The 'V' Haircut

Hi Everyone!
Well I'm back in college a week now and I've moved onto working on lots more clients and also to learning particular styles, rather than just cutting techniques, on my dolly heads. It helps me to see how to put all of those techniques I've learnt together to create a finished look. 
One of the first styles I've learnt is one that is HUGELY popular here at the moment amongst boys in their teens and its called the 'V'. The name is self explanatory as the shape of the hair forms a 'V' at the back. It became popular last year particularly in the football scene and, as most trends develop from fans copying celebrities, David Beckham was a big influence on the popularity of this style:

While it looks simple enough the blending between the short sides to the longer length at the top can be tricky to get right esp. on the back as the V gets smaller. Cutting hair on a dolly head is never overly easy anyway as, due to the threading, it will stick out from the head esp. on tighter cuts.

The sides of this cuts can be done either by shaving the sides and then blending into the top, or by creating a graduated cut at the side that then blends into the length on top. The graduated version provides a smoother transition as it is a less tight blend. In the picture of my dolly below I have blended from a number 2 shave at the sides. This picture was taken the day after I cut it so its a little messed at the sides.

You can see the V point at the nape of the neck, and while it looks patchy in the left photo it wasn't in real life. Again that it just the threading of the hair making it stand out so you are looking down the strand at the scalp in the photo giving the appearance of a patch.

This style could be developed into more of a mohawk, or kept longer at the sides and made into a faux-hawk. However as is, this is the V. Personally I'm not a big fan as I think it can look quite common and a bit 'football hooligan laddish'. Though I think the 'make-up' on my dolly head gets rid of that image somewhat! What do you think of it?

- BE

Product Review: Edwin Jagger Aloe Vera Shaving Cream

Well I've decided to mix things up a bit this year in terms of my review (crazy, I know!). Last year I did a "Shave Of The Week" and I really enjoyed them, but I figured if I kept going at that I'd soon run out of hardware (razors and blades) and software (creams, soaps etc.) to use, so instead I'm now going to review one item a week. My bank account will thank me for it!
This week I used my Dovo Inox straight with a sample of Edwin Jagger Premium Shaving Cream in aloe vera scent. The sample size is a small white tub so here is an image of the full sized product which comes in a tube:

I have to say I was very impressed with how little of this product I had to use. The sample is only 10ml of product from what I gather yet it was enough for two full uses (shaving both full legs with one pass each time). It would easily give 3 - 4 face shaves I feel.

It lathers very easily and the scent, though mild, is lovely and fresh. It doesn't stay on the skin to any degree that I noticed which would make it good for using under a cologne or scented moisturizer/

balm. It gave a good amount of slickness and cushion and it's paraben free and contains 99.9% natural ingredients so its nice to know I'm not putting too many chemicals onto my skin. Not as much cushion or moisturisation as I find I get with some tallow based products but nothing to complain about either. It didn't dry out my skin and left it smooth and soft. Overall I got two very pleasant, comfortable shaves out of this cream with the bonus of the scent not being gender-specific. 

- BE

Barbershop Blues

It's with a heavy heart that I have had to give up my work experience in the barbershop.
My mum is very ill and I want to be able to visit her as often as I can. I can't stop working as I need the money, and I can't stop college as she would never want me to do that, nor is there any real need at this point at least. However I had to find some time somewhere so I made the tough decision to give up the day in the barbers.
Family comes first.
I'm just letting everyone who reads this know. I will keep posting as regularly as I can and I'll be working twice as hard at everything from here on out. Talk to you all again soon.
- BE


25th Jan: Edit: My family have now also suffered the loss of my brother. I have taken a couple of weeks off college to give and receive support. It is a difficult time but I am now back at home which makes it easier. 

Barber College - The Story So Far

Ah the first couple of weeks of a new year: you still write '10 when writing the date down, you make resolutions you'll never keep, and, as you polish off the last of the selection box, you think back on the year just gone and the new one to come.

Today was my first day back in college and so a recap of what I've covered so far is in order I feel. This year had gotten off to a less than great start due to some family illness (apologies in the lack of blogging as a result) but oddly enough getting back into college was something solid and familiar and I enjoyed my first day more than I though I would (though I didn't stop yawning until 11am!). Next week the new group of students will start. Yes, the NEW group... already my group are the veterans of the college and it's strange to think I'm nearly half way through. This last half is going to require a huge amount of drive from me, but I want to do it, and simply being in there again is getting me motivated. 


For those thinking of going to barbering college and are curious as to what is covered, here's a list of what I've learnt so far in the space of roughly two and a half months. I won't elaborate on them all, but a simple search on Google will explain most terms to those who want to know more:

- Cuts: one length, box layers, uniform layers (long and short), graduated layers, fringes, scissors over comb, clippers over comb, clipper shaves, slicing, point cutting, texturizing, using the straight to tidy up the neckline, removing "weight" using a number of techniques and I've seen a bit of the shaper razor in use (can't wait to give that a go!)
- Blow-drying: Straight, curly, flick, finger, sausage, volume.
- Colouring: Highlights, Semi colour, root tint, full head colour.
- Theory: Health and safety, shampooing and conditioning, skin diseases, infections, abrasions etc., reception duties, client consultation, hair tests for colour, strength etc., strand tests, patch tests, some colour theory.

I still have so much to practise and learn but I'm going to give it my all. I hope I can get enough people in to practise on. I have a great American guy called Michael in tomorrow. He's a real character. Last time he came in he was full of hugs for me and stories to tell even though I'd never met him before in my life. He's an older gent and has salt-and-pepper hair but, to quote his own words: "just because there's snow on the roof doesn't mean there isn't a fire in the furnace!". 

Oh and if someone is looking for a late Christmas, or just "hey you are awesome!" present for me...:

(I mean look at that yellow one! It's like a fish! I love it!

Shame these are custom made shorties. You can see more of them HERE )

- BE