The Shop Is A Social Kind Of Place

   So if you missed out on our MOVEMBER kick-off event that I put together at GoldStar Barbershop come on out and join us for "Cuts,Shave & Rock n' Roll". I figured since MOVEMBER went so well that it was time to try another event. So I got a hold of a local dj, local brewery and got the ball rolling.

   On Sat. February 23rd GoldStar Barbershop will re-open at 8 pm-11 pm. I am excited because even though Victor and myself will be cutting hair, doing some shaves and enjoying and evening of rock n' roll it is an opportunity create a social environment within the barbershop.

   One of the things I have always beleived and liked about what we do is that barber culture is a very social culture. From how we interact with customers, the public and each other as barbers. I think the younger generation of barbers have taken the social element of barbering to the next level.

   Hawleywoods's with there back room, Suavecito partnering with local barbers at a local Riverside bar or BOLT barber having late evening happy hour at the WeHo location. These are ways for us to make a couple of bucks beyond the regular day to day work but also just get together for a hell of a good time!

    To all the shops that are doing things to open there doors to people who may not normally come in and just creating a social environment to there shops...Keep it up, cause I am always looking for a new place to have a beer!

Cheers!
Frankie

6 Years Down: My Life As A Barber So Far

Me and Greg at Porters 2007

    So here it is the first  post of the year and it has been a week of reflection because in September I have been a licensed barber for 6 years. So I am going to share my story so far.

    The wife had been done with school for a few months by February of 2006 and it was at this point I decided to go to barber school in Spokane,WA. At this point I had been working at Hot Topic, as a dish washer and a line cook.

    Spokane had one barber school in to go to and so Beth and I decided that if they had financial aid I could apply for school and so I did. The school had a barber program and a cosmetology but unfortunately I spent more time cutting womens hair then I did mens haircuts. I had a rough patch because of some family stuff. Oh yeah did I mention that the entire time I was in school I worked at HT and in a restaurant the entire time. I worked my butt off and finished school two weeks early oh yeah and I passed state board on the first try!

AZC Haircuts-2007

    As soon as I passed first thing I did was quit one of my jobs. Telling Chef Brian I was leaving was actually tough because I have a lot of love and respect for him because he gave me a chance on the line I probably would never of had anywhere else. I stayed at Hot Topic as I was trying to find me a job in a barbershop.

    First shop I worked at was called Dan's Barbershop but unfortunately I was not there for very long because they felt I was not very fast and my skills were not where they wanted. Second shop was called Weldon Barber. It is kind of a higher end barbershop owned by a family member of the Nordstrom. Here is the finny thing about this place the owner himself had me let go because I was a man with tattooed (at this time there were no other men working for them).

    Well I was not in a shop when 2007 rolled around, still working at HT but cutting hair out of my house as often as I could until I was approached by an acquaintance who was opening a brand new barbershop. He had been an educator for American Crew at one point so I was going to rent a chair and hoped that this was going to be my chance to start developing my skills....Finally.

Hillyard Hootenany 2008

   At this point I prematurely quit HT and within two months I was unemployed because a customer had come back to the shop because they were not happy with the haircut and the owner re-cut this persons hair. At this point I am told that "I had heart but not enough experience yet" he also said "It was his name and reputation on the shop".

    Where do I go from here? What point do I just give up? In 2007 the family decided to return to California so I had to spend the rest of the year working my tail off to prepare to move back to the Golden State. I did go back to Spokane twice in the last 5 years since we have been back in California due to lack of work and our hope to return to Washington. But back in Spokane on each trip I found a way cut hair. Due to difference in state regulations and time it took me almost a year to get my California barber license.

More grease rags coming soon!

    After getting my license in California I did what I needed to do to get take care of my family, but was fortunate to get involved with my friend Luis who owns Covenant Barbershop where he could let me fill a chair once in a while, partnered with them for the Fresno Tattoo Expo and just help out at times.

    In September of 2011 I started seeing a classified show up on Craigslist and I jumped on it...I had been back from Washington since June (in time for my daughters high school graduation) and did not have anything left to loose. I interviewed and was offered a job which started when the shop opened in November of 2011. I am proud to say I have been standing behind a chair at GoldStar Barbershop since we opened in November of 2011.

Devoted Barber 2013

   The road to get here has been a rough one. I have had many people ask me why I have not given up and it really comes down to one thing....I have found a trade that I take pride in. I love what I do. I have had friends and family continue to encourage me. Am I where I want to be? NO!! Will I get there? YEAH!!!

   I have days where I feel like I still cut like I just got out of barber school. and sometimes maybe I do. I think most people at this point probably would have called it quits but I couldn't and I do not plan on it.

