UK, SQUIRE is back! And, with their first-ever exclusive UK tour hosted by @hayden_cassidy! Get in the game with the UK’s most elite barbers. The drinks, food, music & raffles are on SQUIRE– as well as free onsite SQUIRE demos that will show you how to elevate your barbershop. The first five accounts per tour stop to sign up to become SQUIRE users will receive a free 1:1 virtual workshop with Hayden for a Higher Learning session powered by SQUIRE. See you there!
TOUR DATES:
London: March 5th, 8-11pm, Champs’ Barber Shop, @champsbarbers, 17 Riding House St, London W1W 7DY
Simon May of Dapper Dan hair products has put in many hours of hard work in order to enjoy the success he has today with his brand, and over the years, he has learned some invaluable lessons he would like to share on product development in the barbering industry.
Simon takes up the story. “The hardest part of product development is knowing when to stop! Dapper Dan’s first offering ‘Matt Paste’ took me 10 years and five different cosmetic labs to perfect. But in reality, the time spent agonising over this exceptional product was as much to do with my own inexperience as it was the difficulty in creating such a unique styling product.
“As the Matt paste was my first product, I wanted it to be everything to everyone. And although we achieved as close to this as humanly possible, as time went on and as the Dapper Dan styling range grew, it became easier to focus in on the unique attributes of each product. Tailoring each development to specific requirements, in order to build a balanced and effective range of grooming products for men.
“Cosmetic product development is all about consistency! The process of development is long and difficult, with many obstacles and disappointments. This is why staying consistent with the brief and objectives from the start is paramount.”
Simons top tips for product development.
1. Be confident! Remember that you are a professional in your field, and the chemist or company you commission to produce your products don’t have that same level of practical experience.
2. Trust your gut! If you’re talking to a potential cosmetic company about developing a bespoke range of products, Make sure you feel they are suitable from the start and are listening to your unique requirements.
3. Start Small! We all have two or three favourite products that we work with as barbers. Start by developing one or two of these first. You know these products best and you can keep costs down with development fees.
4. Be original! As the barber industry has grown over the past 10 years, so has the amount of men’s grooming brands along with it. Avoid market saturation by developing products and a brand that offers something new.
5. Have Fun! The road to completing a successful development and taking delivery of your first batch of products can be long and hard. I remember looking forward to the early Dapper Dan samples turning up like it was Christmas day. Then testing the products in my shop with my team and involving clients etc was all very exciting.
Over the past 10 years, Dapper Dan’s global presence has grown exponentially. As has the range of Dapper Dan products.
“Considering we started with just one product, it’s crazy to look at how the brand and range of products has grown and evolved. This is mainly due to Dapper Dan being represented in so many markets around the world. Each one having slightly different hair types and cultural styles.'”
Due to the rising number of Covid cases, TheProfessional Beauty Association (PBA), the largest and most inclusive trade organization representing the entire beauty industry, has made the difficult decision to postpone January events until the spring and summer months.
NAHA, the most prestigious professional beauty competition and award show in North America, will be shifting to Sunday, April 3 and will remain at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach, CA.
Beacon, the elite student program, will also be shifting to April. It will now take place April 2-3 at the Long Beach Convention Center, where top students from across the nation will come together to learn critical skills to help successfully launch their careers in the beauty industry.
ISSE will also be shifting dates, moving to June 25-26 at the Long Beach Convention Center. ISSE 2022 will feature interactive education from the industry’s top hair, skin, nail, and makeup educators and influencers, unique experiences, along with new and innovative exhibitors.
“While moving dates is not ideal, we felt it was the safest way to move forward for all in attendance,” says Nina Daily, Executive Director of the Professional Beauty Association.
“Protocols will be in place for the new event dates to ensure the continued safety of attendees and exhibitors.”
Previously purchased events tickets will simply transfer to the new dates, or contact isse@csreg.zohodesk.com for refunds and ISSE@probeauty.org for questions. New hotel reservation links will be available in the upcoming weeks for all events.
