The British Master Barbers Magazine Issue 7

WELCOME

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Hey everyone, welcome to issue number seven of the British Master Barbers members magazine. We’ve been so busy behind the scenes supporting the industry and trying to help you guys promote yourselves and raise the standards of the UK barbering industry. We are now extremely pleased to announce that we have joined forces with the Horsham District Council to become a PRIMARY AUTHORITY in barbering, closely connected to the Dept for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, we can offer our members the standard of advice they require.

In this issue we take a look at the 2023 Barber of the Year competition and share with you the amazing quality of the finalist images. Every year the standards and efforts increase and the job for our judges keeps getting tougher! Also with help from our resident doc Rob we guide you on many ways to keep your health on track and we also get to meet meet some of our wonderful members from all over the world.

I hope you enjoy it.

Kindest Regards

Anthony Copeland Co-Founder of the British Master Barbers Alliance

Front Cover Credits:

Hair: Tracy Mangan

Photo: Liam Oakes

The British Master Barbers Alliance team has been formed by time served Master Barbers who have a wealth of experience in a range of Barbering related subjects. This includes a group of highly skilled multi-award-winning Barbers, Barbershop owners, Teachers, Lecturers, Assessors, Educators, Session stylists & Barber Academy owners from all over the UK Join today and get involved at WWW.BRITISHMASTERBARBERS.COM

The British Master Barbers Alliance has been designed to help promote established British Barbers and their Barbershops. Good Barbershops struggle to stand out amongst the new breed of unskilled, untalented, uninsured chop shops that are under cutting prices and lowering the credibility of quality, qualified & trained barbers. Customers never ask to see a barbers qualifications or proof of skill and this is why we have created the British Master Barbers Accreditation, Verification of a barbers talent in the form of a beautifully crafted metal plaque. A sign customers can trust and the barber can be proud of. Only fully subscribed members who complete our criteria can apply.

HOW DO I APPLY?

We have 3 levels of accreditation available. Each level requires a set criteria of tasks to be completed for successful application. Applications can be made in the Members only area of this website.

British Professional Barber

barbering qualification, or can prove a minimum of two years working experience in a Barbershop.

metal plaque. Status is only valid with a current BMB membership and a one off fee of £100.

British Master Barber

have a minimum of five years Barbering experience or have held British Professional status for over 3 years.

Barbering certificate will be required. certificate will be required.

Observation Assessments (distance assessments) asking you to upload a video or send a Youtube link of yourself working directly on a client to our highly qualified assessors who can judge your physical expertise & skills to achieve all your specific status tasks.

awarded with a personalised metal plaque & Press release for your local newspaper

ProFessIoNAL ACCredITATIoN

membership and a one off fee of £200.

British Grand Master Barber

Teachers, Lecturers & Assessors of Barbering. These members must be fully qualified in teaching barbering & have a minimum of five years barbering experience.

required.

Assessments ( distance assessments ) asking you to upload a video or send a Youtube link client to our highly qualified assessors who can judge your physical expertise & skills to achieve all your specific status tasks. metal plaque & a press release for your local newspaper.

BMB membership and a one off fee of £300.

WHY SHOULD I APPLY FOR ACCREDITATION?

The BMB accreditation is simply designed to be

a clear sign that customers can trust. It confirms that you hold a minimum standard of skill that is expected at each of our accreditation levels. BMB accreditation also offers a simple way to promote your business to your local area through our media press release, sent out confirming your successful completion of Master Barber and Grand Master Barber levels

IS ACCREDITATION COMPULSARY?

Our accreditation service is by no means compulsory and is only recommended to barbers who understand the importance of keeping at the top of their game and continually chase goals to better themselves. This accreditation should be seen as a personal achievement that archives a high level of competence.

DOES IT MAKE ME A BETTER BARBER THAN EVERYONE ELSE?

The simple answer is No.

Everybody knows that you never stop learning and our accreditation is a confirmation of a minimum set level that provides a stepping stone to keep you enthused about the industry. Continuing your barbering journey to higher knowledge and skill set is a must at any level of competence and down to you to keep pushing the standard higher.

WHY DOES IT COST?

