The Fellowship for British Hairdressing has announced the recipients of The Wahl Scholarship for 2027, with Charlotte Illi of Brooks & Brooks, Cameron Sutton from CAM & Co. Barbers, and Monika Felczykowska of Monia Style the lucky few chosen.

Each winner will receive a choice of selected Wahl academy courses to attend throughout the year at Wahl HQ Academy and a Wahl product kit to add to their collection.

“This opportunity means a great deal to me, as it represents recognition of my hard work and dedication, and motivates me to continue developing my skills and growing professionally,” said Monika Felczykowska. “I am very grateful for this opportunity and excited for what lies ahead.”

The Wahl Scholarship is an opportunity for them to learn new skills and gain valuable tools that will help elevate their career. It includes participation in the Wahl Bootcamp, which past scholars have said gave them more confidence in taking their careers to the next level. Several scholars have gone on to be educators or ambassadors for the brands who sponsor Wahl’s scholarships.

Cameron Sutton from CAM & Co. said that winning the Wahl Scholarship is a “massive deal”, saying that he can now “grow as a barber and educate other people” as his career progresses.

The Wahl Scholarship is only one of the Fellowship for British Hairdressing’s Scholarship programmes which aims to provide emerging creatives with opportunities to work alongside leading educators and global brands whilst developing their technical, creative and commercial expertise.

“For eighty years, the Fellowship has brought together the very best of British Hairdressing. That legacy is something we are incredibly proud to inherit, but our responsibility is to ensure the Fellowship continues to evolve for future generations,” said Simon Shaw, Fellowship for British Hairdressing President.

“The Fellowship for British Hairdressing’s Scholarships have been implemented to ensure that next generation is provided with the opportunity to excel in the industry. Congratulations to Charlotte, Cameron and Monica.”

Clay pomade has become a staple in modern grooming thanks to a versatility that lends itself to endless styles. With just one product, you can achieve a reliable hold, a natural texture and a finish that looks clean, rather than heavy or glossy.

Whether your client’s hair is straight, wavy or somewhere in between, Baxter of California’s Clay Pomade can elevate their look with ease. Below, we’ve rounded up five of our favorite ways to use it.

1. Create Effortless Texture

How to style it: Work a small amount of Clay Pomade through dry hair using your fingertips, focusing on creating texture rather than perfect placement. The flexible hold allows the style to be reshaped throughout the day while maintaining its natural finish.

2. Add Volume and Lift

How to style it: Blow-dry the hair to create added height, then apply a small amount of Clay Pomade to lock in volume without creating stiffness. The result is hair that looks thicker, stays in place and maintains a natural, matte appearance from early morning until last light.

3. A Modern Twist on the Side Part

How to style it: Create your preferred part, then use a small amount of product to add light texture instead of overly crisp lines. The result is a timeless style with modern character and enough flexibility to keep it looking natural throughout the day.

4. Master the Relaxed Push Back

How to style it: Apply a small amount of product and work the hair back with your hands instead of a comb to maintain soft texture and volume. The finish is clean, casual and easy to restyle.

5. Define Waves and Natural Texture

How to style it: Work a small amount through the mid-lengths and ends to encourage natural movement while maintaining light control. The result is defined texture that feels effortless rather than overly styled.

Pro Tips: Getting the Best from Clay Pomade

Start with the right amount. For easy application, use a marble-sized amount of product. Rub it between your palms to warm it up and improve spreadability.

Apply evenly. Work the product through the hair from back to front to ensure even application, then style from front to back to achieve your desired finish.

Give fine hair extra support. For thinner hair that needs more structure, apply two to three sprays of Clay Effects Spray throughout the hair to add texture, then blow-dry the product in. Once the hair is completely dry – that’s important – finish by working Clay Pomade through the hair.

Prepare thicker hair for a smoother finish. If thicker hair needs a little smoothing, apply Grooming Cream to damp hair and blow-dry. Finish by applying Clay Pomade to create your desired style.

Inspired by her son and determined to make haircuts safer, Keishla Rivera is transforming a deeply personal challenge into an inclusive barbering career. We go behind the chair with the award-winning barber, educator and advocate, to learn more about her mission to better serve clients with sensory differences.

For Keishla, AKA KNStarz, her career in barbering began with a search for something she couldn’t find. The 33-year-old mother of three entered the industry because her youngest son, diagnosed with autism, found haircuts extremely difficult and traumatic.

When Keishla struggled to find a barber who understood his needs, she decided to become that person herself. “I enrolled in barber school so I could become that safe space for him,” said Keishla.

