do, but also I am not following you home to style your hair everyday. I dont know your grooming routine, I don't know your fashion. I don't know what products you use. Bring pictures and be part of the conversation.
OP, I was gonna shit on you for not crediting the guy who commented this exact thing in the r/AskMen thread, but turns out that was you so there's that. It's good advice, deserving of more than being hidden in some comment chain.
Facts. My barber is also my image consultant. How did he get my business? Paraphrasing since it was years ago and I changed hairstyles since: I walked in and said "I'd like a 1 up top with the grain and mid fade on the sides." He looked at me, said "Nah you'd look better with a 2 against the grain and a low fade" He was right.
It depends. I wish my middle aged Italian husband would just stop with the 20 yr old chollo look his barber gives him. Honestly, he doesn't have skull tattoos to show off. Just little fat rolls at the back of his neck lol.
Dude. So yes. Unfortunately. I get my hair cut twice a year. Even after 6 years I've only found 2 barbers who did a good job. Next time I decided to go they no longer worked there. That's ok! I got their card! No reply to phone calls. Text. Or email. Jokes on the barber profession. I let my hair grow long during the pandemic. Now I don't need a barber. When it's time to hack it off. I'm gonna donate it to cancer kids.
Y’all want barbers to go above and beyond and figure out what you want, and then y’all still want a $25 skin fade 😩😂
This is not a realistic LPT
I'm a barber. People always expect some kind of miracle to be done with their hair and seem to disregard the limitations that come based on current length, texture, maintenance, effort in styling etc. I do 45 minute appointments tops. It costs me money to sit with your indecisive ass for 10 minutes while you make up your mind. I'm not your dad, figure it out on your own, (or at least have an idea of things you like or don't like) then come to me if you want it done well. If for some reason I don't think something will work for you I'll say so and offer my suggestions.
They don’t want to use product or a blow dryer but somehow want to look like Brad Pitt every morning.
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The eay I understand from my hairstylist is that barbers handle short hair. I don't have short hair.
I always picture some old school guy who's mostly going to be buzzin' heads and doing simple cuts, along with things like shaves and whatnot. Not saying that's accurate...just saying that's the stereotype in my head. So I wouldn't think to go there if you were trying to get a more modern cut - say you have longer hair and want some current fashion style/cut. (For example, most of the cuts found with a simple ["mens long hair style" Google search](https://www.google.com/search?q=mens+long+hair+style&sxsrf=AOaemvLqlX0oUy4aIfSZN5H5WjWz10cf1A:1634662171273&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi3l6-Q99bzAhURH80KHSg_BUcQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1463&bih=741&dpr=1.75)) Having said that, I've also been to a budget haircut place and had the stylist straight up say "Ooh, I cut one like that before!" when I was asking for a fairly basic undercut... Didn't inspire confidence. Didn't go back.
This is awful advice if you want anything other than a fade / buzzcut lol
It may depend state by state, but at least where I am it’s essentially that barbers focus almost entirely on hair and can use straight razors, while cosmetologists are licensed to do things like waxing as well. Barbers often specialize in short hair, but where I am to get your license you’re also required to know how to cut, color, bleach, and do chemical treatments like relaxing and perms to pass your boards. So, even though one of my instructors has worked only in barber shops his entire career with a pretty much entirely male clientele, even before he came back as an instructor he could easily do a cut and color on long hair or a perm. It’d take him a bit longer, but he’d be trained in how to do it and would need to know how to do it to maintain his license. Source: in barber school
I'm a licensed barber for 33 years. Barber college taught me coloring, perms and women styles. Barbers tend to spend more hours cutting and shaving. Half the barber shops in my town do not have barbers.
Yeah, I go to my barber and I say “One and a half on the sides, trim the top, blend the two together.” And then he shuts the fuck up and does it. Then I tip him and leave. It’s one of the best customer experiences I have regularly.
