Cut The Crap

I got a trim here. Good and very friendly service, though I found my haircut to be a bit slow considering it was just a trim. Still, I was very surprised to find such a nice and affordable place in Amsterdam and they’ve got a great vibe as well. It was a bitterly cold winter day when I came and I was greeted with a warm and cozy room, a cup of tea, a big dog sleeping on the floor, and some damn good music. I would recommend it as a place to get a trim, or a cut if you’re not too particular about your hair but still want to give it a bit of love.

As a former Chicagoan, I really loved that they have a photo of Rod Blagojevich on their website, listed as someone who did not go to Cut the Crap. I had high hopes for this place given the hipster points for being half hair salon/​half record shop. The reality wasn’t so nice, however.
First of all, it’s hard to get an appointment here. They list a phone number on their site but they don’t have a receptionist, so you have to hope that the one person cutting hair has a free moment to answer the phone when you call, otherwise you’re out of luck. E-​mail can also take a while to get a response. The best thing to do is to walk in to make an appointment.
Second of all, the stylist was giving me resistance to cutting my hair short, because I think he was subtly trying to hint that as a bigger girl I should have long hair otherwise I’d look weird. I don’t know this for sure since nothing was said overtly, but I was disappointed that when I said I wanted it cut short I couldn’t get it cut short.
Also I got the feeling the guy wasn’t that experienced. Or maybe he has more experience cutting guy’s hair, I have really fine hair and I’ve tried everything to get it to have more volume, and the way this guy cut my hair is the same way more inexperienced people have cut my hair to create volume. It’s the textbook method of cutting layers on the outside, but more experienced people will create layers on the inside and leave the outside layer long.
Thirdly, the space is really small. Like just enough space for a cutting chair, a washing chair, and a large mirror from Ikea hanging from a chain right in front of you while your hair is cut. It was kind of cozy, but also kind of uncomfortable when I felt like I was being judged for my size, and the harsh overhead lighting and closeness of the mirror weren’t doing me any favors.
Overall I thought the guy was really nice and he had interesting stories to tell, but it just didn’t feel like a fit for me.

I figured I’d submit a review for this place having been here three times already and I know how dire the situation is in Amsterdam finding quality hair stylists — especially for my fellow men out there.
This place is very gezellig — part record store, part hair salon. The staff here are fully English-​speaking and if you’re lucky, both of you will be singing along to the wicked tunes playing in the background. They’re also young but that’s not to say they’re not experienced. They’re actually very professional and will do what you ask if you’re very particular about your hair. If you are feeling lucky and ask for their opinion, they will style your hair in a way that suits your face and head. I’d say their styles are also a bit edgy and hip (you’re in a record store/​hair salon after all!).
Overall I’ve been satisfied with my cut every time I’ve been here. They’re even open late on some days!

expatica gave me the scare of my life — bad haircuts in amsterdam? a basic haircut is by a junior stylist was 50 euros or more? even the best places don’t do a good job and women are left crying? YIKES.
i spent a few days looking for stylists. Unilocal wasn’t much help — not enough reviews, and the highest reviewed kapsalons were for eyebrows (i like my bushy brows, thank you). i ran into a discussion forum in which someone named «cut the crap» as one of the best named salons in town; i went to their site. i liked. i tried to call. i emailed. hmmm…
i walked over, as it is close to my flat, and made an appointment. it had a great artsy vibe — i felt at home immediately. a clash’s album cover was placed on a shelf: their not-​so-​great «cut the crap». aha!
alex washed my hair and gave me a great low-​fuss haircut which looks and feels great in a cool salon with a great vibe. what more could i ask for?