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Even though we’ve all used the phrasing before, did you know there’s a more in-depth answer to the question “what is a trim haircut?” Keep reading to ensure that you’re using the correct terminology to get the haircut outcome you’re hoping for.
What Is a Trim Haircut?
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While many of us use this sort of phrasing to ask for only a slight change when we visit the salon, it has actual meaning to trained barbers or hairstylists: two inches at most off the bottom and removal of split or damaged ends.
Generally, when you ask for a trim haircut, a professional will understand that you want less than two inches cut from the ends of your hair and don’t want any change in the current overall style or shape of your hair.
Sometimes that’s exactly what you want, but sometimes it’s far from it. Knowing precisely what you’re asking for when you request a trim haircut can mean the difference between walking out of the salon satisfied and confident or disappointed and frustrated.
To boil it down, when a stylist hears a client ask for a trim haircut, it all comes down to the hair’s health. Because of the way your hair grows and can become damaged by everyday styling and wear and tear, the ends of your hair will often show the most noticeable damage.
Someone looking for a true trim haircut is often prioritizing the health of their hair by asking for only enough to be cut off for it to look healthy without changing anything else about the style or shape.
So, overall, here’s what you’re going to get if you ask for a trim haircut without specifying any extra details:
- At most two inches cut from the ends of your hair
- No change to style or shape
- Removal of split ends, thinning ends, or damage at the ends of your hair
Trim vs. Haircut: The Main Differences
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Of course, it’s essential to know the difference between these two requests to make sure that you get the overall effect you’re looking for. But there are more differences between these two than might come to mind at first.
How Much Time Does a Trim Haircut Take?
Many hairstylists make appointments ahead of time, meaning they have a scheduled time blocked out for you and your haircut.
A good stylist will often ask ahead of time what kind of an appointment you’re looking for so that they block out enough time to accomplish what you want.
If you ask up-front for a trim but go into the appointment wanting a full haircut, or a change in the overall shape and style of your hair, it will take far longer than what the stylist initially planned for.
Not only can this throw off their schedule, but it could also result in a less-than-ideal result for you if your stylist is working under pressure and a deadline they didn’t anticipate.
While an actual trim haircut should only take around ten minutes at most for the cut itself, something more intensive overall, like changing the shape of your hair, can take much longer depending on the texture of your hair and what you’re asking for.
So make sure you and your stylist are on the same page while booking your appointment.
How Much Does It Cost?
It may seem intuitive that a trim would cost less than a full haircut might, but that’s usually not the case at all. A stylist still needs the same amount of training to trim your hair well and restore its healthful and maintained appearance.
Besides this, you’ll still probably receive a shampoo and blow-dry during your appointment, which is also factored into the price. Remember that when you’re paying for a trim haircut, you’re still paying for the stylist’s time, experience, and attention.
Prices can vary based on whether the client is a male or female, what kind of salon it is, and many other factors that are hard to nail down. However, trims can run the pricing gamut from $10 even up to $100
Things to Consider
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Keep these simple suggestions in mind to make sure you walk out of your appointment without any nasty surprises.
- Get on the same page with your stylist when you book your appointment. Find out what a trim means to them and communicate what it means to you.
- When you arrive, reiterate your needs. Having a photo of the trim length you want can help. You can also show the length by measuring with your fingers. Don’t leave the details up to chance.
- Don’t ask for an adjusted price if you are getting a trim. A good trim is often worth what the stylist asks.
- After the trim, check to ensure the length is correct and let your stylist know if you’d like it shorter. A good stylist often errs on the side of caution and can cut a little extra off if need be.
- Don’t forget to leave a tip at the end of your trim haircut to let your stylist know you appreciate their time and expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have more questions about trim haircuts? Here are a few answers to common questions:
What is the difference between a trim and a haircut?
While a haircut is about changing your look with a new style or shape, a trim is about maintenance and health. So, only the ends of your hair will be cut.
What do I tell my hairdresser for a trim?
Let your hairdresser or stylist know that you want an all-over trim to remove any end damage. Then make sure to specify how much you’d like removed, up to two inches, or let your stylist know that you’re leaving it up to their discretion to remove as much of the ends as needed to maintain your hair’s health.
How do you know if you need a trim?
Generally, you should maintain your hair with a trim every six to eight weeks. However, some signs that you might need one earlier include visible split or dry ends that may appear lighter than the rest of your hair, signs of breakage or crunchiness in your hair, or hair that is easily tangled.
So, What Is a Trim Haircut?
So there you have it — our long answer to the popular question, “what is a trim haircut?” A trim is the best way to regularly maintain healthy hair by removing damaged or split ends all over, regardless of the length.
The amount that comes off will vary based on the person or the damage, but the overall style and shape of the hair won’t change. Make sure to always communicate clearly with your stylist to ensure that you either get the trim you need or the more intensive haircut you want.