If you’ve been to a trade show in the past year, chances are you’ve seen Julius “Caesar” Arriola on the Wahl or Layrite stages.

The charismatic barber and member of the Wahl Education and Artistic Team (WEAT) specializes in precision fading, clipper over comb, point cutting and heavy textures—all executed in mixing classic barbering methods with progressive new ideologies.

He’s had the opportunity to share his talents globally with the WEAT team in Hawaii, Toronto, London, Prague, Tokyo and more, and he tells MODERN that joining the Wahl team was a long-term goal of his that he’s thrilled has come to fruition.

ABOUT JULIUS

Born and raised: San Francisco Bay area; Los Angeles for the past four years

Favorite item in my wardrobe: My collection of wide-brim fedoras custom by Christopher Jay Heller.

Best part of my job: Being a positive voice for those who choose to listen.

Hardest part of my job: Making time for everyone. I’m a workaholic. When you love what you do, there isn’t really a 9-to-5; it’s a 24/7.

If I weren’t a barber, I would: Probably be working in either art or fashion

Best advice I’ve received: Fear nothing. Instead, acknowledge the law of karma. Do good, and good things will find a way back to you.

Favorite hair and style era: Late ’80s retro hiphop. High-top fades and fat gold chains.

Guilty pleasure: Cheese pizza and candy

How I relax: With spending so much time interacting with so many people, I like to relax sitting on my lounge chair playing Amy Winehouse on a rare day-off watching the sunset from my new downtown LA loft, ALLHAILDTLA.

Something that would surprise people about me: No matter how intimidating my tattoos are or how outspoken I come off, I’ve been told that, once they’ve met me in person, I’m approachable and easy to talk to.

Favorite song right now: "Blood on Me" by Sampha

Favorite Wahl tool: Wahl 5-Star Cordless Magic Clip

Favorite tattoo: “Manifest” above my left eyebrow

Craziest tattoos: My whole head set. Each piece represents power symbols.

Curly or straight? Straight
Denim or leather? Leather
NY or LA? LA
Blonde or brunette? Brunette
Jay or Ye? Two different artists, no comparison. Lol!

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, Click here.

Read more about