What do you ask for in the barbers?

deadybai

I never really understood how to ask for a haircut in the barbers.

I was with my friend one day when I was about 12 and heard him ask for a 5 on top and 2 on the sides. Since then, thats what I get. Maybe a variation like a one on the side or a scissors on the top. If I ever wanted something different I wouldn't have a clue what to ask for.

For fellas into their style what do you go for? I assume most people would ask for two numbers like myself. Is this the case?

Liam McPoyle

2 or 3 on the sides depending on length, scissors on the top.

howamidifferent

deadybai wrote: »

I never really understood how to ask for a haircut in the barbers.

I was with my friend one day when I was about 12 and heard him ask for a 5 on top and 2 on the sides. Since then, thats what I get. Maybe a variation like a one on the side or a scissors on the top. If I ever wanted something different I wouldn't have a clue what to ask for.

For fellas into their style what do you go for? I assume most people would ask for two numbers like myself. Is this the case?

1 all over since I've started to lose it...The numbers refer to the length in mm the attachment on the razor yolk leaves behind....

strawdog

Need a haircut at the mo. Mines always the same conservative instruction. Scissor cut all over, neat, bit shorter on sides and back than on top. Never seems to go too wrong

Jhcx

1.5 back and sides, scissors messy look on top, enough to spike up but short enough to look professional. and pencil thin side burns thanks

Boom_Bap

deadybai wrote: »

I never really understood how to ask for a haircut in the barbers.

I was with my friend one day when I was about 12 and heard him ask for a 5 on top and 2 on the sides. Since then, thats what I get. Maybe a variation like a one on the side or a scissors on the top. If I ever wanted something different I wouldn't have a clue what to ask for.

For fellas into their style what do you go for? I assume most people would ask for two numbers like myself. Is this the case?

If you go into any decent barber, you can get a consultation from them. They can recommend what would be good for you and you could learn a bit of the lingo.

Instead of asking for a 2 on the sides, you could ask for a 2 blended into a 3, or a fade. So your hair on the back and sides will go from short to longer towards the top.

You can ask for a scissors cut on top, tell the barber how long. They should generally hold up your hair for you and say 'this much' and you go with the more or less approach.
You can then ask to get it 'choppy' where they would angle the scissors and cut inwards towards the ends. Or get it 'thinned' where they use another thype of scissors to shred through your hair to take some of the weight out of it.

.....options are endless.

A place I've been meaning to go to is Cut & Sew, I actually went in one day and they were fully booked. Here's an example of thier work:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3FU9jdib5g

The guys there will automatically give you a consultation on what you want and what would suit you.

There are a few other places about Dublin like the Grafton Barber, Merchants Barber or the Waldorf Barbershop that are a bit more pricey than your average local barber shop, but you feel and see the difference notably.


The good news for you......if you do try something different and it doesn't sit well with you, you can always go for your 2/5 combo pretty quickly.

Aidric

I always ask for a scissors cut only, short on back and sides and more messy on top.

Find somebody who cuts it well once and then retain them as your regular hairdresser. You can't put a price on finding someone you can trust.

JaseBelleVie

Aidric wrote: »

Find somebody who cuts it well once and then retain them as your regular hairdresser. You can't put a price on finding someone you can trust.

QFT.

This is an essential one. It's like finding a good solicitor or a good accountant or a good restaurant. A good barber, in whom you place trust, is a very good thing to have. I have my own regular barber who I always go to. Once every 4 weeks or so, to keep everything looking professional. He's brilliant and is worth every penny I pay for the cut. I've been going to him for at least 5 years now, if not longer.

Slippin Jimmy

I usually get a two on the back and sides and short on top. I've often contemplated getting a different style all together but never know what to ask for or how to ask it

Boskowski

Agree with what has ben said already. Find yourself a good barber and hold on to him.

Most barbers are well versed at the '2 at the sides and back, 5 on the top' thing, I mean I could probably do that after a few attempts myself. But if you want an actual haircut that is nicely tapered and involves proper scissor stuff there aren't that many around. There is a reason why it only costs a tenner I suppose.

