Celebrity barber Victor Fontanez, AKA VicBlends, has launched grooming brand BetterDays, taking inspiration from barbershop culture with performance-first, texture-inclusive formulas designed to serve all hair types.

The new brand, co-founded with veteran retail executive Joey Thomas, has released two ‘barber-grade’ products made in the USA that utilize premium ingredients alongside “Scent No. 26,” a custom-developed signature fragrance.

BetterDays’ Rebound Cream is a leave in conditioner engineered with conditioning agents like Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, and Pro-Vitamin B5 to nourish dry hair, reduce inflammation, and strengthen follicles.  The brand’s Grip Powder is a high-performance  hair texture powder powered by natural oil absorbers like Arrowroot Powder and Silica.

“From back to school, to first dates, to game day and beyond, BetterDays is about transforming self-perceptions, loving yourself, and taking it one day at a time,” said Victor.

Giving Every Man BetterDays

After years behind the barber chair and on the ground in communities across the country, Vic is using his platform to transform how men see themselves and build confidence from the inside out.

He has given free cuts to young boys and men in need on the streets of Atlanta, New York, and across the country, using the barber chair as a vehicle for connection, confidence, and empowerment. In August 2025, he took that mission further, opening VicBlends Academy at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla, California—the first licensed barber school inside a California state prison—giving incarcerated men the opportunity to learn a trade and work toward earning their state barber license.

“I’ve seen firsthand how a fresh haircut isn’t just about the looks; it’s a mental reset that immediately lifts you up,” said Vic.

“But true confidence goes deeper. I overcame my own mental health struggles, and I used my faith in God to push through. I learned how doing small things for yourself daily will add up to get you where you want to be. I want to encourage other young men dealing with mental health issues to talk about their struggles and embrace vulnerability and brotherhood.

“After a long career in the barbershop, I’ve been inspired to bring that confidence to shelves for men, young men, and boys of all ages. Every hair texture will have an option to experience this at home and in their bathrooms. From back to school, to first dates, to game day and beyond, BetterDays is about transforming self-perceptions, loving yourself, and taking it one day at a time.”

Incubated by Root, BetterDays is backed by $7 million in funding, with lead investors Maveron and Will Ventures, alongside strategic investment from cultural heavyweights like Lil Baby.

“For too long, the men’s grooming aisle has forced guys to choose between gimmicky, outdated marketing and bland products that simply don’t perform. This is especially true for textured, wavy, curly, and coily hair,” said Joey Thomas, Co-Founder and CEO of BetterDays.

“By pairing Vic’s authentic barbershop expertise with a disciplined, high-performance product strategy, we are raising the baseline for the entire men’s self-care category. BetterDays was built to prove that premium ingredients and real functionality should be accessible to everyone, and we’re excited to scale a brand that actually serves men today.”

BetterDays is available for purchase at BetterDaysHair.com, TikTok Shop, and Amazon. 

1. Create a personal website

Your website is one of your most important profile-building tools. The aim is to look professional, and every professional business has a website. A personal branded website featuring your name lets you control the narrative and tell your own story.

Social media is great, but it’s only a snapshot of what you offer. Your website gives you somewhere to showcase your work, expertise, experience and the opportunities you’re looking for.

2. Build a professional media kit

A media kit takes the awkwardness out of being asked about your rates and services. It can sit on your website and show potential clients or brands exactly what you offer before they ever get to the price.

It should include your images, services and the skills you can offer. My rule of thumb is to charge three times your daily salon rate. That accounts for the lost opportunity of not servicing your salon clients and means you’re never underselling yourself.

3. Have a clear bio

You never know when the media is going to need information about you, so don’t wait until an opportunity arrives to put a bio together.

Remember it should clearly explain what you represent and your areas of expertise, and you should have an up-to-date, professional profile picture ready to send out to the media, if they request it to accompany any editorial.

Being prepared makes you look professional and means you’re not panicking when an opportunity arises.

4. Establish your area of expertise

Think about what you want to be known for, then start creating content around it.Have a blog or a couple of articles ready to demonstrate your knowledge.

If a PR or magazine approaches you for content, having something to hand immediately can make all the difference. If you’re scrambling to write something from scratch and miss a deadline, you may not get the chance again.

5. Make social media work for you

A strong social media presence gives you instant social proof and helps the algorithm surface you. Brands, sponsors, magazines and PRs all look through these assets, so make sure your platforms reflect the professional you want to be.

