What To Expect From Your Hair Salon:
A Simple Hair Trim

Why trim? We all get them; sometimes at random intervals, sometimes on a regular basis. Why do we bother and how can we get the most for our money? Do I have to pay the same amount for a simple trim as I do a fancier trendy cut I’ve never had before?

There are a few theories floating around out there about how frequently you should be getting your ends clipped, so we will start with that. Ask any person on the street how often they get a trim and the answer you get will be anywhere from two weeks to two years! What you have to keep in mind is that everyone’s hair is different. Not just the texture and color, but the actual growth pattern. How fast it grows back, how thick it is… So maybe you need your neck trimmed every two weeks with your cute sassy cut, but your friend is trying to grow her hair out and won’t go in for six months. Neither of you are wrong, you just have different needs. Now ask your stylist how often you should be coming in for a trim. They will tell you between four and six weeks – that’s the standard answer and works for most people. The truth is, most people do need some sort of trim in that amount of time, even if you are only getting your ends “dusted.” This helps maintain the health of your hair and if you’re trying to grow it out, it will keep the split ends to a minimum which will make your hair look so much better in the end. Might take a little longer, but at least when it reaches the desired length it will look full and alive. Is your friend who doesn’t get a cut more than once a year wrong? No. Her hair just might not look as well taken care of for that amount of time. That should answer your question about frequency, so lets talk about money.

How much should it cost? How do I get the most out of it? First off, the amount it will cost you will largely depend on where you live and who you want to cut your hair. You can have a celebrity stylist do it for you if you don’t mind dropping several hundred dollars for the privilege. Locally, you can get it done at some places for $10-$12. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for. If you go to a fancy salon and ask for a master stylist or master cutter to do your coif, it’s going to cost you. These folks have the most experience and have gone to endless training sessions to hone their skills. You can also ask for a stylist in training, but remember that these stylists may be just out of school and are practicing on you. Also, with the more expensive haircuts, it’s not just a cut but a whole experience. The shampoo will send you to heaven for a few precious minutes and the more upscale salons offer beverages. You will get a little more time in the stylists’ chair because you are paying a lot more for that service. They may even offer bang and neck trims at no charge for regular customers instead of you having to pay for a whole cut. Make sure you know what you are paying for and that you get it.

How do you prepare for a simple trim? Make sure you know that’s what you want when you go in. If you only want a half inch off the bottom and your bangs trimmed, let your stylist know by showing them what you think a half inch is. You want to know that they understand your expectations. If it helps you, take in a picture with a back view. Your stylist will be able to determine the exterior or perimeter line you want by looking at the picture and you won’t have to try and explain as much to them. Pictures really are worth a thousand words!

Most places won’t mess up a simple trim if you just make sure they understand what you want. Go in with a clear idea of what you expect and pay attention to what they are doing while they are doing. If something looks wrong, don’t be afraid to clarify.