Barbershop Year 11 Issue 3

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PUBLISHER

Linda Woodhead linda@mochagroup.com.au

GENERAL

Jarred Stedman jarred@mochagroup.com.au

EDITOR

Rex

rex@mochagroup.com.au

ADVERTISING

Nina Barbara nina@mochagroup.com.au

ART

Kellie

kellie@mochagroup.com.au

CONTRIBUTORS

Rex

editor’s letter

We start this issue by first acknowledging the Kabi Kabi and Tugambeh people, traditional custodians of the lands from which be bring you barbershop magazine, we pay respect to their elders past and present. A very warm welcome to you one and all wherever you are reading us.

What a privileged vantage point I have being able to perch myself up high on a branch and overlook Barberland in all its gory. I get to be the wise owl and witness all the goings on… and what I miss, I get expertly informed and schooled on by our amazing contributors, advertisers, sponsors, guest artists, educators, and industry leaders as they too share their stories and observations. Together, we all strive to present to you an informed, well-rounded publication that accurately represents our industry at this particular junction in time. The 3rd quarter leaning into the 4th. The business end of the year.

Quarterly is just perfect for us to be bringing you barbershop as men’s hair fashion directions, product company and artist schedules, roll outs of new ranges, machine models, tech, business trends, and everything we need to keep the wheels in Barberland turning over, takes a little time and has its own rhythm.

services, these are just some the changes smart operators are making to future proof their businesses.

Product companies are onto this as well with the likes of L3VEL3, Reuzel and Australia’s VITAMAN offering skin care products in their arsenal and all your favourite colour companies are at the ready to teach advanced colour to our industry …expect more shows and education events ahead on these areas specific.

P:

F:

Now approaching my forth year as editor, I feel I am better equipped to see patterns forming which makes a piece, subject newsworthy, and deserving of a story, more than a comment on socials which is often how things start. A ripple then a wave…

We are in the clean-up faze of the economic effects of the pandemic and for many, that means putting into practice the business plans they had to formulate during covid and lockdowns and wow, we have some astute business minds in our midst people, get ready to watch-read and learn!

This issue is heavily Australian in content and, deservedly so. This is really the first time since Dec 2019 most of the country and most of the world have been in sync together and, all operating fairly normally… the new normal anyway, so let’s celebrate Australian!

Fear not globetrotters, there is a major piece on the multi-award-winning international Jim Shaw from the UK, 2021/22 AMBA Judge, distinguished men’s hairdresser, and visionary not only of hair trends, Jim shares that in a satellite piece this issue as well, but trends shaping the future of our industry and the services we offer grooming men in our businesses.

Practices embraced by visionaries here in Australia such as Sydney’s Suzi O’Brien of studio x gents & rascals, read Suzi’s story here, and the famous Queenslander Jimmy O’Brien (No Relation) of Jimmy Rods fame, and that’s extending the services and skills we offer to our guests by moving towards a more comprehensive service menu by including for instance, skin care services and colour services to our guests, and, by structuring your businesses to survive as we embrace for impact , read Jimmy’s story here this issue.

This practice of skin care services in store and hair colour is not new by any means, Jim Shaw has been incorporating skin care and colour into to services offered for nearly 20 years at his shops, many here have too, but it’s becoming mainstream new, and that’s the game changer, more and more men want these services.

Expert hair colouring, more highly skilled staff in advanced cutting techniques, staff knowledgeable across skin care

Expanding your services expands the retail opportunities to your businesses too, and as a result presents a broader selection of take-home aftercare products to cater for the needs of your ever-morphing-switched-on-savvy customers because people… sooner rather than later, your clients are going to insist you deliver, or walk to who does.

Smart operators are sending their teams to see Australia’s best educators like Sarah Wall, to witness the sharing of her skills and knowledge, read Sarah’s journey here, or Australian Barber legends like Mario Fallace, Lance Liufau, Bruce Leeroy, Mark Rabone, Fraser Forsey, AHIA Men’s Specialist Winner Anthony Staltari, Shella Thornton, Lino D’Adderio, Anthony Nafatali, Kim Astropalitis, AHIA Finalist Matthew Clarke and many more as they demonstrate, showcase and present to our industry, everything we need to know about Wahl, iCandy, American Crew, Andis and much more on tour, and in person around the country and also , at this year’s BarberConnect UK… that’s right we have our own internationals… and they are all in the pages of barber the goodness you are reading right now.

We have our usual suspects delivering their individual pieces y’all love, we meet a way-cool dude and his way-cool shop in Mooloolaba that deserved a big spotlight…say Hi to Jake at Have Heart everyone. We check out the new venue that is Barber Temple in Brisbane…its’s all here plus more more more, in barbershop magazine

This is issue 11.3

Enjoy!!

Rex A.C. Silver

Editor – Barbershop Magazine

How do read back issues? www.issuu.com search BarberShop

How do I connect with Rex? @rex.a.c.silver

THE MAN WITH THE CRYSTAL BALL

BY REX A.C. SILVER

Jim Shaw

Multi award winning men’s hairdresser and owner of Toni&Guy, Billericay, UK, Jim Shaw has hair in his blood, as you will soon hear about, so it’s no wonder he has excelled in the field of men’s grooming.

I am so glad my style of interviewing our guests includes going right back to their upbringing step by step to where they are today.

My technique has paid off big time here with Jim, as we can truly see how his passion, knowledge, and vision formed, as Jim witnessed men’s grooming as an industry spawn, develop and grow to what it is today. By following the timeline of his career and travels with all thing men’s hair, grooming and men’s hair fashion, we can see all the parts fall into place and get a picture of what our industry has in store for us next in terms of men’s hair fashion, services trends, and the skills we will need to provide these and bring to the table to our clients, what they will want and expect from us. Men are developing too and wanting more themselves and more from us.

He is not a genie, but he can predict the future, because from his viewpoint he has watched it morph and actually help make it happen for the last 20 years.

MEET JIM SHAW:

Jim, please tell us about your upbringing and background. All my family are hairdressers, I am half Greek Cypriot, and the Greek side all have salons and barber shops. I was brought up around it all my life. My mother was a hairdresser too and when my older sister started doing hair that’s when I started getting involved helping her shampoo etc. with the clients. From a young age I would always be in barbers or salons helping my family and that’s where my interest first sparked.

Tell us all about your entry into the hair world and your training years.

I started my hairdressing career when I was 16 and I couldn’t have been where I am now without my family always encouraging and supporting me. I have now been in the industry for over 30 years, and I am thrilled that many people now see me as an influencer/expert in all things men’s hair!

When I started training, I always wanted to be at the top of my game. I always had to be the junior to sell the most product and have the most clients, I was very competitive. When I left school, I decided to go to London and do my training at John Frieda, this is when it got serious, and I absolutely loved my work. I was helping with a very high-profile clientele and really got the taste of this. After a few years I built up a big clientele and people were travelling from all over to visit me for their hair appointment.

When did you realise you may actually be exceptionally good at this and what drove you to really excel in this field to level you have achieved?

I started to realise then when I started to build up a big clientele and had people visiting me from all over the country to do their hair at John Frieda but also afterwards with all the opportunities that came my way.

Whilst I was on holiday visiting my friend in Hong Kong, I was given a contract to work for MTV doing hair. For 6 weeks I took this and ended up staying there 5 years. I built up a salon from scratch and did a lot of training for other salons, I became a consultant for people opening new salons and I also was going into salons and helping with training and business ideas to improve the salon. Whilst in Hong Kong I realized there was a massive gap in the market, and it was for 5 star male grooming salons. This was

Jim Shaw

needed in Hong Kong as it is a business center full of city boys who didn’t just want a barber cut, they wanted luxury and the full works – massage, facials, etc. almost like a gentleman’s club. Me and my close friend Beverly set this concept up in hotels and offices around Hong Kong. It was amazing and this was when I started to get really known for men’s.

When did you enter business for yourself?

When I returned to London in 2003, I joined the Essensuals family and opened my first Essensuals salon in Billericay, Essex, which became one of the most successful in the group.

From my experience travelling, I understood a men’s grooming centre was needed within the UK and I decided to open up EssensualsMEN across the road. With the unisex salon doing well, opening EssensualsMEN was a logical step for me. My aim was to create a complete grooming experience in an exclusive, luxury environment for the style-conscious male in search of more than a quick trim.

When I opened the male grooming salon, I was a little worried at first but it turned out to be the best decision I had ever made, as I cut my costs in half and the revenue doubled as the salon got busier and busier. The salon was also one of the first of its kind, the whole industry was really interested in it and all eyes were on it watching to see what we were offering that was different from any other barbers – but we weren’t barbers, we were a men’s hairdressers. We were doing things that other salons where not doing at that time. We had a bar, treatment rooms, manicure and pedicure stations, facials, shoeshine, iPads, signature scents, logo condoms - it was a gentleman’s environment and it worked.

10 years later commercial rents went up and I made a big decision to consolidate my business with my salon across the road and bring the men’s salon into the unisex salon.

I love having the men’s section in the salon, as it allows men to feel comfortable to discuss their hair and skin and any problems or concerns that they have in a separate environment from the main salon. Many men do get self-conscious to speak about issues such as hair thinning and hair loss, and this provides a relaxed and private area away from the main room where they can comfortably discuss these problems.

I’ve now had the salon 20 years and many of the staff that started with me originally are still here today. I’ve also helped many of the team move on and start their own salons.

Are you trained in Female hairdressing as well and can you tell us a little about your appeal to men’s hair grooming over women’s?

Yes, I am trained in women’s hair too. I’ve always had a huge passion for men’s hair and how it stands out from barbering, and I quickly realised there was going to be a big demand for men’s hairdressing and decided to open a male grooming concept hair salon, EssensualsMEN. I wanted to be ahead of the game, and I believed that men’s hairdressing and the grooming market was going to grow rapidly. I opened the male grooming salon before men’s grooming became extremely popular and it was a great success and encouraged many other men’s grooming salons to open. Men were and are continuing to become more fashion conscious and I saw there was a need for more hair salons to cater towards men and to offer men’s grooming services.

I do still love working on women’s hair, but my real passion is with men’s hair – there is so much skill and knowledge involved, and I love working with the different range of tools.

You have won many awards with your men’s hair work, which has opened many more doors for you; can you elaborate on your role as a a Men’s Hair Educator and influencer in men’s hair grooming?

I’m so lucky that I’ve had some incredible experiences throughout my career. I’ve had a really fantastic journey, travelling around the world in America and Hong Kong teaching male grooming and cutting techniques to other hairdressers and helping them to develop their skills and knowledge in regard to men’s hairdressing and grooming and helping my friend set up a male grooming floor in the biggest salon in Hong Kong when I lived there. I had one job where I travelled around America for 6 weeks training barbers’ new techniques, which was fantastic.

I’ve also worked at so many fantastic events including V Festival, The Urban Music Awards, The Brits and more. I was asked to do the hair for 4 different festivals for all the artists and guests and I did this every year for 9 years, putting teams together to help work and

do the hair at the festivals. I also headed London Fashion Week for Men’s Fashion Week and again, helped put the teams together to do the hair.

I’ve also worked with Top Man heading up their shows and campaigns and have worked on the Essensuals men’s window campaign every year.

As well as my creative work working backstage and on campaigns, I have also of course been helping with the managing of the salon and developing an incredible team and working on the salon floor myself. I feel privileged to now have some incredible celebrity clients. It’s incredibly rewarding to see all of my clients leaving happy and to see my staff after years of training now progressing themselves within the industry and opening their own businesses. I think this is why I wanted to delve into education further. Before the pandemic I decided to start my own educational and mentoring programme whereby salons, salon owners and stylists could book in for training with myself. I want to help other hairdressers unleash their potential in regard to men’s hairdressing and also teach people the difference between men’s hairdressing and barbering. I now offer in-salon bespoke education, art direction,

photoshoots, mentoring and one to one tuition and days that can be personalized and tailored to the person’s requirements. Education has changed so much over the past 10 years. There are so many more skills and techniques to learn, and men’s hairdressing in particular has grown vastly, so much skill goes into men’s hairdressing and that’s something I really want to educate others on. It’s about putting away the clippers and bringing out the scissors to create more precise and on-trend looks.

Let’s talk shoots and collections. The imagery of your work is just immaculate and perfectly balanced in its composition. Can you walk us through the process of conceptualising a collection and executing it from start to finish?

Thank you! One of my signature styles is precision and creating hairstyles that showcase sharp and clean lines. For me, it’s all about putting away the clippers and using the scissors to get up super close to the hair to help create a seamless hair look.

So much time and effort goes into my collection work and to have won and finalised for a number of awards with my creative work is unbelievable. When I started entering men’s competitions, I entered the British Hairdressing Awards for Men’s Hairdresser of the year and won it first time! I’ve now won this category twice now. I have also won several other awards including the International Hairdressing Awards Best Men’s Commercial category twice, Colour Trophy, Redken’s Men’s Image and the NHBF Best Men’s Collection to name a few. I think in one year I won almost 10 awards! When it comes to the process of creating a collection, I always work with photographer, Tony Le Britton. We have a great relationship and bounce off of one another. I think it’s so important to choose a photographer that understands you and your vision.

For models, I love to street cast. Street casting is something we are seeing stylists do more of for their shoots and it’s something that I personally love to do. You can see the model and their hair up close, and you also have a prime view of the model, their demeanour and how they portray themselves and if they will be a good fit for your shoot. There are so many great faces out there and many people are not signed to agencies. Street casting is a great way to get some fantastic looking models that have not been ‘scouted’ as you will and that may have a unique and quirky look about them. I always spend time researching before my shoots, looking at fashion weeks and at current trends and creating mood boards with the looks I want to create.

In regard to this year’s trends, we have noticed men stepping away from polished hair looks and instead, opting for more textured cuts like mullets and shags. I love that these haircuts are coming back in fashion, as when done correctly, they give men an incredibly cool and trendy look. They’re also great haircut choices for those who prefer a low maintenance haircut and style, as they look best when worn messy and effortless in appearance and can be easily styled at home with the help of a texturizing product like a salt spray or a matte paste to add further texture into the hair.

For men who don’t want a haircut that’s long in length, strong shaped haircut and prominent fades will also be on trend. Prominent hair fades should be very short at the sides with length on the top but should still look clean and seamless.

It’s definitely about standing out from the crowd in 2022 with your hair look and choosing a haircut that’s more adventurous and that makes a statement! One haircut that was popular in 2021 that we will have seen the return of in 2022 is the buzz cut but with a modern approach. Men have started to add colour into their cut such as vivid, punk inspired hair colours that give the look a grungy appearance – think neon greens, pinks, oranges, and yellows. These looks are definitely not for the faint hearted and are a fantastic choice for men who really want to stand out from the crowd.

Bleaching has also been another popular colour choice for men this year and looks great with these shorter hair looks and teamed with hair fades to create a statement look.

You have snuck a beautiful image teasing us with hair colour in new seasons predictions, please expand on adding colour to the mix of men’s hair and how that has influenced and broadened your creative pallet with men’s grooming. I love adding colour into men’s hair. Men are becoming a lot more experimental with colour and starting to opt for bright, bold colours, as well as pastels to change up their look. Bleaching, highlights and colour panels and flashes have also become super on trend and colour panels and flashes in particular are great for men who just want to experiment with adding an initial small amount of colour to their look.

Colour can really help to enhance a haircut and by teaming colour with a strong haircut, it can help to create a standout look. The haircut can also make the colour look better and healthier and shiny in appearance.

How is your Toni&Guy Salon set up in terms of catering for both men and women?

Within the salon there is a main salon area and a men’s salon area and that allows us to cater to both our male and female clients equally, which is so unique.

I am still very much in the salon as I think it’s important to stay on top of it, I think the key is to always stay as a member of staff , not to step back and this is where a lot of people go wrong. I love what I do and I’m now in a stage where I want to help and advise people in the industry how to be successful. I now do 4 days in the salon. I absolutely love my industry and to be honest I’m more the creative of the business where I’m lucky my sister helps with the business side of things. My team are very much my family and I’m always there to support them in and out of work. We are very aware of wellbeing and mental health in the salon and always ensure staff know that me and my sister Maria are always here to help and support them.