Think beyond simply posting finished hair. Show your expertise, personality and point of view. Your social channels should support the story you’re telling through the rest of your profile.

6. Create a showreel

A showreel is another essential asset, particularly if you’re interested in stage work, education or presentations.

It gives potential collaborators a sense of what you can do and can be easily shared when an opportunity comes along. It’s a great way to build anticipation and show the audience what they can expect from your show as a platform artist.

7. Start building now

One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting too long to show what they’re capable of. You have to start showing what you can do early on in your career – don’t wait until later.

From Korean comma hair, to textured shags, buzzcuts and classic Caesar styles, different generations are gravitating to their own signature looks, according to new data from Fresha.

After analysing recent search data around men’s hair trends, the booking platform has revealed the styles that have seen the biggest spikes in interest over the last year, providing insight into the styles that different generations are booking right now. 

Top 5 Men’s Hair Trends

Rank	Trend name	YoY change
1	Korean comma hair	400%
2	Buzzcut	175%
3	Flow haircut	173%
4	Textured shag	164%
5	Induction cut	83%
5	Caesar cut	83%
5	Korean two-block haircut	83%

“Korean-inspired hairstyles are emerging as a major Gen Z trend,’ said Annabelle Taurua, a beauty expert at Fresha.

“Although we can’t attribute all the search data to Gen Z, there is a 400% YoY increase in searches for Korean comma hair, a style featuring bangs that curve inward toward the forehead, forming a shape like a comma, while Korean two-block haircuts, where the hair is divided into two distinct lengths or ‘blocks,’ saw an increase in interest, too. 

“I can only assume this is due to the influence of K-beauty, K-dramas, K-pop, and social media, as well as a preference for more expensive, textured styles shaping what younger men are asking for at the barbershop. 

Millennials’ hair trends

“Among the top 5 men’s hairstyles, I’d say millennials lean toward a mix of modern fades while still holding onto more nostalgic styles,” added Annabelle.

“For example, flow haircuts, which saw 173% increase in interest, is a style we’re seeing more millennials sporting. A flow haircut is a medium-to-long style with soft, blended layers that sweep naturally back from the face, often tucked behind the ears, similar to a young Brad Pitt. 

“I think millennials are wearing styles that balance looking polished with low day-to-day maintenance, with lots of influence from 90s and early 2000s nostalgia.”

Gen X hair trends

“Gen X are showing a renewed interest in more classic cuts. Of the trending cuts, I’d argue they are mostly wearing buzzcuts or induction cuts, which are the shortest possible hairstyles you can get without actually shaving your head completely,” added Annabelle.

“While younger generations are experimenting with perms, texture, and more niche fades, classic, structured cuts continue to appeal to older generations. This could be due to workplace expectations, like more formal job roles that don’t lend themselves to experimentation, but it could also be down to familiarity, practicality and ease of maintenance desired in later life.”

Spooky season is upon us, but along with pumpkins, candy and ghouls we’re about to see some very, very cold weather.

As the days get colder, your hair will suffer. Frosty winter weather and indoor heating strip moisture from the scalp and hair, leading to dryness, breakage and increased shedding. Not a look you want captured in the family’s Thanksgiving photo.

But by giving your hair some TLC, you can avoid dry scalps and frizzy, dull and lifeless hair for the season. Below, we’ve got the tips from award-winning men’s hairdresser and owner of TONI&GUY Billericay, Jim Shaw, on how to prepare your hair this winter.

Wash According to Your Scalp

Tailoring your wash routine to your specific scalp type prevents the scalp barrier from drying out whilst still managing sweat, oil and fibre buildup.

In winter, cooler outdoor air and dry indoor heat will pull moisture straight from the skin, and when your scalp dries out, it overcompensates by producing excess sebum, leaving roots greasy and the ends brittle.

“Getting your washing routine right can stop the flaking caused by winter dryness, and stop hair strands from becoming weak, dull or static-prone,” said Jim.

“In the winter, opt for gentle formulas like sulphate-free shampoos to clean the roots without drying out the skin.”

Make Hats Work With the Cut

As the days get colder, hats become a central part of our outfits. Aligning your winter haircut with how you wear your hats prevent flat spots, reduces friction damage and keeps your style looking sharp.

