Spring is reset season, and your scalp is first in line. Months of heavier winter haircare products can leave buildup behind, while rising humidity and unpredictable weather can throw everything off balance, leading to flakiness, itchiness and irritation. Fatboy, a leader in short hair care and high-performance styling, created its award-winning Honey Putty to tackle scalp concerns head-on. Designed as a dual-purpose styling putty and leave-in scalp treatment, Honey Putty calms irritation while delivering flexible hold, natural matte definition and touchable texture. It’s the one product you will want within arm’s reach all season long.
Honey Putty(2.6oz. / $21) was born from founder Tyson Kennedy’s vision to combine styling and scalp care into a single step. No layering. No complicated routines. Just high-performance styling with real scalp benefits. Lightweight and non-greasy, the formula is built for short to medium styles and safe for color-treated hair, delivering a sexy matte finish, natural texture, and soft, workable hold while helping address dryness, itchiness, and flaking and supporting healthier-looking hair over time.
Made with clean, key scalp care ingredients, Honey Putty draws inspiration from Tyson Kennedy’s New Zealand roots, featuring powerful natural extracts sourced from the region. Manuka Honey works as a natural humectant with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help calm irritation, reduce buildup and support a balanced scalp. Kiwi Extract delivers vitamin C to support collagen production and elasticity, while its naturally occurring iron, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids help soothe flakes and defend against environmental stress. Paw Paw (papaya) adds vitamins A, C and E to soften strands, smooth frizz and protect against heat damage. Together, these ingredients not only bring the scalp back into balance but keep it there.
To use Honey Putty, warm a pea-size amount between your palms, work through dry or damp hair to shape and style, then massage the remainder into the scalp and leave it in. One simple step that simplifies your routine while nourishing the hair and scalp with each use. Consider this your spring reset. Hair stays sharp. Scalp stays balanced all season long.
To learn more about Fatboy and to purchase Honey Putty, visit www.fatboyhair.com/
When your tools work as hard as you do, upgrading isn’t about chasing the newest release — it’s about choosing equipment that keeps pace with your craft. The Recon™ Clipper and Recon™ Trimmer have quickly proven themselves behind the chair, earning a place in daily rotations thanks to their balance of power, control, and customization.
If your current setup is starting to feel limiting, Recon™ delivers the performance upgrade your station has been waiting for.
Power That Performs, All Day
At the core of both tools is vector motor technology, designed to maintain speed and torque even under heavy load.
Recon™ Clipper: A 9,000 SPM motor delivers smooth bulk removal, confident fades, and seamless blending — even through dense hair.
Recon™ Trimmer: An 8,500 SPM motor offers sharp detailing, clean lineups, and precise bald work without drag or hesitation.
The result is consistent cutting performance from your first client to your last.
Precision You Can Feel
Control matters — especially during fades, tapers, and finishing work.
Adjustable Phaze blade on the clipper: Choose click or no-click lever control for personalized cutting.
DLC-coated T-blade on the trimmer: Reduces friction for smooth, snag-free lines and is zero-gap capable for crisp detailing.
Both tools feature compact metal housings that reduce vibration and hand fatigue, helping you stay steady during long sessions.
Built to Match Your Style and Workflow
Recon™ doesn’t just perform — it fits your station.
Interchangeable housings: Customize the look of both tools with black chrome, gold, or matte black covers.
Premium charging stands: Quick-release stands keep your tools powered, accessible, and your station clutter-free.
USB-C charging: Fast, convenient recharging that works with modern setups.
With long cordless runtimes — up to 4 hours on the clipper and 2 hours on the trimmer — interruptions stay off your schedule.
A Smart Upgrade for Serious Professionals
Whether you’re refining fades, sharpening lineups, or powering through packed days, the Recon™ Clipper and Trimmer elevate both performance and presentation. They’re not about hype — they’re about reliability, control, and confidence behind the chair.
