Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transsexual talk => Topic started by: jonjon on July 09, 2007, 12:28:33 PM

Title: getting a haircut
Post by: jonjon on July 09, 2007, 12:28:33 PM
In a few days. And this voice in my is daring me to not beat around the bush and straight tell the hairdresser what i am and to give me a haircut thats going to make me pass better.

It's been a piece of advice given to me around the boards and about passing.

But who here has actually done it? Who's actually come out to the hairdresser and asked for a masculine or feminine cut?
Title: Re: getting a haircut
Post by: Nero on July 09, 2007, 12:38:09 PM
I never say anything about being trans. They just assume I'm butch and that's why I want a male haircut.
I look like a typical big butch woman though. Bring a picture of the cut you want, or just flat out tell them you want it cut like a man's. Remember to tell them you want the sideburns cut straight across, not tapered or pointed. I don't see a need to out yourself as trans. Plenty of women have short 'male' cuts.
Good luck. And don't forget to post an after pic! ;) 
Title: Re: getting a haircut
Post by: gothique11 on July 09, 2007, 03:31:17 PM
I never had problem, but then I was full time when I cut my hair the last two times. I'm due for another cut again. My split ends are getting pretty bad and it's just making it harder to style. So, I'm dying my hair completely black, then getting it cut, and then I'm thinking of putting purple highlights in, or just purple on the tips. Right now I have a big purple chunk on the front, and I've had that forever, and before that. So, yeah, it's been over a year and I've had a chunk. People are used to it, but I want to change it. :)

I just colour myself because I know what I'm doing, and it's cheaper. I won't cut my hair myself because it's a pain. I've done it myself plenty of times, but it's been a pain every time and takes longer.
Title: Re: getting a haircut
Post by: gothique11 on July 09, 2007, 05:04:09 PM
Try again, and make an appointment and stick with it. Don't let fear control you -- it's never as bad as you think it's going to be.
Title: Re: getting a haircut
Post by: Kat on July 09, 2007, 05:04:29 PM
I havn't had a haircut since January.  I don't have an appointment for one till August  :D
Title: Re: getting a haircut
Post by: Pica Pica on July 09, 2007, 05:37:34 PM
I was going to and rapidly went the other way and had the most masculine haircut I've had in years. And you know what? I like it - I have ace sideburns. Great big long ginger sideburns - fantastic.
Title: Re: getting a haircut
Post by: J.T. on July 09, 2007, 11:17:57 PM
QuoteBut who here has actually done it? Who's actually come out to the hairdresser and asked for a masculine or feminine cut?

yeah, just did it today. went in with my binder on, told him what i wanted... "i want a short masculine cut" and he did it.  he asked if i wanted a men's cut but i said no, something that could go either way.  I had hair down to my chin.  So yeah, went in and did it.  I just walked in, people stared at first but i left feeling confident and awesome.  He asked me if i had been growing it out lately, think he was trying to figure me out.  But he didn't straight out ask me if i was a guy or a girl...  what rocks is that he cut my sideburns flat without me even asking for it.

so go in with confidence, no matter how anxious you are, and flat out say "i want a masculine cut, etc."  Oh wait, no i didn't "come out" to the hair dresser... but you can get what you want without that.  Unless you feel confident enough.
Title: Re: getting a haircut
Post by: jonjon on July 10, 2007, 04:21:38 AM
I dont even know what kind of cut that i want. I know what i dont want and i dont want a traditional boring mans hair cut. I want something more fashionable, up to date and modern. But to cut out complications i might just sod it and go for short and spikey. But i want spikey cool!!! And i wanted another colour other than black... but the hairdresser man said that wasn't possible since it's already black. Which is a bummer cos i wanted red with blue streaks.

But i'm not confident that i pass very well, and wondered what kind of explanation i would give for wanting a mans haircut. And i was going to ask for something that will make my face more masculine. But i did book myself under the name Jon... though the woman spelled it wrong  >:( i hate when they do that!
Title: Re: getting a haircut
Post by: Elizabeth on July 10, 2007, 04:43:59 AM
Quote from: wishy on July 10, 2007, 04:21:38 AM
I dont even know what kind of cut that i want. I know what i dont want and i dont want a traditional boring mans hair cut. I want something more fashionable, up to date and modern. But to cut out complications i might just sod it and go for short and spikey. But i want spikey cool!!! And i wanted another colour other than black... but the hairdresser man said that wasn't possible since it's already black. Which is a bummer cos i wanted red with blue streaks.

