Want to know the last time I got my hair cut? Sadly and embarrassingly enough, it was in January right before I jetted off to New York Fashion Week. Mainly due to time constraints and a busy schedule, but also because I complain that my area has no true professionals. Everyone seems to be a jack of all trades. Then I remembered Calvin Basil, a hair stylist that I went to see several years ago that did a really great job on my hair. So I made an appointment and finally found some time to sneak away from my 4 rugrats.

Calvin’s salon, Specialist Haircutters, is located in the plaza of a gas station and pizza shop–but looks can be deceiving and will teach you to not judge the salon simply due to its location. And in that respect, Calvin’s salon doesn’t look like your typical primping palace either. It is very artsy and has a modern feel to it.

Calvin has an impressive background–he was trained in Europe, New York and California. He’s worked for Vidal Sassoon and Clairol; he’s cut Truman Capote’s hair and helped style Jackie O’s hair, he’s also the creator of Physiognomy haircutting. And somehow he has settled here in my rural neck of the woods.

Watching him work through my extremely long hair was amazing. I remained very quiet while I watched him tediously measure and re-measure strand against strand, snipping and shearing my hair. He wondered out loud if my kids pulled on my hair and said, “They could swing from your hair it’s so long.” But I love my long hair and I don’t want to give it up in lieu of my monkey’s.

The best part? “That’ll be $25.” Did you just gasp? Because I sure did! Where on earth can you get an amazing hair cut for only $25?! Oh I know, Specialist Haircutters in Hamlin, PA. Should you be from the area and want to check it out, they are located in Kwik Joe’s Plaza on Route 590. So go get yourself an awesome haircut and tell Calvin you heard about it here!