The Era of Haircuts: Focus on Style and Time, Forget Gender

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Welcome back to RandRilu ✨

Have you noticed how going to the hairdresser has changed? More and more, we’re moving away from the old norms and expectations that strictly divided haircuts into “men’s” and “women’s” categories. But was this division ever necessary? In today’s world, what matters most is not gender but personal style, self expression, and... surprise, surprise - time.

In the past, it might have seemed natural that a "men's" haircut meant a quick trim with clippers, while a "women's" cut involved hours of washing, blow-drying, and styling. But now? Most of us lead fast-paced lives and don’t want to spend hours in the salon. People are looking for practical, time saving solutions that don’t compromise on style or individuality.

Hair Doesn't Care About Your ID

Forget about categories like "men’s" and "women’s" cuts. Your hair doesn’t care which restroom door speaks to you! The real question is: how much time are you willing to invest in your appearance, and which hairstyle makes you feel your best? Whether you have long waves, curls, a sleek pixie, or a trendy undercut, your hair reflects YOU, not how society once classified haircuts.

Time is the New Luxury

One of the greatest luxuries today is time. Whereas haircuts used to mean hours of maintenance and styling, now there’s a growing demand for cuts that deliver great style but take less time. Minimalist yet precise cuts that work well with your hair’s natural texture and don’t require hours of upkeep are increasingly popular. This is especially true for those of us juggling busy work schedules, running from meeting to meeting, or simply needing more time for ourselves.

Think about cuts that add precious minutes to your day. A short, polished pixie or a sharp bob might only need a little product and a few quick adjustments to look chic and tidy. Or maybe you lean toward more natural, free-flowing styles that embrace your hair’s texture and are less fussy. Today, anything is possible because haircuts focus less on time and more on what you want to do with your day.

Personality and Boldness

A haircut is like a personal statement - it’s not about gender but self-expression. Bold undercuts, long dramatic layers, or short geometric shapes - all these variations depend on what look suits you best. And here, there are no rules! You can choose something that seamlessly fits into your lifestyle or something daring and eye-catching.

The best part is that when you focus on a hairstyle that aligns with your personality and preferences, the need for a gender label becomes irrelevant. How long you sit in the stylist’s chair or how quickly your cut can be maintained matters much more.

How Pricing Works from the Hairdresser's Perspective?

The price of a haircut isn’t just based on how many hairs are snipped off your head. For hairdressers, one of the most critical factors is the time spent on the cut. While many clients assume that price correlates with gender or hair length, the real reason comes down to the time and skill required for the specific style.

Time as the Key Pricing Factor

Hairdressers must carefully consider how long it will take to achieve the desired style. For instance, a short haircut might take more time if it involves intricate techniques and precision. On the other hand, a longer style might be simpler and quicker if it doesn’t need detailed finishing. Here, a professional’s expertise comes into play - the complexity of the cut and the time it requires determine whether the price is higher or lower.

For hairdressers, it’s crucial that the work is fairly compensated. That’s why they assess not only the final result but also every step along the way: washing, cutting, styling, and possibly heat treatment. Each additional step takes extra time and skill, which is reflected in the final price.

Specific Cuts and Their Time Investment and material cost

Certain styles and techniques are more time-consuming than others. Layered cuts, precise undercuts, or creative asymmetrical styles often require more time and effort, as the hairdresser needs to achieve perfect balance and symmetry. Very thick or curly hair can also mean more time, as it’s harder to manage and also may need more material to style the Hair. This has been a big talking point in the past, distinguishing "men's" and "woman" styling and haircuts. But this is also changing.

Additionally, prices may rise if the client requests extra services, such as blow-drying or hot scissors. In these cases, the hairdresser has to allocate more time and set a fair price that reflects the full scope of work and take into account all the material used.

Why Gender-Based Pricing Is Disappearing

Many modern salons have dropped “men’s” and “women’s” pricing because these distinctions no longer reflect the actual work involved. For example, if cutting short hair takes the same or more time than cutting longer hair, it would be unfair to charge less just because it’s traditionally seen as a “men’s” cut. As a result, hairdressers are increasingly basing their pricing on the time and complexity of the haircut rather than the client’s gender or hair length.

How to Make Your Hairdresser's Job Easier

If you want to help your hairdresser and perhaps even save some time, think about what kind of cut you want beforehand. Being clear about your preferences and discussing them with your stylist helps them better estimate how much time and skill the cut will require. If you come prepared and are open to adjustments, the process can run more smoothly, and the pricing will be fair for both you and the stylist.

Hair as an Expression of Freedom

Modern haircuts are about more than just long or short, curly or straight hair. They’re about freedom, flexibility, and saving time. Forget the old norms and rules that defined hairstyles by gender categories. Your hair is YOU, and the only thing that matters is how you feel and how much time you’re willing to spend on your next great haircut.

So next time you sit in the hairdresser’s chair, don’t ask, “Is this a men’s or women’s cut?” Instead, ask yourself, “How much time am I saving today, and how great do I feel with this style?”

For our part, we have thought for a long time about the best and fairest way to price these services, and from September 2024 we changed the price list according to hair lengths. Hopefully, this change has not caused too much confusion... We also wrote about different hair lengths and the suitability of different styles in our ABC of Hair Lengths post to help you better orient yourself and understand how many different variations of cuts and lengths there are and what you should keep in mind when booking an appointment.

What thoughts did this post evoke in you? We would be very happy to hear your opinion. 😊

That's all for today.

Until next time! 😉

Risto