Author: Oozle Media

Essential Tools in the Barber World

Posted on by Oozle Media

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For every one out there who is a Barber, or who has considered becoming a Barber, we all know there are infamous tools that are associated with the shop and provide a feeling of nostalgia. When going in to business, there are a lot of initial investments that need to be made, but prioritizing can help you choose the right things to please your customers (and yourself).

  1. Electric Clippers

It’s true that back in the day most barbers only had scissors to work with, but today, you need to make a living and you don’t have time for low-quality jobs – and neither do your clients. They don’t come to you for cuts their mother could provide, right? They come to you for your technique, and your tools speak volumes. While some barbers may have different sets of clippers and back-up clippers, having one great clipper can increase your productivity and the way you design hair.

  1. Shears/Scissors

Have you ever tried to cut something will dull scissors and it did nothing but leave jagged edges or ruined what you were working on? This is exactly why investing in a good set, from the start, can make or break your styling. Sure, it’s an investment, but as a barber, you know you are going to need them one way or another, so why not buy great ones from the start? Not only will they make your job easier, but your cuts will be more quality & your customers will see the fine artistry you’ve provided them. Many barbers will eventually invest in different shears for different techniques. The quality of your scissors create the quality of your cut and your cut is your calling card – your referrals are built on them. Make them amazing.

  1. Straight Razors

You walk into a barbershop for a shave – One that you can’t do at home. You lay back and relax only to realize your barber is shaving you with a BIC! Not what you were expecting, right? No one is. It’s implied that people are walking in for the closest shaves possible. They want to relax and enjoy their time away while getting “pampered.” Invest in straight razors. There’s no other option. Getting a shave is all about the experience and your clients are paying you to give them the best one (and a really great shave).

  1. Other

Chairs – the most symbolic tool of the barbershop. They help create the perfect shave and allow for comfort.

Mirrors – Invest in large ones for your client to view the entire process. Allow them to watch you work your magic. After all, you are an artist.

Combs, brushes and neck dusters – Sure, you can be a great barber without them, but you’re a professional – you need them!

All in all, being a barber is more than cutting hair. It’s an experience, and when people pay for their cuts and shaves, they expect the experience to be great. Show off your tools, your technique and your phenomenal ability to work miracles. Show them you believe in your ability enough to invest in yourself and your business.  Referrals will come from the service you provide.

Man Bun Mantra

Posted on by Oozle Media

man bun

There’s no doubt about it.

The man bun is hot.

It’s a trend that’s rocking waves across the board and not just because it brings out the playfulness in each of us. A guy with a man bun screams that he’s in control; He doesn’t care what anyone thinks and if his life is in order.

Man buns command power and attention. When a man bun is present, we all know that guy isn’t thinking about working 60+ hours this week or how he is going to fit in leg day at the gym. He’s thinking about his trips across the world this year, whether he should go to the beach or walk the Grand Canyon during his free time today. The man bun yells at us every time we pass one. It says “STOP WORKING SO HARD.” It begs us to put our phones down, to loosen up and enjoy our lives.

The man bun wants us to live in the moment, stop being on a schedule and eat nachos, hot dogs & whatever else we want for dinner (or snack).

The man bun is a metaphor for living and dying and having fun. It’s sexy yet serious; calm but aggressive; messy yet put together.

The man bun represents a part of each of us that wants to live on the edge and not have to worry about whether we can cover up our tattoos with that newly pressed work-shirt we just bought.

Man buns are low-key, eccentric and thoughtful. They drink black coffee and like life simple. They don’t care about the stubble overgrowing on their jowls. They don’t schedule their days and lose their minds when they are late to something. They are chill and present during each second. Man buns don’t rely on strangers’ advice to make them feel better – they take the road less traveled, the bumpy one with all the rocks that stab their feet because they are walking it barefoot. They don’t rock the newest shoes and they don’t care if their watch actually tells the right time. They just want to be.