That decision launched a career that has developed into a much wider mission. Today, Keishla is licensed in Massachusetts as a barber, cosmetologist and esthetician, and more than 80% of her clientele are children, many of whom have autism or sensory processing differences.

For Keishla, every appointment begins with patience, understanding and the recognition that success looks different for every client.

“Every haircut is about creating trust, not trauma,” she said. “My goal is to change the way families experience haircuts and to show the barbering industry that inclusion isn’t a specialty. It’s something we should all strive for.”

A Milestone Moment

It’s only been around three years since Keishla started her career as a barber, but her impact has already earned major recognition.

“Winning this year wasn’t just about receiving a trophy,” Keishla said. “It represented every early morning, every late night, every sacrifice, every family that trusted me with their child, and every moment I questioned whether I was good enough.”

Education with Purpose

Now a StyleCraft Pro Educator, Keishla teaches techniques and demonstrates tools that help other barbers build confidence. As an ambassador for Anti Broke Barber Club, she also encourages barbers to think beyond technical ability and approach their careers with an entrepreneurial mindset. She sees education as an opportunity to offer the kind of guidance that can completely change the direction of someone’s career.

Her position with Sensory Safe Solutions is more personal, though. Through the role, Keishla educates barbers and beauty professionals about working with children and adults with sensory differences. Her training covers behavior, communication and practical ways to create safer, more respectful service environments.

“Whether I’m cutting hair, teaching a class, or speaking on stage, I’m simply serving people in different ways,” Keishla said.

Behind the chair, her toolkit includes the StyleCraft Instinct Clipper, Purple Reign Trimmer, Gamma+ Xceed Clipper, StyleCraft blow dryers and flat iron, but some of her most valuable tools can’t be plugged in. A weighted cape, sensory toys and visual supports help clients navigate appointments, while patience and flexibility remain essential. “Every client is different, and sometimes the best tool you can have is the ability to adapt to their needs,” she said.

The specialty that once made her feel different has become her greatest strength, opening doors while allowing her to provide a service families urgently need. That mission is also driving the creation of INFINITY BY KNSTARZ, a sensory-friendly haircut space designed to give more families access to an environment where they feel safe, welcomed and understood.

Reflecting on her rapid rise, Keishla’s advice to her younger self would be simple: “Stop comparing your chapter one to someone else’s chapter ten.”

When Bill, Rob and Paul O’Brien opened the doors of the first Floyd’s 99 Barbershop in Denver in 2001, they did it with no background in hair, and no guarantee their gamble would work out.

After building a successful sports concessions company from their base in the Colorado Rockies, the brothers wanted to move away from depending on other people’s stadiums and schedules, but quickly ruled out restaurants and bars. Then Rob called Bill with an idea – what about a barbershop?

“We wanted something that we felt like we owned, that we could control the destiny,” Rob said.

Bill thought it was crazy, but after going to a few franchise conferences and hair brand presentations, he saw there was room for something new.

Building a Brand

The first Floyd’s was in an empty Denver building beside one of the city’s hottest nightclubs. The idea for the shop still existed more in the brothers’ heads than on paper, but they knew this was the right location. With foot traffic and big windows that exposed the energy inside, it gave them visibility.

Needing a hook that pulled clients in, the new shop took inspiration from live music, with Bill coming up with an idea to plaster the walls with a collage of music posters. Soon the shop was full of images of Elvis, the Beatles and other contemporary artists that connected hair trends with music culture.

That promise of “old school new style” was baked into every decision. After opening the doors, the O’Brien boys added touches that felt both nostalgic and fresh, like a hot-lather neck shave that soon became a defining ritual for clients.

Floyd’s occupied the space between high-end salons and budget chains, offering expert cuts, value and an efficient experience that still felt indulgent. Crucially, it was “for everyone”: men, women, kids, long hair, fades, colour and texture. That let stylists fill the shop with kids, grandparents and clients of every age – exactly the generational mix the founders wanted.

“The most important thing is the person in the chair right that minute. Give them your 100 percent. That is how you grow the business,” said Bill.

It worked. Within nine months of opening, the brothers had another three Denver shops in operation. Cut to 2026, and Floyd’s 99 Barbershop has 144 locations across 19 states. The success of the brand is testament to the brothers’ guiding philosophy that a vibrant culture and workplace are just as important as great haircuts.

“We thought if we could create a place where people really like to work, our staff would become our clients, and then they would take care of the clients in the chair,” Bill said.

