Fellas, it’s time to quit the salon. We know you secretly like the feminine-smelling shampoos and the idle gossip of the hoards of women all around you, but enough is enough. You need a barber shop. A place that has masculine odors and is equipped with professionals trained in the art of male grooming. “But it’s too had to find a good barber,” you quip. Well, just like a fine Scotch, a good cigar and the perfect woman, all your efforts will be rewarded. Here are some tips to help you out:
How to Find the One
1. Word-of-mouth recommendations work, so ask around. It could be your friends, some guy you see on the street with a great neckline or online reviews. You’d be surprised how willing people are to talk up great service professionals when given the opportunity.
2. Once you get a good recommendation, check the place out. Do the guys walking out of the shop look good? Are they happy? Does the shop look busy? On closer inspection, do the work areas look clean? All these things contribute to a good experience.
3. Go in for a trim and see for yourself. There isn’t much risk associated with trying a place out. You don’t have to go back if you aren’t feeling it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions along the way about how long the stylist has been cutting hair and how many clients they see on a regular basis. You have to see if you click with the shop and its stylists.
4. Did you have fun? It’s important to have a good rapport with your stylist. After all, this person is going to be up close and personal as they help define your sense of style. You have to be confident in their abilities as well as enjoy spending time with them.
5. See what other services and products are offered. You may want more than just a good ol’ fashioned haircut. Massages, waxing, manicures and pedicures and home maintenance between visits are all parts of being well groomed. Is this place going to be your one stop shop?
6. Don’t be discouraged if your first pick doesn’t work out. If it doesn’t feel like the right fit, or if after a couple weeks your cut isn’t growing out as well as you would like it to, try out the next barber shop on your list. Chances are that once you find the right place, you’ll keep going back for years to come.