Manchester barbershop, Jefe’s Barbers, has supported dozens of local graduates this summer, giving young people a much-needed confidence boost as they take their first steps into working life.

In a world where small businesses are being stretched in every direction, one Manchester barber is using his chair to make a difference — not just in how people look, but how they feel.

Jefe, owner of Jefe’s Barbers in Manchester city centre, is building more than a business. From offering £5 cuts to support men’s mental health, to ‘pay what you can’ appointments during the tough post-Christmas months, to free graduate cuts this summer, his shop has quietly become a space where community and care come first.

Most recently, Jefe’s Barbers offered free haircuts to university leavers, running the initiative in July from their Manchester city centre shop. Graduates were invited to book in for a complimentary cut ahead of interviews, placements, and first jobs — and the response was overwhelmingly positive. The team was fully booked with students, and for many, it was more than just a haircut.

It was a much-needed confidence boost at a pivotal moment. Jefe and his team created a welcoming space where students could talk, reset, and leave feeling like their best selves, ready to take on whatever comes next.

The offer arrived at a time when new graduates are facing an increasingly harsh financial reality. According to the Student Loans Company (2025), the total higher education loan balance in England has soared from £54.4 billion in 2013–14 to £266.6 billion by the end of 2024–25 — a £30.4 billion increase (12.9%) in just one year. Statista reports that the average graduate now leaves university owing around £53,000, making the burden of student debt heavier than ever.

The idea came from owner Jefe, who wanted to do something practical to support young people facing the pressure of job hunting and rising costs.

“Graduating should feel exciting, but so many students are leaving uni with huge debts and an uncertain job market,” he said. “We can’t fix that, but we can offer a sharp haircut, a confidence boost, and a friendly space.”

The initiative also highlighted Jefe’s commitment to using smart tech to help make small businesses more efficient, resilient and community-focused. Having built his own zero-fee booking app, UrJefe, Jefe was able to streamline operations, reduce admin and no-shows, and free up time and resources to reinvest into the community. Designed specifically with barbers in mind, the UrJefe platform manages appointments, cancellations and client preferences all in one place, giving barbers more control and less hassle.

“I built the app because I was tired of giving up a chunk of my income to third-party platforms,” Jefe explained. “I wanted a system that worked for me, and now it does. But it also gave me the flexibility to do things like this. To help people. To give something back.”

While this exact initiative was a first, it’s far from the only time Jefe has used his expertise to support others. In the past, he’s offered £5 haircuts to support men’s mental health and ran a ‘pay what you can’ scheme during January — a notoriously tough month financially for many.

“I’ll definitely be doing it again in September,” he added. “I think it’ll be a great way to reach out to students who are at the very beginning of their journey — new city, new routines, new friends and maybe not much money. A good haircut can go a long way.”

With the Oasis brothers touring the UK, demand has risen for the Gallagher-inspired haircut.

Nestor Sanchez from HOB Academy details how to get the look:

1. Section the top away from the sides and back with a rectangular section from the crown to the recession area.

2. Overdirect the side sections up towards the parietal ridge and cut to the desired length.
Tip: This will remove internal weight, flattening the sides and keeping a softer, longer edge this cut is known for.

3. Divide the back area with a horizontal section from ear to ear to just above the occipital bone. Start with the first section just behind the ear using a square cutting angle and work towards the centre with no over-direction to build a lighter, flatter shape whilst keeping the perimeter of the hair long. Cross-check and repeat on the opposite side.

4. Connect the top area to the bottom section working exactly the same way. If hair is thicker, ignore your guide and introduce a new guide about 1 inch longer than the bottom area, ready to be personalised at the end.

5. On the top section, take a profile section down the centre that travels from the crown to the front hairline and cut using a square cutting angle. Using your guide at the crown, work with horizontal sections creating a square shape through to the front.
Tip: The creation of corners on the roundness of the hair that overlap the hair on the sides will be a very important part of the aesthetic of the look, adding flatness and texture simultaneously.

6. Blow-dry the hair and straighten with irons, then soften the internal shape with your texturising scissors and feather razor to adjust the length and look of the perimeter.

7. Rub a matte finishing product through the hair, working it through the fringe, sideburns, and back to create texture and a longer-lasting finish.