Shorter sides, like a fade or crop, keep hair from bunching up uncomfortably under a tight beanie or cap. Leaving the top slightly textured rather than stiffened with gel also stops hats making awkward, immovable dents.

“When you take off your hat indoors, a structured cut bounces back naturally instead of looking matted to your head. For styling, skip the heavy gels and use a light matte past or sea salt spray instead so the hair remains flexible under pressure.”

Condition Condition Condition

To restore moisture lost during the winter freeze, add a deep conditioner to your routine. Cold air strips natural oils from the scalp and hair shaft, but conditioning well helps prevent breakage and makes the hair more flexible, meaning it bends rather than snaps under friction from those big beanies.

“You can incorporate a leave-in treatment to your routine if hair has become especially damaged, these are left in the hair for longer and have a thicker formula, locking in moisture,” said Jim.

Keep Getting Trims

Regular haircuts during the winter can stop the split ends often caused by dry indoor heat from travelling up the hair shaft. Trims remove these weak spots before any structural damage is caused, and they can help maintain your styles shape.

“A fresh trim keeps short cuts, fades and longer layers balanced and polished. Trimmed off damaged, brittle ends also gives the hair a smoother, cleaner look – perfect for those winter parties!”

The VMAs never disappoint when it comes to hair, and this year’s red carpet brought plenty to talk about. Who nailed it? Who missed the mark? And which looks are worth taking back to the chair? We put this year’s biggest VMA hair moments under the spotlight with our panel of experts.

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Lewis Gumbrell, AKA Sid Da Barber, and international session stylist JJ Savani co-led the hair for Justin Cassin’s latest show. 

Debuting his Spring/Summer 2027 collection at London Fashion Week, Australian menswear designer Justin Cassin balanced structured control with fluid, wearable lines, while the hair played with contrasting interpretations of contemporary male grooming.

Creating a series of polished, individual looks celebrating modern masculinity, Lewis Gumbrell, AKA Sid Da Barber, and international session stylist JJ Savani co-led the hair direction for Cassin’s showstopping styles, with Gecko Trimz and Bailey Bolden completing the team.

“Justin’s collection gave us the opportunity to explore different expressions of masculinity through the hair,” said Lewis.

“For me, great men’s hair isn’t about forcing everyone into the same look. It’s understanding the individual, their hair and their identity, and then elevating what’s naturally there. Backstage at Fashion Week gives us the freedom to push that idea creatively while still producing hair that feels relevant and wearable.”

The finished looks moved from sleek, high-shine to enhanced natural curls, coils, and Afro textures. For models with longer locks, the team swept the hair from the face, creating a glossy, controlled finish while retaining subtle movement. Those with shorter and Afro-textured hair were worked with individually, enhancing their hair’s natural shape, texture and character.

JJ Savani worked with headline model and former Love Islander Dejon Noel-Williams, creating polished straight-back braids, a razor-sharp hairline, and a sculpted beard with a design built around the collection’s architectural tailoring and open necklines. 

“With clothes this architectural, the grooming has to be graphic and disciplined,” said JJ.

“Tight, polished lines keep the silhouette clean from the neck up, and then the skin becomes part of the outfit. Men’s session hair isn’t about one look anymore. It’s about reading the person in the chair and making them the strongest version of themselves.”

The show was produced and directed by Alice Holland, with styling and backstage management by Melania Peluso.

CREDITS //

Designer//

Justin Cassin

Collection//

Spring/Summer 2027

Venue//

Studio Spaces, London

Producer and Show Director//

Alice Holland

Stylist and Backstage Manager//

Melania Peluso

Head of Hair//

Lewis Gumbrell (Sid Da Barber – @siddabarber / @siddabarber.official)

Hair Co-Lead//

JJ Savani (@jjsavani)

Hair Team//

Gecko Trimz and Bailey Bolden

Headline Model//

Dejon Noel-Williams (look by JJ Savani)

Blonde takes center stage in the latest from the Project Men & Media 2026 Collection, with a series focused on creative cuts, color and curls across a series of striking looks, sponsored by Blonde Solutions and Fast Foils.

