How to Choose the Right Barber for You

By Stacey Simmons | Clyde’s Barbershop

So, you’ve finally looked in the mirror and realized your hair is starting to resemble a rejected poodle. Congrats! You've reached the critical stage of finding the right barber. Not just any barber - the right one. Because trusting your hair to just anyone with a pair of clippers is like handing your car keys to a toddler. Let’s break down how to avoid looking like a before photo in a makeover show, with insights from Matty Conrad, Brett and Kate McKay, and Dennis Green.

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1. Check the Vibes

The shop vibe says a lot. Does it feel welcoming or more like you’re about to be interrogated? Matty Conrad (2023) points out that the atmosphere reflects the barber’s passion. A good barbershop has the perfect mix of sharp cuts and sharp wit. If the barber doesn’t laugh at your terrible dad jokes, you might want to keep looking. At Clyde’s Barbershop, we offer free sarcasm with every haircut. You’re welcome.

2. Peep the Portfolio

Does your potential barber have photos of their work, or are they suspiciously avoiding the topic? Brett and Kate McKay (2009) recommend checking for a solid portfolio. If the only proof they have is a blurry photo of their dog, run. If they hesitate when showing their best fades, trims, and beard work, that’s your sign to ghost them faster than your last bad date.

3. Talk Skills, Not Just Small Talk

Sure, it’s nice if your barber can chat about the weather, but do they know hair? Matty Conrad (2023) emphasizes that the right barber should be part therapist, part artist, and part magician. Can they break down the difference between a skin fade and a taper without Googling it? Here at Clyde’s, we do it all -  including giving life advice you didn’t ask for.

4. Observe the Tools

If your barber’s clippers sound like a dying chainsaw auditioning for a horror movie, consider calling off the mission. Green (2016) stresses that good tools mean good cuts. Your barber’s tools should be sharper and cleaner than the fresh fade you’re about to get. And when you ask about their sanitization routine, if they act like you just insulted their favorite sports team, run faster than a caffeinated squirrel. We may joke about ourselves, but when it comes to hygiene, we’re dead serious.

5. Test the Communication

Ever left a barbershop wondering if your barber thought you said, "Make me look like an extra in a 90s boy band"? Communication is key. McKay and McKay (2009) highlight that a great barber listens, clarifies, and gives suggestions. You want someone who tells you honestly when that style you picked off Pinterest isn’t going to work. (We’re looking at you, mullet revivalists.)

6. Read the Reviews

Word of mouth matters. Green (2016) notes that positive reviews like “left looking like a million bucks” or “best fade in town” mean you’re on the right track. But if you see “my bangs still haven’t recovered” - big yikes. At Clyde’s, we let our loyal customers do the talking because no one’s sharper than our cuts.

Final Snip: Trust Your Gut (and Your Head)

At the end of the day, your haircut should make you feel like the main character. Matty Conrad (2023) says if you don’t vibe with the barber or the shop, keep looking. There’s a perfect barber-chair match for everyone - even you. (Yes, even you with the commitment issues.)

If you’re still unsure, swing by Clyde’s Barbershop in Onarga, IL. We’ll give you a cut, some laughs, and possibly life advice you didn’t know you needed. Plus, if you’re lucky, the Lemon Shakeup Stand might be out front. Because nothing says fresh cut like a fresh shakeup.

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Works Cited

Conrad, Matty. “HOW TO FIND A GOOD BARBER with GQ’s Matty Conrad.” YouTube, YouTube, 29 Jan. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq7cTHKigUU.

McKay, Brett & Kate. “How to Pick a Barber.” The Art of Manliness, 18 Aug. 2009, www.artofmanliness.com/style/hair/how-to-pick-a-barber/.

Green, Dennis. “There’s an Easy Way to Tell If You’ve Picked the Right Barbershop.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 23 Aug. 2016, www.businessinsider.com/how-to-tell-a-good-barber-shop-2016-8.

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Book your appointment at Clyde’s Barbershop at http://ClydesBarbershop1.Booksy.com or text 779-229-6400. Or, you know, just show up and hope we have time — we like living on the edge too.