But i'm not confident that i pass very well, and wondered what kind of explanation i would give for wanting a mans haircut. And i was going to ask for something that will make my face more masculine. But i did book myself under the name Jon... though the woman spelled it wrong  >:( i hate when they do that!


I went to the place that I had gotten my hair cut for the last several years. When she asked me what I wanted, I told her I wanted my hair long, and a female cut that would be suitable for my hair type and face shape. Since I was in a skirt, nail polish, and makeup, I think she figured out where I was going with the hair cut.

When she was done, she promptly charged me $4 more, for a woman's cut, even though she cut way less hair than she ever had when I had men's hair cuts at the very same place, by the same hairdresser. While she cut my hair, she asked me about my transition, my kids and my impending divorce. She mostly wanted to know if I would still be bringing my kids there, or did my wife have custody. Laff. Always business.

Don't be afraid to tell them what you want. They just want your money, and for you to come back. They know if you are happy you will come back and if you are not, you won't. And you could say you are playing a man in a play for school or church. Don't be afraid to tell them what you want. It's not like you will be the first girl to ever come in and get a masculine haircut. I see it all the time here in Southern California. Not just transsexuals or butch lesbians either. Some girls just like that style. So don't feel like you have to explain anything.

Love always,
Elizabeth
Title: Re: getting a haircut
Post by: Manyfaces on July 10, 2007, 05:08:53 AM
QuoteBut i'm not confident that i pass very well, and wondered what kind of explanation i would give for wanting a mans haircut.

You don't owe them any explanation at all, whether or not you pass.  You are paying them for a service.  Their job is to cut your hair the way you want it, no questions asked, whether you want to look like a man, a woman, or a poodle.  I second whoever said to take a picture with you, if you can find one similar to what you have in mind.
Title: Re: getting a haircut
Post by: Berliegh on July 10, 2007, 05:24:32 AM
Quote from: wishy on July 09, 2007, 12:28:33 PM
In a few days. And this voice in my is daring me to not beat around the bush and straight tell the hairdresser what i am and to give me a haircut thats going to make me pass better.

It's been a piece of advice given to me around the boards and about passing.

But who here has actually done it? Who's actually come out to the hairdresser and asked for a masculine or feminine cut?

I've always had female hairstyles since I was 12 or 13 and I'm now into my 40's. I've never been to a 'barber shop' or a male hairdresser....
Title: Re: getting a haircut
Post by: Buffy on July 10, 2007, 07:02:51 AM
When I started growing my hair I spent ages looking in mags, brochures and trying to pick out a style I could have at various stages of growth.

So Wishy, have a look at guys in mags, catalogues, hair magazines, see what styles are in... rip out the page, take it along and just say you want that!

Buffy
Title: Re: getting a haircut
Post by: mallard500 on July 10, 2007, 07:53:04 AM
Quote from: Rob on July 10, 2007, 05:08:53 AM
QuoteBut i'm not confident that i pass very well, and wondered what kind of explanation i would give for wanting a mans haircut.

You don't owe them any explanation at all, whether or not you pass.  You are paying them for a service.  Their job is to cut your hair the way you want it, no questions asked, whether you want to look a man, a woman, or a poodle.  Second whoever said to take a picture with you, if you can find one similar to what you have in mind.

ABSOLUTELY!!!  They're on your "Staff" - that is, you're paying for a service that they provide the public/their customers.  If they don't want to do it, or give you flak, then you find someone who's more open minded and professional.

And this goes for ALL of your "Staff"... everyone from Doctors and Lawyers, to Gardners and your Cabbies.  You're paying for a service, so take your money to people and places that treat you right.

And as said earlier, it's all about attitude and confidence.  You don't have to come out as a Transman, just tell 'em what you want and most won't ask why, (which is how it should be anyway...!)

Oh, and I personally wouldn't even say "a masculine" cut... after all, it's assumed that a MAN would of COURSE want a masculine cut, and I doubt any man would even ask for that - it would just be assumed.  Just tell your barber how short you want it on the sides and/or top.  And if in doubt, yeah, pictures really help!    :)

Good luck man!

(Oh, and Rob, I'm the proud 'people' of 3 poodles... but we don't get our hair cut by the same person thankfully!  ;) )
Scott
Mallard500