16 Simple Rules to Follow to Get a Great Haircut

Are you having trouble getting the perfect haircut? Wondering if there are unwritten barbershop rules?

Do you often leave the barber and wonder why they just can't get it right?

If you're often disappointed in your haircut, it might not always be the barber at fault here.  Sometimes, it might just be you.  It could be a result of bad communication or you might be doing things that are making it difficult for your barber to give you the right haircut.

Of course, there are plenty of bad barbers out there and maybe you're unlucky and getting them all! Or, maybe you are not being descriptive, you are indecisive, you're too busy on your cell phone or something else altogether.

Going to the barber need not be intimidating and should be a fairly easy process.  And, if things go well, it should be an enjoyable process with some light banter, jokes or watching a skilled craftsman do his work. Though, there isn't a hard set of barbershop rules, it helps to use some common sense.

If you follow these 16 Simple Rules To Get A Great Haircut then you needn't every worry again about not getting the right haircut when you go to the barber.

1-Know What You Want, Or Be Open To Suggestions

Your barber wants to give you the haircut you are looking for, but he isn't a mind reader.  If you don't know what you want, ask him what he thinks would look good for your hair type and face.

2-Be Very Descriptive

Just saying you want it shorter is not only stating the obvious, it is not helpful.  Obviously you want it shorter or you wouldn't be at the barber! Tell your barber how you want to wear it, if you want it to be easy to maintain, if you plan to use hair products, etc.  The more you know about how you want it, the more you should explain.

3-Bring A Picture

If the picture is of you with your last haircut, make sure you take several pictures from multiple angles.  If the picture is not of you, then use the picture as inspiration to help the barber know what you are trying to achieve.  Not every hairstyle works for every type of hair.  You might not be able to pull off the style in the picture.

4-You Can't Change Your Mind Mid Haircut

Your barber can take the hair off, but he can't put it back on. This goes back to knowing what you want.  If you're not sure, then don't wait to tell the barber when he is halfway through

5-Tell Your Barber If You Have Cowlicks

They require the right touch.  If you cut them too short, they stick up.  Leave them too long and they they don't match the rest of the cut.  If your barber knows what he is dealing with before he starts cutting, then he can make a plan.

 

 

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6-Don't Be Drunk

Wait to party until you get to the party.  This seems like such a no brainer, but it is something I deal with on an almost weekly basis.  Don't be drunk when you get in your barber's chair! He has sharp instruments millimeters from your ears don't forget.

 

7-Please, Don't Cut Your Own Hair

Maybe you don't think there is that much skill involved in what a barber does and that you can do it yourself.  Cutting hair is an art and should be left to the professionals.  If you screw up your hair there is only so much a barber can do to fix it.

 

8-Don't Come In With A Baseball Cap On

Making it difficult for a barber to give you a great haircut is counterproductive.  You can live without your hat for the day so you don't have hat head when you get in the barber chair.  If you have hat head then the barber can't do a proper consultation to get you the right haircut. If it is really cold and you need to wear a hat, then please make sure it is combed and you're wearing a winter hat and not a cap.

9-Don't Come In With Bed Head

Once again, if your hair is a mess then your barber can't tell how he should cut it without washing it and drying it.  That doesn't sound like a big deal, but the proper consultation needs to happen before these things get done.  The more difficult it is for the barber to know how to proceed, the more likely you are to leave disappointed.

10-Make Sure Your Hair And Body Are Clean

I don't mean you need to wash your hair before you go to the barber.  But, if your hair is very greasy or sweaty, then it shows you don't respect your barber.  If you smell of body odor, then it shows you don't respect your barber.  If your barber is not excited to give you a haircut, then guess what, you're not going to get a good haircut.

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11-If You Go For A Jog, Don't Let Your Destination Be The Barbershop

You're sweating profusely.  Would you want to have to touch somebody's sweat? Would you want to put a cape on with somebody else's sweat all over it? Not to mention that it is really difficult to use the clippers on wet hair and skin.  I know you want to manage your time, but if your haircut is that important, reschedule your run for after the haircut.  Coming directly from the gym in your sweaty clothes is the same thing.

12-If You Get A Good Haircut, Stick With That Barber

Like a lawyer or mechanic, when you find a good barber you stay loyal.  He knows how you like your haircut and will do a good job.  Why risk going elsewhere and not getting the right haircut?

 

13-Tell Your Barber When Your Last Haircut Was

Hair grows about 1/4 to 1/2 inch a month on average.  If you tell your barber it was a month ago when you last got your haircut and want the same length as last time, then he knows roughly how much to take off to get it there.  Remember, the more you can tell your barber, the more likely you are to get the right haircut.

 

14-If You Liked Your Last Haircut, Ask Your Barber How To Ask For It The Next Time

You're making it so easy for your barber to give you the right haircut if you can tell him exactly how you want it cut.

 

15-Stay Still

You don't need to be like one of those living statues you see at tourist areas, but you can't have your head all over the place.  Your barber shouldn't have to try to give you a good haircut dealing with a moving target.  Stay still and not only will your haircut come out right, you will leave with both of your ears.

 

16-Tip Your Barber Well

Probably the most important tip! Just kidding. Sort of.  If you liked your haircut and saw that your barber was paying attention to instruction and detail, you want to not only reward him for doing a good job.  You want to make sure he remembers that you showed your appreciation by tipping well and he is likely to remember you next time and try to do a great job again.  Of course, a professional does his job at his best no matter what, but it certainly doesn't hurt to tip well.

 

There you have your handy guide to getting the right cut by following these 16 Simple Rules!  Don't be intimidated when you go to the barber.  Using these tips and some common sense will go a long way to making your visit to the barber an enjoyable one.  Make sure you share this article with your friends by clicking on one of the social media links to the left!