Jess the Barberette
Have you ever gone to the barbershop and gotten a haircut that was way too short? Maybe it was summer haircut day for you as a kid when your Mom asked for something short and neat but you ended up skinned? You could even be that girl who went to Supercuts for a trim of her bob but walked out with your earlobes exposed and your nape bare after meeting the clippers for the first time?
Well, maybe you met me!
I didn’t mean any harm but only intended to make you look sharp and neat. A better version of yourself in my opinion.
I am a female barber and I like short haircuts. Really short haircuts to be honest. I am not sure when this appreciation started but my first memories are of being dragged along to the barbershop each summer by my Mother when by two older brothers got their summer haircuts. They were usually quite shaggy by that point and my Mother always seemed a bit annoyed taking them to the barber. I recall their sheepish acceptance each year. Mom would announce the morning that we were going to get haircuts. After breakfast we made the journey downtown to the barber. It was a typical small town shop. Clean but clinical with three chairs and two barbers. One was an older bald man and the other was a middle aged female named Cindy with a short bob. I remember them always asking mom what she wanted and she always asked for a summer buzz cut. They boys would hesitantly take their seat in the chair. Shortly after that the clippers had done the work and their hair was on the floor. For some reason the lady would always cut their hair much shorter. I was next in the chair and generally ended up with a short bob. My favorite part was when they used the clippers to trim my neck.
Fast forwarding to my teenage years I recall always being aware when a boy I knew got a shorter haircut. Something about it just got my attention. This was also true with my girlfriends. I will never forget when Chris showed up at a Saturday get together with a fresh pixie. Most were shocked but I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Turns out I was next. The following week I asked my Mother if I could cut my hair short. Not thinking much of it she agreed and gave me twenty dollars. I went straight to the barber and took a seat in Cindy’s chair. I asked her for a really short pixie. When she asked how short I said “Boy short.” Without hesitation she took the clippers to me, buzzing my back and sides to what I think was a number 2. The top was scissored really short as well. It felt liberating. I will never forget that haircut. I don’t think my parents will either as they were shocked. Since then I have kept my hair short.
After graduating high school I was a bit without direction until one day after my monthly visit with Cindy I asked her about how she got into barbering. She revealed she had been a military kid bouncing all around the country and had always admired the men in her life with short military cuts. She just fell into barber school naturally. Not having any other direction I decided to give it a shot. Turns out cutting hair came naturally to me. I enjoyed the conversations, meeting new people and most of all giving someone a fresh neat look. What I did’t expect was the excitement I got out of someone who wanted a rather or received a drastic makeover. Maybe it was the balding guy who finally gave up or the new client the asked for something shorter than the realized. Even the girls who just wanted a change and got a big chop excited me.
After finishing barber school I was coming into my own. I had embraced the culture, created and edgy vibe in my style as well as getting a few too many tattoos from my parents perspective. I had found myself and began my career. Fortunately for me my grandparents had set aside a nice education fund for me and by brothers. They used theirs for college and I was fortunate enough for them to let me use mine to open my own shop downtown.
That is when the fun began. My shop was a stark contrast to the old shop we went to. It was a bit trendy and didn’t get a lot of local traffic initially but as the town grew I developed a nice following of mostly younger clients. I did my best to provide excellent service but must admit I always cut my clients hair shorter than they asked or tried talking them into big changes. Despite my tendency most people were pleased with my work which only fueled my little passion.
Now that we have that out of the way I can tell you about Paul. He was new in town and walked up one day. I noticed him immediately. The shop was busy with two clients in front of him as he took his seat. He seemed interested, frequently looking up as I finished a short back and sides on one of my regulars. The two clients in front of him got their usual short cuts and it was his turn. It was past my lunch break as I greeted Paul. I told him I would take care of him before I took my lunch break as I flipped the closed sign and locked the door. He smiled and acknowledged but there was something different. I was nervous! He was really handsome and something about him just got to me. I told him I needed a quick break and would be right back. I awkwardly headed to the back of the shop and rummaged through my purse for my vape. He watched carefully as I went out back. Standing outside in the sun I calmed my nerves wondering why I got so flustered? Taking a few purposeful draws on my pen I settled down and realized I was caught in a moment of instant attraction but needed to pull my self together professionally.