Hair by HOB Academy Artistic Team
Photographer: Richard Miles

Atlanta-based, leading men’s head-to-toe grooming brand BEVEL, is proud to partner with Invest Fest, presented by Earn Your Leisure, for its second annual $25,000 BEVEL Vendor Marketplace Grant. Designed to empower marketplace vendors and small business owners participating in Invest Fest, the grant celebrates innovation, hustle, and cultural impact. Applications opened Monday, July 28, 2025, and close on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET. To apply, visit: https://investfest.com/bevelgrant/

“Our mission at BEVEL is to serve our customers’ holistic needs with product solutions that address their unique grooming needs and by finding ways to have a continued positive impact on our community.” –  Breann Satterwhite, BEVEL’s Vice President of Marketing

Invest Fest, a premier event under the Earn Your Leisure Network, is a first-of-its-kind in-person experience that blends investing, entrepreneurship, pop culture, and entertainment in a dynamic, festival-style setting. Taking place August 22nd–24th, 2025, at the Georgia World Congress Center, the three-day conference features presentations, panels, and workshops focused on financial empowerment and business growth. Attendees can network with industry leaders, connect with fellow entrepreneurs, and pitch their ideas for potential funding. As a platform where commerce and culture converge, Invest Fest empowers communities through education, access, and connection. BEVEL’s continued partnership with Invest Fest reflects the brand’s longstanding commitment to supporting its customers and community through impactful giveback initiatives.

“Our everlasting mission at BEVEL is to serve our customers’ holistic needs, not only with product solutions that address their unique grooming needs, but also by finding ways to have a continued positive impact on our community,” shared BEVEL’s Vice President of Marketing, Breann Satterwhite. “This year marks the second year we’ve partnered with the Invest Fest team to provide this grant to elevate the next generation of entrepreneurs who share our commitment to the community – and that is powerful.”

Selected from over 300 conference vendors, last year’s grant recipient was the pioneering fitness business Double Dutch Aerobics, founded by Double Dutch World Champion Michelle Clark and Master Double Dutch Aerobics Instructor Sean Clark.

“Our continued partnership with BEVEL represents a shared commitment to empowering and investing in entrepreneurs,” said Abdoulaye Sow, Chief Operating Officer of Earn Your Leisure. “Through the Vendor Marketplace Grant, we’re not just showcasing businesses – we’re providing meaningful capital and visibility that can shift their trajectory. We’re proud to build on this impactful work again at Invest Fest 2025.”

Interested business owners are encouraged to visit https://investfest.com/ to learn more about the grant and apply. BEVEL CEO Damon Frost will announce this year’s grant winner during the Monday, September 15, 2025, live episode of Earn Your Leisure’s podcast, Market Mondays.

Today, BEVEL’s grooming, hair, and skin products and devices are available in retailers such as www.GetBevel.com, Amazon.com, Ulta.com and ULTA Beauty stores, Target.com and Target stores, Walmart.com and select Walmart stores.

BarbersRide is back for its 9^th consecutive year! In 2025 BarbersRide is back on the rolling rural roads of England after two years away fund-raising for Make-A-Wish in Ireland, and in the Netherlands and Germany. 

BarbersRide is a road trip like no other. This year, celebrating the camaraderie only a motorcycling adventure can promise, the Riders will visit past Main Sponsors en route, to hand out plaques and thank them for their continued support throughout the years.

The mission for 2025: to raise over £30,000 for Make-A-Wish, the charity which makes dreams come true for seriously ill children and their families. The trip also aims to raise as much awareness as possible for the charity’s work, all while giving riders an unbeatable sense of fellowship and memories to last a lifetime.

Established in 2017, BarbersRide has so far raised a grand total of £183,000 for children’s charities. Evenings are hosted by prestigious barbershops along the route, giving everyone on the road the chance to kick back, celebrate and fundraise with some of the UK’s most in-demand barbers.

2024 saw the BarbersRide crew take to the roads in Germany and the Netherlands on an epic 972 miles / 1564 km across Europe as a motley crew of over 30 riders set off on a 5 day mission, united by their passion for bikes and barbering. From slippery single tracks to savage switchbacks and razor-sharp racetrack bends, every moment counted.  

In 2025 BarbersRide kicks off at Lind Harley-Davidson in Newmarket on 2nd August with the finale at The Master’s Barber Shop in Southport on 7th August. All with one goal: to have as much fun as possible whilst raising funds for Make-A-Wish. 

Recently added sponsor, Matakki have announced a fantastic opportunity to win one of Matakki’s Barber 6.5″ Professional Hair Cutting Scissors (RRP £265)!

A huge thank you to our Associate Sponsor, Matakki Scissors, for generously donating this incredible prize.

The competition opens on 18th July 2025 and closes on 7th August 2025. The winner will be drawn by raffle during the closing event of this year’s BarbersRide.

Tickets are just £5 each, with no limit on how many you can purchase—so the more tickets you buy, the greater your chances of winning!

All proceeds will be donated to Make-A-Wish, helping to bring joy to children with critical illnesses.

 Make It With Wahl is a celebration of the barbers and stylist’s that have chosen to trust and rely on WAHL tools, whilst also celebrating Wahl’s legacy. A legacy that speaks to dedication, craftsmanship, and the highest standards in the industry. 

