In my broke-as-a-joke college days, I often found myself taking the shears to my own locks more frequently than I could afford a trip to the salon.  When word got out that I had the ability to cut my own hair, male and female friends alike began lining up at my door, asking if I would PLEASE trim their shaggy, over-grown manes.  It seemed that, like me, most college students were looking for a way to cut out unnecessary expenditures.  I found myself learning the art of trimming, cutting and styling my friends’ hair while allowing them to learn to keep their cash in their wallets.   

Here are a few tips on how to help your friends save money, and help you save their mane. 

1)    Invest in a pair of shears
When I noticed that more and more of my friends were begging for a trim I decided to search for a pair of legitimate shears.  I found mine at a standard drug store such as Rite-Aid or Walgreens for less than $10.  If you already have a pair, you’re one step closer to ensuring successful results, as shears tend to be sharper, easier to handle and more precise than everyday scissors (I certainly did rock the craft scissors for a while, and thank goodness I’ve moved on to sharper territory).

2)    Give ‘em the works
Although most of my friends (especially the guys) are pretty low-maintenance, I always try to make them feel as though they are in a proper salon.  Find a comfortable chair around the house, have a large towel ready to cover their shoulders, and offer them a glass of wine, a bottle of beer, or a cup of coffee, depending of course on the time of day (and the habits of the person in question).  Bottom line: make sure they are comfortable.  If the weather is nice enough, move yourself outside.  Putting on some music will also ensure an enjoyable and relaxing experience for both parties.

3)    Don’t stray off the beaten path
Unless you have tons of experience or actual training in the art of cutting, don’t try anything too risky or daring.  I find it’s easiest, especially since it’s just a trim, to follow the shape your friend’s hair already takes.  Assuming you see your “client” frequently (hello, they are your friend) you should already have a good idea of what their hair looks like on an everyday basis, and have some idea in your mind’s eye of what look you are aiming for.  If Leah already has layers, just shorten them up a bit based on the existing style; if Seth always wears it short in the back and a bit longer on top, cutting an even amount off all over will ensure he gets his usual look. 

4)    Take it slow
Let’s not kid ourselves here: we’re not professionals.  Taking your time will ensure a complete look and complete friend satisfaction.  And since it is your friends’ tresses you are trimming, you shouldn’t mind spending a bit of time with them.  Depending on how much I’m taking off, I usually set aside between a half an hour to an hour of my time to devote to these ‘dos.  Moving slowly will ensure minimal mistakes and an absence of audible “uh oh”s.  Be especially slow and careful around the ears, sideburns and necklines (for the guys) and in trimming around the face (for your girlfriends). 

5)    Don’t be blunt
The most noticeable quality of home-spun styles is their blunt, angular nature; face it, we can all spot the poor victim of a mother-imposed “bowl cut” from a mile away.  When working with guy’s hair, try never to cut horizontal to the shoulders; instead, run your fingers through their hair vertically, pull away from the scalp, and cut inward, toward your fingers.  This ensures texture, eliminates harsh lines from the hair that makes the cut appear uneven, and allows for an all-over more natural and professional look.  When trimming your female friends, following the horizontal shape of a comb with your shears will ensure a straight finish, and also allow you to spot pesky split ends that need to be chopped.        

6)    Ask LOTS of Questions…
To make sure you give your friends exactly what they want, be sure you communicate with them before and during the process.  It’s handy to have your friend positioned in front of a mirror so he or she can watch the evolution of their trim as it plays out on their head.  Don’t be afraid to have them show you exactly what they want, even if it means handing them the scissors and allowing them to have at it for a minute. 

8)    Don’t Be Afraid to, Eh-hem, Slip Up.
You and your friend should both go into this endeavor with something in mind: this won’t be perfect.  True, the more you practice, the better you will become.  But seeing as you ain’t no pro, your friends need to be understanding if there is a minor mistake.  Heck, that can even happen in a fancy salon.  And in the long run, it grows back.  If it really turns out unspeakably horrible, have them come back in a week to fix up the awkward bits.  And this time, offer to do the clean-up duties.   
 

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed