Get The Best From Your Barber | 10 Top Tips

In my time, I’ve had loads of different haircuts, in loads of different places, from loads of different barbers. I’ve had some really great hairstyles… and some that I’d like to forget.

From my experience, I’ve pulled together what I liked to think of as a my haircut formula – a collection of 10 top tips to get the best from your barber and – ultimately – your haircut.

Stick to these tips and you cannot go wrong.

1. Find Your Barber

The best way to find a barber or hairdresser is to ask around.

Talk to your friends about who they’ve been to and who you can trust to make a good job of your hair.

Don’t be scared to stop a guy on the street and ask him where he got his hair cut. It’s a total compliment to him and it helps you find a barber whose work you like!

2. Research The Style

It’s important that you know what you want from your barber.

Spend some time to research hair styles and save pictures to your phone.

I often go into the barbershop with a Pinterest board of styles that I’ve found.

3. Be Realistic

If you’re a guy with super-short hair, going in to the barbershop with pictures of guys with long hair just isn’t going to work.

Find models/bloggers/YouTubers who have a similar hair type to you and see how they’ve styled their hair.

It’s great to have an idea of what you want your hair to be like, but understand that it will take time to grow and style.

4. Book An Appointment

You’ve spent time to find the perfect barber, now book them!

There’s nothing worse than going into a barbershop and not getting who you want.

If you can’t book and it’s done on a first-come-first-serve basis, wait until the barber you want is available. Waiting a little extra time will be worth it in the end.

5. Go Styled!

I always go in for a haircut with my hair already styled.

The barber instantly knows how you wear your hair and also gets a glimpse into your personality.

It just means that they are not going to go totally off-piste with your haircut.

6. The Consultation

Before your barber starts cutting your hair, they should sit down with you and discuss what you hope to achieve.

It’s at this point that you can show them pictures of the sort of style you want or ask for their advice.

If your barber doesn’t begin with a consultation, stop them.  You should both be clear in what you want to achieve.

7. Be Direct

Don’t allow yourself to be talked into something you don’t want to do.

When I was 11-years-old, I allowed my hairdresser (someone who I had never gone to before) buzzcut my hair. I said I liked it, paid and left. I hated it and was unhappy for weeks.

If at any point you feel uncomfortable, stop the barber! If you were in a restaurant and they gave you the wrong order, you would tell them. This is the same. You are the customer and you are paying for a service.

8. Watch Your Barber

Loads of guys complain that they can never achieve the same style that their barber created with them.

When your barber is styling your hair, watch them. If you’re confused by how they’re styling your hair, ask them.

Don’t be shy in taking your phone out for pictures or to film little bits.

9. Are You Happy?

Are you happy with the cut? Is it sitting as you want it?

If not, now’s the time to tell them. Don’t be worried about offending them. If there’s a bit that doesn’t look right, ask them to sort it.

This is what you’re paying for.

10. Repeat… or don’t!

If you had a good experience and you’re pleased with your haircut, then go back. It’s all about creating and nurturing the relationship with your barber or hairdresser.

The more you go back, the better they will get to know you and how you like to style your hair.

Above all, communication is key to ensuring that you leave that barbershop with the haircut you want. Be upfront and talk throughout the process.

Let me know how you get on. Best of luck!