理发剪头发¶
How to Get a Haircut in the UK? Haircutting for International Students in the UK
Every city in the UK has many hair salons with different types and prices. Big cities have a larger number of hair salons, but they tend to be more expensive. In contrast, small cities may have fewer hair salons, but the prices are relatively cheaper. In the UK, hair salons are generally referred to as "Barber shops," although there are various types of hair salons run by different nationalities, such as Chinese-owned, Japanese-Korean, local, and so on.
The screenshot below is taken from the internet and provides an approximate price range for haircuts in the UK
：
In reality, most standard hair salons, excluding the particularly high-end ones, offer haircuts ranging from £5 to £100. The specific prices may vary depending on the salon. Some high-end salons may charge over £200. Generally speaking, women's haircuts are slightly more expensive than men's. It's worth noting that in the UK, most hair salons do not offer hair washing services; they solely focus on cutting hair. However, there are some salons that do provide hair washing. Some hairdressers may also offer complimentary services like eyebrow grooming or beard trimming.
I have a friend who has fast-growing hair and needs to get it cut once or twice every month. I envy people with abundant and fast-growing hair like that because I, personally, can go a whole year without cutting my hair. Seriously, I could even go five years without a haircut with my self-restraint.
The first time I accompanied my friend to get a haircut, we went to a salon in Birmingham, and it cost around £15. However, my friend wasn't satisfied with the result and ended up trying salons that charged £20, £30, and even £50 or more. We discovered that higher prices didn't necessarily guarantee better haircuts, and sometimes the cheaper options turned out to be good as well—it really depends on the situation. We also tried those small salon-like structures that are commonly found on the streets, where haircuts cost around £8 to £12. Later on, we found out that our school had its own hair salon, which charged £10 and provided decent haircuts. So we started frequenting that salon, as well as a Chinese-owned salon run by a foreign hairdresser. Interestingly, in the UK, some Chinese-owned hair salons may have non-Chinese hairdressers, and some don't have any Chinese staff at all
So how do you find hair salons in the UK? As the saying goes, it's better to teach someone to fish than to give them a fish. I'll mainly guide you on the methods, and the rest, you can easily handle by taking action. What A considers a hair salon with good skills may not necessarily be suitable for B.
Google Maps: Ten Sheng Miao reminds you that in the UK, it's essential to learn and make good use of Google, especially Google Maps. Basically, if you want to find any type of store in the UK, Google Maps will provide a list with contact information, addresses, and even reviews from other users.
Similarly, you can search for hair salons. As shown in the screenshot below, Ten Sheng Miao casually searched for hair salons in Birmingham on Google, and many options appeared. Each salon has numerous reviews and ratings
：
2、Yelp
rankings for hair salons in each city, along with ratings, reviews, photos, addresses, and more.
As shown in the screenshot below, it displays the rankings of affordable hair salons in Birmingham. This information is sourced from Yelp. Ten Sheng Miao recommends downloading this app. In the previous guide on recommended apps in the UK, Ten Sheng Miao also mentioned this app
：
3、
Friends or teachers often recommend part-time hairdressers to many Chinese people, housewives, or international students. They charge around £5 to £10 per haircut, and they even offer home services, either coming to your house or you going to their place. Ten Sheng Miao once accompanied a friend to a student's house for a haircut, and they charged £5. I must say, the sister did a pretty good job. She mentioned that she had learned hairdressing for some time before going abroad because she wanted to cut her boyfriend's hair for free in the UK. They came to study in the UK as a couple. Of course, you can also buy a hair clipper in China and cut your own hair, or ask friends or classmates to help you with a casual haircut.
Ten Sheng Miao recommends making an appointment in advance for haircuts in the UK because few hair salons provide walk-in services, especially non-Chinese hair salons and particularly during busy times. However, some salons may accept walk-ins, so it's best to inquire beforehand. Additionally, in many hair salons in the UK, haircuts only include cutting the hair, and hair washing services come at an additional cost.
If you have a specific hairstyle in mind but find it difficult to explain to the hairdresser, it's best to show them a few similar photos on your phone in advance. Otherwise, you might end up being disappointed with the result.
The aesthetic and techniques of haircuts by non-Chinese hairdressers are different. Ten Sheng Miao suggests going to Chinese-owned hair salons or Japanese or Korean hair salons as they are more likely to understand our preferences, especially Chinese-owned salons, which are easier to communicate with. If you plan to get a haircut from a non-Chinese hairdresser, it's helpful to look up the corresponding English translations of haircut-related terms in advance. Some non-Chinese hair salons may ask you about the specific number for your desired haircut, such as 0, 1, or 2. The smaller the number, the shorter the haircut. In such cases, you need to clarify and ask the hairdresser to describe how short each number is and if they have any examples to show. This is because each salon may have different standards.
Chinese hair salons are generally located in places like Chinatown or the Chinese community area, or on a street known for hair salons, or even in the city center. Before going, you can search on Google Maps or ask your teacher for recommendations.
Ten Sheng Miao reminds you that some hair salons offer a 10% to 20% discount if you present a student ID, but it's best to inquire about it before getting a haircut. Ten Sheng Miao remembers when traveling to the United States, getting a small discount at a Chinese-owned hair salon. It was quite surprising, showing that it's always worth asking in advance. Even if you ask and they don't offer a discount, it's still fine. But what if they do offer a discount? Then you're in luck! Of course, if you want to get a free haircut in the UK, it's also possible. Just open Google and search for "Free Haircut," and you'll find options. However, keep in mind that the quality might vary, as these opportunities are often provided by students or interns who are gaining experience. You know how it goes.
Please refer to the screenshot below for a free haircut in the UK
：
Please note that if you are not satisfied with the haircut done by the hairdresser, you can request a redo. In most hair salons, you can ask what to do if you are not satisfied after a couple of days. Some salons offer free maintenance within a certain period. Additionally, hairdressers can make mistakes too. In such cases, the salon will generally refund your haircut fee or provide a complimentary touch-up for the mistake, or offer a free haircut next time, and so on.