Started cutting my own hair

[disneysteve]

I used to get my hair cut at the local Hair Cuttery, $15 with tip, about every 5-6 weeks, so about $150/year. They would spend about 10 minutes on me using nothing but an electric clipper. Every time I went, I thought "I could do that myself." Well, a few weeks ago, we were at the outlet mall near Great Adventure here in NJ. There is a ConAir outlet and what did I see in the window - hair cutting sets with clipper, accessories and instructional DVD for just $15, the cost of one haircut. I figured it was worth a shot.

So a couple days later, DW did the honors and gave me a pretty good trim. It wasn't quite as good as a pro job but it was only the first try. A few days later, I decided to finish the job myself and it came out great. By yesterday, a few weeks later, it was starting to get a little uneven again so I grabbed the clippers and did the whole thing myself. Only took about 10 minutes and looks terrific, as good as when I went to the professional. Maybe not a huge monetary savings (though that $150/year is just fine) but definitely a sense of accomplishment.

 

[Disney Ella]

If that medicine thing doesn't work out for you, now you know you've got another line of work to fall back on.

 

[disneysteve]

If that medicine thing doesn't work out for you, now you know you've got another line of work to fall back on.

DW and I said the same thing. If anyone wants a buzz cut, give me a call.

 

[Mad4Dizne]

I wish I had your talent/bravery.!!!! I tried cutting hair once, not pretty...but I do try to cut bangs/simple stuff...those professionals make it look so easy!!!!All that savings adds up!!!!!! (i.e. more for Disney!!!!!lol)

Have A Magical Day!!!
Flo

 

[HayGan]

Just a word about the Conair clippers. We have had a couple sets of those that worked great for a few cuts and then the motor kind of dies on them. We still save a ton by buying a new set of clippers every couple months (I cut DH and both DS's hair with them.) I've thought about heading to the beauty supply store and investing in a really good pair but just haven't made it there yet

It is definately a cost saving consideration if you have hair that can just be buzzed every few weeks

 

[Local_Girl]

If that medicine thing doesn't work out for you, now you know you've got another line of work to fall back on.

Good for you, Steve, for trying something new and saving some $$. Won't work for me though...I don't think the kids will let me anywhere near them with clippers and I KNOW DH won't! Probably a good thing...

 

[summersfam4]

LOL, I have been cutting DH's hair for the past 3 years! He likes a special cut, but it's amazingly easy! Good for you for trying it out! For us it was a necessity as DH likes his hair cut about every month

Kelly

 

[powellrj]

you are a brave soul. I will color and highlight my own hair, but I won't cut it. The kids are both growing their hair long, so they don't get hair cuts to much anymore. That just leaves DH and there is noway I am cutting his hair.

I forgot, my oldest DS cuts his own hair, but he is in the Army so its just a quick buzz every couple of days! He hates paying them $15 to do it, so he had me send him clippers when he was in Iraq.

 

[minkydog]

Good for you! I tried(once) to cut DSs hair with clippers--let us just say, bandaids were involved. He looked like a concentration camp survivor. The barber made me stand up and take a solemn oath to NEVER try to clip my DS again. I don't even try to color my own hair. I pay $$$ for someone else to do an excellent job so I don't have to walk around looking like a Goth Clown.

 

[disneysteve]

Just a word about the Conair clippers. We have had a couple sets of those that worked great for a few cuts and then the motor kind of dies on them.

I kind of suspected this but figured if using them worked out okay, then I wouldn't mind investing in a real professional grade clipper. We have a couple of supply places around here where I could get one. I didn't expect much quality for $15.

 

[CheapMom]

DisneySteve- I have a husband and 2 sons and a pair of $20 Conair clippers- It saves us a lot of $$. Even better- it saves us time.
DD and I will stick with the professional haircuts though.

 

[MEM]

I have been cutting DH hair for 11 years and DS for 9. Recently began cutting DD8 hair. We bought Wahl clippers for about $30 and I am still using them. I began cutting DH hair because he refused to pay a barber for something he was certain I could do for him. I got tired of his shaggy, caveman look and took up the challenge. A video came with the set and was somewhat helpful but mostly I just kept the style simple -- short buzz cut in the summer, longer in the winter. DD8 recently decided her waist-length hair was too much trouble to take care of so I cut her hair to shoulder length and the other mothers wanted to know which salon she went to! I use very sharp scissors for her hair. I buzz-cut my son's hair and keep a fringe of bangs and get compliments on his style too. Because DS is autistic, there is no way he would allow a barber to touch him so I really had no choice but to learn to cut hair and learn it quickly!

