So, you’ve got a date and you desperately need a cut but your regular barber is out of reach; how do you avoid making the unfortunate decision of surrendering your hairline to an amateur who’d move it several KMs back?

 

We have some tips on how to spot amateur barbers and avoid making a disastrous first time impression:

 

  • What is he not saying? The best barbers are the ones who let their clippers do the talking, after the initial exchange of pleasantries. It’s similar to Okada riders; I like you, but I am not about to have a full-blown conversation with you as we rack up several miles in seconds with the wind battering my face and drowning both our voices. But in the case of a first time, it’s absolutely important to pay attention to what your barber is not saying.                                                                                                                                      

An experienced barber definitely wants to understand what you might call your ‘cut history’, preferences, and perhaps peculiarities. Because he knows two heads are never the same and the secret to a great cut lies primarily in understanding the sort of look your client is aiming for! So if he just straps you to the chair and starts to oil the clipper with only a casual ask of “low cut abi?” – my brother, run o!

 

  • Dem dey rush am? It’s an unsaid rule, and maybe it’s even cruel, but nobody wants to be the guy who gets the barber everyone else is skipping. Of course, there is the chance that he might actually really be good and most people are just sticking to their developed biases and routine, but are you willing to risk two weeks of ignominy to find out? We are all for giving emerging talents an opportunity when a chance presents itself, but if you’re desperate for a good cut and cannot reach your regular guy, your safest bet in that new shop is the guy with a long queue. He is the best barber there. Numbers don’t lie.

 

  • The one hair rule: According to Albert Einstein, any barber who in the process of giving a clean shave does not care to ensure that not even a strand of hair is left standing, probably lacks attention to detail and is, therefore, an amateur. We are not sure about the strength of observation that went into this rule but guys, it’s Einstein alright, and the guy was super intelligent. Anyway, the point is that attention to details matter and it’s a tell-tale sign of a barber’s commitment to excellence. So when you get in, take your time to observe, unless of course there is no queue and in which case you can revert to the first tip.

Finally,

  • Don’t be shy: Your hair, your pride. If that barber is giving amateur vibes, never be shy to speak up or politely request a change. Better that than going around for two weeks feeling uncool. So basically, soro soke.

 

  • We assume that it’s a given that you know that your barber, new or old, must carry out basic cut preparation such as clipper sterilization and use neat tools and absorbents, right? Any barber who fails in this regard does not mean you well and you should definitely run out of the shop without ever looking back.

So there you have it! This is how you avoid an amateur barber and maintain beauty always.