As Covid restrictions come to an end, it’s never been more important for businesses to stand out from the crowd. And with many customers keen to tackle the climate crisis, being a more sustainable barber could give you the edge while doing good for the planet.

A recent survey of 1,000 small business owners found that nearly a quarter (21%) worry about missing out on trade because their business is not sustainable enough, while nearly half (42%) of consumers say they are more likely to visit a business that cares about sustainability.

The good news is there’s a simple first step your barbers can make to not only help it become more sustainable, but also make energy management easier; get a smart meter installed.

Smart meters replace traditional analogue energy meters and can help businesses keep better track of their energy use and consumption. Whether you rely on a collection of clippers or a handful of hairdryers, a smart meter will give you access to information on how much energy is used day-to-day, helping you find ways to reduce it.

Having a smart meter installed will not only bolster your barbershop’s eco-credentials, but also help make your business energy easier to manage.

The technology, available at no extra cost from your business’ energy supplier, ensures accurate bills by sending meter readings automatically so you can spend time making people look and feel great.

To help you be even more efficient Smart Energy GB offers barbers a selection of quick and easy steps to help your barbershop stand out as an eco-friendly business:

1. Recycle smarter – Buying refillable products will drastically cut down the packaging waste and also save you a bit of money.
2. Use an eco-hairdryer – New and improved versions of the trusty hairdryer are more energy efficient and come in recycled packaging and plastic. As the most popular appliance used to fix a bad hair day, an eco-hairdryer will help cut your carbon footprint while fixing your hair. 
3. Keep cool – Using cooler water to rinse hair is not only great for the scalp and your hair’s condition and shine, it’s also more efficient. While it’s not everyone’s preference, asking your customer if they’d prefer it could offer another step towards to a lower energy bill.
4. Avoid aerosols – Non-aerosol hair sprays will last 3 or 4 times longer than the aerosol versions and can be a great way to hold down that one curly lock that just won’t stay in place. What’s more, you can pick them up for the same price!
5. A simple solution – For those customers unsure of what style to go for next, offering a low maintenance hair cut could pass on the saving with less need for heated appliances and products when they get home.

To find out if your business is eligible for a smart meter, contact your energy supplier. You can then arrange a date and time suitable for you for your installation.

Once installation is complete, your installer can show you and your staff how your smart meter works so you can get on with being green.

Find out more at: https://www.smartenergygb.org/en

Would you be interested in making money on the side for your expert opinions as a professional barber?   Thanks to City Research – a Midwest market research company that conducts extensive research with hair care professionals, you can! City Research is currently looking for Licensed Barbers to join a 12-month, paid online market research community to discuss hair styling and barbering trends. If you qualify, you get $25 just for signing up, and can earn up to $100 or more per month (Up to $1,000+ total for 12 months) for successful participation in community studies (surveys, focus groups, product testing, etc.). This is ALL online and your time commitment is voluntary. If you/someone at your barbershop wants to know more, please take the survey below to see if you qualify. City Research hopes to work with you on this project! For more information, click here.

The PROJECT: X team recently spent the day with Syd Hayes, international session stylist and ambassador for BaByliss Pro at the brand new Electric Space in London, learning new styling techniques and styling tips to take back to the salon.
Supported by BaByliss Pro, the team worked on real models in a hands-on workshop with guidance from Syd.
A familiar at shows and photo shoots, Syd talked about his career to date, before demonstrating how to create glamour waves using tonging and pinning techniques and showed the team how to apply extensions to give extra volume, talking through his kit bag and showing them some tricks of the trade.
PROJECT: X member, Emma Simmons, said: “Syd is a true inspiration and shared so much of his session styling world with us, I’m looking forward to putting into practice some of the tips he gave us.”
Arif Arikan added: “I loved the session with Syd Hayes because it was so inspirational. I learned so many great tips with styling, and it was really eye opening to see his background as a hairdresser.”
April Mash commented “Our day with Syd Hayes was quite possibly my favourite day so far whilst being on Project X. I was blown away listening to Syd tell us about his experiences and work within the industry let alone what he had to show us. I haven’t been involved in much session work during my career so far, so it was amazing to be able to get hands on and learn from someone who is so humble and knowledgeable.”
Kay Binnersley summed up the experience: “It was an absolutely outstanding day with Syd Hayes we learned so much from him. He was so inspiring and he really turned a switch on in my head and made me look at hair very differently than I have done before. I really enjoyed the whole day and how lucky to work on models again; what a treat! The electrical tools
from BaByliss was a very kind and unexpected gift.”

PROJECT: X Team Leader: Sam Burnett
PROJECT: X Team Members:
Kay Binnersley – Kay Binnersley Hair
Roisin Murphy – K H Hair
Lea Shaw – Rural Fringe Hair Salon
Cc McNamee – Andrew Smith Salons Fareham
Pamela Cooney – Toni & Guy, Cannon Street
April Mash – Strangeways
Emma Simmons – Salon 54
Nicola Hamm – Escape Hair Lounge
Thomas Worth – Tint
Arif Arikan – Alice and the Hair
Reina Boddy – Joseph Ferraro Hair

For more information:
Instagram: @fellowshiphair
Email carol@fellowshiphair.com
Call 01295 724579

The Great British Barber Bash is taking its education to both Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland, offering two day courses in
DUBLIN, BELFAST, CORK, LIMERICK, and KILKENNY.

