GUIDE
My toddler is about to get his first haircut. How do I keep a lock of his hair and a good photo, so it doesn't pass like any other trim?
By the seenow! teamLast updated:
Decide on the curl and the photo before the first snip: bring an envelope, ask the stylist to cut one lock first, and shoot a Live Photo or short video so you can pick the best frame later. At home, wrap the lock in unbuffered tissue and keep it in a small box, not a plastic bag.
WHY
Why this happens
There is no set age for a first haircut. Some families cut at a few months, others wait until well past two, and most decide when the hair starts falling in the eyes or a family photo is coming up. What almost every parent wants, whenever it happens, is the same two things: a little curl to keep and a picture of the moment.
Both are easy to miss. A toddler in a big chair turns, cries or reaches for the scissors, and the first snip is over in a second. The stylist sweeps the floor, and the baby curls are in the trash before you think to ask. At home, the lock you did save ends up in a plastic sandwich bag in a drawer, squashed under everything else. A few minutes of planning before you go fixes both.
HOW TO
What you can do starting today
Plan the first snip with the stylistNo app needed
When you book, say it is his first haircut. Many kids' salons are used to this and set aside the first curl for you. Either way, bring a clean envelope with his name and the date already written on it, and ask the stylist to cut one lock from the back or side first and hand it to you before the rest of the cut. Have a familiar snack or a favorite show ready, and sit him on your lap if the chair is too much.
Shoot a Live Photo or short video, then choose the frame laterNo app needed
A toddler rarely holds still for the perfect shot. Apple says that with Live Photos an iPhone records what happens 1.5 seconds before and after you take a picture, and you can later drag the frame in Edit and tap Make Key Photo to choose a different still. On any phone, a short video works the same way: you can pause on the best frame. Get one shot of the first snip and one "after" photo, standing in the same spot as a "before" photo you take on the way in.
Store the lock flat in tissue, inside a small boxNo app needed
The National Archives lists hair mementoes among artifacts that can be weakened by crushing or other distortion, and recommends archival boxes for protection from dust and light. It also says unbuffered tissue is preferred for wrapping, and that buffered tissue can damage protein-based materials such as silk and wool. At home, tie the lock loosely with a cotton thread, fold it into unbuffered tissue, and keep it in a small box with the envelope and the photo. Store it in a closet in the living area, not in an attic or basement, and away from anything heavy.
WITH SEENOW!
Doing it with seenow!
seenow! is a family app for 2-second daily videos shared in a private group. It can help the grandparents see the moment, not store the curl.
- Film the first snip as a 2-second clip with the seenow! camera, which records with the front and back cameras at the same time, so his face and the scissors are both in it. Only the family members you invited to the group can see it.
What seenow! can’t do
- Only clips taken with the seenow! camera can be posted, so a Live Photo or video you took with your phone's own camera can't be added. Share those another way.
- seenow! keeps videos, not keepsakes. The lock of hair, envelope and printed photo still need a box at home.
Core features are free.
POINT
Things to watch for in this situation
Ask before cutting at home
If you cut it yourself, agree with your partner and grandparents first. For some families the first haircut is a moment people want to be there for, and finding out afterward can sting.
Keep the "after" photo honest
First haircuts can look uneven when a toddler won't sit still. Take the photo anyway; a slightly crooked fringe tells the real story better than waiting for a second appointment.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep a lock of hair from my baby's first haircut?
Ask the stylist to cut one lock first and hand it to you. At home, tie it loosely, wrap it in unbuffered tissue, and keep it in a small box. The National Archives notes that hair mementoes can be weakened by crushing, so do not press it flat in a book or a bag.
How do I get a good photo of a toddler's first haircut?
Use a Live Photo or a short video instead of single shots. With Live Photos, Apple says an iPhone records 1.5 seconds before and after the picture, and you can choose a different key photo afterward.