Every day, children in South Florida are finding a passion for reading through an effort to put bookshelves in barbershops. According to The Children’s Trust, studies show that students who master reading are more successful throughout their academic and professional careers.
But, in Miami-Dade County, nearly half of all third-graders fail to read at basic grade level. A program is focused on changing these bleak numbers by exposing children to reading in a place they are likely to visit: the barbershop.
Small wooden shelves are brimming with children’s books like “The Moon Speaks, Itsy Bitsy Spider and Joy to the Worlds.” It’s an idea that’s a cut above the rest sparked by local author and Florida Memorial University professor Jefferson Noel.
“This is giving kids the opportunity to read books while waiting for a cut, then take the book home with them to build their own personal library,” he said.
Noel started Barbershop Speaks five years ago. It’s a group dedicated to encouraging enlightening conversation in the community and in the barbershop. Since then, the program has expanded to include bookshelves.
“The reaction from the kids and the parents… it’s amazing,” said Dewis Avila, a barber at Cibao Barbershop in North Miami. “Me growing up, I always wanted a bookshelf at the house. We never had a bookshelf at the house. Now that we have it at the barbershop, it’s amazing.”
The project is in partnership with The Children’s Trust “Books for Free” program and the Kiwanis Club. They provide the books that are meant to expose young children to read in a place they are likely to visit.
“In Miami-Dade, right now nearly half of all third-graders are not able to read at a 3rd-grade level – which programs like this is so important,” said Michelle Lopez, media manager for The Children’s Trust.
There are now seven barbershops across Miami-Dade County with these special bookshelves, turning these shops into places of empowerment.
“They say, in the beginning, you are learning to read and then-once you do that and master that you can read to learn. We want to make sure that children have that early foundation,” said Diana Ragbeer Murray from the Kiwanis Club.
Due to the recent announcement from the Government on the compulsory wearing of face coverings, VTCT has released a statement.
“During the course of the pandemic, VTCT has remained steadfast in our advice — one of the best practices for personal protection is to use PPE appropriately.
“This includes the use of face masks, especially due to the nature of the services our practitioners provide, i.e. the close proximity of clients.
“Whilst we are waiting for the main guidance to be updated, the government has published an amendment stating: “Face coverings are legally required indoors in shops, personal care services and public transport in England, from 4am Tuesday 30 November.”
“As outlined in our Infection Prevention Qualifications, we recommend using disposable/single-use face coverings that are changed for each client. It’s important to ensure these are close-fitting, cover both nose and mouth, and avoid touching the face coverings once in place.
“Additionally, do not allow the mask to dangle around the neck and it should be disposed of once it becomes damp. For further information, visit: https://www.vtct.org.uk/coronavirus-latest/.
Sport Clips is like no other place, there are sports everywhere, TVs playing all the latest scores, with teams of highly trained staff looking after guests. If you are on the lookout for a new opportunity, Sport Clips are hiring talented stylists and barbers and with 1800 locations to choose from, you’ll find a Sport Clips near you.
With a culture and environment like no other, there are many reasons that the brand retains some of the most talented stylists and barbers in the business, with great career paths; leadership training and personal development, medical benefits and paid vacation and a relaxed culture, it is an excellent opportunity to further your career.
We spoke with Frankie Perez who has been with Sport Clips for eight years, and now works in San Diego. “I had a misconception of what Sport Clips was and what they were all about, until my wife introduced me to them. Honestly, I just didn’t feel like I fit in there. I felt like everybody had a certain look, and everybody was a certain way, and I realized real quick that wasn’t the case. I realized that I did fit in there, and there was a place for me there.”
“When I actually got in there and started to learn all about it, I was like, man this company has everything, everything that you need to succeed, everything that you need to feel welcome, everything that you need to feel part of a family, part of a team. And to be honest, I’ve worked for different franchises, different corporations, and I’ve just never experienced anything like that. So, it was really surprising to me.”