Regarding appointments in the salon, we provide all of our male clients with longer consultations and full 45-minute appointment times. This allows us to have time to really listen to the client, to talk to them about what they want to achieve in the appointment and to allow for an incredible client experience where our male client’s do not just feel rushed out the doo

Lastly, some words to inspire young creatives here in Australia to embrace the discipline of Men’s hairdressing (precision cutting and hair colouring) to compliment their barbering skills and why the future of our craft will demand it?

Men are becoming more and more aware of their appearance and now don’t want to visit their men’s hairdresser/barber for a quick haircut, they want the full pampering experience. With that in mind, it’s so important that men’s hairdressers/barbers are able to offer their male clients all hair and beauty services, not only cutting and styling but all colour services and beauty treatments including wet shaves, facials, eyebrows, and manicures too.

This will not only allow you to stand out from your competitors who don’t offer these additional services and allow you to attract more clients into your salon/barbershop, but it will also help you to build a loyal clientele with some of your male clients coming to the salon/ barbershop more regularly to try out new treatments and also with your male clients coming to you to have all their hair and beauty services/treatments done at once before their nights out, special occasions and holidays.

With current men’s hairdressing trends including a lot of longer haired cuts that require the use of scissors and also more fashion led colours, barbers should also be sure to delve into as much training as possible to ensure they can cater towards clients looking for these services.

Colour is only going to continue to boom! and longer haired cuts will come back on trend year after year, and you don’t want to lose out on new clients or profits! Should you want to be the master of your men’s hairdressing craft, being able to work on all hair lengths, type sand textures and being knowledgeable on all aspects of colour and the different techniques is vital.

@jimshawhair

@toniandguybillercray

Jim’s Photographer: @tony.le.britton

Off The Wall!!

BY REX A.C. SILVER

Undoubtedly one of the most exciting artists on the education circuit in Australia right now is SARAH WALL. I was lucky enough to see her in action at the Barber Temple for Wahl recently and it was an amazing insight into texture, bold lines, and a true master class on what you can do with a set of machines.

To get to know our featured artists, I like to go back to the beginning, witnessing the building blocks of what shapes the creative forces we see before us today, this interview doesn’t disappoint.

ENJOY MEETING SARAH WALL…

I was born in Ashmore QLD 1984, then moved to Sydney for a short amount of time before moving out to country NSW.

I started off in Coonamble, which was an awesome way to be a kid; spending time along the river at the end of my street swinging off rope swings in the tree, fishing for yabbies and harassing the very old lady next door by climbing her fence and playing in her back shed and old chicken coop. (she didn’t mind. I don’t think half the time she knew ha-ha)

Time in my youth outside of school was spent at friends’ properties on 4-wheel motorbikes and yabbying in their dams, when not at their properties. Time would be spent building billy carts and entering races; my friend and I won 1 once!! We also built cubby houses and we spent a lot of time in the pool.

We always had pets… cats’, dogs, guinea pigs and mice!!

Just before high school, we moved to Belrose in Sydney. As a country girl, that was a hard transition as typical school bullies would harass me with “you’re a westie.” I quickly sorted that out weeks into arriving don’t you worry!

I grew up on music, my first cd ever was The Monkeys I got from my father as a 13th birthday pressie. My parents always had music like Bowie, George Michael, Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac (could go on for hours ...) so music for me s very important.

Even now, I can’t go anywhere without earphones in or music playing around the house. My ultimate is Pink... boy oh boy what a role model she has been for me from the first day I saw her on RAGE ...Like Most Girls... I was like Dayammn!!... Who is this chick with pink hair, and she is sooo cool! But my music taste ranges from P!nk – Korn - Fleetwood - Spice Girls - Abba - Infected Mushrooms - Marylin Manson - Taylor Swift – Grimes etc. Really depends on my moods and head space needs!

How and when did you discover hair and know that this was your calling?

I was working at Woolworths as a checkout chick during school. I then realised that school was just not for me and left halfway through year 12. I worked full time for a couple of months. I loved it as I got to chat to all the locals and have a good chin wag with them each time they came in.

I came home from a shift one day and my mother sat me down and told me she wanted to get a career under my belt, I had no idea what I wanted to do however, since the start of year 12 I was cutting my own hair, home bleaching it and getting really creative, or as much as you could with home do stuff at the age of 17. Mum picked up on this and knew how I loved to have a chat to the customers at Woolworths and she put two and two together…”Sarah should become a hairdresser”. She had already circled a job in the paper.

So off I went, called and organised an interview, got the job and that was 19 yrs ago!!

My first gig was a little tiny salon in Seaforth and the eldest client was 106 so you can imagine what I was learning there; roller sets and sausage blow-dry’s. The real classic old school hairdressing and don’t forget the perm… do not forget the perm!

I did 1 year with that salon during which time, they sent me to a Matrix creative cutting course. I came back from that course and pulled a dolly head out and did this Mohawk cut on it. My boss came up to me and said, you’re wasting my time and your time here doing cuts like that so put the dolly head away. That was when I knew I needed to leave and go knocking on Toni&Guy’s door in Manly.

I landed an apprenticeship with them and that’s where the magic began! I wasn’t the kind of apprentice to sit around and do nothing. I would organise 6 models in a week and had some very good mentors and trainers to help push me to where I needed to be. I fast tracked my apprenticeship and got on the floor within 3 years (back then it was a 4 year gig)

Due to fast tracking my training I was allowed a lot of ‘free-range haircuts’, and short hair always gave me a fire in my belly and excited me the most. I wasn’t allowed to use clippers back then as it was so called ‘cheating’ cutting hair, which I never understood, but it meant I learnt how to cut incredibly short hair, all with scissors.

Over the years I slowly trained myself with clippers trying new techniques on friends and even clients (I’m fortunate enough to have clients comfortable and trusting enough to say just do it, try new things, and see what happens!) I got a lot of inspiration from the streets, watching other stylists cut, adding my flare to it all.

Over the years I moved around within Toni&Guy, moving to Newcastle and Brisbane and then back to Sydney. I climbed the position ranks quickly as I was constantly attending education sessions and then started training the apprentices. Once I moved back from Brisbane, I then decided it was time to talk to my boss\ educator and mentor Katy Reeve, who I worked alongside during my apprenticeship and as a senior. She taught me everything I know! I said to her, “its time I bite the bullet and try and get into head office and start educating there”.

I then moved into full time education teaching Toni&Guy Classic Foundations, Men’s, and Creative courses alongside teaching Cert 3 students and also Head Vardar Educator within the company (Vardar is the final 6-week program all Toni&Guy staff need to go through to work on the floor within the organisation)

Let’s talk in shop…. Sarah my take on your hairdressing is that each client has their individual bespoke image created by you, often with an edgy twist or paradoxical element to it. Please give us an insight into your approach and how it feels to have your guests say, “You just do what you think!”

Walking into my studio is like walking into my home/lounge room. I have created it this way to make each, and every single guest feel like we are on the same page as each other, comfortable and no hierarchy and a safe space for all genders and labels.

Having a session with me is not just a haircut, but it’s a journey of self-growth love and image. I get to know my client’s needs and wants, what they do for work, how often they are wanting to see me and what sort of routine they put in place at home with their hair.

All of this starts the base of the perfect haircut for my client, I then analyse their face shape, hair texture, growth patterns purely to figure out what I can do and not do to their hair.

I am a very visual cutter, so I always tell new clients this. I will talk about the shape I will do and what that will do for their face

shape and hair type, down to the techniques of texturizing and personalising.

When it comes to detail line work, my clients always leave that up to me, so I follow the head shape alongside weight lines and graduation created within the haircut. A haircut not only needs to look good from the front but also side and back, and this-is-why I heavily take into consideration head shape, crown movement cowlicks etc...

You can sit back and enjoy a tea, coffee, hot chocolate, chai latte, whiskey, beer, wine, champagne or even a fireball if you dare ;)

Do you do any colour work?

I have specialised in cutting for 19 years now, but I do have 4 clients I do colour for and these are all scalp lighteners with creative toners. I don’t do any other colour due to wanting to solely focus on the cutting side of things. I use Wella because I love the premium colours and integrity of the hair after the colour session is done.

Let’s talk about hair in more technical sense. Tell us what tools you love to use and why...

Scissors: For my scissors I use Osaka. I have been able to try various scissors from Osaka and they continue to deliver exceptional results and service. I use the Tan 7-inch black scissors, the fact that they are black is right up my alley. It’s not often you will find me in any coloured clothes; black and white is my signature.

The scissors are super lightweight and have a pointed top which enables me to get a really detailed finished look on my haircuts and have twisted rings so sits very comfortably in my hands.

I also use the YMS sword 7 inch, these bad boys have a lot of strength in them to help me create a really blunt precision look and are exceptional on thicker hair.

Machines: I’ve worked with Wahl clippers since the first day I picked up a clipper, and boy! oh boy! They have not disappointed ever. To talk about which ones I use we would be here for hours!

(We are not going anywhere…Ed)

Wahl has many clippers available, and they all do different things, so it’s good to know your hair type, what the final achievement is you want and then you can pick your tools.

My favs, purely because of the work I do, is the Magic Clip. It has a stagger-tooth blade and the crunch-blade technology which helps me create that beautiful seamless fade, due to the stagger teeth it cuts two different lengths, making it much easier and quicker to get the perfect fade.

The Detailer LI - with the T-blade which is 40.6mm, helps me create my sharp edges and it’s the bad boy I use for all my detail line work! It gets close to the scalp and it’s so precise you can’t go wrong with it!

The Finale Foiler - this epic machine, I think, is very misunderstood, there are so many things you can do with it. First and foremost it is great to get down to skin level without irritating your guests’ skin, which eliminates redness and inflammation. It also is great to use in my style of work to give the ultimate finish and, is great to get rid

of split ends! Yes! You heard me! Remember those lint remover machines? Think of it like that, so, great to perfect a skin fade leaving the ultimate smooth result and the cleanest finish on your detail lines and getting rid of split ends! Do I need to say more?!

Styling products… I have worked with Label M since 2005 and at the moment, there are 96 products in the range (however that may change as they are doing a revamp)

The reason I love this product is because it’s made by a team of hairdressers alongside the science wizz guys behind the scenes. Every product is tested first by the hairdressers, and then sent back to be perfected before being released.

The key products I use are:

Matte Paste - Gives the ultimate hold but with flexibility. It does not leave a sticky or hard texture feel, actually it’s a very natural feel but with the benefit of the hold and texture created. If you want to change the style up hours later you do not need to add more, just manipulate the hair to where you want it and boom... all done!!

Souffle - This product is the ultimate for curly/wavy hair and longer hair, it’s a soft conditioning cream wax that gives volume, a natural shine, definition, and undone texture (depending how you work it into the hair). Once again this product leaves your hair feeling natural and workable, with that natural shine

Blow Out Spray - This bad boy is great for long, medium, or short hair giving it a light aerated texture feel with natural shine and movement. A great product to blow-dry into the hair to take away that just washed fluffy fly away feel without making the hair stiff and unmanageable but gives it the grunt, lift, hold and texture the hair needs.

When did you first get approached to educate on the open stage and what does it mean to you to share your passion and knowledge on to others?

I got approached to educate earlier on in my hairdressing career, but I felt personally I was not ready and had a huge fear of public speaking. Once I got back from Brisbane, which is now around 7yrs ago I knew within myself I needed to push and drive myself harder, and sharing my knowledge is what fuels me and also inspires me, as I learn from students and other hairdressers at the same time.

I have been an ambassador for Wahl Aus./NZ for 2 years now and have recently come back from a “boot camp”, with the team, for 9 days learning everything down to clipper weight, blades, charge times, which clippers to use when and what results to expect to get from each machine, also how to cut long hair with clippers.

I have been an ambassador for Osaka for 2 years also, helping educate students and colleagues on which scissors would be right for them, why that’s the case, and what each scissor will do.

I was an ambassador for Label M which involved me doing in salon training sharing the education of the product down to the ingredients and what they do, the benefits and how to talk to clients about what they are using and why. This was in an educational aspect; not selling (selling to clients never works, you must educate your client).

Describe your Studio at Salon Lane

Within Salon Lane there are 21 studios which consist of Injectables, Teeth Whitening, Eyebrows, Hair, Barber, Nails, Facial/Massage and in the middle, there is a salon set up with 19 chairs. Every studio and chair is for independent artists, all renting the space or chair.

My studio is situated at the front of Salon Lane, near the coffee bar which is great because I get interaction with everyone, and can be seen by everyone which makes it fun, interactive, and exposed but I can also close the door and create that safe quiet environment for myself and guests.

Its 10metres by 12metres so is the perfect space for myself, my guest and even their partner or friend if they want to sit in the big red throne!!

There is a lot of natural light and loads of plants, giving it that homely touch. Everything I need to run my day is within the studio, barber’s chair, mirror, basin, and massage chair (clients LOVE this) and cupboard, sink, fridge etc and the rest I have decked out myself.

Walking into my studio is like you have walked into my lounge room or even my 13 yr. old self’s bedroom! I have stuff stuck all over the walls lol, I’ll never grow up! It also has a unique piece of Lego (yes big kid) which is awesome, but most importantly, all walks of life are welcome.

Tell us all about SARAH WALL EDUCATION and what you will be offering

Currently, I am about to release my own brand of education which will include precision work, creative work, classic work, and short hair work (including clipper work)

All these courses will include determining face shapes, how to master cowlicks and difficult hair types, what the actual shape of the haircut will do and why. For example - cutting a square layer will add width, cutting a round layer will add softness and volume, adding graduation will build up weight, talking about choosing cutting shapes for certain face shapes and head shapes and hair types. For example if you do a graduated effect on really thick hair it’s going to accentuate the thickness and will that be the right endresult for your client?

Consultation techniques - How to become more confident in that area. Classic foundation haircuts, teaching a solid understanding of what each haircut does, who you would do it on and what result it will achieve, because when you want to break the rules in hair you need to have a solid understanding of your foundations.

Creative work is all about breaking rules, where to start, different cutting techniques with scissors and clippers, how to know what will suit a client and understand if the creative haircut will be suitable for lifestyle and work. Fashion forward, refuelling the passion and excitement, undercuts, detail lines, creative long hair work

I also offer one on one training which can be done in my studio or off site (at the students’ salon) as I also offer salon training where I travel to the salon and train for the day or half day depending on needs and wants.

Full days consist of 2 live demos and the afternoon spent cutting 3 looks. Half days are 1 demo and 1/2 cuts depending on level of students

Live demos are also available. I also tailor education sessions to what is needed, so there is always strong communication before the education session happens, so I can deliver the needs and wants of what’s needed from the session for the student/students.

@sarahwall_industries

PLAYING THE LONG GAME

BY REX A.C. SILVER

In a Barber World where they yell from the rooftops ‘look at me and my awesome barber skills, now look back at me again!’, Jimmy O’Brien, owner and founder of the hugely successful JIMMY RODS chain of Barbers Shops, is an anomaly, and a very big one at that.

Not that there is anything wrong with the way the industry, for the most part, get themselves and their stuff out there; it’s a visual industry and one that is image based at its core and foundations. We create images for a living, albeit other peoples..

There is no pretence here with this man, no showing off although, and thankfully so, he is graciously allowing me to do just that for him with this story, as I point the spotlight on him and his businesses this issue, and deservedly so I have to say.

Jimmy’s business acumen is acute and formed from the experience of being in business for himself since he was 21 years old. A barber since the age of 16, Jimmy has watched this industry grow and then explode to what it is today. Jimmy’s forward thinking and balanced outlook on our industry holds ideas we can all borrow some expert advice from, at a time when many are at a crossroads with their barber businesses. Coming out of covid and out from under the protective umbrella of forgiving banks, landlords and of course the government, the next few years will not be easy for some is a prediction.

Jimmy’s shops are first class and luxurious with opulent finishes and bold ideas. One is a licenced bar; some had coffee shops instore pre- covid...one was with its own restaurant. He makes decisions from his gut feelings and doesn’t muck about if something is not working, can it and move on, don’t watch it slowly die, move forward with the lessons learnt and adapt your business model to suite.

A true trail blazer and pioneer in today’s Australian Modern Barber industry, it’s an honour to introduce to you Jimmy O’Brien.

Can you tell us a little about your upbringing?

I was born in 1982, the youngest of my family. I have two brothers and one sister. Growing up in the western suburbs of Brisbane. I loved basketball and talking back, yes, I was a little shit sometimes but had the love of my parents. Who are my best mates.

