Haircuts often define how a man is feeling or is doing. Having fresh haircuts weekly is something every man wants, as having a nice haircut leads to a boost in confidence and a demonstration of good hygiene habits.
In my opinion, having a haircut makes me feel fresh and makes me feel a lot cleaner than when my hair is much longer. This is also the case for many men around the world who feel like haircuts are the cherry on top of their outfits.
In many cases, we get haircuts before important events such as weddings, family reunions, First day of school, and the list goes on. However, over the years the prices of haircuts in many barbershops around the city have raised their prices, causing many men to reduce the amount of times they visit a barbershop.
In an informal survey, 39% of respondents said they get a haircut every month. That’s 12 haircuts a year with an average of $20-40 per haircut, averaging to $360 a year! I would get a haircut every 2-3 weeks due to the price of my haircuts only being $20 including a tip. I have now changed to only once a month due to the price of my haircut now being over $40.
But why have we seen an increase in price recently? The clearest answer to this is materials and time. Many of the barbers around the city dedicate 40-60 minutes on average to a haircut. Gustavo, also known as “Gus the Barber,” stated, “It’s not just a haircut you get, it’s the experience you live.” Going to a barber shop is like “visiting your best-friend’s man-cave where you talk, enjoy the football game, and overall have a good time,” Gustavo said.
Going to a chain barbershop like Supercuts, Sport Clips, or Great Clips may offer great pricing ($20-30) but the time dedicated towards your haircuts will not be the same. Many reviews around these chain barber shops go into detail about the lack of professionalism and dedication towards the haircut, as well as offering lower quality products. Professional barbers, such as Gustavo, offer higher quality machines and use better products that lead to a better looking and feeling haircut.
In our survey, 43% said they went to a garage (unlicensed) barber, 29% went to a salon, and 28% went to a barbershop. But where should you go for a good haircut at a good price?
Deciding where to go for a haircut can be very difficult, but here are some tips you may take into consideration the next time you decide to get a haircut.
The Atmosphere: What’s the vibe? Having a barbershop that gives you comfort and basic amenities such as complimentary snacks, water, and restrooms, have a tendency to offer a greater experience.
Friendliness: Making a connection and feeling comfortable with your barber is very important. Being able to talk to your barber about your day, your favorite sports team, your wife or girlfriend problems, or life in general, enhances your experience. Having a good barber is much easier when you go to a barber shop and build a relationship with the barber in order to be able to get the style you want how you want and for the price you want.
Availability: Having someone that is accessible, keeps appointments, and can squeeze you in an emergency.
Price: The price of the haircuts really depends on where you go. In our survey, 54% said they paid between $20-40, which is a reasonable price for a haircut (before tip). At that price point you will be getting the most attention and best service for your money. Yes, there will be many barber shops that offer discounted prices anywhere around $15-25 price range, but many of these barber shops lack experience and can be very difficult to work with, leading to a bad haircut and a bad experience. Going to a barber shop that charges anything above the ideal $40 price range is not a scam, but it is recommended to think twice and really analyze whether they are offering the best experience for the price.
What are your options? Having analyzed what is needed to have a “good” haircut, where can you get a good haircut or how do you find a good barber. I would highly recommend Best Barbershop 831, located at 10 Sherwood Dr, as they have every box checked and have a really good price.
However, there are also many other barbershops that offer very good service and amenities around the city such as Melo Cutz located in the North Salinas area or Tlatoani (36 W. Alisal, near Old Town) where they both offer great service for around $40 on average.
