Branding

    So today mail came and I was like a little kid becuase my stuff from Suaveciito got here in time for the Fresno Tattoo Expo and the package I have been waiting so long for also came-the Frankie The Barber stickers came as well (good job Sticker Guy). I was so excited about my stickers and it really got me to thinking about branding and shops the developed there own brand with the help of products.

    When you are a business of any kind branding is not always the easiest thing to do and when you are a barber sometimes it is a little more difficult because most cities have so many barbershops. In the neighborhood where I work there are over 6 shops in a 5 mile radius. I think that shops (anzcod salons) who go out of there way to develop there own product lines to sell on there shelves are smart! I am not just talking about things like t-shirts, combs or in my case stickers.

    Let's start with the barbershop that has really changed the face of the barbershop in America espcially when it comes to branding himself and that is Don Hawley and Layrite. When you mention Hawleywood's you automatically know who you are talking about. The truth is Layrite as a product has even effected how others make there pomade.

   When you get into West Hollywood,Ca. Shorty's Barbershop has developed an entire line of products that are not only available on-line but in there shop on Fairfax Ave. They have everything from styling products, shampoos..etc.

    My boy Luis Orozco at Covenant Barbershop in Fresno,Ca, has bottled his own brand of bay rum skin elixar.

    Last week I spoke to John Major the owner of Johnny D's Barbershop in San Jose,Ca and after almost 2 years in business they are working on there very own pomade.

    Do not forget Joe's Barbershop who have gone the extra step..They may not have a pomade or a shampoo they have made available custom clippers and some really awesome events like "Hangover Shave Sundays" and the "Sunday Nite 8-ball Tournaments".

    These are just a few examples or what some shops are doing to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. Finding that one thing that not only causes your shop to stand out but  finding that one thing that one thing that helps you as an individual professional to stand out in an industry that already has so many people coming out of barber school or even cosmetology school.

Uppercut Deluxe Pomade

So everyone who already follows and is familiar with Hawleywood's Barbershop already knows that they have opened a shop in Sydney, Australia but there is a company based in Australia called Uppercut Deluxe (www.uppercutdeluxe.com). I have only recently found one barbershop that sells there products and that is called Johnny D's Barbershop in Campbell,Ca.

So I blasted them an e-mail and they were kind enough to send me a couple of there products to try out. So they kindly send me a can of Monster Hold, Uppercut Pomade and a sampler of the Uppercut Matte Clay.


So I want to start with the packaging. The tins remind me of the old tins of KIWI Shoe Polish my dad had around the house to polish his boots with. For me this is a cool. I think I figure there is almost 3.5 ounces of pomade in a can.


The Uppercut Deluxe Pomade is a water soluble pomade, similar to Layrite. It is an easy to use, washes right out pomade. Holds well and you can comb back into place if need be..But like Layrite make sure you put it into dry hair.

The second pomade I got to try out was there "Monster Hold". This is a good old fashioned wax pomade. You know the one I am talking about, the one that takes a few days to wash out and leaves stains on your pillowcase then your wife gets mad and takes away your pillowcase. As much of a fan I am of a good water soluble pomade sometimes I like an old fashioned wax and this is what you get in the "Monster Hold".

There are other products that I have not had the chance to use such as there shampoo, conditioner and last time I spoke to someone at Uppercut they are also going to work on a shaving product.

I am a fan of companies that work hard to create a good product and have a great history. This is another company that has given us a good product that is created with the help of barbers.