Texas Shaving Laws Have Cosmetologists and Barbers On Edge
Something big is brewing in Texas. Cosmetologists and barbers are both feeling pretty indignant, and judging by the comments in articles like this, their clients have pretty strong feelings, too.
So here’s the deal: some Texas cosmetologists are challenging laws that allow barbers – but not cosmetologists – to shave customers. Cosmetologists want to be able to legally shave their customers, but barbers (who feel that cosmetologists are encroaching on their monopoly over men and boys already) want to keep the razor-wielding privileges for themselves.
Now, Texas law has allowed cosmetologists to trim beards and mustaches since 2001. But where does trimming end and shaving start? Texas has no legal definition of shaving, or even of a “razor.”
That means we’re not just talking about Sweeney Todd-style straight razors? Umm … nope. Legally, Texas cosmetologists can’t even take a pink Lady Bic to the bottoms of a client’s sideburns. The cosmetologists feel like this is silly – they’ve been handling safety razors since they were preteens, and even tattoo artists in Texas are allowed to use disposable razor to shave the area they’re going to tattoo.
Barbers, on the other hand, feel like their exclusive right to shaving customers represents the last thing that sets them apart from cosmetologists. Trained in the 14 distinct strokes of the classic straight-razor shave, they feel they’ve earned the right to at least a small population of men.
So … what do you think? Is it silly that cosmetologists (who often undergo longer beauty training programs) cannot shave their customers, even with safety razors? Or do barbers have a right to hang on to something that’s set them apart since the days of white-and-red striped poles?
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Tags: barber school, barber training, barbering, cosmetology, cosmetology classes, cosmetology school, professional cosmetologist, shave, shaving, Texas cosmetology schools
September 17th, 2009 at 9:20 am
I’m on team beauty. Barbers and cosmetologists both work towards making people feel beuatiful and confident. This dispute is hindering that.
September 17th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Interesting. Most cosmetologists do it anyway. Some take the time to cross-over, but most just do it becaues they want to – period.
September 17th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
How about save yourself $10 and shave your own face?
September 17th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Wait, so a cosmetologist can rip all the hair from around my nether regions with super hot wax and a pair of tweezers, but can’t scrape some fuzz off my husband’s face with a razor? That makes perfect sense.
September 17th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I agree with Nickie. We can trust a cosmetologist to wax our girl but we can’t trust them to shave sideburns?
September 18th, 2009 at 7:18 am
I think barbers are really reaching with this whole thing. A monopoly on shaving? Give me a break.
September 18th, 2009 at 7:35 am
Wow. That is absolutely ridiculous! So does that mean if my husband gets a haircut, they can’t shave the back of his neck?
September 18th, 2009 at 10:16 am
I like scruffy men myself.
September 25th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Lets dig in to the Why? – - -
Hi there – My name is Lonnie Morse – both a Cosmetologist and Classic Barber instructor. Being an instructor I see this conversation is really missing the point. Its simple – proper training is needed of each category. Yes – Cosmetologist can cut mens hair and shave with a pink bic. Sorry Ladies – shaving your legs is not the way you shave a mans face. On the other hand, would the Cosmetologist see it proper to cut a bob in a third of the time using less than half the sections and then charge less. Both Barber and Beauty practioners do it all the time.
I’m going off topic – bear with me – It is relevant. Currently there are three states that prevent Barbers from doing any chemistry in a Barber Shop – excuse me! Barber’s were doing chemistry before the hair industry divided a couple of hundred years ago. One third of my men always wore chemistry service. So let me get this straight – Men can buy haircolor off the retail shelf – but – professionally trained Barbers cannot apply chemistry in a safe controlled environment of a Barber Shop? See my point of how ridiculous politicians can effect your biz “smile”
Back to shaving – so – dear hairstylist – just maybe – there is some edginess with the Barbers even considering more movement against them as Cosmetologist out number the Barber practitioner by a mass margin. Think about this – do Beauty schools even have a Barber chair, Strop, a “real” straight razor or even a lather machine on the back bar. I don’t think a massage table standing out on the floor for daily shaves is reality. Does the Beauty school even know “the why” a Barber requires a long Barber shear and taper comb to manicure a taper. We are not talking about clipper fades here. Ever wonder why Barbers can do fifteen minute haircuts routinely when Hair designers book out forty five? Does a Beauty instructor know how to cut hair over a comb with a shear or clipper without using the infamous number game of a clipper guard? I have found that Beauty schools are quick to say – oh yes – we do Barbering – when they havn’t the slightest idea of what real Barbering really is as represented in the Milady’s Text Book of Barbering.
example – Here in Oregon – I was only required to cover approx one third of the content of the Barber textbook to prepare a Barber student for state board examine. It’s no wonder Oregon, Washington, and New Hampshire are the laughing stock of the Barber industry.
Incidentally – I was not able to get any of my students to qualify for reciprocity from any state with out requiring more education that is not covered under a fed student loan package. How would you feel if you just spent full tuition on a Barber course to only find you couldn’t move to any state without having to spend more money for missing curriculum.
So what to do with the change that is coming up-on many states as the cosmetologist continue to over power the Barber by shear numbers – yes the pun was intended “wink” My over view based upon my experience with both Beauty and Barber curriculum – is – if Beauty Schools are going to say they teach Barbering then they should apply the same curriculum and equipment as the Classic Barber schools have across America. Both industry’s would certainly improve as Barber Schools “do not” recruit instructors directly from their student body. A Barber instructor has to have real time work experience in the field before they qualify unlike beauty schools across America.