Credits //

Team Leader //

Dean Gleeson @dean_gleeson_

Simon Shaw @simonshaw_ss

Project Support//

Marcus Hampton @marcushampton_hair

Billy Ryan @billyryanhair

Project Team//

Bailey Snowden @baileysnowdenhair

Rosie Jones @_rj.hair

Kitty Katana @katanastylez

Jodie Wheeler @jodiemay_hair

Jude Spearing @judespearing

Connor Preston @cwizhisscissors

Kevin Kusmierek @k.kusmierek_cuts

Sponsor//

Blonde Solutions @blondesolutions_uk

Fast Foils @fastfoils_uk

Photography//

Paul Simmons  @happyjack.uk

Videography//

Darenn @happyjack.uk

Stylist//

Stephanie Day @sedalizstyles

MUA//

Ruth Marcella @ruthmarcella.pro

Blonde takes center stage in the latest from the Project Men & Media 2026 Collection, with a series focused on creative cuts, color and curls across a series of striking looks, sponsored by Blonde Solutions and Fast Foils.

Credits //

Team Leader //

Dean Gleeson @dean_gleeson_

Simon Shaw @simonshaw_ss

Project Support//

Marcus Hampton @marcushampton_hair

Billy Ryan @billyryanhair

Project Team//

Bailey Snowden @baileysnowdenhair

Rosie Jones @_rj.hair

Kitty Katana @katanastylez

Jodie Wheeler @jodiemay_hair

Jude Spearing @judespearing

Connor Preston @cwizhisscissors

Kevin Kusmierek @k.kusmierek_cuts

Sponsor//

Blonde Solutions @blondesolutions_uk

Fast Foils @fastfoils_uk

Photography//

Paul Simmons  @happyjack.uk

Videography//

Darenn @happyjack.uk

Stylist//

Stephanie Day @sedalizstyles

MUA//

Ruth Marcella @ruthmarcella.pro

Aveda have announced a $50,000 grant in support of the Yawanawá Climate Adaptation plan unveiled at the Rooted in Partnership: Advancing Climate Resilience through Indigenous Leadership panel, co-hosted by UNDP Forest Guardians Invest during the UN General Assembly & Climate Week NYC earlier this month.

Launched in July 2026, the UNDP’s Forest Guardians Invest platform is designed to mobilize private finance directly to Indigenous-led forest conservation and bioeconomy initiatives. Meanwhile, Aveda’s Rooted in Partnership panel provides a blueprint for how brands can support climate solutions by partnering directly with Indigenous leaders and communities.

Taking place at Goals House at Tavern on the Green in NYC, the panel featured Tashka Yawanawá, Chief of the Yawanawá People from the Rio Gregório Indigenous Territory in Acre, Brazil; Laura Yawanawá, Executive Director of the Yawanawá Sociocultural Association (ASCY); Eric Raymond, Executive Director of Mission and Sustainability, at Aveda; and moderator Nina Kantcheva, Global Advisor for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Engagement and Partnerships, UNDP.

The discussion included insights from Indigenous leaders and land protectors about how long-term, rights-based partnerships can strengthen livelihoods, advance climate resilience, protect biodiversity and create sustainable economic opportunity, and showcased the success of Aveda’s long-term partnership with the Yawanawá People as an example.

“Indigenous communities steward nearly one third of the world’s tropical rainforests, and they are uniquely positioned to influence climate, biodiversity and sustainable land management,” said Nina Kanthcheva.

“As Forest Guardians Invest works to support conservation efforts by connecting these communities with private funding, we are proud to spotlight the innovative and impactful long-term relationship between Aveda and the Yawanawá as a best-in-class example for how brands and Indigenous peoples can work together to build a partnership that achieves climate outcomes while centering the rights, priorities and knowledge of these communities.”

As part of the brand’s mission of care, Aveda has nurtured relationships with Indigenous communities around the world for more than 30 years, and worked closely with the Yawanawá since 1992. Aveda said that partnership has evolved beyond an initial need for ingredient sourcing to encompass larger community priorities and environmental stewardship.

As the Yawanawá communities continue to feel the effects of climate change in their rainforest homeland, the tribe has developed the Yawanawá Climate Adaptation Plan, a community-led effort reflecting their priorities for building resilience in the face of a changing climate. Aveda’s founding grant will support the Yawanawá’s priorities and recognizes their role as protectors and stewards of the rainforest.

“Climate resilience begins with the strength of our communities and our relationship to our land,” said Chief Tashka Yawanawá.

