Wanted, Shorn or Shaggy.
If bad hair was a crime I would be in trouble with the law. A selfie haircut combined with bed head, and you better call the HD-CSI unit. I would be charged with crimes against hairdressing and sent to appear before a four star stylist.
My life of stylistic hair crime began when I quit paying for haircuts about 20 years ago. At that time Linda, my partner in crime, took up the responsibility for keeping my hair somewhat acceptable. We combed the Internet together to learn what we could about home haircutting.
Over the years MS changes meant that Linda could no longer manipulate the hair cutter and scissors. Oh, no - now it was up to me to make the cuts, with Linda acting as project coordinator.
One year ago Linda was in the hospital and I cut my hair alone for the first time. It turned out pretty good. Since then I haven't cut my hair again in the same way. Instead of sitting down to a total cut I have been randomly snipping at my hair when I noticed chunks getting out of control.
It has felt good to see problem hair and hack it back in a fit of rebelliousness. And I do believe it is an act of rebellion, whether you are five or fifty, because for some reason hair on the head is sacred.
I know lots of people that live simply, but none that have gone as far as cutting their own hair. Why? Because we quickly learn in life that head hair is hallowed, and only professionals shall alter it according to the latest fashions.
I figure the fashion police infringe on my freedom, so snip, snip, snip. If someone has a problem with that they can call in the hairdressing crime scene investigation unit. Of course they would discover that things are all manner of wrong, and I would be convicted of my crimes.
The punishment would be a full day spa treatment for rest, rehabilitation and better, more acceptable hair. However pleasant that might be, I am likely to be a recidivist in this department. Where are those scissors?
Cut all my boys and hubby with a machine and scissors here. I pop to the hairdresser every 3 - 4 years. Letting my my hair turn grey naturally, as I am not going to have forced upon me the idea that grey hair is to be hidden at all costs. Turn grey with dignity. Pam
ReplyDeleteMost people would consider going to the hairdresser every 3 to 4 years extreme frugal living.
DeleteLinda is trying to convince her 84 year old mom to let her hair go grey... and save 100 dollars a month in colouring costs. I think she is going to go for it. She reads this blog - maybe your comment will help her go natural.
Greg, I think your hair looks great, and more awesome knowing you did the cut yourself! My boyfriend and I cut our own hair - he uses the clippers on his and I clean it up with the scissors. And he cuts my hair! Yep, I let my boyfriend cut my hair. That thought may cause many women to think I'm nuts! He does a good job, we just take a couple inches off at a time and then I do the clean up. It helps that he and I both have thick, wavy hair that can be styled in many ways. And like Pam, I too have let my hair go grey naturally. I'm a brunette and actually like the highlights the grey gives me much more than the single color it was when I applied hair coloring. And the bonus of not putting those awful chemicals on my hair every six weeks! Cutting your hair at home is really the way to go! -- Mary
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary. If you let your boyfriend cut your hair about 99.9% of women would agree that you are majorly brave.
DeleteColouring chemicals are very harsh, and would be unnecessary if it weren't for advertising indoctrinating us. But when you think about it, how can natural be wrong?
I was a beauty school dropout, but learned enough to be able to cut my own hair for years. Then my muscles would no longer co-operate and I've had to go to the hair dresser. This past month, my sister took a whack at it, as I wasn't well enough to get out. It wasn't bad, but have to admit that Tuesday's trip to have it cut was appreciated. But if you can do it yourself, why not!
ReplyDeleteIf a person is particular about their hair, or really likes their hairdresser and the time they spend together, then it is money well spent. Maybe if I had one that would barter haircuts for freshly baked bread. On the other hand, I really do like hacking at my own locks.
DeleteYour hair looks good. Bedhead is still in style, right? I've been cutting my own hair for years. I use a combination of elastic ties and clippers. Pull it into various ponytails with the ties, then hack away (gently) with the clippers just below the ties. Works really well.
ReplyDeleteMy pillow is my hair stylist. I love the method you have shared. I did Linda's hair like this, but with one big pony tail and scissors. It was a pretty brutal way of doing it, but we were still alright with the results. Thanks for sharing the tips.
DeleteShave 'er off! Problem solved. And was I was very suprised how sexy it looked on my hubby! ;)
ReplyDelete-Jeannie
The easiest solution bar none. I have done this many times, and was going to do it again this summer to make ticks easier to spot after hikes in the woods. I kept the hair and waited until later in the season when ticks were less prevalent to go hiking.
DeleteI've cut my own curly hair for 15+ years...a lot of experimentation and time and now I am a pro! I wouldn't trust a professional to cut it, as they often don't know how to treat curls. Happily, I spend no money, get it trimmed exactly when I feel like it, and get TONS of compliments. Go, frugality!
ReplyDeleteAwesome. I think that it is a really fun thing to learn how to do, and it really does save a lot of money. It is personally satisfying to be able to do it yourself, and if it looks good as well it is win, win, win.
DeleteGregg, you are looking charming as always!
ReplyDeleteMadeleine.x
Oh Madeleine. You should see me after I have woken up, shaved/showered, and straightened my mop out.
DeleteI too have been cutting my own hair for about 2 years now. A journey to the grocery store today made it obvious to me that my chosen style is not the norm and indeed was looked at with a range from bemusement to admiration. How interesting that people invest so much emotional energy into how their hair looks. Enjoyed the post. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteHair (on the head) is sacred, more for women than for men. Hair everywhere else is evil, or at least a sign of evil intent. Bearded men, or women with shaved hair or arm pit fuzz, still arouse fear and suspicion in the general population.
DeleteI am trying to talk Linda into sporting a buzz cut for the first time in her life. That is a hairstyle I can easily do for her. Then we go grocery shopping. If she wore a sleeveless shirt and shorts we could showcase her underarm and leg hair as well.
Selfie haircut or letting other hair grow wild and free - costs nothing. Look on other people's faces when they see it - priceless.
Love your posts about cutting your own hair. I've been cutting mine for quite a while now . . . always get compliments. My dad was a barber and I remember him cutting his own hair. I love getting hair cuts for free.
ReplyDeleteGreat hair and story! Laughed often as I read it!
ReplyDeleteI can cut mine if it's grown out some. I like to get it cut by hair stylist every other cut. Seems I do better when I have theirs to follow. I always get compliments from "trained" hair stylist when I tell them I cut it! They seem amazed at how well I do!
Cutting my hair is a major event, takes me about 2 hours! I part it off in sections, cut layers and all! I always get compliments too. I have a feeling some of the compliments are because I look better in short hair and have usually let it grow out before I cut it. So people may be complimenting me on looking better because hair is shorter. I don't know!
I love the independence of knowing I can cut my own hair and do!
I've been noticing more and more gray. It doesn't occur to me to cover the gray! It seems to be a part of who I am. I'm just letting it grow. Color doesn't matter to me. I like that gray hair is more course and seems to have some curl in it!
Sorry I've been out and about for a while, not commenting so much. I'm reading but it isn't the same as participating! I missed all of you!
Terri