The girls were long overdue for haircuts, and despite my frugal nature, I have resolved to never EVER attempt to cut their hair myself. Too many horror stories, and I simply cannot bring myself to do it. That’s not to say that salons are always perfect. One instance involving Emily’s haircut a few years ago that ended in bangs despite my explicit request for NO BANGS comes to mind. You have no idea how long those took to grow out. It must have traumatized me because now every time she goes to get her hair cut I am overcome with the urge to scream “FOR THE LOVE OF GOD AND ALL THAT IS HOLY, NO BANGS! NO BANGS!!” while grabbing the hairdresser by the shoulders and violently shaking her.
Thankfully, I show great restraint during those moments, but make the seriousness of my request known by extending the length of the “no”. As in, “Yes, a trim would be perfect. Chin length is great. (pause for effect) Noooooooo bangs!”. Smile. “Thank you so much!”
So far, so good!
I realize I’m a control freak, but seriously, have you ever had a hairdresser not listen to you? Do you have any idea how frustrating that can be?? It’s like your entire LIFE for the next 4 or 5 months is resting in their hands! Do they even realize the POWER they have???? It makes me tremble with fear, just thinking about it.
A friend of mine (Hi, Kim!) told me about a local beauty academy, and after seeing how awesome her new hair style looked, I just knew I had to give this place a try. For all three of us to get our hair cut, is no small feat. First, Mark needs to be there to supervise the girls while my hair is being cut. Someone needs to make sure no bangs are being cut. Lastly, someone needs to distract Clara during her FIRST haircut EVER so she doesn’t whip her head around and get her eyes poked out with a pair of scissors.
We did quite well!
The beauty academy was fabulous (and very frugal)! When word got out that it was Clara’s first hair cut, I thought they were going to fight over who got to cut her hair. She had two hairstylists working on her at the same time, while a third went to fetch an envelope to keep her hair trimmings in. So much attention for one little girl!
Ta da!!
Meanwhile….
Emily was thoroughly enjoying all this pampering! What a treat! Rachel did an amazing job with her haircut, and NO BANGS!! Hooray!!!!
Emily was thoroughly enjoying all this pampering! What a treat! Rachel did an amazing job with her haircut, and NO BANGS!! Hooray!!!!Thank you, Alison, Rachel, and Samantha for our lovely new ‘dos — just in time for the holidays!
Dear Valerie,
I'm still amazed that the hairdresser who gave Emily bangs escaped without you shaving her head.
Love,
Mark
@ Mark — I was exercising great self-restraint. You're welcome.
I should follow your rule. I just gave my son a haircut tonight, and I am AWFUL at it. But I just can't bring myself to spend the money on a professional at his age. I have to learn some kind of technique with the whole top of the head/bangs thing, though. It starts to itch his forehead, and I cut it, but then I cut it shorter to even it, and shorter, and then he looks like Julius Caesar with the little fringe stuff. 😀 I cut my husband's hair all the time now, too, after refusing for awhile out of fear.
That is way too cute – I love how they made this a special moment for you all! Thanks for sharing.
Aww, that's really cute. I hope your toes don't curl up every time you see my girls with thier hunormously mahoosive bangs that I cut myself :O
For the last few years I've been the only one to go to the hair dresser, and they managed to cut one side of my hair shorter than the other at the front anyway. I figure from now on I can screw up my hair myself for free.
Yeah, had that experience except when I had decided I didn't want a bob and they gave me one anyway!!! I wimped out and sighed, paid the bill, left and never came back.
I get so nervous when I'm at the hairdresser due to previous AWFUL cuts, I have to pray while they're cutting!!
oh yeah, the hairdresser. ugh. my son's hair is in permanent stick up mode–not sure if i should chop it short or let it grow. dd's hair is in process of letting bangs grow and letting hair grow long.
Ugh, I shuddered as I read your account of the evil hairdresser. I, too, have had nightmares happen at the hairdresser and get so very nervous when it comes time to go back. I can totally relate, just with my hair. I'd go ballistic if it was my kids'. My boys' haircuts have been pretty simple so far, but I know I'll be a basket case when my daughter's ready for her haircuts.
My favorite part is the adoring look Clara's getting from her daddy. Or is that actually him thinking "holy crap, next time I blink she's going to be 14!"? :>) Glad it went well. My aunt used to cut hair (did my 1st haircut!) and I've had her give Goose a couple of (free!) trims. I love how she's done it so far.
I cut the kids hair myself and HATE bangs. I would totally freak out if someone gave my child bangs.
A hair academy is a good idea…but we're pretty rural.
I cut my kids hair. Even Cyan. But for me, I stick with super easy do's and it has worked for us really well. Although Don and I have made a deal that I budget him in for a haircut every 8 weeks becuase I have had to shave his head too many times. The dude is just too picky! Simple does not work for him.
Your girls are so cute! Clara with her little bob… so adorable! I hear you on the bangs. And right now the fassion is to cut them CRAZY short… I just don't get it. But that just proves I'm old. 😉
Val
You are a brave woman to get your own hair cut with your kids anywhere in the vicinity. I cut Hubby's hair and the kids for the most part. Recently E's gone back to a stylist because he can be very difficult to cut and the faster the cut is the better — but she never manages to cut his bangs straight. It drives me crazy.
@ Infant Bibliophile — I'm amazed that you cut your son's and your husband's hair! Mark just shaves his own head. Men! They have it so easy!!!!
@ Kitten Muffin — I like your reasoning. I never knew you cut the girls hair! My beef with bangs is not how they look, but that they need constant trimming, and I can never cut them straight or that I would cut them waaaay too short. Really, they frighten me!
@ Sophie — Oh, I hate it when you have a misunderstanding like that, and then you're stuck with it until it grows out! I'm with you on the praying while they're cutting thing.
@ Danita — My brother's hair was the same way when he was little and my mom never knew what to do with it either! Even loading it up with gel didn't seem to help! Mark may have the best solution… he's had a shaved head since the age of 9.
You do not want to hear how much we spend on haircuts. We all go to a salon that I have been going to for ten years now. I love it there, but it is not cheap. We always get great haircuts though! Clara's new haircut is adorable. I would be furious if someone cut bangs on my daughter after I told them not to. Crazy!
@ Christy — You show great customer loyalty, and I would be the same way if I were you! A salon you're happy with is priceless in my book!
Clara's hair looks so adorable. So happy Emily ended up with out bangs. Yay!
My husband or I cut my boy's hair. It is so easy. My hubby even cuts his own hair. Sure saves $
I always cut my kids' (and husband's) hair. Sometimes Emma's turns out, sometimes it doesn't. I have some idea what I'm doing, since I grew up cutting my family's hair. And I'm crazy enough to let Mike cut my hair, when he has no clue what he's doing. Curls are forgiving, thankfully. It would be fun to go to a Beauty Academy sometime, though.
What a cute little haircut! Her hair is more stylish than mine. I need to check out something like this because Amareah's ends are so damaged. Amber clipped 1/2 – 1 inch off yesterday and it's going to have to be clipped in about two weeks or so… hope to stretch it out to four. Never realized how much damage could be done to a child's hair when someone doesn't know what they're doing. I'm not going to mention any names, but I'll just say dad and his girlfriend. :<
Super fun! I'd forgotten about the beauty academy option. Clara's hair looks adorable!!
I too share your fear of hair salons, I have never had a good experience and I have resorted to cutting my own hair and my mother inlaw cuts my kids…that's kinda scary too.
I am glad the first hair cut went so well, I am dreading taking ER to hers.
Oh, so much fun!I'm always so picky when it comes to salons!
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