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Original poster

Haircut nightmare!

25 replies

HairDisaster13 · 03/04/2023 14:44

Help me out here! I asked the barber to cut my son's hair short back and sides. Long ish on top. Went for 3 on sides for on top. The barber has basically shaved his head! I can't show a photo of my son as it'll b very outing - but think younger version of the attached.

He used to have lovely hair and now it's all gone. He has blonde hair so looks like he hasn't got any hair now

If you asked for a 3 sides and 4 on top, keeping hair long on top, what would you expect??

He's currently in floods of tears.

:(

Haircut nightmare!
OP posts:
Original poster
HairDisaster13 · 03/04/2023 14:45

Sorry that's meant to say '4' on top.

He's 7

OP posts:
GimmeSleep · 03/04/2023 14:46

I wouldn't be happy, and that is not what I would expect at all but it will grow back

GimmeSleep · 03/04/2023 14:46

Although a number 4 isn't that long is it? 😕

Original poster
HairDisaster13 · 03/04/2023 14:47

:( never going to use that barber again :( he looks awful but I've told him he looks cool and his hair grows fast so soon be back to normal 😭😭

OP posts:
Coldspringtime · 03/04/2023 14:47

4 cms on top is very little but it will grow back to that length in a few days

LookUponMyWorks · 03/04/2023 14:48

A 4 is very short - next time perhaps just ask for a 3 on the sides and a scissor trim on top.

Bemyclementine · 03/04/2023 14:49

A Number 4 on top isnt going to be long, it sounds like you've miscommunicated to the barber. If you want ut long on top, you need to ask for scissors to be used I'd think. That's what I do with my dc.

PincesssPeachh · 03/04/2023 14:49

Have you had it like that before? There isn’t much noticeable difference between a 3 and 4. They’re both very short.

Notegoat · 03/04/2023 14:50

A number 4 is 1.27 cm (half an inch). It sounds like miscommunication.

Sweetladyjane · 03/04/2023 14:50

A number 4 cut is basically a shaved head (I shave mine all over a number 3), did you mean to ask for a number 3 on the sides and 4cm on top?

It will grow back quickly though.

6namechang3 · 03/04/2023 14:51

Grade 4 on top is very short, basically still cropped. I think the barber has misunderstood what you meant. If you want the top to be longer ask them for a trim with scissors on the top, no clippers. It will grow back soon.

Coldspringtime · 03/04/2023 14:51

Op this is a number 4. No 3 is even shorter as your child is blonde, that’s likely making it look shorter.

Haircut nightmare!
Oysterbabe · 03/04/2023 14:52

Sounds like he did what you asked.

Original poster
HairDisaster13 · 03/04/2023 14:53

Last time we had 4 on sides and '5' on top which was scissors - he looked a bit like the photo attached (Google image, not my son). The barber said if I wanted it a bit shorter next time to ask for 3 sides and 4 on top, which is what I did - but I did stipulate 'keep it longish on top'. I wasn't expecting full skin head! We will go back to 4 sides and scissors on top! And use a different barber! And make sure we show pics of what we want :( I feel terrible. He's so upset :(

Haircut nightmare!
OP posts:
Original poster
HairDisaster13 · 03/04/2023 14:55

Looks like it was my fault then! I only asked for 4 because I thought it would be a tiny bit shorter than what he had last time :( didn't realise full skin head :( shit!!

OP posts:
Coldspringtime · 03/04/2023 14:57

Oh I see the issue, that’s five inches not a number five. A 3 on sides and 4 on top for a barber would mean a buzz cut with the clippers, so you got what was requested, you should have said inches.

Original poster
HairDisaster13 · 03/04/2023 14:59

Coldspringtime · 03/04/2023 14:57

Oh I see the issue, that’s five inches not a number five. A 3 on sides and 4 on top for a barber would mean a buzz cut with the clippers, so you got what was requested, you should have said inches.

Oh I see. Crap. Shit mum day 😭

OP posts:
dietcokelime · 03/04/2023 15:01

Coldspringtime · 03/04/2023 14:57

Oh I see the issue, that’s five inches not a number five. A 3 on sides and 4 on top for a barber would mean a buzz cut with the clippers, so you got what was requested, you should have said inches.

This!

My DH made the same mistake when going from a hairdresser to a barber - one used inches, one used grades! Made for a very funny 6 weeks whilst it grew out.

OP don't worry, it'll grow quicker than you think and it's kinda still hat weather in some areas to hide it 😊 if he's off for Easter I'm sure in 2 weeks it'll be looking good when he goes back!

BookishBabe · 03/04/2023 15:04

Sorry. Its a crap mistake but will grow back.
Don't be so hard on the barber. I know you are annoyed but without showing a picture to discuss things with you, and you saying a 4 on top, he really has just done exactly what you asked for.

Original poster
HairDisaster13 · 03/04/2023 15:05

dietcokelime · 03/04/2023 15:01

This!

My DH made the same mistake when going from a hairdresser to a barber - one used inches, one used grades! Made for a very funny 6 weeks whilst it grew out.

OP don't worry, it'll grow quicker than you think and it's kinda still hat weather in some areas to hide it 😊 if he's off for Easter I'm sure in 2 weeks it'll be looking good when he goes back!

Show quote history

:( thanks. Feel like crying myself! He's had a lolly to cheer him up! 😭

OP posts:
VeggieSalsa · 03/04/2023 15:05

My husband gets his hair a bit shorter than this on top, and he gets a number 6 on top and 3-4 fade on the sides… so yes I think a miscommunication.

Im sure he looks adorable though and it’ll grow back in no time!

Haircut nightmare!
Original poster
HairDisaster13 · 03/04/2023 15:08

Thanks all! I see where the error happened now! Next time scissors only and I'll b v v clear on showing photos and asking for inches :) (doh! at least it's the holidays, and thankfully his hair does grow fast!) Not really the barbers fault! I see that now. I've calmed down and realise I'm in the wrong! :( Sorry DS! :(

OP posts:
JudgeRudy · 03/04/2023 15:19

Ah, so sorry your son didn't get the cut he wanted. I'm in agreement, four (inches/cm) on top is very different from 'a 4 on top' which is about 17mm. It's an understandable mix up easily avoidable next time. A picture paints a 1000 words.
On the plus side its Easter break so time for hair to grow a bit away from school friends (if he's uncomfortable).

ImprobablePuffin · 03/04/2023 15:30

Sounds like you got what you asked for...shaved all over with top tiny bit longer than sides. Don't blame the barber for doing what you asked for.

MisgenderedSwan · 03/04/2023 16:17

If he's off over Easter it may have grown enough to go (somewhere else) for a trim just round the sides to make the top seem longer? Baseball cap for playing out? Although I wouldn't make a big deal of that or you might give him a complex!

I sympathise - I did the same to my son when he was 5. I repeated exactly what I thought dh (who usually took him) had said. It was not right and he ended with basically a buzz cut. He is also blonde 🤦🏻‍♀️ luckily within a month it was looking better and I just found lots of pics of footballers with the same hair do which helped! Dh always takes him now, I can't handle the pressure 😆

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