A man’s hair cut is an expression of his style, his personality. From Augustus Caesar to Justin Bieber, the hairdos of famous guys have influenced how the male population as a whole style their tresses, for better or for worse. Some trends that seemed like awesome ideas at the time – the “business in the front, party in the back” mullet, for example – are now widely regarded as fashion failures. Other hairstyles, however, have stood the test of time. These are the styles taught year in and year out at barbering school because they look just as good today as they did when they first debuted.
Pompadour
(This is not Elvis, but he sure does look cool with Elvis’s Hairstyle)
When it comes to cool, The King and his billowing pouf will always reign supreme. In the 1950s, the pompadour was the look of cool cats everywhere, and no one wore it better than Elvis Presley himself. Over a half a century later and this retro look remains in style. To achieve this rockabilly standard, the barber cuts the sides of the hair short, leaving ample length on top. To style, the barber combs the hair forward and then flips it up and back to create the signature pomp with the help of a great pomade.
Side Part
“Mad Men” may be over, but the 50s style side part worn by Don Draper is a classic cut that is always in fashion. Barbers customize this simple ‘do with stylish variations for the individual customer. Some men wear the hairstyle with lots of length on one side, while other men keep their coifs closely cropped. At barbering school, the next generation of barbers are learning the technique of the disconnected side part; a shaved part separates the two sides of the hair for the ultimate throwback appeal.
Afro
The afro. It’s an iconic style that was symbolic of the civil rights and black power movements of the 1960s. Although it’s most often sported by African Americans, anyone with very curly hair can rock this style. Just look to PBS “Joy of Painting” host Bob Ross for historical proof. The afro is essentially a ball of curls extending outward from the scalp, often with eye-catching volume. With specialized training in barbering school, a barber learns the proper techniques to shape afros for both men and women.
Mohawk
In the 1980s, the Mohawk was most decidedly a symbol of rebellious punk rock. The single row of towering spikes descending down the middle of a shaved head was meant to shock and awe the conservative class. Today, tamer versions of this hairstyle are popular for men and women. With the faux hawk, the barber cuts the sides of the hair short, and leaves a moderate amount of length on top. That way, the customer can spike up his ‘do when he’s ready to rock n’ roll all night, and then comb it down for the business meeting the next day.
Master the Styles
From fro to pomp, mastering these classic cuts takes training from a barbering school. The Marinello Schools of Beauty barbering school teaches students the essentials of cutting and coloring men’s hair, as well as straight razoring the face. After over 100 years in the business, Marinello Schools of Beauty has developed a unique program that incorporates lessons on career development. The expert marketing, sales and business management skills taught at Marinello Beauty School equips students with the skills needed to one day run their own barbershops. A fully accredited institution, Marinello Schools of Beauty offers flexible class schedules and financial aid to those who qualify.