My family trade was in the building game. So, school holidays were me working onsite with my brothers and my dad. Brick layers is what we were, it was hard work but taught me a lot of life lessons at a young age. My family have always been hard workers. My dad was born on a sheep shearing farm called Glenline station, so I think clippers are in the blood. My mum came here from Poland after the war. I didn’t come from money just hard workers. Like any young kid growing up we all have dreams. But my dad has always said I went to school to play ball and eat lunch. I guess he means hanging out with the boys. I dropped out of school at the age of 16.

Jimmy O’Brien

Why did you choose barbering, when and where did that happen?

I was offered my apprenticeship at the age of 12 years old by a bloke called Terry Walsh. I didn’t want it. I loved the building game, I wanted that. It was my family business. At the start of year 10 my dad sat me down and said, don’t become a builder I have a bad back, busted knee’s and everything else. He didn’t want that for me, so I took my apprenticeship at TJ’s barber shop in November 1998, two days after leaving school. It was a 12-chair shop, a busy shop. My training wasn’t like it is today. Learning as you cut. I just had to work it out myself. It was hard but I loved it. I knew after staring at TJ’s I have found what I want to do for the rest of my life. We had some amazing barbers working there. I learned so much off all the barbers that I worked with. It was a different time back then. Barbering wasn’t like it is today.

When you were a young barber in the early years, did you ever dream to go so big?

No, not in the barbering game. I wanted to get back into the building game. I wanted to build houses. But after a few years in I fell in love with barbering. I love it! Nothing beats having fun and getting paid for it.

When and where did you open your first shop and what was your mindset about what you were doing at that point?

I just fell into it. I left TJ’s just before my 21st birthday. I walked out after 5 years. I didn’t know what I was going to do. My mum came home from work the first week after I left and said I was talking to a friend from work and her son has two barber shops he wants to sell. I have always saved my money. After seeing the bank, I bought my first barber shop. A barber shop that was in Oxley for nearly 50 years. It wasn’t pretty, paint falling off the walls, but it was mine. At that time, I didn’t think about opening shops. Thinking back now, I don’t believe where I am now. I just worked hard! I said to myself. Let’s go!! I doubled my first shop turn over within 12 months. Also, while shitting myself the whole time.

How did things grow from there?

I guess I could put it down to hard work. 2010 was the start of the barber price rise. Men’s haircuts were getting to $26. My first store I was charging $13.95. Clients were saying they were paying $80 from a salon so the barbershop was fast becoming a popular choice for men. I opened my store at The Barracks in 2008 and it was killing it as soon as we opened. I then opened my first CBD store, shortly after Albert Street store then The Gasworks. It got nick named the game changer in 2013. The rest of them just kept flowing from there.

Also, I have always followed my gut and I’m also a bit of a risk taker which I think that’s why Jimmy Rod’s has always pushed the boundaries and is all about live fast- look sharp!

I decided on no business mentors just my father. He had his first business at 21 so he’s always set the bar high

I opened 5 stores in 18 months. It was crazy. 18 months was too much too quick! Would I do it again? Yes, but I would take my time. It was 7 days a week, working 12-hour days. Traveling all the time.

I don’t franchise, I own all my stores. Opening in Melbourne, Gold Coast, Toowoomba and two in the city. One with a café one with a restaurant bar. Now the Jimmy Rods business has gone from 16 stores, back to 11 with a lady’s salon called Jessica James. Steady as she goes! It is good number, I’m happy. I’m working a lot but I’m loving it. My team push me to do more. We are a very competitive group. We all like to win. We will open more stores, yes, but I will take my time. Ha-ha not like before. Maybe if I was five years younger.

What are your proudest moments shop wise?

I have a few, Gasworks in Newstead and Robina Town Square pumps. The original shave saloon. Barber shop with kitchen and bar was the best! Cheeseburgers, pints, and haircuts. With the best fit out, but in the wrong building. So, we extended The Barracks with a fully stocked bar with a liquor licence. It’s beautiful!

You must have found a winning recipe towards creating an amazing force from the beginning. Can you tell us about that journey and how you keep a motivated and loyal army?

18 months ago, I changed my business model, I went back to the old way. My performance manager, Ryan- aka ‘Jax’ who’s in training to be the general manager is a hard worker and he wants my job! Jax started as a first-year apprentice and then went onto be a store manager at the North Lakes store, now that’s career progression. Leroy, another awesome, hardworking dude, who is now our area manager, is working this way into a performance manager roll. All operations are run by just the few of us. My dad is 75 years old but works 3-4 days a week. He can’t retire. I have his ethic in my bones, and I think it’s infectious; I hope it is, it seems to be in my people around me.

I love my staff! I am so lucky to have the best team. Loyal as. Again, I don’t know how many times I am going to say this, but it all starts with training and building barbers.

Having fun, showing the love. I don’t care what other barber shops are doing. If new barbers come on board with me. I don’t want to hear it. If someone is talking shit. Let them. Hearing this makes me hungrier. Hire the best, pay them if they are good. This bullshit about quality over quantity. If you are working in a barber shop that is a modern traditional barber shop the standard should be a haircut is 20 minutes a haircut that cost $40. If you’re working in an appointment-based barber shop, appointments that are 30 minutes cost $60! You do the math. Barber shops have been around for a long time. Embrace them don’t try to change them.

How has your business evolved Jimmy over recent years and how do you stay on top?

Over the past 19 years building the Jimmy Rod’s brand was the one number goal. By hiring great barbers but then those barbers train up the new blood. Training is key!! Apprentices that don’t push themselves will fail in the coming years. It is easy to stay on top of the industry as I believe it’s about training, training, and more training. A lot of barbershops close these days, as the owners are not barbers. My management team are all barbers now.

What do you see as the main challenges ahead for the industry?

Wages have gone up 20% in the past 2 years. I think it’s great, but only if you can cut 3 haircuts an hour. When I did my apprentice, if we were not doing 4-5 an hour the barbers would rip you. The “hand break” they would say. There are many barber shops, a lot will close or be put up for sale. So, if you’re thinking about starting your own. Save your money then buy one. You get paid straight away. The ATO is out for cash businesses, the government is broken and wants to be paid.

Finally - Superannuation!! Business owners need to pay this. It’s the law, so do it!

What advice would you like to share to young entrepreneurs starting their empire with their own barbershop in today’s climate?

Buy your 1st store, create cash flow for your business. Train apprentices and work 7 days a week. Never have an excuse. I am so over hearing shop owners say they are too busy to train an apprentice but winge on social media that they have no staff. If that’s the case, then sell your business, boss life isn’t for you!

And what’s next for Jimmy Rods?

Training new young bloods. Working on increasing sales in all businesses and traveling. I would love to see some overseas barber shows. I will do a few more stores too. We actually have some deals locked in for 2023 and 2024, so watch this space!

@jimmyrods

YUKI KANO DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE

“THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO RESPECT VARYING CULTURES AND PHILOSOPHY, BE OPEN MINDED AND NOT JUDGEMENTAL.”

4 years ago we featured a bright up and coming young star called Yuki Kano and since that time she has won multiple awards, is globally renowned for her unique approach and love of traditional barbering techniques, not to mention a member of the Wahl Japan Education Team who lives and works in Sydney Australia.

Starting her journey in hairdressing with TONI&GUY, she quickly realised her love for cutting short hair and men’s hair. “I felt that I really needed to add traditional barbering skills to take me to the next level in my work and as an educator,” says Yuki.

And that she did! We spoke to Yuki while she was travelling overseas recently about what’s been happening over the past few years and what she has set her sight on for the future.

Some years ago, you met Kevin Luchman, award-winning London based barber/men’s stylist and photographer renowned for his blend of traditional barbering and high-end male hairdressing. What effect did this meeting have on you?

I always enjoy meeting with like-minded people, and Kevin was the one of them. I met Kevin when he came to Sydney, giving me my first experience with barbering techniques, and I knew from that moment on, I wanted to perfect them. I respect him for his super friendly personality and his positive attitude towards life as he always challenges himself with many things. He reminds me to stay humble and also positive and I think of him as a perfect role model for any educator.

Having worked for TONI&GUY, knowing the sad loss of CEO Dennis Langford earlier this year, what influence did he have on your career?

Dennis was actually like my hairdressing dad. He had noticed me from day one at the TONI&GUY academy and he saw me grow as a hairdresser and barber. I learned so much from him. His

‘presentation skills course’ was phenomenal and every time I got stuck, I would often go to see him for advice. He taught me the importance of being yourself, being positive and surrounded by likeminded people. After I left TONI&GUY, I didn’t see him often, however he always kept his door open for me and when we did cross paths, he always told me how much he continued to enjoy watching my hairdressing journey. I miss him. I wish I could tell him that I’m in Japan now and doing education for Wahl. He would have been so excited to hear my stories.

Having travelled to the UK, Europe, US and Asia to educate, how has this influenced you and how do you adapt to the various audiences in different countries?

I really enjoy travelling to different countries because each country has their own style and culture which inspires me a lot. Since I’ve been traveling, I think I am getting very good at adopting different cultures and audiences. The important thing is to respect varying cultures and philosophy, be open minded and not judgemental.

Do you think your hairdressing background and training has assisted you in your barbering? Definitely! I feel grateful to have had a TONI&GUY background, which is very technical with its terminology and methodology. This became my strength and therefore it is very natural and almost easy for me to combine different techniques and design into new haircuts. Also it helps me a lot when I’m teaching as I am able to explain and communicate my techniques with the students.

When we spoke last. One of your dreams was to work for Wahl Education. Congrats! How did this come about and what does your role entail?

Thank you so much for remembering. I always wanted to be an Educator for Wahl, and when I went to Japan to compete at a Barber Battle in 2019, I had the chance to meet Masa Kawakami (the leader of the Wahl Education Team) and Ken Tajiri (the Managing Director of Wahl Japan). I let them know that I really wanted to be part of the education team. And the rest is history. I’ve learned that we don’t have to be scared to ask people if you really want something. Worst case scenario, they can say “No”, and so you have nothing to lose. You will be surprised by what life brings you.

My role is delivering Wahl education and seminars either to small venues like salons and barbers or to huge venues such as the hair trade shows and thank goodness I can now travel again to different countries after Covid. Also, I’m getting involved with the selection process for the Wahl brand ambassadors and members of Wahl Education Team members for Wahl Japan. I am also getting involved with some new product developments which is also very exciting.

You are currently in Japan. What are you doing there?

I’m in Japan for Wahl Japan working at various hair shows and seminars. The Japanese barber industry is growing so quickly at the moment that there are so many teaching opportunities here and I love to challenge myself via teaching in Japan. Also, I could not see my parents for 3 years since Covid, and my sisters family for 6 years, so I am enjoying spending time with my family at the same time as working which is really amazing.

Do you have a favourite Wahl tool and if so what is it and why?

This is a really good question, and I have often been asked. It is not easy to choose only one favourite Wahl tool, because each clipper has different features, so I LOVE THEM ALL…. I really do! I use clippers the same way an artist uses their paintbrushes. Each one creating different strokes, meaning I use lots of them when I create a haircut. However, if I have to mention one Wahl tool, I have been really into the “Allin-One Blade” since 2019. It has changed my hairdressing and barbering life. It is a texturising blade, and similar to the razor but not exactly the same. It is a very unique blade and I highly recommended them!

What are your thoughts on the current gender debate at the moment especially in barbering, and what has traditionally been known as ‘Men’s Hairdressing’?

In society, generally gender boundaries are problematic for me and I personally don’t relate to the concept. For me, it is about creating something this person loves to wear. I believe the same can be said about the person who is holding the clippers and scissors. If you love what you are doing, it doesn’t matter if you’re female or male.

I think gender debates are really interesting. For me Australia is a very forward-thinking country as people are very aware and accepting of gender topics. At the moment, Unity and crossover of Hairdressing and Barbering is happening. Hairdressers are mastering fading techniques, and Barbers are learning long hair and colours which is creating new trends and bringing the industry forward to the next level. With all that in mind, I think it is more adoptable to describe barbering as being a “short hair specialist’ (more focused on the technique itself) instead of using the gender boundaries.

What personal projects, to further your reach and career, are you working on at the moment?

I’m learning and practicing editing photos and videos at the moment so hopefully I can master that and I’m also collaborating with different hairdressers and barbers and doing lots of new projects such as education events as well as filming education videos.

Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years time? I will be based in Sydney but I would still love to travel to different countries doing hair (could be education, photoshoots etc) and meet people. I am really interested in talking to people and listening to their life experiences.

I would like to create text books and publish them, and while it may seem complicated and not easy, just like last time, if I say it in this article then I really have to make it happen. Hahaha!

SPEED DATE

Favourite Destination: London and Tokyo

Favourite Food: I love Thai food!!!!

Favourite Drink: I love coffee, XPA, Cab Sav Music I’m currently listening to: 90s MUSIC If I wasn’t a hairdresser/barber I would be a: Photographer

2 celebs I’d love to cut their hair: Elliot Page and Ruby Rose

To follow Yuki on IG and Youtube: Instagram: @yukikano

YouTube: www.youtube.com/Yukikano

Yuki is heavily involved in the relaunch of the Wahl Australia education platform. This is coming soon – keep an eye out on the Wahl Professional socials:

FB: Wahl Professional Ausralia

IG: @wahlproaus

THIS IS HOW WE DO IT!

BY REX A.C. SILVER

You may remember Suzi O’Brien from barbershop Year 9 Issue 1 in January 2020. I know I do, as she left quite an impact on me then: and has blown me away now with the achievements she has reached, with her laser focus on where and what she wanted her business to be.

Suzi thinks outside the box and on a number of levels at the same time. This is evident in the new space she has created, again, in Maroubra in Sydney’s East with the relocation and major expansion of her very successful business Gents & Rascals.

If the past two and a half years has taught Suzi anything, it’s to make the most of what you have and then look for what more it can be. Suzi didn’t just open a bigger shop with more chairs because she was busy, no no no, she future proofed her new space by predicting the next change in our industry and then looked at what more could it be.

Suzi has installed a private spa room for grooming and treatment services she calls ‘The Anam’.

Further to Suzi’s ongoing commitment to be more to her community, both geographic and indeed the Australian Barber Community at large, Suzi created a space that can seamlessly morph into an events centre.

A mezzanine level complete with a DJ/Presenters booth overlooks the main floor, which is perfect for education purposes, product launches, private events and more… all of which the space has already been used for.

THIS IS SUZI O’BRIEN 2.0:

the studio x gents & rascals. It’s a new space. It’s a new location…

Yes, it’s double the size and we have gone from 5 “cosy” sections to 8 very spacious sections and a set of double basins. We also now have a lovely open reception area with bar seating in the waiting area.

When did you do this?

We finished the shop and had planned to move it literally just as lockdown hit Sydney! It was a bitter pill to swallow at the time as I was

cutting hair through the day and working tirelessly painting until late into the night, trying to get it finished on time for weeks on end. But we were due to move into the new studio Monday 29th of June 2021 and Sydney went into lockdown three days prior. So, our beautiful new studio sat pretty and waiting for us until October when lockdown ended at last! So, October 2021 we officially opened our doors thankfully!

Have you got more staff?

Yes! We have welcomed our favourite Aussie Barber Steph Chops who is a local girl that immediately made a big impact on the whole team with her beautiful heart and attitude towards her work and life itself!

Steph has been a huge missing piece to our puzzle! Not only is she highly skilled with a set of clippers, but she is also a qualified hairdresser with years of experience and produces some amazing cuts and colours for our guests.

We also welcomed “Finty O’Hara” from the motherland Ireland of course! Finty made waves the minute he landed in Sydney only a short while ago and was chosen as one of the Next Gen by Area Academy to cut live at Hair Expo.

Since then, we were lucky enough to have Finty come on board, and he has been a powerhouse since the beginning. His attention to detail and passion for the industry is contagious and his big grin even more so! Finty is a fun-loving soul who loves what he does and is quickly becoming a client favourite.

So, we now have six full time staff including our amazing team members from our original and previous location, Manager Jordan, Mauricio, Sophie, and myself.

Why the move? Is it because your business grew?

Or you wanted an upgrade?

Both. We had definitely outgrown our old space and were beginning to look like a few sardines all squished in together! But also, from day 1 I had dreamed about this shop, and I wasn’t prepared to stop until I made it a reality.