“The training is incredible, and we are all put through it. It is geared to people that are new to the business all the way to the ones that have been in the business for 25 years. We really invest in our team members and set them up for success. The culture is strong and it’s more of a family environment than a job. We want to see you succeed. We want to see you grow. We want to see you buy that car, that home that you always wanted. We want to see you go on those vacations. So, I think it’s really personalized to each team member.”
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TAKING THE NEXT STEP, YOU CAN
If you are looking for a year of mentoring, inspiration, education and fantastic opportunities, then the Fellowship Projects are for you!
Applications are now open for those who are interested in joining one of the teams – PROJECT: Colour, PROJECT: Men and PROJECT: X
PROJECT: Colour
This annual programme brings the finest colourists together for a year of pure hair artistry.
The industry’s world-renowned colourists share their unique colour application techniques, creativity, art direction on photoshoots and vision in an exciting calendar, designed by Project Leader Paul Dennison, that will see you improve your knowledge and skills and become the best you can be.
PROJECT: Men
The ultimate education aimed at hairdressers and barbers looking to develop their skills in the ever-growing men’s grooming market. Project leader for 2022 is Simon Shaw, who has put together an amazing programme of events, workshops and shoots – there’s nothing else like it for barbers and men’s hairdressers.
PROJECT: X
Described as the finishing school for hair, it’s aimed at qualified hairdressers who want to add finesse, knowledge and creativity to their portfolio. Led by Project Leader, Sam Burnett, you will spend time with some of the most inspiring mentors in the industry to take your skills to another level, including stage time and photoshoots.
President Ken Picton, says: “There is nothing else like our Projects in the industry. They offer unrivalled opportunities with some of the best mentors in the industry, seminars and workshops with the most creative minds and the chance to put your new skills to the test in a special photoshoot. Some of the industry’s brightest stars have been part of our Projects and next year we have lots of exciting experiences planned for the new members.”
The application process is quite simple – head over to fellowshiphair.com and follow the instructions to apply. Deadline has been extended to 29 November 2021.
Dunnikier Barbers, based in Kirkaldy, was voted Best Barbers at an event held at Keavil House Hotel last month.
Evelyn Duncan has owned the business with her husband Chic for the past 26 years. Across Fife, there were some 500 businesses nominated for the award and this was narrowed down to 40 for the final.
In the category of Best Barbers there were five barbers who were all up for the top prize.
The business has four fully qualified, experienced barbers who are all self-employed.
It has been up and running since October 1996 and Evelyn revealed how they found out that they had been nominated.
She said: “We were put forward by the public in May. Part of the process was that a mystery shopper came to the barbers and the organisers of the awards also visited to meet the team and ask questions.
“We found out on the night we won. It is a great achievement considering the number of barbers that have opened in Fife in the recent years. We were delighted to reach the final – we never expected to win.
“We hadn’t had a night out together for a long time because of Covid restrictions and decided to treat ourselves.”
Dunnikier Barbers goes on to compete in the Scottish Business Awards next March. Image: Fife Photo Agency
Slick Gorilla made their statement in the barber industry with their market-leading Hair Styling Powder. Born in barbershops in Leeds, the brand offers a range of styling products that are recognised and used globally, which is why they embrace their KING of hair products status.
The brand previously launched its ‘The New Chapter’ campaign, that highlighted its position in men’s fashion and how its products play a huge part in this area of men’s lifestyle. The campaign pushed the brand into new territories and their latest venture sees the team collaborate with two unique brands that allow Slick Gorilla to reach a range of audiences.
Slick Gorilla x Matt B Customs saw the brand team up with a Manchester-based brand that specialise in trainer customisation, to create a one-of-a-kind Slick Gorilla trainer. Matt B Customs has worked with some of the biggest names in fashion, music & sports and the Slick Gorilla collaboration aligns both brands’ messages of creativity, innovation & individuality. The partnership displays Slick Gorilla’s street style statement as a fresh pair of trainers are just as important to style as a fresh haircut.
