BarberEVO North America Issue 30 (April / May 2023)

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Unlimited reporting and analytics

Monitor how your business is doing with live dashboards and financial reporting

Ulta Beauty Pro Team Nick Stenson: @nickstenson, Anna Manukyan: @amanukyan, Sonya Dove: @thesonyadove, Sean Godard: @seangodard, Danielle Keasling: @danielle.keasling, David Lopez: @davidlopezzz, Michelle O’Connor: @michelleoconnorbeauty; Hair Assistants: Ulta Beauty Design Team Haley KimbleValadez: @haleyki, Beto Sanchez: @betoloveshair, Gilad Goldstein: @myguiltycrown, Reva Haga: @reva_danielle, Takeyra Shipps: @hair_bytakeyra, Laura Gunter: @lauragunterhair, Anthony Negron: @kinganthonyyyy; Hair Assistant: Viktoriya Yeremchuk @viktoriyayeremchuk; Makeup: Deney Adam, Ulta Beauty Pro Team: @deney_adam & Dmitry Potapov: @dmitrymakeup; Nails: Sarah Nguyen: @chrmdbysarah; Wardrobe: Bjorn Van Den Berg: @vandenbergbjorn & Jennifer Daniels: @beforetheflash; Photographer: Richard Monsieurs: @richardmonsieurs. America’s Beauty Show is a registered trademark of Cosmetologists Chicago.

Celebrating 100 Years!

Hair// Adriana Fournier, Ian Harrold, Paul Wilson.

Creative

Direction// David Raccuglia, Phoenix Thomson.

Models// Benno Bulang, Jester, Hyuk Kim, Aaron Lewins, Seb, Charlie Raphael.

Clothes Stylist // Mark Anthony

Bradbury.

Make-up

Ciara Maccarthy.

Production // AKAcreate.

Location // Castle Gibson.

Photography// David Raccuglia, Andrew Gilbert for AKAcreate.

JOIN THE CREW

CHOOSE THE PUCK

FOR YOU

Hair// Victor Lopez

Models// Thiago (Victor’s Son)

Products// JRL

Photography// JBH Studios (Victor’s Wife)

JRL.

VICTOR LOPEZ COLLECTION

DIRECTORS

Andrew Brewster// andrew@barberevo.com

David Foster// david@barberevo.com

DESIGN

Shana Young// design@barberevo.com

Greg Wickham// design@salon-evo.com

* * * * EDITOR

Jennifer Paxton// jennifer@salon-evo.com

* * * *

FEATURE WRITERS

Karen Carruth// karen@barberevo.com

Mairi Mulhern// mmulhern@barberevo.com

* * * *

SALES MANAGER

Mairi Cotter// mairi@barberevo.com

* * * *

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Jane Thomson// jane@salon-evo.com

* * * *

DIGITAL MARKETING AND EVENTS MANAGER

Laura Davidson// laura@barberevo.com

* * * *

OFFICE MANAGER

Elspeth Foster// elspeth@barberevo.com

* * * * COVER BaBylissPRO // BaByliss

Between our BarberEVO and SalonEVO titles, we have reached 100 editions! We are so thrilled with our journey to date… and super invigorated to bring you the next 100 editions! As you know, BarberEVO leads the way in providing you the latest and greatest in industry knowledge, education, business advice, inspirational content and more. Put simply, we are your platform for progress, development and success in barbering! That’s our cast-iron commitment to you, our fantastic readership. There’s plenty more in the tank… stay tuned for some very exciting developments in the coming months!

Over the past five years or so with BarberEVO North America, some incredible industry icons have graced our covers, from Sofie Pok and Julius Caesar on issue #1, Kenny Duncan, to Wahl Pro’s Future Makers and The American Crew All Star Team. We’ve had many of the

greats so far! We reckon this is definitely one of our very best BarberEVO editions to date. The content and design are all top notch, so start turning these pages and take a deep dive into the world of EVO.

Events update! We’re in great company when it comes to celebrating milestones as our friends at ABS celebrate their 100th anniversary show in April. You know us; we love to come to the States as often as we can, so you can expect to see us in-person at NAHA, Premiere Anaheim, ABS, CT Barber Expo, Barber Connect, with plenty more in the pipeline for the 2nd half of 2023. Keep an eye out for our BarberEVO Front Cover Photobooth – it’s your time to join our list of cover greats…

Thank you for your ongoing support, here’s to 100 more editions of EVO Magazines!

Influencer Collection

Nicole Renae, Van Da Goat, Andy Authentic

WELCOME TO THE 30TH ISSUE OF BARBEREVO NORTH AMERICA! IT’S TIME TO SADDLE-UP AND ENJOY THE NEXT 104 PAGES OF ACTION-PACKED CONTENT.

Are you ready to get influenced? Well, gracing the cover of this issue of BarberEVO are the faces of BaBylissPRO’s latest Influencer Collection, Nicole Renae, Andy Authentic, and Van Da Goat. Read on to find out what inspires and influences this group of influencers.

This issue also debuts our new column from Jim Valenzuela (AKA Mr V) the founder of the legendary V’s Barbershop franchise. Each issue, Mr V and the V’s team will be answering questions from you, our readers! If you have a burning q for Mr V, send ‘em our way!

Let’s talk about style, baby! Kicking off our styling feature, we speak to the one and only David Marulanda, the man behind some of the most iconic pro soccer player’s haircuts. Remember all the brightly colored hair at the 2022 World Cup? David is behind a lot of those

In this feature, we talk about everything from styling short hair, long hair, lived-in hair, braids, and how to stand out with style.

Next, we talk about how you can show your own personality and interests through your barbershop design. Whether it’s picking the perfect chair that keeps you and your clients comfortable, as Sofie Pok tells us about, creating a jaw-dropping multifunctional space, as CJ from The Barberville tells us about, or becoming the center of a community, as John Hancock Barbershop has become, we cover it all.

Finally, we touch on sustainability. With April being Earth Month, we wanted to share with you just some of the simple and effective ways you can make your barbershop more Earth friendly, lower your carbon footprint, and create a USP for yourself.

Let’s go!

JENNIFER PAXTON | EDITOR

KENNY DUNCAN Lead Andis Educator

IVAN ZOOT Barber & Author

TYRIK JACKSON

Founder, Premier Barber Institute

HAIRDUSTRY

Hosts, Corey Gray and Tony Stuart

SHORT CUTS.

WAHL BARBER ACADEMY TO OPEN TO TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF BARBER PROFESSIONALS

Wahl Clipper Corporation is pleased to announce plans are underway to open the Wahl Barber Academy. This first-of-its-kind, state-of-the-art barber school is scheduled to open in the Spring in Chicago, IL.

The Academy is in partnership with Pivot Point Academy which will operate the school and oversee curriculum. The Wahl Barber Academy will continue a legacy of industry firsts by being an elite barbering institution designed to train the next generation of barber professionals.

“Education has always been a cornerstone of Wahl’s philosophy. The opening of the Wahl Barber Academy furthers our commitment to providing the educational excellence needed to succeed in the barbering industry,” said Lance Wahl, senior vice president of professional sales & marketing at Wahl Clipper Corporation.

The Wahl Barber Academy will equip future barbers with the skills needed to perform at the industry’s highest levels. With its reputation for developing exceptional new hair and beauty professionals, Wahl found in Pivot Point Academy a partner that matches its commitment to excellence and a shared drive to improve the beauty and barber industry.

“The Wahl Barber Academy was designed to create well-rounded, exceptional barbers. The students will learn hair cutting, shaving, grooming and basic skin care, along with

ELLIOTT CHESTER & DON JUAN GIVE BACK

the business skills necessary to prepare them to succeed in the men’s grooming industry,” said Denise Provenzano, managing partner and coowner of Pivot Point Academy.

Wahl and Pivot Point Academy have assembled a team of leading licensed instructors who demonstrate technical skill and the ability to inspire and motivate students. Provenzano oversees faculty recruitment with Pivot Point Academy’s Master Barber & Lead Educator Ken Washburn and School Director Michelle Lamantia.

The award-winning team at Interworks Architecture is designing the modernindustrial 6,183-square-foot educational space located at 8501 W. Higgins in Chicago near O’Hare Airport, and easily accessed from the CTA blue line.

In addition to offering world-class education for future barbers, the academy will serve as an advanced training center, hosting educational opportunities for industry professionals and Wahl’s global team of educators. Classes will begin in Spring 2023 and guests will be able to schedule hair and grooming appointments with the next generation of leading barber students starting shortly thereafter.

A private grand opening celebration is slated for Friday, April 14, in advance of America’s Beauty Show.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR WINNER KE HUY QUAN SPORTS SUAVE LOOK FOR THE 95TH ACADEMY AWARDS THANKS TO ANDIS AND ANISSA SALAZAR

Using a premium selection of Andis company’s premium barbering tools, celebrity stylist Anissa Salazar crafts a timeless look for everything everywhere all at once star, Ke Huy Quan.

Always on a mission to give back to his community, Elliott Chester held a heartwarming charity event to give back to local kids in the foster care system.

The Las Vegas based barber, Director of Education for Don Juan Pomade, and owner of The Garrison and Elliott & Co, planned a day of mentoring and fun for a group of children from St Jude’s.

During the day, the children were each given a haircut that helped them express their own personal style, mentoring and encouragement from Elliott, and a meet and greet with some of Elliott’s VIP client’s, UFC fighters.

The children also got to walk away with unique Don Juan skateboards, as well a bag fill of goodies provided by Don Juan. Elliott said: “As barbers we play such an important role in helping to shape a young man’s self-image. A role that shouldn’t be taken lightly.”

HAIR BY:

Celebrity Stylist Anissa Salazar for Andis Company

TIPS/TECHNIQUE: To achieve this look I began with the Andis reSURGE Shaver for a smooth and clean shave. The titanium plates are flexible and set you up for a tight shave, where the head of the shaver can hug the contour of the face. This amazing feature is key in not missing any straggling hairs! Next, I began removing bulk quickly using my cordless reVITE Clipper, then trimming with

my shears. Afterward, I cleaned up the nape and around the ears using the beSPOKE Trimmer, using a point-cutting motion to take out any additional weight and then using the reSURGE Shaver on the neck and nape for a clean finish. These trimmers are great to get a precise, razor-sharp line.

Then, I prepped the scalp using Tecuane Esperanza Scalp Tonic. This tonic provides instant hydration and acts as a nongreasy primer. I complete the look by blow drying the hair 70% dry using the flat wrapping technique, and round brushing to over-direct in the opposite direction to achieve height and volume. Finally, I polish the look with lightweight and matte pomade! -

Anissa Salazar

ARE YOU READY FOR THE BARBER GRAMMYS?

ONE OF THE BARBERING INDUSTRY’S MOST COVETED COMPETITIONS WILL BE TAKING PLACE AT THE LEGENDARY CT BARBER EXPO THIS YEAR!

How Does It Work? Within the fourweek nomination period (Feb 20th – March 19th) barbers submitted videos to be reviewed and vetted for authenticity and accuracy.

Then there will be a four-week period in which voting takes place to determine the five finalists for each category. (March 20th – April

VISIT THE EVO TEAM AT CT

16th @ Midnight).

After that we will have two weeks to vote the winner of each category from the finalists. (April 17th – April 30th @ Midnight).

The winner will be announced at CT Expo’s fourth annual Barber Grammy event on May 20, 2023.

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT IT WOULD FEEL LIKE TO BE ON THE FRONT COVER OF BARBEREVO MAGAZINE?

Well, you can get a taste of the feeling at CT Barber Expo this year! Check out our BarberEVO Front Cover photobooth in

the Concourse (in partnership with Wahl Professional), and come say hi to the BarberEVO team at booth 505/507. Catch ya in Connecticut!

CHECKMATE

IN 2021, NIEVES ALMARAZ, WAHL PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR, BOOKSY AMBASSADOR, AND FOUNDER OF HOW TO FADE HAIR BARBER SCHOOL, GAINED THE BRAGGING RIGHTS TO SAY HE WAS THE FIRST BARBER TO WIN A NAHA AWARD, IN THE MEN’S HAIRSTYLIST CATEGORY. NOW, NIEVES IS BACK TO SHOW HIS WIN WASN’T A FLUKE, HAVING FINALIZED IN TWO CATEGORIES – NAHA’S RECENTLY ADDED BARBERING CATEGORY AND THE HAIRCUTTING CATEGORY.

A big congratulations to Nieves for his double nomination for NAHA this year! I asked him how he felt when he had finalized again, in not one, but two categories. The Wahl Professional Educator said: “Thinking back to the first time I became a finalist back in 2020, I felt so honored just that my work was chosen to finalize. Then when I won in 2021, I had learned a lot from the year before and felt a lot more prepared and confident going in. I remember the feeling of not wanting to get my hopes up or getting too excited. Now, going into this year, I am not even really thinking about the competition because I am so proud of my collection. I feel I have really stepped outside of the box and taken my creativity to the next level.”

I asked Nieves why he felt pulled to enter his collection in the Hair Cutting category as well as the barbering category. He said: “I believe that this industry is changing so much, and NAHA being at the pinnacle of the industry, it is where that change becomes most visible. Last year when they added the Barber of the Year category, that showed that the industry really is evolving, and the world of barbering and hairdressing are becoming more and more intertwined.

“I was looking at the Haircutting category from last year, and I felt like the category was dominated by hair stylists. I thought, if hairstylists can enter the barber category, why shouldn’t I enter the cutting category? Especially when fades and clipper cuts are becoming more and more prevalent in the salon world. So I thought it would be important to have it represented as a cutting technique.”

As a dual-licensed professional, Nieves is passionate about bridging the gap between the salon and barbering worlds. He said: “Because

I started with my cosmetology license, and then moved into the barbering sphere, all my work has always been influenced by both sides. I just don’t see that void or that line between the industries, especially not anymore. I hope that both stylists and barbers see my collection and equally feel inspired.”

The inspiration for this collection came to Nieves in a dream – literally! It was when he was on tour educating for Wahl Professional, that it came to him. He explained: “Checkerboard hair designs are something that I actually used to do a lot of back in the early 2000s. But I stopped doing them for a while, just in the way that trends pass. Then one day last year, I was traveling, teaching a class for Wahl, and I woke up from a dream in the middle of the night, grabbed a napkin, and drew this design. From then on, I had it in my head that I was going to turn this into a collection.

“After some time passed, my neighbor, who is a really talented photographer, came to me and said, let’s work on a shoot together. And he started sending me images of inspiration, and one of the models was wearing sunglasses with a checkerboard pattern. And this idea came flooding back to me. He loved the idea too, so we got started!”

Nieves really wanted to push the limits with his entry this year, not just in creativity with the hair, but with the image concept as well: "I really liked the idea of the model interacting with themselves, so it almost looks like identical twins in each picture. Not only do I think it makes the image more dynamic, but it also allowed us to show more than one perspective of the haircut. This added to the challenge a little bit because it meant that we needed to ensure that the cut looked perfect from every single angle.”

“FOR SOME, APPROACHING ALL THESE DIFFERENT HAIR TYPES, WITH A FAIRLY COMPLICATED DESIGN, MIGHT BE QUITE DAUNTING; BUT WITH MY WAHL PROFESSIONAL TOOLS, I WAS FULLY CONFIDENT CUTTING ANY STYLE AND ANY TEXTURE.”

Nieves’ collection includes several different models, with different hair types and textures. Nieves took a slight variation on each cut, specifically with the styling of the top of the hair. I asked him how he created these looks. He said: “It was important to me to work with different textures because I wanted the collection to represent diversity, and also show the different ways this cut could be adapted for different models. For some, approaching all these different hair types, with a fairly complicated design, might be quite daunting. But with my Wahl Professional tools, I was fully confident cutting any style and any texture. The tools that saw me through the cuts were my Cordless Legend®, my Cordless Detailer® Li for the precision lines, and then my Vanish® Shaver.”

Wahl Professional helped make Nieves’ collection possible in more ways than one. Aside from providing Nieves with the best tools to create his incredibly detailed masterpieces, Nieves explained that his position as a Wahl Professional Educator has helped him prepare for and enter competitions like this with more confidence. He said: “As a Wahl Professional Educator, I have had the opportunity to work on campaigns and photoshoots before, so I got to be exposed to photoshoot environments and how they work. The more you practice something, the more comfortable and confident you become when you do it. When I started cutting the first model, I had those butterflies in my stomach. But the more I got into the flow of things, thanks to my experience of cutting hair and educating on stage, my vision started coming to life.”

Nieves mentioned before that the idea for this collection came to him one night while on tour educating. I asked whether he believes his role as a Wahl Professional Educator helps keep him inspired and constantly

thinking about his next creation. He said: “Yeah, absolutely. I believe if you don’t continue to challenge yourself and put yourself out there, staying relevant in the industry, you will get to a point where things will get very quiet for you. Being a Wahl Professional Educator encourages me to constantly be learning, so that I can keep up with the latest trends and tools and help share that information. Working with professionals that are still early in their journey and hungry to learn, is so inspiring and motivating for me, and that’s what keeps me current and ahead of the curve.”

It’s clear that things are changing and evolving in this industry. I asked Nieves what kind of takeaway message he wants to give to barbers. He said: “As the two ends of the industry continue to merge, use this as a sign to challenge yourself. The barbering industry is elevating, and NAHA is giving us the opportunity to put our work next to the best stylists on the continent, so if you’re considering entering, do it! Whether you bring in models and hire a professional photographer, or you come up with something more DIY and creative in your shop, you will learn as you go!”

Nieves’ advice for stylists? “I hope this inspires more stylists to try their hand at clipper work, take some barbering classes, or even invest in becoming dual licensed. It’s a way you can become more valuable as a professional and be prepared for whatever trends hit the mainstream.”

“I BELIEVE IF YOU DON’T CONTINUE TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF AND PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE, STAYING RELEVANT IN THE INDUSTRY, YOU WILL GET TO A POINT WHERE THINGS WILL GET VERY QUIET FOR YOU. BEING A WAHL PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR ALLOWS ME TO CONSISTENTLY BE LEARNING SO THAT I CAN KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST TRENDS AND TOOLS AND HELP SHARE THAT INFORMATION.”

JAMIE DIGRAZIA

VICTOR HUGO

CECILIA JIMENEZ

CHARLES ROBINSON

ANDIS UNVEILS NEW CREATIVE COLLAB WITH THE POPULAR NOBODY

THE LAST TIME BARBEREVO TALKED TO ANDIS’ GLOBAL EDUCATOR

JOHN MOSLEY, HE HAD A SECRET HE WAS EXCITED TO SHARE. A LITTLE PERSUASION AND HE HINTED THAT THERE WAS A SPECIAL ANDIS COLLAB ON THE WAY. THE SECRET’S OUT… AND IT DOESN’T DISAPPOINT.

Andis® Company, a leading manufacturer of barbering and styling tools and education for professional barbers and hair stylists, has joined forces with award-winning barber and educator John Mosley, known professionally as ‘Popular Nobody’, to launch its most unique collection yet.

One of Andis’ leading Global Educators, John uses his influence to inspire creativity among professionals and this new collaboration, featuring three limited-edition tools, highlights his artistry and encourages others to create their way.

“Kicking off our Creative Collab Series with John and his Popular Nobody brand is incredibly exciting. Andis is always looking to inspire and encourage others to create their way, so when

we spoke with John about the idea of creating a custom clipper with a common vision to support a great cause, we were excited to bring it to life,” said Angie Vlasaty Peterson, Andis VP of Marketing. “We think people will really love what we’ve done with John and B. Clark Customs.”

To introduce John to those who are not familiar with him, he’s an incredible educator, an Andis Global Educator, and the 2022 NAHA Educator of the Year winner. He’s also a father, husband, son, and mentor. He’s like a lot of us – a person playing multiple roles in life, grinding it out day after day. And being chosen as the first artist to partner with Andis for its Creative Collab Series is an honor for this humble man.

THE COLLECTION

THE COLLECTION

Branded with the signature Popular Nobody “Atlas” Gorilla logo and a design based on a one-of-a-kind, hand-painted colorway by B. Clark Customs™, this special-edition release includes custom versions of the Master® Cordless Clipper, the Envy® Li Clipper, and the Slimline ® Pro Trimmer.

Each tool for this collaboration was chosen by John with professional creators in mind. It combines some of Andis’ best-selling tools with the imagination and style of the Popular Nobody brand wrapped using fresh, modern colors, and a surprise black light glow design. Tools in the collection include:

Master Cordless Clipper

Andis Company’s most popular professional clipper, The Master Cordless, offers high-speed power, constant speed technology, and an adjustable blade for unbeatable precision that make it perfect for skin-tight fades and tapers. With a 90-minute cordless runtime and a durable aluminum housing, the Master Cordless Clipper delivers premier-quality cuts with the aesthetic edge of Popular Nobody style.

Envy Li Clipper

With two hours of cordless runtime on a 90-minute charge, the super lightweight cordless Envy Li Clipper is designed with the craft in mind. The lightweight design is ideal for smaller hands and for comfortable all-day use. Decked in a unique Popular Nobody colorway, this clipper embodies creative freedom.

Slimline Pro Trimmer

A sleek, lightweight profile and extra-sharp carbonsteel T-blade mean this trimmer was built for ultraclose, precision detailing. The Slimline Pro Trimmer boasts an ergonomic design perfect for controlled outlining, designing and touchups on the neckline. Also showcasing the Popular Nobody graphics, this trimmer completes this incredible, artful set of tools.  John said: “With the Master Cordless I get the workhorse, the power and speed to do the heavy lifting, the blunt cuts. With the Envy, I have a tool that allows me to refine the style and achieve a softer finish as well as point cut.