Giving a man a shave is much more than having him scrunch down in a beauty chair that doesn’t recline and scrapping off his whiskers that haven’t been properly steamed and conditioned for the service. Lets get real – especially today – the Classic Barber Shave is more a spa service than a maintenance service of last century. A practitioner just doesn’t wax off a guys beard like a bikini line. I have spent 90% of my career as a Cosmetologist so I really don’t have a problem with a cosmologist shaving – if – they are trained for it and Ladies, shaving your legs isn’t it.
So far – I have only met a handful of “honest” dual trained Classic Barber and Beauty instructors in my beauty career over forty years. These instructors are the “only ones” that I would ever believe to train a student practitioner how to shave properly. Unfortunately – there are a multitude of “Beautybarbers” coming out of these three states with few places for them to go practice. They are simply un-qualified. Even the chain Barber Shops from out of state will not hire a Oregon licensed Barber – Why – Oregon Barbers are restricted of chemistry. So – here is the real time picture in Oregon – we have Chain Barber Shops that won’t hire Barbers – but “will” hire Hair Designers. Figure that one out?
Lonnie Morse
USA Champion Hairstylist 1975-76
October 18th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
I’m a barber in Texas.
Barbers are allowed to wax a person’s face, but not their neck or anywhere else on the body. I want to do bikini waxes. Why can’t I do something as simple as that? It’s not rocket science.
So what if barbers are not taught how to do waxing in school? So what if the rules were suddenly changed in 2005 to allow barbers to do something they’ve never done before? So what if we do something we haven’t been trained to do? Why shouldn’t we practice on our regular customers without having to tell them we don’t really know what we’re doing?
Why can’t we do bikini waxes in our barber shops like what cosmetologists do in their shops? Geez, just think what a great attraction that would be — let our regular clientele watch us learn how to do bikini waxes on beautiful models in the middle of the barber shop! Hah!
One of the reasons for granting licenses to people in the first place is to make sure that the licensee has time to practice his craft and develop a proficiency in his skill, so that unsuspecting people in the community are protected from the ravages of incompetant amateurs. Any cosmetology shop owner should know that if they hire a cosmetologist who performs a service outside the scope of their license, and if anything goes wrong (infection, cut, whatever) then their business insurance won’t cover that cost.
Also, employers who hire people to do shaves need to be aware of the OSHA requirements (effective since 1992). Yep, federal OSHA rules require employers to provide employees a safe working environment, including PPE (personal protective equipment) such as disposable gloves, employer-paid hepatitis shots, and more.
There ain’t too many folks aware of this yet. But anyone who was hired to do shaving since 1992 was covered by OSHA rules covering bloodborne pathogens, and any of those people who contracted a bloodborne disease since 1992 can sue their former employer for $$$ civil damages. Check it out.
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=22299
The agencies that regulated barbers and cosmetologists in Texas before 2005 were unbeleivably incompetant. Check out what the Texas State Auditor said about them:
http://www.sao.state.tx.us/reports/main/04-006.pdf
http://www.sao.state.tx.us/reports/main/04-019.pdf
It’s a wonder the earth didn’t open up underneath them and swallow them up whole! But then, in 2005, the Texas legislature approved abolishing both bureaucracies and transferring regulatory authority to the TDLR (Texas Dept of Licensing and Regulation). They seem to be doing better with the administrative side of things, but they still have a ways to go with sanitation issues.
Check this out:
http://www.kingbarber.com/rants.html
http://www.kingbarber.com/transcript.html
The foolish Barber Board hasn’t even got the sense to stop barbers from using the same razor blade on multiple people. Two % of the public has hepatitis, and if you get enough barbers (and cosmetologists) using the same razor blade to shave necks, then it’s inevitable that these da** fools are going to infect people with hepatitis. The simple fact that *some* cosmetologists want the right to shave people, without understand this, is reason enough to wrench every razor out from every beauty shop in America!
Nope . . . Amateurs ought not play with razor blades.
December 19th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
This is quite interesting and i truly believe this is a matter of politics. I was trained as a hairstylist in New Jersey in 1994 and it was mandatory that every cosmetologist/stylist shaves in order to obtain a license. New Jersey combined both barbers and cosmetologists state boards in 1984 and the entire NJ hair industry benefitted from it. The bottom line is this: If your good at what your licensed to do, people will come, you just have to follow the rules and statutes. Again, this is just a matter of “who likes who politics”.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:24 am
The reason barbers were licensed and regulated in the first place was HEALTH and SAFETY. People got tired of suffering from “Barber’s Itch” and catching diseases. The profession couldn’t/wouldn’t do it themselves, so Government had to step in and protect the public from dirty barbers.
Problem in, the latest bunchh ofbarber regulators here in Texas have abolished the regulations covering shaving brushes that spread Barber’s Itch (a sort of fungus that infects the face, not unlike athlete’s foot) and other problems. Worse, they seem very reluctant to tell barbers and barber students that they are entitled to protection against bloodborne disease on the job. Again, check out the OSHA job protections that cover bloodborne pathogens. Anyone who was employed to do face shaves since 1992 who contracted a bloodborne disease probably has legal grounds for a claim against that employer. And anyone reading this who has employees doing shaves, well, if they don’t have the PPE protections necessary for their job, then you’re going to be held liable.
Shaving–it’s not as easy as it looks.
January 14th, 2010 at 2:14 am
How many cosmetologists know about OSHA bloodborne pathogens rules? If you don’t know what they are and why they’re a life-and-death matter for anyone who might contact someone else’s blood, then you don’t need to be doing shaves on the general public. Your ignorance could get your customer and yourself severely sick, or even killed.
http://www.osha.gov/html/comp-links-faq.html
February 13th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
@ZZKing: Thank you for bringing the OSHA standards to the surface, GREAT information. I happened to be a 20 year, Licensed Cosmetologist & Barber. During my time as a State Health Inspector I worked closely with Industrial Hygienists, and upon research, we noticed that unfortunately, many, but not all schools, both Barber and Cosmetology don’t place enough emphasis on these standards. So, I wouldn’t say that either is better at knowing the OSHA standards, but rather its up to the individual to process and understand this information. Many barbers and cosmo’s can’t even remember the blood spill procedure!
