I have a secret. A very deep and dark secret. It’s the kind of secret that would make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. Yet throughout the past year, holding my tongue, I never thought it possible I could ever admit to having this secret. This is my Freedom Friday series, and this is my secret.
What is it? Well, I could tell you it’s something simple. It’s not. It’s something life altering. Something that goes against nature. Something really, really bad. How else can I describe that which can cause grief and frustration to everyone around? There’s no other way to say it than to say it openly without reservation.
I cut my own hair.
There, I said it. I know. It is bad. Last summer I decided to put away childish things so as I may concentrate on the things grown-ups do. It took some convincing but I did it. I took the plunge and cut my own hair for the very first time.
Cutting hair is up there with food preparation and construction. If you know how to cut hair, you’re good for life. That’s exactly what I was thinking too. I’ve wanted to learn how to cut my hair for a long, long time. I don’t know what held me back. How can I describe the feeling?
It’s awesome! Yeah, that’s how I can describe it.
How did I finally learn to do the deed? I’ll tell ya. One of my good friends told me one day he cut his own hair. It came as no surprise because whenever I saw him, he stood before me an immaculate individual, well groomed and clean cut. It wasn’t until I delved further into his hair wizardry that he confessed his evil, little secret to me. He said it didn’t take that much time to do and it saves him money.
I thought, here’s a guy who learned on his own how to cut his own hair. It fascinated me. I’ve always wanted to do that. He went on to explain how he accomplished the whole process. I listened intently and took notes. This is what I learned.
I don’t know how it is in the rest of the world but in Canada, we have this retail outlet called Canadian Tire. I purchased a set of hair clippers (WAHL 23-piece haircut kit) there for $30. It comes with clippers, guide combs, scissors and a styling guide.
The first time I used it, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I had to go to YouTube for a few instructional videos just to remove the initial fear of putting blade to hair. They were helpful and made life easier for a novice in disarray. I learned how to clip in levels, blend, trim, and spruce up the sideburns. I also learned how to cut my hair without getting any of the hair on my body—to cut my hair naked. Yup, buck naked. It’s the only way to have a clean familiarity with clippers.
Since cutting my hair, here are a few things I’ve gained.
- I’ve made mistakes—bad ones. But I read somewhere the difference between a good haircut and bad haircut is three days. No matter how bad I goofed, it’ll take three days to fix itself up.
- I’ve saved oodles of time by doing my own hair. My first haircut took me an hour-and-half. Crazy, huh? Nowadays, it takes me twenty minutes, tops. I don’t have to wait in line for a free barber. I don’t have to rely on anyone. I can do it whenever I want. Even midnight on a Sunday night…if I want.
- I figured I’ve saved $160 so far on myself only. When I subtract the cost of the clippers, I’m $130 richer. That’s enough money to go out to eat at one of these fancy schmancy restaurants. Oh, and that doesn’t include the cost of cutting the kids’ hair. If I added them, we’re talking about big, big bucks.
- My confidence level has skyrocketed. Hey, no telling what I’m capable of now that I know how to cut my own hair.
Do you cut your own hair? What do you use? Is it something you’ve wanted to do your whole life? If you don’t cut your own hair, have you ever wanted to?
Looking to God 
u did make me hold my breath to be honest…very good post Jack 🙂
I cut my husband’s & our son’s hair. I use the same kind of clippers & scissors. My husband is in the military, so once I got the hang of it, that one is pretty easy now. I messed up once 6 yrs ago, & said “never again!”, then to save money, I started again. I have told him I should at least get a tip…he’s saving@least $20 every 2 weeks!
Our son’s isn’t so easy. He likes to change it. I should add he’s almost 4yo. The 1st was the hardest, cuz I had to cut off all of the baby curls. The 2nd was a mohawk. Very easy, except to get him to hold still to trim the top w/scissors. He’s been growing that out all fall & winter, & I just had to give him a good fade & trim all the top w/scissors. I attempted layers. Luckily he has wacy hair, so any flubs are hidden.
My husband cuts his hair in the bathroom every couple weeks but based on the results of my cosmetology efforts on poor Barbie’s hair when I was a kid, I’ve not had the courage to do anything involving scissors on my own. Dyed it several times, yes, but only the noncommittal temp stuff that will eventually fade/wash out.
Reblogged this on Sexy Geeky Life and commented:
This was just so beautiful that I had to share. Thank you Jack Flacco.
Thank you so much, Heidy!
Hi, Jack! This was great and why I nominated you for The Versatile Blogger Award. To particiapte, visit http://www.stephsscribe.com and do the same. Like before, it is like “paying it forward” with fellow bloggers. Congrats again!
Now I know what you did last summer 🙂
Kudos on getting the art of the self-haircut down. Every once in a while over the last several years I would give it a shot, and usually end up having to just buzz my head because the results are not good. Since I like having hair, I stopped trying.
So this is proof of the Chinese proverb: Teach a man to fish and he… How do you cut the back? Mirror? Well, I suppose if it looks bad you won’t be seeing it either.
Mirror in one hand, clippers in the other, backing a large mirror!
Tremendous lead into the story! LOL… I have tried un-successfully well, at least when it made a difference. Now every other day with a razor to the scalp! 😉
Thanks so much, Marcelino. You made my day!
Lol! Great post and congrats! A real sense of accomplishment comes with cutting your own hair…give yourself a pat on the back….it is well deserved. Also, thank you for visiting and liking my post at Lexa’s Journal.
