A Haircut in Gaytown
December 31, 2016 2:54 PM Subscribe
I usually cut my own hair because I have huge Issues about haircuts and hair places. But I need to get a more professional looking haircut. Can you recommend a queer-centric place in either New York City or New Jersey?
My Issues are because of gender dysphoria, which is why I need a queer space. I've got $80 to spend on this.
Secondary question: I haven't been to a hair salon since I was 15, so if you have any tips about etiquette I'd appreciate it. Am I allowed to say "I don't know what I want, I just have these criteria"? Would that involve a higher tip? Would it be weird to tip beforehand so they know I'm good for it - because obviously I look like someone who doesn't go to hair salons.
My Issues are because of gender dysphoria, which is why I need a queer space. I've got $80 to spend on this.
Secondary question: I haven't been to a hair salon since I was 15, so if you have any tips about etiquette I'd appreciate it. Am I allowed to say "I don't know what I want, I just have these criteria"? Would that involve a higher tip? Would it be weird to tip beforehand so they know I'm good for it - because obviously I look like someone who doesn't go to hair salons.
Best answer: Seagull hair salon in the West Village specializes in the types of cuts commonly coded "queer" and is definitely a queer friendly space. It's a low key and unintimidating salon and the haircuts are truly excellent, like you never knew a haircut could be so flattering. It's owned by the lead singer of Le Tigre! A cut will run you about $120.
Etiquette: tip at least 20% (cash if possible) to the person who cuts your hair and an additional 5-10 dollars to the person who washes your hair.
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 3:14 PM on December 31, 2016 [5 favorites]
Etiquette: tip at least 20% (cash if possible) to the person who cuts your hair and an additional 5-10 dollars to the person who washes your hair.
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 3:14 PM on December 31, 2016 [5 favorites]
Best answer: Am I allowed to say "I don't know what I want, I just have these criteria"?
Absolutely fine, a first cut at a new stylist should start with a conversation like that. (I remember one summer where my main criteria was "It has to be short enough that I can walk around outside eating an ice cream cone without my hair blowing into the ice cream.") Bring pictures if you can -- selfies of cuts you liked, of other people's hair you like, maybe pictures of styles you hate that should be steered clear of.
Would that involve a higher tip? Would it be weird to tip beforehand so they know I'm good for it - because obviously I look like someone who doesn't go to hair salons.
I think a beforehand tip would be kinda weird, definitely unnecessary. The customer not knowing exactly what they want shouldn't be anything out of the ordinary for a professional stylist.
posted by oh yeah! at 3:32 PM on December 31, 2016
Absolutely fine, a first cut at a new stylist should start with a conversation like that. (I remember one summer where my main criteria was "It has to be short enough that I can walk around outside eating an ice cream cone without my hair blowing into the ice cream.") Bring pictures if you can -- selfies of cuts you liked, of other people's hair you like, maybe pictures of styles you hate that should be steered clear of.
Would that involve a higher tip? Would it be weird to tip beforehand so they know I'm good for it - because obviously I look like someone who doesn't go to hair salons.
I think a beforehand tip would be kinda weird, definitely unnecessary. The customer not knowing exactly what they want shouldn't be anything out of the ordinary for a professional stylist.
posted by oh yeah! at 3:32 PM on December 31, 2016
Chiming in to second Seagull, and what Waiting for Pierce Inverarity said. Everyone there is kind and weird and accepting and hilarious.
posted by minervous at 3:47 PM on December 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by minervous at 3:47 PM on December 31, 2016 [1 favorite]
It's been a few years but I got an awful haircut at badlands a while back. I don't know who the stylist was, but I had been a walk in. The method used was just cutting dry hair at random with no discernable strategy. It ended up looking like I cut my own hair. Would not recommend if you're looking for 'professional'. (My hair is shoulder length for reference.)
It's normal to not know exactly what you want. Bring in pictures. Listen to their advice. Tip afterwards 20%.
posted by KMoney at 8:29 PM on December 31, 2016 [2 favorites]
It's normal to not know exactly what you want. Bring in pictures. Listen to their advice. Tip afterwards 20%.
posted by KMoney at 8:29 PM on December 31, 2016 [2 favorites]
Best answer: When I lived in Brooklyn, I used to get my excellent and extremely gay haircuts at Manetamed in Williamsburg. I mostly went to Magda (who was always thrilled when I would say "do something new, but I don't know what"), but I never saw a bad haircut come out of that place, so I think you'd be fine with any of their stylists. It's billed as a "barber salon," which means it's a bit more casual, which might help with your anxiety. Also I'm pretty sure everyone who works there is queer. And weird. And great.
posted by dizziest at 10:33 AM on January 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by dizziest at 10:33 AM on January 1, 2017 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Any clue about their location in the East Village? which appears to be called Hairrari. It seems to have the same Yelp reviews.
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 1:10 PM on January 1, 2017
posted by Rainbo Vagrant at 1:10 PM on January 1, 2017
I haven't been to the East Village location, but I'm sure it's pretty similar.
posted by dizziest at 2:15 PM on January 1, 2017
posted by dizziest at 2:15 PM on January 1, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by schadenfrau at 2:57 PM on December 31, 2016