As a non profit organisation The British Master Barbers make very little revenue to support the large costs involved with supporting the British barbering industry. Most of the costs are covered by the founders of BMB along with brand advertising, revenue made by our membership fees, product sales and accreditation.

The BMB team is made up of long term full time working barbers and barbering lecturers who offer their time voluntarily and completely free of charge to asses the accreditation applications.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL MY APPLICATION?

If you fail your application you will be notified why and advised on how to improve your skill set or which requirements need to be met. You will then be allowed to apply again or change to the correct level suited to you.

HAVE YOU TAKEN THE FREE HEALTH & SAFETY COURSE YET?

The British Master Barbers have been working very hard, creating the very first online health and safety course.

With the latest standards provided by Mike Taylor Education and The Great British Barbering Academy, this course includes the latest H&S protocol to keep you up to date with current legislation and advisory methods. For barbers that may not hold formal qualifications or have done their training many years ago this course ofers the opportunity for basic continual professional development and keeping on top of the latest requirements.

With a free personalised downloadable certificate that you can print out, frame and display in your own barbershop, you can show that you're a barber that takes customers wellbeing seriously.

GET YOUR FREE CERTIFICATE TODAY

Simply visit www.BRITISHMASTERBARBERS.com

Complete the basic Health & Safety modules take the short multiple choice test and download your personalised certificate on completion.

Displaying your certificate in your shop or work place can help put your customers at ease, knowing their barber/stylist has put in some efort to show professionalism.

What are you waiting for?

Course developed with thanks

to Mike Taylor, The GBBA, Anthony Copeland and Dan Davies

I did question some of these and they said that’s how they have been trained? With a lot of effort, I managed to help them change their styles and leave the crowns alone. But unfortunately this is only few barbers and there are hundreds all around the UK. Maybe with a bit of education this issue could be solved?

I learned barbering as part of the tradition like any other young man who has been encouraged by their families. I love barbering in the UK, for me it’s a passion not a job, I like to share my knowledge and passion with

those who would like to extend their knowledge.

This is what we need to develop amongst other Turkish barbers. There doesn’t seam to be any passion in their development for the industry as their mindset is only to focus on cutting hair in the styles they have learned from their masters.

I believe that because of this the Turkish reputation has been severely damaged. They themselves should get more involved with the trade shows and regular training events.

Education is the key to success for all of us.

BARBER OF THE YEAR 2023

MIKE TAYLOR

WAYNE DAWS

JAMES WAKELEY

ROSS MATHIESON

ROBERT GROSVENOR

JOSH PLAYFORD

SINA CUTS

TRACY MANGAN

TRACY MANGAN

Hi Everyone,

I’m Tracy or known as @TracyLadyBarberMangan within the barbering world. I have been part of the hair industry for over 30 years, starting out as a hairdresser at the age of 15 in my hometown Greenock, Scotland.

I soon learned my passion laid with cutting short hair so when I moved to Leeds I decided to do the switch over to barbering. They say find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life! I absolutely love barbering. It gives me such joy.

When I’m cutting I’m so in the zone, in my wee happy place. I love every aspect of barbering, I’m very passionate and I am always looking for new ways to perfect and master my craft.

I entered my first competition at the age of 40, when I decided to push myself and see where my barbering career could take me. I have now won seven awards. I’m very proud of winning this amazing title of British Master Barber 2023.

I am a brand ambassador for Gamma plus uk and have cut hair at Barber Connect and Salon International. These were both a great experience. I also volunteer with The Lions Barber Collective and Andy’s Man Club promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Being a barber we are in a great position to look for signs in our clients and colleges , listen and signpost them to the prevalent place that can help.

I also run a yearly event in my local area FREE going back to school haircuts to help the community with the current cost of living crisis.

I currently also teach and assess Level 3 Barbering at Leeds City College. My two passions, Barbering and Educating. It’s fantastic to be able to pass on the knowledge and skills I have developed over many years. The future for me is to keep pushing and see how far my barbering path takes me.

@TracyLadyBarberMangan

years it was finally time for me to create my own vision of what I wanted a barbershop to be .

