Wednesday, October 28, 2009

How to Start Home Hair Cuts

Kids seem to need more hair cuts than adults. I think it's because they have smaller heads. Their hair is growing just as fast, but it looks longer because they are smaller.
My sister was the first person whose hair I cut. My sister was the pretty one; I was the smart one. She figured that even though I was just a kid, I could cut her hair. As I said, she was not the smart one. Apparently, all it took was scissors to cut her long curly hair, and it came out fine.

I first cut Dan's hair when we were in college. We took Spring break together and I spent time with his family, then he spent time with my family. He needed a cut, so I got out the scissors and went for it. It was a little blotchy that first time, but not as bad as the time when he had tried to cut his own hair. There is always a silver lining.

The second time was better, not blotchy, but not stylish either. Now, he and I both love how his hair cuts come out.

I started cutting Daniel's hair not long after he was born, as he was born with some long hair. It looked shaggy around the ears and back from the get go. Bobby was born with less hair, and Thomas was born with very little. Still the ears and back are the places that need cutting the most. Teaching a husband how to cut women's hair is pretty simple, if you have a simple cut. Take a piece of paper, and tape it to your back so that the end of you hair is over the paper. Have your husband draw a line where the bottom of your hair touches. It should be a curved line. Then, move the paper up a few inches and have him cut along the curved line. After a few times, he won't need the paper.

I never think of a hair cut when my husband is at home, so I usually give one to myself. I generally only give myself a haircut when I realize I am tucking my hair into my skirt again. I have long hair. I pull all the hair over one shoulder and note the curve the ends make. I cut about an inch off, keeping the curve of the ends the same. Then, I pull it over the other shoulder and do the same thing. It isn't perfect, but it keeps my hair out of my skirt.

I don't actually consider this a savings, as it never occurred to me to ever pay someone to do this for me.

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

My mom used to cut my long hair all the time, it was simple straight across, she did that until my late twenties, actually and even cut my boy's hair when they were three and under.

She did a pretty good job too, now I have really short hair and there is no way she can do that, now I cut my own bangs and it looks pretty good.

I just take myself and the boys to Borics where I can get a hair cut with a coupon for about 11 bucks and my boys for 9.00, we go about once a month.

I used to pay 30 dollars a month in my late twenties early thirties and that's just way too much money.

To save on money as well, I dye my own hair and because it's short it works no roots :)

But if I had long straight hair again, I would definitely ask my mom to cut it :)

Your kids cuts are cute Emily good job!

Terry Lynn
Ontario, Canada

Carla said...

I tried cutting DH's hair...once, lol! He has thick natty curly hair which I cannot deal with, plus I have serious vision problems and and unsteady hands that can make cutting hair pretty precarious. He gets his brothers to do it with their clippers or MIL will. I cut DD's hair recently only because of a lice situation. It was her second haircut in her life (I figured her first at the age of 4 was worth a trip to the hair dresser; kids are very cheap). DS likes to let his hair grow long so he's only had a few hair cuts in his life. MIL did his last one because of afore mentioned lice situation.

As for me, I get my hair cut by someone every few years and just let it grow in between. I have thinning, slow to grow hair. I used to cut it myself but the problems I mentioned earlier make it hard (and DH was a little too scissor happy the time I let him try!). I've probably spent less than $50 ever on getting my hair cut not including tips (I'm 34). Before I was married, my brother or my mother would cut my hair :)

Bubblej said...

Emily, my mother in law took a haridressing night course for $6 at a local community college. She has cut her sons and husbands hair for over 20 years and even though her sons don't live at home anymore they still go to her for hair cuts. So thats 4 $10 hair cuts a year, for 3 people for 20 years 3 x $40 = $120 x 20 = $2400. Home haircuts are well worth it. Maybe your husband could take a similar course for a few dollars?

Jessica said...

