Getting Haircuts in the UK

I know this sounds weird, but I am actually a little worried about communicating to a barber in the UK how I get my hair cut.  How I normally describe it to a new barber in the US is as follows:

"I need a #2 on the sides with a low fade; finger length on top with it just a little longer in the front"

This usually does well for US people, but I am realizing that UK people might not use terms like "#2" for a length.  Is there anything I need to be aware of?

Don't worry--they do use # terms for lengths. Just make sure you ask them about the lengths, they should be the same as the US.

Don't worry--they do use # terms for lengths. Just make sure you ask them about the lengths, they should be the same as the US.

Awesome!  Thanks so much!

DH gets his haircut and uses numbers.  As rynn said though, I would double check what numbers correspond to what lengths - just in case they're different.  But once you know a number you like, you can use it from then on and everyone should know what you're talking about.

Guys and their 'number 2' or whatever have got it made!
Wish it was as easy for women!  (Said after getting a disappointing haircut yesterday  )

Guys and their 'number 2' or whatever have got it made!
Wish it was as easy for women!  (Said after getting a disappointing haircut yesterday  )

In the year and a half I was here last time, I never once got my hair cut. I didn't know where to go or how to ask for what I wanted. I plan on being here until at least I get citizenship...so I had better learn.

In the year and a half I was here last time, I never once got my hair cut. I didn't know where to go or how to ask for what I wanted. I plan on being here until at least I get citizenship...so I had better learn.

It's much the same as in the US - you could take a photo or magazine picture of what you want.  They'll usually have magazines & books there with hairstyles etc.

Don't sweat it! 

I usually go to HCUK now - it's a chain all over the UK, and the manager at the one I frequent cuts my hair.

We've also had a Supercuts open here recently.  And of course, there are lots of independent salons as well, plus other higher end chains (Toni & Guy, Nicky Clarke, etc).

Plus I always figure - it's hair, if I don't like it, it'll grow back soon enough!

It's much the same as in the US - you could take a photo or magazine picture of what you want.  They'll usually have magazines & books there with hairstyles etc.

Don't sweat it! 

I usually go to HCUK now - it's a chain all over the UK, and the manager at the one I frequent cuts my hair.

We've also had a Supercuts open here recently.  And of course, there are lots of independent salons as well, plus other higher end chains (Toni & Guy, Nicky Clarke, etc).

Plus I always figure - it's hair, if I don't like it, it'll grow back soon enough!

HA!!  Easy for you to say, Miss Perfectly-Straight-Smooth-Hair-Who-Probably-Gets-Her-Ends-Trimmed-Twice-A-Year!!!   

I, with my weird waves and awkward texture, have been looking for a decent, affordable, hairdresser for the last 4 years.  Yesterday I took a photo in with me, and the girl STILL could not give me what I wanted, despite telling me that the cut in the fotie would really suit me.

And it grows back painfully slowly in my experience!  If ever there was a reason to have a melt-down... 

HA!!  Easy for you to say, Miss Perfectly-Straight-Smooth-Hair-Who-Probably-Gets-Her-Ends-Trimmed-Twice-A-Year!!!   

I, with my weird waves and awkward texture, have been looking for a decent, affordable, hairdresser for the last 4 years.  Yesterday I took a photo in with me, and the girl STILL could not give me what I wanted, despite telling me that the cut in the fotie would really suit me.

And it grows back painfully slowly in my experience!  If ever there was a reason to have a melt-down... 

Well you might have a point there...    My hair seems to grow pretty quickly too.

I have started branching out a bit in the last year though - getting it cut in a shorter bob sorta thing with some layers cut in to give it a little more body.  And I was going to have another cut today (after only 6 weeks because I don't think he cut it short enough last time as I would have liked) plus a semi-perm colour for something different... But I have rescheduled that 'til May. 

I, with my weird waves and awkward texture, have been looking for a decent, affordable, hairdresser for the last 4 years. 

I have weird waves and awkward texture, too. I won't go to a hairdresser who has straight hair. They just wouldn't understand. Plus, they always seem to want to iron my hair flat and I HATE THAT LOOK!

Another weird waves/curls and texture person. My hair curls, but usually relaxes into waves by day's end. I can blow-dry it straight without much issue too. I don't know what the heck kind of hair I have. However, I usually get one of two treatments when it gets cut.

1) Let's put so much curl product in it that you look like a wet poodle when you leave, but with a nice crispy feel to it, usually accompanied by a comment akin to "I wish my hair could look like that!". Really? You really wish you looked like a wet poodle?

2) Let's blow it dry! But we won't use a diffuser or any kind of technique that suits wavy hair, so you'll leave looking like a puffy hair-pillow has been attached to your head. They usually realise they've gone down the wrong road with this one, but do little to remedy the problem.

I got a haircut about 2 weeks ago, and fortunately it's just fine when I style it myself, but I've been researching salons in the area for someone who specializes in curly/wavy hair so that I can just avoid feeling worse when I leave the salon that I did when I walked in!

I wish I had some natural curls or waves! 

I wish I had some natural curls or waves! 

Can we trade? I always want fringe but it never does what it's supposed to because of the wave, especially in rain or humidity, so I can't have it. 

Can we trade? I always want fringe but it never does what it's supposed to because of the wave, especially in rain or humidity, so I can't have it. 

Sure, why not? 

I get upset when DH has his hair cut - and all his lovely wavy curls get cut off.

You curly/wavy gals just don't know how good you've got it!  Straight hair is so boring. 

Don't get me wrong - I love love love my wavy hair!!! It's just that sometimes it can be a b*tch trying to find someone who knows how to cut it. I've been lucky lately in the past few stylists I've had have been really good.