“The Yawanawá Climate Adaptation Plan reflects our own priorities and knowledge, and it is important that Indigenous communities have the voice and authority to define the solutions that affect our future. Our partnership with Aveda has spanned more than 30 years because it has continued to evolve through shared learning and a respect for our community,”

The panel discussed what distinguishes a true partnership from a transactional relationship, including the importance of trust, sovereignty, shared priorities and respect for Indigenous knowledge. The panelists explored the cultural dimensions of partnership, from authentic representation and Indigenous storytelling to the role of artists and creators in shaping how Indigenous communities are represented in global beauty, fashion and media.

The conversation also turned to the potential of the bioeconomy to create economic opportunity while ensuring forests stay standing, connecting themes of Indigenous enterprise, livelihoods, biodiversity and climate resilience. Together, the panelists challenged business leaders to consider not simply what they can do for Indigenous communities, but how they can build partnerships with them that endure.

“For Aveda, partnership is a responsibility that is built over time. Our decades-long relationship with the Yawanawá has taught us that meaningful partnership starts with listening, respecting Indigenous leadership and supporting priorities defined by the community itself,” said Shane Wolf, Aveda Global Brand President.

“Bringing this conversation to Climate Week is an opportunity to share what we have learned and to challenge our industry to think differently about how business can contribute to resilient communities, thriving ecosystems and a more responsible future. This is Aveda’s mission of care in practice: care for the world we live in, care for the communities connected to it, and care for the natural resources on which beauty depends.”

The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has welcomed proposals to help more people stay healthy and in work, while calling for practical support that recognises the realities facing small and microbusiness employers.

Responding to the UK Government’s Keep Britain Working: A National Growth Opportunity report, the NHBF said the proposed Workplace Health System could be a positive initiative for the hair, beauty and barbering sector, particularly if it gives smaller employers access to occupational health services, specialist advice and resources that would normally be beyond their reach.

However, the organisation says it is essential that the development of the proposals does not result in additional costs, administration or responsibilities being transferred to small employers.

Hair and beauty businesses can play an important role in providing inclusive employment and supporting people throughout their working lives. But their ability to do so depends on businesses having the financial capacity and practical resources to employ, retain and train staff.

The NHBF’s latest Employer Survey underlines the pressure already facing businesses in the sector, with 39.7% of respondents reporting that they had reduced their workforce during the previous three months and only 13% saying they were definitely or likely to recruit over the following three months.

The NHBF welcomed the report’s focus on making workplace health provision accessible to SMEs and microbusinesses, but believes salon, barbershop and beauty business owners must be directly involved in shaping how those proposals work in practice.

This is particularly important as employers prepare for changes to Statutory Sick Pay and the associated costs and administration of managing sickness absence. The NHBF said that any new workplace health measures need to make it easier for businesses to support employees rather than adding another layer of complexity.

The NHBF also believes the proposals need to be considered alongside the wider employment landscape within hair and beauty. The organisation has highlighted how the current tax structure can incentivise self-employment over employment, warning workplace health system centred primarily around the employer-employee relationship risks having limited impact on a significant self-employed section of the sector.

“Keeping Britain working means the government backing the small businesses that provide the jobs,” said Fiona Johnston, President of the National Hair & Beauty Federation.

“This could be a really positive initiative if it genuinely gives small employers access to the occupational health support, advice and resources that many simply cannot access at the moment. Helping a member of staff manage a long-term health condition and remain in work is good for that individual, good for the business and good for the wider economy.

“But we have to make sure that solving a national challenge does not mean transferring additional cost and responsibility onto small employers. They’re already adapting to changes around Statutory Sick Pay and managing the cost and administration associated with sickness absence. If we want businesses to employ more people, any new system must make that easier, not inadvertently add further barriers.

“Our sector is increasingly being pushed towards self-employment by the current tax system. If it becomes progressively more expensive or administratively difficult to employ somebody, more businesses will naturally consider self-employed models – exactly the opposite direction to the ambition of keeping people securely in employment.”

Johnston added that this is why it’s important organisations such as the NHBF are involved as proposals develop, ensuring the voice and practical experience of microbusiness employers are heard.

The NHBF’s Budget submission calls for a 10% VAT rate on qualifying hair and beauty services, targeted employment support and greater help with apprenticeships. The organisation said that creating the conditions in which businesses can afford to employ people has to sit alongside measures designed to help those employees remain healthy and in work.

“We want to work with Government to make inclusive employment achievable for even the smallest businesses. Our sector can make a real contribution to keeping Britain working, but employers need the capacity and support to do it,” said Johnston.