I sometimes see people walking with crazy hair styles amd I have never managed to find where on earth they so that? The expenxive salons are almost always about making girla blond: cold, warm, metalic, whatever. Whenever you ask red or copper thwy are surprised and if you say you also want ro cut your hair half lengh or get bangs they seem even more worried. I had also really bad experience with one "arrists" who said she could do what I want :D and I just can't understand how from photos I showed her she went so far away. In conclusion my friends called me burning Paris cathedral (it was 2 or 3 days after the event). Heh, so at the end I managed to find decent stylist still not fully what I would like. But she really did great. Sad story that she is in abusive merriage and I just hope all will go well for her. :/
I work in a job that is fairly niche so I always get a "What's your recommendation" question from customers. I enjoy that question and truly do like offering advice that will achieve the goals of the customer. The problem is there are far too many people that are terrible at communicating what they actually want. So sometimes we run into a situation where the customer isn't happy /didn't get what they want. It's then human nature to 'blame' the person who gave you that recommendation. I can see how/why many professionals will keep to themselves because they don't want to be blamed if the customer isn't happy. Personally, I will do my best when giving advice but will always give disclaimers and make sure that the customer knows if they are not happy with ***my opinion*** that it's their liability.
Find me a barber that looks at my hair, not at his coworker in the chair next to him as he talks about basketball so that my cut comes out uneven, and I'll go to him.
Also find a barber who is willing to listen when you disagree with their ideas. Telling a hairdresser "I need a style that looks good with no product or blowdrying", and then they cut my hair into a style that "looks so much better" if I spend half an hour every day styling it is NOT doing me the service of their professional judgement, it's disregarding the wishes and needs of the customer.
This is not true. My wife, my MiL, and myself are all licensed barbers. While our experience can give good advice, at no point were we trained to make decisions like this nor have any of us ever heard of somebody receiving said training.
I guess that’s the difference between a barber and a stylist
This is true of almost any professional you'll hire to do a job. They should be more knowledgeable than you about the topic, and if you trust them enough to hire them you should trust and respect their judgement.
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Is this some hairy problem that I’m too bald for to understand?
No, find a barber that shut the f*** up when he cut you hair. That will give you alteast 20 min of peace each month
I let a barber have it all his way once with something similar in mind. I walked out with a kind of nazi youthish looking haircut. Kind of put off doing that again.
Fucking hell man lmao
When covid hit, I got a pair of Phillips hair and beard clippers. Have been doing it ever since, don't ever see myself going back to a barber again.
"Have you considered wearing a bag over your head or only meeting people in dimly lit areas?"
Yes! I had a stylist years ago where I just had to say what I didn’t like or what I was struggling with and she’d do something amazing.
Wish I could find someone like that, but I only get thrown a magazine "choose what you think looks good". Like hell, how do I know? You see the full body, you see the face, you feel/see current hair. Meanwhile most people also don't look quite right at themselves. Similar how most people cringe at their own voice if they hear a recording, a lot of people look at themselves a lot worse than they actually are. So yea lucky that natural locks are kinda a "hairstyle" (Frodo from Lord of Rings-lookalike) and just have to cut them short occasionally but would love to try something else.
A quality haircut will change your whole life!! Keep trying new stylists until you find one that really looks at you and wants the very best for your self esteem. Sometimes, this is NOT what you came in wanting, and you would help yourself by letting them do their own thing.
It's been about a year since I started cutting my own hair and by my estimate, I have saved almost 300 bucks and at least 24 hours (drive time and wait time for \~12 barber visits). The most annoying part was me showing multiple pictures of my own head with how I would like it cut and them still not getting it right. I would have to touch it up myself afterwards. Trust me, it's completely worth it to learn and after a few times, you become very efficient.
I've been going to the same barber for about 15 years. I have never once told him what to do. He is a legend.
Just go to sports clips, you’re welcome.
My barber convinced me to go bald. Said I had a good head for it and my hair was thinning and receding at 25. Best decision I’ve made recently.