People First, Always

The O’Brien brothers core value is “people first,” backed by concrete decisions. From the beginning, for example, they offered health insurance and have also created the Floyd’s Family Care Fund, supported by a percentage of every service and product sold. Employees facing hardship can apply for up to $2,500, more than once if necessary.

“We wanted people to have careers here,” Bill said.

Another cause became central after Paul’s daughter was diagnosed with type one diabetes. The diagnosis gave focus to the brothers’ charitable giving. Since then, Floyd’s has raised more than $2 million for diabetes research.

The Next 25

The brothers are clear about the future of their brand: Floyd’s will remain for everyone, rooted in music and focused on the people in and behind the chair.

For Paul, the future means moving from defence to offence. After COVID and the industry shifts that followed, the focus is education, training and opportunity. “We want to create the best place to be, for our people and our clients,” he said. “That is what will carry us into the next 25 years.”

The Floyd’s story returns to three brothers who sold cotton candy in stadiums and decided to build something of their own. One haircut at a time, they turned a Denver corner shop into a national brand that still feels like a local original.

“Floyd’s means everything to me. It’s who I am. It’s what we do. When I’m awake, that’s what I am thinking about,” said Bill.

StyleCraft is launching the GAMMA+ Xceed Advanced Professional Hair Dryer nationwide this October, bringing stylists a next-generation tool built for speed, power, and precision.

The only dryer in its class to combine infrared, active oxygen, and ionic light technology in a single tool, the Xceed promises a smoother, shinier finish that enhances the brightness and vibrancy of natural and color-treated hair.

A high-efficiency digital brushless motor delivers ultra-concentrated, high-pressure airflow for noticeably faster drying with reduced heat stress through back-to-back services, while 12 heat and speed combinations put precise control at a stylist’s fingertips through a sleek LED interface.

The Xceed’s innovative technology sets a new standard. The dryer features a smart memory function that recalls the last setting used, and a key lock guards against unwanted changes mid-service. Meanwhile, the aerodynamic nacelle design, inspired by aircraft engineering, narrows at the rear and widens toward the outlet for a balanced, comfortable grip through a full day behind the chair.

StyleCraft and GAMMA+ will celebrate the launch with The XCEED Experience at Hair Circus, Fort Lauderdale, a hands-on media and industry event featuring live product showcases and an inside look at the technology behind the Xceed.

The GAMMA+ Xceed Advanced Professional Hair Dryer is available now for $299.95

stylecraftus.com/products/xceed-advanced-professional-hair-dryer-with-oxyray-trio-light-technology.

Booksy has officially welcomed fast growing barbering powerhouses Faded Culture, Marty Blends, and 360Jeezy to the brand. The new partnerships bring together some of the most influential voices in barbering, and reinforce Booksy’s mission help barbers build, manage, and grow their businesses.

Faded Culture founders Adrian and Sergio Barron have built a brand that combines barbering, education and lifestyle. Alongside their popular YouTube channel, apparel and professional products, the brothers run Faded Culture Academy, where students learn four foundational skills: technical ability, marketing, finances and personal development.

That emphasis on business skills has made Booksy a natural fit for the Academy, with the platform offering students practical ways to manage appointments, promote their services and establish professional routines from the beginning of their careers.

“We’d seen Booksy at shows for years before any of this started,” Adrian said. “We talked to a lot of their reps over that time, and some of them are friends of ours now.

“What stood out was how they operate. There’s a real sense of community there, and they’re constantly working on the software and looking for ways to better help barbers.”

For the Barron brothers, the partnership connects directly with the habits Faded Culture Academy works to instill in its students.

“A lot of what we work on with students is structure – time blocking, showing up and running your day on purpose,” Adrian said. “Having them run a booking app from day one of their career, before they even have a full book, teaches that. It’s not just a scheduling tool for them. It’s a habit.”

Among the most important features Booksy offers is its suite of marketing tools. Marketing is one of the Academy’s four pillars, and integrating it into a platform students already use makes the subject more immediate and practical.

“Having our students see marketing built into a booking app has been big,” Adrian explained. “It puts it in front of them in a place where they’re already working every day, instead of it being something we only talk about in a classroom.”

There are other benefits, too. Booksy’s booking and payment capabilities, for example, help students pay attention to their finances, while its promotional tools reinforce marketing, and managing a daily schedule encourages personal discipline.

“Running a schedule you set yourself is personal development,” said Adrian. “That’s structure, and structure is a skill you have to build like any other.”

Finally, Adrian spoke about how sees value not only in Booksy’s software, but also in the wider network surrounding it.