"The Slimline Pro is a fantastic all-around trimmer and I love the way the longer body allows me to trim and keep my large hands a little further from the client’s face."

CLIPPERS WITH A CAUSE!

John is committed to giving back to his community and he has pledged $10,000 of the proceeds from this collaboration to ‘A Change is Coming’, a Texas-based 501c non-profit foundation that provides scholarships to Black and Brown youth. Andis will also be making a matching grant of $10,000 through its Andis Foundation to support the group’s work.

Of the donation, John said: “There comes a point in your career where you realize your success wouldn’t have been possible without someone else helping you. As an Andis Global Educator, I have seen how teaching others to be successful makes a difference. This creative collab with Andis is a great expression of artistry and giving back and A Change Is Coming is the perfect partner to benefit from this project.”

Available while supplies last, these limited-edition tools will be sold separately on the Popular Nobody website (thepopularnobody.com)

For more information, visit the Creative Collaboration page on the Andis website (andis.com/CreativeCollab).

“THIS CREATIVE COLLAB WITH ANDIS IS A GREAT EXPRESSION OF ARTISTRY AND GIVING BACK AND A CHANGE IS COMING IS THE PERFECT PARTNER TO BENEFIT FROM THIS PROJECT.”

REUZEL TEXTURE MATTE POWDER

$19.00 | VBARBER.SHOP

Want more volume than a rock

n’ roll concert? Matte Texture Powder is the key. Here’s a tip! After blow drying, sprinkle Matte Texture Powder onto your scalp and work through the tips of your hair for an instant lift. Trust us... you'll love it!

WHAT DOES THE 'V' STAND FOR?

In 1999, our founder and CEO, Jim Valenzuela opened the very first V’s Barbershop in Phoenix, Arizona. The “V” comes from his last name and is now on the front of every single shop.

FUN FACT: All of his college buddies called him “V”... so you could say the nickname stuck.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR CHAIRS ?

Five lucky barbers within the V’s Barbershop family recently won an all expenses paid trip to the Old School Barber Academy in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The winners sold the most Reuzel products throughout all of the V's Barbershop locations, from August through December of 2022.

This past February, three of those barbers, Laura Summers (Midtown Little Rock, AR), Rogelio Lopez (Campbell, CA) and Challes Lofton (Joplin, MO),

spent three days learning highlevel barbering techniques from industry leaders, spending time with the co-founders of Reuzel, Leen and Rob, and experiencing what many barbers would call a trip of a lifetime. This coming May, Logan Norris (Arcadia Phoeniz, AZ) and Michael LaTurner (Joplin, MO) will fly out to Rotterdam as well and partake in the same barber training program.

We can’t give away all the secrets... but we will say it has definitely been a labor of love! We've spent the past 25 years scouring want ads, shut down schools and shops. We've worked with a variety of restoration experts to curate what is most likely the world’s largest collection of authentic antique chairs.

V'S MIDTOWN

LITTLE ROCK , ARKANSAS

• Franchise Owner: Jeff McKay

• Open Since: April 2017

• 6 Authentic Restored Koken Chairs

• $30 Haircut

• $40 Straight Razor Shave

• Follow @vslittlerock

ANDIS POPULAR NOBODY COLLABORATION

A beautiful collaboration with the Popular Nobody, brings you the Andis Cordless Envy Li clipper and the Andis Cordless Master. Both with the exclusive Mosley colorways. The Cordless Master is the barber’s workhorse and the Envy refines the style to achieve a softer finish.

Envy $250.00, Master $450.00 // thepopularnobody.com

A CUT

WASHI KNOCKOUT MASTER SET

A masterfully crafted medium weight hair shear combo forged from Japanese V-10 steel. Features Washi’s Anti-Push Edges for smooth cutting action. Set includes a 5.5 or 6.0 inch cutting shear, a 30-tooth thinning shear, a Washi Texture Razor and a carrying case. $349.00 // washiscissors.com Save 15% with coupon EVO15.

LAYRITE DELUXE CEMENT CLAY

For a strong hold with great matte finish. High hold, water-based styling clay that delivers a clean matte finish that lasts all day. Washes out easily. Thickens and texturizes, and never flakes. Plus it’s reworkable.

1.5oz and 4.25oz $11.00/$22.00 // layrite.com

BABYLISSPRO UV FOIL SHAVER

With new UVdisinfecting lid, offset double-foil system with dual counter-cutting blades and 10,000 rpm high speed motor. The high capacity lithiumion battery has more than 5.5 hours runtime.

$149.99 // babylisspro.com

STYLECRAFT COSMIC HAIRDRYER

With a digital brushless motor, this ultra lightweight dryer has infrared technology to add shine and reduce frizz. LED control interface shows eight heat and speed settings. Has a nine-foot tangle-free cord. $299.95 // stylecraftus.com

WAHL

PROFESSIONAL 5 STAR VANISH

Ensures no hair is missed and creates a smooth, ultra-close bump-free finish without irritation with its independent suspension cutter bars and micro-thin gold foil which pop out easily for replacement or rotation.

$129.00 // wahlpro.com

AMERICAN CREW POMADE

An extremely versatile water-based formula that offers smooth control to any hairstyle. This product provides tremendous shine and a pliable hold, and is a modern, flexible alternative to styling gels. Use Pomade to create classic, slicked-back looks for all hair types, or create a casual look with curly hair. americancrew.com

SCURL FREE FLOW CHARCOAL MINT SHAMPOO

Sulfate-free detox cleanse removes excess oils, impurities and product build up. Conditioning formula revives and calms the scalp.

$8.99 // lusterproducts.com

FIRSTHAND HAIR OIL

Lightweight oil blend (jojoba, argan, shaacha inchi, elderberry) nourishes, shines & smoothes cuticles to combat frizz. Versatile enough to treat, protect, style or finish the perfect look. Made in USA.

$204.00 / 12-ct Case (1.7 oz.) // classicbarberproducts.com

JRL FORTE PRO DRYER

Powerful and fast with motor speeds of up to 95,000 RPM and power of 1,850W. Also features an Auto Cleaning Function and Washable Filter to enhance motor protection. The Forte has a built-in Advanced Ion Generator which helps to reduce drying time, frizz & static while providing hydration and is ultra-lightweight and compact.

$225.00 // jrlusa.com

MARK MACIVER SliderCuts

OFFICIAL FRESHA BRAND AMBASSADOR

BARBER OF 20+ YEARS, AUTHOR, SPEAKER AND EDUCATOR, MARK MACIVER (AKA @SLIDERCUTS) HAS JUST BEEN ANNOUNCED AS AN OFFICIAL FRESHA BRAND AMBASSADOR. ALREADY

A TRAILBLAZER IN THE INDUSTRY, MARK HAS UPGRADED TO FRESHA’S ALL-IN-ONE BUSINESS SOFTWARE TO ENHANCE HIS BUSINESS AND FIND EVEN GREATER SUCCESS IN THE INDUSTRY.

As someone who has built his own authentic brand and become a role model and leader in the barbering industry, Mark told us that he isn’t likely to partner or represent just any brand. He said: “I understand the influence that I have in the barber society and because of this, I want to be careful of the brands I work with, to ensure that they are genuine, authentic, and really do bring value to barbers lives and businesses. For me, Fresha’s software completely passed that test, it has incredibly high standards, and it is a brand that I am happy to put my name behind and to recommend to my community.”

Mark is a big believer in and speaks well about the importance of community, and Fresha’s goal is to empower community leaders, such as Mark. He said: “I believe this is one of the reasons I was chosen for this position, because Fresha recognized that not only am I a fairly influential barber, but I care about integrity, and I truly care about my community.”

For Mark, the barbershop should be a pillar of its community, and he works to ensure that his shop gives back and helps his local community thrive and grow. One of the ways he does this is through a mentorship runner scheme he runs with local youth. He explained: “We have a handful of boys who live within a few miles of the shop, who come in every Saturday, and we mentor them, pay them for their work, and offer them helpful life skills, like teaching them how to do stock counts and counting the till. Through giving these boys this responsibility and accountability, it gives them higher confidence, helps them think better for themselves, and apply these skills to many other aspects of life. If they are wanting to, we will also teach them to cut hair, but we will also help them with whatever other goals they have in life.”

Speaking to Mark, it is clear that this is not just a philanthropy scheme to look good, he truly does care about these young lads and their success. For example, he told us that one of the boys he mentors is currently going through his GCSEs, and was struggling in one subject in particular. So, Mark paid for a tutor to help support his mentee to get through this subject. He said: “Yeah, paying for the tutor for a few months might cost £700, but if that better grade can help his life forever, then of course it is worth it. That is just a small seed which can lead him to a better, successful life, and that is always the goal. I want to show him that you don’t give up on something just because it’s difficult.”

Mark believes that more barbershops should be engaging with their communities, giving back and offering support. He said: “To me, a barbershop is where everyone comes together. We are like the spiderweb of connection from everyone, whether you’re in the corporate world to the trades. I can't think of any other business that has everybody from all walks of life that come into that same business. In the barbering world, there's no class divide – in one day, you could cut the hair of a heavyweight champion of the world, a judge, a lawyer, an accountant, a tradesman, a troubled young kid... you name it. The barbershop is where these people can come together. So, why not use that common

platform you have, to bring people together and help lift each other up?”

We asked Mark if he had any rolemodels growing up who inspired him to become the man he is today. He said: “I didn’t have just one role model specifically, but I had quite a few people who inspired me along the way. I never had one person in front of me who resembled the exact type of person I wanted to become, but there were many people who inspired different elements along the way, different puzzle pieces of me to create the person I am today.”

So, what stood out to Mark about Fresha, and how does it differ from other platforms? He said: “I went to their office in London, and I liked the fact of how many engineers they had, and that their engineers and customer service is based in London. As it gave me that reassurance that if anything goes wrong, there is a team locally based, right there, ready to help you, rather than being outsourced to a call centre where you can wait hours to speak to someone. I just really liked the fact that it is local.”

We asked Mark about how he believes this partnership will lead to elevating the Fresha brand, and improving it for barbers. He said: “I met with

Fresha’s owner, and he expressed to me that my thoughts and input will be listened to and considered. He explained to me how much thought, consideration and testing goes into every feature and element of the Fresha platform, and how much they value the feedback from industry professionals.

“For me, a leading barbershop management platform like Fresha, should be all about making life easier and take work off barbers’ hands, to make their work life easier and more efficient.”

For Mark, the key to success and growth is about being open to new opportunities and being open to new things to spark your creativity. We asked Mark, how can Fresha help unlock some of your valuable time, and allow barbers to take advantage of new opportunities? He said: “Not only does Fresha allow you to better organise your time, and save you time in the process – which is key to allow you explore new ventures, opportunities and creative ideas – but it also offers so many business resources for free to its users that can be so inspiring and valuable when it comes to taking the next steps as a barber or business owner. Fresha is so much more than just a software.”

“A LEADING BARBERSHOP MANAGEMENT PLATFORM LIKE FRESHA SHOULD BE ALL ABOUT MAKING LIFE EASIER AND TAKE WORK OFF BARBERS’ HANDS TO MAKE THEIR WORK LIFE EASIER AND MORE EFFICIENT.”

NEW UV-DISINFECTING METAL FOIL SHAVERS

UV cycle kills 99% of bacteria* on the foils once the cap is placed on the unit.

Offset Double-Foil System

• Hypoallergenic Black Titanium Foils

• Dual Counter-Cutting Blades

NEW 10,000 RPM High-Speed Motor

NEW UV-Disinfecting Lid (Patent Pending)

• Kills 99.9% of Bacteria*

• UV Light Indicator

• Auto Shutoff

NEW Sleek Metal Housing with Ergonomic Grip

NEW Standard and USB-C Charging Ports

Storage Pouch Included

NEW High-Capacity Lithium-Ion Battery with Over 5.5-Hour Runtime ,

* Based on third-party test report for efficacy on E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa when used in accordance with DIRECTIONS FOR USE in the package.

Available as a Singleand Double-Foil Shaver

THE FUTURE OF THE FOIL

THESE DAYS, SANITATION IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF MOST BARBERS’ MINDS. WITH BABYLISSPRO’S LATEST INNOVATIVE TOOLS, THE UV FOIL SHAVERS, BOTH YOU AND YOUR CLIENTS CAN FEEL REASSURED THAT YOUR TOOLS ARE FREE FROM BACTERIA, WHILE ALSO BEING CONFIDENT WORKING WITH A POWERFUL AND HIGH-QUALITY TOOL.

NEW UV-Disinfecting Lid (Patent Pending)

• Kills 99.9% of Bacteria*

• UV Light Indicator

• Auto Shutoff

Hypoallergenic Black Titanium Foil

NEW 10,000 RPM High-Speed Motor

NEW High-Capacity Lithium-Ion Battery with Over 5.5-Hour Runtime

NEW Sleek Metal Housing with Ergonomic Grip

NEW Standard and USB-C Charging Ports

“WITH THE UV SHAVERS, IT MEANS WE CAN OFFER BARBERS THAT EXTRA MEASURE OF REASSURANCE THAT THEIR TOOLS ARE SANITARY, WITH THE INNOVATIVE UV SANITIZING LID.”

BaBylissPRO has just announced a brand-new set of shavers that aim to elevate the expectations of what a shaver can be and do. Not only do they feature state-of-the-art UV technology, which kills 99.9% of Bacteria, but the shavers are improved in several ways, such as a new 10,000 RPM High-Speed Motor, a new High Capacity Lithium-Ion Battery with over 5.5 Hour Runtime, sleek new metal housing, new ergonomic grip, and standard and USB-C Charging Ports. With a tool this innovative and high-tech, we wanted to go right to the source, and speak to Dennis Colpitts, Senior Director of BaByliss Barberology – Marketing, Education, & Product Development.

Dennis said: “For these Shavers, the UV Single-Foil and UV Double-Foil, we wanted to do something that had never been done before. We know there has been a hyper-focus on sanitation in the barbershop, especially after the pandemic.

“Shavers can be one of the biggest culprits for trapping the hair, skin particles, and bacteria, but they are often the tools which are used in the most sensitive regions, such as around the mouth and on the face.

“With the UV Shavers, it means we can offer barbers that extra measure of reassurance that their tools are sanitary, with the innovative UV sanitizing lid.”

I asked Dennis how BaBylissPRO came up with the idea for UV technology. He said: “At BaBylissPRO, we are so lucky to have a talented team of engineers and barbers who worked together to come up with this concept. One of our engineers came up with the idea of the UV disinfecting technology for barber tools, and as a team we worked together to come up with the best application for this technology. We landed on the shaver since it is one of the products where sanitation can be a concern, and it also worked well with the nature of the tool having a lid.”

Okay, so how does the UV light actually work? Dennis explained: “So, if you open the lid of the shaver and look inside you will see two little gold squares, those are the UV lights.

“In each square, there is one UVA light and one UVC light. These lights each create a different frequency, which together kills bacteria. Once you put the cap on the shaver, the blue UV logo turns on, letting you know the three-minute cycle that kills 99.9% of bacteria has begun.

“We had the UV bacteria killing cycle tested and approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), so our customers can be confident in the bacteria killing technology in these shavers.” But this is not the only way this tool is new and improved. Dennis explained: “We always keep our ears to the ground looking for ways to improve our tools. Inspired by industry feedback, the UV Foil Shavers feature an increased RPM to give them more power, increased battery life from a High-Capacity Lithium-Ion Battery, a more ergonomic shape with a thumb dimple, and we have also changed the charging port to match the rest of the FX chargers, and we have added a USB-C port so the tools are easier to travel with.” The UV Foil Shavers have had great feedback from the barbers who have tested them, Dennis said. One of the things that have really impressed barbers is the power of the Single-Foil Shaver. Both the Single and Double Foil Shavers have a new 10,000 RPM high-speed motor, so the single is a little powerhouse that’s as powerful as the double. Rum Barber said: “What kind of wizardry did they put into this shaver!?”

NEW UV-Disinfecting Lid (Patent Pending)

• Kills 99.9% of Bacteria*

• UV Light Indicator

• Auto Shutoff

Offset Double-Foil System

• Hypoallergenic Black Titanium Foils

• Dual Counter-Cutting Blades

NEW 10,000 RPM High-Speed Motor

NEW High-Capacity Lithium-Ion Battery with Over 5.5-Hour Runtime

NEW Sleek Metal Housing with Ergonomic Grip

NEW Standard and USB-C Charging Ports

“SO, THE UV FOIL SHAVERS FEATURE AN INCREASED RPM TO GIVE THEM MORE POWER, INCREASED BATTERY LIFE FROM A HIGH-CAPACITY LITHIUM-ION BATTERY.”

INFLUENCER COLLECTION

Introducing the Influencers

We all love to collect memorabilia that brings us closer to our heroes, from buying Jordans to your favorite player's jersey. Well, now with the second generation of the BaBylissPRO Influencer Collection, you can get your hands on tools designed and backed by some of the most influential barbers in the industry. Not only does this tool bring you closer to your heroes, but it helps you cut like a hero too. The Special Edition Influencer Clipper and Trimmer combo features an ultra-low-profile metal shield

cover, high-performance/ high-torque brushless motor, a lithium-ion battery, cord or cordless options, ergonomic grip housing, and dual voltage. The clipper features a black graphite fade blade, and the Trimmer features a black DLC Deep Tooth 2.0 mm T-Blade. The Clipper provides a cordless run time of up to two and a half hours, and the trimmer provides a run time of up to four hours. We spoke to the three influencers about their limited-edition tools and what it means to be part of the BaBylissPRO team.

BABYLISS4BARBERS HAS ANNOUNCED THE LATEST GROUP OF BARBERS WHO WILL BE THE FACES OF THE LIMITED EDITION INFLUENCER COLLECTION. MEET NICOLE RENAE, VAN DA GOAT, AND ANDY AUTHENTIC!

Award-winning barber Nicole Renae prides herself on her badass style. In her first year of being a licensed barber, she won over 14 trophies on the West Coast, and that’s what kicked off her career in this industry.

Now with over 11.3K Instagram followers and 130.5K fans on TikTok, she continues to reach new heights of popularity with her bold personal, and creative cutting techniques. Multiethnic and multitalented, she stands at the forefront of next-gen barbering.

We asked Nicole to tell us a little bit about what inspires and influences her style. She said: “I come from a small city on the south side of Tucson. Since I was younger, I knew I wanted to make the most out of the one life I was given. Since I was little, I’d dream about being “famous”. Now as an adult I work hard to be a “SOMEBODY,” to put my name out there, help guide and motivate people to be the best versions of themselves in whatever they put their mind too! Whether that’s being a better barber or even a better person.”

What does Nicole specialize in as a barber? She said: “Detail, sharpness, and creativity.”

Nicole has been working with BaBylissPRO for six and a half years now. She said: “What I love most about BaBylissPRO is the love and passion this company has for the industry. They put their barbers/ educators first and make sure they are

NICOLE RENAE

happy and getting what they deserve! They are open to constructive criticism from everyone (barbers) to make their product that much better and that’s why they are the best clipper company in the world.”

I asked Nicole how she felt when she found out she was going to have her own Influencer Clipper and Trimmer. She said: “I was shocked, I didn’t expect this to happen, at least not this year!! When you’re so busy working hard, things like this happen and it brings you back to reality to realize how amazing you’ve been doing and a reminder that all the hard work is WORTH IT!”

What inspired the look and colorway of Nicole’s Limited Edition Clippers? She said: “Baby blue has been one of my favorite colors since I was younger, it’s a tribute to myself telling the younger me ‘we did it!’”

What are Nicole’s favorite elements of the BaByliss Lo-Pro FX combo? “The weight of the clipper is VERY light; the grip of the clipper is comfortable in the hand it’s my favorite tool hands down. It can get any job done that you need. They are very reliable.”

One piece of advice from Nicole? “BE YOUR BIGGEST FAN! The moment you love, support, and guide yourself to your fullest potential is the day your life will change forever. No one can wake you up every day to get you to where you need to be but YOU!”

“WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT BABYLISSPRO IS THE LOVE AND PASSION THIS COMPANY HAS FOR THE INDUSTRY. THEY PUT THEIR BARBERS/EDUCATORS FIRST AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE HAPPY AND GETTING WHAT THEY DESERVE!”

VAN DA GOAT

PHILADELPHIA, PA @VANDAGOAT

Proud Philly native, Van Campbell goes by @VanDaGOAT on Instagram, and with good reason. His GOAT mentality shows in his dedication to his craft and his determination to take barbering to new heights of creative expression. Now with over 25 years of barbering under his belt, 54.5K Instagram followers, and a growing reputation for trailblazing precision artistry, Van Campbell has established himself as a powerhouse member of the Barberology team.

So, what inspires and influences Van? He said: “I’m inspired by art, I had a scholarship to go to art school when I graduated from high school, but I went to barber school instead, I've been cutting hair since I was 10 years old when my mom bought me my first pair of clippers!

“My style was influenced by the city of Philadelphia where I’m from, coming up in the ’80s and early ‘90s my city had some of the sharpest barbers around, way before social media.”

What’s Van’s style? “Well, I’d say being original and classic. What I mean about classic is, being true to the art of barbering in a sense of clean fades, shaves, and professionalism. The name Van Da Goat came from 1993 when I was in barber school and some of the other students used to call me GOAT because of my fades, so I would write in my barber school textbook Van Da Goat all the time and it stuck with me ever since!”

Van has been with BaBylissPRO for seven years now. He said: “I got signed with the company in 2015, Jay Majors actually told the company about me! (Shout out to Jay Majors for that plug)

it has changed my life ever since.

