I am frequently asked how to select the right men’s hairstylist, and I understand that this can be a daunting task. It does not have to be…I promise. I have worked in the beauty industry for over 35 years and have collaborated with numerous barbers and stylists. After years of contact with beauty professionals, I have great tips on selecting the right men’s hairstylist or barber. Many factors can influence the choice in selecting the right men’s hairstylist who is an excellent fit for an individual client. And it is not just about talent….

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Selecting the Right Men’s Hairstylist Meets Goals

How to select the right men’s hairstylist happens with these suggestions by Master Men’s Hairstylist, Krista of m FOR MEN Salon | Spa:

Is the men’s hairstylist on time?

I am not necessarily referring to whether the stylist or barber is five or ten minutes late for a scheduled appointment. Unfortunately, service providers run late. For the most part, we are at the mercy of a client being on time. If a client is late for their scheduled appointment, it causes the men’s hairstylist or barber to be late for the rest of the day. I am referring more to the service provider’s attitude toward punctuality. Does the right men’s hairstylist for you walk in the door after you have arrived? Did they have enough time to set up their workstation before you arrived? If a client personally values being on time, the right men’s hairstylist will also value punctuality. A service provider that values a client’s time will be at the shop, their station set up and ready for the client’s arrival. 

Are they clean and organized?

Again, I am not referring to a service provider having a rough day and appearing a bit disheveled. I am talking about whether the men’s hairstylist is routinely disorderly and unkempt. Barbers and Cosmetologists receive training to be keen on details. A great men’s hairstylist with an eye for detail will ensure they have an organized work area. They will also present themselves with that exact detail. Sadly, a messy workstation with lots of hair under or around the chair may reflect on the quality of their work.

How is their appearance?

Being a clean and organized men’s hairstylist or barber continues beyond their workstations. This value is reflected in their outward appearance. A client should not be shy about scrutinizing the service provider’s appearance. A great stylist takes personal branding seriously. Along with barbers, men’s hairstylists are also trained in men’s grooming and understand it is their job to meet a client’s image expectations. A client should ask himself whether the right men’s hairstylist or barber for you is well-groomed. Does their hair look freshly maintained? Are their clothes clean and wrinkle-free? If the service provider is attentive to detail in their outward appearance, the likelihood is that this attention to detail will carry over into the quality of service they provide.

Do they radiate confidence?

A confident men’s hairstylist in a shop is pretty apparent. I am not talking about the barber in the shop who is loud and boisterous. I am referring to the service provider who exudes confidence without being arrogant. Trust me. You will recognize that stylist in the shop immediately. This men’s stylist is confident in their appearance, skills, workstation, and communication. Confident service providers look clients in the eye with a firm handshake and a genuine smile. If a stylist greets you from across the room or is too busy on their phone to welcome you properly, it could be a sign that they lack the confidence you require.

Are their skills up to date?

Barbers and cosmetologists are not required to undergo continuing education after being certified by the Board of Barbering & Cosmetology. Great service providers do not need to be required to better themselves. Seeking continuing education is an intrinsic value and a desire to have the best skills possible. Please feel free to ask the men’s hairstylist or barber questions about their training and experience. Service providers often share information about themselves, their mentors, or special classes they have taken. The client should be concerned if they have not sought continuing education since barber school. There should be even greater concern if the service provider’s only source of education is YouTube and TikTok. Seeking education after completing the certificate will be reflected in the service provider’s skills and tools.

In-person continuing education classes were suspended in the beauty industry in certain states from 2020 to 2022. During those years, some service providers could only seek education via Zoom or YouTube. Educators have resumed in-person classes, and there is no longer any barrier to skill improvement.

How are the communication skills of the men’s hairstylist?

It is essential to find a men’s hairstylist or barber who can confidently recommend the hairstyle that works best for you, taking into account your head shape, hair type, and texture. Service providers with little experience or additional training will often ask what the client wants or request a picture. Inexperienced service providers are not concerned about whether the haircut is right or best for the client. A good men’s hairstylist will ask what a client has had in the past, but also inquire about how that haircut has worked for them. They will offer haircut options that suit each client. A great men’s hairstylist will also guide clients to a style that makes them look and feel their best. 

One of my most significant pieces of advice to a client in this area is to select a men’s stylist or barber who listens. I mean, actively listens. A great men’s hairstylist will listen to the requested style and then articulate it back to the client, so both parties understand the expectation. The service provider should be comfortable communicating with clients on all levels. The client should leave a consultation excited about the style choice and confident that the stylist fully heard what the client said. I suggest ending the consultation once you are satisfied that the stylist listened to your request. Please do not settle for a service provider who looks at you through a mirror, nods their head in agreement, and only says, “Great, let’s go to the shampoo bowl.”

Does the men’s hairstylist ask any questions?

Asking the client questions should go beyond the consultation. Is the stylist or barber asking you what you do for a living? Did they ask about your likes and dislikes? A great men’s hairstylist will try to get to know you beyond your name. Getting to know a client thoroughly is necessary to offer the right style suggestions. Not only is asking about details about the client’s life essential. The service provider also needs to ask for a client’s feedback during the haircut. During the haircut, a skilled men’s hairstylist will stop before finishing and ask whether the length is correct or if you like the direction they are taking. Asking for feedback during a haircut is a technique that all great stylists will use to avoid a haircut disaster. Great men’s hairstylists and barbers will always ask for feedback before they are finished. 

How to select the right men’s hairstylist can take some time.

The best way to start the process of selecting the right men’s hairstylist is to book a consultation appointment. Basically, I suggest you interview them before letting them touch your hair. I know we are all busy, and consultation appointments take extra time we do not have these days. But these appointments can be the difference between enduring a bad haircut for two weeks or a great haircut that gets compliments. Consultation appointments also avoid the awkward moment of walking out of a men’s hair salon after sitting down for the haircut because you realize the service provider will not be good. Just 10 to 15 minutes with a stylist or barber is all that is needed to determine if you have selected the right men’s hairstylist and if they are a keeper.

Do you have other tips on how to select the right men’s hairstylist? Please share them with us in the comments.