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

 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. 

Get your copy here!

Summer is in full swing – and so is the latest edition of BarberEVO UK. Packed with sun, style, and sharp ideas, Issue 51 brings the season’s boldest innovations, industry insights, and barbershop brilliance straight to your chair. This edition is all about evolution, expansion, and energy – and trust us, you don’t want to miss it. 

THE COVER: 
On the cover this issue is one of the striking collections fresh from our latest UK Roadshow – a powerful snapshot of talent, texture, and next-gen creativity on full display. 

IN THE CHAIR & ONE 2 WATCH: 
This edition, we get In the Chair with Charles Rose – owner of Crate Cheshire, and ambassador for both Matakki and STMNT. Charles shares his journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most respected names in the game. Our One 2 Watch is rising star Kostas Mourgelas, Fox Barbers owner and SB Barbering Academy alum, fresh off the stage from our Roadshow in Newcastle. 

EDUCATION: 
From the future-forward ethos of Tomorrow Education, to Wahl’s revamped course lineup and Novo Cabelo’s tailored training approach, this issue is packed with progressive education insights. We also spotlight leading brands like Gamma+, Lovemore, and OSMO, all raising the bar in learning and development. 

INTERIORS: 
Pushing the boundaries of modern barbering, we take you inside two standout spaces: HAUS and Ex Studio – where design meets disruption, and style is always on point. 

BUSINESS: 
On the business side, we go Behind the Brand with heritage grooming legends PASHANA, hear from columnist Mark Maciver, and dive into the new-age business blueprint with UNDERFOUND. Plus, we unpack everything from retail to tech that’s helping barbershops scale smarter. 

GROOMING: 
This issue’s grooming game is strong – with features on Morgan Jones, an inside look at James Beaumont’s evolving approach, and a deep dive with Arturo in Kingston and the team behind the booming grooming brand Vines Vintage. 

All this and so much more in BarberEVO UK Issue 51 – the ultimate guide to making this summer your sharpest one yet. 

Don’t miss it. 

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

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.

Phorest Salon Software has announced the launch of its new Referrals Feature, designed to help salons and barbershops build a strong, loyal customer base through personalised referral programmes.

This innovative new feature allows salon owners to create reward-based referral programmes directly within the Phorest system. Salons can offer vouchers to clients who refer friends or family, as well as to the referred individuals, encouraging them to make their first booking.

Luke Doolin, Country Manager of Phorest UK & Ireland, believes that the new Referrals Feature will revolutionise the way salons approach customer acquisition. He told us: “Referral marketing has always been one of the most powerful ways to grow a business, but many salons haven’t had the tools to effectively implement it.

“With our new Referrals Feature, salons can easily set up and manage these programmes, helping them drive new business and build a more engaged client base. Importantly, during the beta phase of this new feature, our salons gained an average of 18 new clients using Phorest Referrals with 48% returning for additional services.”

Key Benefits of Phorest’s Referrals Feature:

1. Reward Structure – Salons can create custom voucher rewards for both the referrer and the referred clients, making it easier to incentivise customers to recommend the business to friends and family.
2. Easy Integration – Once a referral is made, the new client’s profile is automatically created in Phorest’s system, which also tags them as a referral for tracking and reporting purposes.
3. Marketing Campaigns – Phorest allows salons to promote their referral programmes through email and SMS marketing, generating unique referral links for clients to share.
4. Proven Results – With a conversion rate of 79.8%, most referrals lead to booked appointments. This feature brings a significant revenue boost by turning new customers into loyal clients who already have a positive association with the salon.

According to Phorest’s recent survey of 133 UK salons, 70% of salons do not have a referral programme in place, but two-thirds of those expressed a desire to implement one. With Phorest’s Referrals Feature, this gap can now be bridged with ease.

Jimmy Sharpe, Manager of Jakata, Warrington, UK, said: “As a salon owner, finding new clients has always been a challenge. The new Referrals Feature from Phorest has been a game changer. My loyal clients love being able to refer their friends and earn rewards, and I’ve seen a noticeable boost in new and returning clients since launching the campaign.” 