“I love being a part of BabylissPRO and the Babyliss4Barbers team because it’s like a family over here, it’s no HATE. We all have different cutting styles, but we all support each other and push one another to be great, our clippers and other barbering tools are second to none, and this company is all about innovation! I have been cutting for over 35 years and have NEVER seen anything like the products and tools BabylissPRO has come out with before, when I think they have reached the ceiling, they make another innovative barbering tool!”

How did Van feel when he found out he was going to be part of the influencer team? He said: “When I found out I was selected to be one of the next influencers to have their own signature clippers, I was floored. I actually cried, to be honest. My mom gave me my first pair of clippers when I was 10 years old because she couldn’t afford to get my hair cut as often as I wanted to, and to see where cutting hair has taken me after all these years – around the world and back, I say it was WRITTEN! I wish my mom was here now to see my face on the box of my very own clippers. She passed away in 2006 from breast cancer. This all wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for her.”

A takeaway piece of advice from Van? “Study your craft, work on your weak points, and network with others that have the same passion for this industry as you. Being around other barbers and stylists gives you a type of hunger you might not get being by yourself. Inspiration is KEY."

“MY MOM GAVE ME MY FIRST PAIR OF CLIPPERS WHEN I WAS 10 YEARS OLD BECAUSE SHE COULDN’T AFFORD TO GET MY HAIR CUT AS OFTEN AS I WANTED TO, AND TO SEE WHERE CUTTING HAIR HAS TAKEN ME AFTER ALL THESE YEARS –AROUND THE WORLD AND BACK, I SAY IT WAS WRITTEN!”

ANDY AUTHENTIC

Proud of his Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage, with an avid interest in art and a deep love of is a social media titan with 188K Instagram followers. A renowned barber/artist with a gift for ingenious precision cuts, he showcases versatile stylings with a

He says he overcame a lot to get to where he is and continues to cultivate his craft with the energy and dynamism of the hip-hop music that Barberology educator, motorcycle aficionado, and old-school muscle car enthusiast, Andy Authentic has earned respect and admiration for a unique combination of street cred and creative expression that points to

Andy said: “I’ve always been an artist. Growing up, I would draw all the time. It was my first passion. I just have a knack for making things look better, redesigning, remixing, or

“My style is basically that; I see a canvas and my mind just takes me to this place where I absolutely have to improve or create. And I just so happened to choose to do it

“Today, I am what I used to be scared to be as a kid: myself… I used to suppress my unorthodox personality and energy so I wouldn’t stand out so much, I just wanted to fit in. It wasn’t until after my school years that I truly embraced the real me, and it feels amazing that the barber industry celebrates who I am and what I do. I’m free.”

As a barber, Andy’s true goal is to create a style that is uniquely tailored to each individual. He said: “But along the way, I’ve picked up some signature techniques that make my style stand out. Certain details, angles, and passion to my work that’s helped me become an artist of high demand.”

Andy has been a BaBylissPRO barber now for six years. “What has always attracted me to the company is the fact that they listen to the Barber. They are creating and perfecting their tools based on actual Barber feedback, our culture, our needs, and they respect what we have to say.”

When Andy found out he was going to have his Influencer Clipper and Trimmer, he said: “LIFE GOAL REACHED! But seriously, this has been a goal of mine ever since I learned that the hair industry existed. See before 2012 (When I began using Instagram) I would just cut hair. I had no idea there was an entire hair industry out there. Hair shows, education, barber battles, etc. Once I learned there was a world beyond the chair, I aspired to be at the top with the greats. I feel like this signature clipper is a celebration for all the sacrifice and hard work I’ve put in along the way.”

What inspired the colorway of Andy’s tools? He said: “As an artist, my pallet is constantly changing, at the moment this combo stands out to me, it’s bold and clean. I’m sure I’ll change my mind another day, as all artists do. But today, I’m digging this combo.”

“ONCE I LEARNED THERE WAS A WORLD BEYOND THE CHAIR, I ASPIRED TO BE AT THE TOP WITH THE GREATS. I FEEL LIKE THIS SIGNATURE CLIPPER IS A CELEBRATION FOR ALL THE SACRIFICE AND HARD WORK I’VE PUT IN ALONG THE WAY.”

DISTRIBUTE GROW EDUCATE

WITH CLASSIC BARBER PRODUCTS

IS FOCUSED ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF AUTHENTIC BARBER BRANDS WITH A PASSION FOR HELPING BARBERS THROUGH EDUCATION, TECHNOLOGY, AND PERFECTING THE SERVICE AND RETAIL EXPERIENCE. WE SPEAK TO CEO BRIAN MURAKAMI TO FIND OUT MORE.

CLASSIC BARBER PRODUCTS (CBP)

Brian stumbled into the men’s grooming industry in 2011. He was transitioning from an executive sales role into a totally different industry, courted by a childhood friend who started a ‘cult’ pomade company. Although reluctant to go from selling high-ticket items to ‘hair gel’, he quickly fell in love with the culture, hustle, and colorful personalities of the entrepreneurs and barbers. He had an immediate connection with the industry, relating to the people with the street-smarts who were evolving their skills and building businesses from the ground up.

Brian talks us through the inspiration to start CBP and the ethos behind the brand. He said: “What I learned through my journey with servicing the men's grooming industry was that the industry had a foundation of creativity.

“A lot of the barbers were beginning to create their own brands because they knew product performance, understood the creative side of building a brand, ie, packaging, the misuse of different products in barbershops, which was not standard at that time, to use any product for that matter.

“All of that was happening and they did not have the conduit to get their brands beyond that creative stage, so packaging, working with labs for fill, understanding how to build the business and model, distribution, inside sales, and all of those business processes were not readily available through resources to barbers. I thought there was a huge opportunity to provide that service to smaller brands that had great products and packaging but weren't able to get their products out there in the market.”

Don’t mistake CBP as just another distributor, they are so much more. Think business consultants for barbershops and the brands they represent.

Brian continued: “We always want to have relationships built in a consultative sales environment; we exude that as a business.

From the shops that we work with, all the way through distribution tiers, and the brands that we partner with, understand that is the model of business that we have. We’re not built for every brand and every type of distribution. We’re built to work with businesses that want to engage the retail aspect of their business and understand how to use it to increase and generate good sustainable revenue.

“Today’s men’s grooming distribution landscape is typically either an online catalog or passive type distributor with a ton of SKUs and a wide variety of services, or you have a level of distribution that is hands-on which visits shops, like a local supply business, regional rep group or supply group in a geographical territory.

“Ours is quite different. We’re a national distribution company, unique because the vast majority of the brands that we work with, we have exclusive national distribution rights, and because the brands are a certain size, we’re able to work more like the brand themselves in the doors that we approach.

“Classic fosters an intimate relationship with the brand and the shops… we are a conduit to that. We do it by making phone calls and follow-ups, by talking to shops not just about placing an order, but also about selling through inventory, how to incentivize their staff through the many experiences we’ve had with thousands of shops, both rental and commission, all the way through merchandising and promotional support to help them sell through properly as well as providing the education behind the brands. These things make Classic different.

“We’re the wizard behind the curtain… our brands are what is driving the business. We’re pioneering a very unselfish approach to success in the industry. If we don’t have the right brand partner, then we can’t do the right business and grow. Having the right brand partner is everything." 

“WE WILL PROVIDE EACH OF OUR BRANDS WITH SUPPORT IN THE FORM OF PRODUCT SAMPLING, PROSPECTING, EDUCATION, PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE, AND RETAILING DIRECTLY FROM OUR WAREHOUSE TO THE SHOP’S FRONT DOOR.”

EDUCATION

Providing education on the brands that he supplies is high on Brian’s agenda. He explains: “We focus on education. Not just relying on our branded partners, but we, ourselves, focus. We invest a lot of our marketing dollars on national trade shows. At all of those shows, we have a large education presence. Whether we have an entire stage to support the partners that we work with, or we engage in sponsorships through breakout education with people that we bring in from our brands. That’s very different.

“We try to create an ecosystem of the brands that we work with because many of our shops work with several different lines within our brands and we want to provide education that supports that and doesn’t exclude any particular brand. That’s a very different approach. And so, to do that we have some of our Classic Educators that can come in and educate on not just the brands they work with, but the things that are also important, like understanding how to cut and style, but how to prescribe products and how to sell through them at the shop.”

With such a strong brand ethos, what brands has Classic partnered with and why?

Brian gives it to us straight. “We are in the blessed position to work with who we want to work with. That’s the answer. Our brand partners include Slick Gorilla, Suavecito, Firsthand, STMNT, 3rd Gen Barber Collection, Uplift, Victory Crown, Xotics, Gamma+, and Modern Pirate.

“I laid a foundation when I started Classic that I want to work with brands that have good culture from leadership down. We choose to work with brands that want to truly get behind the barber industry, not just slang products.

“We have vendor-branded partners that are relationship driven and want to build a sustainable stream of revenue from retail. Our partners get behind their product with education, protect brand value, maintain the right price, have the quality and the right ‘pop’, and follow a solid retail philosophy within the barber industry, for which we haven’t even hit the peak of that learning curve. That’s what we strive to provide!”

THE RIGHT BRAND PARTNER IS EVERYTHING.”

CT BARBER EXPO 2023!

Looking ahead to CT and the excitement is building. Brian said: “We’re so excited to unveil our unique partnership solution with our brands at the CT Barber Expo this Spring. This collaboration is going to be big and exciting!

“We’ve shifted gears away from the retail dollars at the trade shows because that’s not the platform to focus on cash sales. Trade shows are a place for our brands to shine with great exposure and captivating education.

“We’re creating an environment where our Classic staff, led by my wife, Marie Murakami (Classic Barber Products COO) will properly represent our brands. We will provide each of our brands with support in the form of product sampling, prospecting, education, product knowledge, and retailing directly from our warehouse to the shop’s front door.

“On the actual show floor, you’ll see an entire section of our ecosystem complete with an education arena and a stage, which will feature two full days of education. We will feature cool collaborations among our brands’ best educators. It’s going to be a better environment for barbers to do business with our partners at the event. We’re so excited about this new format, and all of the excitement it will generate. More details will be released closer to the show. Watch this space!” •

“HAVING

WE’RE SEEING MORE AND MORE ADVENTUROUS CUTS AND COLORS AS THE LINES BETWEEN HAIRDRESSING AND BARBERING BEGIN TO BLUR. WE BROUGHT SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN STYLING TOGETHER TO GIVE YOU THE LOWDOWN ON BECOMING THE BEST.

NEW YORK BARBER DAVID MARULANDA

CO-OWNS AUTHENTIC HAIR STUDIO AND STYLES SPORTS STARS ALL OVER THE WORLD, FROM NBA AND USMNT SOCCER TO FIFA WORLD CUPS. ALSO A COCCO HAIR PRO AND ELEGANCE AMBASSADOR, HE SHARES HIS STYLING SECRETS – AND HOW YOU CAN GET YOUR WORK NOTICED BY GLOBAL SPORTS STARS.

After two decades in the industry, David is now the official barber of the USA Men’s National Soccer Team and cuts hair for players on the New York Knicks, Yankees, Rangers and New York City Football Club. He told us: “When NYCFC was established, they brought in players from across the world, like David Villa who used to play in Barcelona. Also Patrick Vieira as well as Frank Lampard, just to name a few big names. I got to meet them and cut their hair, which really solidified me in that role.”

David also travels internationally, teaching hair techniques and styling for industry titan brands like Elegance and Cocco Hair Pro. In fact, he told us that he’s been to more than 30 countries to cut hair, speak at seminars, and conduct classes. “I started educating for Elegance after they found me at Barber Con a few years ago. They have the biggest booth at this year’s event, where I’ll be doing some shows with them.”

Yes, making a hair style last means creating a top-class cut and using the right products to set

everything in place. But making a lasting style also means considering the external elements around and preparing for the effects they could have on the hair, from rain and wind to heat. When it comes to working for sports stars, you can add sweat and intense movement to that mix.

How does David enhance the way he uses products to make sure that every style holds its shape and withstands the elements as his sporting clients run, jump, and tackle for hours on end. He revealed: “A problem that I encountered in my very early years in styling soccer players was that the type of hairstyles that required certain creams tend to melt when they sweat, which was a problem because it was dripping into their eyes. As a stylist, you always need to keep that in mind when you’re suggesting hairstyles for athletes. You want to give them a good hairstyle, but you also want it to perform, because if it doesn’t perform well, your work won’t make it onto the screens or the social media feeds, and you can compromise your client’s abilities.”

But every client is different and the way they play their game is different too. Sometimes the considerations you need to make aren’t about the product, but about the texture of the hair itself. For example: “One of my most iconic looks was for soccer player Weston McKennie. I didn’t have to consider products here because he has afro hair, which holds its own pretty well. So, what I did was give him some color. We opted for national colors of red, white, and blue – and the fans loved it. A lot of people hated it too, but at least they were talking about it. That meant that my work was being shared on global platforms, becoming so visible and hey, it may have been controversial, but it did its job! I mean, the FIFA World Cup Instagram page was talking about it,” he laughed.

We wondered, is part of the reason why bright colors have become so popular with soccer players because they can make a statement that can be seen from the crowd or on the TV without actually having to put much product in the hair on game day? David agreed and said: “The low maintenance is appealing, and a lot of these colors aren’t permanent. So, if you have a good bleach base with effective de-coloration, then the players can change colors and go from pink to blue to green and so forth! Which not only helps them stand out but lets you as the barber/stylist get more creative.”

David continued: “And then when the hair grows and you maybe start doing skin fades, you can do color transitions with contrast from the dark hair to lighter hair. If you want to make yourself indispensable, you should learn how to do color and barbering. The modern barber takes the coloring talent from the salon and merges it with the technical skill of barbering to create styles that the biggest names will pay the biggest bucks for.”

It’s time to get practical. We wanted to know what tools and products David uses to achieve these looks and create buzz around his work as a result. He told us: “You are dealing with a lot of clienteles as a barber so need to be efficient. You need a tool that is modified to the best settings, like the COCCO PRO BLDC TRIMMER with Digital Gap Blades. It doesn’t scratch in sensitive areas under the chin, and behind the neck and ears. You want something that’s sharp to the point that even if you haven’t used the blade, it looks like you have. You need integrity in your work too. I love that Cocco tools can do the necessary work in one stroke that other tools will do in 10. Why would I use the most well-known brands when something new can do so much better?”

What drew him to Cocco Hair Pro? “I stick to Cocco Hair Pro when it comes to tools like clippers and trimmers. David Kim, Founder and CEO, spent

a lot of time in a lab coming up with the blades that I believe have changed the industry. I only heard about them because they reached out to me while I was at the World Cup and sent me a package to Qatar. Once I tried the tools – especially the trimmer – I just knew that, yep, this is the one. I want to work with these guys.”

We tied up our chat by having a look at upcoming hair trends. What will we be seeing on the playing fields in 2023? David predicted: “In America, there’s a lot of mullets and longer hair. Wolf cuts as well. Obviously, a good oldfashioned fade is still popular because they’re the foundations of barbering. But if you look at things that have broken the scene in current times, I’d say we’re looking at longer styles – like the ones you see in Anime shows.”

Here's a final piece of advice for budding sports barbers from the guy who has been there, done that, and got every strip to prove it. “If you want brands to notice you, you have to go to hair shows and start competing. Print some business cards and grow your social following – nowadays, teams are looking solely online. Go out there, shake some hands and if your goal is to be known in the industry, you need to show your face. Be social! On media and in-person. The busy barber is not always the most talented barber, but he is the guy who’s at shows and shaking hands with the right people. So, find your lane and your skills and refine them. You don’t have to imitate anyone else. Stay true to you, work hard, talk to people and you’ll start to succeed.” •

Find David as @authentic_barbers on Instagram

”I LOVE THAT COCCO TOOLS CAN DO THE NECESSARY WORK IN ONE STROKE THAT OTHER TOOLS WILL DO IN 10.”

“I STARTED EDUCATING FOR ELEGANCE AFTER THEY FOUND ME AT BARBERCON A FEW YEARS AGO. THEY HAVE THE BIGGEST BOOTH AT THIS YEAR’S EVENT, WHERE I’LL BE DOING SOME SHOWS WITH THEM.”

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JOVAN FIGUEROA

SINCE THE PANDEMIC, MANY MEN HAVE BEGUN TO STRAY AWAY FROM THE VERY POLISHED, OVERLY STYLED HAIR, AND EMBRACED A MORE LOW-MAINTENANCE, LIVED-IN LOOK. BUT LOOKING LOW MAINTENANCE ISN’T ALWAYS AS EASY AS IT LOOKS. STMNT CO-CREATOR JULIUS CAESAR AND STMNT AMBASSADORS JOVAN FIGUEROA AND ZACH IGNACIO EXPLAIN HOW TO CREATE THESE STYLES.

The words “Lived-In” are thrown around a lot when describing what is current and cool in men’s styles right now. But what does it actually mean?

In Julius’ words: “Lived-In Hairstyles are very cohesive looks that are natural to how it lays, and with focus on low-maintenance upkeep as it grows out. These styles usually have a softer finish with little to no hard lines/edges. They also compliment an individual’s natural hair texture, allowing for easy styling.”

Jovan added: “There are variations to this look. Some clients like to maintain their length throughout, and others like to keep the length on top with a taper fade. The second option leads to a longer, easily styled length on top with a clean and manageable fade on the sides.

“Despite all the many variations, the common characteristics are that the cut is (1) easy to style, has flexibility and movement, and (2) has longevity in that it will still look well-groomed and intentionally "messy" between appointments.”

“I PERSONALLY LIKE HEATING UP A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF STMNT SHINE PASTE INTO MY HANDS AND FINGERS, FOLLOWED BY SCRUNCHING INTO THE HAIR FROM ROOT TO ENDS FOR A FULLER YET WEIGHTLESS ‘JUST WOKE UP AND ROLLED OUT OF BED WITH PERFECT HAIR’ FINISH.”

JULIUS

In fact, Zach said, a main quality of a ‘LivedIn’ look is having the capability to style it in more ways than one. He said: “A lived-in look is generally a soft layered hairstyle that is mainly applied with lighter hold products. When lighter hold products are applied, it is able to enhance the individual’s natural hair texture and give the overall hairstyle an effortless finish.”

I asked the barbers what they believe has influenced these styles into the mainstream. Julius said: “Hair follows fashion, which follows suit to the overall climate of current society. As the world went through the Pandemic and we were all

ZACH IGNACIO JULIUS CAESAR

forced to slow down, so did the overall movement of everything around us. The polished prepped, and put-together image of ourselves was traded in for cozy, comfy, and chill as we were confined to our personal spaces. A trend in every variation of the sweatpant + vintage T-shirt combo became everyday wear. Hair soon went in the same direction, where many grew fond of their natural texture and thus the ‘Lived-In’ era was re-born.”

Jovan added: “Trends are cyclical and allencompassing within niches. And if you take a look at fashion trends right now, there's evidently a strong influence of the ‘90s era. We are definitely seeing this ‘90s influence in the hair industry with a modern take on these longer hairstyles – reminiscent of Leonardo DiCaprio's look on the Titanic, Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom.”

Working from home during the Pandemic was definitely an influencing factor pushing these trends along. Zach said: “The pandemic gave many people the opportunity to see their hair transform from short to long and get a different perspective on how they could potentially style their hair without the bald taper or fade on the sides they’d regularly get when it came time for a haircut.”

What are the essential products for creating a ‘Lived-In’ look?

Julius said: “The best tool you can use besides a few good hair styling products is actually your hands!”

His top styling products, after a good clean with STMNT Shampoo + Conditioner, are: “STMNT Grooming Spray for a very soft gritty finish will prep the hair for coming days in which the hair will build natural oils and coils to truly give that “Lived-In” perfect for continuous styling with the ease of our hands. For some root-lift/volume, a hint of STMNT Spray Powder placed on desired areas will accentuate purposeful shape and height. I personally like heating up a very small amount of STMNT Shine Paste into my hands and fingers, followed by scrunching into the hair from root to ends for a fuller yet weightless ‘just woke up and rolled out of bed with perfect hair’ finish.”

For Jovan, his go-to's are STMNT's Grooming Spray, Wax Powder, Matte or Shine Paste, and Hair Spray. He explained: “The STMNT Wax Powder gives stiffness at the root but also provides movement and flexibility to the hair.”

And Zach uses: “The STMNT Grooming Spray, Dry Clay, Wax Powder, and Spray Powder.”

HAIR TRENDS, LIKE FASHION, ARE CYCLICAL. WHEN YOU LOOK AT NEW TRENDS THERE ARE ALWAYS ELEMENTS FROM THE PAST THAT ARE MADE RELEVANT TO THE MASSES OF TODAY. LONGER HAIR IS BACK, AND PATRICK BUTLER OF FLOYD’S 99 TALKS US THROUGH THE STYLING CHALLENGES THAT BARBERS FACE.

Patrick has found something of a silver lining to the pandemic, he said: “Covid had a massive impact on the hair world because men started to allow themselves to grow their hair out, and when they did, they realized it was okay.

“They started to experiment. This means there are so many more options for barbers to offer their clients. They can say, hey we can take this length any way. We can evolve this and there are products to support it.”

Barbers, through their schooling and working side by side with mentors, have always been about shorter lengths. It’s always been about clipper

He continued: “They've had to learn how to style hair. If you look at some of the current trends right now, I think it's pretty amazing because what you're seeing are these cool combinations of a mid-taper fade that transitions immediately into length on top. It's like this amazing blend of traditional barbering with clipper work. And then it's this transition into length. It’s great because it has pushed barbers to step up their game a little and learn how to evolve.”

Floyd’s 99 has locations all over the country, and to help its barbers retain that hunger for education and a thirst for styling knowledge, the brand started producing collections with collaborators.