As bad as it sounds, I couldn’t go to my grave having never gave it my all. I knew my first shop was always going to be a steppingstone to where I am now. I thought of every aspect of my shop for as long as I can remember. Actually, I had an old client who lives in Dubai, come to Sydney for a visit. I hadn’t cut his hair for over 11-12 years, and he looked around and

said I can’t believe you did it. You told me you would do this back then and how you would design it and what services you’d like to provide and here we are all these years later and you finally did it! That meant so much to me because not a lot of people understand how big a deal this studio is to me. It literally is a dream come true. For someone like me moving to the other side of the world, not knowing many people to begin with and having no money or recourses, to now owning a shop that I’m so damn proud of, it shows how hard I’ve worked and how I’ve persevered to get there. hopefully that inspires the next person to not give up on themselves or be deterred from what their heart is set on.

Tell us about the new space, it’s fit out and the feel you were going for…

I wanted to create a calming, welcoming space when designing the studio. I decided on a simple minimalistic style with clean lines, lots of space and plenty of light. I incorporated three bare elements of concrete, natural wood, and light with a monochromatic palette to create calmness. Our concrete floors and white walls are complimented with a natural wood reception desk and basin recess. Our rectilinear pendants illuminate the shop with clean crisp design.

Glass shelving line our grand arch allowing more natural light to shine through on our retail area. The black steel mirrored sections are all custom made and designed by me. I thought about how we could hide the clutter and tools that we use, so decided to reverse the mirrors and shelves so the mirror hides the noise behind.

We also made the shelves retractable so when styling hair we have our product range perfectly displayed and easily accessed just by retracting the shelf. We even thought of practicality and allowed room for bins at the bottom and high shelves for plants at the top, all while being concealed. These are a major feature in the studio and the black steel contrasts well against the white walls. We did however have a nightmare when trying to spray paint the steel when they were fixed to the walls without getting the walls themselves! Fair to say I will stick to cutting hair in future...!

The spa room we also renamed “Anam”. Anam is Gaelic for “soul”. We wanted somewhere clients could let go emotionally, spiritually, and physically and distress from life. I found a lot of guys were too embarrassed to visit a spa or beauty salon but when we have services such as hydra dermabrasion facials, massages and teeth whitening available to them, it feels less intimidating to try them. Anam has been hugely successful in helping our client’s mental health and overall stress levels and we are really happy that we can make such a difference to our client’s lives.

The room was designed with serenity in mind. Grey textured walls add warmth to the room and the white recessed ceiling with mood led lighting really sets the scene for relaxation and rejuvenation. We also included an elevated stage/DJ booth with a projector

screen and stage lighting for good measure, as my goal was to also hire the studio out for events and education. We have hosted some private events from education seminars and product launches to wedding parties and fund raisers. A massive goal of ours is to become the hub for education in Sydney and inviting men’s stylists from around Australia and the world to use our studio as their first point of contact for their education. So, when designing the studio this was front of mind.

How have your clients embraced the new space?

Overall, the design of the studio has been hugely embraced by our clients and is attracting those that are more appreciative of our craft and enjoy a higher level of service. Many clients have even hired the space for their own personal events and other likeminded creatives too, this has created an even stronger bond between us and our community. Although our mission and values have remained the same the shop vibe has completely changed. It’s definitely a more mature and sophisticated version of Gents and Rascals.

Can you walk us through the changes you had to make over the last two and a half years to your business and how you navigated through that?

Although it was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever experienced, lockdown really gave me the chance to sit down and really reinvent my business to what was more aligned to my personality and how I want the brand to be perceived.

I didn’t cut any corners. In the face of the biggest adversity, I had ever faced as a business owner, I really doubled down on my business. I just spent 100k on a fit out, but I still increased my prices and hired more staff!

It was balls to the wall! I had to think outside the box and not just rely on revenue created by haircuts because I had a brand-new shop to pay for, 4months loss of income and 4months of rent to pay. It was sink or swim, literally! There were definitely a lot of sleepless nights and plenty of tears behind closed doors but by self-belief, and determination to ensure I would make it work, once again along with support from family and friends, that love carried me through.

Offering other services than just haircuts allows for extra income on the quieter days and also turning the space into somewhere that could be used for functions has also created another form of income.

Along with merchandising and extending our range of products for hair and skin. I’m so lucky that when we did finally open our doors back up that Barbers were the new Rockstar’s, and everyone wanted a piece of us!

We were inundated for the first few weeks and worked around the clock to get through the masses of long-haired mountain men who

were never happier to see us, and us to see them!! I even recall a customer who never says much and is quite introverted walking into the shop, picking me up with a big hug and saying he will never take us for granted again!

How far do you believe you have grown as a creative since we last spoke in relation to your hair work, photography and vision for the style direction you have for your brand?

I believe you have to keep learning and moving forward to be really successful. I’m never content with where I’m at I always want to improve so I’m constantly researching what’s in fashion and what’s current and try to stay with it and adapt.

I’ve learned that branding and brand awareness are so important. Your Instagram page is your new shop front, and you attract what you post. Our branding is deliberate simplification of design and using simple colour palettes, clean crisp lines and typesetting in our signage and advertising.

We want to come across as sleek and sophisticated. Subtle and minimal styling is very suited to our modern studio as we believe less is more. In our bustling lives especially in a busy Sydney Eastern Suburb like Maroubra, we want to make it as easy as possible to sift through the daily overload of information.

I think you could define our style as trying to bridge the gap between high fashion fantasy and authenticity. Fantasy being all about perfection and ideal beautiful models, skin, clothing, hair type. Authenticity is all about embracing the individual and what makes someone unique. We want customers to see themselves represented in our imagery but also realise the potential each person has with the right guidance from our team.

The new shop attracts clients more willing to allow us to be more creative with their cuts. This is the direction I want to take my career and to do more editorial style work. Although the skin fade is my bread and butter and I actually really enjoy the satisfaction

of perfecting one, there are really only so many you can do in a day without getting bored.

I’m really enjoying creating longer more textured scissor cuts recently. I’ve focused a lot on self-development and worked hard to be more confident in cutting longer hair which the boys at Area Academy were so great at helping the team and I with.

I’ve also had some 1-1 coaching with Eoin McCarthy and have implemented a lot of their techniques and ideals to my skillset.

I’ve also worked hard to improve my photography and video editing and am still trying to understand it all, but I have a clearer vision of what outcome I want now.

Some in our field are speaking out about the changes to social media, namely Insta becoming more like TIK TOK in the way of it is more about reels now, what’s your take on this Suzi?

I think it’s just a matter of embracing it rather that fighting it. I’m now starting to create more reels and videos and actually find them really fun to do. You’re getting a chance to showcase more of how much work actually goes into a haircut before you took that final picture. I personally find them really satisfying to watch and if that’s what people want to see these days then you best believe you’re going to see my blondie head in the mix!

What products are you using and selling to your guests and why do you choose them?

For Haircare. I’m using Eleven Australia and Baxter of California. Eleven has a great range of products that are very versatile and literally do what they say on the tin. I like the simple, refined packaging and they are kinder and better for your hair being free of harsh chemicals. They’re also very affordable. I love Baxter of California’s products too. Their clays and pomades are a bit stronger than Elevens, so good to have both. They also come in glass jars which you can recycle and reuse which is great. We also stock their skincare range and fragrance which has been very popular. We use all of Baxters products during our facial treatments to add a touch of luxury. For shaving products, we use the good old reliable Proraso which we’ve always loved. Their beard balm and oil are definitely some of the most popular amongst the clients.

I also want to touch on the team of barbers I work with. Without them The Studio would not be what it is, and I owe a lot of its success to them. I am blessed with each team member who all bring something special to the table. We actually are all great mates, and our clients see it and love the banter and atmosphere that our comradery brings to the studio.

@studio.x.gentsandrascals

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The Havana Barber Chair seamlessly Style

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HAVE HEART

BY REX A.C.

Every now and then you meet a barber who has truly set their own scene. You walk into their shop, and you can feel the space is an extension of who they are. Jake Heart is one of these barbers, he loves what he does, and he loves being surrounded by what inspires him… you feel comfortable because he is comfortable in this world he has created.

Flash Art, which is largely Japanese tattoo inspired art, skateboard decks, skate punk (just the right volume) and a modern twist on traditional old school barbering is what gets this man going. That passion for what inspires him comes across in his work and his strive for setting the bar with regard to his customer service and customer satisfaction levels so high.

Creatively, Jake reminds us of a young Jürgen Neiderl (AMBA Judge, EU Barber of the Year) or even Bertus the Bloody Butcher (AMBA Judge, Barber Legend) both in his love for modern traditional, and, in the way he presents his work in images, in a story-like format, like a still shot from a movie.

I have spoken about this style of approach in presenting work in such a fashion to both Jürgen and Bertus - you can read about it in back issues of barbershop magazine on ISSUU.com It will be interesting to follow the creative journey of Jake from this point forward and see his creativity evolve… so, let’s meet him!

Tell us about Jake Heart:

I grew up on the Sunshine Coast Queensland. As a younger kid we were always out on the street with our skateboards and bikes I loved the atmosphere being outside with

all the kids. We spent a great deal of time building little kickers and getting our parents to weld together little flat rails for us to skate. We would always be running extension cords from the houses out to the street so we could listen to punk/hardcore while we skated the streets. I guess I could say these formative years really shaped who I am as a person today.

Your Barber Journey:

I had always had an interest with hair experimenting with hair styles and always the guy wanting to cut my mates hair. I was about 22 years of age when I decided that this was much more than an interest and like everything in my world it had started to be a part of my lifestyle.

I was driving trucks and working for earthmoving companies when I come across an opportunity for an apprenticeship in a hair salon. Naturally I jumped at the idea and landed the job. The apprenticeship started me off men’s cutting straight away gaining a love for clippers and shears I began to get really passionate about the craft.

I was seeing a lot of the early years of the birth of modern barbering. I would have to take a 2-hour train trip into Brisbane to attend barber college 2 days a week and the rest of my training would be in the salon itself. I fell in love with classic barbering everything from the styles and shapes to the public figures that were representing it, Bertus the Bloody Butcher was a big influence on a lot of my early days in cutting.

I remember being at college one day and my mentor coming to me at the end of the day when the class being let out and saying to me that barbering was my calling. That little push from my teacher launched me out of a salon and into barbershops where I had truly found a home and shaped the barber that I am today.

When did you open Have Heart? Tell us about the process: We opened Have Heart around July 2021. We were having a look around a lot of locations, but nothing felt quite right. There are quite a few barbershops on the Sunshine Coast, particularly in and around Maroochydore, so we wanted to step outside the hub and stand alone. We looked and looked for the perfect location before we landed our spot, which couldn’t be more perfect, with a craft brewery and a tattoo shop right up the road. We actually started on the shop straight out of a lockdown. The day the lockdown was lifted, my fiancé Ruby and I went down grabbed the keys and got straight into the shop fit. Getting trades and everything to line up was pretty difficult at this time but we got it done. The day we started fit out; my book filled up for the following week. I wasn’t going to open the shop up with it looking half done I wanted everything to be 100% for opening. So, we put in some big hours to get it all done. If I was to do it again, I probably would have spaced it out a bit because some of the trades working on a deadline took a bit of advantage of the situation and stung us with a few costs above what we had budgeted in for.

A unique feature Jake, is your extensive collection of Flash Art, can you explain in detail your love of this and the fashion and culture of tattoos and how this all influences and inspires you creatively?

I’ve always had a love for art from a young age if I wasn’t outside skating, I was inside painting. Have Heart is an extension of all the things that I hold pretty close, music, art and skating. The shop is primarily filled with Flash from local artists, traditional and Japanese which I have been collecting over the years while getting tattooed myself. I also collect skate decks so there are a few late 90s early 2000s boards hanging up around the shop. The love of art and creating has always been there, I just now have a place I call home to be able to showcase all the things I love while doing what I love. I feel as though people with that creative feel look at the world a little differently and find art and inspiration in just about anything on a day-to-day basis. You can definitely see this transferred into my love of hair, drawing inspiration from those cultures, and creating some really fun haircuts out of that.

Can you tell us about the vibe of your shop, customer service procedures; your strengths in your barbering and what has helped make you so popular in such a short period of time?

The shop is very much so, an extension of my personality. So, the vibe comes across as just that. Loud music playing, craft beers flowing and a lot to look at. We pride ourselves on being a strong pillar within our community, and stive to make people feel just that, welcomed, and excepted.

Have Heart isn’t just about our shop art, it’s about our way of making our customers want to come back not only for the haircut but the atmosphere we have created, the feeling of being welcome to just come hang out and have a beer. We are primarily a bookings shop, but of course walk ins are welcome where we can fit them in, but I have found that allocated times for haircuts has been very fruitful for us to be able to deliver haircuts that we are truly proud walking out of our shop. That’s been a very powerful word of mouth tool that has brought in many new clients, alongside keeping my loyal clientele I have been lucky enough to keep over the years of my barbering career which was great to kickstart Have Heart for sure.

Turning a negative into a positive, everyone, like every busy shop in the country has staff problems, for most even getting staff at all right now is the biggest issue. Your business, however, has taken off. Can you expand on this?

When Have Heart kicked off it was a really fast pace, we were booked out completely and the weeks that followed were of the same pace. By the time I had gotten 3 months into trading I was at capacity. So, the decision to hire had come about. Staff was important to me as the shop definitely attracts a certain demographic.

So, we employed someone that we thought was the fit to get us through the busy period unfortunately at that time the decision was made that it wasn’t the right fit. So back to the drawing board we went.

I had a young guy that was hanging around the barbershop quite a lot and had a genuine interest in the industry and what the barbershop represented so eventually the decision was

made to start up his trade. The route of hiring an apprentice has been a better decision for the shop because we can strip down hair right to the basics and begin right from the fundamentals. He is now on the floor taking clients of his own. Getting the right people within the four walls of your shop is super important because it’s your reputation on the line, I can’t stress that enough. We have now made the decision to have my fiancé Ruby step out from the behind-the-scenes aspect of the shop and start learning to barber as well.

What products do you use, love and why?

I love a range of products from oil-based products for the big old school pompadours, the Matte Pomades for the modern haircuts. We stock King Brown and Uppercut in the shop. Both of these brands are so complimentary to the haircuts that we do in the shop. I’ve found that product selection is one of most important things when it comes to hair as it has to be products that you truly believe in. You have to be confident that the products that you are using and recommending are the right selection for the haircuts that you are producing.

It’s important that the client can take a product home with them and recreate the haircut at home. King browns wax powder has definitely become one of my favourites. I love how much texture I can get from this product perfect for those haircuts that are completely texture focused like crops.

What tools do you use and love - and why?

All Wahl everything! I started with a pair of Wahl clippers when I first started and that’s just what’s felt right for me other the years. I’ve always enjoyed how they feel in my hands the weight and shape has always been a win for me. I love the way that they glide seamlessly through the hair time and time again. I use 4 pairs of clippers on my daily routines. Super Tapers to set in my base lines and all my over combing techniques.

I love using the Seniors as a bulk removal and fading, the motor on this clipper is really powerful so I’m always really confident in this clipper. I use the Magic Clip for any detailed clipper, this clipper is a personal favourite of mine. I love the way the extra teeth pull the hair into your fades I’m always really using Magics to create the most detailed fades.

My most recent addition are the cordless Wahl Legends. I’m loving this tool that I picked it up at Wahl event in Brisbane at Barber Temple and have been experimenting with them a lot. I love the extended taper arm, it’s a real game changer for my style of barbering, as I like to predominantly work in free hand and very rarely use guards in my barbering.

I use a pair of the cordless Detailers for my outlining the T-blade on this is super handy for edging and I’ve found it a really good tool to use to scrub out the line between skin and foil. (Great Tip-Ed)

I’ve tried other brands and experimented a lot with clippers over the years, but I’ve always found myself at home with Wahl. To me they are what symbolises the traditional… all the way through to modern barbering.

Any advice to someone who is wanting to start their own shop, Jake?