Don’t we all?

Love those man buns. Be those man buns. Those man buns should be our mantra.

A Kid in the Barbershop

Posted on by Oozle Media

kid 2 It’s not just men who reap the benefits from going to a barbershop for their weekly trim, shave and banter; but kids, like being in a candy shop, have the opportunity to form memories from the exciting world inside those doors.

Taking your kids to get their bi-weekly cut can be fascinating for them. As a kid, being able to go somewhere consistently and getting to know the people around them can be beneficial on so many levels. It can form comradery, friendships later in life, and a sense of home. Despite the new norm of equality that has been created, a barber shop still signifies a distinct sense of manliness. Plain and simple, it’s a cool hang out for men to be men. And although women have entered the mix (more power to them because it’s awesome) it still fosters a sense of being a man.

Back in the 1800’s through the 1940’s, barbershops were in their prime. Men socialized and barbershops took over in popularity. Barbershop visits were part of a weekly, sometimes daily, routine and not only for cuts but for fraternizing. At this time, barbershops were classy and sophisticated with marble countertops and elaborately carved wood surrounding fine leather furniture. The best of the best had crystal light fixtures hanging from beautifully designed ceilings. Despite all of the luxurious surroundings, barbershops still created a sense of home and warmth while inviting people in for a memorable experience of pomades, tobacco, cherry and apple flavored pipe smells. The moment a man walked in, he was immediately surrounded by familiarity without a care in the world.

In a world of dramatics, over-reacting and what our kids should and shouldn’t do, surrounded by he-said, she-said, “this is right and you are wrong,” shouldn’t our kids be able to have a place they can go to be surrounded in comfort? Barbers are interesting. They have stories to tell, life-lessons to share, pasts that are colorful and battle wounds. They allow us to open up, comment on current events, say what’s on our mind, talk sports, family, cars and politics without fear of offending. Everyone is involved – kids included.

Start them young. Get them in on the action. Bond. The mix is incredible. And the work that trained barbers are doing now-a-days is next to none. Men need traditions to help bond them with their children and what a great place to culminate that.kid1

To Shave Or Not Shave Your Head

Posted on by Oozle Media

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The idea of shaving your head can seem appealing for many initial reasons, but once you get the low-down on the facts, you may want to stop in and have a professional trim your hair.

1. Saving money

Although it may seem like shaving your head with a $2 BIC razor seems like the cheapest way to go, it adds up. BIC razors do not cost $2. They cost anywhere from $4 – $6, which is too expensive to begin with to have to do all of the work yourself. You can pay anywhere from $7-$9 for a more hip fresh look.

Think about the money you have to spend on good sunscreen to slather the top of your dome every time you walk out into the blistering Ohio sun (depending on Mother Nature’s mood). Almost makes you want to buy a hat so you don’t have to worry about it, which costs money, of course, because picking the right hat is imperative. You clearly can’t go out wearing any other teams than the Browns, Indians & Cavs, and we all know how pricey those can be. It gets even more expensive when winter rolls around & you have to find a good knit beanie from Urban Outfitters to match your gloves and scarf.

If you are planning to do this on your own, you need to invest in a great razor which can get really pricey. You need a shave brush, a good shaving cream & aftershave.  And DO NOT forget to moisturize after. Time is money.

2. You have hair!

You should enjoy it, love it, treat it, brush it, trim it, clip it & savor it until you no longer have any. It’s a privilege to have a head full of hair and an asset in our culture. Don’t shave it all off! People would love to have your full mop of luxurious curls, waves & tendrils. What you should do is allow a barber to style it in a way that makes you look even cooler than you already are. You should treat yourself to having your cut done every few weeks and enjoy the time you get to spend relaxing and chatting. If you have kids, the trip to the barber should be a luxury. After all, if you still have hair to get cut after that, you should savor those 30 minutes of alone time while making yourself look awesome again.

