In 1986 there was a really cool gadget invented that I almost bought. The Flowbee is a hair cutting tool that you attach to a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum would pull the hair into the whirling blades, cut your hair evenly and suck up all the bits and pieces--no mess. Really don't know what the hold up was for me at the time. Maybe because at that time going to a beauty parlor was no big deal, kind of fun and I was a bit vain.
Since Covid came to visit however, a trip to the beauty parlor is a bit of a crap shoot. A medium risk Russian Roulette. I just can't seem to pull the trigger to make an appointment and I keep hacking at my own hair and regretting it. I can't help but think of how diligent I have been for the past 9 months avoiding Covid and obeying all the rules. Do I risk it all for vanity? So far the answer has been "no".
Then on the 29th of November during the program CBS Sunday Morning, George Clooney made a startling announcement. He stated that for the past two decades, he has cut his own hair with that same Flowbee and that it takes him all of 2 minutes. Of course his is a man's cut but I remember that it could be used for women and children also. It will cut hair up to 6 inches.
My problem is I mulled it over for too long. When I went to the Flowbee site a few days later, they were sold out with maybe a 4 week wait for more. Wow. I don't know if George has stock in Flowbee but he should. Best commercial ever.
What I am curious about is have any of you tried that gadget, especially you ladies? Should I get on the waiting list?
Not sure I would be brave enough.
ReplyDeleteFun60
DeleteIf this keeps up much longer, I may get brave enough.
I wouldn't buy anything George C promotes. Can't stand the man. But, I will return later this week to view all the comments.
ReplyDeleteAnni,
DeleteOoh, that sounds like a personal encounter gone bad. Hope you tell us.
I've never heard of it, but if it works for George, I'd give it a go. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteJoey,
DeleteI know-- he really has great looking hair.
No I have not used one and would never use one. But remember I can cut hair. So Rick got a hair cut yesterday. I need one but I too fear the salon. I don't want to die because i was vain. Scary hairy times we live in.
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteRick is so lucky to have an in house barber. I feel like you on taking a chance right now.
Wow--I remember that commercial well, I too debated getting one but when I told Mary Jane (the woman who cut my hair back in the 1980s) she told me she was always fixing someone's head that used those things! Anyway, I had no idea they still sold them--and darn George Clooney (he & I are the same age) for being so cool he cuts his own hair! Thanks to the pandemic the price of my haircut has gone from $14 to 20.00 (and that doesn't include a tip!) Patti I ramble on too much, I know it; if you get one of these, PLEASE keep us posted with a couple updates!
ReplyDeleteDoug,
DeleteI remember hearing something like that years ago and hopefully they have improved a bit. George sure makes it look simple. I saw him use it on Kimmel.
I never heard of it. I cut my husband's hair using clippers with a guide to keep me from overdoing it. I manage to take the plunge every two months but my hairdresser has kept things very safe. Only one person inside at a time and lots of disinfecting between clients. :-)
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteSG is lucky to have you and you must be doing a good job. Every time I think I will just make an appointment, a local barber or hairdresser tests positive. Guess I'll wait or try the Flowbee.
I saw that on the news and thought it was so cool, here's a man who could easily afford $200 haircuts but does his own. I do remember those gadgets when they were popular and I'll bet they'll get popular again with such a high profit endorsement. Makes me laugh.
ReplyDeleteJean,
DeleteAnd his hair looks great. I guess Covid was helping with sales and George just put it over the top.
Ha! I didn't see the Sunday morning show but I just watched this morning and they were talking about the sell out of Flowbees. I remember the ads way back when but had no idea they still even made them. I never used one. I don't dare to cut my own hair so it has gotten quite long since my last shearing last January.
ReplyDeleteOlga,
DeleteI guess his using one on Jimmy Kimmel really put the sales over the top. I have been nibbling at my own hair and it really looks ratty. Me too on no professionals since January.
My very skeptical mind tells me that dear George got paid a huge amount for saying that on the morning news. I cut my own hair but it really doesn't matter because I don't have much and I wear wigs.
ReplyDeleteAnnie,
DeleteDon't know if he got paid but he should have. Right now you can't buy one even if you want one though I am sure scalpers(pun intended) will have them on eBay.
My hairdresser SIL does mine for free.
ReplyDeleteI suspect GC was making a joke about the flo-thing... He does have a subtle dry sense of humor.
joeh,
DeleteI do love his self depreciating sense of humor and he is a known prankster. His using it live on Jimmy Kimmel was also suspect since Kimmel is a prankster also. Still, I want to believe. We will see.
Looks a bit cumbersome and gimmic-ish to me Patti! I recommend buying a good pair of hair-cutting scissors and watching a few tutorials. I love my very sharp scissors and probably went to a hairdresser less than half a dozen times in my entire long life. But if it satisfies your curiousity then it could be worth the investment. Also, potentially entertaining to us, the followers of your posts.
ReplyDeleteFlorence,
DeleteI have tried cutting my own hair and the results are sadly obvious. I really am tempted to give it a shot but right now they are sold out. If I get one, I will definitely post about it.
I don't remember the device, and though it sounds intriguing, I'm not sure I'd be willing to give it a go.
ReplyDeleteI've had one haircut since the beginning of the pandemic and not sure I'll go back for quite a while yet. In the meantime I cut my bangs and let the rest go. It's now past my shoulders - it's been 20 plus years since I've had it this long.
Take care and stay well!
Eileen,
DeleteMe too on the bangs and pretty much the sides but the back is a landslide. For now, I am leary of beauty shops.
