WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE TOP BARBERING TRENDS OF THE YEAR AND THE ELECTRICAL TOOLS THAT CAN HELP YOU MASTER EACH STYLE
1. Low Taper Fades
“Low taper fades are still very popular, taking the taper right down to skin around the ears and neckline. The variation we are seeing is in the styling – messy, rough cut, lived-in, and forward on the face. I use my diffuser to style, even for clients with straighter hair, to help give more movement and texture.”
JOE POMPER MURDOCK LONDON
2. Buzz Cuts
“I’m steering people away from fades because they’ve been overdone for a long time. My clients are enjoying a buzz cut with a low taper around the perimeter to get some extra life out of the haircut. I’m using the new BaBylissPRO FX ONE Lo-Pro Clipper for these cuts - I like to have the taper blade on my clippers for these softer, more natural finishes.”
PETE CRANFIELD, BABYLISSPRO AMBASSADOR
3. Working With the Hair
“My curly hair clients are loving a medium burst fade right now. For straight hair clients, a sleek and slicked back look will always be a classic. To achieve the looks, I use a combination of tools like the modified JRL Professional Onyx Clippers paired with the 3VERSINCE SPX Fade Blade, available at Chris & Sons. This combo reduces my fading time by 10 minutes.
Image credit: Danny Robinson
"When it comes to my favourite styling products right now, this includes Brosh Base Spray, Brosh Feather Weight Fibre Pomade and the Brosh Magic Powder – they’re a great combination for a range of different looks and offer versatility."
DANNY ROBINSON, BROSH POMADE AMBASSADOR
4. Texture
“Salt spray is as popular as ever, giving a grittier texture to the hair. Movement and curls are encouraged using them salt spray and then to finish, a matte paste or powder can be added to define the look.”
GARRY SPENCER, HEIST AMBASSADOR
5. Curls
“Curly hair is particularly in demand because it offers a natural, textured look that stands out. Even for men who don’t naturally have curly hair, the use of tools like the Harmony by Artero allows barbers to create temporary curls that are perfect for a night out or a special event. This tool is ideal for achieving well-defined curls that give the hair a voluminous and stylish appearance without the commitment of a permanent change.”
ERIC WAY, ARTERO AMBASSADOR AND EDUCATOR
6. Contemporary Cuts
“Many of my clients are gravitating towards more classic styles or something contemporary, like the mullet, the shag cut, or that curly flop on top. Clients are starting to pay more attention to styling their hair and the ghd mini styler is amazing for creating some bend and curl. It’s perfect for those days clients don’t want their hair to be too floppy or too structured. For a grungier texture, I recommend the ghd mini styler and Helios professional hairdryer.”
CHRISTOPHER LAIRD, NOVEMBER COLLECTIVE AND GHD PRO TEAM
Image credit: ghd
7. The e-boy
“The e-boy haircut remains a strong trend for men. It’s all about those relaxed, loose waves, paired with a longer fringe or curtains – perfect for curly hair. When it comes to drying and styling, I’m a big fan of the Alfa Italia Aurora Pro Ionic Smart Dryer with a diffuser. The digital controls allow me to adjust the heat and speed to suit each client’s hair type and texture which is crucial for getting the best results!”
MELISSA TIMPERLEY, ALFAPARF AMBASSADO
Image credit: Oliver Hill at MaxOliver
8. The Faux Hawk
“The burst fade/faux hawk is a popular style doing the rounds. It’s an easy execution using the Andis reVITE clipper with the taper blade, due to the nature of the smaller fade area. It’s a great clipper to flick out and refine with.”
WEZ JONES, ANDIS AMBASSADOR AND OWNER OF HEARTBREAK CLUB BARBERSHOP
Lead image credit: Stefan Clark, Murdock London