The shop was originally one of my parents fish and chip shops so it had to be completely stripped out -luckily my husband is a builder and worked his socks off to get me my dream shop - I’m talking ceiling and walls taken down , flooring taken up , re wiring , new windows - a complete blank canvas . The way I saw it was do it once and do it properly, you don’t get a second chance at a first impression !

I wanted the shop to feel cosy, with lots of little quirks and finishing touches for clients to enjoy. From the bowler hat lights , to the exposed steel structures in the ceiling , our ‘Naughty Corner ‘ for

snacks , exposing the original brick work , our vintage till ( because a modern one just wouldn’t have looked right !) our splash of hot pink with our specially made reception desk , our ‘Groom Bar’ for facials and waxing and finally our separate kids area specially decorated for our younger clientele to make them feel more at ease as sometimes we find that little ones can find it quite daunting- I tried to think of everything possible to make House Of HandSome the best barbershop I could , actually the best inclusive barbershop where from any age we are ready to welcome you!

Barbershop of the year House of Handsome

After that came the next piece of the puzzle ; finding the right team , now that was harder than convincing my husband and my dad that the ceiling of the shop should be painted black ( I obviously did it and everyone sees why now ! )

Give or take bang on the year anniversary of being open @barber.tay joins me - we just clicked. An amazing barber but more importantly person , great customer service always smiling greeting clients - as it should be.

A few months after that @barberbecrazzyyy came along and again everything just slotted into place ; again an amazing barber and amazing with clients ; these two do skin fades in their sleep !

But more importantly we are a team , we try and help each other if we need it , we work together , none of this I’m better than you - we all know our strengths and weaknesses , we all sit down and try and think of ideas of what we can do , new things to offer , silly reels to make .We can’t ever take anything we have achieved for granted we are always striving to make the shop bigger and better.

After being able to achieve and give our clients the best barbershop possible I wanted to share it with the barbering community and thought I’d take a chance and enter British Master Barbers BarberShop of the Year 2023 , seeing that we had been named a finalist was such a huge achievement for us but then actually winning it - like WOW! My heart was beating so fast , I had to FaceTime the guys , they were still in bed ( when you have kids lay ins are a thing of the past!) we were and are all so proud to have been able to win such an important title thanks to BMH , we have only been open a short amount of time - will be 2 years in March - so to be able to achieve this is mind blowing . We are only getting started all 3 of us have big dreams and working as a team we will achieve them because we are House Of HandSome !

FINALIST BELLA BARBA CO

@bellabarbaco

Bella Barba Co Is a fine Italian gentlemen’s grooming salon established in 2009 by British Baster Barber Adam Haider commonly known in the industry as H who has always been passionate about cutting hair to a very high level and elegance.

Step inside a very unique classy barbershop that blends the tradition and nostalgia of and old vintage barbershop with modern surroundings. A place that always feels homely and inviting.

We take so much pride in delivering a consistently high standard of customer service as well as the best haircuts around. We offer plenty of on-site free parking and we use a state of the art online bookings system and website.

FINALIST BOARDROOM GENTLEMANS REFINARY

@boardroombarbers

In my profession, I have the privilege of helping people look and feel their best, and that's what I find most fulfilling. The barbering industry is constantly evolving, offering new tools, techniques, and trends to explore and master. From a young age, I was inspired by my barber and aspired to follow in their footsteps. Their work, skills, and passion fascinated me, leading me to pursue a career as a barber after completing my education. I was fortunate to receive training at a prestigious barbering academy and began working as a junior at the age of 16.

One of my proudest accomplishments has been opening my own barber shop and establishing my own brand. My vision has always been to create the ultimate barbershop experience for my clients, with a strong emphasis on attention to detail. I draw inspiration from 'Ben the old school barber' and admire his style, technique, passion, and craftsmanship. Having been trading for over a year now, we currently have 367 5-star Google reviews, we have also been fortunate enough to have won multiple awards. This achievement truly reflects the dedication and hard work that my team and I have put into our craft.

Looking ahead, my future plans involve expanding my brand and creating opportunities for others who share the same passion for the industry. I aspire to not only to grow my business but also to teach and mentor aspiring barbers, helping them develop their skills and achieve their own success. The barbering industry is a dynamic and ever-changing field, and I am excited to continue learning, evolving, and making a positive impact in the lives of my clients and fellow professionals.

