About The author
Rick Attwood is the founder of Beard Beasts, a men’s hairstyle and beard site read by over 150,000 guys every month. He writes no-fluff guides on men’s haircuts, beard care, and personal style—helping men sharpen their look and feel more confident doing it.
Tips From The Barber Shop
Say you just left the shop. The mirror hit right, the fade was clean, and for a few days, everything behaved. You didn’t even have to try—it just worked.
But fast-forward ten days, and things start shifting. The neckline goes soft. The sides puff out like they’ve got something to prove. Suddenly, that precision cut you left with is leaning a little… interpretive.
We see it all the time.
Here’s the truth: your haircut doesn’t fall apart overnight. It drifts. Unless you step in and steer it back, it’ll coast right into unkempt territory. The good news? You don’t need to be your own barber to keep things looking sharp between visits. You just need a few simple habits—and a little less guesswork.
Let’s break it down.
Establish a Daily Styling Routine
The guys who walk in looking halfway fresh after four weeks? They’ve got a routine.
Doesn’t need to be complicated. Just needs to exist.
Brush or comb it. Even short cuts need direction. It trains the hair to lie the way we cut it—not whichever way your pillow flattens it.
Use product—with purpose. Clay, cream, pomade… we’re not picky. But pick something. And go light. You’re shaping, not shellacking.
Water is your reset button. If your hair’s got more cowlicks than control, don’t wrestle it dry. A quick splash, a re-style, and you’re back in business.
Three minutes in the morning can buy you three extra days of looking like you just left the chair. Worth it.
Choose the Right Tools for Your Hair Type
We’ve seen guys brush thick curls with drugstore combs and wonder why they’re frizzed out before breakfast. Tool matters.
Fine hair? Soft bristles. Adds volume without tearing through.
Thick or coarse? Go paddle brush or wide-tooth comb. Something that can actually move through the bulk.
Curly or textured? Use your fingers or a detangling comb. Anything else is asking for a fight.
If your brush looks like it’s been in the family for 12 years, it might be time to upgrade. One solid tool can save you a lot of bad hair days.
Wash Hair Regularly, But Not Excessively
We get it—guys like to feel fresh. But if you’re scrubbing your scalp every day like it owes you money, you’re stripping out the natural oils that help your cut sit right and grow well.
2 to 3 times a week is plenty. That’s the zone.
Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo. Harsh stuff just dries you out and makes your scalp panic-produce oil.
Off days? Rinse with warm water or use a bit of dry shampoo. No shame in it.
You’re not trying to polish your hair to a squeak. Just keep it balanced so it holds shape and doesn’t dry out.
Moisturize Your Scalp
A flaky scalp is more noticeable than you think. And if you’re scratching at it all day? Yeah, people see that too.
Healthy scalp = better hair. It’s not just about how it looks—it’s about how it behaves.
Use conditioner. Regularly. It’s not optional.
If it feels tight or itchy, try a leave-in conditioner or a light scalp oil once or twice a week.
Skip the heavy greasers. You want hydration, not shine you can see from space.
You don’t need a spa day. Just give your scalp what it needs so your hair can do what it’s supposed to.
Protect Your Hair from Environmental Stressors
Your hair deals with more than just your morning routine.
We’re talking sun, wind, gym sweat, dry air, rainstorms—whatever’s out there, your cut’s catching it. And over time, that starts to wear.
Sun? Toss on a hat or use a UV protection product for hair.
Working outside or sweating buckets? Rinse it. Don’t let salt and grime build up.
Cold or windy? A little product helps lock things down and stop flyaways.
You don’t need to treat your hair like a rare orchid. But a little protection goes a long way.
Limit Heat Styling
We’re not anti-blow dryer—we’re anti-burnt-out hair.
A little heat, used well, can help lock in your style. But if you’re torching your head on max every morning, don’t be surprised when your hair starts feeling like straw and behaving like static.
Stick to low or medium heat. Hotter isn’t better—it’s just more damaging.
Keep it moving. Don’t park the dryer on one patch like you’re defrosting meat.
Always use a heat protectant. It’s not a gimmick—it keeps your cut from breaking down over time.
Use heat like a pro: sparingly, intentionally, and with the right tools.
Keep Your Grooming Tools Clean
We can tell when your comb hasn’t seen water since the day you bought it.
If your brush has more buildup than your hair, you’re basically styling with yesterday’s product and last week’s lint.
Rinse combs and brushes weekly. Shampoo works fine.
Pull out trapped hair. It messes with how the tool moves—and looks nasty.
Wipe down trimmers. Especially if you’re cleaning up your neckline or beard. No one wins with a gunked-up blade.
Clean tools don’t just work better—they keep your hair from picking up all the wrong stuff.
Schedule Regular Trims
Let’s be real: there’s only so much maintenance you can do from home.
Even the best daily routine can’t fake a fresh shape-up. After a few weeks, your cut starts to lose its edge. The lines blur. The volume creeps back in. That’s when it’s time to come see us.
Short cuts? Every 2–3 weeks.
Medium or longer styles? 4–6 weeks, depending on how clean you like it.
Not sure? Ask—we’ll tell you straight.
We know how your hair grows, how it shifts, and when it needs a reset. Swing by before things slide too far, and we’ll bring it back to life—no lecture, no judgment, just a solid cut.
Stay Sharp Between Visits
You don’t need a license to keep your haircut looking good. Just a little effort, the right habits, and knowing when to hand the clippers back to someone who does this full-time.
Barbering is a two-player game: we shape it up, you keep it alive.
Stick to the basics.
Keep your tools clean.
Don’t wait until it’s fully out of control to book your next visit.
And if something’s not working—your style’s falling flat, the sides puff out, the product isn’t doing what it used to—talk to your barber. That’s what we’re here for.
At The Barber Shop, we don’t just clean up cuts—we help you keep them looking their best long after the cape comes off.
See you soon.