“We collaborated with two of our brand partners, Paul Mitchell first, and then Reuzel. We’re going to continue that into the new year and move forward. This year, we're going to create one on our own. And it's our way to do a couple of things. First push outwardly with what we feel is very current and relevant and a new trend. But also, provide education for our team in the process. As an example, we will do a photo and video shoot where we will shoot still photographs that show the process step-by-step.

“But we've taken a step further, we're taking that collection this year and producing a hands-on class for our team. It will take two forms. A haircutting hands-on, step-by-step, and also a color application step. The collection this year will focus on cutting and color. We'll see an integration of grey blending techniques as well as strong vivid colors because we know fashion colors are still very strong.”

How important is it for barbers to start learning color techniques?

“It’s so important, simply because one thing you can never escape is in aging clientele. And you should understand the impact that grey blending has to help them with their look. You can literally drop years off someone's look with a simple blending technique.

“And the good news for barbers is you don't have to go through a tremendous amount of advanced education to understand grey blending, it is far simpler for them to jump into than one would think.

“And then on the other side of that color equation, you've got so much more opportunity with fashion color now. And when I talk about fashion color, I'm saying that so many men are now open to different types of color, instead of just a grey blending. They are asking for us to be more aggressive with their style and color and it's accepted in the mainstream. And now more than ever, it's providing barbers with a new revenue stream that they may not have had before.”

Current collections that barbers are producing using color can be an overwhelming goal to aim toward. Patrick said: “Those looks are important for inspiration, but it can leave barbers thinking where do I begin? I think it can be a simple evolution from starting with grey blending and understanding some of the basic blending techniques, and then advancing yourself into some of the fashion colors. Just take it step-by-step.

“Sometimes as barbers we pattern our clientele, meaning we will rise to the expectation that they've asked for, and think that's the cap with them. Sometimes we get shy about encouraging a next step for the client. We always try to encourage our barbers, once they’ve got that client into a great place, and they've got trust in them to open up the creative door and maybe take a step further with that client than you ever thought before.”

Looking towards the 2023 Floyd’s 99 collection, and Patrick thinks that the trend that will influence it will be a mid-taper fade that immediately transitions into more length on top, which has been shining through lately.

“It’s interesting because it gives barbers the chance to be in a playground that is a blend of both worlds. One where they are comfortable dealing with the bottom half of the head, where it’s clean and short, and then that transition into the variation of length on top. I see the crop and Caesar cuts coming into play where there’s length up front. And as we head into summer, I’m seeing what people are calling a flow, where there’s a lot of length coming back. I’m seeing two versions of it. A full-on commitment to the length, or there’s those little elements of barbering where it’s faded up just under the temples or on the neckline but there’s this flow going on over the top. It’s like there are

these little intricate evolutions of the clipper work being just laced into this length. Which is kind of cool.”

Styling the hair into the looks mentioned, we ask Patrick what styling products he views as his go-tos.

“Men are opening themselves up to a new styling category. They are used to pomades, gels, and creams but they are now discovering powder. The Floyd’s 99 Texture Powder allows them to be able to control the length and have it look natural and still have volume.

“Reuzel Fiber Cream, I love the consistency in that product. It truly is a fibrous type of application. You can feel it. I also like Paul Mitchell’s MVRCK Dry Paste. That’s a really strong product too.”

Going back to taking the steps to encourage your client to be a little more adventurous, Patrick has some advice:“The great thing about men's hair is that a change can occur literally within a cut to a cut. Encouraging maybe a quarter inch longer here or there, it's actually not so hard. They grow accustomed to a little bit more length at a time. And they see that they're able to still follow through, have a great routine, and it didn't add any more time to their style regimen. And suddenly, they’ve got a new look that's starting to evolve. I always encourage people to take it slowly. But the good news is, within one to two cuts, you could completely change someone's look and evolve it."

WHAT COMES TO MIND WHEN YOU THINK OF 1990S ENGLAND? ACID WASH JEANS? “I WANNA BE ADORED” BY THE STONE ROSES? SHAGGY, TEXTURED HAIRCUTS? WE SPOKE TO PHOENIX THOMSON, GLOBAL EDUCATION DIRECTOR OF AMERICAN CREW AND PAUL WILSON, GLOBAL ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF AMERICAN CREW ALL ABOUT THEIR NEW ‘90S INSPIRED AC-ID COLLECTION AND HOW THEY BROUGHT IT TO LIFE.

Ac-id

So, let’s hear about the inspiration behind Ac-iD Phoenix said: “The inspiration behind Ac-iD stemmed from the resurgence of fashion from the early ‘90s. Growing up in the UK during that time, there was a strong sense of evolution in hair and music. We wanted to pay homage to bands like The Stone Roses, The Charlatans, and Primal Scream. Moving on from the hairspray and structure of ‘new romantic’ hair in the late ’80s, the style evolved into looser, more casual, textured shapes.”

What did the mood board look like? “My mood board could have been 40,000 pages long between outfits and music that inspired me for this collection. Diving back into the youth culture of the UK in the ‘90s, everyone was wearing oversized tees, baggy jeans, and bucket hats. Fashion was gender neutral, which really resonates with what’s happening in the industry now; very much less for “men” or “women,” which I absolutely love. As for inspiration, I let our stylist, Mark Anthony, just roll with it. He grew up in the UK in that era, so he was the absolute best for choosing wardrobe for the shoot because he totally understood it.”

We asked Paul what his favorite part of the collection was. He said:“My favorite part of the collection is that this is such a strong, editorial message for our brand and the fact that we haven’t done that in a while makes it even that much more impactful. The highlights for me are having such strong, structured shapes, texture changes, the hair coming down around the face, and weight that sits so differently from our classic work. I just love the fact that we’re able to make a statement while being true to the language of American Crew as a brand.”

Phoenix added: “My highlight was introducing rounder shapes with a new curriculum. There are six new haircuts included in this collection, all that can be learned and completed in a class format over a two-day period.”

I know it’s like asking someone to tell us who their favorite child is, but I asked Paul what some of his favorite looks from the collection were. He said: “Oh man, that’s tough, but I’ll have to go with Seb and Charlie. All these looks were styled with natural fall. Normally, we push the hair back and off the face. Letting hair fall forward makes these shapes so cool, and the styling and the texture that was applied is so true to what we were creating.”

I asked Paul what his favorite products were while creating the collection. He said: “My personal favourite? Fiber Grooming Foam, undoubtedly. It builds and fills out the hair so well. We used so much of it during this shoot… sometimes on damp hair, sometimes on dry hair, and sometimes for surface texture and shape. And we also used our iconic Fiber styling puck for finishing touches on the shorter lengths, which really tied the look together beautifully.”

What was the most memorable part of the shoot? Paul said: “For me, working with this group and to be shooting in a place that was such a big part of the inspiration for the collection, and to be able to collaborate with Phoenix.”

What will the Ac-iD Collection bring to professional artists around the world? Phoenix said: “It introduces a technical curriculum to showcase the excellence of longer hair, round shapes, and texture. It also focuses on graduation, which is rare in barbering, but an important skill set. These cuts and styles are a lot looser, and the shape is built rather than removed. We want to encourage professionals’ confidence to create roundness and fullness in a shape and to be experimental. I hope this collection creates some fun nostalgia and is a proper representation of UK style in the ‘90s, but with a modern edge. And for anyone not familiar, I hope the imagery and fashion bring some excitement and inspiration.”

Paul added: “I think it’s going to be utterly inspiring. The shapes and the ways that we utilize

the AC method method will give a fresh take on what we do creatively. We always try to arm pros with not only the latest in trends, but the technique and the product to achieve them – and this unique collection will give them just that.

“I, personally, am going to use it in every possible way. I’m going to present it as inspiration to my stylists and their clients, especially the younger ones that are very much rocking the longer, shaggy look that is very on-trend right now. I want to teach it technically – the lessons and fresh applications into a new set of shapes.”

To find out more about the Ac-iD collection, send a DM to @americancrew on Instagram or reach out to us at info@americancrew.com and we will direct you to the American Crew representative in your local region.

I, PERSONALLY, AM GOING TO USE [THE COLLECTION] IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY. I’M GOING TO PRESENT IT AS INSPIRATION TO MY STYLISTS AND THEIR CLIENTS, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNGER ONES THAT ARE VERY MUCH ROCKING THE LONGER, SHAGGY LOOK THAT IS VERY ON-TREND RIGHT NOW.” – PAUL WILSON

ANGELA HENNING IS A THIRD-GENERATION BARBER FROM FORT WORTH, TX, AND THERE’S NO DOUBT THAT THE CRAFT OF BARBERING IS IN HER DNA. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT SHE ALSO HAS A NATURAL GIFT FOR TEACHING AND EDUCATION AND THAT HAS TAKEN HER ON A JOURNEY WITH 18.21 MAN MADE.

Angela has 14 members of her family on both sides that are in the hair business. Her great uncle, Louis G Ayala, started barbering at age 15 and was still doing it at aged 90. Her grandfather, John, after a long career, retired and decided to go to barber school in his retirement. When he opened a barbershop, he had three of his daughters working there. His oldest daughter, Angela’s mother, wasn’t a barber, but Angela was, so she took her place – the first granddaughter to work with him.

Angela opened her own shop in 2007 and she finally sold it to one of her employees in 2018, after finding out she was pregnant after 10 years of marriage. She said: “That was at the height of me travelling and representing 18.21 Man Made as an educator, and I felt that was my purpose, to educate. When I was working with my grandfather he would bring every new employee into the shop and put them next to me because he knew I would train them. I didn’t need them to be perfect, I needed them to be teachable.

“Once I was discovered by 18.21 Man Made I was travelling a lot, and I felt really fulfilled. I would go to cosmetology schools and people were so hungry for education. I was balancing my barbershop and traveling when miracle baby number one was on his way. I was managing to do it all, then just 16 months after miracle number one… miracle number two was born.

“I was asking myself how do I balance family and work? It’s a lot to juggle two kids, a business and all the travel. I wanted to continue with the education, I didn’t want to stop travelling. It made more sense to me to go on a few trips a month and just work a few days behind the chair. So, I sold my barbershop and then Covid happened. I had always put my clients first and had a strong relationship with them, which paid me back during Covid, and they have now become like family.

“I travel sporadically, but when I do I prefer hands on training with 18.21. I go to cosmetology schools and salons to teach barber services. A lot of cosmetologists were coming to me to learn barbering skills so they would be confident in servicing any and everyone in the barbershop.”

I asked Angela what she hopes to pass on to fellow barbers and stylists. She said: “I think it’s important to realize the potential impact we have on others within our communities. If social media was no longer available to us, would we be able to rely on word of mouth only? And what would your clients and community say about you? Would they speak of

only the technical skill you provide? What sets you apart when there are so many talented individuals? I had a client once tell me that during Thanksgiving dinner, their family shared what they were thankful for. He mentioned that he was thankful for me, his barber! I thought that was hilarious and a bit surprising.”

What does success look like to Angela? She said: “When I first became a barber, I witnessed most of the women I worked alongside struggle to find a balance with work and their home/ family life. We as professionals sacrifice so much of ourselves daily. We pour into others and that can leave us on E (empty) after long hours, days, weeks in the shop. I’ve been successful in curating a clientele that include the CEO of their own companies, their employees, AND the spouses of their employees. It starts with one person, but is an example of how tight-knit my base is, and I prefer it this way. I think it’s so cool that my clients do the filtering of their referrals FOR ME!

“They will even ask me beforehand if I am willing to take on new clients if they feel the person would be a good fit for me. Being able to carve that niche in my professional life, while still being able to prioritize my obligations in my personal life has allowed me to feel as though I have it all. I am able to have peace throughout the day with people who have become friends and family, which makes it seem less like work. I have the honor to represent, and the support of an amazing brand that has always been so accommodating to the lifestyles and schedules of everyone in the 18.21 Man Made family. At this moment, I’m living my own definition of successful.

“Working with 18.21 has been divine alignment, they are an amazing brand. They are so meticulous in the quality of each product, and they are so well rounded and tailor to every person and every hair type. It is everything that you could need."

Angela concludes by saying that her career mantra is: “Put the client first always. The 18.21 Man Made line is timeless. Just like my uncle!”

“I HAVE THE HONOR TO REPRESENT, AND THE SUPPORT OF AN AMAZING BRAND THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN SO ACCOMMODATING TO THE LIFESTYLES AND SCHEDULES OF EVERYONE IN THE 18.21 MAN MADE FAMILY.”

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WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT STYLES OF HEAD HAIR, BUT WE OFTEN FORGET THAT FACIAL HAIR PLAYS A BIG ROLE IN MEN’S TRENDS. WE SPOKE TO JOE MILLER FROM BEARD OCTANE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN ENSURE YOUR CLIENTS ARE STAYING STYLISH.

Joe said: “Frankly, one of THE most-asked questions by our customers is, ‘Where can I find a barber in my area who I can trust with my beard?’

“Facial hair dials in a man’s look, along with their hair style. It really defines their overall personal brand.  Men have always looked to their barbers as a type of ‘trusted advisor’ to help choose the best products for their particular hair type and provide advice for the best hairstyle for their face shape and desired look.  It’s important to understand that facial hair is no different in this regard!  Guys want to know what is going to look best on their face– length, shape, fade or no fade.

“Men invest a lot of time and effort into growing their beards.  A barber who can be trusted as knowledgeable and who can cut and style a beard to his client’s needs is going to create a lifetime customer– every time. Barbers also need to stay up on the best way to CARE for facial hair, and also understand how different it is from head hair.

“Specially formulated, natural beard products are what guys are picking up on and spending more time learning about. The beard care industry is expanding and growing like crazy. It’s no longer easy for big-box style companies to create ‘all filler, no killer’ products and market them for beards. Beards simply don’t do well with heavy creams, and silicone filled ‘oils’ and guys are getting wise about it. Natural products that actually penetrate the facial follicles, and condition the skin below, rather than creating a

greasy layer on top of the hair, are the preferred way the mainstream is going. That’s what we craft at Beard Octane.”

The trends in facial hair are always changing, but what is actually influencing that change?

Joe explained: “In my opinion, the workplace is the biggest influencer for facial hair.  It’s always been more acceptable to have facial hair in what would be considered ‘blue collar’ jobs, but not always other places. Office jobs were more likely to ‘strongly suggest’ a man be clean shaven.  But then came the start of the pandemic in 2020, and a lot of ‘office guys’ were no longer going into physical locations for their jobs. Many of them started experimenting with trying to finally grow out a beard, with the majority of them growing it for the first time ever. And through this period, many of them found they liked the look, and really got into learning to care for it.

“Now in 2023, beards are more popular than they’ve been in the past 30-50 years! As a result, we have a new crop of bearded men whose fathers and their fathers, always shaved. So, these guys are trying to learn as much as they can about it in a bit of a knowledge vacuum. Lots of YouTube influencers have popped up in the beard care niche in the last five years, but that’s not a replacement for a knowledgeable barber who a guy can talk to, getting real-time feedback in person.”

I asked Joe, what are the essential beard and mustache products that all barbers need to have

on their station and on their retail shelf. He said: “The very minimal set of beard products that EVERY barber should have on their shelf (and backbar) is number one, a Beard Oil, and number two, a Beard Wash. That is the absolute essential combination to have. Beard Butter and Beard Balm products are great styling and conditioning options, but Beard Oil is the core to every man’s beard routine. Beard Oil the foundation for a healthy feeling beard, that everything else just compliments. Beyond that, you need the ability to wash a beard without stripping the facial hair. Most guys don’t realize it, but head hair shampoo should never be used on a beard. Full stop. They just aren’t the same kind of hair – a scalp is not a face.”

What about tools? “Every bearded man should have a boar bristle brush and a good quality comb – either carbon fiber or oxhorn style.  These help both exfoliate the skin under the beard as well as

stimulate blood flow to the follicles of the beard. Guys don’t want to be aggressive, but they don’t want to skimp out on using these tools. In addition, they want a good pair of trimming scissors for dealing with flyaways, and for general shaping around both the chin and the mustache.

“Beyond those essentials, guys who want to dial in a certain style would benefit from using a specially created heated beard brush, which helps avoid dips and waves in a beard that can detract from the desired look. Men with longer beards who want the same styling benefits heat provides, can actually get a similar effect from an ‘airbag’ style brush used with a hair dryer.

“Obviously if a guy wants to create a bolder statement with his facial hair– it’s usually through the mustache. A good mustache wax is going to give the hold necessary to create points, all the way to an elaborate handlebar.”

“BARBERS ALSO NEED TO STAY UP ON THE BEST WAY TO CARE FOR FACIAL HAIR, AND ALSO UNDERSTAND HOW DIFFERENT IT IS FROM HEAD HAIR.”

ANAIS CRUZ (AKA @BRAIDSBYSHORTY) IS A CELEBRITY BRAIDER WITH 21 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY. SHORTY’S BRAIDS ARE WORN BY SEVERAL CELEBRITIES, SUCH AS RAUW ALEJANDRO, JHAY CORTEZ, YOUNG MIKO, RAPPER ARCÁNGEL, AND SO MANY MORE.

Shorty started her career in the world of braiding in the summer of 2001 and she is now opening her first location in Carolina. She had her first experience braiding a celebrity artist’s hair back when she was just 16. She said: “My first experience with an artist was doing Don Omar’s braids as he was my neighbor.

“I studied cosmetology in 2003, and just got started practicing with my friends. By doing Don’s braids I had the opportunity to meet and braid other artists such as Mackie, Divino, Randy Nota Loca, Bryant Myers, La Exce, MathewPa, Dvila, and Christian singer Joeky Santana. I have also braided for comedians such as Lizmarie Quintana and Monica Pastrana. I also have had the opportunity to style a baseball player Javy Baez, and Benzino Las Canarias during his visit to Puerto Rico. Also, Tokischa, Mariah Angeliq, Kiko el Crazy, and Chino from Chino y Nacho from Venezuela. I also style Rauw Alejandro and Jhay Cortez.”

As a braiding expert, I asked Shorty if she could tell us what makes someone an incredible braider compared to being just a good braider. She said: “Punctuality and good ethics are something that everyone should have, and it defines me.

Braiding allows some amazing creative expression, does Shorty work closely with clients on the designs, or do they trust her to do something specialized? She explained: “It depends on each of my clients. Some clients will bring in ideas of what they would like, but most of the time they let me create the look for them. There are also people that show me pictures of other braid styles, which I will take in for inspiration, but will still take on my own interpretation. I also have clients that will always choose the same style over and over again.”

Shorty’s product brand of choice is Style Factor, and she now works with them as an ambassador. She said: “Style Factor came to my life, and I am so happy to work with them! They approached me since the products hadn’t made it to Puerto Rico yet, and from the first moment I used their products, I loved them! I even use them on my own hair. My favorite products are the Style Factor hyfortifia™ line and Wave BOOSTER Edge Booster.”

We asked Shorty if she had a favorite Style Factor product. She said: “I can’t name just one favorite, because I use and need them all! Starting from shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in conditioner. Out of the pomades, my favorites

are Think & Coarse, Strong Hold Moisturizing Pomade, Spider Grip, and Loctician.”

As Shorty has so many celebrity clients, we wanted to know, does that allow her to be even more creative? She said: “Yes! Having various artists as clients gives me a lot of creativity, as I don’t want all my clients to look the same, so I am always thinking of ways to be new and creative. Personally, I don’t want to or can’t create the same styles for everyone. It’s a challenge for myself because I want each of them to have their own image and style – especially when working with celebrities who each have their own style and identity.”

Finally, we asked Shorty to give some advice to other stylists who want to become more confident in braiding. She said: “Practice makes perfect. Focus on yourself and your clients. Compete only with yourself to be a better version, every day. Don’t stop creating even if it’s on your mind. Focus on hair parting, it takes time to get it perfect. Products are very important, and so is the confidence the client gives you. Never stop dreaming, everyone can make it happen, just focus on doing your best every day!”

“STYLE FACTOR CAME INTO MY LIFE AND I AM SO HAPPY TO WORK WITH THEM! THEY APPROACHED ME SINCE THE PRODUCTS HADN’T MADE IT TO PUERTO RICO YET, AND FROM THE FIRST MOMENT I USED THEIR PRODUCTS, I LOVED THEM! I EVEN USE THEM ON MY OWN HAIR. MY FAVORITE PRODUCTS ARE THE STYLE FACTOR HYFORTIFIA™ LINE AND WAVE BOOSTER EDGE BOOSTER.”

MULTI

Back in 2006 and fresh out of school, Daniel had two options: go into construction or become a barber. His mother was a hairdresser and told him that no matter where he went, people always need haircuts. And so, barbering it was!

In 2011, Daniel opened his own shop, International Styles in Williamsburg, Virginia. A few years later, he started his YouTube channel, Dannistylez TV, to share all the knowledge he acquired over the years. He told us: “I have over half a million subscribers and received the 2022 Barber Grammy Award Educator of the Year.” This led him to join the Stylecraft Pro and Gamma+ Team as the Latin American Artistic Director. He also has a brand of shears, Deluxe Line, which he founded in 2016.

He's been a styling expert for years and has had all kinds of clients sit in his chair. We spoke about genderless styling and how the concept of hairdressing-specific to ols and barber-specific tools is disappearing. We asked him: can barbers use clippers to provide more versatility when creating androgynous looks? Daniel said: “Today, we have access to way more tools than in the past. We have a plethora of options to choose from, with new technology and techniques that allow us to achieve any look we can think of.

“Two looks that fit a variety of people are mullets and shags. Modern barbers are adopting blow dryers as a styling tool with more powerful clippers and trimmers that are lightweight with multiple attachments, which gives flexibility to

THE CLIENTS IN YOUR CHAIR.

create a style that fit s anyone who sits in their chair.”