February 17th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
This is really off topic, but where are bikini waxes done in a shop, and are bikini shaves available as an alternative?
February 24th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
In Canada, when they discover that a barber has been reusing razor blades, they issue a public health warning and tell folks in the area of the shop to get a hepatitis test if they think they’ve been to his shop.
http://www.healthunit.com/sectionList.aspx?q=razor
http://www.healthunit.com/article.aspx?ID=14687
http://www.londontopic.ca/article.php?artid=12773
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“After conducting recent inspections, the health unit found that some barbers are re-using or have re-used razor blades to shave the face, neck, and/or sideburns of clients,” said health officials in a media release issued Wednesday (Jan. 28).
Officials said the re-use of razor blades between clients is not recommended due to the potential risk of transmitting blood-borne infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.
“You need to ask your barber if they ever re-used razor blades to shave skin when you were a customer of their shop,” advised Dr. Bryna Warshawsky, Associate Medical Officer of Health.
“The Health Unit will also provide information on the recent inspections of barbershops. Should a potential risk of blood-borne infections exist, clients will be advised to see their health care provider about having their blood tested,” Warshawsky said.
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The risk of actually getting infected from a used razor is pretty low, say about 1 out of every few thousand shaves. But, if you have a few thousand people getting barber shaves every day, then statistically speaking, every day someone in the general public is going to get a bloodborne disease from a previously used barber razor.
Here in Texas we have about 25 million people. We have 13,000 licensed barbers and 120,000 licensed cosmetologists, and assuming that 1/3 of the barbers and 1/10th of the cosmetologists do razor shaves with unsterile razor blades, that’s about 16,000 licensees doing putting an awful lot of Texans at risk of getting hepatitis or HIV or whatever. My conservative guess is that about 300-600 people get a bloodborne disease from used razor blades every year when getting a haircut in Texas. And they never realize it, because everybody does it (the Texas Barber Advisory Board said it’s ok to re-use razor blades in their January 2009 meeting), and it takes weeks or months or years for symptoms to develop.
As I opined before, amateurs should get their practice in a barber school so they can get their practice on people who give their consent to be a guinea pig for someone new to shaving. IMHO, it would be crazy for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to issue a decree allowing all the 120,000 licensed cosmetologists to shave when they don’t know how to do it. (A few years ago, the TDLR, right out of the blue, changed the licensing rules to allow barbers to do waxing. So, what do I know about waxing? Enough to get someone in trouble, that’s for sure, because I don’t know how to do it right. And I haven’t had opportunity to do a large number of waxings on a wide variety of skin types, as they do in cosmetology school.
IMHO, barbers have a tough enough time as it is learning how to do shaves and fades and tapers and layer cuts without making them learn and practice the things that cosmetologists do, like waxing and perms and 360′s and nails and pedicures on top of that. And beauty school students have a tough enough time trying to learn how to do corrective coloring and manicures and blunt cuts and updoos and finger waves without having them learn how to properly do straight razor shaves on top of that. Maybe, if school attendance was increased from 1500 hours to 2500 hours, and if the cosmetology schools were to hire additional instructors who were certified in teaching how to do shaving, and how to use a lathering brush and mug soap and shaving creams and etc, it would be ok.
It would be 100% totally irresponsible for any licensing authority to issue razor shaving licenses to thousands (approx 100,000) of untrained cosmetologists who would then have to acquire and practice their skills on paying customers who don’t know they don’t now. what they’re doing.
Just $.01 of my $.02 worth . . .
February 24th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Hey, did anyone else the guy with the razor in shaving photo above? Isn’t he holding the razor incorrectly? And doesn’t he have that stroke out of sequence?
And where is the OSHA-required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)? Suppose that guy is one of the 2% of hepatits-positive people in the US, and the barber nicks him (a probability since the “barber” in the photo is doing other things wrong). And suppose the barber gets some of that blood on his skin, right where there’s a tiny scratch just large enough for a few viruses to slip through.
Huh . . . this isn’t the best choice of photograph to attach to a newstory on this topic.
February 24th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Quote from the story:
——————————————–
“So … what do you think? Is it silly that cosmetologists (who often undergo longer beauty training programs) cannot shave their customers, even with safety razors?”
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ZZKing says:
Not silly here in Texas, because barbers and cosmetologists both undergo 1500 hour training programs. Besides:
* If a cosmetologist is not trained in suitable techniques in the use of a razor blade for shaving a wide variety of skin textures, and
* If a cosmetologist has not been trained in the dangers and safety issues related to razor shaving people who might have a bloodborne disease such as hepatitis or HIV, and
* If the cosmetologist is obligated by her employer to shave without having the benefit of PPE (personal protective equipment) as required by OSHA safety regulations, and
* If the employer of the cosmetologist does not provide 100% complete financial responsibility for any bloodborne disease she may acquire from providing a shaving service,
then it would be unwise for that cosmetologist to perform that shave. Not only for her, but for the customer as well.
Any employer who would require a cosmetologist untrained (and unlilcensed) to perform razor shaves as a condition of her employment in Texas should be pilloried, paraded through the streets in a brank, and then locked in the public stocks for months of well-deserved derision.
Quote from the story:
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“Or do barbers have a right to hang on to something that’s set them apart since the days of white-and-red striped poles?”
