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Picture this. You\u2019re at the barbershop. Your barber takes a few final snips to clean up some stray hairs around your ear line. He takes off your cape and swivels your chair around so you\u2019re facing the mirror. Then he holds a handheld mirror up behind you so you can see the back of your head.<\/span><\/p>\n With a big smile on his face, the barber asks, \u201cSo what do you think?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n What you think is that it\u2019s a terrible haircut. The worst one you\u2019ve ever gotten in your life. You\u2019re going to have to walk around with a paper bag over your head like Charlie Brown. <\/span><\/p>\n But instead of saying that, you mumble \u201cIt\u2019s fine,\u201d swipe your card to pay (even adding a tip for the butchering, cuz you\u2019re such a nice guy), and walk out the door.<\/span><\/p>\n There\u2019s a better way to handle getting a bad haircut. And to learn what that is, I talked to my barber, Thad Forrester, co-owner of Hudson \/ Hawk Barber & Shop<\/a> (locations in KS, AR, and MO). Here\u2019s what he told me.<\/span><\/p>\n The best way to manage a bad haircut is to avoid getting one in the first place. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and all that jazz. <\/span><\/p>\n Thad recommends that before your barber gets anywhere close to your head with a pair of clippers, you do a thorough consultation with him or her about your expectations \u2014 especially if this is the first time that they’ll be cutting your hair or you\u2019re changing your usual style. \u201cIf your barber skips this step,\u201d Thad says, \u201cit might be time to look for a different one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n This pre-cut consultation should be a two-way conversation; not only should you fill in your barber about what you’re looking for, Thad says a good barber or stylist should ask you the following questions:<\/span><\/p>\n Clear communication with your barber will go a long way in preventing a bad haircut from happening and ensuring you get a final result you\u2019re happy with. Make sure to read our guide on how to talk to your barber<\/a> so that you\u2019re on the same page with him.<\/span><\/p>\n According to Thad, a good barber will check in with you periodically during the cut to make sure he\u2019s cutting your hair in accordance with your desires. Again, this is especially true if this is the first time he\u2019s cutting your hair or you\u2019re changing up the way you normally get your hair cut. <\/span><\/p>\n When your barber asks you these in-progress questions, be honest. Don\u2019t just mumble your assent because you\u2019re shy\/passive. <\/span><\/p>\nPrevent a Bad Haircut From Happening in the First Place<\/h2>\n
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Be Assertive and Speak Up During Your Haircut<\/h2>\n