My advice to anyone that aspires to open their own shop is to keep it authentic. Stay true to what you believe in. Don’t hesitate to ask, and ask again for help and for advice, and for guidance, because everything you hear from people who have done it before, you will take on, and make it your own. Then can then start achieving the goals you set yourself but remember, you’re only going to miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

Jake Heart @haveheartbarbershop

Diary of an Educator

BY FRASER FORSEY

This is series 3 of 4 in our special features with Fraser Forsey, 2021 AMBA Educator of the Year, and people, in this instalment, Fraser doesn’t hold back. He gives us a raw account of his observations around the country and presents a real-time health check that you better be sitting down for.

LET’S HEAR FROM THE MAN HIMSELF…

So, over the last 10 weeks I’ve had a few private workshops with the team of educators at Temple we’ve been up in Townsville running a five-day boot camp up there with six apprentices.

These boot camps are becoming more and more popular with the high demand there is to find staff in our industry, it’s becoming even more challenging for Barber Shops and Hair Salons.

The boot camps are a really effective way to gain a team to create more retention within staff and have the apprentices trained the way you like to work in your shop. After the five days of this bootcamp these six apprentices were able to perform nearly all services on the floor at a satisfactory level whilst having qualified staff there to watch over and help maintain the apprentices work quality.

We had a three-day Wella colour workshop on site at Temple this month really great to see what hairdressers are doing in the industry at the moment with their colour and seeing some really beautiful work. We also had some upskill training at three different locations down in Sydney with Tommy Guns Barbershop with two educators working across all three shops upskilling their team.

In the last 10 weeks I also held an intense one on one workshop covering all aspects of barbering, however we also spent a lot of time on business strategies as this individual wanted to upskill his techniques and quality of work but also focusing on how he can grow his business in a more efficient profitable way.

Two wedding parties in the last month providing all cuts and services to the groom’s parties, always great to be able to still deliver that amongst delivering education.

ON THE ROAD:

Back down to Sydney again to hold a 1-day workshop at De Lorenzo head office with Hairdressers and Barbers and business owners, these workshops are definitely my favourite as you get such a variety of different people within the industry all working together and collaborating.

Also spent five days down in Bairnsdale in Victoria with Anthony Nafatali holding a workshop with a team of 15 Hairdressers and Barbers, this workshop was heavily focused on up-skilling techniques within our industry but also spent a lot of time with the two business owners planning and ensuring their business a lot of success rolling out a new POS (Appointment/Check-in system) and new service menu and customer journey.

We held a massive education showcase at temple this month with ICANDY scissors launching the 10-year anniversary scissor collection. With over 120 barbers and hairdressers in one room showcasing what we all love so much, HAIR.

We were graced with the presence of Mario Fallace from New York Barbers in Melbourne, Kim Astropalitis from Chroma Hair in Brisbane, Lance Liufau from the Loft Barbershop, Bruce Leeroy from the Loft Barbershop and my sidekick Anthony Nafatali from Barber Temple. Check out Rex’s coverage of that this issue.

Headed inland this month also to spend time in Toowoomba working with a shop up there providing some hands-on training and team culture workshops, it’s always nice getting away and not having to go to the airport and take yet another flight instead driving through the country up the range and knowing that you’re not too far away from home is a nice feeling.

Western Australia was next to spend time with three shops over there, even though we’re still in Australia it always feels like you’re heading out of the country when travelling to WA.

Love seeing the industry over there with the different styles and techniques and of course that famous WA sunset.

Pretty excited to be finally leaving the country after what has seemed such a long time with COVID now in our rear view. Flying internationally to Paris with The Bearded Chap on our second international tour to present at a three-day Expo! and also to Amsterdam to spend time with some Barber Shops and Barbers over there, excited to be representing one of my favourite product companies and seeing how the French do things.

After the week in France, I come home for a week to spend time with my team and family and then head over to Canada to the Tommy Guns national conference with over 75 of their head barbers from each of their stores across North America, absolutely pumped for these trips coming up.

RECENT CHALLENGES:

I also have given some thought lately on challenges barbers have had and are still facing and wanted to share my thoughts on this.

Obviously, we know what the biggest challenge has been over the last couple of years; that dreaded word COVID. It has created a few common challenges across our industry and within our shops with a stand out to be finding good, qualified staff.

With most of our international Barbers and Hairdressers returning home to their countries, it’s made us probably all realise how much we relied on these trades people. I also feel like retaining staff is a common factor and challenge for few Barber Shops and Salons, and this is probably led to the high demand for Barbers and Hairdressers within our industry being poached or trying to find the next best option/ pay cheque within another shop. The other big disruption to many businesses of course is staff leaving and opening up their own shop (our chair at home) close by, farming social media accounts of the businesses they just left, and undercutting prices.

This has then led to wages being increased, with the inflation in our country at the moment and now Barber shops are having to pay top dollar for staff.

Something that I’ve all always seen as a common factor across many shops in Australia is how much we still undervalue ourselves and the services that we provide the public.

It really does hurt to see all the amazing people, skills and great things happening in our industry to then see that we still are not charging enough and not valuing the skill set like we should. I wish one day there was some form of common ground across Australia within our businesses to all have a benchmark of what we should be charging but also offering an exceptional customer experience/service, because this is something in our day and age that is also not promoted as much as it should be across multiple service industries.

I guess if you go to the drawing board and sit with your team and work out exactly what you want to provide or improve with your customer journey ensuring that you have the best customer experience any way possible because at the end of the day as they say, it is just a “haircut”. It’s the small things that make a haircut something memorable and something that can change a man’s perspective on his day and how he feels about himself and that’s the special thing about what we do we are in control and empowered to make a man feel proud.

ADVICE:

My advice would be to set in stone a customer journey that is different from the Barber Shop down the road that offers incredible customer experience and charge accordingly to the blood, sweat and years you have put into your craft.

Create a team culture that is hard for any Barber or Hairdresser to walk away from, invest in growth within your team, and think long term about your business not week to week.

I feel being successful in business is a matter of a simple mathematics equation, no difference to 1 + 1 = 2, and if we treated business the same way as that, I think we would all be successful.

So here is a simple list that can help your business grow and retain your staff:

• Implement a customer journey - an experience like no other.

• Invest in training and growth.

• Increase the value of your services.

• Invest in apprentices.

With these 4 simple things your business will definitely grow and be sure to be more profitable and you can be a bit more planned.

Over the last couple of years we have all seen Barber Shops popping up left right and centre and I think at times it makes you wonder if there’s more shops than there is Barbers. As much as it’s a beautiful thing that we can literally cut hair anywhere, in any chair, in any location, I definitely feel if we spent a bit more time focusing on the fit outs of our stores, the quality of the products we have access to and cement a universal and consistent customer experience we would see a higher standard.

Running a business is very different from doing a haircut, there’s a lot more involved then short back in sides or a fade. I guess a quick tip here could be plan your work, work your plan, and raise the bar for standards, quality, and customer experience.

Regular education is a must and the flow on benefits to having outside training or guest educators working with your team investing, collaborating, and creating some amazing work together, is probably a given to some but not all. We should all be pretty open to the fact that you NEVER STOP LEARNING.

There is no end point in our industry, and no end as to when you’re able to reach your full potential, because trends never stop changing, and techniques never stop evolving.

We can definitely say what we do is art. So how can there possibly be an end point to creating and learning art?

The realistic measurable factors of having training, better efficiency, higher productivity, increased profits within businesses, a greater skilled team, increased team culture, higher quality of customer experience, setting yourself apart from other shops and setting a tone to your customers to show that you take this seriously is all part of the journey and fundamentally instrumental to success.

@barbereducationbyfraser

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you couldn’t have missed the buzz going on in Queensland of late with the recent opening of a major facility for the Barbering Industry that is The Barber Temple.

barbershop magazine talks with one of the centres directors Sam Jarred, to get the skinny on this amazing space designed specifically for our industry.

When did the idea come about and how did it come about?

It’s been in the works for a couple of years now. We all saw so much focus and energy and innovation in the hairdressing space, and figured it was about time that translated to something specifically for Barbers. Fundamentally, it started with a conversation around what the ultimate destination for Barbers would be, and what would our dream space look like? Everything sort of fell into place from there.

What were the driving factors behind building such an amazing centre that caters for so much more?

In a nutshell, we felt there was a need to have a true destination for Barbering. The industry has matured a lot over the last few years, but we really felt that the services to support Barbers and business owners hadn’t evolved, whether it be education, product supply, career pathways or industry connections. That was what planted the seed for Barber Temple. We really just wanted to create a space that’s open to Barbers from all walks, without any of the competitiveness or territorial vibes that are sometimes associated with our industry, while offering everything under one roof.

Who is behind the Barber Temple and tell us about your crack team of Temple Educators

We have a few partners in the business, but the most hands on are obviously Fraser Forsey, our lead educator, and Steve Purcell. I’ve known and worked with both of these guys for a long time, and we all had a similar vision for what Barber Temple could be, and a real love of the industry and the people. In terms of our educators, there’s probably too many

to

list here! From experienced guys who’ve seen it all like Fraser, Lino Dádderio, Mark Rabone, Steve Purcell and Tim Hutton, to social media influencers like Clipper Kayne, and up and coming guys like Anthony Nafatali, Jono Goodwin and Denny Nolan, and we’ve really tried to pull together a great group who can cater to all different needs.

WITH REX A.C. SILVER

It’s also a real mix of styles and backgrounds, and that’s key to the Barber Temple culture. Watching these guys come together and share their knowledge and love of barbering has actually blown me away! But the whole project has been such a huge team effort. There are so many moving parts and it’s the people behind the scenes who really make the whole operation tick day to day – our ops, administration and marketing teams are incredible!

Can you explain the function of this amazing space and its many parts?

Well, I guess the layout is a reflection of what we wanted to offer and the space itself. Being a converted warehouse (it actually used to be a Mitre 10), we wanted to retain the character and open nature of the space while integrating the complete offering. Our Barbershop is open to the public and designed to give our students real-world experience on the floor. We also have an office space with our admin, purchasing and marketing teams. That flows through into our onsite supply shop, which is such a great space designed to showcase all the tools, equipment, products accessories, and merch a barber could ever want.

A bit of a candy shop for barbers’ vibe in there! We then have the largest area which is our main cutting floor, event, and education space. We’ve got room for up to 30 cutting stations for larger sessions, a stage and video wall for shows and product launches, along with a student classroom, full kitchen, and bar area. It’s a really flexible and adaptable space too, which is why we’ve seen so much demand for it.

Please detail some of the courses available.

The heart of what we offer is our certificate 3 in barbering, but that’s only one element. Our non-accredited education has been really well received too, and we’ve built off what Fraser had established over many years of delivering workshops and customised classes, bootcamps and pathway courses. What I really love is that there is always something happening. It might be an American Crew cutting workshop with Lino Dádderio, product knowledge with the Uppercut guys, a stage show and launch event with Wahl, barbers coming in to shop the supply area, or just our students learning their craft – all in one week.

The Barber Industry has welcomed The Temple with open arms and rightly so, did you expect such immediate response?

The one consistent thing we hear from most people is that it’s what the industry has needed for a long time. To be honest the response has massively exceeded our expectations. We couldn’t have hoped for a better response. What I’m most satisfied with is seeing barbers from shops across Queensland coming in to check it out. There are no boundaries, no competitiveness… just a love of barbering. And it has been at all levels too – from new apprentices and students to business owners and experienced educators. We’ve made a lot of new connections and the response has been really humbling to be honest.

I was recently at the Wahl event at the Temple that had, very comfortably, around 175 guests plus staff, crew and caterers etc. And I understand the creative team were at The Temple all week training. Can you tell us about the facility being available for such events for hair companies?

Events like the launch of Andis Resurge and the Wahl Cordless Legend have been huge for us. Having the likes of Simon Shaw and the Wahl global educators and ambassadors in the space all week in particular was incredible. There was such a good energy and so much knowledge being shared. I think in addition to the space itself; the location has played a big part in the attraction. We’re central, have onsite parking, multiple entrances so the space can be properly segmented, and we’re 2 doors down from the Novotel which has been awesome for interstate and international guest artists and educators.

I noticed by following on socials our dear friends at Revlon Professional and American Crew, uses the education centre for colour tutorials for hairdressers, has the Hair Industry embraced the Temple as well?

I’ve actually been really surprised at the lack of options for barbering and hairdressing education spaces around Brisbane. For that reason, we already have a number of other suppliers and educators using the space to deliver their own training sessions and workshops, including Revlon, Juuce, American Crew, Wella and more. It’s been great to see some of that cross over too and have hairdressers spending some time here and leaving with a new appreciation for barbering.

The Barber Temple is situated at 50 Cordelia Street, South Brisbane @thebarbertempleaus

BarberConnect UK 2022 EVENTS.

Where: BarberConnect.

A trade event held annually over two days at the International Trade Centre in Telford UK. Telford is about 50 kilometres from Birmingham. The tickets and seminars for attendees are free.

Who: The Australian ANDIS Global Education Team.

Anthony Staltari / Shella Thornton / Jordan Tabakman / Tori Gill

“I love educating and to be back onstage with the Andis family was an experience that I will never forget.”

Shella Thornton

Barbershop gets 10 min with Andis Global Educator and AHIA Men’s Hair Specialist 2021 ANTHONY STALTARI and ANDIS Global Educator SHELLA THORNTON.

HOW EXCITING WAS IT TO BE BACK IN THE SADDLE ON STAGE EDUCATING AFTER 2 YEARS?

Anthony: It had been so long since I had travelled or done any education or stage work, so when I got this opportunity, I jumped at the chance. My luggage didn’t arrive with my tools, but thanks to others giving me their tools it worked out. I was a bit nervous at first, but once the day arrived, I got up there alongside the Aussie Team and everything went well. It was just an amazing experience, and I was so fortunate to meet so many other Barbers that share the same passion for the industry.

Shella: I was so excited when I got the email from Andis to come to Telford and attend BarberConnect. It was my first event in the UK but my second trip to there.

I love educating and to be back onstage with the Andis family was an experience that I will never forget. It was great to see an event that just showcased the Barbering Industry as we don’t have one here in Australia as yet. I think everyone had the same excitement as it was in the air.

THIS IS NOT YOUR FIRST TIME OVERSEAS AS INTERNATIONAL EDUCATORS?

Anthony: I’ve had the opportunity to travel overseas before. In June 2019, Andis sent me to China, I did two days education and then some stage work at the Asian Hair Festival. I also was lucky enough to travel to New Zealand to do some education in Auckland, Wellington & Christchurch.

Shella: This is my second time educating overseas. My first event was in Taichung (Taiwan) in 2019. The Barbering world there was just starting to become big so showcasing the techniques and tools that are required in the industry were very welcoming. That was only a small event, but the audience was big and willing to learn. I did a small class one day and did hands on with them and were all willing to learn new skills. I will definitely go back to Taichung.

BarberConnect was an amazing event and I have never seen anything like it before, we have Hair events in Australia but the barbering I find is only a small portion of that event. Showcasing just our trade and focusing on educating the next generation is definitely needed here in Australia.

WHAT WAS YOUR SCHEDULE LIKE PLEASE RUN US THROUGH THAT….

Anthony: Global educators from the UK, USA and Australia arrived on Saturday, we all met up and went over to check out the Trade Centre. Saturday night we all went to dinner and got to mingle with each other. BarberConnect was on Sunday and Monday and our Aussie team was on the main stage on Sunday to demonstrate Australian trends, with each educator doing their own thing. On Monday we got to check out the Andis booth and other exhibitors at the Expo and just hung out with all the other Barbers.

WHAT WERE THE CROWDS LIKE AND HOW BIG WAS IT, LIKE COMPARE TO HAIR EXPO/HAIR FESTIVAL OR SOMETHING SO WE CAN GET A GAUGE?

Anthony: BarberConnect is the largest Barber Convention in Europe. Comparing it to Hair Expo, this Expo being only specifically for Barbers there weren’t as many exhibition booths. The size of the exhibition was similar to the old Hair Expo here in Australia, but I would say there was a larger attendance than that for sure...

ANTHONY, YOU’VE BEEN TO BIG TRADE A SHOW IN THE USA HOW DID THAT STACK UP TO THAT?

Anthony: BarberConnect was a great European experience and I feel privileged to have been asked to participate. We were scheduled to go in 2020, but it was cancelled due to Covid. Angie Perino, the Andis Global Education Manager made it happen this year, bringing us all together for the first time. I was also lucky enough to attend the CT Barber Expo in Connecticut, which was at another level again, that Expo was massive with many booths, competitions, and huge crowds. CT Barber Expo was the biggest Expo I have been a part of, and the crowd really got into it, in my opinion it doesn’t get any bigger than the USA.

