Behind the Chair Confessions: The Big Chop Gamble

“Bless me, hair gods, for I have cut. This is my first behind-the-chair confession…”

This week’s confession? I’m learning to dread just a little when someone comes in with long hair and says: “I’m ready. Take it all off.”

Not because I don’t like short cuts, I actually love them but because the “big chop” is a total coin flip. It’s a 50/50 gamble: half the time they strut out the door feeling fabulous, the other half… well, let’s just say it’s a little less “red carpet” and a little more “I need a hat.”

The Story

An elderly client came in a few weeks ago with a shoulder-length bob. She told me she wanted to go short — like pixie-short. We looked at pictures, she nodded confidently, and I thought, okay, she’s ready.

I did the cut, spun her toward the mirror, and waited for that spark. Instead, I got: “I don’t like it.” Followed by the kind of line that makes every stylist’s stomach drop: “You can’t glue it back on.”

Ouch.

I tried to lighten the mood, offered to adjust or we could later in the week, but she waved me off and joked about hiding in her room. And that’s when it hit me: sometimes the mirror gives back a reality we just weren’t expecting, no matter how ready we thought we were.

Advice for Clients Thinking About the Big Chop

Before you make the leap from long to short, here are a few things to consider:

1. Give it time. Don’t decide on a whim, especially after a breakup or a bad Tuesday.
2. Start smaller. Maybe try a medium cut first before going full pixie.
3. Know the difference. The person in your inspiration photo may have thicker hair, a different face shape, or style their hair daily. Be honest about what’s realistic for you.
4. Be ready to style. Short hair often needs more day-to-day styling than long hair. Ask yourself: Do I want to commit to that?
   

Advice for Stylists Behind the Chair

The best tool we have for these moments isn’t our shears, it’s the consultation. A strong, honest consultation can save a lot of heartbreak (on both sides of the cape).

1. Be specific. Point out differences between the inspiration photo and the client’s actual hair texture, thickness, and face shape.
2. Talk lifestyle. Ask: “Do you style your hair every day? Are you willing to maintain this cut regularly?”
3. Be honest. Sometimes we’re afraid to say, “This may not look the way you think it will” but saying it upfront is better than watching someone cry in your chair.
4. Offer options. Suggest step-down cuts or tweaks that give the client confidence without all the shock at once.
   

The Reflection

The truth is that big chops are brave. They’re bold. They’re a leap of faith. And faith, as we know, doesn’t always look the same once it’s staring back at you in the mirror.

But here’s the part I hold onto... every cut, every single head of hair, teaches me something. Each one is a chance to listen better, to adjust my approach, to grow not just hair but my skills.

So yes, maybe the big chop will always be a gamble, but that’s okay. Because even on the days when the odds don’t fall in my favor, I still walk away a better stylist than I was the day before.

Amen.