Educators scheduled to feature include Hayden Cassidy and Ollie Foster
(educators vary depending on location).

Demonstrations take place each morning and you will work on up to four live models over the two days. Two educators work on each course ensuring great attention will be paid to every attendee.

The GBBB tailor the courses to the individual’s needs and the educators will work closely with students on whatever area of barbering they want to develop. The course is suitable for all abilities.

Ideal for barbers or hairdressers who want to massively improve their barbering ability. This course will take your skillset to the next level, give you new ideas, techniques and a fresh approach.  

For all the information needed to get booked in, go to https://greatbritishbarbersbash.co.uk/barberskool-two-day/

A Reading barbershop is offering free haircuts and food to homeless people, refugees and anyone else in financial difficulty.

Wahed Ullah who owns Diamond Scissors on Oxford Road says he wants to help people who have suffered the most during the pandemic.

Client Roberta is currently sleeping on a friend’s sofa while she seeks help to find a more permanent solution. A trip to the hair salon is a luxury she cannot afford right now. This was her first haircut in three years.

She says: “It’s absolutely fantastic, it’s actually unbelievable because no one else has offered anything else like this”.

As well as free hair cuts, the barbershop is also offering free food to those in need as well as providing them with essential toiletries.

Hundreds have so far taken up the offer and the service has now been expanded to two days a week with the help of community-based charity Sadaka.

The barbershop owner, Waheed Ullah, says: “I’ve been in my life in a hard situation and I was thinking it was my aim to help needy people. We are human beings and as humans, we have to help each other”.

One customer says: “Oh it means quite a lot to me that I’m able to come and get a free haircut, free food, have a chat, a cup of coffee.”

“You know I think a lot of people will be proud of what these people are doing for them you know.”

And paying customers agree this barbershop is a cut above the rest, with one saying: “I’m so glad I’m coming here all the time and help other people, it’s something very nice”.

Dexter Dapper Johnson, the International Artistic Director for Toni & Guy and Label.M, Head of Men’s Education, has teamed up with CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) to raise money for men’s mental health, by organising a Charity Football Game. CALM is a non-profit organization, leading the movement against suicide.

Dexter said: “We are here to keep raising awareness with regards to men’s mental health and well being. Every week 125 people in the UK take their own lives. And 75% of all UK suicides are male.”

With the aim to raise awareness and funds for men’s mental health and wellbeing, Dexter has organised a charity football match. Hosted by Cray Wanderers Football Club, and sponsored by the Kelleher Group, barbers and hairdressers will gather on Sunday, 29^th of August to play and raise money!

Watch some of the leading hairstylists and barbers in the industry, including Kevin Luchmun, Charlie Cullen, Josh Lamonaca Jonathan Andrew, Jody Taylor, and many more. They may not all be pro players, but they’ll have the best haircuts on the field!

The game will take place at 2:00pm at Flamingo Park Sports & Leisure, Chislehurst DA14 6QQ on Sunday 29 August 2021.

To donate click here:  https://gofund.me/7df6bc52

The Connecticut Barber Expo X and associated events will take place August 14 – 16th, 2021, and be held at the Mohegan Sun Casino.

Finally, after several reschedulings due to the Covid19 Pandemic, the tenth anniversary of CT Barber EXPO, organised by legendary Jay Majors, has finally arrived. As the official media partner, we at BarberEVO can’t wait to see what this weekend has in store.

On Saturday, August 14, 2021, the Expo will start off with the 2nd Annual International Barber Grammys / Pre-Party from 8:30 PM to 2 AM. This will take place in the Ballroom at Mohegan Sun, in Uncasville, CT. This is a dress to impress, black tie affair.

On Sunday, August 15, 2021, the Educational Seminars will take place from 8:30 AM to 2 PM. The Educational Seminars will be presented by some of the industry’s most respected educators. The Barber Battle and Expo will occur from 2 PM to 9:00 PM.

On Monday, August 16, 2021, the Educational Seminars will take place from 8:30 AM to 2 PM. The Barber Battle and Expo will occur from 2 PM to 7:30 PM.

Sharpen your skillset, and rub arms with some of the biggest barbers, stylists and educators in the industry, such as @ivanzoot, @vicblends, @andyauthentic, @kduncangrooming, @andyfademaster, @lici_ladybarber, @be.lechendary, @v.hugostyles, @micdamiano, @diego_djdgaf, @barber.josh.o.p, @bossiocuts, @iamtyrikjackson, @thebizlawyer, @rumbarber and @cutthroat.mike… Just to name a few!

Plus, visit BarberEVO at booth 407!