Slick Gorilla x Northern Monk collaboration combines two brands that share the same values. Community and collaboration run through the veins of Northern Monk, with countless creations with musicians, artists, charities and much more, that express their core message.
A community built on strong relationships and acknowledgment of creativity, much like the barber community that Slick Gorilla embraces and invests in. Slick Gorilla teamed up with fellow Leeds-born Northern Monk, to create a unique beer can design and labelled up an exclusive range of THE KING OF THE JUNGLE German Lager.
“Slick Gorilla recognise individuals and organisations that showcase innovation and talent. We aim to use our platform to create something unique that appeals to all types of audiences,” said Ari Farbod, Slick Gorilla co-founder.
Award-winning men’s hairstylist, Jim Shaw, owner of Toni & Guy salon Billericay, shares his thoughts on autumn and winter men’s hair trends.
CUTS& STYLES:
Slick Back – for the dapper man! Slicked back styles look incredibly sophisticated and professional. This style looks particularly great when worn with a haircut that has length on the top and is shorter at the sides, really helping to show off the haircut and giving structure to the hair. Using a hairdryer to slick the hair back off the face is the easiest way to create this look before finishing with a pomade, gel, or wax to help create the shape and hold it in place. You can use a product with a shine for a sleek and shiny finish or a matte product for a more natural finish depending on what the client prefers.
Long Waves – after all the lockdowns many male clients have been experimenting with long hair looks and embracing their long hair and natural textures. Long hair is here to stay and looks particularly great when worn messier for a relaxed finish. If your client has natural curls or waves, use a curl-defining product or salt spray to enhance these and give the style further body and volume. Although long hair may require less regular cuts, it’s important that clients do book in for cuts for their long hair to keep it looking its best, free from split ends and frizz.
Caesar Hair Cut – For male clients who want to ooze style this will be one of the most on-trend haircuts this season. With this look it’s all about the scissor work and ensuring the cut is as precise as possible. I also love the versatility of this look, the client can wear it super sleek and straight for a more sophisticated finish or for day-to-day and quicker styling, this look also looks fantastic when paired with texture. A texturising spray or matt pomade can be applied through the hair with fingers to break up the hair and give it a softer appearance. You can also incorporate some choppy layers into this style for further texture.
Buzz Cut – this is a great look for men who want to show off their facial features and allow them to really pop and for men who want a haircut that’s lower maintenance and requires little to no styling. I love using clippers to create this look and going shorter on the sides to create a gradual fade and to give the look a more on-trend finish.
Side Part – the side part has made a comeback over the past couple of years and it remains on-trend for autumn/winter 2021. The beauty of this style is that it can instantly update your male client’s look and give it a more contemporary finish. It’s also great for those who may want to make their hair appear thicker in appearance, as the style adds volume and height to the hair. I love pairing a side parting with a quiff for a statement look with extra volume.
COLOUR:
Blondes – warm, golden shades of blonde will be huge this autumn/winter and can be worn all over the hair or through highlights to give the hair dimension. Silver and ashier shades of blonde will also be popular and look great on all complexions and on men of all ages, giving them a super trendy ‘cool guy’ look.
Pastels – pastel hair shades are becoming more and more on-trend with men and pinks, in particular, will be one of the most sought-after pastel shades this season. The pink tone can be as bold or as subtle as the client likes and lighter shades of pink are particularly great for blonde-haired clients who want to give their hair a funky update but want something that will wash out easily and won’t be a big commitment
Reds – coppers and mahogany shades will be another huge trend for the new season. These colours come back year after year in autumn/winter and are great shades that work well on all skin tones and hair types. For men who don’t want to go too bold with their red hair, they can give their brunette hair a slight copper tone or they can experiment with copper highlights or flashes of red.