I do all of the boys' (including my husband's) haircuts too. It seems like such a waste to pay someone to do it! In the summer, I just line them up outside and go down the line one-by-one with the shavers.

I could never trust my husband with my hair though! Mine is also very long, but I like to cut it once every year and a half for Locks of Love or some other charity, so I have my sister do it for me. Having a sister who is a stylist is very convenient ;)

slk2042 said...

I am the only one in my family who pays for a haircut. (It's a luxury my hubbie lets me enjoy!) My hubbie cuts his own hair and our 9-month-old son's, and I cut our soon to be 16-year-old daughter's hair.

Hubbie originally started cutting his own hair because he is in the military and needs to keep a clean cut at all times. He got tired of spending $10 for a haircut every two weeks, and figured that even if he messed up the first few haircuts, his hair grows fast enough that it would only look goofy for a week.

He is so good at cutting hair now, that he was the camp barber when he was in Afghanistan!

I've cut my own hair before, it's not that hard, but I do enjoy seeing my hairdresser every 6 to 8 weeks.

Clisby said...

My husband is the only one in our family who ordinarily pays for a haircut. I'm no good at cutting hair - he is, so he's the family barber, only he hasn't figured out how to cut his own hair well. Our 7-year-old son has never had a professional haircut; I and my 13-year-old daughter haven't had one in about 5 years. I might spring for one fairly soon, though, because I'm donating to Locks of Love, and I want to start out with a decent much-shorter haircut. When you're just trimming long hair, the results are a lot more forgiving.

Jenny Zepf said...

That is so great, now that I have a boy, I think I am going to cut it myself, or try to anyway. With our three girls, they rarely get their hair cut anyway, so there isn't a big expense, but like you said, boys need their hair cut alot.

Jenny said...

My husband has been cutting his own hair for well over a decade. His old clippers died a few years ago and I remember being a little dumbfounded that new ones were going to cost around $90 for a decent pair, but I suppose they paid for themselves in just a few months when you consider how much he'd pay at the barber shop instead.

As for myself and the kids there's no way I'd ever consider cutting my own unless it was long, straight and all one length (which is it certainly not). I don't do layers and razor cuts, LOL. I had very long hair for years and I'd occasionally trim a few inches here and there, but have found that having an acutal style just makes me feel better and less frumpy.

Luckily we have a neighbor who is a stylist at a very high end salon. She cuts my hair (and the kids) at home. Sometimes we barter childcare (ie: I watched her daughter for a few hours last week, my next haircut will be free or I'll feed their pets while they're out of town) and other times if she hasn't needed a babysitter I'll pay her. When she charges me it's still a good little chunk of money, but less than half of what it would be at the fancy salon/spa where she works.

Anonymous said...

Good for you! It is a huge savings over getting it done for sure. Hubby used to have his hair cut by a barber to the tune of $20 every 6 weeks. One day I had had enough and spent $20 at walmart for an Oster clipper set. It is now 10 years later and we are still using the same clippers. I figured we have saved almost $2,000 over 10 years just by doing this simple thing.

I cut my own hair by pulling it all in a pony tail to the top of my head, bending over and cutting the pony ends straight across. It gives my hair layers. Sometimes hubby cuts it if I don't want layers. We also cut our 3 girls' hair. So if you add that savings in...wow!

Thanks for sharing how you do it, I may try it your way too :).

Lori said...

Clisby - I know several hair stylists that will do your cut for free if you donate to Locks of Love. You might want to call around your area and see if someone offers that or a discount.

Treva said...

I cut my DD's hair. She's 5. I bought a pair of $8 hair cutting scissors and everyone in the house knows not to use them for anything except hair cutting. I cut her bangs almost every month and I trim the ends of her hair every other month, since she's growing it out right now. I take her to a place for a professional cut before her picture each year. Kinda cleans things up and evens out the ends that I may have messed up during the year. LOL

DH cuts his hair every other month, but he's a SAHD so he doesn't need to be up on the professional look, KWIM? The lady in town charges $12 for a man's cut and that includes a shampoo, eyebrow trim, and facial hair trim. In between cuts DH trims his own facial hair and I do his eyebrows. (What is it with guys and long eyebrow hairs?!)