FINALIST CRATE CHESHIRE

@cratecheshire

Crate Cheshire is a gender neutral barbershop which puts barbering back into focus. Our salons offer a full salon experience, exclusively for all genders and combine this with everything a barbershop has to offer. Unisex salons and barbershops line our High Streets, but our salons combine the two and fill this gap in the market. Traditionally, a barbershop was a quick one stop shop for men’s hair cuts and a unisex salon was all about service but primarily for women. I recognised that men were craving a better salon experience which offered excellent male grooming and I understand a great salon business must truly focus on the client experience. Male grooming is such an important market to not only understand but to cater your business towards. We quickly realised that our salons needed to be gender neutral due to the increase in interest for shorter hair.

The client’s experience is at the forefront of everything we do, from the moment they step through our door or make contact with us. We offer a full range of traditional Barber grooming services; from scissor cuts, clipper cuts and fades to beard trims, eyebrow waxes and wet shaves, alongside full colour services and children’s haircuts. We cater for all and have created diverse and inclusive salons. Our teams are incredibly personable, approachable and welcoming and are able to adapt their style to suit the needs on the client, from baby’s first haircut to Alf’s (our 100 year old gent) fortnightly chat and tidy up.

FINALIST AVANZATO GROOMING LOUNGE

@avanzato_grooming_lounge

Step inside Avanzato Grooming Lounge, a British master barbershop that is ready to make waves in the highly competitive barbershop of the year award competition. This prestigious accolade has been a long-time goal for us, as our commitment to our craft and dedication to our clients has propelled us to become finalists not once, but twice, in the renowned Wahl barbershop of the year awards. We have also been honoured with an award for best contemporary barber shop in central London, a testament to our stylish and modern approach to grooming

At the helm of Avanzato Grooming Lounge is Stefan, the passionate and visionary founder who strongly advocates for mental health. His dedication to the community has led us to collaborate with numerous charities, ensuring that we give back to those in need. This commitment to making a difference has earned us the trust of top hotels in London, who rely on us to cater to their most exclusive clients. Our reputation has also attracted a celebrity clientele, who appreciate the privacy and relaxation they find within our establishment.

The glowing reviews that adorn our 5-star Google rating speak volumes about our services. From classic haircuts to hot towel shaves and precise beard grooming, our experienced barbers are dedicated to providing personalised and exceptional grooming services. We recognise that men have unique needs when it comes to self-care, and we strive to educate our clients on the importance of establishing a self-care routine. We firmly believe that prioritising grooming can enhance confidence, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.

For those seeking the ultimate luxury, our barbers provide an authentic barbershop shave experience using hot towels, pre-shave oil, and a straight razor. We also specialise in beard shaping and trimming to achieve a polished and well-groomed appearance.

SCISSOR CARE

Scissor maintenance & why it should be in your daily routine:

Every stylist owns at least one pair of scissors, so it makes sense to get the most from yours by understanding them, knowing what to look for when buying them, and how to maintain them. We asked Spencer Dudman, from Spencer Scissors, a well-regarded industry expert, for his top tips for getting the most out of this essential piece of every stylist’s kit.

Cleaning

It goes without saying that scissors should be cleaned after every haircut - wet hair and products are not good for scissors and can lead to the life expectancy of your scissors being cut short by corrosion.

Oiling

Buy proper scissor oil and use this every day on your scissors. This is tremendously important for the longevity and performance of your scissors, and is an inexpensive musthave. It protects your scissors from corrosion and rust, and ensures the smooth running of the central mechanism. Scissor oil works differently to the machine oil often used with clippers – if this is used on scissors, it acts to drive hair etc. into the centre screw instead of away from it, clogging up and eventually damaging the mechanism that should keep the cutting action effortless.

Tensioning

Scissors are precisely crafted instruments, and this is how they should be treated. The correct tension is vitally important, yet many stylists have been taught to think that it this is a matter of personal preference, and often run their scissors too loose. This is bad for scissors, the stylist and the client’s hair.