Stylecraft Pro Gamma+ is the brand that Daniel knows he can trust to provide that versatility. “Gamma+ and Stylecraft Pro clippers caught my attention on Instagram. The style looked so premium and distinct that I decided to contact them, asking if they could send me some clippers to review on my YouTube channel. As I started to use them, I instantly fell in love.” It was the sleek and colorful style that initially captured his eye. “But it was the new features and technology that made me add them to my permanent kit,” he said.

Daniel believes the key to adding interest to longer cuts is using Stylecraft Pro Gamma+ tools like the Cosmic and XCell Ultra Light Dryers, and the Breezy Curl 2-in-1 Cool Air Hair Styler. “Using the right blow dryer attachments allows stylists to enhance natural texture of hair and achieve the best possible styles. Use the Breezy Curl 2-in-1 Cool Air Hair Styler as a flat iron or use its barrel design and external hair cooling technology to create curls that add texture and refine longer styles.” How can barbers use classic tools to create contemporary styles? “The key to staying creative is education. Once you understand the tools and how hair responds to them, you can achieve more styles that will capture your audience.”

STYLECRAFT PRO INSTINCT CORDLESS CLIPPER

“I love the lightweight design, powerful motor, and how cool the blades remain after long periods of use. They feature my favorite blade, the Gold Titanium Faper Fixed Blade with Black Diamond Carbon Deep Slim Moving blade. Finally, the look just makes it hard to keep your eyes off them!”

STYLECRAFT PRO SABER TRIMMER

“This trimmer was the first tool to feature ‘The One’ moving blade and was a real game changer. This design alone has set them apart from other brands. I really love how these trimmers do not pinch my client’s skin. They are also powerful with long battery life, but I really like how quiet they are.”

THE COSMIC BLOW DRYER AND THE XCELL BLOW DRYER

“I cannot decide between these two blow dryers – both are lightweight and powerful. Their new technology, attachments, and loaded features like the three heat and three speed settings, allow me to achieve every style I need to as a barber and educator.”

AWARD-WINNING YOUTUBER AND OWNER OF DELUXE LINE BARBERING TOOLS, DANIEL AVILA , TELLS US WHAT IT TAKES TO BE THE BEST MODERN BARBER – WHAT STYLES TO CUT, WHAT TOOLS TO USE, AND HOW TO TREAT

“STYLECRAFT PRO’S NEW HAIR DRYER TECHNOLOGY, ATTACHMENTS, AND LOADED FEATURES LIKE THE THREE HEAT AND THREE SPEED SETTINGS, ALLOW ME TO ACHIEVE EVERY STYLE I NEED TO AS A BARBER AND EDUCATOR.”

ELLIOTT CHESTER IS THE OWNER OF ELLIOTT & CO. AND THE GARRISON BARBER AND GOODS IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA. HE KNOWS A THING OR TWO ABOUT STYLING, FROM THE BEST PRODUCT COCKTAILS TO TOOL COMBOS. THIS IS HOW HE STYLES THREE LEGENDARY MEN’S CUTS.

1 CURLY HAIR WITH A LITTLE LENGTH ON TOP

In the past couple of years, I’ve seen a big uptake in guys embracing their curly hair. Even to the point of young men asking for perms. In the past, most of my clients would ask for ways to tame or straighten out their curly locks, so this trend is something I’m happy that men are embracing. One of my favorite styling tools to recommend is Don Juan’s Sea Salt Styling Cream It has a light hold, and conditions while adding volume and texture to hair. It gives a ‘fresh out of the ocean’ natural beach hair look and has a classic surf wax scent. When applied to damp hair, it helps to define curls and accentuate texture. You can also use your hairdryer with a diffuser attachment to increase volume. Then I finish the style with a couple sprays of Don Juan Sea Salt Hair Style Surf Spray. It also adds thickness, volume, and texture to hair for that natural beach hair look with a, you guessed it, classic surf wax scent. Brush this product through with fingers to minimize frizz and give hair a natural lived-in look.

2

QUIFF STYLES WITH STAYING POWER

As with the rise of curly hair styles, I’ve also noticed men moving towards longer styles. Short tapers, fades, and buzz cuts aren't going away any time soon – ‘gentleman’s cuts’ (side parts) and ‘quiffs’ will always be a popular choice for men. One of the best products in my styling arsenal is Don Juan’s Pre-Styler Grooming Spray and my blow dryer. Using them creates a strong look that not only appears sleek but holds throughout the day.

Start by saturating the hair with grooming spray, then blow dry it into the classic quiff style to lock in volume and texture. For extra holding power, I use a dime sized amount of Don Juan Matte Cream.

Then, emulsify the matte cream into the hands until it looks invisible. Apply from roots to tips, using fingers or a large tooth comb to accentuate texture for an all-day playable hold. It will leave hair looking and feeling natural without being weighed down and stiff.

3 CLASSICS NEVER DIE

Whether it’s a classic traditional Pompadour or a more modern textured version, I tend to start off this legendary style with a generous amount of Don Juan’s Pre-Styler Grooming Spray. I always blow dry this product into place. If it’s a more traditional Pomp’, I’ll finish the style off with Don Juan Classic Pomade Medium Hold , which has medium shine that will last all day. I also like that it's water soluble. This workable pomade allows for casual to classic hairstyles and washes out easily.

For a more textured version, I lean towards a matte finished styling aid. I like Don Juan’s Sea Salt Matte Pomade. This pomade is enriched with natural plant extracts and ocean minerals to give hair a nurtured healthy look and feel. It goes in super easy and is very light, preventing the hair from being weighed down while leaving the hair natural with plenty of pliable texture, which is essential for Pomp’ styles.

AUSTIN FULLER IS OWNER OF ALWAYS FRESH BARBER STUDIO IN FORT MOHAVE, AZ, AND AMBASSADOR FOR MANE TAME GROOMING HE’S BEEN STYLING AND COLORING MEN’S HAIR SINCE 2012 AND WAS NAMED BOOKSY’S GET DISCOVERED BACKSTAGE WINNER LAST YEAR. HE TELLS US HOW TO STYLE GREAT LOOKS THAT LAST.

“I am anticipating hairstyles that have a lot of texture, like spikes and crops. Plus it still seems like mullets are making a return every year,” Austin laughed as he shared his style trend predictions for the year ahead: “But where I live, the summers get in the 120°s, so people are all over the place when it comes to their grooming! We not only need the right cut for every client, but we need to recommend the right styling products that will keep their hair in place throughout sun, rain, or intense humidity.”

How would Austin recommend barbers create these trends? He told us it’s all about cocktailing the right products and letting your creativity flow. Don’t be held back by tools or package instructions on products – use your knowledge and skills to give your clients a unique look – and one they can style long after leaving your chair.

Austin only works with brands he trusts and believes perform the way they say they will. He told us what drew him to Mane Tame Grooming; a brand he continually promotes on his social media and in the shop/studio. He told us: “What caught my attention about Mane Tame was the way the team carried themselves. They cater to people’s wants and needs when it comes to product development and education." What are his top three favourite Mane Tame products? “I’m a big fan of the Zero-Gravity Matte Spray. I use this to add or create volume and texture. It’s perfect for anyone that likes to use a light product.” Next: “The Concrete Sculpting Clay is a game changer when it comes to building shape. You can really get into shaping and detailing on almost any shorter hairstyles with this flexible yet sturdy clay.”

The Weightless

Matter Blowdry Gel is amazing for volumizing. It can be used for a wet slick look, or you can blowdry into a more natural look that adds volume to short styles. Plus, the fragrance will drive your clients wild!”

Next, Austin broke down which products barbers and stylists can use to a) build a base, b) add texture, c) add control and d) for finishing and setting. This is what he told us: “OK, so to create a base for medium to fine hair, I go in with Mane Tame’s Base Builder. For medium hair, it’s their Zero-Gravity Matte Spray. For thicker hair, I stick to the Weightless Matter Blow Dry Gel.

“Let’s talk texture. I have two must-haves for adding that extra ‘something’ to hair. Those are, you guessed it, the Zero-Gravity Matte Spray and the Concrete Sculpting Clay from Mane Tame.

“For control, I love their Deluxe Pomade and the Concrete Sculpting Clay can actually be used here as well. Finally, I’m a fan of cocktailing the Session Styler Hair Spray and Mighty Hold Hair Spray. This ensures a natural, but solid finish that will last all day.” We tied up our chat with Austin by asking: how can barbers use Mane Tame to energize and modernize shorter classic cuts, like a buzzcut or swept back pompadour? He answered: “The best thing about Mane Tame that helps barbers and stylists stay creative is that not only are each of the products great by themselves, they were also developed specifically to cater to the artist’s creativity. For those artists out there with clients that prefer a classic haircut and finish, such as combovers, pompadours and slick backs, we have the Deluxe Pomade!” Find Mane Tame on Instagram as @manetamegrooming. Austin is @alwaysfreshbarber

“WHAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION ABOUT MANE TAME WAS THE WAY THE TEAM CARRIED THEMSELVES. THEY REALLY CATER TO PEOPLE’S WANTS AND NEEDS WHEN IT COMES TO PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION.”

WE SPOKE TO MARICHAL J. BROWN , ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF MASTER BARBER HUB, A BARBERING RESOURCE CENTER THAT SUPPORTS AND ENCOURAGES THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP OF FUTURE AND SEASONED BARBER PROFESSIONALS.

Marichal explained: “The HUB, as we call it, is an appointment only, two chair barbershop with rotating barbers. It is a hair industry resource center that provides exceptional barbering services, grooming products, and tools. We support and encourage the entrepreneurship of the future barber professionals by providing Advanced Specialty classes, demonstrations, and workshops. We also partner with local and national organizations that promote community health and wellness.

“My brother, Rodney, and I have 30 plus years individually in the hair industry, behind the chair, and in education. We just opened

our second barbershop called HAIRitage Barbershop powered by M:. I am a secondgeneration barber and so far, we are four generations deep. I am dual-licensed and have worked as an Education Leader for a couple of Paul Mitchell Schools and Milan Institute of Cosmetology in Northern California.”

I asked Marichal a bit more about the education they offer. “We offer financial literacy, business, barber theory, and technical classes such as shaving, haircutting, hair units, and trichology. These classes are for anyone in the industry that would like to add to their services or run a more efficient business system.”

During the Pandemic, Marichal and the HUB team launched their own range of products. Marichal explained: “A lot of times, companies place their bank accounts over the health and safety of people, and I don’t get down like that. I was taught by my father, who was a Master Barber, to take care of the people and the people will take care of you.

“The M:xClusive product line consists of a Pre-Shave Oil, Shaving Gel, Aftershave Balm, and a Wave & Twist Pomade. Our products contain natural ingredients such as essential oils, proteins, and vitamins. They are gentle on the skin and great for people who have allergies or are prone to skin or scalp irritation."

VICTOR LOPEZ IS A MASTER BARBER, HAIR LOSS EXPERT, AND EDUCATOR WITH AMERICAN CREW AND JRL. HE EDUCATES HUNDREDS – EVEN THOUSANDS – OF BARBERS EVERY YEAR, SHOWING THEM HOW TO CUT AND STYLE LOOKS FOR THE MODERN AGE. HERE’S HIS ADVICE ON EXECUTING SLICK CUTS EVERY TIME WITH JRL.

Victor explained that to be a well-rounded barber, you need to know how to work with longer hair. He shared his top three tips for creating editorial style: “You need to understand head shape and how hair naturally lays,” Victor explained. “When sectioning the hair, you need to work with the correct techniques and right tools in order to seamlessly connect the shape you created for the top of the head with the shape you want for the sides. My third tip is understanding what products and tools you need. The finishes are anywhere from heavy shine and low shine to volume and high hold.” How does Victor stay creative? “I enroll in online academies to understand more. I also participate in barbering, hairstyling, and photography competitions, and get a lot of fresh ideas and motivation from the other competitors. The goal is to always put yourself around people you can learn from. New information and artists elevate your perspective and make space for creativity to flow.” Victor

believes that the freshest looks come from basic foundations, like a skin fade. Here, he says how to use JRL tools to execute a clean, skin tight fade crop... Victor starts by washing the hair and saturating it, then: “Using shears, I cut one section horizontally underneath the parietal ridge and around the whole head. Here, I’ll visualize the length of a four guard.” Then, he starts work on the top part of the haircut, making one section from forehead to occipital bone. “I find the apex of the head and make a section from ear to ear. Now you have four sections on the top of the head. Next, I start connecting the top of the hair to the parietal section. In small sections, I work upward until I get to the middle of the head. Once done with the dominant side, I move to the next section at the top of the ear towards the back of the head.” Victor encourages you to move in this sequence until you reach the other temple. He continued: “Once you connected the top to the parietal area, put your four guard onto your

JRL clippers – I love the JRL FreshFade 2020C Clipper – with the guard open and cut the hair on sides into the parietal area. Do not scoop when getting into the parietal area! Keep the blade parallel to the scalp as not to ruin shapes you created with the shears. Now, go through your guards downwards until you reach your 1.5. Make sure you start each section with the guard open and then close it to create seamless blends,” he told us. "Once I get to the 1.5, I’ll create my trimmer line. Slide trimmers – my go-to is the JRL FreshFade 2020T Trimmer – upwards towards you, then repeat for next sections. Meet the previous line until you have an even bald guideline all around the head.”

Victor added: “I like to make bald guidelines slightly under where the client’s natural C cup starts. I put my 1 guard and travel through the sizes with the same fading process, then the half guard, until I get to the JRL clipper with no guard.”

Again: “Start with the lever and open and close it until you fade into the trimmer length. If there’s a line left between the trimmer and the clipper, use the tip of the JRL trimmer and eat into the line using small flick motions. Then clip hair at the front up to work with the side hairline and C cup to define and sharpen the hairline on both sides.”

To finish: “I’ll blow dry the hair with my shears and point cut to add texture. I’ll dampen the hair again and add some matte clay, which gives it a solid hold and matte finish. I’ll then dry hair with my JRL Forte Pro Hair Dryer and blast the side of the hair down and grab a finger dab of matte clay, laying the hair forward to create a messy forward look. Then, I’ll pinch the front hairline eight times to create that messy separated look. And, voila! You’ve got yourself an ace skin tight fade crop.”

Find Victor on Instagram as @v.hugostyles and JRL as @jrlusa

“OUR TOOLS ARE AN EXTENSION OF OUR HANDS. AND I NEED THE BEST TOOLS IN THE GAME TO CREATE ANY HAIRSTYLE MY CLIENT ASKS FOR. JRL IS IT.”

BY TYRIK JACKSON

EDUCATE YOURSELF ON THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF STYLING: THE PRODUCTS YOU ARE USING AND THEIR BENEFITS; THE DIFFERENT HAIR TYPES THAT YOU WORK WITH; AND THE DAILY ROUTINE OF YOUR INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS SO THAT YOU CAN RECOMMEND THE BEST PRODUCTS FOR THEM.

Following these guidelines will help you to create the ultimate style that your client wants and that they can duplicate. This will make you, as the professional, look better than anyone else who ever touched their hair.

But first, let’s go back to basics. When it comes to products and styling, one of the things that we talk to our students about at Premier Barber

LET’S GO THROUGH THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PRODUCTS.

Pre-styling: A base for form and hold before adding more products.

Styling: Most products are styling products, for example, clay, gels, or pomades to provide hold and texture.

Fixing: Tends to fix the areas that people are not comfortable with, for example, creating fullness for fine hair.

Finishing: The sprays and holding products for use at the end give the hair gloss and shine.

Treatments: Conditioning treatments for hair that is damaged due to over-processing, sun, or beach-life damage.

Find a company that has versatility within its product line. It will give you a choice on which products you can choose to create the ultimate look for that client that’s most compatible with them. It will also help you to create retail opportunities to upsell the products at the end of the service.

When you have educated yourself on what each product is and what it does, it should help you determine what product to use for certain clients. It should always be determined by the look and style desired and the quality of the hair.

When I say the quality of hair, simply put, is the hair in the right condition to use products that add heat, or does the hair show signs of thinning? Is it coarse? All these things are huge factors. If you are not determining that stuff at the beginning of the haircut process, you will spend more time using extra products. You

Institute more than anything is infrastructure. A great hairstyle comes from a great haircut. You must perform the foundation of the style first. If the cut is amazing, you should only need minimal styling products.

When it comes to understanding how to create a style, the first thing one must understand is product knowledge. Most people stock products

but are not familiar with their benefits in conjunction with a client's hair type, hair texture, or daily routine. Are they able to reproduce the style that you performed at home?

Another element to consider is our client's environment. If it’s hot outside and they are sweating, they are going to need a certain product to hold that style. The same goes for cold weather.

product. It’s an everyday casual product that is generally water-based and has a little bit of grit to it. It gives a hard matte finish and is great for thinning or fine hair.

This is not recommended for fine hair. It adds shine and creates a defined look. It’s usually alcohol-based, which can cause flaking. While it doesn’t offer flexibility, it gives a hard-hold shape.

won’t need to use extra products if the haircut is created for the style.

In my shop and at the academy, we use Dash for Him, which has an incredible range. I was involved in the research and development of this product line, so it’s easy for me to educate clients and students on that product from the beard line to the benefits of the shampoo. But if you are bringing a line into your shop, either educate yourself or ask the brand to give you the necessary information.

POMADES:

This is perfect for high-styled hair. Your pompadours, ducktails, the 1930’s cuts that are highlifted hair. It creates a glossy, formal look and offers flexibility and a high shine. It’s mostly oil-based.

Price Comparisons

CREAMS: This is more of a hybrid product. They vary in the viscosity of the hair. Some are creamy and loose, while some are harder. They emulsify in your hand when you add heat. They add hold and shine.

When you select a product line, you want to make sure that you purchase something that you can retail at your shop competitively. You don’t want a client sitting in your chair googling the cost of the product you are using on them and finding it cheaper on Amazon - because they can have it delivered to them the next day. You need them to buy that product in your shop. Do your homework and compare pricing to stay competitive. Dash For Him will never be lower on Amazon than what the barber can retail in his shop.

THESE ARE THE MOST COMMON PRODUCTS USED IN A BARBERSHOP.

ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED YOUR CUT, MOST PEOPLE’S MINDS GO STRAIGHT TO STYLING. HOWEVER, THERE IS A SMALL BUT IMPORTANT STEP THAT HAPPENS FIRST. ROLDA USA HAVE RECENTLY LAUNCHED A LIMITED-EDITION MEN’S TALC POWDER TO MAKE THIS STEP EASIER FOR THE BARBER, AND MORE COMFORTABLE FOR THE CLIENT.

After you finish your fade, it is common practice to dust on talcum powder, which adds comfort, especially around the neck, by soaking excess moisture, helping with any nicks and decreasing chafing.

Sweat and skin oils can often get into the freshly shaven skin, and when the client’s collar rubs against that raw skin, it can cause irritation and uncomfortable chafing. So, in just one movement, once the cut is completed, a barbers will often apply talc powder to a neck duster, and brush away any loose hairs, while applying a fine layer of talcum powder.

The team at Rolda know that this is an essential step, and they have recently launched their own Men’s Talc Powder.

Its formula provides a smooth and fine texture of powder to protect and soothe skin to keep it dry and soft after any hair cut or shave. It also leaves a sophisticated, masculine fragrance. It helps to protect clients from that itchy postshave feeling, due to its fine texture and highly absorbent

ingredients. It helps to completely eliminate loose hairs from the skin, giving clients that fresh, clean and comfortable feeling.

Morro Poveda , Educator for Rolda USA and Content Manager for BaByliss4Barbers Colombia said: “With the Men’s Talc Powder, Rolda brings us a product with an excellent, masculine fragrance. The most important part is that the bottles come all come sealed for no-spill and guaranteed protection. It also has a pretty striking presentation with this teal toned color on the label.

“The texture of this product is quite manageable and soft, which allows us to leave the clients skin soft and comfortable”.

While Talc might not be the first thing you think of when thinking about style in the barbershop, what’s more stylish than you clients leaving feeling comfortable, smelling great, and looking fresh?

“GENTLEMAN’S GROOMING ENCOMPASSES ALL KINDS OF STYLES AND TASTES, SO IF A CHAP WHO’S BEEN BUYING HIS BEARD OIL FROM US DECIDES TO EMBRACE A NEW LOOK, WE MADE IT POSSIBLE TO DO THAT WITH CAPTAIN FAWCETT.”

What began as a Moustache Wax brand has grown massively, and Richie talks us through the evolution.

“We began with Moustache and Beard products. But, of course, fashion is a fickle friend, so if everyone shaves, your beard business is sunk. Gentleman’s Grooming encompasses all kinds of styles and tastes, so if a chap who’s been buying his Beard Oil from us decides to embrace a new look, we made it possible to do that with Captain Fawcett.

“After shaving products, we created Captain Fawcett’s Original Eau De Parfum. Meeting Ricki Hall led to our first Signature Series collaboration and so the best-selling Booze & Baccy range was born. From there we really expanded into everything a gentleman might need – and a few things he might not!”

They then expanded into the hair care arena.

Richie continued: “We’d made Beer’d Shampoo which won the ‘Best New Male Hair Product’ Bronze Award at the 2017 Pure Beauty Awards. Historic barbering traditions are at the heart of Captain Fawcett, so we developed Captain

Fawcett’s Expedition Reserve Hair Tonic, Hair Oil, Sea Salt Spray and Shampoos, all of which have been hugely popular. A Hair Conditioner and new styling Hair Powder will soon be joining them. And for hair styling, the new Patent Pomades were created in response to demand from barbers. They are available as Classic, Putty, Clay and the new Strong Hold and have really taken Captain Fawcett’s hair care range to another level.