I cut my hair when I start getting headaches every day -- like right now! LOL My hair is so thick that as it passes my shoulder blades I start having constant neck pain and headaches. When I have my hair cut it will cost $16 and will include a shampoo, cut and blow-dry. I'm not working right now so I've waited 5 months for a haircut; otherwise I have it done every 8-10 weeks. When it's cut, it'll also be thinned it out significantly; this allows me to go longer between cuts. DH's hands shake too much from his disability for me to trust him with my hair and a pair of scissors!

Anonymous said...

I cut my husbands hair as well with clippers. I do it about once a month because his hair grows super fast and he likes it kept very short.

My mom owned her own hair salon for years until my youngest sister was born. She cut our hair growing up then I started paying someone to do it in college. Now Im back to letting her just do a simple straight cut every so often. So FREE haircuts in this house too.

I love your sons shaggy haircut. It is too cute!

crabcakes said...

I've been waiting for a post like this as I've been thinking about ways to cut my boy's shaggy hair myself. In our region finding even a kid's cut for 14.00 or less is hard to do. Even our procuts is 14.00 for kids...blah. I was thinking about taking some sort of class so that I could always do it myself.

Kimber said...

I have always cut my childrens hair. They are grown now 22,24 & 27. I still cut all their hair including my hubbys hair. I also always cut my dads hair until this summer when he passed away. I think I was 14 or 15 when I started cutting his hair. I have done some females hair but not much & only would trim my bangs when i had them.
I get my hair cut once every 2 or 3 years now & donate it. I do not put color or perms or even blow dry my hair so they will have nice healthy hair.
You did a very good job on your sons hair. Keep up the good work!

Anonymous said...

I cut my boys hair, too. I take the easy way out and just buzz 'em with the clippers every few weeks.

SoMo said...

I thought it would be simple to cut a boy's hair. My husband uses clippers to cut his hair, so how hard could it be. Well, I found out. I shaved my boy bald and friends and family beg me to pay to have someone cut it. Once I figured out the different lengths, I thought I was good to go until the guard slip and my son was left with a bald spot. Again, the begging to just pay someone started. I must admit that $10 is well spent, because my son looks so much better after a professional cuts his hair.

I use to cut my daughter and my bangs, but they were always crooked, so again I pay someone to do it. It is only $5 for daughter. I do pay $60 for my haircut that I get once every 2 months. It is well worth it.

I have tried and tried to get around this, but I figured it was better to save in other areas than this one.

Clisby said...

Thanks, Lori - I'll have to check into whether anyone cuts hair free or at a discount if you donate to LOL. In another month I should be able to donate at least 12 inches - while my husband does fine on trims, I'm not about to trust him with cutting 12 inches off my hair and making it look good.

Anonymous said...

I pay $16 at a local joint to get a wash and cut, and I also tip her fairly well, because it takes her about an hour and I know her hourly pay is on the lower end (and people in this area suck at tipping.) I stretch it out by only getting it cut every three months. My hair grows super fast. I also work in finance, so I have to make my hair look good. It is on the longer side, so I have to keep it well groomed.

As for my husband, he pays $10.00 to the same barber he has went to since grade school, but he also offers up a good tip. His barber is in his 60's and he and his wife have a lot of medical problems...so we always try to offer up a little extra, and so far he seems pretty appreciative.

I'm not even going to try to trim our children's hair when they get school aged, I've seen to many at home cuts go wrong, and neither of us have steady hands. I don't care much for the shaggy look on school aged children.

More power to those who can do that though.