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Unless I’m mistaken, these are still the days of the traditional red, white and blue striped barber poles. It’s the oldest trademark in the world; everyone knows what service can be expected where a barber pole is displayed.
Any shop owner who displays a barber pole conveys to the general public that their shop is a place where a person can get a haircut performed by barbers. The traditional barber pole is sometiimes used by people who do not have barbers in their shop, and attempt to profit by misleading the general public into thinking that a haircut performed by a licensed barber, trained and skilled in the art of taper cuts, fades, and razor shaves, is available in their establishment.
Yep, the general public knows that a barber pole is used by barbers to indicate their services– shaves and haircuts. Cosmetologists are free to acquire their own symbol to indicate their services, and they should.
March 2nd, 2010 at 12:04 am
ZZKing, very good points and observations. Nice website also. Are tattoo artists trained to shave different types of skin types?…because they shave all the time.
Also, unfortunately, there are still licensed barbers (and cosmo’s) that aren’t practicing good health and safety standards. About 2 weeks ago, I went to a local barbershop somewhere in Texas to get a cleanup. The barber didn’t know i am licensed also. It all began with the licensed barber draping me without a neck strip, didn’t sanitize hands prior to servicing me, didn’t clean up electrical clippers prior to service, didn’t use a fresh & cleaned disposable straight razor blade, didn’t use ANY type of shave cream prior to shaping my beard (OUCH!) Oh, and he used the same comb on me as he did the previous client.
And after the haircut, the barber used a spray bottle to mist my entire head and face with isopropyl alcohol (BUUUURN!!) I have very sensitive skin, but the barber didn’t bother to ask. To wrap it up, as i was leaving, i noticed that the shop’s permit expired a year ago. I went home and washed my hair and face with Thayers Superhazel, and i felt much better.
So, to all barbers and cosmetologists, please practice health and safety standards that you were taught to practice when you took your state board exam. Now i remember why I cut and shave my own hair.
March 7th, 2010 at 12:42 am
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Dr. Hair said:
Are tattoo artists trained to shave different types of skin types?…because they shave all the time.
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I don’t know what sort of training tattoo artists undergo. But I do know from personal experience that there’s a world of difference between sanitation and sterilization as practiced in Texas tattoo shops and what goes on in barber and cosmetology shops.
Tattoo artists here are regulated by the Department of State Health Services, and the regulations are quite similar to the OSHA bloodborne pathogen rules:
http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=25&pt=1&ch=229&rl=407
Texas barber regulations don’t begin to address the issue. As I mentioned, the last time the Texas Barber Advisory Board had a public meeting (January of 2009) they said it’s ok to reuse blood-contaminated sharps on multiple people. It’s a view not shared by the vast majority of medical professionals.
When I finished barber school and started doing neck shaves in a real-world barber shop, I was glad I had the opportunity to experiment and practice on customers as a student. Skin texture seems to vary more on the neck than most other places on the body, and I took advantage of the opportunity to practice on barber school customers with extreme wrinkles on their necks, as well as warts, bumps, sunburn, scars, and a range of sensitivity to cuts and abrasions.
It seems to me that if cosmetology students were to be taught how to properly use razors on a wide variety of customers’ neck conditions, and had multiple opportunities to practice that skill every day for six months, and if they passed a test demonstrating their skill, then sure, I’d be happy to see them be licensed to do razor shaving. Not only that, but I’d consider hiring them to work in my shop.
For some strange reason, even though I received no instruction in the fine art of waxing whatsoever (it wasn’t a part of our curriculum), and even though I was not tested or required to demonstrate any competance with waxing, the Texas Barber Regulators decided to authorize me (and all Texas barbers) to do waxing from the neck up, but not from the neck down.
I don’t know what difference it makes if I botch up a waxing on someone’s face instead of on their back. It seems to me that anyone licensed by the State of Texas to remove hair with hot wax ought to have been educated and tested on the process. The same is true with shaving and razor blades.
——————————
Dr. Hair wrote:
Also, unfortunately, there are still licensed barbers (and cosmo’s) that aren’t practicing good health and safety standards. About 2 weeks ago, I went to a local barbershop somewhere in Texas to get a cleanup. The barber didn’t know i am licensed also. It all began with the licensed barber draping me without a neck strip, didn’t sanitize hands prior to servicing me, didn’t clean up electrical clippers prior to service, didn’t use a fresh & cleaned disposable straight razor blade, didn’t use ANY type of shave cream prior to shaping my beard (OUCH!) Oh, and he used the same comb on me as he did the previous client.
—————————————–
My experience has been the same. Barber and cosmetology sanitation in the entire State of Texas is so awful, that I tell my customers that it’s better to grow a ponytail (or cut your own hair) rather than risk life and limb with someone who doesn’t understand and practice good shop hygiene. It really is a big problem, and here in Texas, the problem originates with the State regulators.
Neck bumps are fairly common in Texas, and here’s one way to get them:
http://www.urbanskin.com/acne.html
Yet another reason to pay a little extra for a smart barber instead of one who doesn’t know how to protect your heath.
March 20th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
As a barber for over 30 yrs. I feel barbers a basically under attack by the cosmotology industry. We have been shaving and cutting mens hair since before biblical times. The cosmotology industry is realatively new (from an historical perspective) only since about the 1920′s. They are constantly trying to horn in on our territory (the male client) Even though the barbers preltty much leave “their market” alone.