Falling even halfway means the tension is too loose – this will damage the cutting edge of the scissors by forcing the stylist to apply pressure to bring the blades together (pressure cutting)

Adjust the tension if necessary, and repeat the above steps until perfect tension is achieved.

Your relationship with your scissors is like no other relationship: if you are well suited and time and effort is put into maintaining them they should last the distance…

THE BARBER CHAIR

CLEANING YOUR BARBER CHAIR

Regular cleaning is essential for a barber chair’s long life. This is so important that it should already be part of your everyday shop cleaning routine.

Blowing loose hair away using a hair dryer is a simple method to force hair out of all the nooks and crannies where build up often occurs.

A soft brush can easily be used for the stubborn gatherings of hair.

Using soapy warm water wipe over all the upholstery to remove any dirt. Do not use any chemical cleaners as these often dry out leathers or vinyls and can promote cracking and breakdown of the materials.

Don't be afraid to pump up your chair to get underneath. Just because you don't see it, doesn't mean its not there! Clean away any left over hair that maybe resting on the pump housing. Hair can damage the pump seals if left to work their way down. To bring back a great shine on any chrome work, a simple polish with regularly available metal polish can get your chairs looking good as new.

REGULAR CHECKS

A regular check of all the chair bolts and fixings, making sure everything is tightened should prevent any premature wear or damage.

Oil residue is a sign of leaking hydraulic pump seals. An annual chair service can usually locate any potential problems like this and give you the opportunity to have them repaired at low cost before they result in complete failure and cost you big money that you don't need to spend.

For Professional Servicing Restoration & Refurbishment of all original barbers chairs specialising in the world famous Belmont Brand

Call Custom Belmonts on: 07411 621751

CLIPPER CARE

ADJUSTING YOUR CLIPPER BLADES

Pick up your clipper, turn it on its side and check both blades are parallel with each other. Zero Gapping is when the two blade are set perfectly in line with each other to attain the tightest cutting length. Rule of thumb for safe cutting is to set the moving blade 1mm lower than the static blade. Loosen the two screws on the back of the blade, adjust the blade as required. Tighten the screws all the way down to secure the set blades in place.

REMOVE ALL HAIR

With the hair clipper turned off, brush off the blade, removing all loose hair on the surface and accumulated hairs that are between the moving and static blade. Hair stuck between the blades during use acts like sandpaper and can reduce the life of your cutting blades.

A thin piece of card can be used between the blades to force out excess lodged hair.

CHECK CABLES

Take a close look at your clipper cables for any breaks, twists or bare wires. New cables are regularly available at low cost for most big name brand clippers. These leads can be easily replaced by most qualified electrical technicians.

OIL REGULARLY

After adjustments have been made and cleaning of any loose hair, apply three drops of clipper oil on the teeth, one drop on each inside corner of the moving blade and one drop on the adjustable tapering lever. Let the clipper run the oil through the blade. Wipe off any oil left on the blade.any excess oil can attract hair, dust and dirt, which will therefore clog up the blade.

OVER HEATING

If your blade gets too hot, spray it with a cooling spray like Andis Cool Care or Clippercide. this method instantly drops the temperature of the working blade and acts like a pressurised cleaner, rust inhibitor and a light lubricant (doesn’t take the place of oil) and it’s a broad spectrum disinfectant.

Bringing Barbers Back to Health.

Looking a)er your health and wellness is founder member of the BMB, Robert Dunsdon BA, BSc, MMCA, Senior Associate Royal Society of Medicine.

In this arBcle on Barber health we are looking at a common issues thats o)en overlooked:

BARBER’S FEET

Barbers can take care of their feet by following these basic tips:

1. Wear comfortable shoes: Choose footwear that provides proper support and cushioning to prevent foot pain and fatigue. Look for shoes with arch support, shock absorption, and a wide toe box to allow for natural movement.

2. Use orthotic inserts: Consider using custom orthotic inserts or gel insoles to provide additional support and cushioning. These can help alleviate pressure on the feet and reduce the risk of developing foot conditions like plantar fasciitis.

3. Take breaks and stretch: Barbers spend long hours on their feet, so it's essential to take regular breaks to rest and stretch the feet. Simple exercises like toe curls, ankle rotations, and calf stretches can help improve circulation and relieve tension.