Featuring the inspirational stories of 4 barbers, the campaign calls for the barber and stylist community to share their own stories using #MakeItWithWahl. Whether they’ve come to barbering later in life as a second career or want to use barbering to uplift their community, Wahl Professional is excited to hear and share these stories. 

Multiple opportunities will be presented for the Wahl community to be involved in the campaign, with Wahl uplifting and sharing voices across the community on social media platforms. 

As the beauty and barbering industry continues to make meaningful strides toward greater inclusivity, including when it comes to textured hair, Vagaro has introduced their new “Textured Hair” business type badge – allowing salons and independent professionals to easily showcase their expertise in caring for coils, curls, and more.  

The badge can be toggled on within a business profile, helping clients quickly identify barbers who are trained and confident in working with textured hair. Vagaro’s recent launch addresses a long-standing challenge for many clients: the time and uncertainty involved in finding someone who understands their hair.  

It simultaneously helps to highlight the professionals who have taken the initiative to expand their education and serve a broader range of clients. 

“Hair is deeply personal, and textured hair requires specialized knowledge,” said Charity Hudnall, CMO at Vagaro. “The ability to easily signal that expertise helps clients, especially those in the Black community, feel seen, while also helping to elevate industry standards.” 

Launched ahead of National Black Business Month in August, the badge gives Black-owned barbershops and textured hair specialists a powerful way to identify their services and be more easily discovered by the clients looking for them. 

This effort builds on Vagaro’s recent activation in the UK at HairCon, where a dedicated mainstage showcase with Project Afro and a braiding bar in partnership with Braids Gang highlighted the artistry and expertise of textured hair professionals, bringing visibility to both stylists and consumers. 

This also comes as an increasing number of states are passing new legislation requiring cosmetology schools to teach textured hair education.  Several states including Washington, Vermont, Maine, California, Minnesota, Connecticut, Louisiana, and New York have now officially recognized and required the need for stylists to be trained across all hair types. 

As more recognize textured hair education as a professional necessity rather than an optional skill, tools like this badge reflect an important factor in what quality hair care truly means: inclusion, education, and accessibility. 

To learn more or to activate your Textured Hair badge, visit Vagaro.  

Phenix Salon Suites Manchester was buzzing with creative energy as the city played host to an international collaboration between J&D Barber Studio and Bronx-based barbershop Studio Chec, in a one-day-only “Suite Swap” that brought New York style to the heart of Manchester’s grooming scene.

The creative exchange saw the iconic Bronx team temporarily take over a suite inside Phenix Salon Suites on Deansgate, giving local clients a rare opportunity to experience Studio Chec’s distinctive approach to barbering. From razor-sharp fades to bold streetwear energy, the Studio Chec team brought their full New York flair to Cross Street for a truly memorable day.

The event wasn’t just about technique, it was about cultural exchange, community, and connection. After the swap, the Manchester team treated their Bronx guests to a curated tour of the city, showcasing the best of Mancunian creativity from the Northern Quarter to Ancoats. From music and fashion to local barbershops and hidden gems, the tour reflected the unique identity of a city known worldwide for its individuality and innovation.

Local press, creatives, and influencers were invited to drop in throughout the morning, with content creators capturing behind-the-scenes moments, collaborative cuts, and conversations between two cities united by style and spirit.

John Gillespie, UK Managing Director of Phenix Salon Suites, commented: “This is exactly what Phenix is about – giving professionals the freedom to collaborate, connect, and create on their own terms. Seeing Studio Chec and J&D Barber Studio come together to celebrate their craft, their culture and their cities was incredibly powerful. It speaks to the heart of what our spaces are designed to support.”

“I was super grateful for the opportunity not only to meet likeminded people in my industry, but also to showcase my talent in a place I’ve only seen on television growing up! This has only been possible thanks to my loyal clientele and to those who have seen my vision since day one thanks to Phenix Salon Suites both in the US and the UK”, said Chec from Studio Chec in The Bronx.

“A massive thanks to Phenix Salon Suites for giving us the opportunity to swap suites with another talented barber from NYC. We stepped out of our comfort zone, connected with new clients and levelled up! We were so hyped to represent the UK and show what we do best!” said Jose and Drey from J&D Barbers Studio in Phenix Salon Suites Manchester.

The Suite Swap is part of a wider mission by Phenix Salon Suites to foster innovation and global creative partnerships, transforming its spaces into platforms for growth, expression and collaboration locally and internationally.

Dark Stag, a brand synonymous with quality and innovation in barbering tools and grooming products, has announced the successful launch of its latest product – the Hair Prep Tonic – and it’s already making waves in the industry.

Released earlier this year, the Hair Prep Tonic has quickly become a bestseller, with early adopters praising its functionality, ease of use, and premium scent. Designed specifically with professional barbers in mind, the tonic enhances both the cutting and styling experience for barber and client alike.