March 20th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
As a barber for over 30 yrs. I am tired of the cosmotologist always trying to “horn in” on our territory. When the barber usually leaves the cosmotologists market alone. Barbers have been shaving and cutting the hair of men since before biblical times. The cosmotology industry is relatively new (from an historical perspective) Just since around the 1920′s. First they were not satisified with servicing the entire female half of the population. So they fought and won the right to cut mens hair. Then they were not satisfied with not being able to trim beards and mustaches. So they fought and won the right to do these. Now their not satisfied because they want to shave men with razors as barbers have always done. Taking our last distiction away from us. Lets face it they wont be satisfied until they totally eliminate the barber. (Its almost happened already) When short haircuts for men started becoming popular again in the 80s barbers were not really able to come back to any great degree because here came the cosmotology industry moving in by opening up so called unisex shops. So they could have all the women patrons and all the men too! No, barbers need to unite or what ever it takes to keep this beauty industry from distroying us completely. To people outside our industry it seems like hair is just hair. But their really is lots of differnce between real barbering and cosmotology. Even though of course their is some overlapping of services. Those who wish to be “real” barbers and work in true barbershops are not intersted in learning perms., nails, sets, makeup, and all the other female specific services. Cosmotlogists need to leave our razors alone!
April 1st, 2010 at 10:04 am
I’ve yet to meet a cosmo that can do ANYTHING on a man’s head without it looking like they were blindfolded while doing so. Barbers have proper training in an almost-lost art, and our craft has already been soiled by the countless modern day unisex salons that staff their establishments with stylists who do sloppy, terrible work on everyone. Cosmos of the world : stick to what you know, and God bless you if you’re one of the few who style, cut and color well. But please, please, please, accept the fact that you’ve no business performing even the most rudimentary mens service, and you certainly have NO business wielding a blade….
April 7th, 2010 at 10:32 pm
While I agree with ChicagoBarrber that frequently men are not getting a true properly done haircut by most cosmos. The sad fact is that their are a lot of men that wouldn’t know a good haircut from a bad one. Or just don’t care. The thing is we need these customers too. They rightfully belong to us. So many of these cosmos are out right frauds. Working in these sports themed places,catering specifically to men and playing down or hiding the fact that they are really beauty operators. They purposely try to decieve the men that go to these places by claimiing to be “haircutters” or “stylist”.
Show me a profesional license that has “haircutter” written on it. Many salons and especially the chains would like the public to be so confused they don’t know a barber from a beauty operator. How deceptive! Unfortunatly there may never be a way for us barbers to regain many of these customers these cosmos have stolen from us. The best thing we can do for ourselves is take pride in our barbering skills and educate the customers as to the differnce between real barbers and these so called “haircutters”.
Also we must attend the meetings of our regulatory agency.
To maintain regulations which seperate us from cosmos and keep us distinct. (like shaving with razors) We have been and are being raped by this cosmetology industry and if we don’t fight back they will destroy us.
June 11th, 2010 at 10:07 am
Most Barbers do NOT steralize their combs/clippers/etc., between customers. The might even go weeks before they clean them. Barbers are more likely to be “dirty” than the Cosmetologists. Sorry Barbers, but most of you are filthy slobs!
June 11th, 2010 at 10:10 am
Watt dah hell you be tlakin bout, Dan? I cleans mine erey day after I closes my shop.
June 12th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Great comeback by Jamall Williams love that answer, thats halarious! Dan Watkins better be careful or he might wind up like Howard Hughes sitting around naked with five inch fingernails wiping germs off his telephone all day and kicking doors open because he’s afraid to touch the door knob! Mr. Watkins should surely know that in any type of service idustry there are some people who adhere to the rules a little better than others. Look at the restaraunt business, there’s clean kitchens and dirty kitchens you can’t say their all the same. To make my point the barbers and cosmetologists have a joint trade publication published by their joint regulatory agency. Violations of the rules including sanitary violations are published for all to see. There are always many sanitary violations by cosmetologists. As a matter of fact the nail services for women which because of dirty tools have resulted in serious medical problems have come from salons not barber shops. This has actually caused our regulatory agency to be more strict now on everybody, barbers and cosmetologists. So who’s really the dirty one here Dan?
When was the last time you heard about someone catching a desease from a barbers comb or clipper? Come on now.
June 18th, 2010 at 11:24 am
This controversy has made its way to Texas Court.
Keep in mind that the Legislature wrote the Law regulating barbers and cosmetologists, and the Legislature wrote the Law giving authority to the Executive Branch (the governor) to appoint someone (the Barber & Cosmetology regulators) to write Administative Rules to carry out the wishes of the Legislature.
Also, keep in mind there’s something called Seperation of Powers
that keeps each branch of government from usurping the authority of the other branches.
Well, evidently the unhappy party asked the court to tell The State Regulators that they did not interpret their own Rules correctly, and to lay off and let their hairdresser employees use razors to shave their customer’s skin the same way that barbers do.
One issue the court observed was the Seperation of Powers. The only time the court can intervene in these disputes is when someone constitiutional rights are being violated. To make a long story short, nobody’s rights were abridged.
The court observed that it (rightfully) lacks the power to second-guess decisions made by either Legislators or the Governor’s representatives (except for Constitutional violations). If this was to change, then the courts could conceivably run everything. So, the court refused to tell the Barber Regulators that they mis-interpreted their own Rules.
Good for us. Who needs Activist Judges, legislating from the bench?
So, it looks like this legal controversy is moving back from an appeals court to another court to have other arcane issues decided.
————–
Essentially, what the problem seems to involve is
whether or not cosmetologists, who have never really been trained or licensed to do razor shaving that barbers have been trained and licensed to do,
can all of a sudden decide to start shaving.
It seems to me that if the answer is yes, then . . . there’s no reason why a person licensed to drive a school bus shouldn’t be allowed to start driving 18-wheelers as well. After all, it’s pretty much the same thing. There’s a few things that are different, but not much.
For that matter, someone who is trained and licensed as a chiropractor, why not allow him to write prescriptions for mild painkillers? Or allow him to diagnose and treat conditions that currently require someone with a Medical license?
