Photograph by Kevin A. Roberts
For guys, getting a haircut is a hell of a lot cooler than it was 10 years ago. Consider Notch in The Grove, where tattooed stylists with nicknames like“Darth Fader” clip away to rock music.
On the rise of specialty barbershops:
“Men put more time and care into their appearance now, and they want to visit a place where they’re comfortable, not a salon that caters mostly to women.”
How clients have changed:
“Guys have a better idea of what they want now. They’re bringing in reference pictures of cool haircuts they want to replicate themselves.”
Most popular haircut:
“Strong, classic cuts with tight fades and defined parts—something dapper but with a bit of an edge.”
Common grooming mistake:
“Guys using products they’ve read about or that a friend recommends, but they aren’t always compatible with their hair type.”
Frequent recommendation:
“Uppercut [Deluxe] pomades. They’re best for providing a strong hold with high or no shine, and they work for all types of hair.”
Memorable client:
“A guy came in recently with a black ponytail that went all the way to his midback. We cut it all off—at least a foot—and then faded it into a hard side part. He started getting compliments again, and it’s made him a much more confident person.”
Shear Talent
More and more, guys are visiting specialty shops for a trim. Besides Notch, there’s Dapper Gents Grooming Lounge downtown, where guys can also get straight-razor shaves and shoe shines and even shop menswear brands like Shinola and Hook & Albert. The style that clients request most is called the uppercut. “It’s super short on the sides and longer on top, with little to no blending between,” says barber Hillary Romeo, who adds that full beards are as popular as ever: “I love when guys come in with an epic bushy beard that I can sculpt—I get to make it look clean without taking a lot off.”
