The MP Guide to An Enhanced Haircut Experience

Do you remember the last time you went to get a haircut and came out saying, “Damn, I can’t wait to come back again!”  More likely than not, very few of you had such pleasant thoughts when leaving the barbershop (or salon). 

[But, perhaps those who’ve experienced a great salon experience would beg to differ as several months ago, MP posted a luxurious salon experience – Free Hand Job With Every Haircut!!:  Part 1 & Free Hand Job With Every Haircut!!:  Part 2.]

Let’s face it though, getting a haircut isn’t a “luxurious” experience for a lot of guys.  The truth is, some of you out there wish our hair didn’t grow as quickly or grow at all.  I believe that an activity that isn’t meaningful to you isn’t worth doing at all.  This mantra is more true when it comes to grooming.  For that very reason, I’m going to share my guide on how to enhance your haircut experience.  If you follow the below suggestions, your next trip to the barbershop could be much more meaningful.

1) Know Thy Self

As simple as the suggestion is, a good number of us tend to completely overlook the details.  Before you even think of dragging your sorry ass to the barbershop, the very first step is to check yourself out, thoroughly.  Yes, you heard me correctly.  Stand in front of a mirror and take a long look at yourself.  Inspect your facial features and head structure.  Put your hands over your face to get a better feel of the overall skeletal structure of the head.  Lastly, take a step back and examine the proportion of your head to the rest of your body.  By doing all of that, you’ll get a better understanding of your physical makeup.  And a hit song from the 80’s, “I touch myself”, would not be appropriate!

2) Do Your Research

After understanding what you have to work with, then it’s time for you to figure out what hairstyle to go for.  This step requires creativity.  Take a look at your surroundings; you might’ve seen somebody with a unique hairstyle that you like.  Explore social media to find what hairstyles are trending and what’s not.  Ask friends, your significant other, or your mother.  You can also simply ask your barber what’s in or what best suits your head structure.  Heck, you can even get the same haircut you’ve been getting for the past 10 years.  It’s all up to you.  Just be sure to know what you want before sitting down on that chair.  If there’s one thing your barber will slit your throat for, it’s for being indecisive.

3) This Is NOT A Chore

Just because we need a haircut once a month or so, doesn’t mean it automatically becomes a tedious chore.  Let’s be honest, nobody is holding a razorblade to your throat demanding you to get a haircut.  The females understand this, they have their usual mani, pedi, and salon visits.  Guess what?  They freaking LOVE IT!  All the gossip and bitching aside, the ladies use these opportunities to relax and pamper themselves.  Us men need to take a page out of their book.  Think of this once-a-month experience as an opportunity to explore and repurpose our stylish appearance.  And also go with a friend… groom some bromance time!

4) Make Friends With Your Barber 

How many of you go into a barbershop, wait your turn, get your haircut and get out?  In that 30 minutes to 1 hour cycle you were probably greeted with generic phrases such as “Welcome”, “What hairstyle would you like?”, “How short would you like it?”, “Thank you”.  Don’t be yet another customer!  Like we mentioned above, getting a hair cut should not be a chore.  As a matter of fact, your barber is your best friend.  Find your bromance with him (heck, even better if it's a she).  This is going to be the person who holds the power that will determine how you’ll look for the next month.  By making small conversations, you’re building a relationship.  Not only will the barber remember you and your various haircut pet peeves, they will make a personal note to take better care of you and your hair.  By the way, this is exactly what those “high-end” salon experience is like.  Try it!  Pamper yourself!

5) Trial And Error (The Power To Choose)

Another common mistake people make is going to the same barbershop just because.   Just because they’ve been going to that same one ever since.  If the barbershop you’ve been going to doesn’t know your name, always assign a different barber to you, or consistently gives you what you think is a mediocre haircut, then it’s time to break up and move on.  Remember, getting a haircut is an experience, and going to a location where one feels welcomed and attended to is what one should expect.  Just like all things in life, we don’t always get it right the first time.  It usually takes a number of trials and errors before we get things rights.  The same concept applies to getting a haircut.  But why drown yourself in a miserable relationship and experience the same disappointment over and over again?  Grooming should be fun and haircuts are no exception.  We advise you to keep on exploring until you find the one that makes you happy. 

by ManPossible