Or why not allow a really sharp Paralegal represent me in a traffic court? It’s just a small stretch, and it could save me a lot of money.
The problem is that ya gotta draw lines somewhere.
If the lines are blurred a little bit to allow a schoolbus driver to also drive a gasoline tanker truck, then the schoolbus license could be stretched to include driving a taxicab, to piloting a ferry, to flying a Cessna, to flying an airliner, to whatever.
Maybe there’s one or two people out there who are sufficiently talented to be able to do such things without much training, not everybody is.
It seems to me there is much to be said for strict requirements holding people to fixed periods of instruction followed by a licensing examination before setting people loose on an unsuspecting population to ply their trade.
To make a long story short (which is something I do infrequently and inexpertly), barbers should do the barbering, and cosmetologists should do the cosmetologing. If one wants to do both jobs, they should get both licenses. If a cosmetologist thinks they can drive an 18-wheeler pretty well and wants to provide that service for his customers, he should get a license for that activity, and not presume that he’s entitled to both drive and coiff as a natural consequence of his god-given talents.
Why is this so difficult to understand?
June 18th, 2010 at 7:02 pm
I agree with ZZKing. The serious problem facing us as barbers (that may be our downfall) is that we have a gigantic industry (cometology) that would love nothing more than to eliminate us. Or simply absorb us into theirs. And we are now tiny compared to them. Barbers unfortunatly seem to have a rather independent nature. This works against us because it prevents joining together into any type of unions or guilds or associations that could make us stronger against this enemy. When everyone is an island unto themselves they are weak and can be trampled. The cosmos have little by little been chipping away at our trade for many years now. And the razor is literaly all that’s left. I hate to sound so negative but as they become larger and larger and we continue to decline what would you think would happen. One major problem we have in Texas are these deplorable schools, Which are really just diploma mills. Most people really learn how to cut hair when they leave school and get into the real world in a barbershop. So the answer to growing our trade is obvious. We need aprenticeship as a choice. There are many who are no where near a school . So they work illegaly or go to some little beauty college somewhere and think they can be barbers. Also slightly older adults who would like to leave what their doing and learn barbering cant afford to go to barber school all day and maybe take care of their children . How do they earn a living? Under an apprenticeship they can earn a living while they are learning. We already know their mostly learning on their own in a shop after graduating from barber school.
June 27th, 2010 at 7:42 am
I dont understand why cosmos want to be barbers so bad? I’m a barber in California and have witnesssed a cosmo coming from Florida taking the California cosmo test(before reciprocity) failing it. and then when she went to re-test(reciprocity had started) and she was just given a California license with no further re-test! This person has no clue how to actually cut hair and she takes forever in haircutting. She uses a razor all the time fir razor edge up’s but you can tell that she is really uncomfortable, and so can the client, but she continues and even does a ba job at that. I have no problem with cosmos cutting hair, but Barbers and Cosmos are two completely different things. I think that Cosmos should remain at what they do and barbers do the same. In California our Barber and Cosmo board is one of the same which is a huge mistake, because it gives the cosmos the idea that we are the same. Cosmos by law cant even cut hair under the “barberpole” unless a barber is employed at the shop, You would clearly be amazed at how many do! It also gives them the idea that just because they have spent more hours, money on training (that doesnt partically pertain to skills needed in a barbershop) you can tell them nothing about hair or the hairstyling envoirnment. Which is bogus. Cosmos spend more hours because they are learning cosmo skills(nails, chemicals,etc.) not barbering skills. So in conclusion, Cosmos and Barbers are people that have been blessed to be in a career that is similar, but very different when it comes to taking care of clients. Bottom line, stop mixing Apples and Oranges!
July 4th, 2010 at 7:59 am
I can respect what everyone is saying here because I have both licenses, and I CLEARLY understand the differences and history of the two branches. Some states are dually training students, and once you get your license, its up to you of what services you want to offer. So, some state ARE mixing Apples and Oranges…. What are your thoughts on this?
July 4th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
To answer Dr. Hair, regarding the states that are mixing apples and oranges (so to speak) this is probably inevitable. The handwriting is on the wall. When the barber industy and beauty industry ( while quite disticnt at one time) started blurring the distictions between the two, thats when we started getting into trouble. In the 70s as you probably know barbers who wanted to survive started experimenting with beauty work, long hair, perms on men, women clients. And at the same time the beauty industy was aggresivlly going after men, turning their once extreemly feminine decor, pink upholstered chairs, christal chandeliers into gender neutral sterile looking unisex venues. Its no wonder the trades are so blurred and stepping on each others toes. Even though I really regret it, we probably at this point could just as easily have one license for everyone in the hair business. Then those of us traditionalists can put in whatever type of shop or salon we want. Old fashioned barbershop or unisex shop. Just like their doing now. The only real problem with this is when we are inspected. If I’m running an old fashioned barbershop (with no chemicals) I shouldn’t be expected to adhere to some of the same rules that my cosmo counterpart does. (covered trash cans, sweeping after every client as cosmos do instead of as soon as practicable for barbers. So thats what I would be concerned about with just one license. Can special consideration be made, from inspectors, when they see distictions made in the services we offer, And type of store we are running?
July 9th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Joe, you make some very valid points, and the writing is on the wall. As governments try to figure out how to save money, the two boards continue to be squeezed together to save office space….unless of course, the political side of things are strong enough to keep them separate. I did serve as a regulatory representative, and if you run an old fashioned barbershop with no chemicals such as bleaches, colors etc… (minus the barbercide or marvycide), then we would generally mark it on the inspection checklist that you don’t have any of those products in the shop. Basically, it wouldn’t apply to you. For instance, if a dual permit barbershop/salon didn’t have any cosmo’s currently working there, then we would simply write that there were no cosmo’s present during inspection. If there were no deficiencies at all (a perfect inspection), then we’d write that there were no deficiencies found at the time of inspection.
