Barbers

It’s easier to cut men’s hair than women’s, right? You might think so, but that’s not always the case. Most men aren’t as picky about where and how they get their hair cut, but the gap between a great barber and a mediocre one can make all the difference between well-groomed or sloppy. Making the effort to find an experienced barber will go a long way toward creating a polished, professional look that will serve you well in everything you do, from the office to your nightlife.

Choosing a Barber

Finding the right barber is sort of like choosing the right grocery store – you may have to go through a few before you find the one that offers everything you need. The best barbers provide:

• A great haircut: Whether you wear your hair long, short, or somewhere in between, you know the style you’re comfortable with. Your barber should be able to understand what you want and provide a consistently good cut every time.

• Camaraderie: Barber shops are a traditional bastion of male conversation. Ideally, your barber should be a pleasant person you enjoy interacting with.

• A great shave: Not every barber provides this service, but the best traditional barbers still offer a warm shave. After all, it’s where the trade got its name: “barba” is Latin for beard!

In the past, barbers doubled as surgeons and dentists. Today, with more education required to practice medicine or dentistry, that custom has (mercifully) fallen by the wayside. But barber shops remain a welcoming haven for makes, and many retain their link with the past by displaying the spiralling barber’s pole outside their place of business.

Barber or Stylist?

If you’re trying to decide between a traditional barber or a stylist, think about what you’re hoping to get from the experience. Barbers are typically trained in cutting only men’s hair, so they’re more proficient at short cuts. A stylist works on both men’s and women’s hair and can offer colour or highlights, conditioning treatments, and hair care advice, and have greater proficiency with long hair styles.

Most barbers are less expensive than stylists, and offer less frills in terms of décor and setting. They’re also able to provide a great shave, something that few stylists do, and offer an overall simpler service, with less focus on product and more low-key conversation. Looking for the right barber for you? Follow the link to learn more about local barbers in your neighbourhood.