Anonymous said...

i have long, long hair, with layers. i can't get the back right on my own, and i hate paying 40 bucks (i live in a bigger city, there's a lack of cheap places)... but i found an aveda institute where i can pay $13 and get a haircut that includes a scalp massage, a hand massage, wash, dry, style, and lip gloss at the end... it's a pretty afforable way to get pampered!

Unknown said...

If the local college offers a beauty school you can get a deal on haircuts there too. Since they are students, they are supervised, but you can find cuts as low as 5$.

Anonymous said...

I cut my boy's hair, too. My husband is really picky about it though so he gets his cut every 6 weeks or so at the barber. I get my hair done every few months, depending on what style I'm going for. When I was keeping it shorter, it was every 8 weeks or so. Now that I'm growing it out, it will be a while before I get it cut. I do spend a lot on my hair though with hair products, dye, cuts, etc. I consider it worth it since we can afford it.

Olivia said...

Your boys are such cuties!! :)
Great post Emily!

Anonymous said...

Just FYI Emily,

If you ever take your long hair short, there are places that will do a free cut for a Locks of Love donation. You can get a stylish new 'do and donate to a great cause. You can find locations on thier website.

Martha said...

I started cutting my DH and my DS's hair last month. We bought some clippers and a friend who is a stylist gave me some advice. They were pleased and I was pleased. My hair is a different story. In my spendthrift days I would go and have my hair washed, cut and styled along with having my eye brows waxed. Now that I am unemployed and have decided to stay home permanently I make an early morning appointment and wash my hair prior to going to the salon. My stylist cuts my hair and I go home and dry and style my hair. She told me more and more people are doing this and she doesn't mind.

Anonymous said...

I've cut my DH hair now for many years....I also cut my own hair...I have a simple style...straight across bangs and cut straight around the back just above the shoulder....Used to cut our kids hair too, but they are grown and gone...I got several clippers in all those years....for me clippers are the way to go....we use baby shampoo from the $ store...and I use vinegar for a rinse...

Aiming4Simple said...

I recently started cutting my own hair. I'm thankful because curly hair covers most of my amateur hacking. I usually trim my children's hair too. It also saves me the hassle of arranging to go to a salon, even of we had the money, since I'm the main caregiver for our little ones. I used to have to find a babysitter or impinge on my husband's scarce time to go.

Anonymous said...

If you donate your hair to locks for love certain hair salons give you a hair cut for free. I haven't paid for a hair cut in 4 years now.

MamaMay said...

I cut hubby's hair and the kids haven't grown enough hair to need me to cut it. I get a professional cut but always donate to locks of love so I only get a cut ever few years and then it is usually free.

I have been wondering, can you think of a way to make baked potatoes without using an oven? I have been craving potatoes ever since I got pregnant and make about 5 a day, talk about wasted energy! (also the skin must be crispy, like you get with baking so microwaving doesn't work...)

TL Black said...

Emily, great post! I used to have friends cut my hair in college--we'd trade. I'm pretty sure I could have my husband cut my hair using the instructions you provided. For now, I'm growing out a 'professional' haircut. I felt I 'needed' a good haircut when I was working. It's interesting what 'appropriate' work clothes and haircuts will cost you! I'm looking forward to simplifying.

Anonymous said...

Have you considered cutting your hair shorter? Shorter hair = less shampoo and hair products = saved $!

Anonymous said...

Aveda Salon--including head/neck massage $450.00 a month to 6 weeks

I do not skimp on my hair!

Anonymous said...

My husband and I usually do all our hair care. I can give him a cut or clip it depending on what he wants at the time. He works security now so he keeps it buzzed most of the time. It looks good so it's a win/win situation. Eventually, he will be very bald so it is better that he keeps this style. In the last 8 years of our marriage, I have had long hair, short hair, dyed hair, and now dreadlocks. If it is short then I have to pay for a hair cut or barter with my best friend for the services. I do not add color tto my hair anymore so that isn't a concern anymore. Dreadlocks might not be the answer for most folks but I love the style.

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