Luke added: “The beauty of this new feature is that it simplifies a process that can often feel daunting for salon owners. Referral programmes can now be set up and maintained effortlessly, allowing salons to focus on delivering exceptional services while we handle the rest.”

Phorest is committed to helping salons thrive in the modern business landscape through innovative technology solutions. With the new Referrals Feature, salons can now grow their client base faster and more efficiently, while delivering a rewarding experience for both loyal clients and new customers.

When it comes to men’s grooming, American Crew has long been at the forefront of innovation, setting the standard for professional styling products. Now, with the launch of their new pre-styling shampoo range, Ian Harrold shares with BarberEVO why this is a must-have range for barbers and their clients.

“People are asking, ‘Why is there a need for a pre-styling shampoo?’,” Ian told us. “My answer to that is 14 years ago, you never would have thought you ‘needed’ an iPad, but that need was created following the launch and demand. 

“So that’s what American Crew are doing here with their Pre-Styling Range. For example, the Fiber Pre-Styling Shampoo adds strength and texture to the hair with the Fiber properties so that when you enrich it with either the Fiber Grooming Foam or Fiber Cream you don’t need as much product. This product is like a magnet that pulls all aspects of the grooming together and makes styling easier for both barber and client alike.” 

We asked Ian to tell us why this new American Crew range is so revolutionary to the male grooming industry, and he explained: “This is the first male grooming range that has styling elements brought into the shampoo while cleansing the hair as well. With this product, you don’t need to use conditioner because when you’re adding elements of product to the hair shaft you don’t want to rinse that out with conditioner. 

“With the Boost Pre-Styling Shampoo, you will find that as soon as you start towel drying your hair already has extra volume and will start defying gravity once you add that friction. While cleansing the hair and scalp, there is added volume already so when it comes to styling with the Boost Powder, you will use less product as the hair is already infused with some of those styling properties.” 

And why is this something that Ian recommends for both barbers to use behind the chair and for their clients at home? “This range, consisting of the Boost Pre-Styling Shampoo, Fiber Pre-Styling Shampoo, and the Forming Pre-Styling Shampoo makes their haircare regime much simpler and allows people to get better value and effectiveness of their styling products. 

“With the Forming Pre-Styling Shampoo, this is great for helping clients with curly and Textured hair wake up with curls held in place. It removes that element of frizz and that can often come with curly hair, while adding shine and complete curl definition.”

Ian continued, noting: “One of the key things I know about male grooming is that men like products with ease – which is why 3-in-1 products are so popular. So, if you can offer a product that helps simplify their routine at home, it offers great retail value while also allowing barbers to have a more effective service behind the chair. 

“A lot of my clients will tell me that they don’t have time for in depth styling routines, or don’t know how to apply products. This range becomes an easy retail sale because it gives them the benefit of time and ease when creating the style they’re trying to achieve. For barbers, I’d recommend talking your client through the steps when you’re styling their hair and how these products will benefit them.” 

With new products, it can be daunting to integrate it into the barbershop wondering what if your clients or team don’t like it, but Ian shared some of the reactions he’d received. “This is definitely an addition to the American Crew family that has been really well received by the team,” he told us. “We were a bit sceptical at first but after seeing the results, we have implemented the Pre-Styling Range across the board. Now it’s officially launched, we are seeing the client reception to using this at home and it’s been extremely positive.” 

Cal Newsome, last year’s top NHBF Influencer, award-winning barber, and member of the Wahl Artistic Team, has been announced as the host for this year’s NHBF Top 50 Hair Influencers. This event, which features the industry’s only independently compiled influencer list, will take place from 5 to 6 PM on Sunday, June 22, at HairCon, held at O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester.

As the owner of Bull & Co Barber Club in Shropshire, Cal will join the NHBF team on the Social Stage at HairCon to announce the top 50 hair and barbering influencers. These recipients are chosen based on independently judged results powered by algorithms.

Attendees at HairCon will be the first to witness the official reveal, making this a must-attend event for both industry professionals and fans.

NHBF Chief Executive, Caroline Larissey, said: “We’re delighted to have Cal Newsome hosting this year’s Top 50 Hair Influencer reveal. As last year’s winner and a respected voice in the industry, Cal brings genuine insight and credibility to the event. His passion for barbering and commitment to raising industry standards make him the perfect person to lead the celebration.”