Aidric

Boskowski wrote: »

Most barbers are well versed at the '2 at the sides and back, 5 on the top' thing, I mean I could probably do that after a few attempts myself. But if you want an actual haircut that is nicely tapered and involves proper scissor stuff there aren't that many around. There is a reason why it only costs a tenner I suppose.

Ya there isn't much involved in a blade cut and the price reflects that. The thing is a buzz cut doesn't suit everyone. If it suits you then you are probably better off investing in a set of clippers cause you'll marginally save in the long run.

Maybe I'm just a traditionalist, or cursed with fine hair, but I enjoy my trip to the hairdresser and kicking back for 45 mins in the hands of a trained and skilled professional.

Slattsy

Scissors cut all over. Haven't let a razor near my head in 10 years.

I keep it simple. Once it's not too short I'm happy.

Boom_Bap

My regular barber has stopped cutting and become a rock star who is touring the USA at the moment. :mad:

stevemul

I simply say " Pensioner cut please"
I've waited 66 years to say that!

Dancor

Boom_Bap wrote: »

My regular barber has stopped cutting and become a rock star who is touring the USA at the moment. :mad:

Haha I bet I know who you are talking about. Great barber and real nice dude.

john the one

2 or 3 back and sides,nice bit off the top, all pointing forward, trim an inch off the beard, take your time, do it right son!

endacl

All sounds very complicated, lads. I just sit in the chair and ask Frank to take a month off.

Boom_Bap

Dancor wrote: »

Haha I bet I know who you are talking about. Great barber and real nice dude.

Yep, Aido is a class act. I remember the days when he used to be an apprentice sweeping up my hair.

I am getting perilously close to that age where I will start asking for "A little off the floor please".

If in doubt of what to ask for - find pictures in a magazine or something that is close to what you want - and bring it with. Then see how close they can make them match

Ascii

The "like I was never here haircut". Don't like too much of a change from before I went in. I hate that just out of hairdresser look. Best time for me is two weeks after the event. That's why I get scissor all over, leave it on the ear, messy on top, and thin it out on the sides where it gets thick. Have heavy dead hair. Secret is to go every 4-5 weeks and go to the same barber (female in my case). Have been going now for 12 years. followed her through 5 different saloons.

endacl

Ascii wrote: »

The "like I was never here haircut". Don't like too much of a change from before I went in. I hate that just out of hairdresser look. Best time for me is two weeks after the event. That's why I get scissor all over, leave it on the ear, messy on top, and thin it out on the sides where it gets thick. Have heavy dead hair. Secret is to go every 4-5 weeks and go to the same barber (female in my case). Have been going now for 12 years. followed her through 5 different saloons.

Saloons? We call them 'pubs' over here. Also, following her through pubs sounds a bit stalkey.

jester77

I just ask them to tidy it up, an inch or so off all around and to thin it out.

Makaveli

Scissors only, other than tidying the neck etc. Nothing too short prefer there to still be flow on top. Same barber for 13 or 14 years at this stage.

nc6000

Do any of you tip your barber?

Boom_Bap

nc6000 wrote: »

Do any of you tip your barber?

I would on occassion. If I was getting a beard trim as well, i would always throw in a few euro extra.

jester77

nc6000 wrote: »

Do any of you tip your barber?

I always give him a fiver, a bit more around xmas

boobar

3 on the back and sides, 1 on the locks

Trim the top...

Tidy up the eyebrows and ears (said with a whisper)

Richard Hillman

4 back and sides, with about an inch of hair to be kept on top. No gel, I'll style it when I get home.

boobar

nc6000 wrote: »

Do any of you tip your barber?

€9 for a cut...leave the change of a tenner.

Everyone seems to leave him the change.. Wish I got 10% tip in my job

Archeron

2 on the back and sides, and a decent trim on top, but nothing too baldy.

I always tip even though I go to different places all the time. Last time I got it cut, it was by a girl who must have been four foot five. She needed a stool to reach my albeit seated six foot three head.

route9

A Hindu Curry, Steak and Chips, and a glass of Coke.

route9

A Hindu Curry, Steak and Chips, and a glass of Coke thanks.

