Autotonsorialist: (Noun) One who cuts their own hair.
I have been cutting my own hair for about two years now. This is how it all got started:
I used to love my barber. His shop is located only 5 minutes away from my apartment. I used to pass right in front of his shop and if there was no waiting line, I used to get in and get a haircut in a few minutes. His price is only $13. He’s fast, friendly and he has this ability to make anyone feel at ease.
But all good things come to an end. His shop started getting busier and busier. Now there is a waiting line just to get in and if I want to see him, I have to plan for 30 minutes of waiting time.
One day, out of frustration, I went to the hairdresser across the street. He took care of me immediately, but his haircut was $35 and in no way any better. I paid three times as much for anything extra.
I went right from the hairdresser directly to the pharmacy store and I bought a haircutting kit ($35). How hard could it be to cut one’s hair? With a short clip, I cut the sides and the back and with a longer clip I, cut the top.
I made my money back by the second haircut. The benefits were numerous. I save about $150 per year in haircuts. I also save time. I don’t even have to wait for service. I unbox my clippers and start cutting away. The whole thing takes me about 5 minutes to cut and 2 more minutes to clean. In addition, my hair always looks freshly cut and I have a sense of pride after doing each haircut.
The only drawback is that I am limited to only one style. I don’t know any other cuts than short on the sides and long on the top.
I noticed that my friend Raja also cuts his own hair and I fell a sense of comradely with him. But also, at my new year’s party, while talking to a girl, she told me that she too cuts her own hair. I was intrigued and I asked my Facebook community. I found out that several of my female friends also cut their own hair. Here are pictures of Natalie and Annie.
If you are a woman, the savings can be significant. One of my female friends pays $50 for a haircut, if she gets 6 haircuts during the year, she is down $300. This money could be put to better use, either saving it or going to the restaurant with friends.
Have you ever heard of the Pink Tax? Many products or services are marked up when they are targeted to women. A haircut is one example, but also razor blades, shampoos, conditioners, shaving cream, girls bikes, etc. have a bigger markup when marketed to women.
If you have never cut your own hair, I suggest you give it a try. If you screw it up, what’s the worst that could happen? It will always grow back. It won’t be the end of the world. On the other hand, if you succeed, you will save lots of time and money.
If you are a woman, here is a video that can show you how to cut your own hair. https://youtu.be/kgYVImOwYiI
If you want to share your experience cutting your own hair, please send me a message or share your experience in the comments.
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Comments
2 responses to “How to save money and time by cutting your own hair”
You are correct, it is expensive. The last time I went to the salon it was over $60 plus tip, i wasted three hours and wasnt happy with the haircut. I was ready to just never cut my hair again, grow it to my ankles, I told my new guy about 8 months after that last bad haircut. he said I still need to trim the ends or my hair will look ratty. I asked if he is going to do it and he said sure. So I let him give me a haircut. He did a great job, i told him this was not a one time thing, he was now my stylist. I figure him cutting my hair every couple months saves me over $75 when i figure in haircut, tip and transportation costs each time. I got him to do my children’s haircuts monthly, that saves me $40 same reasons. So hubby being the family barber/stylist save me about a grand a year and no bad haircuts to get upset about. He gives great haircuts. My neighbor who has her license came over to visit when he was doing mine and complimented his work, of course she thought he wasn’t cutting off as much as she thought needed, reminder that is why he started doing it for me. My best friend got a really bad haircut and dye job about a year and a half ago, blew over $300 and cried for months. She asked who did mine and i confided it has been my hubby. She was surprised. She then asked if he would do hers too. I told her it was ok with me, then I asked him to please do her hair for her. He said sure and now he cuts hers on my schedule.
She is my BFF and we are both seeing grays. I got hubby to do my color with henna. Hair color at the salon is insanely expensive. He wasnt eager, told me gray is very sexy, ummm, No, I said. Your choice at home or bend over for salon prices. He decided home was smarter. I spend about $80 a year on henna color. Salon trips would be over $1200, insane. Insourcing is the way to go. Of note, he doesn’t just hack with kitchen shears, he has the pro-grade shears, comb, clips, and he capes me. No itchy hairs all over my clothes. He does the full sectioning, letting down one inch sections to trim, it takes him about 45 minutes to do my haircut. About 10-15 minutes per child. It does take longer to do a woman’s hair properly so I can see why a salon would charge more. And he uses the clippers and scissors over comb cutting for the child, he doesnt just shave them bald like some DIY types do and look like convicts. DIY means pride in a job done well yourself, not settling for a hack job and looking foolish. I get compliments on my hair and asked by other parents where I take my children for haircuts as they are always done right. So if you are going to take the leap, get the right tools and view it as a talent to do it better yourself, not a rush hack job you are embarassed to be seen in public with. A couple people i know were taken aback that hubby cuts my hair, but I remind them that I work with rhe public, I need to look my best, hubby does that for me, I cannot risk letting the salon stylists screw up my hair, I need to look professional in my job.
Wow… What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing. Say hello to your hubby. I am so happy for you. 🙂