Not scared of the barber

I used to dread the barber or, specifically, the hairdresser. I'd go in there with an image in my head, but I'm an over-thinker. What if the hairdresser doesn't think this will look good? Would they tell me? Do I care about their opinion? Am I explaining myself right? Is that the right word? I'd end up second (or third, fourth, fifth) guessing that image, and end up mumbling some vague description of the look I was shooting for, and end up looking–and feeling–terrible when I left.

The hairdresser never quite styles your hair right. I'd walk out the door and run my hands through my hair to create that dishevelled "I just rolled out of the hairdresser" look, so I felt sufficiently nonchalant to be seen by anyone.

This is no way to live your life. Dreading the dentist is one thing–the best news you get from a dentist is that this visit won't be painful and costly–but getting your hair cut is a chance to give your self esteem a kick up the ass and put a spring in your step. It shouldn't be an experience you fear.

A while ago, I watched a Thrash Lab video on the subculture of barbering in the US. These guys are rocking massive beards and head tattoos, guaged lobes and they're listening to rap whilst they cut hair. These are my kind of guys. This got me excited; I wanted this in the UK!

Luckily, we do have this in the UK, and it is one of my absolute favourite things. A barber should feel like a friend. It's like you're over at their house, sat at their dining table and one of them says "fancy a fix-up?". I don't go to get my hair cut–I go to see Matt and Paul at AONO because they're great guys, and it's always fun to hang out there.

The way you look is second to the way you feel, always. If you feel like your barber doesn't get you, and you're convinced they're going to fuck you up for the next month, getting your hair cut is going to be a tense experience. If your barber's got a Jäger fridge and a neck tattoo and Pennywise just started playing on the speakers, this guy might be alright. You're unlikely to have to wade through the insufferable, awkward small-talk here. This guy's going to make you feel like you look awesome, and that's the key to a successful cut.

So don't fear your barber, and don't settle for some £7 functional hair cut. Your barber isn't difficult to find because a barbershop simply looks like somewhere you'd want to hang out for an hour. For you, it might not be tattoos and Biggie, but it still exists and it's worth finding.

Never let someone cut your hair if you don't admire the way they look.