“Along with Matakki Scissors and Wahl, Captain Fawcett has also teamed up with The Fellowship for British Hairdressing and ‘Project Men’. We’re supplying the wet products for this mentoring program led by Wahl’s Global Artistic Director Simon Shaw, so as Project members extend their knowledge and skills in all things men’s hair and barbering, they not only become aware of our hair care range, their feedback is incredibly useful to us in return. There is always a mutual benefit to getting your products involved with similar barber education projects.”

Captain Fawcett product concepts tend to come from lived experience in place of conventional market research. 

CAPTAIN FAWCETT BEGAN BY MAKING A SINGLE MOUSTACHE WAX ON THE STOVE OF A HOME KITCHEN IN NORFOLK, UK. SOME 12 YEARS LATER, THE ICONIC BRITISH BRAND IS RECOGNIZED ACROSS THE GLOBE, SUPPLYING A SIMPLY SUPERB RANGE OF ‘FIRST CLASS GENTLEMAN’S GROOMING REQUISITES’. SO HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT CREATING MALE GROOMING PRODUCTS? RICHIE FINNEY, CAPTAIN FAWCETT FOUNDER, GIVES US THE LOW DOWN.

Richie explains: “For example, I made the original Moustache Wax myself, initially for personal use. And once that took off, the Beard Oils were suggested by Iain Crockart, the enormously talented designer who created the visual narrative of Captain Fawcett. Who also happens to have a beautiful flourishing beard!

“One of the benefits of social media is that your organic online community serves as a focus group, both holding you accountable and reviewing products for their own like-minded audiences.”

We asked what the process is for creating new formulas.

He said: “The pursuit of excellence! When ensuring each and every product is of the highest quality, there is no room for winging it. Sharing samples with industry experts earns their genuine endorsement, leading to trust from stockists and distributors. All Captain Fawcett products must stand up to the rigorous demands of world-renowned barbers and hair stylists, many who run their own academies of excellence. To maintain one’s reputation, it is essential to get the product right by sourcing the only best quality ingredients.”

Once you’re happy with the product, what’s the next stage?

“Present a top-quality product in beautiful packaging, designed to fit within your overall brand. Handsome pack shot photography and fantastic lifestyle images both inform and spark customers’ imagination. But not everyone is visual, so words matter too, particularly when describing something essentially invisible, like fragrance. Find designers and writers who get your ideas and know how to run with them. It’s a collaborative approach.”

And taking it to market, does Captain Fawcett have a firm strategy?

“Launch campaigns include a variety of marketing strategies, such as distributor and customer e-shots (grow your mailing list – these are engaged customers willingly signed up to receive news from your brand), social media, photo and film shoots and ambassador partners. And never underestimate the power of a good old fashioned press release, especially if there’s a newsworthy story or celebrity name attached to your new product.”

Be honest now, what’s your own hero hair styling product?

“Right now I’m really delighted with Captain Fawcett’s new Patent Pomades. All four are extremely effective, versatile and smell fabulous. Plus the canisters are not only handsome, they’re also incredibly barber friendly to use, easy to grip and very large so you really get your money’s worth. As international barber Sid Sottung said ‘they’re bloody brilliant’! And of course I’ll always have great affection for the Moustache Wax. Captain Fawcett’s OG, as it were!”

And is there anything new in the pipeline we should know about?

“Yes! There is the new Expedition Reserve Hair Conditioner and a styling Hair Powder. Meanwhile…keep your eyes peeled for Captain Fawcett’s ‘League of Exceptional Gentlemen’!

“We are also extending the popular Alessandro Manfredini range. Currently we have an awardwinning Eau De Parfum (Silver Award for ‘Best New Niche Fragrance’ 2021 Pure Beauty Awards), which will be joined by complementary products for gentlemen who enjoy layering their aromatics for lasting fragrance. And fans of Nebula might like to know Grammy Award winning rock star John Petrucci has been in the UK at HQ to discuss plans for an Eau De Parfum. You heard it here first! Hugely exciting!

“All this takes time. The resources to keep developing new product ranges result from building on success. And that comes from a core of people who have put in phenomenal hard work over many years. You have to be prepared to put the hours in. It’s a way of life. Extraordinary to think it began from a humble tin of Moustache Wax! Remember, with a huge amount of hard work and a certain amount of luck, your small niche may well become the next big thing.” •

“ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF SOCIAL MEDIA IS THAT YOUR ORGANIC ONLINE COMMUNITY SERVES AS A FOCUS GROUP, PRODUCTS FOR THEIR OWN LIKE-MINDED AUDIENCES.”

‘NOTHING ELSE COMES CLOSE’

Captain Fawcett ’ s

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As a barber, your only limitations are dictated by your client, and their lifestyle. For example, when I am working with general clients, the limitations we are working around are their lifestyle, routine, job and so forth.

Whereas when I’m creating a creative look for a collection, I want to push everything to the limit. I want to break all barriers. I’m going to go beyond what their lifestyle is to add whatever product, or perform whatever service, I believe is going to be beneficial to carry out the look.

Another scenario is when I am grooming an professional athlete. The limitation here is that I know I need to be restrictive of the amount of color or pomades I use, because they sweat so much.

I recently did a cut that was a little different, while I was platform educating at IBS New York . It was on one of my models who had straight hair, and I focused on adding lot of texture using clippers. For that gentleman, it was a little bit of both a general purpose haircut and a creative cut. I didn’t go too far, but I did go further than I would for the standard athlete. The reason I did that was to showcase a picture perfect haircut. I added a little bit of color and hair fibers. I focused on using American Crew Pomade for the purpose of adding texture to his crown to highlight more of the texture that was created with the clippers. I wanted to create a look that was unique and it was perfect for the photoshoot that we did right after.

BY KENNY DUNCAN

To create the look shown in this column, I used the new Andis Centennial Bespoke Trimmer. I used it at the bottom of the fade, into the beard and into the haircut. Both in the temples and the nape area. I then used the Black Andis reVITE with the fade blade both closed and open to do my tapering. I paired it with the K Duncan Comb Collection. to clipper over comb his sides, and then I used the same clipper to do a technique called ‘share style’ which adds texture. At this point of my showcase, I changed the name of my clippers to mechanical shears, which makes it easy for the hairstylists to understand.

Then I used the Andis BeSPOKE Trimmer to do my outline. I used a semi-permanent color to darken the outline on the temple to provide contrast to stand out, then I used a hair fiber. To give it a matte finish, I used American Crew Pomade which highlighted the texture created with the clippers.

If you want to push your own limits, I would advise you to find a mentor in whatever it is that you are not a specialist in. Then you can equip yourself with techniques that will help you go beyond what you would normally do. Your level of expertise paired with somebody else’s expertise will inspire you to incorporate their skillset into what you do. You’d be surprised what two combined skillsets can come up with! It will give you possibilities that will be endless.

I recently experimented with the American Crew range of styling products and fell in love with their Pomade, Boost Powder, Forming Cream, and Whip. The AC Pomade that I used helps me to treat what I like to call ‘organized chaos’. I disrupted the interior length by making some of the hair shorter. And what I want the pomade to do is help some of the hair stick together to help define the texture even more and to help with the separation and lift.

There are products in the American Crew range for all types of hair. For example, fine hair. I would use American Crew Boost Powder because I want to focus on lifting. I don’t want to focus on anything wet, because that can make the hair look thinner. For curly hair, it depends on the ethnicity of the client. The height and number in the curl pattern typically uses moisture to help define a curl, so I want to use products with shea butter as a base to help define the curl when it comes to 3C, 3B, 4A, B and C. When it comes to a 1C, I still focus on using pomades or even gels to help define the curl. Sometimes it will just be water to help accentuate the curl, or maybe use a light holding spray to help hold the style. For the stylist’s workstation I recommend a the K Duncan Comb Collective. The combs are heat resistant, so instead of using a brush to create lift, I prefer to use a comb. I comb the hair to its full attention and then use a hair dryer with a concentrator to point the hot air right at the hair that is being pulled with tension to get a good root lift.

WHEN I’M BEING CREATIVE, I WANT TO PUSH EVERYTHING TO THE LIMIT. I WANT TO BREAK ALL BARRIERS!” KENNY DUNCAN SHARES WHAT LIMITATIONS HE HAS TO OBSERVE DEPENDING ON WHOSE HAIR HE IS STYLING.

BY IVAN ZOOT

COLUMNIST,

Combs have been used by humans for over 5,000 years. The materials have evolved from wood and bone to modern polymer plastics. If there is an overarching theme to the evolution of our creation and use of combs it is the notion of increasing specialization. Modern combs are designed and

Clipper combs – Used for clipperover-comb techniques. Ideally, these feature wide, flat tooth areas with no pronounced spine ridge. Flexibility is limited in favor of stability and control. Mid-tone colors make it easy to see guide lines and tapering imperfections. Handle areas feature texture for grip and control.

ONECOMB

to make specific tasks easier and more efficient. Today’s professional haircutters have lots of comb choices. The key is to match the comb to the cutting tool and the specific cutting situation. Use the guide below to make informed choices of combs and their use and application.

Scissor cutting combs – Perhaps the widest range of shapes, materials and tooth configurations. Straight spines are helpful for scissor-over-comb cutting. Fine teeth aid in maintaining tension on the hair for precision and shape crafting. Length, weight and flexibility become very personal preferences.

Pros reach for OneComb

Blending scissor combs – Wide teeth are preferred so as not to influence the position and fall of the hair. Blending scissors are more about how the hair behaves under its own weight and growth direction. Lighter colors aid in visibility of weight lines and imperfections in the finished shape.

Trimmer combs – Finishing work is addressing the smallest and finest of details. Thin, flexible, fine-tooth combs are ideal for polishing the perimeter of haircuts with close cutting trimmers. Tapered shapes for closer work and mid-tone colors for visibility are important in trimming combs.

You only need one comb – and that's the OneComb by Ivan Zoot. It's the ultimate professional haircutting comb, zoned for optimal performance. For scissor, clipper, trimmer, razor, and blending use. Unique tooth configurations optimize cutting on all hair types and textures with 18 engineered features to make you a better pro haircutter. The tool has a concave positioning arc, sectioning tooth, smooth surface for easy clipperover-comb, castle teeth for all hair types and textures, ruler markings, and is perfectly weighted. It's reversable for left or right-hand use too… the list goes on. Why

Efficiency - Quick to use.

Confidence - You have the tools you need.

Control - The right tool for all hair types and textures.

Razor combs – Razor cutting is all about movement and texture. Wide and staggered tooth patterns make razor cutting flow more naturally. Lower tension on the hair assists in creating soft shapes with maximum movement. Thicker, more rigid materials aid in overall control.

For help building your barber business connect with Ivan at ivanzoot.com

I created my OneComb with these ideas in mind. No one comb can be your one comb until OneComb. OneComb is zoned to offer a variety of tooth designs, patterns and configurations to support all cutting tools and all hair types and textures. Learn more about OneComb at ivanzoot.com

Consistency - Deliver the right cut every time.

Cleanliness - Less station-top clutter. Unbreakable // Recyclable //

IVAN ZOOT, SINCE LAUNCHING HIS

, WILL NOW BE HERE ON OUT, REFERRED TO AS – THE COMB GUY! WE ARE JUST KIDDING. BUT HE DOES KNOW HIS WAY AROUND A COMB, AND WHAT COMB TO SELECT AS THE BEST TOOL FOR THE TASK AT HAND. IVAN WALKS US THROUGH THE DIFFERENT COMBS AND THEIR USES, SO YOU CAN MATCH THE RIGHT COMB TO THE JOB.

CARMEN REYNA IS A CALIFORNIA NATIVE, BASED AT THE BAXTER FINLEY BARBER & SHOP IN WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA. WE SPOKE TO CARMEN ABOUT HER TIPS ON CREATING THE PERFECT WEST COAST STYLES.

Originally from Bakersfield, CA, Carmen has moved up and down the coast for the majority of her adult life. She became licensed in 2010 and has been working in the hair industry ever since.

Carmen said: “I am very fortunate to have been able to live and thrive everywhere I’ve moved to solely on barbering. After caring for people for so long they eventually become family and work flies by because I get to catch up with friends all day. They get a confidence boost, I get paid, and we all win in the end. It’s truly a beautiful profession.”

Carmen specializes in razor cutting and working with curly hair. She is also known for her quick but thorough consultations. She said: “Being a barber, we usually work on 30-minute time slots but that doesn’t mean we need to skimp on the consultation. Good consultation and clear communication are what is going to set you up for success.”

Carmen has been working with Baxter of California products since the beginning of her barbering career, until becoming a barber at their flagship shop, Baxter Finley in 2017. “What initially

drew me to the line was that it offered skincare as well as hair, body, shave and lifestyle products, basically everything a man needs for his grooming routine.” Most barber lines only do pomades, but this one has it all. Now that I work at the shop, I have direct access to labs and get to request what I want to be made. If there’s a need for it, we’ll make some prototypes, test them at the barbershop and get them made.

“My new favorite is the Shea Butter Pomade we just released. It’s so moisturizing and great for coarse hair that just needs a little extra love. Imagine a rich leave-in conditioner with a bit of hold. That’s it!

“My other favorite product is our brandnew Exfoliating Beard Oil. It’s formulated with salicylic acid, shea butter as well as other natural ingredients that not only soften the hair, but keeps the skin underneath exfoliated and hydrated to combat itchiness and that ever annoying flaky skin that can accumulate under a beard.”

Baxter of California is a true Californian brand. It was first launched in 1965 by Baxter Finley in

Los Angeles and has been developed, tried, and tested in California ever since. I asked Carmen how Baxter of California represents the West Coast style. She said: “For starters, Baxter Finley Barber & Shop is Los Angeles, CA. We, as in the barbers, lab techs, and all of our team that work behind the scenes are based in LA. We live and work here. It’s more than just the beach. We enjoy the deserts, the forests, mountains, and the beaches. California is a geographic paradise and perfect for outdoor adventures. 1/3 of the countries fresh produce comes from here so that makes for a huge fresh and multi-cultural food scene, which is what makes it so special. Music and entertainment is everywhere and that just adds to why we love it here so much. We really do live the California lifestyle.

Carmen told us what defines Californian hairstyles. She said: “We have all walks of life in California. So, sometimes it’s not a trend. It’s more about what works for the individual, and that can be trendsetting all on its own. It’s more of a mentality. Easy, and effortless. That’s what a good haircut and product should do for you. No fuss necessary.”

Carmen’s top three West Coast styles: “Number one, the mullet, but with a softer, 70’s influence. Less punk, more funk. I would use Baxter of California’s Grooming Cream in dry hair for a light, soft hold.

“Number two, the classic scissor cut. Sits on the ears slightly and is softer around the sides. This is a more relaxed gentleman’s cut that looks great with anything and works well with any type and texture of hair. Any of the classic pomades will work on this, depending on the vibe and occasion you are dressing for. This is a quick, put some pomade in your hands and go type of cut. Dry or well-toweldried hair is preferred, but like I said no fuss.

“And number three, the low fade with a long top. Natural edges but is still very clean. The top is styled very loosely that way you can still put your hands in it. I would style it with the Clay Pomade and Clay Effect Spray. Blow dry at the base to create some volume but leave the ends slightly damp and spray in after. Use very little Clay Pomade, just to hold down the fuzzy bits around the sides of the head.”

Sign up at BAXTER DIRECT for openstock access, plus:

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BY TAYLOR LEVEN

TAYLOR LEVEN IS AN EDUCATOR AND OWNER OF HEADSPACE BARBERSHOP IN CHICAGO.

TAYLOR, A LICENSED COSMETOLOGIST AND BARBER, TALKS ABOUT HOW THE BARBERSHOP IS STARTING TO SEE LONGER LENGTHS OF HAIR AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO EDUCATE OUR CLIENTS ON AT-HOME STYLING.

I have a background in both cosmetology and barbering which means I can use both skillsets to get the results I need. Styling short hair and styling long hair are two totally different ball games and for that, I would say my background in cosmetology has definitely helped me with the longer length trends that are resurfacing the barber world. Short hair requires totally different products, brushes, and styling techniques. When I started barbering, there was no education for longer lengths because we just weren’t seeing those styles within the barbershop walls. Product knowledge and styling are so important for people who are wanting to wear their hair long for the first time, because they haven’t been taught how to care for it, maintain it, or style it. It’s our job to teach them.

As more guys are growing their hair out longer, especially if this is new to them, there is a refresh needed on how to style their hair in the morning.

I’ve noticed that half of our time together is spent educating on maintaining and styling. Along with longer lengths, people are also trying to wear more lived-in styles and embrace their natural wave patterns.

With that, we have to educate them on curly hair products, properly maintaining, and daily styling. Our clients are not just paying for a haircut. They are paying for our knowledge on all things hair related. It’s our job to make sure they can make their hair look as good as it does when they leave the shop.

Lately, for longer hair, my favorite styling tool has been a diffuser. Everyone wants low maintenance, those get up and go hairstyles, and the diffuser is perfect for that. It lets the hair dry into its natural fall.  My favorite product for the longer length, lived-in looks is grooming cream. Grooming cream is great because it hydrates the hair and gives it control, without having too much hold that you can’t run your fingers through it. It seems to be the perfect get up and go product. You can even put it in damp hair, comb into place, and let it air dry. I would recommend the Victory Brand Grooming Cream. Changing the way we approach a longer style compared to a shorter style is a real shift for barbers. We’re wired to make everything sharp and perfect, but longer length hairstyles are more soft around the edges. Not everything has to be lined up and tapered to perfection. These longer trends are more about

shape, and flattering the clients features.

When you are styling longer hair, it’s important to take hair texture into account.

I will normally take a grooming cream for more ruly hair and I will either air dry or diffuse.  For hair that is very unruly and frizzy, I’ve found the JPMS Straight Works Straightening Gel is an amazing leave-in product that will smooth out the client’s hair. I always say it’s the closest thing you can get to a keratin treatment, plus you can blow dry it in as well.

Dry shampoo is a great product to educate our clients on. They shouldn’t be washing their hair every day, especially if they want to keep their long hair hydrated and shiny. Dry shampoo is the perfect product in between shampoos, to give the appearance of a fresh wash.

If you want to upskill yourself a little more on styling longer hair we are lucky to have access to so much education online! I recommend looking up styling videos on YouTube. Practice makes perfect! Try out some styles on a mannequin or other barbers at the shop. If we don’t evolve with the new trends we will get left behind. We must keep up and keep educating ourselves! It’s easier than ever before.

“EVERYONE WANTS LOW MAINTENANCE, THOSE GET UP AND GO HAIRSTYLES, AND THE DIFFUSER IS PERFECT FOR THAT.”

IN 2022, ALEX MARTINEZ (AKA @SNAXTHEBARBER_)

WAS AWARDED BARBERCON’S “BEST KEPT SECRET” TROPHY. BUT NOW, BARBEREVO IS LETTING THE SECRET OUT! ALEX’S STYLE AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL ARE WHAT GOT HIM NOTICED, AND WHAT HE HAS BECOME KNOWN FOR.

Alex has been working at Mikes

Custom Kuts Barbershop (owned by Michael Giraldo) on Long Island, NJ for about a decade now. Mikes is known for being the home to top barbers who are often taking home trophies from industry events.

Alex said: “The journey of how I have become the barber I am today has been pretty cool. I have learned a lot about the industry and how to be professional when it comes to my craft from Mike.”

I asked Alex how he felt about taking home BarberCon’s “Best Kept Secret Award” on top of his Trophy for 2nd place for BarberCon’s Best Traditional Haircut. He said: “I was absolutely shocked! I didn’t get into this industry to be some Instagram famous barber, I just really enjoy the art of cutting and styling hair. So, for people to notice and to receive an award for my work, was a really cool thing. I feel like that’s what led me to win, just staying consistent and working as hard as I can.”

I asked Alex how he would describe his style, and what his favorite styles to create are. He said: “Traditional haircuts with a lot of volume and designs are definitely what I attract most. The designs

started a few years back when I decided to bring the graffiti aspect of my life to my work life.”

So, what products are in Alex’s styling bag? He said: “I always enjoy using Muk haircare because of their wide array of products. A lot of my clients like the Filthy Muk Styling Paste, with a gritty finish and firm hold, when I’m doing a traditional haircut like pompadours, side parts or even slick backs, or the Dry Muk Styling Paste with a matt finish and strong hold when I’m doing a very texture-based haircut.

Muk has recently launched a new professional line called Mr. Muk. “The Mr. Muk products are great, the same quality of product as the originals, but have more a masculine scent, and comes in a glass container instead of a aluminum can.”

Finally, I asked Alex, what advice he has for barbers out there who want to get their work noticed. He said: “Don’t be afraid to post! Post everything. See your own progression and have others see it as well. Work hard, and step outside your comfort zone!”

POPULAR NOBODY X ANDIS SLIMLINE PRO LI TRIMMER

This collaboration brings you the Andis Slimline Pro Li Trimmer in the stunning Mosley colorways. Slim, lightweight and extrasharp carbon steel blades mean you get ultra-close detailing. Two hours of runtime.

$200.00 // thepopularnobody.com

AMERICAN CREW FIBER ™

High hold, low shine product that helps thicken, texturize and increase fullness of the hair. It is ideal for the man who wants to add texture to his style while having absolute control. Fiber™ protects against moisture loss, conditions the hair and provides a smooth after feel. The finish results in a strong, pliable hold with a matte appearance. Fiber™ works well with shorter hair, 1-3 inches in length. americancrew.com

BAXTER OF CALIFORNA BEARD GROOMING OIL

Our Beard Grooming Oil is here to tame any and all beard styles. Enriched with Squalene and Avocado Oil, it moisturizes and conditions not only your hair, but also the often-forgotten skin underneath your beard.