For additional information, please visit www.ctbarberexpo.com.

The BarbersRide barbers started the first leg of their journey yesterday, Sunday the 8^th of August, taking on the longest section of the journey, from Liverpool to Glasgow. The forty-odd riders gathered on the 7^th of August from all across the UK, in aim to raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation, and to ride their motorbikes across the north of England and into Scotland, stopping at reputable barbershops along the way.

Having gathered at Cut Throat Pete’s Barbershop in Liverpool on Saturday, the barbers’ first full day of riding was nothing short of eventful. True to the Scottish reputation, the riders experienced nearly every variation of weather; including thunder, lightning, and torrential downpour.

Luckily, the night’s event was hosted at the lovely and atmospheric House Martin Barbershop in the City Center of Glasgow. Owner Stephen Martin was there to give all the riders a warm Glaswegian welcome, with high-quality whisky to warm up with! The night continued at the bar next door, the Howlin’ Wolf, where the riders exchanged stories and prepared for their next day’s journey to Fort William.

After their stop at Fort Williams Stag&Buck barbershop, the riders will continue on to Dundee, stopping at Hard Grind Barbershop. Wednesday, the barbers will visit Ultimate Grooming in Yarm, then finish their journey together at Lords’ Barbering in Leeds on Thursday.

BarberEVO was able to catch up with the barbers during their stop in Glasgow and hear a bit about their involvement and love for BarbersRide. One said: “To take on this ride, you have to be a little crazy, love bikes, and love being a barber. That’s what makes it so fun, and the long, wet days like today, worth it!”

Stephen, owner of House Martin said: “It feels great to be able to get involved in the fundraiser for the Make a Wish Foundation, and host members of the barbering community in the shop again. It has been a long time since we have been able to get together and hold an event like this, and it was an honour to be able to represent Glasgow in the BarbersRide event!”

We wish the riders the best of luck for the remainder of their journey, and applaud their efforts and bravery for weathering the storm to raise money for a worthy cause like the Make a Wish Foundation!

To learn more, or to donate to the cause, click here

Andis® Company, the leading barbering, styling and animal grooming tools brand dedicated to empowering users to create their way, is reimagining the end-to-end brand experience. Today, it introduces a new positioning as a lifestyle brand that empowers creativity within. The organization will use unique visual storytelling to highlight those at the center of their business – the creators. Andis believes creativity makes the world a better place and takes pride in developing tools and educational resources that help everyone create their way.

Front and center of the brand’s new positioning and look is the empowered creator. For Andis, creators can be internationally-renowned artists
perfecting their next viral hair design, ranchers getting ready to show cattle, pet parents touching up their furry friends between grooming appointments, or people cutting hair at home.

Watch the brand’s manifesto HERE.

“Andis has always been a passionate advocate for the creatives and visionaries in the world, as well as those solving practical challenges with our tools at home. Now, with our elevated brand experience and striking new look, we are focusing on what matters most to our company – our community of creators,” said Co-CEO Matt Andis.

“Our new brand identity celebrates a new generation of creators,” said Angie Vlasaty Peterson, Andis Company’s Director of Branding.

“The stories of customers using our tools to express their creativity has always been our motivation to innovate, and we are excited to
showcase their inspiration and passion with our new look. What matters most is the artistic journey our users embark upon with their Andis tools – creating in the manner they prefer – an idea central to our new tagline, ‘Create Your Way’. “

Andis has released a new website, a new logo and a host of new content.

Serving a culturally diverse community means making sure that your skills measure up to the challenges presented by every head of hair. Jake Hickey of MR Barbers in Sawston and MR Barbers Newmarket has been working with afro customers from the very beginning of his career and has quickly built an afro clientele that is happy to trust him with their hair.

Jake says: “I love the way that you can literally sculpt afro hair and my customers are incredibly loyal. A black guy is very likely to stop another black guy in the street and ask them where they get their hair cut, so the word-of-mouth referrals are strong too.”

Here’s Jake’s top tips on working with afro texture:

The consultation – spend time on the consultation and go OTT with the questions. There is nowhere to hide with afro, so any mistakes are super obvious. Make sure that you and the client have a VERY clear picture of the look you want to achieve. Discuss everything from height to hairlines.

Combing out – use an afro comb to comb out the whole head to its full length, so that you know what you are working with.

Clipper work warning – if your client asks for a certain number on top then work against the growth. There is a huge difference in length depending on the direction of growth.

Speed – go slow and work methodically. The afro hair follicle is thicker and if you work too fast the hair will catch in your clipper.

Blades – never work with a bare blade. Afro customers commonly have problems with razor bumps and ingrowing hairs.  Always ask how sensitive their skin is and how they have reacted in the past to a foil razor. I recommend Clubman Pinaud ‘No Bumps Gel’ which works really fast.

Images: Liam Oakes Hair by: Jake Hickey

CHECK OUT OUR STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO ACHIEVE THESE LOOKS IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF BARBEREVO UK and IRELAND… SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER ISSUE.