“Booksy works with a lot of talented barbers and creators,” he said. “If you’re coming up, you can look at how those people run things, and a lot of them are reachable. That’s not something you usually get from software.”

Ambassador Spotlight

There are so many different paths to take in this industry, from working at chains stores to independent shops, or even running your own business. The question is, which option is best for you?

To find out, we got the inside track from barbers to hear the pros and cons of their own journeys.

The Suite Life

Frank Williams, CLUBHOUSE

For Frank one of the biggest benefits of being a suite owner is being in control of the client experience: “That was always a big thing for me – being able to provide the exact environment that you want for your clients. I don’t want to provide just a service, but an experience that’s going to make them want to come back and see me.”

Since he’s become a suite owner, Frank said he’s had more freedom to build his own personal brand, too, which has opened new opportunities for his to scale into new areas, like education. “Going independent and building your own brand as a barber is huge for scalability in the future, whether that’s getting into education or developing some sort of brand,” he said.

It’s not all a bed of roses. For barbers who want to work independently, Frank encourages them to think of the hard work, financial investment and personal sacrifices it takes to become a success.

“From furnishing and decorating the suite to stocking your backbar and retail, it’s a much higher upfront investment. Also, the entire workload is on you; you have to take care of all those day-to-day things as well as the clients sitting in your chair.”

A Growing Independent

Madisyn Brandt, Commodore ATL

She shared that she was drawn to the shop’s personality, style and atmosphere – it’s what keeps her there to this day: “There’s a strong sense of community between the barbers and the clients, and it never feels overly corporate, impersonal, or shallow.”

One of the biggest benefits for Madisyn of joining the Commodore team is the balance between support and room for personal growth, which provides the stability and recognition of an established brand, but without the feeling of being “another disposable barber”, said Madisyn.

“The communication is better, the team feels close knit, and your work and ideas actually feel noticed and appreciated,” she said.

The Commodore also provides Madisyn with inspiration for her work, and the opportunity to learn and grow alongside other barbers with different specialities and aesthetics than her own.

For barbers wondering if a smaller chain is the right fit for them, Madisyn suggests paying attention to the culture behind it. “A smaller chain can be a great option if you want the structure and consistency of an established business while still keeping that close, personal, and creative feel,” she added.

“At the end of the day, clients pick up on the energy of a shop, and being somewhere authentic makes a difference for both you and the people sitting in your chair.”

From the deep South to the streets of New York, competitors from around the nation will soon put their skills and creativity to the ultimate test in a month-long competitive sprint to crown the next barbering royalty.

Stop 1: Big fades, Bayou Style

The action kicks off in with the Elite Barber Battle on Sunday, November 8. Hosted by Elite Barber Supply at the Saint August Maison in Slidell, Louisiana, this “South LA Edition” will see competitors fight it out to deliver the best tapers, fades and freestyle looks.

With judges like Jeremy Lopez, Broc Buckner, Terron Harang and Perry Willams watching, it could make or break a young barber’s career.

It’s not all about the battle, either. Attendees can expect two hours of live education, raffles, giveaways and a massive marketplace featuring top-tier vendors – not to mention every ticket comes with a chance of winning a StyleCraft Sabre Clipper and Trimmer Combo Set. What’s not to love?

Stop 2: New York Showdown

East Coast barbers won’t have to wait too long for their own chance at a title. On Sunday, November 15 barbers from across the Tristate are will gather for the Underground Barber Battle, co-hosted by industry favorites Jessie Jamez and the crew from the 3 Men 2 Barber Show.

Taking over The Bisou Experience in Farmingdale, Long Island, the event includes a fierce Tag Team category, where barber duos will battle it out in tandem for a massive $1,000 cash prize, and the ultimate bragging rights.

Stop 3: Choppers and Fades in California

Last but never least, barbers will gather on the edge of Californian desert for the Harley Davidson Barber Battle on Saturday, November 21. Held at the Adelanto Plaza & Event Center in Adelanto, California and hosted by BlammerTheRula and Death Valley Harley-Davidson, this full-throttle festival merges barbering with custom motorcycle and car culture.

As well as the sharpest styles, there’ll be plenty of cars, bikes, vendors, food, and music to keep the energy up.

Barbers will compete across high-pressure categories like Fastest Fade and Best Taper, while attendees can explore an outdoor festival complete with live entertainment and custom vehicle showcases – and this one is free entry.

Is it time for that cross country road trip? Grab your clippers and get on the road!

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.