Now back on track I returned depositing the vape in my purse and welcoming him to my chair. He commented knowingly that he didn’t mind if I vaped inside. Exposed we shared a laugh and I thanked him as I threw the cape over his shoulders. I applied the neck tissue and secured the cape. I always do this first before discussing the haircut. It seems to give me a bit of influence you might say. I also find it helpful to acknowledge that the client should release their stress and relax. A quick massage of the shoulders usually helps this but I am aware some clients aren’t comfortable with that. Paul clearly enjoyed it as he closed his eyes and let out a long sigh as I took the tension from his shoulders and neck. I probably spent a little extra time on him if I am being honest.
Paul had a strong jaw and the usual short business haircut many guys wear. I was assuming that would be the outcome today but why not give it a try? I quipped ‘Wanna try something new today?” as our eyes locked in the mirror in front of his chair. He smiled and asked what I had in mind. I knew instantly I may be in luck. Not wanting the moment to end, I asked trying to look a bit puzzled “I am not sure. Mind if think about it a minute?” He nodded in agreement. I casually walked over and retrieved my vape. Taking a long draw I studied him closely. Then another as a velvety stream of mint filled the shop as I exhaled to the side. Confidently I declared “I am thinking short. Really short. Are you ok with that?”
His response was instant. “Whatever you think. As long as you like it but I am bit nervous and could use a hit of that vape.”
Forward I know, but something about him exuded trust. I casually handed it over as he took two intentional draws before casually handing it back and pulling his arm back beneath my cape. I moved purposefully back behind him while fully anticipating the possibility of rejection “How about something fun? Maybe a flat top?” He smiled knowingly as if he was aware of something “Whatever you think.” At this point I am sure I was blushing as I quickly took a couple drags on the vape casually blowing the last just over his shoulder. I turned readying my machine with a 00000 blade. As confidently as I could I turned to him as I gave life to the Osters. “Head down sir.” as I firmly nudged the crown of his head forward. The clipper went to work as I glided them up his nape past his occiput leaving a path of pale scalp. This was always my favorite park. I could see the goose bumps form on his neck as I continued to shear him with all the pleasure I could imagine. He commented “That seems pretty short?” I confirmed “Yes sir it is. You’re getting a horseshoe flat top.” He laughed and inquired what that ment. As calmly as I could force the words I informed him it would be bald on the back and sides with a bald landing strip on top. To my amazement he replied again “Whatever you like.”
The remainder of the haircut was honestly a blur as I got completely in the zone. After skinning his back and sides I prepared the top. Honestly he seemed to zone out too with his eyes closed for significant periods of time only to open them to study me as I intently worked on him with my machine. With the crown taken down using my comb and clipper prepared for the flat top I delivered the landing strip. That is when he caught me grinning. “Having fun are we?” he injured. With confidence and not an ounce of hesitation I nodded in agreement with a wink “I think you are too.”
I proceeded with attention and accuracy to produce what may have been the finest and shortest haircut outside of a straight razor shave. When I was satisfied with the top I stated “Let’s get this finished so you can be on your way.” Again he nodded again saying “Whatever you like.”
I sensually applied my shaving cream and massaged the stubble remaining on his scalp. At this point we were both clearly in the moment. With precise strokes I finished my little project with glee. A warm towel finished the process as I cleaned him up clearly looking like a new man.
“One last thing before you go. I need to put some sunscreen on you Paul. I am responsible for the haircut but can’t have you getting sunburned.” He smiled as he closed his eyes clearly enjoying the protective layer I applied with just a little too much intent.
I removed his cape trying to keep things professional as he handed me his payment. Our eyes locked as I took one last nervous inhalation of sweet mint “See you next week? Maybe Friday at 5pm.”
He smiled knowingly as he nodded “Yes ma’am.”
