Snip snip snip

Monday morning the temporary fixes begin: the hat, the bandana, the ponytail holder. Confess: you've even rocked a sweatband for an entire week because those frontal frizzies somehow managed to develop a mind of their own. Does this sound familiar: leaning awkwardly into the bathroom mirror, head half dry, attacking your hair with scissors that you found in the kitchen? We've all been there. A bad haircut is most definitely something to be avoided at all costs. Doing this in Bloomington can be a challenge -- or so you thought.\nMany students, like seniors Raleigh Jurnakins and Alton Dorian Clark, say they would rather spend money on a quarter tank of gas and drive to Indianapolis, their home town, rather than risk an overpriced Bloomington style. \nThey agreed that the price wasn't worth the service they got in Bloomington -- quality cuts are cheaper in Indy. \nClark explained "I've been born and raised (in Indianapolis), know everyone there. I feel welcome." But building a rapport with a barber is easy if you seek out a small venue like Crosstown Barber and Style Shop, 1807 E. 10th St. The shop's old-school ambiance makes for a personable feel. It prides itself on simplicity. \n"We do whatever the customer wants," begins Bob Clark, the shop's owner and a barber of 20 years, "but we don't do perms, colors, or blow dries." Clark's advice to those who don't want to spend the $11 for his expert cut: do it anyway; "take the shears outta your hands and walk to the barber shop." Hey, "if times are hard," he jokes, "we'll let you pay in installments." \nAlright, you've attempted -- points for effort -- but, you've royally screwed up. You got carried away with those scissors or worse yet, you've just lost your best friend over the fact that she got carried away with those scissors. Hi-Tek, 1793 E. 10th St., hair salon coordinator Julie Behr says no problem, "if you've got a mess on your hair, we can get you back." And, indeed she certainly can. This New York-style salon greets its guests on a first name basis with bottled water and comfy sofas. They won't only fix your most recent design debacle, but they'll get right to the roots of your coloring catastrophe. And, have no fear, because this salon uses Italy Hair Fashion color, straight from Milan, that fills its products with soy and wheat, actually protecting hair from daily debris and U.V. rays. In fact, these expert stylists fly all the way to Italy just to learn how to best color your hair. They're also in the know about all the latest trends, stating "Right now, texture is back, not old-school perms, but voluptuous hair with wave pattern and texture. Stick straight is out; it's had its run." Other stylists reported that for guys, the Gotti look is out. Get into the shower and wash that gel out immediately. Go for something more natural. The chicks will love it.\nWright advises that you must think your style through, thoroughly considering the issue of high maintenance versus low maintenance. Sure, you want that celebrity, "just rolled out of bed, yet my hair looks absolutely phenomenal and super stylish" look, but -- and sorry to have to be the one to tell you this -- it will not last. You will walk out of the salon, smiling that I-just-got-an-awesome-haircut smile, but after your first shower, that style will be nearly impossible to recreate. \nSo the next time your stylist swivels you around to the mirror, make sure to ask for the particulars: what did your stylist do? Will you need regular trims? What kind of products did he or she use? \nThis is where the product becomes key.\nYoung Hong's salon Gentle Touch 1805 E. 10th St., sells several lines of styling products, such as Matrix, Bed Head and American Crew. Professor of psychology and neuroscience Joe Farley, who sports bleach blond side-wave with a flip, praises Hong's shop as "the best place in Bloomington."\nBut bear in mind a great haircut is just a great haircut. "A Meg Ryan cut only looks good on Meg Ryan and even if your stylist has the talent to give you the same cut, you are still not going to look like Meg Ryan, in fact, you may look downright silly with the same cut. Be yourself, and (get) the cut that looks best on you," says www.hair-styles.org. \nSo, be smart, grab pictures of celebs whose hair is similar to yours, whose styles you can realistically imitate on a daily basis, and bring them in with you. Keep in mind that the worst words you could ever say to your hairdresser are "go ahead. I trust you." For best results, stay active in your haircutting process.