THE BIG HIGHLIGHTS FOR YOU GUYS? THE BIG TAKE AWAYS….

Anthony: Andis has recently rebranded and had the main stage for the event. I would say the biggest highlights for me was meeting Angie Perinoand the other Global Educators, sharing some of their journeys and also working alongside Jordan Tabakman, Tori Gill and of course Shella Thornton.

So many legends of the industry under one roof… I got to watch them do their thing and speak to them about education and hear their stories. For some of the Barbers Education is their career, others are Barbers to celebrities. I met Kenny Duncan who cut Kevin Hart’s hair and several NBA players. Amazing working with Danny Amorim with his great presenting skills on stage. Catching up with Kevin Luchmun who I worked with on my photo shoot for AHIA. That’s just a few of them, it was an absolute honour to meet them all and be part of BarberConnect, UK. THANK YOU ANDIS!!

Shella: It was great to see the whole Andis Team onstage and working together to showcase the tools we use on the floor on our models, it was also great to see everyone face to face and talk to everyone in person not just on socials. Not only was I there showcasing my skills, but I love watching other Barbers and am too learning new skills and techniques, we never stop learning even after 29years in the industry. Team America really know how to take on the stage. Andis are really supportive with their educators and the communication between us all is amazing. You do feel like part of the family. Thank you ANDIS!!

Wahl Legend Cordless Launch

Where:

BARBER TEMPLE BRISBANE

The Artists:

Ben Kane: @bewardscissorhands

Celine Kaponias @chopchopps_

Heath Paton @hphfm

Sarah Wall @sarahwall_industries

Kervin Hiew @barberkervin_thb.org

Yuki Kano @yukikano

James Lunn @barberjaymes

Mark Rabone @esqmalegrooming

Rob Szincsak @hair.byrob

Anthony Nafatali @antzthebarber

Hair flying everywhere, mad skills and great finishes from our educators driving these new machines with good ol’ American Tech

What’s the big deal with the new Wahl Cordless Legend?

Well, plenty my friends, plenty, let’s break em’ down:

• Cutting length 0.7mm to 1.7mm That’s right, not a misprint! These baby’s will extend right out… giving you more ‘fade in your fade’ without having to change guide combs or machines.

• 100min Run Time… Nice!

• 226 Grams, super feather weight when it comes to the full-size beasts. (The lightest in the range in Cordless Full-Size Clippers from Wahl)

AESTHETICS:

These Legends remind me of the wood grain station wagons surfers used to drive in the 50’s in Southern California with the colour palette Wahl have chosen on these machines, but the beautiful swing arm adjustable taper lever is retro, and very very cool… to me, these are the most visually appealing machines Wahl have presented.

PERFORMANCE:

Exceptional it would seem, don’t take my word for it, or the paid presenters who raved about it on the night, here is the word on the street from a bonafide purchaser…

“My most recent addition are the cordless Wahl Legends. I’m loving this tool that I picked it up at Wahl event in Brisbane at Barber Temple and have been experimenting with them a lot. I love the extended taper arm, it’s a real game changer for my style of barbering, as I like to predominantly work in free hand and very rarely use guards in my barbering.” Jake Heart @haveheartbarbershop

(Read full story on page 32)

Legends, you’ve been reviewed!

“Just the fax Mam’ Just the fax….” John M’cClane, Die Hard 2

Photography and Words @rex.a.c.silver

@wahlroaus @barbertempleaus

Are you a barber but don’t have your qualification?

RPL is a recognition of prior learning. If you have been in the industry full time for over 2 years, then you are eligible to apply and have your skills formally recognised with the current industry qualification Barbery the Craft of a Barber Academy is Australia’s first and only stand alone Barbering Academy offering industry recognised RPL

For a limited time only we are discounting our normal $2000 RPL price by 10%, thats a saving of $200 off . Simply visit our website , click on the RPL tab and use the code ‘CERTIFYME’ to get your discount. www.barbery.com.au

Wow what a night Wahl know how to turn it on and so does Barber Temple, and then there’s the talent… What a line up!

under the hood.

EVENTS. AMERICAN CREW INSPIRATIONS 2022

Where: Barber Temple South Brisbane

The All Stars: Lino D’Adderio - Mark Rabone - Matthew Clarke

Monday Night July 13, 2022, saw the return of The American Crew All Stars Australian Team back on stage presenting after a hiatus of 2 years, due of course to covid.

Monday Night July 13, 2022, saw the return of The American Crew All Stars Australian Team back on stage presenting after a hiatus of 2 years, due of course to covid.

These seasoned pros didn’t miss a beat and captivated the audience of around 35 to 10 models sporting the latest directives from American Crew USA. We were treated to 6 live cuts and 4 pre- prepared earlier in the day. Lino, Matt, and Mark pulled out all stops demonstrating an abundance of cutting skills with a heavy accent on texture.

The standout pieces of gold on the night were Matt explaining as he worked, the tips and tricks to mastering an afro using machines freehand and sharing some skills in the mindset space to boost your confidence in approaching an afro.

Lino walked us through the art of using a razor for texture and gave solid tips in how to achieve the results in store while making it a comfortable experience for you client as well.

Mark gave us a masterclass of how to break down your approach to a hair cut into 5 steps so you can guarantee your using your time instore on clients to maximum efficiency, and not lose your rhythm and flow through the process of the day.

Totally inspiring evening from the amazing team members that styled all the extras in the Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS the movie…in cinemas now!!

MARK RABONE LINO D’ ADDERIO MATTHEW CLARKE

iCandy Elevate All Star Education Showcase

Where:

BARBER TEMPLE BRISBANE

The Artists:

Bruce Leeroy @thebarberbandit_ Lance Liufau @lance_topselfbarber

Kim Astropalitis @chromahair Anthony Nafatali @antzthebarber Fraser Forsey @barbereducationbyfraser Mario Fallace @newyorkbarbers

Another night of amazing education at Barber Temple celebrated an incredible 10 years for Viki and Mark Konrad and the releasing of the of the iCandy Sword Pro VG10 anniversary scissor collection.

The crowd went wild for Lance Liufau who claimed he was nervous as he almost immediately fell into that relaxed state he gets in cracking jokes and sharing his skills whilst doing magic work with his hands, such a natural presenter and joy to watch.

Fraser and Anthony where on top of their cutting games, it’s a different scene without all the clipper action at a barber show but

just as entertaining. The feedback from these two was how sharp the shears are. Both Anthony and Fraser were loving the multiple techniques they could achieve with the one scissor. Point cutting, slicing, blunt cutting and scissor over comb were easy peasy and Fraser tapered out a very tidy nape fade on the back of his model.

30+ year industry legend Mario Fallace of New York Barbers was hilarious and MC’d the room when the first 3 boys were on, he was interviewing the audience and inviting them to interact with the artists while they were cutting it was classic and broke down any barriers and ice straight away.

Short interval and the next 3 artists were on stage with Fraser back on the mic. This time long hair was taken on my both Mario and Kim really showing the diverse techniques you can pull out with bad boys. Bruce was with a shorter hair model but that didn’t stop him flooring us with the magic that flows out of the loft and barber shop and all in all, the whole 6 artists proved why they are iCandy All Stars with effortless finesse.

@icandyscissorsaustralia

Photography and words @rex.a.c.silver

DESIGNED BY B ARBERS FOR B ARBERS

MATTE

VOLUMISING STYLING POWDER

Instant root lift. Weightless texture.

STYLING GEL

Firm hold. Low shine non-flaking gel. Suitable for all hair types.

STYLING PASTE

Low sheen, strong pliable hold. Humidity resistant, no flakes. Water soluble.

DELUXE POMADE

Medium-high shine, strong pliable hold. Humidity resistant, no flakes.

CLAY STYLER

Low-medium sheen, strong pliable hold. Humidity resistant, no flakes. Water soluble

HARD MUD

Low sheen, extra strong pliable hold. Humidity resistant, no flakes. Water soluble

HAIRTRENDS

COLOUR

When it comes to colour for men there will be one stand out hair colour trend – bleached hair. Men will look to lighten and brighten their hair up and have this toned to give their hair a clean, platinum hue or an icy white/grey tone that’s fitting for the season.

The great thing about this trend is that should the client get bored of the colour, they can experiment by adding in slices of colour to give their look a fun, playful finish for the season.

In Winter, we saw men wearing their hair super short and teaming this with bold neon tones like oranges and greens. For Spring/Summer, we will see cooler toned bright becoming popular, such as dark greens, blues and purples for men who want to add a pop of colour to their look.

CUTS

Disconnected cuts have been in and out of fashion over recent years and for autumn/winter they’re back on trend, whereby we will see clients requesting their hair super short on the sides with longer length on top. The idea with this hair cut is that the top of the hair looks ‘disconnected’ from the sides and that instead of fading from short to long on top, the style is more abrupt and makes a statement.

The regulation cut, a military-inspired cut, will also be popular this season. This is a very sharp and fresh style whereby the hair is trimmed down on the top but kept longer than the sides, which are tapered and gradually cut shorter before reaching the nape of the neck where the hair can be shaved off completely to help reflect a true regulation cut look. This haircut is usually styled in a statement side parting and sleek to the side for a further clean finish.

JIM SHAW (UK), MULTI AWARD WINNING MEN’S HAIRDRESSER GIVES

HIS SPRING SUMMER PREDICTIONS

For those looking for a haircut that’s longer in length and more textured, mullets will be THE textured haircut of the season. The hair should usually be cut shorter and choppier towards the front and sides and left longer at the back, however, for Spring/Summer 2022 I think we will see a more modern take on this trend, with clients looking for the graduation to be a lot softer and graduated.

We may also see men wearing the mullet a lot shorter and teaming it with a blunt fringe/almost French crop style around the face to give it a modern and trendy appearance for the new season. With all mullets and textured hairstyles, I love to use a salt spray or hair mousse and my scrunch this in with my fingers to enhance the layers and choppiness of the look and give it a further edgy finish.

STYLING

In terms of styling for Spring/Summer, this all depends on the cut the male client has. However, for those with shorter haircuts, we will see them wearing these a lot sleeker in appearance, incorporating pomades with a shine finish, gels and waxes into their hair styling routine that will give their hair look a neater, more polished appearance.

We will see men using these products to slick their hair back off the face, to one side and also mixing these products with other products like serums and oils to give their hair a wet like appearance with a high shine.

@jimshawhair

ADDICTED

Hair: Milk San Sebastián @landry1213

Salon Instagram: @milksansebastian

Hair assistant: Laia Tost @laiatost

Photography: Esteban Roca @esteban_roca_photo

Retouche: Esteban Roca

MUA: Laia Tost @laiatost

Styling: Juan Camilo @firbombshell

MR AFPEL

Hairdresser: Olga García @peluqueriaolgagarcia

Photography: David Arnal @davidarnalteam MUA: Jose Luís Blasco @josele.makeup

Styling: Visori Fashionart @visorifashionartstudio

RESPIRA

Hair Instagram: @srta.pili_eos @srta_letii @eos__men

Photography: David Arnal @davidarnalteam

MUA: EOS | MEN @eos__men

Styling: Eunnis Mesa @eunnismesa

Designer: Mariana Domínguez @maridominguez

Models: Agustín @agustinpelloni, Carlos @_carlosgarcia16, Óscar @oscarmiraditas, Alfredo @alffuster11

Products: Revlon Professional @revlonprofessional_es American Crew @americancrew_spain

Hair: Pilar Zaragozá & Leticia Martínez – EOS | MEN

Photography: Esteban Roca @esteban_roca_photo

Retouche: Esteban Roca @esteban_roca_photo

MUA: Josep López @joseplopezmarti

Styling: Christian Ríos Hair Couture @christianriossalon

Products: Revlon @revlonprofessional_es Kevin Murphy @kevinmurphyspain

CHEVALIER

Hair: Christian Ríos Hair Couture @christianriossalon

BLOG SPOT. with Don De Sanctis

4 Popular Hair Loss Myths- Debunked!

Over my years in the hair industry, I have heard some crazy things from clients… however, the reoccurring subject is hair loss worries. So, I have decided to debunk some of the most popular hair loss myths I have encountered.

MYTH 1: YOU’RE BALD BECAUSE YOU WEAR HATS

Don’t stress there is no need to throw away your favourite hat! Believe it or not, there is absolutely no evidence that wearing hats (no matter how frequent) leads to hair loss. I believe this is a popular myth because people may think that covering your hair doesn’t allow it to grow. Hat wearing won’t make you lose hair, but infections can so make sure you wash your hats frequently to avoid this.

MYTH 2: YOU’RE BALD BECAUSE YOUR MOTHER’S FAMILY IS BALD

It takes two to tango here- your mother’s ancestry will not be the sole reason you could potentially go bald. Hair loss is actually a genetic trait which means you can inherit it from either parent! So, you may want to investigate your father’s ancestry too…

MYTH 3: YOU’RE BALD BECAUSE YOU’RE STRESSED

This is actually partially true. Stress and trauma can cause temporary hair loss where basically your hair follicles have a break and then resume their normal cycle once the stress has passed. However, this is a different type of hair loss than baldness where the hair will not grow back at all.

MYTH 4: NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS CAN MAKE YOUR HAIR GROW

Dr. Ben Friedman from the Henry Ford Cancer Institute confirmed that “no amount of vitamins or minerals can help regrow hair”. Hair growth is a natural process, and no natural supplement can mimic or influence the science behind this. With this being said, natural supplements can help existing hair become stronger and healthier.

Don’t believe all you hear and remember to take care of your hair.

@barberboysau

BLOG SPOT.

WITH Sam Squires SERVING OTHERS THROUGH LEADERSHIP

So, you’ve started your own barbershop, or you’ve been promoted to a management position or you’ve taken on the education for your shop location. Firstly, congratulations and secondly now is the time to work on your leadership skills.

In this article I’ll touch on the differences between being an all-star performer on the shop floor - to moving into a senior role in management.

Sorry shop owners, but you’re not getting off Scott free, leadership is of the highest importance in your dayto-day role and it’s not a one size fits all method for everyone that works for you.

Not all employees are receptive to the same kind of motivators. Not everyone gets a buzz over competitions and expos or training and changes to the business. Maneuvering around personality types and different people’s priorities can be a huge challenge and one that all leaders will face.

A study by Scholar David McClelland discusses three main needs, or motivators, which are profoundly important when managing people.

They are indeed evident in the barber businesses throughout Australia, and I want to touch on how these needs can be addressed within the barbering world, and how you can utilize the positives of each need.

The Need for Achievement

We have all worked with or may even relate to being a super high achiever who only has eyes on the prize, whether that is taking the most money in the shop. Winning barbering awards or priding themselves on excelling constantly. With this kind of employee or if you are applying this to yourself a great way to shift this amazing trait is to set goals and targets. A fantastic way to bring out the achievement drive is to attempt to get your staff to help others achieve their goals. Whether they help the apprentice write a job list or work on competition entries. That level of high standard will then work its way down your business.

The Need for Affiliation

Within the barbering world the need for affiliation is very prominent, it relates to having common interests and building friendships within the workplace. Building team morale using out of work events such

as meals or drinks can work well but motivating our employees to better themselves and stay on top of their craft via workshops and external training is what ends up producing better barbers, better teams, and better client experiences. Being in an environment out of the comfortable shop space as a unit and meeting industry peers whilst all representing your barbershop business is a fantastic way to promote the need for affiliation.

Keep in mind that building friendly relationships with staff will also promote open conversations that could make harder talks and decisions a lot easier.

The Need for Power

This is the need that is considered “dirty” when discussed but in his study, David McClelland points out that the need for power is very human. The temptation to only use your power for your own benefit or good is called “Personalized Power” and when working in teams of barbers is not received well. The use of “Socialized Power” which is the use of power or influence to better the situations of everyone around you, and the business you’re involved in, is something that can result in amazing synergy.

As leaders we need to tap into what our needs are and what motivates us. In using these motivations to serve others we will get the best out of employees which will result in the best service for our clients.

Ask yourself, how can you serve others through leadership?