If your current tools are holding you back, upgrading to Recon™ isn’t just a refresh — it’s an investment in your craft.
Upgrade your lineup. Cut with confidence. Recon™ is ready when you are.
This edition is a true celebration of versatility – not just in technique, but in mindset. Barbering has never been a one-lane industry, and the features in this issue highlight just how dynamic the modern barber has become.
Cover: L3VEL3 & Drasticart
Our cover star for this edition of BarberEVO is Carlos Pagan aka Drasticart, the L3VEL3 Ambassador for whom the word perseverance is a way of life. This edition, you can dive into his story behind the scenes – the side of Drasticart that we don’t often see.
In the Chair: Mr Official
In this chair this edition, we have one of our newest columnists, Mr Official. Owner of Official Cuts Academy, BaBylissPRO and L3VEL3 Educator, and Booksy Ambassador, Yahia Jaber, AKA Mr Official has a story to tell, and wisdom to share.
Our ‘One to Watch’ this edition is Lili Fades. The JRL Educator, The Cut App Ambassador and owner of Fade Inc in Texas. And our Barber Abroad is Chris Taulanga who will soon be travelling from Canberra, Australia to Chicago, Illinois for the Wahl Professional Global Stage.
Grooming & Shaving
What sets a barber apart from the rest of the hair industry? It is the time-honoured ritual and practice of the traditional shave. But how has the shave evolved over the years? And how are today’s top barbers taking this classic service to the next level? This feature shares it all, featuring shops like Barbour3, Lauren the Legend as well as product launches like BROSH’s new Beard & Shave products.
World of ROLDA
If you flip through this magazine, you will find a surprise fold out from ROLDA . In it, you can learn a little more about the brand history, the team, and their global domination. Also find out more about their new shave and grooming products.
Interiors
Next stop: The Barber Station. As our barbershop of the edition, we check out NYC’s newest subway themed barbershop. In New Jersey we show off Heritage Barbers’ Collins chairs, and hop across the pond to Dean Gleeson’s Japandi styled UK haven.
Business
It’s always important to mind your business. This issue, DL Master Barber shares his first column – talking about the value of pricing, and how to not undersell your skills. We share about the launch of Panasonic’s new THE BARIKAN tools in Anaheim, and new UK-based columnist Hayden Cassidy shares her secrets of marketing.
Long Cuts & Color
As we live in the age of the mullet and the shag, barbers are needing to sharpen their skills in longer hair cutting, as well as understand the opportunities available when you open your eyes to color services. We speak to industry leaders like Andrew Does Hair,Yoshi and the team from Floyds.
Dark Stag proudly unveils the all-new Pro Curl Cream, available March 2026. Designed for Professional Barbers to enhance, and define all types of curls and waves. Deliver hydration, control, and flexibility without weight. Perfect to finish curls or waves with definition, or for a softer matte finish, break up hair with fingers after use.
Infused with a soothing blend of Sage, Violet Leaf, and Patchouli, and enriched with high-quality essential oils, Pro Curl Cream brings professional-grade performance and refinement to curls and waves – whatever the style.
Key Features:
Enhances and controls curls and waves
Hydrates and defines without weight
Achieve a defined or softer matte finish, using different styling techniques
Soothing Sage, Violet Leaf, and Patchouli fragrance
The barbering community is mourning the loss of Ian ‘Champ’ Hoyos, a respected figure whose passion, talent, and larger-than-life personality left a lasting impact across the industry.
Known affectionately as ‘Champ’ by friends and colleagues, Ian built a reputation not only for his skill behind the chair, but for his unwavering support of fellow barbers. A familiar face at industry events, competitions, and education sessions, he was admired for his generosity, encouragement, and commitment to helping others grow.
Tributes have poured in from across the barbering world, with many sharing memories of Ian’s infectious energy, sense of humour, and dedication to the craft. For those who knew him, he was more than a barber – he was a mentor, a motivator, and a true ambassador for the industry.