Sephiroth_dude

2 sides and back and cut it short on top but keep it long enough so I can spike it, he also razors off my fringe and it looks really cool

jimmy180sx

€14 for a cut. Which also includes the beard an a quick trim of the stray eyebrows. Usually hand a score

Richard Hillman

Mine costs €14 too. It's expensive compared to other places but when you find a barber that you are happy with, it's worth the extra €5 or so. Although the cost isn't necessarily reflective of the cut. You could easily get a similar standard under €10. I'm just happy with the person that cuts my hair.

Bored_lad

I pay €14 for which I think is good value considering I know people paying €20 every two weeks. I usually ask for a 4 on the sides and bacl and to fade it and taper the back. Then on the top I usually get around 1-2 centimetres taken off with a scissors and have it thinned out. They thin the sides out. Lastly I have the sideburns squared off about 1/4 to 1/2 way down my ear.

Oink

The days of fancy haircuts are behind me I'm afraid.Zero all over for me. They sometimes threaten to give me pretty "football player" style eyebrows but that's not for me.

Holsten

I ask them to do whatever they think, usually end up with a basic generic haircut.

AgileMyth

Haven't been to a barbers since I was about 13. Just shave it myself every few months. Zero all over.

deadybai

Bored_lad wrote: »

I pay €14 for which I think is good value considering I know people paying €20 every two weeks. I usually ask for a 4 on the sides and bacl and to fade it and taper the back. Then on the top I usually get around 1-2 centimetres taken off with a scissors and have it thinned out. They thin the sides out. Lastly I have the sideburns squared off about 1/4 to 1/2 way down my ear.

€20 every two weeks? :eek: Flipping hell! Anything over a 10er to me is ridiculous. . I understand charging like around 15 if there're doing a certain style that takes a bit of time.

Every two weeks is crazy to me. I usually wait around three months and get the shave I mentioned in my original post. Even though I hate my hair any way long I still dont think its necessary to get it cut unless its too long :pac:

Just out of interest are most of the posters on this thread from the city or the countryside? Most people where I'm from are in the same boat as me with regards to haircuts. I'd say in the city its a bit different.

lazybones32

Short back and sides, bit off the top and the fringe.

Had long hair before and was mistaken for my sister, so that had to go. Still think of having my headbanger's ball hair back though...

expatinator

I like the 'Slicked back' look. Do you know the one I'm talking about?

Has anybody got any tips on how to get a haircut that tidies everything up, but there's still enough to slick back?

Bored_lad

deadybai wrote: »

€20 every two weeks? :eek: Flipping hell! Anything over a 10er to me is ridiculous. . I understand charging like around 15 if there're doing a certain style that takes a bit of time.

Every two weeks is crazy to me. I usually wait around three months and get the shave I mentioned in my original post. Even though I hate my hair any way long I still dont think its necessary to get it cut unless its too long :pac:

Just out of interest are most of the posters on this thread from the city or the countryside? Most people where I'm from are in the same boat as me with regards to haircuts. I'd say in the city its a bit different.

Ya €20 every two weeks most of them have undercuts and like the sides short but they could still get away with every month. I'm once a month my self.

I'm from the countyside but my friends would be a mix of both.

awec

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awec

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Johny_cash

thats a great question

DavidRamsay99

I get a trim on top and ask for a blade 2 around the back sides. I use brylcream and a fine tooth comb to comb it into my hair and then make a sharp side parting.

PUnited

usually a 1 on the sides and back with a tight scissor cut on the top.

Carson10

I hate getting my haircut. The town where I live has loads of barber shops and they are all €9 type one, trainee barbers or barbers who only know how to do a generic hair cut. I always ask for a scissor cut only, as I like my hair long and messy style, but no matter what they still hack the hell out of it and leave it too short on top and too long on the sides and take out that thinning scissors that leaves me looking like a blade one all over. It takes a good 2/3 weeks before Its grows back to the way I want it. I wish barbers would have a chart of modern style cuts on a chart where you could pick the one you want.

I always have the opinion a good barber will only use a scissors and take his time.

RWCNT

awec wrote: »

I pay 25 euro every three weeks but it depends on what you get as to whether or not it's worth it.

What you described in your OP was basically a buzzcut. I wouldn't pay 25 quid for a buzzcut.

What kind of hairstyle do you have?

Can't believe how frequently some of you boys get your hair cut, I usually go 2 or 3 times a year.

cgh

i ask for a scissors cut followed by a hat.