There are plenty of $10 haircuts on offer.
So why would anyone want to pay $30 at somewhere a little more fancy?
Sia Shamsai from Gents Barber at Meadowbrook tells it how he sees it in a bold analogy: “What’s the difference between a $10 TV dinner from a peal-away container, versus a meal prepared by a chef in a restaurant?”
Mr Shamsai, whose wife Tai is a professional barberess, says one type of haircut – or food if we’re to carry through the comparison – merely serves a function, whereas the other allows for a professional to demonstrate both pride in their craft and genuine care in the outcome and experience for their clients.
A professional barber will look at the lines on their client’s face, and shape the cut to suit. They’ll also ensure the beard has a “straight-razor” finish.
They’ll use a hot towel, have professional equipment which ensures accuracy.
And they’ll care, sparking a conversation about their client’s look, rather than just diving in with a set of clippers.
“The confidence that accompanies pride in your appearance cannot be understated,” Mr Shamsai says.
“People invest in nice clothes, nice cars in the interests of their public presentation. Coupled with a perfect haircut that suits their face shape and hair type, along with a precise ‘straight-razor’ defined beard design and maintenance can make a significant difference in how you are perceived socially.”
Like fine dining, Mr Shamsai says once you’ve had a good haircut, it’s hard to turn back.
“Tai holds her staff to a very high standard of work and has been known for saying that ‘our clients come to us for a great quality haircut – if they want a badhaircut, there’s heaps of $10 places’ around,” Mr Shamsai says.
“Uncompromising quality and a great customer experience is what we’ve always strived for at our barber shop. A reputation which we hope takes away some of the guesswork when choosing a barber.”