    Do not ask me what is to come in the next 6 years. Heck I do not know what is going to happen in the week. I am going to just continue to stand behind a chair and work hard!

   There are so many people I wish I could thank...family, friends other barbers who have all continued to encourage me. Thanks.

   As we go into 2013 I wish all you young barbers, new barber students and everyone who makes behind the chair there home away from home....Have a great and successful year!!

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BARBER!!!

Speed v. Efficiancy: It All Come In Time

Filling a chair at Covenant Barbershop

    So today I want to talk about an issue that affects everyone in the hair industry (barbers and cosmos) and that is finding the fine line between speed and efficiency. 

    When I got out of barber school I knew one thing and that was to become the barber I wanted to become was going to take time and experience. Unfortunately right out of school it seemed like everywhere I was working was expecting me to be 100% on point but I was either to slow or just not very good yet.

    When I moved back to California the first shop I worked at (I have only worked in a couple of shops since coming back to CA) was a chop shop. The shop only charged $4.50 so to make any money you had to work your ass off!! The guy who was cutting hair next to me would crank out 30+ haircuts in a day. Just because this guy was fast did not mean he was very good.

    I have now been at my current shop almost a year and in the time I have found my speed get better in my haircuts but more importantly the quality of my haircuts have gotten better. Am I as good I would like to be...No. Will the time come where I want to be....Yes.

    When you get out of school and get behind the chair realize that in time the speed will come but it is more important to work on efficiency because being able to do good haircuts or color is what is going to keep customers in your chair. The speed will come in time and you will begin to notice it.

    On a final note....To the bosses, owners, master barbers, be patient with the  new guy behind the chair because you used to be that kid. You never know you may have the next Ivan Zoot behind that chair!!

   

5 Days of Pomade-Day 5: Jan Hella-The Rebel Rouser

 (So when deciding who I wanted to give us there top 5 list I knew that Jan Hella (barber student extraordinaire and in charge of www.theRebelRouser.com). I knew asking him I was not going to get a list but a full blog post, since that is how we roll! I really want to thank everyone who was involved in this, it has been a blast!)

    Since the start of www.TheRebelRouser.com, people from all over the world have asked me "what's your favorite pomade?" Unfortunately, I don't have one! With the wide variety we currently have on the market, as well as up and coming brands, it's hard to pick a favorite. Throughout the duration of blogging, I've learned to make certain pomades work best for me, more-so than the others. So, here's my Top 5 Go-To Pomades:
(In no particular order.)

1) Dax High & Tight Awesome Hold: A lot of people have somewhat turned away from the heavier pomades; me included. So when I tried Dax High & Tight Awesome Hold for the first time, I knew I found my preferred alternative to their strongest pomade- Dax Wave & Groom- which used to be my definite go-to, when I as looking for hold. Being just a kick lighter, a lot more malleable, with a killer Sandalwood scent to boot, Dax High & Tight Awesome Hold is a great addition to anyone's arsenal, and can be found at www.ImperialDax.com

2) Mr. Ducktail: If the name doesn't sound familiar, you probably haven't been doing this for too long. But, no worries, that's what we're here for! Long story short, Mr. Ducktail is an amazing barber from France, that has moved shop to England, and still has cult following, for his barbering & styling skills, as well as his pomade! His grease is a medium weight pomade, that is seemingly lighter than most, but still manages to style amazing pompadours, as seen on his Facebook page. Plus, it smells like a cola, how can you go wrong with that? Available at www.HairgumUSA.com

3) Royal Crown Pomade: One, if not, THEE pomade that keeps Elvis-Pompadour-Enthusiasts in limbo, it's hard to not have a tin or five in hand! With many pomades getting heavier and heavier, light and greasy pomades are being left behind. Think about it folks, if quite possibly Elvis used it, why shouldn't we! Being thicker, with a much more pleasant scent than its readily available counterpart- Royal Crown Hairdressing- Royal Crown Pomade is definitely the better of the two to pick up. Unfortunately, it's not often you will see the pomade next to the hairdressing. So when you come across it, BUY IT!

4) Grant's Golden Brand: Now, I'm not going to get into the whole, "water-based pomades are not grease!!!" Well, no shit. Grease + Water = DUH. But, Grant's has been one brand that doesn't only offer a range of water-based pomades, but amazing customer service. It's hard to go wrong with either of their products. Plus, they keep moving forward, and have more products on the way! Check em out at www.GrantsGoldenBrand.com

5) Tres Flores: As I've mentioned- light and greasy pomades are being left behind, and Tres Flores is one of them! While it leaves some with a bad taste in their mouths, it leaves many with fond memories of their fathers and grandfathers, barbershops, or even sketchy times... You know who you cats are! This stuff is as close to a classic pomade as you're going to get, aside from Royal Crown, of course.) Light, relatively thick, and most definitely greasy, this stuff is definitely worth having on hand, even if you just use it to add shine to a heavier pomade. Should be found at Mexican markets, CVS, or Asian Supermarkets.

