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I plopped my ass down in the chair and before she even had time to introduce herself I said “Hi, it’s really nice to meet you. I apologize for how sweaty I am, I’m just very nervous. My mom is a hairdresser and this is my first time getting my hair cut by anyone other than her.”
We talked for a few minutes after that, and twenty minutes later, I was out of the chair and surprisingly pleased with the cut I had just gotten. But I’ll never forget that dread that came along with finally mustering up the courage to set an appointment for myself.
There’s an overwhelming feeling of reticence involved with the act of sitting down in a barber’s chair for a trim. Second guesses start creeping into the forefront of your brain. “Do I really need this?” “How many days will pass before this haircut actually looks decent?” “I really hope this doesn’t run me more than twenty bucks.”
A sense that perhaps going into that salon or barbershop was all a big mistake.
If you’re searching Google or asking other people for recommendations on where to get your haircut, that anxiety gets increased ten-fold. It sounds a bit dramatic, but a stranger cutting my hair is akin to seeking medical treatment in a place that doesn’t use “Western medicine.” I don’t really trust anyone with my hair, and that is for good reason.
My mother is a hair stylist which means that since I was old enough to have hair on my head she was the one cutting it. My first job out of college was based in Chicago, which meant that I could drive home every month or so to catch up with my parents but also get a trim.
It wasn’t until I moved 1200 miles away to beautiful Austin, Texas that I found myself to be in a bit of a pickle in the hair stylist department. On one hand, I was looking to grow my hair out at the time. Get something Bjorn Borg-esque and really, truly live that I-don’t-give-a-fuck-what-you-think-about-me lifestyle.
On the other hand, Austin is hot. Having that much hair on your head doesn’t really bode well in a place where the temperature is usually hovering around 90 degrees. In any case, I never got my haircut while I lived down there because I simply didn’t feel comfortable.
I had, up to that point, never gotten a cut by anyone but my mom. But as I re-entered the world of suits and ties a few months ago back here in Chicago, I found myself in a similar dilemma that I had in Austin.
Sure, I could drive home and get a trim, but at this particular time, I was in desperate need of a haircut. So desperate in fact, that one day I woke up, looked myself in the mirror one morning after spending the entire night prior brushing hair out of the way of my face, and called the first salon that popped up on a Google search where I simply typed in “haircuts men chicago.”
walking into the hair salon in an hour and just asking for a tom ripley pic.twitter.com/esTnF2QZU8
— John Duda (@dudaronomy) August 22, 2017
You see that? That’s a man who is about four weeks overdue for a trim.
I probably have a bit of different outlook on haircuts than most. I stray away from them as much as possible. I enjoy the disheveled look, and I’ve always had a solid head of hair which means that when I let it grow it looks pretty damn good.
But I was at my breaking point in that picture, and I think most men reach that breaking point right around the same length. It’s just too much upkeep, and the thought of having to wait eight months for it look cool is just too much for most.
The thought process of getting a haircut is the same for everyone. There’s an awkward stage in between having a clean cut look and having flow and it sucks. You’ll get people from every angle telling you that you need to go get it trimmed. If you ignore the hatred and vitriol you can get to the promised land that is “flow.” But you’ve got to be patient. And I don’t have patience so I got it cut.
My advice? If you’re in need of a haircut, don’t wait. It’ll be scary, yes, but you’ll thank me when it’s over with. Book an appointment after you get out of work and get it done, because even if you have to wait 7 to 10 days before it looks really good, it’ll be worth it in the long run to not look like that jackass in the twitter picture above. .
Image via Unsplash
Respond
jduda@grandex.co
Wow – Now experts are saying Duda should pull BIG league move and get the #historic bachelorette contestant peaky blinders bitch boy haircut. Thanks!
You should never skimp on a haircut. A great man named Brian once had someone comment on one of his articles, “Your hair is your head-suit.”
I go to a $5 haircut place in Chicago burbs. All I do is get it buzzed down. #Winning
if you’re just getting a basic buzz do it at home man
Yeah that sounds like a waste of $5
Kills me that I end up paying $40 bucks at a salon just for the peace of mind that I won’t get a chop job
Powering through the “pre-flow, post-needing a trim” days are some of the most trying days a man will face.
Moderation is for cowards, though. My barplay with flow in the fall/winter benefitted from it. Power through, gents. And let that lettuce be the best wingman you’ll ever need.
I would actually read a hair tip article, I always feel like mine looks like shit.
Relax Duda, your hair’s not that great. I’m more of a Great Clips guy myself, clippers no guard.
7-10 days? The difference between a good haircut and a bad one is closer to 2 to 3.
That’s my usual progress. I’m happy right out of the chair maybe 15% of the time, but by day three, all is typically well in my world.
If you found a good stylist, stick with her. Half the time if your hair is kind of long like yours is and you tell them to take off a little, they take off a lot more than that.
I always have a hard time getting over that 7-10 day waiting period. I feel like everyone notices how awkward/uncomfortable I feel during that time. Just have to tough it out
Duda, you’re still a pussy. Go to a barber shop and enjoy a hot shave while you’re at it. That’s assuming you even grow facial hair.