I’m reading thinking you are about to tell me something dark and dirty. LOL. Man you should have posted before and after shots. As a black woman, I need get hooked up by a hairdresser. I may trim here and there but I would NEVER try to cut my own hair. It would take more than three days to right a wrong. LOL. I have a small confession. I have the pop band One Direction on my ipod. Please don’t judge me. Hahahaha
I’ve been thinking about letting my wife cut my hair but do I really want to let her near me with a sharp implement? You know how they like to keep secret grudges for years…
Well I must tell you. Years ago hubby let me cut his hair. Oh boy, it was a disaster. I set out to create a nice “fade away” in the back. The fade ended up being a horrific crooked line that ended well above his ears (it originally started at the base of his neck). I knew he really loved me then because he sported his fresh new cut to work the next day. Oh my.. He caught hell from his colleagues…. His lunch break turned out to be a quick run to the barber. 20 years later, we are still laughing. My clippers are retired. Lol!
We have the same clippers a d I e been cutting my husband’s hair for many a year. Used to do my so n’s hair too but they’re all grown up now.
I have the same exact clippers… USA… I have cut my husbands hair the whole time we were married 95 – 2011. Also my two boys hair one is 13 and one is 10 1/2. Also my mom’s hair and daughters hair… On occasion parts of my hair but its long and I find that hard to do… But I have saved a ton… In fact (no lie) my youngest is soaking in the tub right now after cutting the boys hair. While he’s lounging in his bath i was reading your blog…. I could not believe what I just read!
Cool! So now show is the hair cut… We all want to see if you learned quickly… 🙂
Superb! What a confession… After a traumatic experience as a toddler when I gave my nan’s favourite yukka plant a haircut (I caught the rough edge of nan’s tongue, and the plant wasn’t too impressed either), I’ve been loathe to tinker too much in matters of the follicle. But I have been known to cut my fringe when I can’t see out.
Not only does this save you money, but it also puts you in the same category as Gandhi. One of his early defining moments was deciding to cut his own hair while working as a lawyer in London, because most barber shops would not accommodate a man of Indian descent. So, you’re like Gandhi. That means you’re pretty cool.
You put a smile on my face. Thanks!
Thanks for stopping by my blog, changingdad.wordpress.com The last time I cut my own hair was when I was 7. It was such a disaster that I never did it again. I’ll never forget the look on mu Mum’s face. Simon
PICS OR IT DIDN’T HAPPEN. Yeah, I’m calling it.
I have a really cool retro hair stylist do my hair. It’s awesome. Really don’t want anyone else to do it, certainly not myself 😛
Nice blog, Jack 😀
My name is James and I cut MY own hair. It feels so good to get that out in the open.
Thanks for sharing, James. All our offices are now closed. Please come again during regular business hours.
I’m very impressed. I’ve been cutting mine for ages, I called it my book budget 😉 but funnily enough I spontaneously decided to get it cut by a hairdresser today.
same here! most of the time I cut my own hair, too! because i almost got into a cat fight with the stylist for not doing the haircut that I want. DIY’s always better! because you get to save money! 😀
I laughed out loud at your confession…I have the clippers and have made a midnight haircut rendezvous under the influence of Ambien.
http://sally1137.wordpress.com/2013/01/31/off-her-meds-the-ambien-chronicle/
That incident took three weeks to grow out to where I didn’t have to wear a do-rag in public. I still cut my own hair but don’t take Ambien any more.
Let me know if you ever hit the Xanax. That ought to be an interesting episode!
You’ve learned a valuable lesson – when you learn to do things yourself instead of paying others you can save money. It starts with cutting your own hair but with determination you can work your way up to doing your own dentistry and imagine how much you’d save then!
I’m aiming for my own eye, ear, nose and throat exams. I thought I’d keep realistic!
As soon as the balding pattern really started to show I started cutting my hair. Real simple: shave it all off. If I’m really feeling adventurous, I finish it off with a razor in the shower. I was told businesses don’t appreciate that, though.
haha! I, like you, bought clippers and now I am the official barber in residence for my husband and kids. I got sick of spending $15 bucks on buzz cuts for them (yet have NO PROBLEM spending hundreds for a cut and color of my own). I have to say that the first few times were a bit rocky, but now I’m not too bad. We bought a plastic cape on amazon, and some of that disinfecting spray that they use at the barber shop. I’d like to buy one of those giant brushes they use to brush off the cut hair from the necks. Now that I think about it, maybe a nice swivel chair will fit in my dining room . . . .
I’d never do this myself because I’m a woman and my hair is waist-length, but I think it’s easier for men, and especially good if they can do it for their sons as well. It’s definitely a time and money saver. As a woman I pay a LOT for a trim, forget any additional services, and the guys in my life are paying about $8-$20 every single time they get their hair cut (needless to say, it almost always looks the same to me and I have a very discerning eye. I’ve known guys with $200 hair cuts and they don’t look any better to me than a $10 cut.). It does add up to considerable savings, especially over time. I think it’s smart and definitely a good thing that you’re able to do it. =)
LOL This is great and I salute you.
My mother was a beautician and I never had to pay to get my hair cut my whole life. I am inept with my hair as a matter of fact, but I trusted almost no one but my mom to do it for me. Truth. (Yep, I’m middle-aged and she’s almost 70, but there you go.)
My husband cuts his own hair and our sons’ hair and I have generally waited until I see my mom to get mine done.
I have tried to cut/trim my own hair. But as I said, I am inept. Truly. I flunked cutting in Kindergarten and never improved.
I’m impressed you persevered and have triumphed. 🙂 Never know when your characters will need to know what you know. 🙂
As someone who has attempted to cut my own hair (with disastrous results), kudos to you. I was placed on the international “do not cut hair” list.