Have you ever walked into the barbershop knowing exactly what you wanted, only to leave with something diametrically different? Chances are you have. This is a universal experience that has happened to almost everyone at least once.
Once you find a barber you love, getting the perfect haircut every time becomes a breeze—but what if you haven’t found them yet? Or they’re out of town? Or you move to a new city?
Learning the tricks to communicating effectively with your barber or hairstylist is an important life lesson. Like making your bed or hunting for an apartment, it’s something everyone should know how to do. If you still haven’t mastered this particular skill, read on to learn everything you need to know about the art of talking to your barber.
Haircut Terms and Vocabulary
First thing’s first: you need to make sure you’re speaking the same language. If you don’t have the words to communicate with your barber, it’s a lot more likely they will misunderstand you, and you’ll end up with a style you don’t want. It’s a good idea to educate yourself on the different haircut terms, so they’ll have a better chance of understanding exactly what you’re talking about.
Do you know what bangs are? How about a fade? Teach yourself the proper vocabulary of hair cuts to be able to better articulate your ideas and minimize the chances of miscommunication.
Have a Clear Idea of What You Want
This might seem like an obvious thing to say, but it’s a solid point nonetheless. If you go into a barber’s without a clear vision of what you want, you can communicate that to the barber.
If you only have a wishy-washy idea, they might end up convincing you to get a haircut you’re not totally sure of. Be clear about what you want, and make sure to communicate this to your barber.
Build a Rapport
To get a great cut every time, it’s a good idea to build a level of trust and understanding with your barber. If you genuinely like and respect each other, they will care more about satisfying you as a customer.
Choose a barber you like in your area and become a repeat customer. See here for tips on how to find the best barbershops.
Bring Visual Aids
Of course, one of the easiest ways to let your barber know the haircut style you want is to show them a photo of the exact style. Have a few pictures ready to show on your phone. Just be aware you may still need to communicate specifics to them, so plan the details ahead of time, as well.
Get the Perfect Haircut Every Time
The perfect haircut may seem like an elusive thing to achieve, but it doesn’t have to be. Always keep an open and constant dialogue with your barber throughout the haircutting process. If they’re doing something you’re unsure of, speak up!
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