Iowa hairstyling world-record attempt will include local stylists

Getting a haircut isn't typically noteworthy.

But 600 people getting their hair cut simultaneously? That's a different story.

Saturday in Council Bluffs, 1,200 people will make history as they take part in “The World's Largest Hands-On Workshop” and mark their names in The Guinness World Records for the most people cutting hair together.

The record, which will consist of 600 stylists and 600 models, snips off the old record of 250 total participants.

That's something for local hairdressers to brag about.

“I never thought I'd be in the Guinness World Records. I thought I'd have to jump rope for an hour or something like that,” says 60-year-old Kathy Grout, a stylist at The Perfect Look in Iowa City.

The rules for setting the record are simple: all cuts will be done on live models simultaneously for 15 minutes.

The workshop, held annually by Peel's Salon Service, also will feature everything from coloring to styling and new products to waxing.

Grout, who has been a stylist for roughly 20 years, is looking forward to learning new techniques in the hands-on setting. What she loves most about the hair styling business, though, is the variety of people she meets.

“We're just like bartenders, we learn not to tell,” she says, laughing.

Debbie Attig, 48, who owns The Perfect Look, says being part of the record breaking is an added perk at an event that helps refresh her skills each year.

“It's more personable than sitting in a class,” she says. “It's always neat to go to these shows.”

Erin Parsley, the education assistant for Peel's Salon Service, says each year they work to bring something special to the stage.

“It gets bigger and better every year,” she says. “Lots of people get excited about going.”

Parsley says most participants hail from the Midwest, but some salons from places like Atlanta and Kansas are joining in the mass styling session.

Heather Herdlicka, owner of Hair Gallery in Hiawatha, says the details of the special event this year was very “hush-hush” at first.

So when she learned about the opportunity to have her name in the record books, she couldn't resist.

But Herdlicka says she will have to be ready to make a split-minute decision on what style to choose since she will be meeting her model for the workshop as the event starts.

“We're super excited to be part of it,” she says. “I'm refreshing my passion for the industry.”