Calling all barbers! You may know about this awesome magazine already, but if not subscribe NOW. It’s an awesome magazine which aims to inform barbers of the latest and greatest in the barbering industry. Also, it introduces high-profile barbers, both female and male, in the industry. Great articles!

It’s a quarterly magazine so you won’t be bombarded every week or month, but when it arrives, it’s worth the wait. I can’t wait to get this issue–which features all female barbers. Now you know I like that! So check it out at  http://www.againstthegrainmag.com

I recently read an article on menessentials.com about issues black men face along with a few beauty tips.  It’s an excellent article for African American skin care.  If you are an AA male who struggles with ingrown hairs, maybe dark spots, or dry skin, then this article is for you.  Recently, I was approached by a male co-worker who suffered from bad razor bumps after shaving with a razor system.  His skin became very dry and bumpy and to boot, he applied alcohol to his face.  Note:  alcohol usually dries out the skin, so  I would not recommend applying alcohol to your face.  So I suggested he use a antiseptic less abrasive such as witch hazel to pat his face after the shave, then apply a grease-less moisturizer to restore moisture in his face.  And I’m proud to say, he reported back to me with a bump-free, smooth face…another happy customer.

So, please take a look at this article and apply some of the techniques and methods to keep your skin beautiful and sexy.  In the words of P. Diddy, “Preserve that sexy!”

Check out the article here.

What kind of barber are you?  Have you ever asked yourself that question or do you even care to know?  As a new barber in the hair and beauty industry I constantly ask myself this question.  Am I professional, personable or better yet, a good barber?  Maybe I am a little obsessed with the question, but I’m serious about my career.

Do you want to set yourself apart from the other barbers in the world?  I do, but not with the “it’s all about me” attitude. Here’s an example. I recently received my barber’s license and as a supplement I used the Milady.com online test (which is an awesome tool) to prepare for my exam.  In order to use the test you must purchase for a little under $30, but you will have a year’s access to the online system.  So once I passed my license exam I wanted to help others prepare as best possible, so I offered my username and password to whomever wanted to study and pass.  I told one particular barber student and he wanted me to give him the online tutorial and no one else.  Selfish!  He felt that he needed to make “that money” and the others are competition so why help them get ahead.  I was taken aback by his selfishness, which in my humble opinion will be how he treats his clients–Selfishly.  But I digress….

So again, what kind of barber are you?  Are you watching videos of other barbers with more advanced skill?  Remember, iron sharpens iron! Are you attending hair shows, reading articles, magazines, watching others in your profession?  Are you a self-promoter/entrepreneur:  business cards, a set schedule for your clients, an appointment book, etc?  Do you take your clippers with you when you visit family, b/c not only are you offering your skill and time, but you can practice new techniques (pending they let you).

Once you are in the barber shop, do you greet you clients, maybe offer a handshake, dap or whatever?  Are you asking your client’s name and most of all do you make it about them?  In my experience, some men and women are hesitant because I’m new, they haven’ t seen me before, so I want them to be comfortable with me and actually know or at least consider coming back to me–possibly spreading the word too.  So I talk with my clients–asking questions about them and finding a relatable interest we both share.  About 99% of the time, they are less concerned about that fear they initially had and let their guard down.  It’s not always about how good you cut, but your personality and how you make that individual feel.  Remember, “individual”–no one wants to feel like they are just another haircut.

And lastly, project confidence ALWAYS!.  I’ve struggled with this at times, but it does you know good to show weakness or lack self-confidence. I had to learn that my skill level is appropriate at this point in my career, but with hard-work and dedication, I will be an excellent barber.  Even in the midst of  self-doubt, confusion, or frustration–say to yourself, “I got this!”

What type of barber are you?

The shape up.

The line up

Or whatever you would like to call it.

I’ve heard before that most men don’t care about how the haircut comes out, but if they have a sharp shape-up…that’s all they need.  When I give my clients the mirror to check their haircut and I ask, “Is there anything you want me to improve,” it’s never anything like this.  “Hey, can you get that dark spot out or can you blend my fade a little better.”  9 times out of 10, they will ask you to fix something about their shape-up.  Of course as a barber, its imperative to be able to do a few things.  I’ve heard a barber say, you need to know how to do four things and they are:

• Be able to perform an even cut (with no dark spots)
• Be able to blend/fade
• Be able to free-hand and create a perfectly rounded Afro
• Be able to Shape-up…as sharp as possible.

So we are talking about the last item for now.  As a barber, I spend a lot of time trying to perfect the ART of the Shape-up.  I set my trimmers, I use holding spray, dry shampoo,  razor…you name it.  But does it really take all of that?  A lot comes from the barber’s technique, but these extra steps shows your client you’re going the extra mile.  So this is what I do:

• After the haircut, I apply dry shampoo around the hairline.  Some barbers use a soap base shaving cream and then wipe it off.  This helps to clean the front of the hairline, eliminate dirt and/or product.  Besides a clean head of hair is easier to cut.
• Then I use some form of holding spray or spritz to hold the hair in place.  I have used spritz, but it leaves the hair and forehead a bit sticky, so just stick to holding spray.
• So the hair is prepped and I proceed with the shape-up.  Currently, I use the Wahl’s Detailers….a very powerful little trimmer that always gives a sharp shape-up if set properly.  I also use the Pro Black Andis T-Outliner.  It has a three-prong plug–which makes it a bit more powerful than the grey Andis.
• Use my own technique
• Clean up with a razor

And since I’ve been using this system, my shape-ups have been coming out a bit crispier.  This takes time and a lot of barbers don’t use this and produce great results as well. So don’t feel you have to do this.  Check out my video collection on the right side for a tutorial of this system. Great barber BTW! 

So get out there and start or continue giving crispy shape-ups! 

Note:  Please have an extra trimmer that is not set close… for cleaning off hairs on clients neck and for little kids.

This weekend I sadly left my first barbershop. My decision was based off of several factors. I won’t go into all of them, but I was actually hurt . Now I’m back on the market. I’m a talented barber and I have so much more to learn and to give in the hair industry. I feel it. I know it. I’m not moving at the pace I would like to, but at least I’m moving, right?

I had grand ideas about how I wanted my barbering career to go and I still do, but patience is the X factor with me. I had ideas of working in a multi-ethnic shop, but now I feel I need more training on straight hair. I have the basics down, but I want to get more into styling the hair. I would love to go to the American Crew Academy in Denver, Colorado and take the 3 day course, but its $1000 I don’t have at the moment. I’ll keep the faith.

So now I’m looking for a new barbershop where I will feel comfortable, be myself, have plenty of walk-ins so I can build my clientele, but mainly a mentor. I need someone who will take me under their wings and show me some techniques, etc. I know God will show me this place…I have to do my part at being patient.