 

[disneysteve]

I didn't mention in my OP, but DW has been cutting her own hair for a few years. She was never happy with anyone she went to and hated paying the money for a cut she didn't even like. She often gets complimented on her hair and asked where she goes. People are amazed when she says she does it herself.

 

[wright1baby]

We have 2 boys (7 & 9) and DH. I cut all of their hairs!! He save a ton of $$ and I point that out to Hubby everytime we are clipping on the deck! "WOW honey the $40 on these clippers 5 years ago was really a great investment, huh?" He was hesistant when we bought them--I showed him and point it out at every oppurtunity! LOL

 

[lovemygoofy]

When my husband is deployed, I always send over a new set of Conair clippers with all the attachments. They only work for them for about 6 months and a new set is needed. I won't send anything more expensive because of the sand getting in them and the abuse that they take from my dh's soldiers. He does get his hair cut at the barber once a week when he is home but it's like his luxury because he goes to an old time barber shop with the warm shaving cream and the lethal looking razor. When we first were starting out and he needed a haircut and we couldn't raise the funds I had to do it with a shaving razor and I swore that when we could get on the right foot I would NEVER NEVER do it again.

 

[Belle5]

Good for you DisneySteve! You're not exactly saving the bundle that I am but $150 pays for 4 WDW meals for your famiy, I'll bet! I should figure out sometime what I have saved my family in haircuts over the past 18 years. I have 6 boys (not all have been around for 18 years ) ages 18, 17, 15, 12, 7 and 1. They each get cut by me every 4 weeks. Sometimes I cut DH for good measure. My oldest son is rather artistic (and patient) and has been highlighting my hair with foils for the last 5 years. (He's getting ready to leave to work out of state for a while and no one else in my family has his talent--horrors, I might have to pay someone) I constantly have people compliment the boys hair and mine.

I do not like the Conair Clippers. When yours stop working (and they most likely will) you might try the Wahl brand. You can even watch for them on ebay.

 

[marcyinPA]

We have clippers (Wahl) but I haven't had much luck with them, except for trim jobs. I'm not very good at getting things even

It really helps to have a best friend who is a stylist...I pay her half of what I'd pay in a salon. She also works part time at a stylist supply house, so she gets my products at cost with her discount on top of it.

My Dh and 2 ds's go to a barber in the city who charges $9 for a good cut!! I know that is really cheap...My dh got a cut when he was in NJ for business...$20 at a barber!!!

We'll stick with our cheap barber...he's only raised the price once in the 10 years we've been using him!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I didn't mention in my OP, but DW has been cutting her own hair for a few years. She was never happy with anyone she went to and hated paying the money for a cut she didn't even like. She often gets complimented on her hair and asked where she goes. People are amazed when she says she does it herself.

I was in the same boat! Never really liked the cuts I got. I always had to shape up my cut once I got home. So I've been doing it. I had been cutting my bangs since college anyway. A friend showed me how to do it. Feathering and all of that. I cut a number of football players hair in college too. (Nice skill to have!)

Been cutting DH and DS's hair for years. I started cutting DH hair shortly after we met! It doesn't take long to do, and if I can do it --- why not? Oh and the savings for 3 people add up too!

 

[tazleiten12]

I have been cutting my DH's hair for over 10 years, and my 2 DS's hair for a few years. The only brand of Clipper i have found to last longer than a few months is an Oster.

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

I cut DH, 2 DSs & DD's hair. DH would go to the barber every 3 weeks and spend $20. I was sick of him wasting money to get a buzz cut. I spent $15 on a pair of clippers and lined the boys up. I then braved cutting DD's hair with scissors and it came out nice. None of them have been back to a hair cut place since.
My hair is a different story. I color it at home but I let the local salon cut it. They have a $5 sale every few months, so I only go on the $5 sale day. That saves money too
To those of you who tried once and are scared to try again don't be afraid! I tried cutting DS's hair once when he was a baby and it looked so bad I had to take him in to the barber. Did the same thing to poor DD LOL. But I figure that even if I fail I have learned something trying. With enough attempts I finally got it right! And I'm sure it gave all the salon ladies & barbers something to talk about. "Did you see that kids haircut his mom gave him?" LOL