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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To expect a barber to be able to cut my sons hair like this?

68 replies

Hullabaloo9 · 15/02/2022 09:31

I had a fantastic barber who used to cut my sons hair exactly how it suited him. She used to call it "a proper boys haircut". It was scissor cut, nice and neat round the sides and back and long and floppy on top, with a fringe. Sadly she closed her barbers shop recently.

All other barbers I have taken him to have listened to what I describe, looked at pictures of what I want and then clippered it really short round the sides, cut the top too short and cut in a harsh, straight, short fringe.

I have tried 3 different barbers and ended up with the same. Am I describing it wrong? What would you ask for? Is it perhaps that my old barber also cut womens hair? Do I need to take him to a hairdressers for this style?

First 2 photos I attached are what I want. Final one is what I end up with.

To expect a barber to be able to cut my sons hair like this?
To expect a barber to be able to cut my sons hair like this?
To expect a barber to be able to cut my sons hair like this?
OP posts:
Gagagardener · 15/02/2022 10:05

I blame Peaky Blinders.

HoneyFlowers · 15/02/2022 10:08

I have had so many bad experiences with my son's hair being cut too short. I have found a gold dust hairdresser who cuts his hair beautifully as what you're after in the photos. I pay through the nose for it £25, but in my opinion, worth every penny. If you want to message me privately I can let you know where, just in case you're around here!

Lorw · 15/02/2022 10:09

Definitely best taking him to a hairdressers, barbers tend to use clippers, some have been trained in hairdressing before doing barbering and therefore are skilled with scissors however they are very few these days.

IrishMama2015 · 15/02/2022 10:11

OP I have EXACT same problem with my oldest DC. He has a double crown and of cut short it will stick up on end for weeks until it gets heavy enough to. E weighed down. He has exact same haircut as your first two photos and our old fashioned barber has closed and now we keep ending up with the third photo haircut no matter what I say or show them. He then looks like Alfalfa from Little Rascals for weeks and he hates it

caringcarer · 15/02/2022 10:16

I find Barbara love love shaver things whereas hairdressers tend to use scissors most of the time. My son likes the shaver thing at the back but scissors for rest.

user1493494961 · 15/02/2022 10:16

Third photo looks best, first two look untidy, as if he needs a trim.

Stressedout1009 · 15/02/2022 10:20

Agree with a hairdresser rather than a barber. I can see the difference between the pictures. The first is soft and boyish while the 3rd is a bit harsh. Don't worry it will grow back soon, and then just take the first 2 photos with you to a hairdresser.

LeroyJenkinssss · 15/02/2022 10:20

We take our boys to a hairdresser for this reason, eldest likes his hair just like your sons and youngest has curly hair which doesn’t do well with a short back and sides. More expensive but they prefer it.

NeverAgainSam · 15/02/2022 10:21

Been there. Got the t-shirt. For the next visit or two you need to ask for

No 2 back and sides. DO NOT BLEND TOO HIGH. DO NOT TAKE ANYTHING OFF THE TOP (this will allow it do re-balance)

Then
No 2 Back and Sides. DO NOT BLEND TOO HIGH. Very little off the top.

Should get you what you want.

It is the high blend (ie sides/back taken up too high) which then means thay have to cut the top shorter than you want.

HowlingKale · 15/02/2022 10:21

I agree with you op. It's a scissor cut you want with some length left on the crown.
It's like all hair, if you don't want the latest generic style you have to shop around or ask for recommendations.

DropYourSword · 15/02/2022 10:22

@user1493494961

Third photo looks best, first two look untidy, as if he needs a trim.
She really wasn't asking for anyone's opinion on this though Hmm
RonObvious · 15/02/2022 10:23

My son has a double crown too, and hairdressers always butcher his hair. We cut it ourselves now, and get a much better (in our view) result.

HowlingKale · 15/02/2022 10:24

Third one looks more untidy tbh as it's that much shorter it should look far neater iyswim.
The longer cut is harder to do well.

UserPotato · 15/02/2022 10:25

@user1493494961

Third photo looks best, first two look untidy, as if he needs a trim.

In your opinion.

I suppose when you take your child for a hair cut you will be allowed to get what you want. The hairdresser isn't going to say 'wait a minute, let's do it how Hullabaloo wants it.'

HowlingKale · 15/02/2022 10:25

Imo there is a far better overall shape and finish to the first two.

DappledThings · 15/02/2022 10:30

@user1493494961

Third photo looks best, first two look untidy, as if he needs a trim.
I'm with OP and prefer the first two. Third one is quite severe.

Yes it's all about clippers vs scissors. DS is 6 and hates having his hair cut. When he used to let me take him to a barber who did a bit of clipping round the sides but mostly scissors he got a lovely cut like your first two. Now he will only tolerate me doing it and won't let me use scissors so I have to go a no. 8 all over and for the first few weeks it's too short at the front.

Howabsolutelyfanfuckingtastic · 15/02/2022 10:30

I don't like when little boys hairs are cut short, i prefer the first two photos and can totally understand why you wouldn't like how they cut it on the third photo as it's far too short especially at the sides. I'd try taking him to a hairdressers if you can't find a barbers who can cut it how you want. Barbers should be able to do all different kind of cuts but a hairdressers may be better.

Hollyhocksarenotmessy · 15/02/2022 10:31

DP has finally stopped going to clippers barbers as he used to come out looking like Beaker from the muppets (like your 3rd photo). It's all those bar erd seem to do as they can churn them out really quickly. You have to pay a bit more for a proper scissors cut.

yikesanotherbooboo · 15/02/2022 10:36

I used to take them to the barbers and ask for 'little boy's cut'. No clippers until they were older and even then 3/4 at the sides

TheYearOfSmallThings · 15/02/2022 10:42

We keep getting the dreaded straight fringe too, which looks like dumb & dumber on DS's poker straight hair. His old hairdresser fled to Portugal during the pandemic, and all the other places are butchering his hair.

Sorrynotsorry2 · 15/02/2022 10:50

Take him to a hairdresser's and ask for a scissor cut . The last picture is nothing how you have asked for it .

Caspianberg · 15/02/2022 10:52

Oh god

This is why Ds hair is rather long, as I dread going to get it cut and it going awful

VestaTilley · 15/02/2022 10:55

Try a hairdresser instead of barber.

I also have the longer style you prefer for my near three year old. I can’t abide the too short clipped look on little boys.

When we go to the barber I ask him to just trim round fringe, ears and neck, tidying up on top but keeping the length of the hairs quite long - I also insist on just scissors and no clippers, which basically gets what I prefer provided I supervise.

SockQueen · 15/02/2022 11:07

Both my kids get hysterical at clippers, but will tolerate scissors absolutely fine, so I pre-warn the barbers that it will be to be scissors all over and so far none of them have objected!

Duracellbunnywannabe · 15/02/2022 11:14

You need a hairdresser not a barbers.