I've been paying attention to my hair a lot, and it seems like the last quarter to half inch of it's pretty dry and yucky. I figure, it probably needs to get snipped off. (I should just be glad it's that little! Last time scissors touched my hair, it was about two years ago when I hacked most of it off.)

The only problem is... I'm not sure what would be the best option for trimming it. I'd like to get it done dry, because curly hair does act different when it's wet -- but I can't decide between trimming it myself with v. sharp scissors, going to a barber shop and having it done... Or trying a salon, which is not something I'm real keen on.

What do you guys usually do?

I know what you mean about salons. Last time I went, I asked for chin length bangs, so she cut it as if my hair was straight and the bangs ended up at the tip of my nose!!! Which is a long way away from my chin. Haha anyway, what I think you should do is go to a salon because this way you have less of a chance of getting it cut uneven. Emphasize that you only want a LITTLE bit cut off, say half an inch or something, and explain to them about curly hair. Hopefully they'll be experienced with curly hair; actually why don't you ask them before you go in for your trim? Ask them if they've dealt with curly hair. And then say that you really want only half an inch cut off, and hopefully all will go well  :). When I go to salons nobody ever really asks me if I want to cut it all off, but then again, long hair is really treasured in this country.  ;D Good luck and let us know what you decide!

I have really straight hair that is just above my knees... the straight part isn't the challenge it is the length.  I have my Mom cut my hair for me.  I sit on a tall stool and she sits on the floor!  If I went to a salon in this area for a trim it would cost me between $100 and $150.  They charge by the inch after a certain length.  Mom is free and she won't cut off more than is necessary (usually 3 to 4 inches every 6 months or so).  I have a scissors phobia when it comes to my hair.

Ginny

About the only salon I might trust near my hair -- only because I've heard several fairly long haired people say it's good -- is in NYC, and, well... I could justify going to NYC for camera shops, but not a hair cut. ;) Any other salon... I dunno, I have visions of six inch hanks scattering the floor.  :o

I would ask my mom, but she doesn't like my hair. Or rather... she does, but only when it looks controlled and confined in a braid. She'd probably take too much off. :/

Ohhhh, I wish my boyfriend didn't live a thousand miles away! Hurf.

Thank you, though. ^_^

Maybe you could try cutting it yourself? I mean it's only a little bit... although I would NEVER trust myself and scizzors near my hair! lol!

Last time I tried cutting my own hair, I ended up having to get someone else even out how I messed up. ;) It was kind of about three inches shorter on one side than the other, and probably would've looked terribly avant-garde if I got my hair absolutely stick straight. And if I hadn't been thirteen at the time. XD Thinking back on it, it's probably terribly funny. I'm just glad I didn't have to leave the /house/ that way!

The NYC salons that specialize in long hair are REALLY expensive...not worth a trip to NYC...been there and did a little research....$100 to $150 is the starting price (I live just outside of NYC)...

They think that just because you chose to have long hair that you should really pay them for the privledge of cutting it...Check with a local salon they are usually willing to do trims...once you build a good relationship with one salon then everything will be ok...I have the girls at the salon where I get my nails done do my hair every once in a while if I can't get back home and they don't charge me any more than they charge for a "regular" trim because I am a regular there.

my funniest trim was in VT the girl made me stand on a wooden box she used as a jumper seat for kids so she could reach the bottom of my hair....

ginny

Here is a site the gives instructions on how to trim your own hair.  http://members.fortunecity.com/feye/trim.html