Well, folks, I hope you enjoyed this little tidbit of my go-to's. Hopefully, you'll add some of these to your rotation and find some joy in em.
Until the next time,
Pomp Hard!
- Jan

Men's Grooming.....This Is Ridiculous!!

As a barber I am happy to know that men are searching out barbershops and looking for an experience that they are not going to find at a "salon'. I really appreciate the fact that companies like TIGI, aul Mitchell and REDKEN have all realized that men have become an untapped resource (products and color lines).

The question is.....Where is the line and who thought that this was a great idea for men?

Today I was reading an article from the Time Live about a company that is about to release a nail polish line for men. Unless you are a punk rock kid or a goth kid I personally do not know a single man who is going to wear nail polish and more importantly who thought that this was going to be a great idea.

I get it Johnny Depp may have wore nail polish in "The Rum Diaries" and he is an icon but he wore eyeline in the Pirates Of The Caribbean, but guys did not all of a sudden think 'Hey, Johnny Depp is wearing eyeliner so I think men should start wearing eyeliner!"

And last but not least...Te company who thought that it was a great idea to make fake eyelashes for men is STUPID!!!

As a guy I like to take a few minutes for myself....haircut, a shave and a few extra minutes in the barbers chair is a good thing. but remember we are guys not wormen....keep that in mind!!!

The holidays are upon us....

and the truth is I am ready for it to be over. The job that pays my bills is driving me nuts. I mean Christmas stuff up two weeks before thanksgiving how lame!!

So it is really easy to get cranky during the holidays but just remember the person in your chair may be just as cranky as you are....make there day a little brighter. Bend over backwards to give all your clients the best service you can. Make there holidays a little better even if that person is just a walk-in.

A thank you, good conversation and a handshake can go a long way!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!
Frankie The Barber

I love razors.....

So last week I am hanging out at my buddy Luis's shop Covenant Barbershop here in Fresno and a rep from a company called MD Barber Supply out of Bakersfield shows up pimpin' his wares.

While he is chatting with Xavier it dawns on me that this company has a really solid razor I have been wanting to get my hands on. It is at this moment he whips out there newest toy.

MD BLACK DRAGON Razor

Black handle....Stainless steel, powder coated and well just damn cool in my opinion!! Crap man my favorite color is flat black! When you put your razor blade in you see the edge of the blade against the black.

Good balance and not a heavy weight razor at all.
for more info www.mdbarber.com

The Art of Shaving has teamed up with Gillette and has given us the new Gillette Fusion but please understand you can not buy this at wal-mart or any other discoutn retailer. It is chrome and really kind of cool.
"... perfectly balanced and weighted to feel like a natural extension of your hand, maximizing stability and control. Gentle micro-pulses help you reduce friction and increase razor glide*. The built-in spotlight, the first of its kind, reveals details normally in shadow - such as under the chin and jaw line - to help you avoid missed spots and make every stroke count. The sleek, contemporary handle is an ideal combination of ergonomics and innovative design, handcrafted in polished chrome and wrapped in a matte black, thermo-resin grip."

There are just fancy words for a good razor...I have had the opportunity to use this razor truth is it is a good razor. The gift sets make a great gift for your pops or someone cool.
more info www.artofshaving.com

Not a bad day...

So today I got six haircuts in which was not bad considering I have only been back behind the chair for a little while.

As the day was coming to an end sat talking to the owner of the shop just about my skills and it was funny cause he said a haircut is simple "Top, Side and Blend" that simple as long as you have the right tools know what your tools do.

This is not the first time I have heard this. Just like a cook in the kitchen or a mechanic in the garage they know what there tools do and how to use them. As a barber if you do not know how to handle you clippers or your razor or even your shears your kind of screwed. Take time to learn your tools....get comfortable with them

Mail Call....

So mail came and there it was staring me in the face my package from Layrite. I have been using the pomade for a long time now...hell I was the only barber in Spokane,Washington using this stuff. This package a bit different because not only did it have a fresh can of wax, hairspray and aftershave but it also had there liquid shave cream....and so far this stuff rules!!

Grab my coffee mug a few squirts of the cream into the mug....grab my shave brush and I am set. Lathers up nice and shaves off clean. Finish it off with a splash of the Hawleywood's #9 After shave and you are set for the day!!