What is a traveling barber ? How to find one near you ?

Whether busy or not, everyone needs to visit the barbershop for a haircut once in a while. Sometimes, your work schedule or physical condition may hinder you from visiting a barber or hair stylist. You can save time by engaging a at-home barber to you and at the most convenient time. It's exactly what is a traveling barber.

It's more relaxing to get your favorite buzz cut in the comfort of your home or of your hotel. Besides, mobile barbers eliminate the need to crowded spaces synonymous with barbershops and salons.

Differences between a Barber and a Hair Stylist

The major difference between the two is that a barber trains to use the clippers to cut shorter and more traditional hairstyles, while the hairstylist uses the scissors to cut longer and fuller styles. Barbers fade, blend and shave clients. It is only them who can do a straight-razor shave and not the hair stylists. A hair stylist focuses more on hair color, additional hair treatment, chemical services and product recommendations. The line between barbers and hair stylists is becoming blurred by the trends and more upscale barber shops, making the two conversant with all barber services.

Is there a specific diploma for Barbers ?

Yes, there are distinct programs for barbers. A barbering diploma is the certification a barber receives after attending an accredited barbers' program and completing the course. The program duration varies from the school and the state you are in, but around 1,500 to 1,800 hours are necessary to qualify. The covered topics usually include:

• Safety and sanitation
• Modern and traditional haircutting techniques
• Shaving
• Skin care
• History of barbering
• Employee preparation
• The program emphasizes specialized training in safety, sanitation, hair treatments and manipulations, haircutting techniques,
• Sales and management.

In the US, you also need a license to offer barbering services

A barber license is an authorization document allowing a qualified barber to engage in the occupation. This license is issued by the state authorities, such as the New York State Department. It requires applicants of the license to meet experience and education demands and pass the exams according to the state laws. Most applicants need to be practicing barbers for at least two years before taking exams.

Now, what is a traveling Barber

This is a barber who works away from the conventional four-walled barbershops or hair salons. They bring their services to your house or any location that suits you. Mobile barbers carry all the equipment they need to cut or trim your hair or any related grooming services. They also ensure that clean and organize the shaving area before they leave. You can book mobile barbers for special occasions such as weddings, parties and fashion events. ...

How to find a traveling barber near you

There are not a lot barbers traveling to clients

In the US, unlike in western Europe, mobile hairdressers are not common at all, actually they are quite the exception. Whereas in Europe above 20% of the hair services are given at the customers houses, here we are probably around 3% (it's an estimate, because there is no official statistics). And so far the most common model is a barber working in a barbershop taking house calls. You can also find a few barbers who installed a mini barbershop in a van and drive their mobile barbershop around. The European model of a barber, or a hairstylist, working only at their clients' houses has not picked up yet on this side of the ocean.

The number is on the rise though

Surely, a few companies like DashStylists popularize the concept of having a beautician traveling to you and having your hair groomed in the comfort of your house. But the main reason resides in the US aging population. Over the last century the population over 65 has grown 5 times faster than the total population and the pace only increases year after year (source : Census Bureau). The result is the older population will soon represent 20% of the population.

And with 90% of this population wishing to age in place at home, at-home services are on the rise. This includes of course all the necessary wellbeing services : hair, nails, massages "¦

How to find one in your area

DashStylists is building a network of mobile hairstylists and barbers, but this currently only covers 20% of the US population. So if you are not in a state covered by DashStylists, here are a few suggestions.

So First, pull up a barbers list near you and go through their profiles to understand their area of specialization such as hair coloring, extensions, wedding styles, among others. Ensure to check the reviews from previous customers to help you decide on the best rated. It is also helpful to look at previous work's photos to showcase their services. This can guide you in choosing a similar style or determining their services' quality. You can do that looking up the service provider's website for their businesses' information and their services.