4. Maintain good hygiene: Keep the feet clean and dry to prevent fungal infections. Wash your feet daily with mild soap, dry them thoroughly (especially between the toes), and apply talcum powder or anti fungal powder to absorb moisture.

5. Trim toenails properly: Cut toenails straight across and avoid rounding the corners to prevent ingrown toenails. Use proper nail clippers and file the edges gently to avoid sharp edges.

6. Moisturise regularly: Apply a moisturising foot cream or lotion to keep the skin hydrated and prevent dryness or cracking. Pay attention to areas prone to calluses or rough skin.

7. Massage and elevate: After a long day, give your feet a gentle massage to improve circulation and relieve tension. Elevate your feet by propping them up on a pillow or using a footrest to reduce swelling and promote blood flow.

8. Seek professional help: If you experience persistent foot pain, discomfort, or any footrelated issues, consult a podiatrist. They can provide a proper diagnosis, treatment, and advice tailored to your specific needs.

Remember, taking care of your feet is crucial for overall well-being and maintaining comfort during long hours on your feet as a barber.

POSTURE:

Maintaining good posture as a barber is crucial for your overall health and well-being. Here are some tips to help you maintain proper posture while working:

1. Stand tall: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and keep your spine straight. Avoid slouching or hunching over. Imagine a string pulling you up from the top of your head, elongating your spine.

2. Align your body: Keep your head aligned with your spine, avoiding excessive tilting or bending. Your shoulders should be relaxed and level, not rounded or elevated. Align your hips and pelvis with your spine.

3. Use a supportive mat: Standing for long periods can put strain on your feet, legs, and back. Invest in a supportive anti-fatigue mat to provide cushioning and reduce the impact on your joints.

4. Adjust your work height: Ensure that your workstation is set up at a height that allows you to maintain proper posture. Your cutting surface should be at a comfortable height, allowing your elbows to be at a 90-degree angle when working.

5. Take breaks and stretch: Take short breaks throughout the day to stretch and relieve tension in your muscles. Stretch your neck, shoulders, back, and legs to promote flexibility and reduce stiffness.

6. Strengthen your core: A strong core can help support your spine and maintain good posture. Incorporate exercises that target your abdominal and back muscles into your fitness routine.

7. Use ergonomic tools: Invest in ergonomic tools and equipment that are designed to reduce strain on your body. Look for scissors, clippers, and brushes with ergonomic handles that provide a comfortable grip.

8. Practice body awareness: Be mindful of your posture throughout the day. Regularly check in with your body to ensure you are maintaining proper alignment. Correct any slouching or poor posture habits as soon as you notice them.

9. Seek professional help if needed: If you experience persistent pain or discomfort, consider consulting a healthcare professional or a physical therapist. They can provide guidance on posture correction exercises and techniques specific to your needs.

Remember, maintaining good posture is a habit that requires conscious effort and practice. By incorporating these tips into your daily routine, you can promote better posture, reduce the risk of musculoskeletal issues, and enhance your overall well-being as a barber.

HAIR SPLINTERS:

To get rid of a hair splinter, you can try the following steps:

1. Clean the affected area: Wash your hands and the area around the splinter with soap and warm water to prevent any infection.

2. Sterilise tweezers or a needle: Disinfect a pair of tweezers or a needle by soaking it in rubbing alcohol or boiling it in water for a few minutes. This helps minimise the risk of any infection.

3. Locate the splinter: Use a magnifying glass with plenty of bright light if necessary to locate the hair splinter. It may be embedded in the skin or just beneath the surface.

4. Remove the splinter: Gently grasp the end of the hair splinter with the sterilised tweezers or needle. Pull it out in the same direction it entered the skin, being careful not to break it. If the splinter is deeply embedded or difficult to remove, it maybe best to seek medical assistance.

5. Clean and disinfect the area: After removing the splinter, clean the area again with soap and water. Apply an antiseptic ointment to prevent infection.

6. Cover the area: If necessary, cover the area with a sterile bandage or adhesive bandage to protect it from dirt and bacteria.

If the area becomes red, swollen, or shows signs of infection, or if you are unable to remove the splinter yourself, it's recommended to consult a healthcare professional for further assistance.