This year’s host Cal Newsome added: “I’m proud to be hosting this year’s NHBF Top 50 Hair Influencer reveal. Being recognised last year was a big moment for me, and it’s great to now be part of highlighting others who are pushing the industry forward. There’s so much talent out there, and this event is a great way to give it the recognition it deserves.”

Join Caroline, Cal and a host of your favourite industry influencers live at HairCon on Sunday 22^nd June at 5.10pm on the social stage as the list is revealed – who will take the top spot this year? 

Dense Hair Experts and creative agency Kiss Branding have won the prestigious Diamond Award for Best Visual Identity from the Lifestyle & Wellbeing Sector at the Transform Awards. The accolade recognises their bold and thoughtful approach to tackling the stigma surrounding hair loss through an empowering and authoritative brand identity.

The Transform Awards, which celebrate excellence in rebranding and brand development, praised Kiss Branding for creating a “simple yet impactful visual identity” that confidently stands out in a saturated market. The project not only elevated Dense’s market presence but also delivered tangible commercial success, increasing conversion rates from 0.4% to 2.3%.

Judges highlighted the modern and credible nature of the brand work, noting its careful balance between clinical-level personalisation and consumer accessibility. Kiss Branding’s deep understanding of Dense’s audience enabled them to challenge outdated perceptions and create a brand that speaks to real people with clarity and empathy.

Dense’s win places the Leeds-born brand among the most respected names in global branding. Other major winners at this year’s Transform Awards included LEGO, Aston Martin, ZSL, TikTok and TNT Sports — a peer group that underscores the scale and significance of Dense’s achievement.

Aasim Hashmi (ASH), Co-Founder at Dense, said: “For us, this isn’t really about awards — it’s about recognition that the work we’re doing matters. Hair loss is something that affects so many people, but the conversation around it has always been awkward or brushed off. We set out to change that. To move things on from banter and bravado to real, science-led solutions that actually helps people take control early, confidently, and without the stigma. This award tells us we’re on the right track — but we’re nowhere near done.”

Kiss Branding is an award-winning creative agency specialising in bold, insight-led brand identities. Poonam Saini, Creative Director at Kiss Branding, said: “The best brands don’t just sell products, they meet real needs and empower people to live their best lives. Dense is one of those brands. This award celebrates a true transformation, from strong strategy and compelling storytelling to bold, standout creative all coming together to shift perceptions and make a real difference in young men’s lives. I couldn’t be prouder of the Kiss team, the incredible Founders at Dense®, and everyone who has helped shape this work. This is what meaningful branding looks like.”

Olivia Garden, a leader in professional and consumer hair care tools, proudly introduces its latest innovation: the OG Barber Shear Collection. Designed with precision, durability and comfort in mind, this collection includes three shear sizes (5.75”, 6.25” and 7”) along with a 6” thinner, catering to the diverse cutting needs of barbers and hairstylists.

Each shear in the OG Barber Shear Collection is engineered with a distinctive matte black titanium coating, reinforced steel alloy and convex blades. These unique features enhance durability and ensure superior hardness and longevity for smooth and effortless cutting performance. Plus, with larger finger holes and two sets of finger ring inserts, the shears provide a customized, ergonomic fit for all hand sizes.

The 6.25” thinner, designed with 30 handcrafted teeth featuring micro-serration, offers seamless blending and texturizing capabilities. An offset handle with specialized thumb curvature keeps the hand relaxed in a natural open position, reducing strain during extended use.

Each OG Barber Shear Collection purchase includes a premium zipper case with essential maintenance tools like the ShearCare™ oil brush, cleaning cloth, finger ring inserts and a tension adjustment tool. Purchase also offers eligibility for the Exclusive Service Program. This program allows barbers and stylists to exchange their used Olivia Garden Barber Shears for a brand-new identical pair, ensuring optimal shear performance over time.

With its superior design, precision craftsmanship and hassle-free maintenance program, this collection is set to become an essential tool for barbers and stylists alike. The OG Barber Shear Collection is available for purchase at www.oliviagarden.com and select Olivia Garden retailers. Be sure to follow the brand on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook for more information.