STMNT Grooming Expands into Shave Care
STMNT Grooming Goods is expanding into the shave care category with three new additions to its lineup.
Do You Cut Like a Barber?
I like out of the way barbershops for a haircut because barbers consistently deliver a great cut. Recently, I discovered 81 Barbers, a barbershop tucked away behind The Children’s Museum open just six months in downtown Tucson—and it is already buzzing busily. Here's why.
January 8, 2018
LJ, Carolos and Niko
3 min to read
I like out of the way barbershops for a haircut because barbers consistently deliver a great cut. Recently, I discovered 81 Barbers, a barbershop tucked away behind The Children’s Museum open just six months in downtown Tucson—and it is already buzzing busily.
Barbers strictly follow a rotation system; my barber was the young, “LJ.” I always disclose I am a hairdresser, which usually brings a smile to a barber’s face. “Yeah, we get a lot of them.”
“Why can’t most hairdressers turn out the looks you barbers do?” I asked. “You don’t have the tools. You probably have one clipper with lots of blades, I use at least four clippers, plus use a razor to do a razor fade.”
“What’s that?”
“You make a line with the clipper and razor blend everything down from there.” He meant cutting the hair against the skin.
“True. I have never done anything like that.”
LJ’s brother, Niko, works the next station. Both are licensed, cosmetologists. I asked LJ, who attended a local state-run vocational program, why he turned to barbering.
“The pace is quicker and you can build a clientele faster,” he said, “I like the camaraderie much better than a salon, and everyone really gets along here.” The salon has five male and one female barber on staff.
“How did you learn to barber, Niko, I mean, if a cosmetologist wants to do this, what’s the trick?” I asked.
“You really need the passion for it. Initially, I sought out and hung with old, traditional barbers, and picked up as much as I could.”
“How is this out of the way shop so busy? Do you hand out lots of cards, what do you do?”
Niko doesn’t hand out cards unless he has at least a five-minute conversation/connection with a potential client. “To just hand out a card to a stranger is a waste of time. They go right in the garbage can. Instead, I ask clients to add my cell to theirs before they leave to text me anytime they need a cut. This really works well,” he said.
The clients, ages, and cuts walking out were so varied and each suited the client perfectly, so I asked the brothers, “How do you know which cut to suggest to the client?”
“You observe the client when he or she (two women were getting haircuts) walks in, the clothes, the shoes, and their demeanor. You can’t cut the banker like the DJ.”
“So, what’s happening in barbering?” I asked
“It’s exploding,” Niko said,” a few years back, if a guy wore a cool cut he was tagged gay, just a little later he was metrosexual, but today, dude, anything goes for all men. We do lots of crazy colors.”
“And, we offer enhancements, too,” said, LJ.
“Enhancements, what kind?” I asked.
“We have a hair fiber spray that fills in fine or scarce hair. We work it right in, and we retail it. We also have a tint a guy can use on his skin to make his beard, mustache or hairline appear thicker.”
I think the barber industry needs to rally for fair prices. My awesome haircut with foam, razor hairline, etc. was $25. I paid what I charge for my men’s cuts, its only fair.
More from Carlos Valenzuela here.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Style
Moroccanoil Introduces Sculpting Pomade and a Newly Unified Styling Trio
The launch of Moroccanoil's Sculpting Pomade highlights a renewed focus on styling within the brand’s iconic haircare lineup, advancing the category with elevated formulas, refreshed packaging, and a clearly defined trio of styling essentials.
Curl Cult Launches Community Investment Round, Inviting Stylists and Clients to Become Owners
Curl Cult founder Janine Jarman, a hairstylist, salon owner, educator, and product creator, is opening a community investment round that gives hairdressers and clients the opportunity to own a stake in the company they helped grow.
by Staff
Structured Texture: Runway Shapes, Real-World Textures
With Structured Texture: Runway Shapes, Real-World Textures, Monae Everett wanted to bridge the gap between high-fashion hair and the real textures stylists work with every day.
by Staff
Sparkle Hair Extensions Salons’ Provide Creative Add-On Service
Bee Sam’s VanStrands blend shimmer, color, and customization into a trend-forward enhancement designed for modern salon clients.
by Staff
NEW from amika: Perk Up Guava Granita Dry Shampoo
Perk Up Guava Granita Dry Shampoo is a juicy new launch from amika that puts a tropical twist on their bestselling dry shampoo with notes of guava, banana and vanilla inspired by sunshine, smoothies, and vacation energy in a bottle.
Rise and SHINE with Aluram
Shine Time: Aluram’s High Shine Line Delivers Moisture and Shine with Clean Ingredients
Sponsored by Aluram
Tracey Hughes & Rita Perner on Exo-Grow, Hair Loss Education, and Building Community
After a nationwide roadshow, DermapenWorld leaders share their biggest insights on the growing demand for hair loss solutions, and why education, empathy, and community are driving the conversation.
by Anne Moratto
Smooth, Sculpt, Shine: Introducing the Oribe Supershine Smoothing Wax Stick
Oribe introduces an essential new addition to its iconic styling collection: Supershine Smoothing Wax Stick, designed for seamless styling.
Head Spa & Scalp Detox Mastery: A Seasoned Stylist’s Perspective
The Paul Labrecque Salon salon is finding success --for stylists and clients, alike--offering scalp care and specialized treatments. MODERN spoke to Moine about how this focus meets an important need and drives client loyalty.
The Pixie Cut: A Short Style with a Long Black History
Before the pixie cut became a Hollywood symbol of modern femininity, it was already living, breathing, and evolving in Black culture. Texture expert and Moroccanoil Global Color Ambassador Greg Gilmore gives us an overview of the iconic Black women who popularized the pixie over the past century.
The 2026 Vamp Romantic Trend
Romantic goth hairstyles are trending for 2026, and these Sebastian Professional artists have long anticipated the look.
by Anne Moratto
Meet Wella's New SmoothFiller Service
Less frizz. No restrictions. Up to 3 months of smooth. Wella Professionals' SmoothFiller is the smoothing service your clients (and your revenue) have been waiting for.
Sponsored by Wella
Sabrina Carpenter Dons a Retro Flip-Bob for Her 2026 Grammys Performance
For her performance at the 2026 Grammys, Sabrina Carpenter wore a voluminous, retro flip bob created by celebrity hairstylist Evanie Frausto using Redken.
Oribe Launches Newly Reimagined Eternal Curls Collection
Oribe's Eternal Curls Collection provides deep nourishment and enhanced definition for every wave, curl and coil.
Golden Globes Glam: Goldwell Styling and Schwarzkopf Color Create Jessie Buckley’s “Honey Silk Blonde” Moment
Celebrity stylist Bryce Scarlett channels Grace Kelly polish with Goldwell while colorist Jacob Schwartz takes Jessie from dark to luminous “Honey Silk Blonde” using Schwarzkopf Professional.
by Anne Moratto
The Fairy Cut: Inspiration from Abroad Creates a Magical Result
“We are some of the luckiest creatives on the planet. As hairdressers, we get to shape more than hair—we shape identity. We create for our clients, inspire fellow artists, and are continuously inspired by each other. That exchange of artistry is at the heart of this story and at the heart of this haircut."
by Anne Moratto