Snip-its: Cutting Children's Hair in Fun, Inviting Environment

Getting a child a to sit still during a haircut can be difficult. Many kids get scared when they see the scissors, imagining a clipped ear or some unpleasantness. They fuss, they squirm and sometimes have tantrums in the middle of the barber shop.

Alynn Friley, manager of the Burlington location of , 101 Middlesex Turnpike, is here to rescue parents from this ordeal. Snip-its is a fun place for children to get their hair cut.  The colorful décor invites children to enter and be a part of the whole hair cutting experience. The hair stylists who work at Snip-its love children, it’s a requirement, and they cut hair quickly and safely. After their haircut, children are invited to take a piece of their hair and put it in the magic box in front of the reception desk. The box lights up and gives them a reward, a toy.

Snip-its was created in 1995 by Joanna Meiseles of Wayland, MA. She knew most hair salons are for adults and are not geared to children. Toys, videos and some games could be available for children at regular hair salons but they’re usually the same type of things they have at home.

Meiseles created a business out of a need; she had young children at the time and the places available to get their hair cut were not geared to children. The first Snip-its opened in Shoppers World, Framingham in 1995. The décor is totally for children with toys and games incorporated in the setting and a large stylized mirror coming out of the floor. The design concept and artwork was created by Bruce Barry and Meiseles. They designed the children’s hair salon together. It took Meiseles two years of extensive research and development before opening her first Snip-its and the results are truly unique.

If you want to treat your child to the ultimate birthday party, Snip-its offers a fun filled birthday party ideas with many activities. Various types of parties are offered:  the Glamour Party, Hollywood Party, Style-a-Doll party, Rock Star Party and Spa party. Parties are geared to the age group of the children. At The Spa party children are treated to facials and mini manicures and pedicures. Little girls have a choice of chocolate cupcake or peaches and cream mini-pedicures. The Glamour party offers hair, make-up, manicures and a fashion outfit for little girls to complete their look before being part in a fashion show. Children are given a chance to try their skill in haircutting and styling on dolls with the “Style-a-Doll party”. When the party is over they keep their styled doll. Check out www.snipits.com for more information.

There are many themes of parties to choose from. Parties include a crafts activity; make up, nails and the cake. Parents just bring their children and watch the fun.

Many events need a special look, like an up-do. Snip-its provides up-dos for special occasions like first communion, dance recitals, Bat Mitzvahs and Daddy/ Daughter night.

Friley came to Snip-its after graduating hair dressing school. Meiseles came to her school on a recruiting mission and hired her. She worked for many years in the corporate office and was on the road opening up salons in various locations. She got the new salons started by offering training. She has opened 40 salons. An opening came up in the Burlington Snip-its and Friley filled the position. She is now the manager of the Burlington location and hopes to stay there.

‘You could not pay me enough to work in an adult salon,” says Friley. “I want to hear about the new puppy.”