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The Difference Between Men’s Hairdressing and Barbering and How To Choose What’s Best For You

Alex South

Men’s hairdressing is a fantastic industry to be a part of.

 

Men are now becoming much more interested in their hair and the way that they look and are looking for different styles and cuts to experiment with.

Men are also becoming more aware of hair colour and how natural techniques can enhance their look, as well as becoming braver with hair colour, experimenting with pastels and bold hair colours that are very much on trend today and being seen on celebrities and catwalks.

If you would wish to take a career path focussing on men’s hair, it’s important to research what’s best for you – barbering or men’s hairdressing. There are educational courses for both. 

When it comes to barbering, the focus is primarily on using tools including clippers and razors to create everyday styles for men, as well as learning about grooming and how to cut and look after men’s beards and other facial hair such as moustaches and nose hair to finish off the look. 

When it comes to men’s hairdressing, all of this is also taught, however, there is also a large focus on using scissors as a hairdresser would to further enhance your male client’s style, to get further into the shape of their head and to create more precise cuts.

Many barbers will not offer a lot of colour, but this is something you will also primarily focus on as a men’s hairdresser, not only in how to apply the colour, the different techniques and skills required via application, but also being able to recommend hair colour for the individual client that will suit their hair, face shape, personality and lifestyle.

You will also gain knowledge on hair care to better inform clients what they should be using on their hair to keep it looking its best out with the salon and also if there are any treatments they should be doing in the salon that will keep their hair looking in the most pristine condition and that will enhance their new colour and/or cut.

So how do you figure out whether barbering or men’s hairdressing is better for you? Here are a few things to consider.

Ask yourself what you would like to provide to your male clients

Barbers and men’s hairdressers provide their clients with different types of hairstyles.

If you would prefer to provide your male clients with more traditional short hair looks and shaved styles, barbering may be the best option for you.

However, if you would like to do more on trend haircuts that require scissor work, such as scissor over comb, as well as learn about hair care for men and colour, men’s hairdressing may be a better option for you.

Think about the type of environment you would like to work in

A barbering shop will tend to be a very masculine environment, whereas as a men’s hairdresser, you may end up working

 in a hair salon that’s for both men and woman or that has a large woman’s hairdressing area and separate men’s area for example.

Working in a hair salon can be great, as you will also learn from your colleagues about women’s hairdressing and will be able to translate some women’s hairdressing colour techniques and hair care information into your men’s hairdressing work too.

Think about your future and what your next steps may be

Working in the men’s hairdressing industry has provided me with so many career opportunities.

A lot of these opportunities are also available for barbers, however, my precision cutting has become something I am known for in the industry and has enabled me to win many awards over the years by showcasing my precision cutting skills in my collection imagery work – including Men’s Hairdresser of the year at the British Hairdressing Awards.

It’s also important to think about your future in terms of if you would like to open your own salon/barbershop one day or perhaps if you think you may want to get into also doing more woman’s hairdressing.

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