Barber Ashley Holtz is a BaBylissPRO platform artist and has a growing audience of 14,000 followers on Instagram (@ashtheladybarber), accomplishments that are made more impressive by the fact that she is a woman working in barbering, a category mostly occupied by men.
“Being a woman in a male-dominated industry makes me feel empowered,” Holtz says. “I love that I am able to share my experiences as a female barber with the world and hopefully empower other women barbers. Being a part of the BaByliss4barbers team means the opportunity to share how far I've come in this industry.”
Holtz is a platform educator and travels the country teaching classic and innovative techniques with the rest of the BaByliss4Barbers team, made up of urban barbers, traditional barbers, barber/stylist hybrids and artist/designer barbers.
“I recommend constantly attending barber seminars and hair shows,” Holtz says. “There is no better way to learn how to expand your craft than watching fellow barbers around the world do live demonstrations. This industry will keep you young because it will always keep you updated with the latest trends.”
One emerging trend is applying barbering techniques to women’s styles. Hidden undercuts with graphics are an interesting way for women to show off clipper artistry. It’s ideal for clients who want something edgy, while also having the option to wear their hair down and return to a more traditional look.
For Holtz, exploring creative possibilities starts with becoming a master of barbering tools. When she teaches on stage at trade shows and other events, she focuses on dissecting hair cuts and demonstrating how the tools create the trends.
“To me, barberology means the study of the technical side of barbering,” Holtz says. “Yes, the barber industry is all about the new styles, trends and techniques, but not a lot of barbers talk about their tools and how they are used. Knowing exactly how to use your tools is everything with a hair cut.”
Visit babylissus.com/babyliss4barbers for more education.
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