Finding that barber can be a daunting task. I to have had some "bad professionals" hack away on me. How angry would you be if you spent all that time getting your beard to the length you want? Then in a microsecond, it is all gone!?! This begs to question, are all barbers created equal? The simple answer is No! With the rising popularity of beards comes an increasing number of shops offering beard trims. Finding the perfect beard barber in your hometown can be more complex than you think. I hear stories about bad trims! And I can relate! As it took me several attempts with local and out-of-town barbers before I found someone I trust with my beard.
After talking with a few of my bearded brothers, it seems, finding a quality beard barber is a very common problem. So I sat down with my barber and started asking questions, and put this together for you to follow before letting a barber cut or trim your beard. I hope that this will save you from costly mistakes that could set you back months of growth.
Steps to Finding that Quality Beard Barber
1. Do Your Research
With technology today, it is easy to find a barber with just a few clicks on your phone. But don’t just trust every review you see online! I recommend visiting the barber first hand, even if it’s just to check it out without sitting down for a trim. Talk to them! You’ll be able to tell who knows beards pretty quickly. Barbers have started offering beard services. You’ll want to speak with them to gauge their knowledge and feel them out before sitting in the chair. If they're good, they should have some before/after shots showcasing their work.
If it does not, then move on to your next bearded friend, and then, maybe later on when you find your perfect barber, you politely suggest to them that they use your barber. If it does, then ask them where they're located so you can check them out.
2. Ask Your Friends
If you are bearded, like me, then you probably have friends who are also bearded. Beards attract like-minded bearded men. Some get theirs trimmed all the time. Use their beard to gauge if their barber does a good job. Ask yourself these questions:
- Does it look good?
- Does it fit their face?
- Is it faded right?
If it does not, then move on to your next bearded friend, and then, maybe later on when you find your perfect beard barber, you politely suggest to them that they use your barber. If it does, then ask them where they are located so you can check them out.
3. Be Very Specific
Say what you mean. Don’t ever just say: “I need a little trim” or “line me up". If you know what you want, be very specific about exactly how much you want to take off and where your lines should be. “Take 1/4” off here” and "1/2'' off here" and show them the exact area you would like that length trimmed as well as where the line should connect and any other specific direction you can give them. Remember, the more specific direction you give him or her, the less chance of miscommunication and mistakes.
4. Photos Photos Photos
No matter how good a barber is, they cannot read your mind. Explain what you want in detail, show them some photos, discuss all of the aspects with them before they start working on your beard. You’ve heard it before. “A picture is worth a thousand words”. I highly recommend you find several examples and save them to your phone. When you sit down in the chair, point out exactly what you like about the example you are showing. They should give you a plan of action. Having multiple angles is recommended to give a good understanding of where you want your bearded journey to end.
5. Speak Up Son
Don’t be afraid to be repetitive. Double stating what you want certainly won’t hurt to drive the point across. If you notice the barber not following your instructions, don’t be afraid to speak up and stop him mid-trim. He/she has a process to get to your goal. They should explain that before they start. The last thing you want to do is not say something during the trim and pretend all is well. They are a professional and will understand.
CONCLUSION
Once you have found a good beard barber you like, don’t forget to repeat these steps until you have seen them several times and he or she begins to understand what you like. Even then, I suggest you always remind him just to be safe. They see hundreds of people in their chairs, and you don’t want to assume that they will always get it right.
We are humans, we all make mistakes, however, I hope this article helps you find a good beard barber and avoid a mistake being made on your hard-earned beard!
If you found this article helpful, share it so another brother can find a beard barber near them! You could help save a fellow bearded brother the pain of making a critical mistake on his next barber visit!