· Articles · 3 min read
Top 6 Tips for Barbers & Hair-Stylists
The Vendorfront team scoured the internet for the best tips for up-and-coming hair-stylists and barbers and here’s what we found
- Keep your tools and station as clean as possible
When clients are sitting on your chair, they are noticing everything from the way you interact with your coworkers to how you handle your tools, for example, are you cleaning your comb whenever you start working on a new client? Are you keeping your appearance neat? Always cut your nails and clean up any scruff, get regular haircuts as clients will have the natural tendency to infer from your haircut.
- Measure Twice - Cut Once
You might’ve heard of the term “Measure twice, cut once” A similar rule applies to hair: always cut less than you think, and as simple as it may be - you would find that almost every client has a story to tell about how they went to a salon and the stylist took off more hair than they requested.
- Set Expectations and be Punctual
Whether you’re starting out as a new barber or stylist or you’ve been practicing this skill for years, this is a customer-centric profession, meaning that how well you treat your clients will lead to inherent bias in their impression of their trust in your ability to handle one of their prized possessions—hair. So whether that’s being on time, or by being confident and letting them know you’ll take your time
- Shadowing and Education
Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it, there’s a lot to be learned from watching your colleagues, the internet is also a treasure trove of resources and helpful tips via YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels and a plain old google search, join relevant subreddits such as www.reddit.com/r/Barbers and www.reddit.com/r/Hairstylist. We’ve gone ahead and linked helpful youtube videos we found.
- Take Progress Pictures
Aside from continuing to improve by looking at old techniques and blending it in with new techniques, how will you know what works and what doesn’t? Taking progress pictures is paramount for self-improvement. Plus, wouldn’t it be so much fun to look back at your day-one pictures to your day 1000?
- Manage & Grow Your Portfolio
Always ask permission from clients, but when able - upload pictures of your best haircuts to your Instagram Portfolio, grow your network even if that’s a big fat 0, everyone starts somewhere and it’s a good way to show clients your potential and niche, furthermore link your Instagram portfolio to Vendorfront so there’s a funnel for you and your clients to book easily.
Resources
YouTube:
- Fades:
Best Fade Tutorial | Learn How to Fade with ANY Clipper!
Skin Fade Haircut Tutorial by @rumbarber using the Gamma+ Ergo Clipper - Body Posture:
Why Body Position is So Important During a Haircut | Round Layered Haircut Tutorial - Ombré Balayage:
Ombré How-To: Balayage-Driven Ombré Technique Featuring Brian Haire - Mid-Length Hair:
How to Cut a Mid-Length Haircut & Get Rid of Damaged Hair - General Tips:
Putting it All Together - Free Haircut Tutorial | Better Haircutter in 7 Days Masterclass (Day 7) - Tool Review:
The Pissed Off Barber Scissor Review
Books:
- The Habits of a Six-Figure Barber: Unlock Your Potential Behind the Chair by Donnie Joseph
Amazon link