$29.00 // baxterofcalifornia.com

CAPTAIN FAWCETT SEA SALT SPRAY

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Lifts landlocked follicles with its plant extracts and sea minerals that nourishes and fixes moisture. Adds natural texture with a matte finish.

$32.29 // captainfawcett.com

IVAN ZOOT COMB ONECOMB

You only need one comb. OneComb by Ivan Zoot is the ultimate professional haircutting comb. Zoned for optimal performance. For scissor, clipper, trimmer, razor, and blending scissor use. Unique tooth configurations optimize cutting on all hair types and textures with all techniques. Has 18 engineered features to make you a better pro haircutter.

$20.00 // ivanzoot.com

BROSH CLOUDY POMADE

Brosh and Cloudy has created a pomade to help raise money for the Barber Academy Project. The pomade has a strong holding power that can tackle even the thickest hair types. With 10% of sales used to fund employment support in Ghana.

$25.44// broshpomade.com

WAHL PROFESSIONAL POWER STATION ™

This premium, weighted power station charges three Wahl Professional cordless clippers, trimmers or shavers with one cord and includes a USB-C port for phone or iPad charging. Six included tool inserts means you can mix and match any combo of tools.

$199.00 // wahlpro.com

DON JUAN PRE-STYLER GROOMING SPRAY

Don Juan Pre-styling Grooming Spray gives hair texture, with a light hold and a natural finish. Works well as a standalone product or as a pre-styler for use in combination with other Don Juan products.

$14.99 // donjuanpomade.com

BEARD OCTANE REGULATOR BEARD BUTTA

Get that beard looking & feeling on point, with our conditioning natural Beard Butta (aka Beard Butter)! Scent Notes: Fresh Watermint, Bright Lemongrass & Smooth Oakmoss Cologne.

$21.00 // beardoctane.com

18.21 MAN MADE WASH

A luxury 3-1 body wash, fortified shampoo and sumptuous conditioner for men, inspired by the spirit of swanky, prohibition-era speakeasy lounges. Cleans and conditions from the crown down!

$49.00 // 1821manmade.com

A GREAT BARBERSHOP IS ALL ABOUT STRIKING A BALANCE BETWEEN FASHION AND FUNCTION. HOW DO YOU CREATE A SPACE THAT IS RELAXING, COMFORTABLE, AND FASHIONABLE, WHILE ALSO BEING FUNCTIONAL AND PRACTICAL? BARBERSHOP OWNERS SHARE THEIR ADVICE ON HOW TO CREATE ASTYLISH SPACE FOR YOUR STYLISH CLIENTS.

BARBERSHOP

FURNITURE

Over your years as a barber, you will try out and acquire hundreds of different products and tools. Clippers and trimmers will evolve and progress over the years, your favorite haircare brands will come out with new products and technology. You are sure to go through hundreds of little bottles of shampoo and tubs of pomade throughout your career, and cut thousands of heads of hair. But in many cases, in all that time spent behind the chair, your chair will stay the same.

That means your barber chair is one of the most important investments you will make in your career as a barber. Sofie said: “Aside from the amazing tools that we may need to get our job done, a comfortable chair goes even further!”

“I think of my back and body positioning from having to work on short to taller clients. The comfort of this chair will be the reason why

INVESTING IN COMFORT

FOR SOFIE POK (AKA @STAYGOLD31), IT’S ALL ABOUT FASHION + FUNCTION. THE WORLD-RENOWNED BARBER, CO-CREATOR OF STMNT GROOMING, AND BABYLISSPRO AMBASSADOR BELIEVES IN TOOLS AND PRODUCTS THAT NOT ONLY WORK WELL, BUT LOOK GOOD, AND HELP YOU ACHIEVE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL. THAT’S WHY SHE HAS TEAMED UP WITH THE ICONIC FURNITURE BRAND, TAKARA BELMONT, TO SHARE THE BEAUTY OF A GOOD BARBER CHAIR.

your body aches more than it should. I know this because I've gone through it myself. Being shorter and working on a chair that’s too high for me even at its lowest point, caused me to lean in further which throws off the balance and tension in my body that would make my shoulders ache over long periods of time. Aside from that, we can make our clients uncomfortable by having to ask them to adjust lower. These are some things that can have a better user and client experience when you find the right fit chair!”

I asked Sofie to tell me the story of how she acquired her first Takara Belmont chair. She said: “It happened by accident. I was looking for a station at the first barbershop that hired me when I was new. There was one chair most of the guys didn’t choose for some reason and when I went to check it out. I noticed right away; it wasn’t as wide and bulky and the hydraulic

allowed the chair to get lower than others. Just off of those two things, I chose that chair and it just so happened to be Takara Belmont Elegance Chair from the ‘80s!”

Today, what’s Sofie’s go-to Takara Model? She said: “The Classic Elegance 225 all blacked out.”

Sofie said: “You never know how important something is until you have it and then do not have it. During the most crucial time of my career, the start, I'd had the chair going strong for four years before I moved! All the fun hours of learning and connecting with clients made the barbershop a place where I looked forward to spending more time. I learned so much about culture, different upbringings, food, daily challenges, corporate and creative careers, and the one common denominator…everyone needed a cut. 

“When I think about the full experience of what a great service is… it’s everything from start to finish. The greeting, the comfort, the vibe, the service, and the great feeling you leave with.

“We always remember the start of something and for me, it was the long demanding hours building that skill. The first 10,000 hours I spent all on this chair. Never failed me once. Looking back on the journey and being here now, having two new editions of that chair, I know they are going to last me a lifetime.”

I asked her what details and touches are most important to her. She said: “The details that are important to me is the quality build. These are running chairs passed down from generation and work better than more modern chairs by newer brands. They really take the time to make sure the chairs are made with high regard. The comfort my clients enjoy was another highlight as well as the size and height that was perfect for me.”

When purchasing a new chair, your decision isn’t just based on what will look best in your barber shop and on your aesthetic. There are practical elements that are vital to look into before you make your decision. I asked Sofie what are the biggest factors you need to consider when purchasing a barber chair. Sofie said: “The biggest factors to consider are: the width, height, comfort, recline angle, footrest, adjustable headrest, great working hydraulic, padded armrest, just to name a few!” •

“WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE FULL EXPERIENCE OF WHAT A GREAT SERVICE IS… IT’S EVERYTHING FROM START TO FINISH.”

“WE ALWAYS REMEMBER THE START OF SOMETHING AND FOR ME, IT WAS THE LONG DEMANDING HOURS BUILDING THAT SKILL. THE FIRST 10,000 HOURS I SPENT ALL ON THIS CHAIR. NEVER FAILED ME ONCE. LOOKING BACK ON THE JOURNEY AND BEING HERE NOW, HAVING TWO NEW EDITIONS OF THAT CHAIR, I KNOW IS ONLY GOING TO LAST ME A LIFETIME.”

*Receive 10% OFF retail prices for all Takara Belmont barber equipment (excludes parts). Valid from April 1 - May 31, 2023. Applicable for Takara Belmont equipment only. Offer only available for customers in the United States. Additional restrictions and exclusions may apply.

WELCOME TOBARBERVILLE

MOST LUXURIOUS

HOUSE OF HANDSOME

“This place looks like a dang cathedral. Every single element from the high ceilings, to the wallpaper, to the wine dispensers. This is a place for luxury.”

BEST MIRRORS

THE MAIL ROOM BARBER

“This minimalist space is so fresh and clean. The massive mirrors were custom-made by a local woodworking shop, making the space look even bigger and brighter.”

MOST CREATIVE

NEIGHBORHOOD HEROZ BY LUKE NAHSHON

“This place has so much color and creativity from floor to ceiling. From the attached shoe boutique to the arcade games, and the graffiti walls, I didn’t want to leave this place.”

BEST LIGHTING

MODERN CLASSICS

BY DONNY BLENDS

“This shop shows the best example of aesthetically pleasing and effective lighting. These hexagonal lights shed light from every angle so the barber has great vision and no shadows”

BARBER OF 10 YEARS, CHRIS (CJ) FOREMAN BEGAN CREATING VIDEOS TOURING THE DOPEST BARBERSHOPS AROUND THE STATES TO PROMOTE THE BARBERVILLE FESTIVAL IN NORTH CAROLINA. HIS INSTAGRAM PAGE QUICKLY GAINED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FOLLOWERS, RAPIDLY BECOMING ONE OF THE HOTTEST ACCOUNTS, FEATURING STANDOUT BARBERSHOPS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

After moving to North Carolina from New York, CJ had an idea to hold events to promote and bring together the NC barbering community. He explained: “I started hosting what I called ‘Meet Ups’ to bring barbers from all across the state together, to network, share knowledge and help build a stronger community.”

After hosting a few of these meet-ups, CJ realized that there was scope and demand for something bigger. So, he started planning the first BarberVille Festival, which was a roaring success. He was already thinking about the next one when… well you know what happened.

“The pandemic hit, and all events were put on hold. But then last summer, when things were feeling normal again, I decided to announce that we would be holding the next BarberVille festival in October 2023. I wanted to think of an organic way of getting the name of the festival out there, and I thought, why don’t I go around to different shops and get some content? I had no idea it would take off the way that it did. We started with just one video and then we added more and more of our ideas, and now it has just taken on a complete life of its own. I did not think that is what was going to happen, and I am catching up to the success of it all. Like, I just learned how to use a camera a few months ago!”

Over the last six months or so, CJ has been touring around some of the best, most beautiful, and most highly acclaimed barbershops across the country, from House of Handsome to Joshua Hawkins’ shop, @3quip_, to Tyrik Jacksons Academy, to Taylor Perry’s SMP Studios, and many more.

CJ and his editor work closely together, but all shoots are done in-house, they don’t outsource or share other people's work. So, it is truly a two-

man team traveling, shooting, and creating all of this epic content.

After seeing the rapid success of the account, and the high demand for more tours, CJ is now thinking about the next steps for BarberVille. He said: “We are considering a few options, from a season of longer ‘episodes’ which viewers can subscribe to, potentially working with brands, and we are even thinking about expanding outside of the States. We would love to showcase some of the best shops in the UK, Europe, and even Australia.”

I asked CJ what some of his highlights have been since starting this journey. He said: “It has been a truly amazing journey getting to travel all over the place and meet new people every day. So many of the people we have featured are people who I have looked up to throughout my career. Even though the travel can be arduous, that excitement when I pull up to a shop, and the excitement of the barbers who are getting featured, is unmatched. I love getting to network, collaborate and talk to fellow artists and barbers about our industry, where things are going, and what we are excited about and looking forward to.”

CJ has gotten the chance firsthand to see and showcase some of the best barbershops in the country. So, I asked him where he thinks the trends are going in terms of barbershop interiors. He said: “There are a lot of different aesthetics people are going for these days. Some shops are adopting that

modern, minimalist aesthetic inspired by the apple store, which I am a big fan of. But another thing I have noticed is that the shops that are standing out are the ones that are picking a theme and committing to it. For example, we have visited shops that have a basketball court as a floor, and a hoop in the shop. Other shops look like streetwear shops and sell sneakers and clothes too. Other shops are committed to that fully luxurious experience.

“So, what I am seeing is people picking a theme that represents them in some way, then doubling down on that theme and bringing it to life, creating an immersive experience. You could just rent a space and throw some chairs in there, but if you want to stand out, your shop needs to reflect your inner style.”

Finally, I asked CJ, what barbershops can do to up their chances of one day being featured on BarberVille. He said: “Well, we want to be authentic and transparent. We are very thoughtful about the shops that we feature. We want to feature shops that are not only unique in terms of their interior, but that are giving back to their local community, and involved in the barbering community. It’s not all about looking pretty. We want to feature the people and shops who are making a difference.”

Find out more about The BarberVille Festival on Oct 1, 2023 at thebarberville.com and check out their tours at @thebarberville on Instagram

“SO, WHAT I AM SEEING IS PEOPLE PICKING A THEME THAT REPRESENTS THEM IN SOME WAY, THEN DOUBLING DOWN ON THAT THEME AND BRINGING IT TO LIFE, CREATING AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE.”

COMMUNITY, CONNECTION, AND CARE!

THE HISTORY OF JOHN HANCOCK BARBERSHOP IS A TESTAMENT TO THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT AND DETERMINATION OF ITS FOUNDER, GRANT QUEZADA

AND HIS BUSINESS PARTNER, JESSE BURKE. THE BUSINESS HAS GROWN AND NOW OWN AND RUN SEVEN BRANDS WITHIN THE FOUNDING FATHERS COLLECTIVE… WE CAUGHT UP WITH GRANT TO FIND OUT MORE.

After eight years of service in US Army Special Operations Command, Grant returned home with a dream to open his own barbershop in Prescott, AZ. With a focus on quality service and creative marketing strategies, he quickly grew the brand from a two-chair shop to a seven-chair shop in the heart of downtown Prescott.

Grant's vision for the barbershop extended beyond just providing haircuts and grooming services. He wanted John Hancock Barbershop to be a community hub where clients could connect with one another and stay informed about local happenings. As a result, the shop became a popular gathering spot where people could share their experiences, exchange ideas, and learn about what was going on in town.

Grant sought help from his childhood friend Jesse to expand John Hancock Barbershop. Together, they collaborated and combined their resources to create a new venture that would help them realize their dream.

This led to the founding of a company that embodied their shared values and vision. The Founding Fathers Collective (FFC). FFC has since become a successful business in Prescott, Arizona, with Jesse as one of its co-founders and owners.

The success of John Hancock Barbershop is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and a commitment to community. By focusing on delivering high-quality service and fostering a welcoming environment, Grant and Jesse have created a business that is not only profitable but also serves as an asset to the community.

The plan from the beginning was to grow the brand to have many locations. This is what ultimately led him to build what is now The Founding Fathers Collective. The collective is a place that houses seven separate, yet individual and connected, businesses. The barbershop is the hub and anchor of the collective. Which consists of, John Hancock Barbershop, Merchant Coffee, Liberty Mercantile, Seventy Six members only speakeasy, a whiskey and cigar lounge, Founders Gym, The City Tavern Tap room, that is the largest self-serve tap room in northern AZ, with 65 handles.

From the inception of John Hancock Barbershop, the company mission and core values are community, connection, and care.

It takes a lot of skill, dedication, and hard work to run multiple businesses simultaneously. Grant,

Jesse and their team are committed to their vision and values. By owning and operating all of the businesses within the Collective, they can ensure that each one upholds the same high standards of quality, customer service, and community engagement.

We asked Grant how he describes the visual and design of the barbershop. He said: “Our shop's design and aesthetic take inspiration from Neoclassical architecture and classic storefronts found in cities like New York and England. With a nod to our name's history, we've incorporated contemporary and industrial elements that complement the building's original warehouse design. The result is a unique and distinctive style that blends the best of the old and the new, creating a space that is both visually striking and functional.

“Additionally, having a space that is enjoyable to hang out in with friends and family can help create a sense of belonging and encourage people to spend more time at the Collective, further strengthening the community atmosphere.”

Taking center stage are the 1950s replica barber chairs from Collins. Why were these the chairs of choice for such a strong aesthetic?

Grant said: “Our Collins Barber Chairs are top of line, comfortable, classic, functional, longstanding chairs. The Collins Co. is great to work with. They are quick to help in any way they can with any of our needs.”

A huge part of the customer experience at John Hancock is the awesome line of products that the team use and teach their clients how to use for home care.

Grant said: “We use Layrite which includes pomades, waxes, and grooming sprays. These products are designed to provide a strong hold while still allowing for flexibility and easy restyling throughout the day. Also Proraso. This is a line of shaving and grooming products that includes shaving creams, aftershaves, and beard care products. The products are formulated with natural ingredients like eucalyptus oil and menthol to provide a refreshing and invigorating experience.

“To promote healthy hair and scalp, we use Paul Mitchell Tea Tree: Paul Mitchell Tea Tree which are formulated with tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic and antifungal agent. Another one of our products is 1922 JM Keune Professional. This is a line of demi-permanent hair color products that are designed to provide long-lasting, naturallooking color. The products are formulated with a low-ammonia formula and are gentle on hair, while still providing vibrant, fade-resistant color.

“Overall, these product lines offer a wide range of options for hair styling, grooming, and color. Each line has its unique features and benefits and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of different customers – which all adds to the customer experience.”

“OUR COLLINS BARBER CHAIRS ARE TOP OF LINE, COMFORTABLE, CLASSIC, FUNCTIONAL, LONGSTANDING CHAIRS. THE COLLINS CO. IS GREAT TO WORK WITH.”

NOBLE SAVAGE BARBERSHOP IN BAY SHORE, NEW YORK IS AN UPSCALE, OLD-WORLD GENTLEMAN’S RETREAT, WHERE MEN CAN GO TO UNWIND, RELAX AND EXPERIENCE THE ART OF GROOMING. WE SPOKE TO THOMAS O’ROURKE, ONE OF THE CREATORS OF NOBLE SAVAGE TO HEAR ABOUT HOW THEY BROUGHT THE NOBLE SAVAGE EXPERIENCE TO LIFE.

SAVAGE BUT NOBLE

Noble Savage Barbershop was first opened in 2019, by Thomas, along with Cesar Torres, and Carlos Delgado. The goal behind Noble Savage was to be a place that offers today’s progressive man a haven to relax in, while getting the latest trends in the art of grooming, in a masculine, lounge-style atmosphere. At entry, a hostess will greet customers at the front desk, and offer a selection of beverages including espresso, tea, soda, or an alcoholic beverage (for those of legal age.)

Thomas explained: “Noble Savage Barbershop is and was created for people who love the barber experience more than just a haircut. My partners and I had a common goal of bringing to life a culmination of the best experiences we have had while traveling the world trying out the best barbershops.”

I asked Thomas how he wanted his clients to feel upon entering Noble Savage. He said: “We want our customers to not only receive a worldclass haircut or shave but most importantly feel relaxed and actually a part of the community.”

What inspired the interior design and aesthetic of Noble Savage? Thomas explained: “The interior inspiration came from an industrial, oldschool infusion with a Brooklyn feel to it that our partner Cesar had envisioned. Cesar’s creative eye and imagination brought the look to life and is all his doing. We tried to just help realize his vision and help inspire him even more during the build-out process.”

I asked Thomas how they were able to find pieces of furniture that went with the Noble

Savage image. He said: “The barber chairs and couches were bought together from Keller, to connect the overall vision and vibe of the shop. I think they help in further establishing the old school and industrial nostalgic feel.”

It's a big decision to purchase furniture like barber chairs. Thomas and the team said their experience ordering from Keller was straightforward and painless: “Everything was smooth. The chairs and couches were delivered promptly and right to the front door. Overall, it was a great purchase, service, and delivery.”

Another way Noble Savage leans into their old world, yet not-too-traditional aesthetic is by using brands in the shop that complement not only the look of the shop, but help them create the best styles, and give their clients a memorable experience. For this, Thomas and his team are all about The Holy Black. He said: “We currently use Holy Black products as they are a locally based company. Again, the community is everything to us, and supporting local businesses is key for all the locals here in Bayshore.”

Any tips for creating a rustic yet classic, and fashionable yet functional interior? Thomas said: “None! There was no blueprint, just a creative process that led us to a final solution. It was more expensive and took more time, we debated and made changes on the fly.

“Everything was built out by the three of us. Long days and nights were required as well as compromise to get the fit and finish we wanted to achieve.”

“EVERYTHING WAS BUILT OUT BY THE THREE OF US. LONG DAYS AND NIGHTS WERE REQUIRED AS WELL AS COMPROMISE TO GET THE FIT AND FINISH WE WANTED TO ACHIEVE.”

BELVEDERE MALETTI MADRE

An electrically operated single wash unit with position memory and removable mattress pad. Has a tipping white ceramic basin, and air massage system. belvedere.com

BARBER UNIT STATION

Quality barber unit station comes with front wash taps, shower head and hoses. The unit itself has two built tool drawers and lock fitted cupboard doors.

$1,202.00 // csssalonsupplies.com

MINERVA MARVY BARBER POLE

Attract attention to your business with the most recognized symbol in the industry! All Marvy Barber Poles are constructed of stainless steel and aluminum parts and are indoor/ outdoor safe.

$753.95 // minervabeauty.com

FURNITURE

EDITOR’S CHOICE

COLLINS ANCHOR CABINET FOR DRY STATION

A solid surface counter top with two drawers and shelving below is the perfect addition. Can be used as a center anchor or stand alone.

$1,350.00 // collins.co

TAKARA BELMONT HOT TOWEL CABINET

A compact towel warmer designed to fit on the barber station, can take up to 28 towels. Available in stee or white. $423.00 // takarabelmont.com

K CONCEPT FURNITURE BILL BARBER CHAIR

Elegant, bold and classy. A unique design to stand out with its wooden decor armrest.

$679.99 // kconceptfurniture.com

TAKARA BELMONT ELITE WHITE

A classic silhouette, the Elite offers a comfortable reclining angle, height adjustable and removable headrest, a Belmont branded footrest and upholstered padded armrests. Available in many available colors and contrast piping as an option.

takarabelmont.com

BARBER BRACE US CLASSIC BLACK BARBER STYLING UNIT

A beautiful piece for any barbershop based on 19th century styling. With several cabinets, one mirror, marble top and centre support. barberbrace.us

CUTTING-EDGE EDUCATION

FOR ASPIRING BARBERS:

A FIRST LOOK INSIDE WAHL BARBER ACADEMY WITH LANCE WAHL

WAHL CLIPPER CORPORATION RECENTLY ANNOUNCED IT WOULD BE TEAMING UP WITH PIVOT POINT ACADEMY TO CREATE THE FIRST-EVER WAHL BARBER ACADEMY, SET TO OPEN IN SPRING 2023 IN CHICAGO, IL. THIS GROUNDBREAKING INSTITUTION WILL PROVIDE FUTURE BARBERS WITH THE SKILLS NEEDED TO EXCEL IN THE INDUSTRY, WHILE ALSO OFFERING ADVANCED TRAINING CLASSES FOR PROS.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Lance Wahl, Senior Vice President of Professional Sales & Marketing at Wahl Clipper Corporation, to learn more about this exciting new venture and what it means for the future of barbering education.

