Switched to thinning shears on kids after a disaster at a birthday party

Was doing a 6-year-old's first haircut at a party in Brooklyn last Saturday, tried to freehand and he jerked his head. Left a chunk missing. Switched to thinning shears for the rest and it was way more forgiving. Anyone else use them as a safety net for squirmy clients?

4 comments

4 Comments

lane.eric11d ago

That bit about acting like it was part of the plan - that's gold. I've been cutting hair for about 15 years now and I still do that little trick with adults too. Once you panic, the whole room feels it. The thinning shears are a lifesaver for blending out those oops moments, especially on fine kid hair where a mistake really shows. I keep a pair in my apron pocket at all times now, just in case.

the_hayden11d ago

Yeah, they help with kids?

keith_rodriguez11d ago

Those thinning shears saved you from a real disaster... but did you have to switch up your whole technique halfway through, or were you able to just blend the messed-up part without starting over? I'm curious how the kid's parents reacted when they saw that chunk missing... did they notice right away? Seems like the real trick is keeping them calm after the first mistake so you don't lose their trust for the rest of the cut.

rileyp4911d ago

That whole thing about keeping them calm after the first mistake is real. I've noticed it's the same with all kids, not just haircuts. Once they sense you messed up, they get nervous and make everything harder. It's like when you trip while carrying groceries and everyone stares, you just gotta act like it was part of the plan and keep moving.