Choosing a Barber

If you want your hair to look just right, cost less, and include the possibility for a shave each time, you will need to find the right barber. No matter how often you need to get your hair trimmed, you should keep in mind that a good barber can maximize the time you can go between haircuts, and welcome you for a small touch-up at any time.

It can be difficult to find the right barber if you usually head to the local haircutting chain. If you’re used to a local salon, your experience at the barber shop will be relatively different, with a more casual environment and a no-nonsense approach to hair cutting. You need to be able to find a barber with whom you can discuss new styles and get advice on trends and personal style, but once you do, your hair will look its best for less.

Finding a Barber Shop for You

Once you’ve found a barber shop that looks right from the outside, it’s time to do a little detective work.

• Head on into the shop and take a look around. Is it clean and comfortable?

• Speak with a barber. Describe your usual look or the change you’re looking for, and be sure to get a look at his hair as well. (Do you want someone to cut your hair with a less-than-ideal style?) Remember that it’s customary to take the first available barber when you’re unfamiliar to a barber shop.

• Ask how long the barber has been cutting hair. Depending on your needs, you may look for an older barber who has been styling business haircuts or a funky young barber who wants to shake things up with a contemporary look.

Tips

• Don’t stick with a barber just because you’ve forged a relationship. If you’ve asked for a specific style and you’ve left feeling disappointed, it may be time to move on.

• Don’t just stick with a specific barber shop. While barbershops are places to gather and talk, every barbershop will have a different environment. With so many unique shops out there, you can pick-and-choose until you find the right one.

• Once you find that right barber, do stick with him. Make sure that you come in and always request the same barber. You won’t be surprised with a cut from the same person, and you can update them as your personal tastes change.