3. Time.

When will you have it? Do you realize the investment you must make to ensure your shaved, non-sunburned, moisturized head is up to par, daily? To do this right, you need to clip first, shower to dampen the head with heat or use a hot towel regimen and use a fresh razor. Shave. But you have to shave twice! First, go with the grain. Then reapply soap and go against the grain (this is different than shaving your face). Once you’re done, don’t forget the back of your neck & to transition to your beard. Rinse. Pat dry. Apply aftershave. Moisturize.

If this seems like a lot of work, that’s because for someone who isn’t a professional, it is. We want to do this for you! Spend the 30 minutes for yourself, the $10 & allow the best barbers in Cleveland to make you stylish, relaxed and fresh. https://labarberiainstitute.com/

We’re offering FREE hot straight razor shaves to all men through the end of May with mention of this blog post. Call 440-565-7525 today to reserve your spot!

5 Tips For a Really Great Shave

Posted on by Oozle Media

IMG_0265Getting Straight Razor Shave

Shaving is simple.

Buy cheap $2 foam, lather up your face, hurriedly take that dull BIC razor out and scratch the stubble off slowly so that you don’t accidentally cut yourself, then stick tissue to your face in multiple spots to stop the bleeding in the car while driving to work looking like you’ve got pimple cream dotted everywhere.

Shaving is not that simple.
There’s a technique – an art if you will – to get the best shave possible. It takes time that you don’t think you have, but must invest in so you don’t abuse your face.

Here are some tips for a really great shave:

1. First you must wash your face. Wash it good too. Softening the protein in the hair is important.

2. Lather up. There’s no right or wrong here. You can use gel or cream, whichever you prefer but make sure to let it sit for roughly 3 minutes before you put the razor to it. Once again, you’re looking to soften the hair for a better shave.

PS – You’re going to want to use a brush to lather the cream. Don’t use your fingers. A brush will push the cream into the hair really coating each individual one.

3. No need to get picky and fancy with your razor choice. Single blade works just fine. If you prefer a double blade, feel free to use it, but it’s not a necessity to get a great shave. You’re going to change your razor every 2-3 weeks, so depending on far you want to dig in your pockets depends on which razor you prefer.

4. Keep your skin hot & wet. Shaving in the shower or immediately after is the best option. A suggestion worth the investment would be a shaving lather warmer. This will continuously keep your face hot without having to constantly put warm towels to it.

Immediately following the shave, rinse with cold water. This will reduce inflammation.

5. Shave with the direction your hair is growing in. Even though you’ll get a closer shave by going against, it will cause burn or ingrown hairs. Don’t continue to go over an area either. This can cause irritation.

A professional job is always worth the time. Taking 15-30 minutes out of your day to have someone do the work for you is relaxing and mindless. LaBarberia Institute offers an awesome hot shave for $7. That’s as much as your razor will cost, so it’s definitely worth the $$ & time. We accept walk-ins during any of our open business hours: https://labarberiainstitute.com/

Barbershop: The Next Cut

Posted on by Oozle Media

Barbershop-The-Next-Cut Due in theatres on April 16, 2016, Calvin (Ice Cube) & crew are back for another round of the hit movie, “Barbershop,” only this time, the shop has undergone some major renovations, adding females like Nicki Minaj to the mix. By doing this, another level of humor is added and the ladies spice up the screen with their constant (funny) drama while keeping the guys on their toes.

In the original movie, although the story was focused around Calvin selling the family shop due to financial reasons, the theme that continued throughout was that of “community.” The barber shop, as always, plays a large role in town where people gather to exchange gossip, camaraderie and enjoy each other’s company.

In “The Next Cut”, the neighborhood surrounding the shop has taken a turn for the worse. The new generation (Regina Hall) and old (Cedric the Entertainer is back), must come together to not only save the shop, but their community.

