A couple of summers back, during a family trip to the sunny shores of New Jersey, I had a rather unfortunate discovery: my youngest child had brought home some unwelcome guests—lice. This wasn’t our first encounter with these critters, and I was pretty nonchalant about the whole comb-out process. However, when I found one of those pesky bugs crawling in my own hair, I panicked. In a desperate moment, I turned to my eldest son and asked if he’d be up for shaving my long locks. He’d just done a buzz cut on his brother in the garage while I tackled laundry and vacuuming. He hesitated but ultimately said he would, if I really wanted it. Thankfully, my friend Lisa from California was horrified by my plan and found a lice removal expert who came to my rescue that very night—no shaving necessary!
Fast forward to two years later, and I’m sitting in the salon, admiring my stylist Mia’s stunning blue-black hair with an edgy undercut. It looked so effortlessly cool and practical, with no annoying strays to style. After months of contemplating the change, I decided it was time to take the plunge myself. The sensation of the clippers gliding over my head was just as exhilarating as I’d imagined. I felt liberated! For a fleeting moment, I toyed with the idea of going for a complete shave, embracing my gray, or even trying a bold blonde shade. The possibilities were spinning in my mind like a whirlwind!
You know that feeling when you step into the unknown and it opens up a world of opportunities? I began to explore the idea of having intricate designs shaved into my undercut. Floral patterns, my business logo—the options were endless! Mia suggested finding a barbershop with a “Z” in the name, like “Fades and Blades,” typically found in less-than-savory neighborhoods. That kind of put a damper on my excitement.
Then, while on vacation this summer, I stumbled upon a shop called “Rugged Cuts.” No “Z,” but the windows boasted their skills in fades and creative designs. I called to inquire, “Do you cut women’s hair?”
“No.”
“I have an undercut and want graphics.”
“Okay. Come in.”
I brought along my friend Kelly for moral support. As we walked in, the atmosphere was filled with young guys and the unmistakable scent of cigar smoke. “Wow, you can smoke in here?” I quipped, earning an eye roll from Kelly. “There’s a cigar shop next door,” the barber replied casually.
I was paired with Marco, who wasted no time getting to work on my undercut. “Do you know what you want?” he asked.
“Nope! Feel free to experiment.” What was I thinking? He stared at the shaved areas of my head, waiting for a spark of creativity, then got to work. I was amazed at how he wielded the clippers like a sculptor with a chisel.
When he finished, he pulled out a straight razor, and I felt a flutter of anxiety. “You ever make anyone bleed?” I asked.
“Not anymore,” he replied with a grin.
As the barbers around us joked and planned for an upcoming bachelor party, I was struck by the sense of camaraderie in the shop. It was a different vibe than my usual salon—a bit rowdier and definitely more energetic, likely due to all that testosterone floating around.
Marco worked deftly with the razor, carving away at my scalp. When he was done, he dusted me with talc—another experience I’ve always wanted to try. Looking at me expectantly, he asked, “Do you like it?”
“It’s fabulous!”
And just like that, I had embraced a new chapter in my hair journey. If you’re curious about exploring your options, check out this excellent resource on treating infertility and consider looking into home insemination kits that can help you start your journey.
Summary
This personal journey highlights the transformative experience of stepping outside one’s comfort zone to try something new, like an edgy haircut. The author shares a vivid account of navigating the world of barbershops, embracing creativity, and finding a sense of community in unexpected places.