We first asked Lance, why is education so vital to Wahl, and why was opening this Barber Academy a natural step in furthering this support of the industry. He said: “At Wahl, we've always believed in the power of education. That's why

we launched our Fade It Forward® program back in 2018, providing barber school scholarships to students in need. Now, we're taking things to the next level with Wahl Barber Academy. Our goal is to provide aspiring barbers with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in the industry. The Academy will have a comprehensive curriculum that covers everything from technical skills to hair cutting, grooming, and business skills. It's all about preparing our students to perform at the highest levels of the industry.”

“AT WAHL, WE'VE ALWAYS BELIEVED IN THE POWER OF EDUCATION”

artist rendering

Lance explained that the initial goal of the Wahl Barber Academy is to create well-rounded, exceptional barbers who will be prepared to succeed in the top levels of the men's grooming industry. He said: “Our partnership with Pivot Point Academy is really what makes us unique to other barber schools. Pivot Point Academy will oversee school operations and is widely respected for developing exceptional new hair and beauty professionals. We were excited to find a partner whose reputation for excellence matched our own.”

Chicago is lucky enough to be home to the Wahl Barber Academy. Lance spoke on this: “Chicago is a great location for the academy as it is centrally located in the US and not far from Wahl’s global headquarters in Sterling, Illinois. The Academy’s location is near O’Hare Airport and is easily accessible via public transportation. And of course, Chicago has a reputation as a hub for amazing talent within the beauty and barber industry.”

Not only will students of the Wahl Barber Academy be recipients of an unparalleled level of education, but they will also receive unique opportunities to meet and learn from some of the best Wahl Professional barbers. Lance said: “The Wahl Academy will have a diverse team of licensed instructors providing a world-class education experience, in a new, intentionally thought-out learning environment for the next generation of barber superstars. What excites me is knowing in 10 to 15 years some of the biggest names in the industry will have started at the Wahl Barber Academy.

“The Wahl Barber Academy’s mission is to train the next generation of barbers and provide education from some of the best licensed instructors in the industry. In addition, from time to time, Wahl Professional Educators may participate as guest lecturers. When class is not in session, the academy will serve as an advanced

training center, hosting educational opportunities for industry professionals and Wahl Professional’s global team of educators.”

Wahl’s partner, Pivot Point Academy, has assembled a team of leading licensed instructors. I asked Lance what they looked for when selecting the best educators for the Academy. He said: "The team of licensed instructors demonstrates technical skill, has the ability to inspire and motivate students and has a commitment to excellence in the industry."

Denise Provenzano, Owner & Partner of Pivot Point Academy, is overseeing faculty recruitment in collaboration with Principal Educator, Ken Washburn, and Academy Director, Michelle Lamantia. Their reputation for selecting the best instructors will ensure the high standards of education at the academy.”

Not only will the instruction and resources available to Wahl Barber Academy students be outstanding, but the new state-of-the-art campus will facilitate learning in a way that is comfortable, efficient and effective. Lance said: “The building is being designed by the awardwinning team at Interworks Architecture. It will feature a 6,183-square-foot educational space with design elements that enhance students' and staff's experience and make it conducive to learning.

“It will have an overall modern-industrial style with black leather and chrome-trimmed Wahl barber chairs.

“Workstations will feature warm cherry wood cabinets with black trim and mirrors, and the work labs and color bar will carry the same design with black countertops and drawer pulls, complementing the cherry cabinets.

“Adding to the welcoming feel of the space, the lighting features black pendants with copper interiors, that will cast a warm glow. The flooring is just as remarkable with a cement base infused with a beautiful vein of copper running through it.

“For a modern touch, the glass backsplash boasts a gray color, elevating the aesthetic of the space. Classrooms, offices, and conference rooms carry through the design sophistication with the same look and feel, too.”

When will classes begin? “Classes are set to begin in Spring 2023, and potential students can begin their application process shortly.” Future

sustain

ability

EARTH MONTH IS HERE! THERE’S NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT TO HEED THE ADVICE OF THIS ISSUE’S ECO EXPERTS. THIS IS HOW TO START BEING AS PASSIONATE ABOUT SUSTAINABLE BARBERING AS YOU ARE ABOUT CUTTING HAIR.

Going Cleaner and Greener

FIRST ESTABLISHED IN 1997 BY HAIRDRESSER DANNY LARRY, THE SALON CHAIR GUYS CREATED AN AFFORDABLE BUSINESS TO SELL, SERVICE, REPAIR, AND RESTORE SALON AND BARBER FURNITURE. OVER THE YEARS, THE COMPANY HAS GROWN AND EVOLVED. THE BUSINESS HAS BEEN GIVEN A NEW LIFE BY DANNY’S SON, DANIEL JOHNSON. WE SPOKE TO DANIEL ABOUT THE SALON CHAIR GUYS' MISSION TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY IN THE BARBERING AND BEAUTY INDUSTRY.

To start, I asked Daniel to share the history of The Salon Chair Guys' business and legacy. He explained: “My father owned a barbershop/salon in San Diego in the ‘80s and ‘90s and I would work with him during some summers growing up. He always complained about how no one was around to help barbershop and salon owners maintain equipment after it was sold. So, in ‘97, after 20 years of hairdressing, he decided to quit hair and we focused on salon equipment repair until 2008 when we closed the doors. In 2016 My close friend, Brian Moses, and I decided to reopen the business as The Salon Chair Guys.

“As the co-owner of The Salon Chair Guys, our company offers eco-friendly and reliable repair and maintenance services for salon and barber equipment. We believe in empowering salon and barber professionals by providing them with the necessary tools and knowledge to take care of their equipment, leading to a more enjoyable and profitable business experience.

“We aim to be a leading provider of ecofriendly salon and barber equipment repair and maintenance products that help professionals improve their businesses while reducing their environmental impact. By staying committed to sustainability and restoration, we are set to make a positive impact on the barber and salon industry for years to come.”

I asked Daniel why sustainability is so important to him and to The Salon Chair Guys business. He said: “Sustainability is crucial to me and my business because I believe in doing our part to reduce waste and protect the environment. We have a responsibility to leave the planet better than we found it, and that means taking steps to minimize our impact on the environment.

“We also promote sustainability through the use of eco-friendly products and responsible disposal of equipment. We believe in encouraging our clients to take care of their equipment, so it lasts longer, which reduces the need for new purchases and ultimately decreases the amount of waste in landfills. In addition, we offer a line of eco-friendly cleaners specifically designed for use on salon chairs, which are formulated with natural ingredients and are free from harsh chemicals that can be harmful to the environment.

“By promoting sustainable practices and offering eco-friendly solutions, we hope to inspire

our clients and other professionals in the industry to take action towards a more sustainable future. We believe that through small steps and collective efforts, we can make a positive impact on the environment while still providing high-quality services to our clients.”

The Salon Chair Guys are part of a network of businesses in the barbering and beauty sector that are dedicated to sustainability. I asked Daniel to tell us a few of the other businesses they admire.

He said: “One of our best partners in the quest to make our industry more sustainable is Sustain Beauty Co, Val, and Paul have been valuable partners in this endeavor, and they strive to bring sustainability and sustainable products to the forefront. We have recently collaborated with them to create a sustainable salon/barber shop checklist, and I would encourage your readers to go to their website to check it out.

“We also highly respect Green Circle Salons for the work that they do in making recycling effortless in our industry. They provide an invaluable service to salons and barber shops in multiple countries.

“Belvedere Maletti has been a strong partner of ours since the beginning of our company and we look forward to working with them in the future to expand their line of sustainable options in salon furniture. We would love to design a completely eco-friendly barber and salon chair in the future.”

Finally, I asked Daniel why he believes it is so important for barbers and barbershop owners to start implementing some of these sustainable practices. He said: “It's important for barbers and barbershop owners to start implementing sustainable practices for several reasons. First and foremost, taking steps towards sustainability can help reduce their environmental impact and contribute to a healthier planet. This is not only beneficial to the barbershop, but also to the wider community and future generations. Additionally, by embracing sustainable practices, barbers can save money in the long run by reducing waste and minimizing the use of resources like water and energy. Finally, in today's increasingly ecoconscious society, promoting sustainability can also help to attract and retain clients who value environmentally responsible businesses.”

BY JOSEPH, RUM BARBER

Eco-friendly barber shop starts with a few small changes

AIMING FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE, ECO-FRIENDLY BARBER SHOP STARTS WITH A FEW SMALL CHANGES. WHETHER IT’S THE HAIR PRODUCTS YOU STOCK, THE CHOICE OF CLIPPERS YOU USE OR RESEARCHING THE ECOLOGICAL CREDENTIALS OF YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN, THE CHANGE HAS TO START WITH YOU.

Rum were early adopters of disposable, compostable towels when we started using Scrummi towels back in 2016. Since then, Scrummi has become B Corp Certified, which means it has passed rigorous ethical standards for sustainability. That covers everything from the products they produce, to their supply chain, the shipping and packaging.

Using compostable towels means we can throw them out after use and know that within 100 days they will have biodegraded.

But speaking of making small eco changes, we recently started to use a cleaning product called Disicide, which is a range of concentrated products that disinfect, are fungicides and virucides, made in Sweden. We started using them because they are water-based and solventfree and gentle on our surfaces, chairs, tools etc.

The brand is environmentally friendly as well as health conscious with hospital grade disinfection standards, and as people become more concerned about the products and the chemicals they contain, these attributes become more important.

The tool companies are also taking action in the environmentally friendly arena. As an example, Wahl Professional UK are looking at reducing the plastic in all their packaging. Since 2017, in the UK alone, Wahl has reduced its plastic packaging by 37%. That’s not just the packaging that goes into the boxes, it is the packaging used in shipping as well. They are also trying to reduce the energy used and materials consumed throughout the whole supply process. Wahl UK is also trying to promote the recycling of batteries and electronic hardware rather than disposing of them.

Changing the mindset of the throwaway society that we are is not easy, but if you buy a new BaBylissPRO product in the UK, the company will recycle your old products rather than see them go to landfill. That system will only work if there is a change in attitude from consumers.

We are all good at understanding the need for a sustainable food chain and sustainable clothing and companies are investing a lot of money in this kind of research, but companies can, and only will, do so much. It will take effort on our part to put an old product in a box and post it back to the company to be recycled rather than just throwing it out.

When we visited the Gama Professional factory in Italy last year, we were impressed by a section of their factory that was dedicated solely to repairs. In Italy, if any of your Gama Professional products break down for whatever reason, they will repair it for you. I think they have a similar set-up in other countries too. I feel that some of the EU countries have a better attitude towards fixing and recycling things. They don’t crave the new, new, new all the time. Repairing isn’t as popular a concept in the UK or the US and so it would be very expensive for other brands to set this up if nobody is willing to use it.

The repair service impressed us greatly and it’s something that the other clipper and trimmer companies should be looking at if they can engage the consumer in the process.

Back in the day, barbers didn’t have as much choice or availability for clippers and trimmers, and barbers were readily able to fix certain issues with their tools. If you go on the Gama Professional website, they offer options for both returns and repairs. They try to make it as easy as possible for things to last, and I don’t think all clipper companies can boast that. Repairing is certainly more cost effective than buying a new set of clippers every year.

Getting everyone involved and changing the mindset across the industry is the beginning of solving the problem. The whole supply chain needs to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly but it won’t happen overnight and it won’t happen unless everyone gets onboard.

“GETTING EVERYONE INVOLVED AND CHANGING MINDSET ACROSS THE INDUSTRY IS WHERE SOLVING THE PROBLEM BEGINS.”

Uplifting the senses

ROCCO DANIELI, CO-PARTNER OF UPLIFT PROVISIONS CO. ALONG WITH STEVE AND KELLY PRESTI, HAVE PRODUCED A PRODUCT LINE THAT IS CLEAN, FRESH AND PERFORMS WELL. CREATED AT THE KITCHEN STOVE TWO YEARS AGO, THEY NOW MANUFACTURE AN INCREDIBLE LINE OF HANDCRAFTED, PROFESSIONAL BARBER/SALON GROOMING PRODUCTS.

Products that are made by a barber always stand that little taller, made with a knowledge of what barbers want and need. Rocco has his own barbershop ‘Over the Top’ in Stoneham, MA, and has created a line infused with patience, love and a healing energy. A clean, safe, line that are gender neutral, smell amazing and something that is very dear to Rocco’s heart, Uplift Provisions Company donates a portion of all sales to The Family Restored, a non-profit that helps families and individuals suffering from addiction.

Rocco had a few turbulent, wild years. He has lost two sisters due to drug overdose and has an older brother in recovery. He started his own recovery journey and one of the things that helped him focus on being positive was to build this brand. “If I didn’t create this product, who knows what I would be doing today.” The core values of this brand stand strong and speak for themselves.

He said: “Uplift is a brand that is very conscious of what is being put on the skin. That starts with having natural essential oils as the base.”

Rocco has been cutting hair almost 20 years, and he felt that he wanted to create a product for everyone. To not aim for one demographic and to create something that he could use on kids, as well as Wall Street guys, and women, he wanted versatility.

“It starts with our scent. It’s a very clean scent. It’s not overly masculine or feminine, it has a good balance. It doesn’t overpower. I wanted a scent that was inviting, and I think we have nailed that.

“The base of the pomade product is made from corn, we went earthy. That is reflected in the colors in our brand. The blue we use is very inviting, it takes you to ocean colors, warm and soothing.

“On our products we print inspirational quotes which are well thought out and I know have helped me in my recovery journey, which is all part of the wellness element.

“If you look at our ingredient list compared to our competitors, we have maybe half of what they are adding. There are no parabens, sulphates, and copolymers. We have one of the safest lines. We are water-based, and peppermint features highly in our ingredients. Peppermint essential oil is used for inflammation, helps with headaches and it increases blood flow to the area you use it on. It soothes the sinuses and stimulates hair growth. Then we have the lime oil which is an acidic, as opposed to the alkaline properties of peppermint, so they balance out. Lime swells the hair follicle which allows the peppermint to penetrate and lift the hair. It also cleans the scalp.”

In the early days of Uplift, the team decided that the quality of the ingredient lists was paramount. “We refused to downgrade any of our products as we scaled up. Our fragrance which are essential oils is probably one of the most expensive on the market. We take pride in that, and we won’t dumb down the ingredients. Our core values are to use products that people can use safety over and over. Kelly added: “We stick to products that we can source in the United States, and preferably from the New England area. We feel that being able to partner with local companies in our community helps us give back and create this larger network as well.”

Another major ingredient in the Uplift range is Kaolin clay. Rocco adds: “It’s from the earth and it does a good job of masking and softening the contact that it is on. It also helps with eczema. It’s so safe and non-abrasive and it’s a great clay

for the skin. It’s so smooth, and it feels incredible. None of our products dry up and get gritty and that’s down to quality of the ingredients.”

Retailing and non-profit

For barbers thinking of bringing in a clean, safe product line, Uplift is wholesaled through Classic Barber. Rocco has some interesting stats for barbers. “We offer one of the best margins for wholesale that a barber can possibly make. Wholesale against retail doubles your money. Eg, our Uplift Sea Salt Spray is $9, but sells for $18. We also provide the backbar. You are selling a mission. Apart from the clean ingredient list, a portion of all the sales goes to a charity called The Family Restored. It gives back to families that are struggling with addiction. Rocco said: “For example, if you are a single mom and you can’t afford to get your kids into rehab, we would be able to fund that through our nonprofit to get them into the right place. Not just that, we oversee it. I’m on the phone with the parents, I work in recovery. That is stuff that is hitting an emotion, that helps Uplift sell itself, plus barbers can make a great profit from it. The best part about our products is that they perform professionally as well as at home.”

When they were developing the product line, Kelly assumed that the target market would be men aged between 18 and 34. But Rocco said that he couldn’t do that.

She continues: “He said that he has children in his chair and that he has got to sell products to the mom, and convince the mom that it’s suitable for the child, the stockbroker, the guy riding the Harley. It has to be suitable for everyone. It has a genderneutral packaging, the scent is gender neutral and it has a softer scent. It appeals to a broader audience.”

All the products are water based, so usability for barbers is really important. Kelly continues: “Our products don’t leave a tacky residue. You don’t have to wash your hands after using them. One barber said that he doesn’t mind cutting hair that has our Uplift Texture Dust in it as it doesn’t gum up his scissors. It’s user friendly and will easily wash out.”

Rocco finishes with: “Our Uplift Shave Gel is insane. It seconds as a tattoo rejuvenation gel. It has cactus extract in it which is a natural SPF and arnica that gets rid of inflammation on contact. It’s hydrating, it’s not greasy, it’s like the opposite of a lotion.”

www.upliftprovisionsco.com

“

UPLIFT SELLS ITSELF, PLUS BARBERS CAN MAKE A GREAT PROFIT FROM IT. THE BEST PART ABOUT OUR PRODUCTS IS THAT THEY PERFORM AND WORK WELL.”

Andrew Juhasz @by.andrewjames

THE

HAIRDUSTRY – YOUR DAY OFF PODCAST

OFFERS HAIR PROFESSIONALS THE CHANCE TO KICK BACK AND LISTEN TO THE ADVICE AND BACKSTORY OF MANY OF THE INDUSTRY’S GREATEST NAMES AND ALSO THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK – EACH ONE HELPING TO MAKE THE HAIR INDUSTRY A BETTER PLACE… AS HOSTS COREY GRAY AND TONY STUART SAYS, ONE PODCAST AT A TIME.

Taking his career path

Growing up, Richie watched a couple of his family members in the barber industry. He completed school and did some jobs, like working at Walmart, the bowling alley, Hot Topic and bagging groceries at Albertsons. However, he narrowly missed his chance to join the Navy when he couldn’t pass the Navy test and so he decided to do cosmetology.

He dropped out of cosmetology school and signed up to Barber College in Anaheim. He is currently teaching at Paul Mitchell, he is also learning the Paul Mitchell way of cutting and color so he can teach both barbering and cosmetology.

He has a studio where he works in the morning and goes to Paul Mitchell in the evenings. His clown journey

Although Richie enjoys his life as a clown, some of his immediate family members do not feel comfortable with that. For instance, Richie is an ever-happy person who wants to say hi to everyone around him.

Once you tattoo your face, it's a commitment that you have to embrace despite the reaction from society. According to him, this is his lifestyle, and he feels free to live it just like anybody else.

Richie has an interesting story to tell. He believes that a clown can choose to be silly, giggly or just witty, because being a clown brings out that inner childhood feeling of not taking everything seriously but rather having fun with life.

Richie says that despite the effort and struggles you have to endure through your journey or dreams, you have to remain hopeful that things will turn out for the best. You have to keep hustling and juggling but also remember to be real, be authentic and above all be yourself.

He told us there is a clown bible that contains everything about clowns. This clown bible is

known as Circus. As a clown, it is, therefore, worth it to understand that no matter what you do, not everybody in the world is going to like you and so you have to keep on moving through life.

Family reactions

According to Richie, his family has given him so much support and love even with his facial tattoos. Although his mom never understood him at the beginning, she later embraced it, but through it all has always showed unconditional love. Richie doesn’t understand people's perspectives. For instance, a lot of people who know him would say they don’t see the tattoos anymore. However, it took his nieces and nephew a while to get used to his new look, they all love him, however, Richie does not attend birthdays and parties.

He can hang out with his family as well as refocus the time he spends with his family. When he’s at home, he doesn't sit on his phone, but rather parks it in his bedroom and leaves it there until the next morning.

He feels that when in business, you need to move fast because if you're not going to do your job then there are people out there that are going to do it. If you are not the one for him, then he is ready to move fast.

And Richie is always looking to be better. For instance, he is currently at a beauty school where he is teaching and giving demos. He is recording a new album where he wants to start doing little tours or playing in bars.

He is also planning to be part of various conventions like tattoo, barber and horror conventions. Although Richie was once rejected in the barber industry because he is a clown, people are now accepting him.

Due to having worked in a tattoo barbershop, Richie met a tattoo artist who took him to Manchester where he became the first barber ever to cut hair at a tattoo convention.

It was on a first come first serve basis, and he spent the whole day just cutting hair and throwing confetti , although he found it quite hard to engage or impress the people around him.

Despite having tattoos all over his face, Richie lives in his little world where he hardly pays attention to his face or to what people think of him. Many times, people look at him like he is crazy, but to him, he feels comfortable about himself and even treats his situation as the norm and everyday lifestyle.

He said: “It's like a soccer player or a basketball player dribbling all day and shooting hoops all the time. They're practicing all the time who they are. This is what I do. I practice being a clown. I love being a clown. It's my whole life and I would not change it for the world.”

With Richie, one main thing that impresses him is that even regular people are struggling to be themselves. You don’t have to care what anybody else thinks about you. All you need is to be yourself, be happy and live your life.

How you can connect with Richie

Richie is best and widely known by his name Richie the barber. You can therefore connect with him on Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, and Google @richiethebarber

RICHIE THE BARBER – CLOWNED! Season 5 Episode 1 @richiethebarber

RICHIE THE BARBER WHO IS LOCATED IN HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA IS A WELL-KNOWN FACE IN THE BARBERING WORLD FOR BEING RICHIE THE BARBER CIRCUS CLOWN.

POWER YOUR PASSION IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE