Advice for First Haircut

Really talk to her about it as often as possible before you go. Make it sound exciting and lots of fun. If she likes watching you get ready talk to her about how you get your hair done (trimmed, cut) so you can get ready everyday.
Our son had his first hair cut at about a hear old. He hated it and now it is a treat for him. We tried the kids place too and it didn't help. Th place was very busy, there just seemed to be too much going on and some of the other kids were screaming and crying. We now go to the local shop and he is usually the only one there when we go so he thinks it is special just for him. We spent a lot of time before his second appointment getting him ready and really pumping it up as a very special thing. The local shop also sent a small cape home with us so he could play with it and get used to wearing it. We always have a treat of some sort after, either a sucker or we go to the park or play with his trains.
Take your camera! If she likes getting her picture taken you can use that as motivation too.
Good Luck!

When my daughter took her son for his first haircut she sat in the chair with him on her lap and read a book to him. The book kept him busy, he felt safe on Mommy's lap, this all helped him stay still and the haircuts have gone off without a hitch.

The suggestion of playing about it ahead of time seems like a good approach to help avoid fear as well.

This is when I got my daughter's first haircut as well. She did well and was really interested in what was happening. I did bring a sucker along just in case...she doesn't normally get them but they keep her very occupied.

I'm not sure where you're located, but most of the kids' salons in my area have a DVD player running with cartoons. If they do, they will let you bring a favorite video from home to keep her mind off of what's going on with the haircut. My son doesn't watch TV, so he doesn't know most of the popular characters and won't watch them; but if I can bring his favorite sign-language video he'll sit perfectly still!! If you think this might help with your little one, you can call ahead and ask if this is an option.

I was worried about a first cut, too. But it went really well and have had 4 since and my daugther looks forward to it. At the kid specific salons, they do a great job distracting the kids with either suckers or stickers or bubbles or TV. Seems to me that most kids are kind of in awe of the situation and follow the hairdresser's and parent's lead. I agree with the previous poster, call it a trim.

Bubbles are always a great distraction. Play hairsalon at home before you go.

Use the word "trim" rather than cut. Children might associate the word cut with pain.