Do Barbers Cut Long Hair? (Barber Shop vs. Long Hair)

Do barbers cut long hair? 

It’s a simple question but there are some points you should know to make sure you are in the right place for your hair no matter the type.

But don’t worry all the information you need is within this article. 

So with that said, let’s get into it.

Can barbers cut long hair?

Yes, barbers can cut longhair… I mean the whole point of a barber with clippers is to work with the taper lever and guards to professionally deal with long hair.  

Most skilled barbers can handle hair of varying lengths but you must understand most barbers are better equipped to handle short hair compared to longer hair.

But, barbers focus on cutting men’s short hair and are skilled with hair clippers. 

If you have long hair and want a certain style without shaving off your hair completely a hairdresser may be a choice. 

They can be good with clippers but hairdressers tend to do a better job with long hair and are more skilled with scissors. (generally)

However, nowadays, the skill set of a hairdresser and a barber have overlapped, and professionals have come to become more skilled at what the practice has the line between both has now somewhat become blurred

So while most barbers do cut long hair, it will depend on your barber’s skill set and how confident they are with tackling your long hair. 

Should I go to a hairdresser or barber?

Choosing between a barber and a hairdresser really comes down to what sort of hairstyle you’re after. 

If you’re going from long hair to getting a: 

  • buzz cut
  • Flattop
  • Fade
  • Military style cut

Opt-in for a barber. You’ll tend to find they are more equipped to do these styles to a high level. 

You’ll also find that getting this type of style done will be far cheaper with a barber than if you tried to get it done with a hairdresser. 

Haircuts you receive from barbers are usually low maintenance and you don’t have to fuss around with products and other tools to keep up the style. 

If it’s basic think barber. 

On the other hand, if you have a particular style in hand that may require a wash, clean, and extra detailing to receive, a hairdresser is where you need to be.

If you have long hair that you’re looking to keep but just change the form, you should be leaning more toward hairdressers, to begin with as a safe bet. 

The last thing you want is rocking to a barber and getting your hair chopped off with some clippers…

Stylists especially excel with working on the trendiest types of hairstyles, most suggestions you offer them to apply where barbers are traditional, and not all up to date on what is trendy, especially for long hair. 

Also, worst-case scenario, if you have no idea what to do with your hair, hairdressers are always ready to give suggestions that will suit your look and the products to keep it up. 

Now, this is all good but it can come at a hefty price so before you opt for a hairdresser make sure your budget is right. 

My suggestion on where to go comes from my personal experience.

 The best way to figure out where to go is to find the style you want from someone/inspiration, reach out to that person, and ask them where they got their hair done.

It’s really as simple as that and you can save a lot of time and money in the process but if you are not comfortable doing that, the criteria I set are more than enough to guide you in the right direction. 

Can Barbers Do Long Hair

Most men feel more comfortable opting for a barber. 

So if you’re in that barber chair about to get work done to your hair, what should you say to make sure you get exactly what you want?

I run through this now. 

Time

Before your barber gets to work on your hair it’s a good idea to let them know how long you’ve been working on your hair growth. 

Be sure to also let them know how long it’s been since your last cut. 

This can help your barber image how your hair must’ve looked at that time and if you’re after the same style, it can help them better execute that specific style or something slightly different.

(provided they are skilled enough to do so) …

Work around your life 

Tell your barber about your lifestyle. 

Tell them about work and how certain styles can affect your performance. 

Tell them how you wear your hair and which style or form makes life easier for you in your day-to-day activities. 

You want a cut right so it doesn’t become a problem, letting your barber know upfront can guide them to deliver a haircut/style that suits you. 

Picture 

If you can, bring a picture. 

Having something visual to show your barber is the best form of communication you can provide to your barber. 

If you are with a new barber trying to replicate a past haircut a picture of yourself works great. 

It gives a barber all the information they need on your hair. 

  • thickness
  • Texture
  • Hairline

And visually shows them how it should all come together. 

If you want a certain look. Use an image.

Become specific 

Look barbers are good at what they do but they don’t mind readers especially when it comes to delicate long hair. 

You need to be very clear and specific with what you want. 

After you’ve given them everything I’ve mentioned so far go into further detail on how you want your hair so there is no margin for error. 

If you know the lingo around hair clippers tell them: 

  • The number of inches you want off your hair and the number of inches you want to keep
  • The clipper level and the guards you want to be used on certain parts of your hair
  • Whether you want your hair layer or to fall into a taper

These are some suggestions but ultimately, you can’t go wrong with going into detail on what you want to do to your hair. 

Do this and I’m sure you’ll be satisfied with the outcome. 

Is it a good idea to cut long hair?

If you value your hair and genuinely are not looking for shorter hair, do not cut your long hair.

Cutting a lot of your long hair won’t make it grow back 10x faster as much as people scream it does.

It just sets you back from the work you’ve done and doesn’t do much help. 

Now, this doesn’t mean you should just let the hair grow out into a frenzy, trim it occasionally and keep it tidy. 

You’ll feel better and look more presentable. 

If you have split ends, which is quite common with long hair, a trim can do you some good, it stops your hair from splitting all the way down to the root. 

But cutting it off completely just to regrow it .. doesn’t make too much sense in my opinion 

Look to trim your hair every 3-6 months.

Do Barber Shops Cut Long Hair

In terms of overall shops, the same logic still applies. However, a shop as a whole may be inclined to offer services to one particular hairstyle whereas an individual barber can be more adept.

Barber shops specialize in providing hair grooming services primarily to men, although some establishments also cater to women.

These establishments offer various services such as haircuts, shaves, and beard trims. However, it is widely known that barber shops typically do not specialize in cutting long hair in English-speaking countries.

Due to their traditional association with shorter, more precise cuts, barber shops generally focus on providing classic and trendy styles for shorter hair lengths.

Individuals seeking longer haircuts or elaborate styling options might be more inclined to visit hair salons that often offer a wider range of services suited for different hair lengths and styles.

Conclusion

In this article, we asked the question, do barbers cut long hair? 

For the most part yes. Nowadays, most barbers are adept at dealing with long hair.

You will be able to get the look you are after at a good price as long as you are very specific. 

However, if you’re looking for a certain style or are not sure about exactly what you want, a hairdresser may be a better fit but they come at a price. 

We also learned that cutting long hair doesn’t really provide any great benefits in terms of rapid hair growth but you should trim occasionally to remove split ends and to keep a smart appearance. 

FAQ

Do barbers charge more for long hair?

In most cases, yes. Longer hair does take more time and more effort. While most Barbers do charge a flat fee for haircuts if you are after specific details, be prepared for variable pricing and to be charged on our rather than just a cut.

Can barbers cut women’s hair?

Barbers are trained to deal with hair regardless of gender. You should feel welcome to get your cut in a barbershop. However you are after coloring, perms straightening, and nails, not all barber shops are equipped for this service and you may be better off with a hairdresser

If you found this article on do barbers cut long hair helpful, check out the other articles below.

Patrick Boulang

Patrick Boulang

Patrick is the Primary editor for Clipphub. He has sales background however has always had a passion in barbering and personal self grooming. He now he spends most of his time giving information to hair clipper users to get them comfortable with personal grooming and improve their work on clients as he believes anyone can become skills with their blades.

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