SHAVE EDUCATION:

Shaving Health & Safety

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOL WHEN SHAVING IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION BETWEEN CLIENTS AND FOR PROTECTION OF THE BARBER.

All tools and towels must be clean and sanitary before and during use.

Blades and towels must only be used on one customer and never shared.

Towels must be 60*+ hot washed between customers to kill all possible infections or cross contaminates.

Shaving Handles must be sterilised in a sanitising solution like Barbicide between customers for a minimum of 10 minutes.

Nitrile gloves protect the barber from possible infections and cross contamination with the customer and advised during shaving a client.

Any spilt blood must be treated and cleaned appropriately to prevent cross contamination.

All blades must be disposed of in a suitable container or sharps box. Sharps boxes must be disposed of in line with your local authority rules.

Shaving brush must be cleaned using boiling water then an anti bacterial soap and rinsed thoroughly.

A good consultation will ensure that you identify any adverse conditions i.e. suspected infections that would prevent you from carrying out a traditional shave.

A reclining chair with a adjustable head rest must be used to prevent customer discomfort.

Keeping the shavette handle and blade closed is good practise when moving around the client.

Hot Towel Preparation

Hot towels are required for skin preparation before a shave.

The heat and moisture within the towel warm the skin and facial hair, making the shaving area supple, smooth and more flexible to work with. It is commonly said that the heat opens the pores,

HOT TOWEL PREPARATION

Hot Towel Machine

1. Towels must be soaked in hot water and ringed out until no drips appear.

2. If desired apply essential oil.

3. Roll up and place in Hot towel machine until correct temperature is acquired.

4. Apply to face

Microwave

1. Towels must be soaked in hot water and ringed out until no drips appear.

2. If desired apply essential oil.

3. Roll up and place in clean microwave until correct temperature is acquired.

4. Apply to face

Hot Water Bowl or Basin

1. Towels must be soaked in hot water and ringed out until no drips appear.

2. Test temperature

2. Apply to face

Cold towels are often used to cool down the skin and create a gentle relief after the shave is complete, It is commonly said that the cooling of the skin closes the pores.

COLD TOWEL PREPARATION

Cold Water Bowl or Basin

1. Towels must be soaked in cold water and ringed out until no drips appear.

2. Apply to face

Applying The Towel

Hot towels condition the face prior to shaving. The main reasons for using hot towels are:

1. Dirt removal

2. Softens hair

3. Lubrication of the face by stimulating oil production glands

4. Relaxation of the muscles and skin

5. Client relaxation

Hot towels are usually prepared in a steam cupboard / towel warmer after soaking in hot water. Wring out the towel until nearly dry and roll up to retain heat.

Unroll the hot towel and wrap it around the clients face, leaving the nose visible to ensure the client can breathe.

Once heat is created on the shaving area, fold the towel in half and place over eyes and forehead to protect eyes from loose shaved hair and to continue to retain heat in the face.

Be prepared to discontinue this treatment if signs of infection or non suitability occurs

Have they had a traditional shave before? Were there any issues? Did they suffer any soreness?

Is your customer on any blood thinning medication?

Any nicks or cuts can become hard to treat if medication is used. Thin blood will not clot easily

Do they normally wet shave or electric shave?

Regular wet shavers are more used to the harshness of a blade on their skin. Have the ever experienced any issues when shaving?

Do they have any skin tags, scars, lumps or bumps?

Any critical influencing factors need to be avoided and extra care must be taken.

Do they wish to keep any facial hair?

Sideburns, moustache or small goatee style beard

VISUAL CHECKS INCLUDE:

Hair Growth Patterns

Broken skin Spots

Skin Tags

Loose skin

Wrinkles

Neck movement is enough to work with.

Brendon Rice

IN THE BARBER CHAIR ‘MALTA’

Hi Barber world

Im Brendon, I Initially started in barbering by achieving my ‘City and guilds’ Diploma at the Malta college of arts back in 2006. In the meantime I continued gaining more experience by taking more courses and staying updated with the latest trends and techniques.