Ian’s influence extended far beyond his own work, inspiring the next generation of barbers and strengthening the sense of community that defines the profession. His passion for barbering, and for the people within it, will not be forgotten.
BarberEVO joins the global barbering community in paying tribute to Ian ‘Champ’ Hoyas. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will continue to live on through the many lives and careers he touched.
Here are some tributes from those who knew Ian ‘Champ’ Hoyos best:
David Foster and Andrew Brewster, co-founders of EVO Media Group: “Ian ‘Champ’ Hoyos represented the best of the barbering community. He supported BarberEVO from the start, connected us with others, and did it all with no agenda – just kindness and belief in people. He put the same energy into charity and his local community, and his impact will be felt for a long time. Rest easy Champ.”
Nate Peterson, founder of Nathersonn: “Ian ‘Champ’ Hoyos was more than a barber. He was a personality, a presence, a family man, and the heartbeat behind Champs Barbers in the heart of London. Proud of his Colombian heritage and deeply rooted in the culture of boxing and community, Champ built more than a shop, he built a home for conversation, confidence and connection. His shop became the home and heartbeat of the community around him. Boxing wasn’t just something he loved, it was how he lived. Discipline. Belief. Heart. The same mindset that wins rounds in the ring was the mindset he brought to the chair every single day. For Champ, barbering and boxing were cut from the same cloth. Precision. Timing. Courage. Confidence. Founding Champs Barbers in the early 2012s, he created a space that reflected his own spirit: bold, welcoming, full of character and lined with boxing memorabilia that told stories of grit and greatness. His chair became a place where worlds met, from everyday locals to high profile figures, all treated with the same warmth and respect. He had a rare ability to make everyone feel important. From picking up his mum’s clippers as a boy and cutting his friends’ hair, to becoming one of the most respected names in barbering, his journey was built on belief and relentless work ethic. He opened multiple shops across London, launched a boxing gym, travelled the world sharing his craft, and even cut hair in places most would never imagine, including London’s NikeTown. But beyond the names and the accolades, Champ’s true legacy lives in the community he built. He championed people as much as he did his craft. He was someone’s biggest supporter, the one who believed in you loudly, the one who pushed you to think bigger. If Champ was in your corner, you felt unstoppable. His team were not just employees, they were family. He invested in them, stood behind them and built a culture of winners around him.”
Byrd Mena, Creative Consultant for Booksy and Wahl Professional: “The one and only Champ was really a champion in the way he lived – real, loving, and powerful in his presence. He brought the world closer just by being who he was. And that kind of legacy doesn’t disappear… long live the Champ.”
Hayden Cassidy, BarberEVO Columnist, Dior UK Grooming Expert, Founder of Croi: “One of the first major trips I went on was to Moscow as an educator. I felt out of my depth, I was still early in my career and felt out of my depth among so many legends but Champ never let me doubt myself and stood by my side. Even before that, he would introduce me to people in the industry and backed me through every opportunity. His barbershop was one of the first places I walked into in London, and some of the people he introduced me to are my best friends now. he did so much for this industry, and seeing others reflect on moments with him are both heartwarming and heartbreaking. His legacy will continue through everyone he mentored but personally, I want to say thank you Champ, for everything.”
College Star – Denman’s Big Blowout Competition is back for 2026, and open for entries NOW.
The competition is easy to enter and comes with a huge cash prize of £1000, PLUS there are cash prizes for tutors who get involved too. Each student just needs to upload their details and four images of their very best blow-dry for the chance to win. Last year the winner was Mollie Dwyer of Wigan and Leigh College.
“Denman is so proud to give the UK College and student community this opportunity. The number of entries last year was staggering, so a big thank you goes to the hard-working college tutors for encouraging their students to enter. Blow-dry skills can transform a regular style into something exceptional and College Star is our way of giving students the incentive to strive for greatness. We can’t wait to see what they create!” said Denman CEO, Kevin McNamee.