Created as a pre-cut preparation spray, the Hair Prep Tonic is formulated to improve hair manageability and control. It conditions the hair, allowing for cleaner sectioning and more precise cuts, which in turn supports smoother, more refined styling. Barbers have highlighted the product’s performance, especially during detailed work and advanced cutting techniques.

Packaged in a 200ml professional spray bottle, the tonic’s sprayable formula makes for fast and efficient application at the chair – something that busy barbershops value highly. Alongside its performance credentials, the tonic also brings a sensory experience with a rich, tobacco-inspired fragrance, adding a classic, masculine finish to any haircut.

With this launch, Dark Stag continues to expand its offering of reliable, high-performance products that reflect the needs of today’s barbers. To purchase, visit: www.darkstag.com

Summer and festival season are here and with that in mind, we caught up with award winning men’s hairdresser, Jim Shaw. Here, Jim shares what hairstyles he thinks will be dominating trends for men this summer – focusing on lowkey, effortless summer styles.

The Broccoli Cut

For those who want to embrace a youthful look and enhance their natural hair texture, the Broccoli Cut is a perfect choice. For the summer months and festivals, this hairstyle is great as it is very laidback and relaxed but still looks bold and polished. To enhance the look, ask your barber/men’s hairdresser to taper the sides and create a seamless transition from the sides to the top of the head which should be kept longer and more voluminous. With this style, it’s all about defining your natural curls/waves. Therefore, you should start your styling on damp hair working with a curling cream like Label M Curl Define Cream and working this through your curls for definition and then finishing the look with a sea salt spray such as Label M Sea Salt Spray to add further volume, texture and hold whilst giving the finished look a more natural feel.

Man Bun

The man bun has been seen on many male celebrities recently, including Bradley Cooper and Jared Leto. It’s an iconic hairstyle which pairs were with the summer months and festival season where men are looking to wear their hair back off their face whilst providing them with the opportunity to customise their look and pair it with faded or shaved sides. The bun can also be worn in a variety of different ways, including towards the back of the head, nape or worn like a pineapple at the top of their head. I particularly like this style paired with an undercut and styled slicked back to the back of the head using a comb and high hold and shine product like American Crew Superglue.

Braided Rat Tails

Not for the faint hearted, this style is super quirky and was recently sported by Matt Smith at the Armani runway show in Milan. This is a fun look for men with longer hair to experiment with, particularly for festival season. By braiding the hair from the middle this will create an eye-catching style whilst also keeping hair tamed all day and night. For those feeling extra adventurous, they can team the rat tail at the back with a pop of bold colour to add a further cool edge to the look.

By Jim Shaw, Multi Award Winning Men’s Hairdresser and Owner of TONI&GUY Billericay

With the announcement of Oasis’s tour creating a serious buzz around the world, we caught up with multi award winning men’s hairdresser, Jim Shaw, to discuss a trend that’s certain to make a comeback as the tour creeps closer – the Oasis inspired Mod Haircut.

Originating in the 1950s/60s and taking inspiration from Liam Gallagher’s 90’s hairstyle with that Oasis rock and roll feel, the mod cut is characterised by a medium length on top with volume, a short, cropped fringe and medium length sides that almost resemble long sideburns. The look is structured and combines layering techniques and shapes to create movement within the hair whilst keeping a straight, precise line on the top of the head.

This cut is a versatile style that can be tailored to suit most face shapes and hair textures, including those with curly hair, however, it is particularly flattering for those with square face shapes, as it helps to soften any angular features whilst complimenting the jawline and cheekbones for a more balanced look. For oval face shapes, this look is also great as it can enhance natural proportions whilst framing the face.

For those with thinning hair, this style is particularly beneficial as the addition of lots of layers and texture work to give the appearance of thicker, fuller looking hair.

When I create this cut, following using scissors to cut the style, I love to go into the hair with a razor to create a feathery texture and lots of movement.

When it comes to styling, the mod haircut can be styled a variety of ways. However, it stands out from other mullet/shag inspired looks by featuring more precision within the cut and smooth styling. American Crew Cream Whip is a lovely product to use to slightly enhance the texture within the hair whilst keeping it smooth, soft and moisturised with a natural shine.

The wolf cut is a similar style to the Mod Haircut and has been a favoured style by men over the past year. This style also features volume on top with texture and layering; however, it features more of a choppy fringe, and the styling is a lot more effortless and untamed. A product like the American Crew Light Hold Texture Lotion can be used in damp hair before styling or on dry hair to give the hair added texture and grit or alternatively American Crew Matte Clay Medium to Strong Hold Styling Paste is one of my go to’s to create instant texture and hold on the finished look.

Both styles are great options for men who like a more effortless day to day style that requires little to no styling but still want to look incredibly on trend.