Quick decision between thinning shears and a straight razor cost me a regular

Honestly, I had a guy come in last Friday who usually gets a basic fade, but he suddenly wanted a ton of texture taken off the top. I had to pick right then between using my thinning shears or going in with a straight razor for that softer look. I chose the shears cause I thought it'd be faster, but I ended up taking off way more than he wanted and he left looking choppy. Dude hasnt booked with me since and I saw him walk into the shop down the street yesterday. Any of you ever lost a client over a split-second tool choice like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

clark.alex21d ago

Wait, you're actually blaming the tool for that? Thinning shears aren't some magic wand that makes you butcher a haircut, man. If you took off too much, that's on your technique, not the shears. I've used both for years and you can screw up with either one if you don't know what you're doing. The dude asked for texture, you gave him choppy, and now you're acting like a different tool would've saved you. lmao. Sorry but the real lesson here is to slow down and actually listen to what they want before you start cutting, not to blame a split-second decision.

hannah_perry21d ago

Look, I honestly get where you're coming from, and I feel for you. It sounds like you really tried to give him the texture he asked for, and sometimes you just misjudge how much you're taking off mid cut. It happens to everyone, no shame in it. But the way clark.alex put it, he's not wrong either. Thinning shears are just a tool, and they can save you or sink you depending on how you use them. I've had clients ask for "texture" and really they meant something totally different, so I've learned to pull up a photo or ask way more questions before I even grab any scissors. Maybe next time just take a breath, make sure you're both on the same wavelength, and go slow. You'll nail it once you figure out the balance.

danielkim21d ago

Is it though? I mean, yeah, the guy messed up a haircut but people are acting like he committed a crime or something lol. It's hair, it grows back. I've seen barbers take way too much off and the client just wears a hat for a few weeks, no big deal. Everyone in this thread is so serious about a bad haircut, like it's the end of the world. Let the dude learn his lesson and move on, it's really not that deep.