Here’s what every College and student needs to know…
How to win: Just upload images of the front, sides and back of one blow-dry look. For full entry requirements and T&C’s please follow the link College Star | Denman Brush – Denman UK.
Competition opens: February 16th
Competition closes: March 30th
Winner announced: April 20th
Prize: £1000 for the student and a hamper of tools valued at £200 for the student’s College department. PLUS £250 for the tutor whose students enter the most number of entries AND £250 for the tutor of the winning student! T&C’s apply.
Seeing the light of Spring after the dark depths of winter, Men are opting for colour. Aveda colour specialist. Grant Carr of 1920 Salon Glasgow, shares his trend predication for men this spring.
”Fresh blondes are having their moment for men,” explains Grant, “They bring a confidence to the individual, especially with the full colour transformation.
“Whilst a nod to Cloud Dancer, Pantone’s Colour of the Year, this creamer shade is softer to work with Daniel’s skin tone.”
Grant used Aveda Level 9 Blonde and the Aveda Full Spectrum Demi + toner, for this fresh clean blonde. With a full texture scissor cut and freehand around the face to refine, Grant completed the look with a beard trim.
Phorest Software has officially concluded the Salon Owners Summit 2026, marking a milestone year for the global professional beauty community. Following the theme “Thrive: The Human Experience, Powered by Technology,” the event saw a record-breaking 750 attendees gather at the Royal Convention Centre in Dublin, surpassing the 2025 attendance by 15% and solidifying the Summit’s reputation as the premier global event for salon, spa and clinic leadership.
The two-day intensive was defined by high-energy networking and the exclusive unveiling of the Phorest AI suite designed to enhance human teams rather than replace them.
Innovation Spotlight: Phorest AI – Enhancing the Human Experience
The 2026 Summit served as the launchpad for Phorest’s most significant technological leap to date: the Phorest AI suite. Built on extensive global research and co-created with salon and clinic owners, this suite is designed to solve three core challenges of the modern beauty business: the need for team enhancement over replacement, the desire for trust and control, and the guest’s expectation for instant gratification. By automating administrative tasks – from summarising complex client histories to managing front-desk enquiries – Phorest AI ensures that teams can show up more prepared, more present, and more connected to every client.
“Our goal has always been to return the gift of time to salon, spa and clinic owners, allowing them to focus on the human connection and the artistry of the client experience,” said Ronan Perceval, CEO of Phorest. “Phorest AI isn’t just a tool; it’s an evolution in partnership. By automating admin, we empower our community to move from surviving the daily grind to truly thriving as creative entrepreneurs.” This year’s Summit was a powerful celebration of community, uniting salon owners, industry leaders, and innovators from across the field. Attendees enjoyed a standout experience filled with meaningful connections, shared learning, and collective growth – all set against a backdrop of inspiration and energy.
A Decade of Dublin: The End of an Era
After ten incredible years of hosting the Summit in Ireland’s capital, Phorest announced a major change of scenery for its next chapter. To accommodate the event’s rapid growth and provide a fresh, immersive experience, the Phorest Summit 2027 will move to Killarney, Co. Kerry.
“The energy in the room this year was electric.” continued Ronan Perceval. “Seeing our community grow this year proves that as our numbers increase, so does our ambition. After ten amazing years in Dublin, it’s time for our next chapter. We are so excited to be moving the Summit to the stunning landscape of Kerry in 2027 – it’s the perfect place to continue this journey of growth together.”
The move to the “Kingdom of Kerry” marks a new era for the Summit, trading the cityscape for the world-renowned beauty of Killarney’s lakeside landscapes.
Wahl Professional set a new benchmark with trimmers two years ago with the release of the Hi-Viz®. Delivering clean lines and expert-level precision the Hi-Viz quickly became a must-have powerhouse in barber tool line ups. With everything Wahl does, the barber and stylist community is pivotal to every decision, so when it became clear the pros were looking for more, Wahl listened.