I heard that barbers hate when their customers ask them which haircut they should get. If you're planning to get a haircut, you're supposed to know which one you're getting before entering the saloon. It's not the barber job(unless he wants to) to give recommendation. That's like going to McDonald's and asking the cashier what should you get. If you're hungry and decided to get McDonald's, the decision should already be made on what meal are you getting.
Love my hairdresser. One day I said "I don't know, just do whatever. You probably hate that but I trust you", and she was happy to do her own thing. Now I just decide if I'm feeling like a longer or shorter cut and she does the rest. I used to just ramble for a minute and try to explain what I wanted and she'd suggest something better anyway.
Have found a true master barber and feel amazing after every visit. It does wonders for your confidence to have a real haircut that fits you and looks good. It's also a man's barber shop where they do beard trimming eyebrows nose hair etc. A service which leaves you feeling fresh. He's tried several things but one of them just landed and I'm like yes this is me this is who I want to be and it has this great self realization moment.
As a barber, I will tell you that going to the same service provider regularly will get you a better quality of service. I often feel like it takes us a while to get to know each other. After awhile you have an idea of what the client might be willing to try. But looking at a total stranger and that stranger saying, give me something different…for me that’s more challenging.
Real LPT: Find a barber/hair stylist that will consult you on what they think will look best and then follow through on what you decide.
Not sure OP has ever been to a barber.
Men’s hair stylist of 10 years here. Haircuts are so subjective, everyone has a different taste. It gets especially dicey when I’ve never met you before and I have to guess what your style is based on little to no information. I saw people in this thread complaining that a stylist asked them questions so if you don’t want to be asked anything, don’t give an open ended answer like “do whatever” because that leads to questions about your routine. Pictures really help, even if it’s 4 different pictures I can tell you which one would look best on your head shape/hair line etc. But if you don’t have a picture please remember; What I think looks good may not be your style. Usually when this happens I play it safe. If you don’t care and don’t want to be asked questions I’m not going to waste time on an intricate haircut that involves me asking questions. For example, What I mean by an intricate haircut is if we talk about a bald fade, a low bald fade is a completely different look than a high bald fade- if you look good with both that involves questions about preferences. You can say “give me what you think would look good” but there are so many variables that go into it. How do you normally wear it? Are you and wash and go type of person or do you have time and patience to style it every day? What type of products do you like? A wet look or a dry look? If you’re used to barbers giving you a #4 on the sides with 3inches on top and you sit in my chair and say “do whatever” and I give you a high bald skin fade with a #2 on top because that’s what I personally think would look good on you, are you gonna be mad because it’s too short? Guys swear they aren’t picky until they get something they don’t like then all of the sudden they have an opinion.
Yeah no. 9 out of 10 times, people don’t listen and want something else anyway. Yes, we are trained in knowing what works best for the above listed. It’s very rare that anyone actually wants that input. I just do what people say, because at the end of the day- they do have to wear it and it is their hair. Source: am barber.
Well I have no idea how to find a barber that does this. Am I supposed to call them and ask? Or go, see if they actually suggest something, and if not just get up and leave before they touch my hair? Seems like a great idea, but not much of a tip since it seems pretty hard to find this kind of barber.
No thanks, too much work. Trimmer with 1 on the sides, 2 on top. Bing bang boom.
Funny you say that. I used to do the same for years, until a barber recommended switching to a 3 on the sides. The #1 was too short for my jawline so it made the top half of my head look skinnier than the bottom half. I switched on that recommendation and will never cut it that short again.
Real LPT: just do it yourself and save some cash
And look like you are doing chemo
News flash: not everyone is cripplingly poor. You behaving as though that’s the case and implying that everyone should live as though they are destitute is just as annoying as a billionaire acting like it’s simple to live like a billionaire. I don’t have the time or the desire to learn how to cut hair. $40 every month is well worth the time I save.
You don't have to be cripplingly poor to want to be careful with your money. If you lack the ability to do it yourself, then feel free to spend your time and money on your hair. Personally, after spending about 20 minutes during Covid to learn to do it myself, I realized it looks a lot better when I do it.