July 9th, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Also, a very good friend of mine, on the east coast, has been able to reinstate the Barbering program back into the training program instead of schools simply skimming over it. (doing shaves on real people, not dummies) So, as long as the passion is there, and we have dedicated individuals who can carry the torch to teach Classic Barbering techniques, i believe the craft will continue to live on. However, I’ve looked into State Barbering websites, i notice that there are very few instructors statewide. My question is, why are there soo many Barber’s who simply do not want to carry on the craft and obtain Instructor Certification to keep it going?
July 10th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
In response to Dr. Hair, there are not many barber colleges in the state of Texas for the population. So their wouldn’t really be that many positions available. Also so many of the barber schools are really in sad shape to say the least. Who really wants to work there?Also I would assume most barbers could make more money in a good shop rather than the salary they would earn at a barber school.
What we need more than anything else in Texas is apprenticeship. This would help all the people who want to be barbers but are nowhere near a school. Right now many are working illegaly because of this. We need an alternate way for them to enter the trade.
Many states offer this option. It usually takes longer than barber college but the student can earn a living in the shop while they are learning. And for those not anywhere near a school apprenticeship is a wonderful method of entering the trade. There are also many people who would like to change carears but can’t quit their job to go to barber school all day for 9 months ( they gotta eat) They can earn a living while learning with an apprenticeship program. This is what we need to help our trade in Texas. This will put more Texans to work!
July 13th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
I agree with apprenticeships Joe. That’s how I got started-first day I was sweeping hair, and learned from seasoned, professional Barbers. I also learned how to manage a Barber shop. The tips kept some bills paid, and It was first hand experience with learning how to work with various groups of people. LOVED IT.
September 22nd, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Maybthine problem is the lack of barber schools. My grandfather worked all his career as a barber from about 1930 thru about 1960. I would like to change careers, follow in his footsteps and be a barber. I can’t locate a barber school close to me that offers a barber training program only. The cosmetology schools refer to their training as barber/stylist training. Where can I be trained as a barber in the DFW area?
October 24th, 2010 at 10:37 am
I am a 38 year old women, whom has been a barber a little over twelve years. I got into this profession for the originality of the old fashioned barber shop!! I think mixing barber and cosmotology together is not only sad for us barbers, but for the clients that want to be in the original old fashioned shop setting. Shaving is what the barber is known for. We are not allowed to wax at all anymore, and we are not allowed to do any makeup techniques or a few other things that cosmotologist are allowed to do. As far as I am concerned, if the cosmotologist wants to shave the back of the neck with a strait razor, they should have went to barber school in the first place. I know of men that will never go to a cosmotologist because the barbers and barber shop symbol are a very important part of history, you screw that up, well it’s just sad.
October 24th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
texasbarberwannabe has pinpointed the exact problem which is destroying our trade. Since there is such a lack of schools its just too much of a problem for many to enter the trade. Our regulators need to make it easier to become barbers, not continue to make it harder.
The answer is apprenticeshiip. This would be much more likely to be successful than encourageing more schools. Barber schools involve huge financial investments and risk. I just don’t see enough schools just all of a sudden popping up to take care of our problem. We need an alternative.
There’s also something special about learning directly under a master tradesman. And he certainly has an incentive to teach his apprentice well since they will be working on his customers.
We as barbers (and even those concidering training) need to write to their state representatives and let them know we desperatly need apprenticeship in Texas so we can save our trade.
November 2nd, 2010 at 4:25 pm
I dont understand why cosmos want to be barbers so bad? I’m a barber in California and have witnesssed a cosmo coming from Florida taking the California cosmo test(before reciprocity) failing it. and then when she went to re-test(reciprocity had started) and she was just given a California license with no further re-test! This person has no clue how to actually cut hair and she takes forever in haircutting. She uses a razor all the time fir razor edge up’s but you can tell that she is really uncomfortable, and so can the client, but she continues and even does a ba job at that. I have no problem with cosmos cutting hair, but Barbers and Cosmos are two completely different things. I think that Cosmos should remain at what they do and barbers do the same. In California our Barber and Cosmo board is one of the same which is a huge mistake, because it gives the cosmos the idea that we are the same. Cosmos by law cant even cut hair under the “barberpole” unless a barber is employed at the shop, You would clearly be amazed at how many do! It also gives them the idea that just because they have spent more hours, money on training (that doesnt partically pertain to skills needed in a barbershop) you can tell them nothing about hair or the hairstyling envoirnment. Which is bogus. Cosmos spend more hours because they are learning cosmo skills(nails, chemicals,etc.) not barbering skills. So in conclusion, Cosmos and Barbers are people that have been blessed to be in a career that is similar, but very different when it comes to taking care of clients. Bottom line, stop mixing Apples and Oranges!