Wahl didn’t stop at listening. From listening to testing, testing to engineering, the result? The Hi-Viz Air – a true Evolution of the Hi-Viz, built from feedback and shaped by the demands of the modern barber. Everything pros loved is still here – Adaptive Speed Control, the COMFORTCURVE® housing, and the ultra-slim neck. But now, it’s 30% lighter and designed to debulk, detail, and deliver.
The Hi-Viz® Air is here – Engineered To Evolve:
All-in-One. Built from the feedback of barbers, the new Hi-Viz 2.0 blade is optimized for debulking, while still exceling at details.
30% Lighter for 100% Control. Crafted from a premium polymer blend with COMFORTCURVE design, the Hi-Viz Air is lighter in hand and heavy in performance, giving you all-day comfort and effortless control without fatigue.
Clear View. Clean Hits. The slim neck design unlocks full visibility so every cut, edge, and detail hits exactly where you want it with no second guessing.
Consistent Power. Adaptive Speed Control delivers consistent power of 7000 RPMs (optimized for quiet performance), giving you smooth, even performance.
Zero Downtime. Built for barbers who don’t have time to wait. The Hi-Viz offers industry-leading 45-minute full battery charge, while 5 minutes of quick charge delivers 15 minutes of cutting.
Precision That Lasts. Hit every line with confidence. The Hi-Viz 2.0 blade is DLC coated to stay cool and sharp 8x longer, and adjustable to zero-gap for ultimate precision.
The Professional Beauty Association (PBA), the largest and most inclusive trade organization representing the professional beauty industry, has announced an expansion and realignment of its Government Affairs team to strengthen industry advocacy at a pivotal moment for licensed professionals nationwide.
As part of this strategic evolution:
Myra Reddy, currently PBA’s Director of Government Affairs, will be elevated to Vice President of Government Affairs, where she will oversee national policy strategy and legislative engagement, ensuring that the voice of the professional beauty industry is heard and represented in public policy.
Kati Rapoza will advance into a newly defined Director of Advocacy and Industry Mobilization role, expanding her leadership across advocacy campaigns, stakeholder communication, and member engagement.
Leslie Roste, a respected policy and safety expert well known for her impactful work with the Future of the Beauty Industry Coalition (FBIC) to develop and promote the Cosmetology Compact, will join PBA as Director of State Relations. In this role, she will help advance multi-state licensure initiatives, including both the Cosmetology and Esthetics Compacts. Her addition strengthens alignment and continuity across industry-wide government affairs efforts.
PBA CEO Leslie Perry emphasized that these changes reflect a commitment to building a unified, collaborative, and highly resourced advocacy structure.
“Our industry is at an inflection point,” said Perry. “As the Cosmetology and Esthetics Compacts continue to accelerate across the country, it is vital that we show up with one coordinated strategy, one voice, and one strong, aligned team. Elevating Myra and Kati, and welcoming Leslie, ensures PBA is positioned to deliver the leadership, expertise, and momentum needed right now.”
Gordon Logan, Chairman and Founder of SportClips and President of FBIC, added: “Over the past three years, I have worked closely with Myra and Kati many long hours on the tip tax credit, and they were tireless in their efforts to push it through. Their expanded roles are very well deserved. Leslie has been instrumental in developing the Cosmetology Compact on behalf of FBIC, and the success to date is due in large part to her efforts. Her move to PBA is well-timed so that she can continue to coordinate compacts for both Cosmetology and Esthetics. Our industry is stronger than ever thanks to the leadership of all three of these ladies.”
The new Government Affairs structure will allow PBA to streamline legislative strategy, increase state-level engagement, strengthen mobilization efforts, and bring clarity and coordination to advocacy around the Compacts and other critical issues affecting licensed professionals.