@Samthebarberman is the founder of Backbone Barbershop Group

@BackboneBarbershop @BackbonebarbershopBurleigh

Backbone Barber Education can be found at @BackboneBarberEducation

BLOG SPOT. TOTALLY WILDE with Collette Saunders

“Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.” - Oscar Wilde, De Profundis

Yes Mr Wilde! Annoyingly you’re probably right. Or did you have way too much time on your hands over thinking things? Are our passions a quotation? Do we live our lives mimicking? Is what we think merely a product of someone else’s opinion. It may appear so!

Creativity! To have the mind and the talent to create beautiful things and express ourselves. What is it for and where will it take us? And in the pursuit of that, what influences our direction. Do we merely get herded along with what has fed us or do we take the road less travelled? That bumpy, overgrown, potholed track that jolts and shakes, throwing our thoughts into everything from ego boosted elation to crippling self-doubt.

We all love a good success story. There is so much to be inspired by. Stirs us up to be our “best selves”. We take what we need and become. Become what someone else is with our own twist. Mimicry! We all become impressionists. So how do we become creatives and influence those around us without ending up as a living breathing quotation? It’s a hard gig because we know that most of everything has been done before. Unless of course you are hurtling into space with NASA to find the end of the universe while trying to not be sucked into a black hole. Whatever we do seems to be watched these days. We influence without even realising. Opinions are everywhere.

If you’re feeling like a performer pushed in front of a crowd before you expected to be put on stage then there’s nothing left to do than put your best foot forward, even though you felt you needed more time to prepare. Interesting though, how we shine more than we might have done when put in that situation. Embrace the pressure when you sense it!

I’ve been watching some people do just that lately. Jumping in wholeheartedly with serious planning, yet also the uncertainty of will it go “alright in the night”. When the wheel of fortune turns in our favour many projects can enjoy great success and we do reap what we sow. When things emerge positively the opportunity brings exciting new energy. Planning, skill, years of dedication and an eye on the prize pay off. So too being involved in or a part of bigger things. All it takes is one confident step. It can carve out a pathway to places we never thought we’d be.

Australian Modern Barber Awards entries have just closed and I’m looking forward to scrutinising this year’s submissions alongside all the other judging team. Last year saw the inaugural AMBA’s which was a visual feast that caught us all by surprise. The presentations of the winners were out of the box. Inspiring a new flow of genderless style. A way of re-introducing an almost renaissance style which is a new theme current in men’s styling.

With it came thought provoking challenge which is something I truly applaud being spotlighted in our industry. If you are an emerging talent who likes the idea of change, compromises, and adjustments to a more scenic route for the barbering industry then get on board for 2023. Summon that courage and who knows where you’ll land! Use impressions you can take that give you the desire to reflect your own definitions in creativity. Become someone’s inspiration.

Inspiration was everywhere when we were in Sydney in June. What a brilliant time we had at Hair Festival with Area Academy, Jack Reed Foundation and Barber Academy Australia. Eoin McCarthy’s vision for Barber Hub became reality, and it made the Barber Hub stand officially the most visited one in the entire weekend at Carriageworks. The emerging artists who supported by cutting on the stand, the spectator interest, the involvement of sponsors, the generous donations of the public to the charity behind the event, and the relaxed feel of the weekend made it a true success.

There’s something tangible in the air when creatives get together. It’s palpable and it drives. That’s what makes what goes on behind the scenes worth it. And believe me the time, effort, expense, physical and mental drain is real. Just ask Eoin! It came together perfectly, and it was “alright on the night”. The responses and interactions of the public proved a real need and interest in what the barbering industry, and the people who are passionate about it, bring to the table. Create the platform and the people will come. It is a strong reminder that within our communities the grass roots level, is where it matters. People walk away inspired. They go back to their creative spaces, replicate, and bring together their own impressionism. Call it mimicry, call it a mirroring of ideas, call it whatever you think it is. It’s passion. It’s quotation. It may have been done before or it may have not, but in every way it’s totally wild.

Collette Saunders @collettesaundershair Founder of @australianfemalebarbers @afb_recruit Board Director of @jackreedfoundation

BLOG SPOT.

SAVVY CONSUMERS WANT YOU TO WASH THEIR HAIR, NOT YOUR MARKETING

with PAUL FRASCA

Greenwashing is not just a dodgy marketing practice - it’s a dangerous game for businesses to play. Today’s consumers are more eco-conscious than ever before, and they can sniff out bad faith sustainability marketing from a mile away. Do your research and make lasting change; it will positively impact you, your staff, your customers, and your bottom line.

As hairdressers, we know what we’re good at - washing, cutting, drying, curling, straightening, perming, crimping, teasing…maybe I’m just pining for the 80s. It was a pretty glorious time for hair, and also the decade that gave us the term ‘greenwashing.’

It’s a term first coined by an environmentalist, Jay Westerveld, criticising the ‘save the towel’ movement in hotels. Westerveld claimed that encouraging hotel guests to re-use their towels was not about saving the climate but saving the hotels the trouble of washing every towel every day, i.e., one of the first notable instances of greenwashing.

It means precisely what the above example indicates. A company makes grand claims about how environmentally friendly it is, but its business practices haven’t changed in a meaningful way. Plenty of big corporations have been accused of greenwashing and with good reason. Oil and gas companies, big players in the aviation industry, even rock bands are not immune to accusations.

The truth is, we’ve likely all been guilty of greenwashing at some point, whether intentional or not. The movement toward sustainable hair and beauty products makes our industry particularly vulnerable to falling for it ourselves or unintentionally our businesses. However, it’s worth remembering that in this case, impact trumps intention. You can be as well-meaning as you like, but your unintentional greenwashing can still have a significant negative impact.

As a salon owner, when was the last time you really investigated whether the companies you buy your products from actually follow through on the promises they make on the bottle? Not whether they give your customers silky soft strands, but whether that bottle really is made from 30,50 or even 80 per cent recycled plastics, or whether the shea butter used in the product comes from a sustainable source. The answer is probably never.

And that’s okay. You should be able to rely on what a company says about itself and its eco-credentials without turning in to a private detective to verify the claims. Your customers expect the same.

If you say your salon is sustainable, your customers expect you to walk the walk on sustainability too. It’s not good enough anymore to just recycle via your council curb side recycling; your customers expect you to be taking one for team earth and making some real changes to your business model.

The good news is that the process of greenifying your business isn’t as daunting as it might seem. Think about where and how you can make sustainable changes. Some of them are so easy you’ll barely notice a difference, but the planet will thank you. Start by thinking about where and how you can minimise waste in your salon:

- Can you replace your regular coffee pods with refillable pods?

- Could you invest in a mineral water maker rather than buying bottled?

- Could you switch to biodegradable garbage bags?

- Can you join a program like Sustainable Salons?

- How about starting a mismatched crockery collection from your local op-shop to give your employees a sustainable option for when they grab a coffee or lunch?

Once you’ve made the easy changes, you can move on to some more complex sustainability challenges:

- Can you switch to a sustainable banking provider?

- Could you switch energy providers to have your salon run on renewable energy?

- Better yet, is it possible to install solar panels and generate your own electricity?

There are likely a million little things you can do to minimise your salon’s impact on the planet, and you should do these before you start marketing yourself as sustainable.

Consumers know what they want, and they are not afraid to punish businesses that try to pull the wool over their eyes. Don’t risk alienating your client base by making unsubstantiated claims about how green you are, especially when going green is simple and affordable. Be transparent with your clients, and they’ll keep coming back, not just for your great haircuts but because they know they’re putting their money into a business that cares for the environment.

Greenwashing can seem like an attractive way to engage with the customer base you’re trying to woo, but it’s not the answer. You can take simple steps in your salon that will have you walking the walk (not just talking the talk) on sustainability in no time.

Stick to washing what you’re good at!

Keen to join the movement?

Scan the QR code to learn more

PITYRIASIS Oily Dandruff!

Pityriasis is a genus of non-pathogenic yeast-like fungi which produce fine spores but no mycelium. It proliferates in “Dandruff ‘and ‘Seborrhoeic Dermatitis’ and in the diseases/ conditions discussed herein – prefixed Pityriasis

Seborrhoea may be defined thus: ‘excess sebum for a specific individuals age and sex’.

Pityriasis can be a chronic inflammatory papulo-squamous disorder patterned on the sebum-rich areas of the scalp, face, and trunk. It presents as areas of erythematous skin covered by large yellow greasy scales.

Severity varies from mild pityriasis simplex capitis (‘dandruff’) to exfoliative erythroderma.

This paper seeks to mention the pityriasis conditions which may respond to trichological therapy. Other manifestations requiring dermatological advice are also mentioned herein.

Etiology

The aetiology of seborrhoeic dermatitis remains uncertain, but evidence points to genetic factors. At birth sebaceous glands are tiny and inactive but sustained by maternal androgens. As puberty approaches androgen levels rise and sebaceous glands enlarge to commence sebum production.

Sebum production is initially similar in adolescents (either gender), until after the 16th year from which time the male’s production rises and remains higher (subject to the presence of testicular androgen) until advanced age. Female levels of sebum reduce with the presence of oestrogen, except during pregnancy. At puberty and beyond sebum gains higher levels of cholesterol and lipids.

Cholesterol is a sterol (steroid + alcohol). It plays a central role in many biochemical processes.

Lipids are organic compounds (containing hydrocarbons) found in cell membranes of all body tissues. They may be used for energy storage, as structural components of cell membranes, others are important hormones or contain essential fatty acids. Because they consist mainly of carbon, they are soluble in ether and chloroform but relatively insoluble in water.

Squalene (a lipid) – is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of cholesterol and precursor to the whole family of steroids derived from it. At puberty cholesterol and squalene levels dramatically increase in the sebum.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a worldwide disease, however opinions exist as to its relativity to racial and climatic factors.

Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a form of pityriasis as it relates to the activities of the yeast Pityrosporum of Malassezia syn’s: malassez furfur, pityrosporum ovale, bottle bacilli. Dandruff (Pityriasis simplex capitis) is the mildest form of seborrhoeic dermatitis.

Conditions prefixed Pityriasis which involve scalp crusting or exfoliative activity may be injudiciously labelled innocuous dandruff, but may be early symptoms of other diseases or disorders requiring specialist treatment – including:

- Psoriasis

- Neurodermatitis

- Streptococcal

- Ringworm

- Impetigo

- Ichthyosis.

Where doubt exists, early advice should be sought.

BY PROF. BARRY STEVENS

Types of Pityriasis

Pityriasis Simplex Capitis (PSC). Syns: P. Sicca, Dandruff

‘Dandruff’ a popular collective non-specific, non-technical name signifying a mild scaly flaking scalp condition.

In a simple context this will allude to Pityriasis Simplex Capitis (syn. pityriasis sicca) – a non-inflammatory scalp condition which presents as exfoliation of the Stratum Corneum (outer layer of epidermal cells) with Pityrosporon Ovale (bottle bacilli) present. Pruritis may co-exist. It is common to either gender or shows no affiliation to skin colour.

Human skin continually manufactures and sheds cells. Clothing assists in the shedding of body cells. Hairy skin may retain these exfoliated cells for longer which articulate to form scales.

PSC may be an indication of a more serious condition.

This condition is frequently observed photo is considered unnecessary

It seems to originate from a moist eczematous exudate which hardens into a thick asbestos like crust which is adherent to the scalp and grows up local hair shafts. Occasionally blood is drawn where crusts are torn from the scalp.

Its silvery grey / white asbestos like appearance is due to its composition which includes hyperkeratosis and follicular keratosis.

As the scale is removed, areas of baldness which may or may not support future hair growth are revealed.

Treatment

Coal tar and salicylic acid as a keratolytic to soften the crust and enable its removal followed by mild topical steroids where indicated. Where psoriasis is a suspected complication, regular treatment may be needed.

ED’s Note: There are coal tar shampoos easily available on the open market at pharmacists without prescription. When you do identify these and other conditions you see here in the Health Blog, please refer you client to a GP also.

The idea behind me putting the professors’ articles in barbershop is so we can learn about the common hair and scalp issues we see every day as barbers and give comfort to our clients because we know a little about them and the treatment for them.

@hairscientists.org

Professor Barry Stevens is one of the world’s foremost experts in Trichology. He heads the Trichological Society in London, and his papers are internationally recognised as a leading source of accurate information on scalp and hair disorders by Doctors and Trichologists alike. He has been a consultant to the BBC, The Thermal Hair Appliance Industry, Unilever Hair Cosmetics and has been awarded for “Outstanding Services to Hair Sciences – Worldwide”

Why

your barbershop needs a strong online presence,

and how to create one

ANOTHER FEATURE IN THE SERIES OF BUSINESS OLD SCHOOL BY MARIO AND DION FALLACE

Nowadays, as most of us all know, potential customers are looking online when they are looking for services, especially in the hair industry.

With google search, websites, and social media, clients can (and want to) find out everything they can about your business before they step foot through the door.

They want to see your work, what your shop environment is like, how much you charge, whether they need to book in, the hours you are open, and what other customers have had to say about their experience.

Most barbershops will have their Facebook and Instagram set up and posting quality content about your work and shop. This is the first step, but to really have a solid online presence, it is important to cover all bases.

This is the difference between a decent online strategy and a well-rounded one. These steps are how to ensure your barbershop maintains a really good social strategy, and it starts with venturing beyond social media (facebook & instagram) itself.

BRANDING

One of the most important factors nowadays to truly stand out from the crowd and have a recognisable barbershop is to have quality branding.

What is branding? It is the perception of your barbershop – who you are, the look, feel, and vibe. It is a customer’s first impression of your business, so you need to make it count. Branding can be customised to suit the type of barbershop you are, as well as your target clients. For example, an old school vibe barbershop, or an ultra trendy modern barbershop.

Your branding is brought to life starting with a quality, unique logo designed with your look, feel, and overall vibe in mind. This is then paired with a colour palette using selected colours to add to the feel someone gets when looking at it (classic, modern, quirky, etc). It is also important having a brand font that typically gets used in your logo but on any other marketing material: website, social media posts, business cards, pricelists, etc.

This is what makes up your branding, and should be used not only online, but also physically at your barbershop, for example on signage. By creating quality branding, the consistent use of this across all platforms will ensure you stand out online. Having a professionally designed logo & branding for your barbershop makes a world of difference compared to a homemade logo, and makes your barbershop appear so much more professional. Getting a graphic designer to create a custom branding package for your barbershop is what you need to effectively do this.

WEBSITE

With the rise of social media, sometimes your website can be left behind, or not even considered at all. However, a website is really important for barbershops. This is because many potential customers search on google for barbers shops in their area. So if you don’t have a quality website, you are missing out on popping up in these search results in your area.

Your website is an extension of your barbershop and is the perfect opportunity to showcase who you are and what you do. It is like your own platform - you have control over how it looks and functions and what is on there. By using your barbershops branding, you can have an amazing looking website that compliments your brand. Your website should have everything clients need to know about your barbershop, such as your story, services you offer, client testimonials, booking info, contact details, pricing, as well as links to your social media.

It is worth the investment to have your website professionally designed and make it sure it gets done properly.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Your social media is the perfect compliment to having quality branding as well as a website in place. This is where most barbers already do a great job of posting their work and gaining exposure. Posting pictures and videos of your work, as well as your barbershop environment will put the icing on the cake for a potential client who is looking for a new barbershop. It is also a handy way to showcase your retail product range and even posting handy tips and tricks for your clients on how to care for their hair at home. There is an endless amount of content ideas for social media!

Your socials are best monitored and maintained by the barbershop itself. Outsourcing may seem convenient but social media works best with authenticity - coming from within your team.

By approaching your barbershop marketing in the steps above, you will have a much more well - rounded strategy that increases your online presence, making you one of the most appealing barbershops in your area. Rememberyou don’t need to compete with the whole of Australia, just your local area! That’s where your clients are.

In addition to using social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, ensuring you have solid branding and a quality website for your barbershop will increase your authority, credibility, and make you stand out.

The best way to do this is to have a graphic & web designer to create this for you. Here at New York Barbers, we were lucky that, my son, Dion, who is also barber himself, took an interest in learning how to do this for our salons and was able to create us awesome branding and a top quality website - and has in fact just launched an industry first, a digital marketing agency for hair salons and barbershops, called SalonDrive.

SalonDrive specialises in branding and website design for barbershops.

Visit their website: salondrive.com.au to see more, and how they can help increase your online presence.