I had the privilege to meet up and work in a barbering and hair designs course with Brian from Piranha hair studio a well respected Master barber here in Malta. Also meeting up with amazing educators from Great British Barber bash team like Tom Baxter, Ollie Foster and others inspired me to always keep craving success and exploring further knowledge. The styles and trends are constantly changing so staying updated is a must. Thanks to the power of social media nowadays its so much easier to ‘change-up’ your game and stay connected with the industry.

One of my plans is to motivate other barbers and upcoming barbers by educating through my experience.

I would like to sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart for the honour and opportunity to be featured with BMB. You made one of my dreams come true!!

IN THE BARBER CHAIR

Ryan Rushworth

I started my journey at the age of 25, where I started my diploma in hairdressing levels 2 and 3, and then Continuing on to completing my level 2 and 3 in barbering all over a 5-year period. When I completed all my quali went self-employed and rented a chair in salons and barber’s shops. I started to think about teaching, so I went to university and completed my level 5 CertEd.

I am now an IQA for Michael john Training School an award-winning training provider in the centre of Manchester and I am an examiner for VTCT for End Point Assessments.

I have now started the next chapter of my career by opening my own barbershop. And I am excited to see where this takes me. Having what I have achieved has not come without obstacles, having suffered from mental health in the past, I am also ADHD and have dyslexia, so these have been a continuous battle throughout my journey. However, on the flip side, it has made me more determined to achieve what I have and become mentally resistant. My greatest achievement is everything I have achieved, I am very humble of what I have, and I have worked hard to be where I am today.

Being a hair professional means I leave a positive effect on every client I encounter. I also have the opportunity to make my clients feel good about themselves—and that's no small thing, especially where men’s mental health comes in. With the ever-emerging new trends and techniques always coming in, I like to constantly challenge my creativity and learn new skills.

Mathew Speakman

I started Barbering in 2019 and worked in another shop for 4 months before being offered the opportunity to take over as the resident barber inside Shipwrecked Tattoo Company. The old barber left and took all the clients so I was really starting from scratch. After hundreds of hours of grafting to get anyone in my chair, lots of sitting around waiting for the hope of a walk in; I’ve finally built up the Barbering side of the business up from a single chair in the back to being the forefront of the shop. To the extent that we are now in the middle of a transition, rebranding and renaming of the business to Shipwrecked Tattoo and Barber company.

I’ve begun training up a new barber, Ben Mchugh; and we are really excited to show what Shipwrecked has in store for the future.

The shoP

Welcome to the official BMB shop. High quality products to keep you and your barbershop looking professional. All our items available on our website britishmasterbarbers.com with free UK delivery.

The Lapel Badge

Show the world you’re part of the greatest barbering network with these beautifull lapel badges. Constructed from Nickel with a strong pin clasp. £4.99 inc free UK delivery

The Polo BMB logo on left chest

Available in Black & White

Sizes: S, M, L, XL

BMB NeoCape

£19.99 inc free UK delivery

Featuring a special neoprene seal that prevents hair or water going down the neck. Made of a lightweight fabric it is extremely comfortable to wear. Black, White or Stripy White

One size fits all £29.99 inc free UK delivery

Available in Black only

BMB logo on left chest and large rear

Sizes: S, M, L, XL

£24.99 inc free UK delivery

The Bag

Black with White logo

Large and small

Available

Small £24.99 inc free UK delivery

Large £29.99 inc free UK delivery

The Beenie

Available now in Light Grey, Dark Grey and Black.

One size fits all.

£21.99 inc free UK delivery

The Snap Back

The official BMB Snap backs are now available in Black with white BMB logo on front, Black peak Black with white BMB logo on front, forest camo peak Black with white BMB logo on front, urban camo peak Adjustable sizing on rear £22.99 inc free UK delivery

The Work Station Mat

Border - 12mm Black Rubber Border

Size - 234mm x 434mm

Machine washable

£19.99 inc free UK delivery

The Apron

Black material with white BMB logo in centre chest

sizes available: one size fits all £24.99 inc free UK delivery

Available in Black & White

Sizes: S, M, L, XL

£16.99 inc free UK delivery

The T Shirt BMB logo on chest

The Hoodie

WHATS HAPPENING ON

@BRITISHMASTERBARBERS

Tag us for the chance of a repost