Like most shops, the feeling of family and comfort, good friends and conversation, are what makes someone keep coming back to their barber. This is another feel-good movie about the gathering of a community working toward a common goal and genuinely enjoying each other, all while making us laugh throughout.

To be a part of the LaBarberia community, contact us by calling (440) 565-7525 or visit our website at https://labarberiainstitute.com/

The Benefits of Becoming a Barber

Posted on by Oozle Media

There’s something to be said about making someone’s day, or, even, changing someone’s life. That feeling that takes over you when you know you’ve done something that the other person feels great about – that’s something unexplainable. This isn’t something that only celebrities can feel, or the wealthy, this is something everyone can feel based on the paths they choose in life.
The benefits of becoming a barber are far more than taking a razor to someone’s scalp and carving designs into it. That’s not what this career encompasses. Every time someone sits in the chair, hair overgrown, misshapen, too flat, too big or too messy – it’s really a blank canvas waiting to have new life breathed back into it. You see, being a barber means there is an element of control to the situation – A fresh start occurs after the snipping and shavings hit the floor because of YOU and what you’ve created.
Being a barber means being an artist – a creative soul who seeks out change and design and is deeply passionate about their craft. Choosing to be a barber allows for those who aren’t feeling fun, fresh and edgy to reinvent themselves. It means someone trusts you enough to say “Change it up” and then wear their hair confidently down the street afterwards. This forces you to keep an open mind that is constantly thinking of innovative ideas.
Being a barber is fun and exciting. When people sit down for a cut, once they see your work and start to trust you, a bond and friendship forms. The role of barber is now that of a confidant, listener and friend. It’s far more than just a title.
On top of all of that, independence is another awesome benefit. Working in a shop can be exciting for most, while others want the feeling of control and eventually open their own business. The possibilities are endless as all shops are different and have their own unique vibe, while opening your own shop can allow for more creative freedom. If a portfolio is created, your work can also be used in magazines or for fashions shows, which shows off what a rockstar you really are. Career growth can go in many directions depending on the choices you make. The sky is the limit and you get to figure out where you’re headed.
The benefits of being a barber boil down to fun, creativity and satisfaction. Finding a career that you truly love is one of the most difficult things that we are challenged with as we “grow up,” because, let’s be serious, who really knows? But, given you have the passion and characteristics of an artist, you can challenge that in an outlet that allows you to be social and inspired.
More so, nowadays, people crave the freedom of a flexible work schedule, hours & knowing that their income is solely based on what they put into it. The reward of exerting your effort into your business, making each person look the best they can when they leave your chair and then telling 10 of their friends about you, is one of the best compliments you can receive.

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The Man In The Mirror… A Look at Today’s Man

Posted on by Oozle Media

Guy looking at himself in the mirror.

News Flash: Men want their hair to look good, and they don’t want to have to achieve that in a salon for women. They realize, more than anybody else that “hair frames a man’s face and accents his features, and it can’t be disguised by the cut of a suit.”

As American Crew so adeptly summed up today’s man, times have changed, and men are back to getting great new experiences and learning ways to incorporate style into their everyday lives.

A British study has concluded that, within a year, men spend five months at a salon “quaffing their do, and almost a month cutting and taking care of their nails.”

Many studies have concluded that as men become more concerned about their hair they are taking better care of it, and believe that their hair is related to their self-image and their masculinity. With that new attitude, comes the self-confidence to be able to discuss their concerns with a professional.  Men are becoming fussy about their hair, and want to make themselves look more attractive and comfortable at the same time. Their mirror is the big test.  Men want to look good when they are looking in the mirror. They want to look younger than their peers by getting different types of hairstyles. And, these days, men are able to express their intentions to their barber.

Since all of this is occurring in the masculine world, the need for outstanding professionals is going to keep increasing. At LaBarberia, we are turning out savvy, hip barbers who are on the cutting edge (pardon the pun) of men’s hair styling. Contact us for details https://labarberiainstitute.com