The 5 biggest mistakes barbers make in their marketing

BY NICK BENDEL

The most important activity in any barbershop is sales, because even if you’re the world’s greatest barber, your business will fail if you can’t make sales.

So what generates sales? Marketing. Which is why the second-most important activity in any barbershop is marketing.

In other words, marketing is essential to the profitability, and even survival, of your business. So if you think marketing is an activity you don’t need to take all that seriously, you’re wrong.

With that in mind, here are the five biggest mistakes barbers make in their marketing.

1. Not doing any

The biggest marketing mistake barbers make is not doing any, either because they don’t like doing it, they don’t have the confidence to do it or they don’t make time to do it.

Whatever the reason, not doing marketing is a big mistake, because it means your barbershop will attract fewer customers.

Generally, the barbershop that does the most marketing wins. If there’s a rival business in your suburb or a neighbouring suburb that’s doing more marketing than yours, can you really complain if they steal your customers?

So set aside time to do a bit of marketing each day. Ideas include:

• Writing educational social media posts and blogs (about hairstyles, hair trends, hair maintenance tips and grooming products)

• Writing newsworthy social media posts (about what’s happening in your local community)

• Writing promotional social media posts (about your products, services and specials)

• Recording videos (covering all the topics mentioned above)

• Taking photos of your customers (with their permission)

All those ideas are free, which means lack of money is not a valid excuse to avoid marketing.

2. Taking a short-term approach

What’s the best way to approach marketing? The same way you’d approach fitness or bathing.

Marketing is like fitness in that you can’t do one good act and expect immediate results. To succeed, you need to practise good habits for an extended period of time.

Marketing is also like bathing in that it’s not something you can do once and then you’re done. To succeed, you need to do it regularly and forever.

That’s why the previous section recommended daily marketing. If you can do a little bit of marketing each day, it won’t amount to much in the short-term but it will add up to a lot in the long-term.

about playing the long game.

3. Not having a proper website

Newsflash: it’s 2022, which means you need a website. Not a Facebook page or a free Google website, but an actual website.

If one of your rivals has a website and you don’t, they’ll seem more professional and will rank higher than you in Google searches. Both those things will cost you business.

Chances are, if you don’t already have a website, it’s because you’re uncomfortable with technology, which means the idea of building one must seem scary. So here’s some advice:

• Do a Google search for barbers well outside your local area (i.e. non-rival shops)

• Make a list of five websites you really like

• If the web developer’s contact details aren’t located at the bottom of those five websites, contact the barbers, explain who you are and ask for their web developer’s name and number

• Contact each web developer and ask them what it would take for them to build you a website just like the one they built for the other barbershop

4. Being a sheep

The best way to market your shop is the same way every other barber markets their shop, right?

Wrong.

The aim of marketing is to stand out, and you don’t stand out by looking and sounding like everyone else.

So ignore what your local rivals are doing. Or, if you can’t avoid checking them out, make a point of publishing different types of content with different messages.

5. Publishing corporate propaganda

Heed these wise words from advertising legend Howard Gossage: “People don’t read ads. They read what interests them. Sometimes it’s an ad.”

In other words, if you publish interesting marketing, people will consume it – not because it’s marketing, but because it’s interesting.

Conversely, if you publish ‘corporate propaganda’, in which you boast about your “passionate staff” or “world-class customer service”, people will ignore it – just as you would if it came from a plumber, dentist or accountant.

The key to avoiding the corporate propaganda trap is to resist the temptation to talk about your business (aside from the occasional promo) and to instead focus on your customers. If you provide them with information they consider interesting, relevant and helpful, they’ll happily consume your marketing. But if you provide them with information they consider boring, they won’t.

Nick Bendel is the director of Hunter & Scribe, a copywriting / content marketing agency that writes blogs, social media posts, website text and other content for businesses.

Marketing isn’t about immediate gratification. It’s

BARBERSchairs

It starts with sitting in the perfect chair. Something that looks sweet, comfortable and makes it easy for you, the stylist, to create with pride.

WHISTLER

BLACKBIRD TEXTURED BLACK

HARLEY TEXTURED BLACK

BLACKBIRD TEXTURED BLACK

NEWS.

2022 REUZEL COMPETITION

Congratulations to Florenscia Kasiaheng aka Zee of Suza The Barber in Darwin, winning the 2022 Reuzel Competition held by Reuzel and The Barbiere Company. The amazing prize package included being flown to Adelaide with Australian Scumbassador Daniel Pursehouse of Grouch Hair Collingwood as a mentor, and $2000 towards the photo shoot for Zee’s submission in the AMBA’s. Stay tuned as next issue we interview Zee and get the behind the scenes scoop on the shoot and her trip! Well done Zee!

@reuzel @thebarbierecompany @zeebarber_g @grouchhair

JUST CUTS HAIRDRESSER REACHES OUT TO UKRAINE

Sydney resident Olga Palanska is encouraging more Ukrainian hairdressers to take the opportunity to work in Australia given the ongoing staffing shortage across the industry nationally.

Hairdressing is a career that’s crossed continents and culture for the Ukrainian-Australian mother of three, who joined the Just Cuts Miranda team in 2018 and found the language barrier wasn’t as hard to overcome as expected.

“I started my hairdressing career back in Ukraine and my parents didn’t see it as a real profession,” said Olga. “I started in Australia doing casual shifts on Saturdays, I actually started in a Russian speaking salon here in Sydney.”

“My previous hairdressing experience in Ukraine was recognised so I only had to do a shortened apprenticeship before studying at TAFE to be a fully qualified hairdresser which helped.”

“I’ve worked in the Australian industry for two decades and the colleagues I’ve met who trained overseas like me are all brilliantly talented hairdressers, plus I know so many salons here in Sydney are desperate for staff. I’d be so happy to have more Ukrainians here.”

TIMELY WELCOMES AMBASSADOR - NATHAN YIP

Business Management Software, Timely is delighted to announce the appointment of its latest Global Brand Ambassador, Nathan Yip.

An expert in cutting and education, Nathan is the owner of Pretty Vacant education and salon in the Freedom Suites, Brisbane. He is building stronger communities in the hair industry through The Bootleg Project and is a reseller for Excellent Edges, The Anti Collective and piiq smart mirror.

Timely has been Nathan’s go-to business management brand for Pretty Vacant for the past few years and has enjoyed a close relationship with them since, thanks to his involvement with the Timely LIVE campaign during the 2020 lockdowns.

Just Cuts Miranda Owners Graham and Vick Bird said Olga is well suited to her role at Just Cuts.

“Olga is an authentic, sensitive, and confident communicator in how she interacts with Clients,” said Graham. “She’s happy to work within our team and is comfortable with the Just Cuts system and we simply love her as do our clients!.”

“I’ve always loved the idea of hairdressing, but it’s only now at Just Cuts I really love what I’m doing. I love all my clients from the eccentric to the fun and everyone in between, and I finally feel more confident in my career here in Australia.”

Since reading this barbershop jumped on the Home Affairs site and can confirm this:

Ukrainians eligible to work: Since February 2022, the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs has issued 8,600 visas to Ukrainian Nationals in Ukraine. As of June 30, 2022, over 3,800 of these visa holders have arrived in Australia and can work for 3 years on these visas.

Don’t know how many hairdressers are among our newly arrived friends but could be worth checking out! Contact Home Affairs… ask for Scott… Ed homeaffairs.gov.au

Along with regularly showcasing the infamous Pretty Vacant eclectic client experience through use of the Timely Business Management Software system, Nathan has created a bespoke product demonstration experience exclusive for those wanting to trial Timely, as well as current customers who are wanting to expand their knowledge and upskill their online offering.

“My highest priority when choosing and working with a partner or affiliate is always relationship and then product! I choose Timely because they ever deliver on both! ”.

“This is a really exciting time for the Timely community. We’ve had a long-standing relationship with Nathan as a valued customer and this next step will see us progress the way we show up to the hair community, while providing an exceptional in person product demonstration for potential Timely customers in the Brisbane area. With Nathan guiding our product team on the practical use of the platform when stylists are busy on the floor, we’re excited to continually learn, grow and develop as a company, for our industry!” Timely’s Head of Partnerships, Tamara Reid concludes.

NEOGRAFT® - THE COMPREHENSIVE AND TRUSTED HAIR RESTORATION SOLUTION

NeoGraft®’s revolutionary automated Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and implantation technology leaves no linear scar and is minimally invasive with fast patient recovery. It eliminates the inefficiencies of common manual tools and procedures while enabling physicians to offer hair transplants with consistent clinical outcomes. NeoGraft® delivers superior clinical efficacy and high patient satisfaction, as evidenced by a 95% “Worth It” rating on RealSelf.com.

PHYSICIAN BENEFITS

• Brand recognition and proven performance of NeoGraft®

• Low barrier to entry with turnkey solution

• Target both male and female patients

• Minimal consumable cost

• High-quality grafts with a low transaction rate PATIENT BENEFITS

• Flexible procedure

• Natural-looking hairline

• No linear scarring/plugs

• Minimal pain and discomfort

• Less downtime and fast recovery

• Approved for both men and women UNIQUE ADVANTAGES

1. Harvesting - Automated technology enhances operator control and delivers high-quality grafts.

2. Site-making - Ergonomic handpiece enables flexible site creation for an optimized hairline design.

3. Implantation - Pressurized implanter gently places the hair follicle into the recipient sites. For more information on how you can introduce this into your place of business or make referrals please contact Venus Concept Australia P: 02 8329 0770 or 0416 022 096. E: info.au@venusconcept.com

NEW GEAR.

iCANDY SWORD PRO VG10 SCISSORS COLLECTION by iCANDY SCISSORS

iCandy 10 Years Anniversary Edition Scissors with ARTISAN HAND HAMMERED HANDLES.

Each scissor is handmade and uniquely individual.

The VG10 Sword Mountain Blade design is the evolution of iCandy’s Sword blade and increases blade strength for Super Sharp Precision. Unique ergonomic comfort handles and ball bearing tension system makes for an extremely well-balanced scissor, with a silky smooth super-sharp cutting action.

Available in sizes 6.1” or 6.6” Yellow Gold, Midnight Black, Rose Gold, & Silver. icandyscissors.com.au

WAHL CORDLESS LEGENDS

Deep-tooth Wedge Blade- with deeper, longer teeth to feed thick and textured hair with ease. Equipped with Crunch Blade technology to hear when the hair is being cut for a seamless finish

Extended Taper Lever- Providing a wide range of cutting lengths from

Lithium-Ion Battery with Smart LED charging- Capable of 100-minute run time off a 60min charge. With an LED indicator: Solid is full charge, flash is low charge, and pulse is charging.

High Performance motor that won’t bog down on wet or dry hair.

Light weight at only 226g with a premium metal taper lever and switch

Includes 8 premium metal guide combs- 70% stronger than standard combs, designed to withstand a busy barbershop. Perfectly fitted with secure-fit metal tabs to prevent the guide comb from detaching.

COMFORTEL’S BARBERS ESSENTIALS

Cleaning Hair has never been easier with the SalonVac with Foot Pedal

Comfortel’s SalonVac is an electric vacuum tailored for Barbers & Hair Salons and cleaning hair. The self-contained vacuum includes technology that incorporates a powerful suction designed to pick up the finest of dust, including hair.

Without touching hair, the foot-pedal turns on the power and allows the hair to be sucked directly into the unit. Clients won’t see the hair and you will never have to use a dust pan and handle hair again. www.comfortel.com.au

DISPOSAL BLADE CONTAINER

BY JOIKEN

Specially designed for disposing used sharp razor blades. This square shaped container is space-saving and light in weight.

Suitable for disposing sharps including those contaminated with medicinal products and their residues. Made of plastic, corrosion resistance and durable to use.

DIMENSION: 10 x 7.5 x 15.5cm www.joiken.com.au

JOIKEN

The unique, perforated roll allows for custom lengths supporting hair styling applications and larger neck sizes.

Made of a soft, highly absorbent tissue, it helps catch loose hair and absorb perspiration and drips. Superior stretch ensures a tight, secure wrap. They stretch to comfortably to fit around the customer’s neck, keeping it clean and protected. A sanitary, disposable buffer between client and cape. The single use design protects from risk of cross-contamination. Economical & convenient. It costs only a fraction of the price of towels and cuts down on laundry costs

Each pack contains 5 rolls (Approx. 100 Strips/Roll) is highly absorbent with superior stretch. Disposable, comfortable and hygienic .

Measurement: Sheet Width: 6.7cm www.joiken.com.au

BLACK NECK ROLLS BY

NEW FROM VITAMAN

NEW GEAR.

MEET PANTHER BY COMFORTEL

This Barber Chair is for the traditionalist, who wants something a little different. Featuring a smoky dark chrome finish with matte black upholstery, Panther truly breaks the mould of distinctive design, while still preserving a traditional ‘barbershop’ feel.

A comfortable and supportive seat that is firm and well supported, the adjustable height range makes this barbers chair is perfect the tall and even short barber. Traditional styling is met with the highest grade of durability, finish and of course maximum comfort (nothing is more important). With a smokey dark chrome frame, this barbers chair is a striking accent piece to any barbershop.

Features include: Smokey dark chrome finish with matte black upholstery, 360º (lockable) rotation, Reclining backrest, Adjustable, integrated, removable headrest, Upholstered padded armrests, Recline lever, Upholstered and padded footrest, Raised leg support, Lockable hydraulic lift and Round Black & Chrome base

Available from Comfortel Salon Furniture. www.comfortel.com.au

Bondi Waves Texturizing Sea Salt Spray 125ml

VITAMAN’s Bondi Waves Sea Salt Texturizing Spray adds volume and texture to all hair types and helps thicken the appearance of thinning or fine hair. 100% Australian made and owned, Bondi Waves is formulated with high-performing native plant extracts and the power of Australian Sea Salt.

Face Scrub

Featuring natural ingredients like walnut shell, bamboo powder, and the antioxidant power of organic white tea, VITAMAN’s Face Scrub will restore skin to its former glory. And with a combination of Aloe Vera, Allantoin, and Vitamin E, VITAMAN’s Face Scrub is gentle enough to use every day.

Face & Body Cleanser

Made with natural, antibacterial plant extracts of White Tea Leaf, Lemon Myrtle, and Sweet Orange Peel Oil, VITAMAN’s Face & Body Cleanser is designed to leave skin feeling incredibly clean and moisturised. It’s also perfect for softening and preparing the face for shaving. vitaman.com.au/pages/trade-only

IMPORTS

BEST OF DANISH DESIGN

Danish design at its very best. Developed in conjunction with top hairdressers, new HH Simonsen Compact Hair Dryer and True Divinity MK2 Hair Straightener represent premium innovation and luxurious performance.

RETRO MEETS CUTTING EDGE

Silver Bullet Grenadier Clipper is a knight in shining armour. Retro design with cutting edge features. Ingenious multi motor speeds suit all hair types. Cordless convenience with 3 hour runtime.

CHARGE IT

You’re in charge with BaBylissPRO FX Hair Clipper and Trimmer Charging Bases. Available in SilverFX, RoseFX and GoldFX, these high quality charging docks are style, organisation and convenience in one.

ZOOM IN

Ultra-lightweight and advanced, Silver Bullet Zoom Trimmer zooms in for extraordinary precision. BLDC digital 7500 rpm motor, DLC cutting blade, gold titanium coated base blade and high power lithium battery.

THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION

Parlux goes digital. Arriving Q4 2022, Parlux DigitAlyon Air Ionizer Tech Hair Dryer is MORE powerful, MORE lightweight and MORE quiet. Longer-lasting digital BLDC motor propels blow-drying to new heights.

A BARBER’S BEST FRIEND

Blow-drying in record time! Designed for maximum airflow, low noise and optimal stability, BaBylissPRO GoldFX Hair Dryer is an Italian masterpiece. Newest addition to BaBylissPRO’s GoldFX collection of clippers, trimmers and shavers.

THE CLOSEST SHAVE X 2

Excel with BaBylissPRO LimitedFX Double & Single Shaver Duo. Brand new to the Australian market, the single foil shaver compliments the double foil shaver for ultraclose cut performance.

For more information: call Dateline Imports on (02) 9666 3611 or visit datelineimports.com.au

ultralight 299g

high speed 110,000 rpm

long life br ushless motor