A couple of summers ago while on vacation in New Jersey, I discovered my youngest child was dealing with lice. It was not the first encounter we had with these pesky critters, and I took a rather casual approach to combing him out. I failed to tie back my own longer hair and panicked when I later found a bug crawling on my scalp. In a moment of desperation, I asked my eldest son if he would shave my somewhat lengthy locks. He had just done the same for his brother in the garage while I tackled stripping beds and vacuuming. He appeared skeptical but agreed to help if I truly wanted it.
My friend Kelly from California was horrified by the concept and quickly found a lice removal specialist who arrived at my home that very night. Problem solved—no shaved head required.
Fast-forward two years, and I found myself admiring my stylist, Sara, and her striking blue and black undercut, which looked both stylish and easy to manage. I began to consider the idea of an undercut for myself to eliminate some of the hair I often struggled to style. But was such a drastic change suitable for someone my age? After months of contemplating, I finally decided to take the leap. The sensation of the clippers gliding over the sides of my head was as exhilarating as I had hoped. The haircut felt remarkably freeing! I even toyed with the idea of going all the way, shaving it completely and perhaps even experimenting with a blonde bleach—my mind was racing with options!
You know how diving into the unfamiliar can open the door to a whole new realm? I began to inquire about getting designs etched into my undercut. Floral patterns, logos—so many possibilities! Sara mentioned that I should seek out a barbershop with a “Z” in the name for the best results, like “Cuts and Zips,” but that idea dampened my enthusiasm a bit.
While on vacation this summer, I stumbled upon a barbershop named “Sharp Edge.” It didn’t have a “Z,” but their window advertised expertise in fades and graphic designs. I went home and called. “Do you cut women’s hair?” I asked.
“No.”
“I have an undercut and want graphics.”
“Okay. Come in.”
Nervous but excited, I brought my friend Mia along for moral support. As we entered, the shop was filled with young men and a haze of cigar smoke.
“You can smoke in here?” I asked, surprised.
“Yeah, there’s a cigar shop next door,” one of the barbers replied with an eye roll.
I was introduced to Jake, who eagerly began shaving the sides of my head.
“Do you know what you want?” he asked.
“Nope. Feel free to get creative!” Had I lost my mind? He scrutinized my head, searching for inspiration, and then began to work. I was astounded at how deftly he wielded the clippers, almost as if he were carving a masterpiece.
Once he finished, he pulled out a straight razor, making my stomach drop.
“Ever cut anyone?” I asked, half-joking.
“Not anymore,” he replied with a grin.
The barbers around me exchanged banter about an upcoming bachelor party, discussing the plans to ensure the bride wouldn’t fuss too much. One of them asked, “Do you think women gossip about us this way?” If only they knew! I found the energy and camaraderie in the barbershop so refreshing compared to my usual salon experience.
Jake was just as skilled with the razor as he was with the clippers. He meticulously sculpted my hair, and when he finished, he dusted my scalp with talc—something I had always wanted to try.
“Do you like it?” he asked, looking at me hopefully.
“It’s fabulous!” I exclaimed, thrilled with my daring new look.
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In summary, stepping into the world of barbering led me to an unexpected and exhilarating transformation, breaking down barriers and embracing creativity in my hairstyle.