Hell no! Hahaha. I just go to the hair salon every 2 months, wear my face mask and get a cut.
ReplyDeletegigi,
DeleteWish I had the courage. Just too many health issues. My neighbor goes every two weeks but I just can't take the chance.
I have never heard of it. Roger has cut my hair twice in the past nine month. It looks pretty good. But seriously, I have not been to a hairdresser in years. I just let it get way too long. My sister-in-law cuts her own hair. I think she found some videos online with detailed instructions. I hope you find a way to cut your hair!
ReplyDeleterobin,
DeleteWay to go Roger. Love it when the hubbies step up and help out. I can tackle the front,but the back frankly scares me and my few attempts have not done well.
I saw that in the 80s but after disastrous attempts with rollers (thought I would need to cut my hair out of them), drugstore Sun-in (turned my hair nice shade of orange) and roller brushes I passed.
ReplyDeleteSue,
DeleteHa ha, I can see why you are leary of any gadgets. They often do not work as advertised--period. This one has been around for many years though. We will see.
I remember Sun-In, used it when I was a teen and got a lovely sun-bleached surfer look. I think it only works if your hair is fair, those born brunette would get the orange look.
DeleteI definitely got the orange looks when my best friend poured peroxide on my hair at the beach when we were teens.
DeleteI'm not a gadget person and I definitely would not dare to cut my own hair. Bangs only and they can get messed up when I do. So I'm waiting until it is safe to see a hairdresser. Actually, California is in lock-down I think and it applies to hair salons among a lot of other things. I will have a pony tail until summer or whenever it is safe.
ReplyDeleteInger,
DeleteI envy you your pony tail. I have enough for a rat tail but that is about it.
Hi Anni, and I'm with you... haven't been to get my hair cut since last January. I now have about a 5 inch ponytail. My hair hasn't been this long in years. But why take the risk? Not going anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of that gadget, but probably wouldn't consider it. I do cut DH's hair... but don't do that great a job. Maybe I'll watch some videos on the proper way to do it.
Rian,
DeleteI agree on not taking the risk. It is not like we all have a whirlwind social life these days. Having a spouse helps. Maybe you could get him to try cutting yours?
I've been cutting my own hair as well as Art's and my mom. But I can't seem to get mine perfectly all the time. I'm really curious about this gadget too, especially when I heard George Clooney uses it. However, I'm only going to believe it after you try it. I sure hope you'll let us all know after you get it.
ReplyDeleteKay,
DeleteIt really is hard to get the back right isn't it? I'll be the guinea pig and let you know.
I would never even think of using one. What if I left it in one place too long and got a bald spot? Anyway, my hair is long, I decided that going to the hairdresser every few weeks to keep it short was too much trouble and too expensive.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
DeleteIt has guides that won't let you cut any more than will fit in the guide. I think those with long hair are faring better these days.
Also it is winter there now, just buy a pretty woolly beanie and stuff your hair under it, know one will know how ratty your hair might look and your head will be warm.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
DeleteAh but every time I walk by a mirror, I know.
I don't know that I have ever heard of the Flowbee. After letting my hair grow out and trimming the front and sides myself, I have now gone twice to get a haircut. It's a small, now only one person shop, with the door locked, only to be opened with an appointment. I feel fairy safe.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteYour shop sounds pretty safe. Just hope the person whose appointment was before yours was clean. I know, I over think.
My last haircut was in February and awkward stage doesn't really describe the "glory." I too am avoiding the hairdresser for now, careful as they may be. It's more contact and closer up than I'm comfortable with. I'm not too sure that I'm brave enough to try that gadget. Long, bushy hair is better than butchered.
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteSince I have all ready been butchering it with scissors, don't think the Flowbee could do worse. We will see.
I've been cutting Bob's hair since March and if I may say so myself, it looks great. I give him a # 4 buzz cut. I tell him no crying if I happen to nip a little at his ears and tips are accepted. I waited until July and then broke down and went to my stylist. She books me early Monday morning when nobody else is in the shop. I keep my hair so short that when it starts growing out, I can barely stand it. I did trim it a few times during the months I didn't go - maybe I should get Bob to buzz it. (NO!) As for the Flowbee, I'm going to let you try it before I take the plunge.
ReplyDeleteBarb,
DeleteI hope Bob is a good tipper:) I understand that not being able to stand it phase. I think those of us that keep it short normally are feeling the angst.
I remember the flobee! I never bought one, but when I saw the commercials I wondered how it would work on my thick hair. I've been trimming my hair for months now and I would definitely not make a good hairdresser.
ReplyDeleteI'll tell you one silly thing I fell for back in the 70's and I don't remember it's offical name...but...it was some kind of work out shorts that you put on and they hooked up to a vacumn cleaner. Supposed to make you sweat the fat off. I used it one time. That was probably the dumbest weight loss scam of all time, and I fell for it.
Terri,
DeleteHa ha, how did I miss the vacuum shorts? I have been trimming my own hair for 9 months and think the Flowbee has to be an improvement.
No, I'd never heard of it 'til the George Clooney news story. I probably could have used it for many years as I kept my hair short. When I retired I decided to let it grow long because it also had been thinning for several years. I still haven't cut it and hair keeps coming out. Will be interested in your experience if you get one.
ReplyDeleteJoared,
DeleteI wish I had been able to let my hair just grow longer during this time but by normally wearing it short, it drives me nuts, especially around the neck line.
I really am tempted to try the Flowbee.
Where have I been? I've never even heard of it. Luckily I have cut my own hair for years so that's one thing I don't worry about. Just having Trump still in office gives me worry enough !!
ReplyDelete