November 20th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
I’m looking for a good barber college here in Texas. I’ve lived in 3 major cities in Texas, but everytime i go to inquire about enrolling in a Barber college, Its either GHETTO style, old, dirty and run down and/or not enough instructors. It simply seems like all they want is my money….. Also, I researched school exam results on the state of texas website….WOW. Many students can pass the practical, but it takes an average of 2-3 tries to pass the written…WTF? I now see why there’s only 13,000-14,000 licensed barbers in Texas versus over 100,000 licensed cosmo’s. THESE BARBER SCHOOLS HAVE GOT TO GET IT TOGETHER!!! With all due respect to the licensed barbers and instructors in Texas, please don’t slack on the Barbering profession in this state. geeez, just sayin’…
November 20th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
@ JOE-I feel the same with your views on apprenticeship. Now, ideally, i feel that the barber who takes on apprentices should either be an instructor or at minimum, be able to demonstrate mastery to a panel of pro’s of this great art. Here’s what irritates the hell outta me; I’ve seen waaaay too many barbers earn their license, and get relaxed on professional practice as well as knowledge base. I’m all for schools, but you’ve got to be a great school to truly continue to produce QUALITY Barbers, not merely quantity. So, i understand that schools are against apprenticeships, however, there should be some accountability on their part, i.e., regulators could ensure the quality by monitoring pass/fail rates of schools. If their pass rates aren’t adequate, then they should take some type of responsibility for it….some my disagree, but I’m one of the licensed pro’s who still cares about those who come after me.
January 17th, 2011 at 11:58 am
After reading over all of your comments, and some I do agree with, all of you are missing the point on the legal issue of a Cosmetologist Shaving. It is not about Cosmetologist using a straight razor. It is about Cosmetologist being able to use a guarded, disposable saftey blade to trim a client’s hair to the length the client desires. It is about being able to do a service that is asked for by the client and not be handicapped by a discriminatory rule that will let a Tattoo Artist or any health care provider (with no training) trim a man’s beard or neck hair to the length desired or needed with a disposable safety blade. It is about equality. And if the Barbers feel threatened by that they have much deeper problems. The Barber profession is not about a single tool. Tools are new and improved all the time. If your career centers on a specific tool and you refuse to upgrade your self and the use of new tools your career will be short.
January 25th, 2011 at 2:44 am
I’m a cosmetology instructor (5 years) and cosmetologist have been a cosmetologist for about 15 years. I took cosmetology in high school and at that age you really don’t know what you want to do. After working in many salons I found I liked mens cutting the most. I worked in a men’s sport shop and I specialize in men’s haircuts. Yes I know how to do clipper over comb and scissor over comb etc. (thats silly anyone would say that) and we do not tell our customers that we are barbers or try to pass off as barbers. The shop I worked for advertises that it is a place for men and boys that don’t want to go to a beauty shop and deal with the long wait there because of women getting longer services. It is also a place that they do not have to deal with the smell of chemicals from perms etc. It is an alternative to going to a women’s beauty shop and we specialize in men’s haircutting. Many of the customers that go to cosmetologist would never go to a barber shop. The truth is most barbers are men and most cosmetologist are women (not always the case but this is a sterotype). Many men (although I do not agree with it because I always say its a haircut not a lapdance) will not let another man cut their hair and even if they would they would much rather a pretty female do it. I have went to help out in another store where no one knew me but I had a customer request because there were only men working and one other female.
In fact a place that I worked after the sports place I managed and I had two barbers that came to work on Sundays when the barber shop they worked in was closed. They were slower than all the cosmos and fades were not as smooth. They refused to do women’s hair at all and threw off everything. We could not keep them because everyone else did not think it was fair that the cosmos got stuck with all the womens cuts which take a lot longer. They could do decent flattops which really are not in style anymore at all but when needed I can do a flattop that looks just as good as theirs. It takes me slightly longer than other cuts but I was still faster than them.
Here is something else…I have never done a full bikini wax either. I am licensed to do one and I have seen it demonstrated, but if I were to start doing them I would take speciality classes just like I would if I wanted to start doing full shaves. Waxing is not something cosmetologist focus on during school the waxing customers go to the esthiticans (I know I prob spelled that wrong). I personally would not want to do a full shave just trim the neck and edge. Also I have used balding clippers to do triple zero fades (these actually get closer than that) and I would have to say those are probably more dangerous than a straight razor because the blades are so close it will try to pull a tiny piece of the skin into the clipper if the skin is not pulled tight. Sometimes even if it is it will still cut the skin or if I am having to pull up on the skin over areas I have already cut there could be tiny amounts of blood I don’t even know are there. I would much rather just use a razor it is much more safe.
I would also like to say as a cosmetology instructor yes we all the same thing about blood OSHA etc that barbers do. Our text book is for all states and Texas is one of the few that can not use a straight razor. OSHA is one of the first things that is taught. As far as everyone saying that cosmetologist are taking over and ruining their business it is a free market. You have the right to market how you please to win back your customers or keep them just as cosmetologist do. Cosmetologist do not owe you anything. I have also worked for barbers that you would never know are actually barbers because they do color, perms, etc. I never freaked out and thought they were taking away from cosmetologist.
February 6th, 2011 at 4:01 pm
Some may disagree with this post and that’s okay, BUT, as of February 6, 2011:
For Texas Barbers there are; 155 Barber Teachers, 41 Licensed Barber Schools, 13,375 Class A Barbers.
For Texas Cosmetologists there are; 4,708 Instructors, 409 Cosmetology Schools, 123,917 Cosmetology Operators.
Who should be held accountable for the differences in the numbers? They Both have to complete 1,500 hours, and pass both written and practical exams.
With a state population of 25.2 million people, why aren’t there more Licensed Barbers?
All I say is this: IF Texas offered Apprenticeships (which is how i was trained), and if Texas offered a Cosmetology to Barber (or vice-versa) crossover program (ex. a cosmo has to complete 750 hrs of Barber Training and take the exam), wouldn’t that help to somewhat balance the shaving law issue? Cosmo’s who want to shave could easily enroll, complete the training, pass the test and get to work. As of right now, Texas requires cosmo’s to take the entire 1,500 hours, thus ending up having 3,000 hours of school when completed….
Now, here’s some real talk…..”Then why didn’t cosmo’s enroll in Barber school in the first place”, you ask? Remember, there are a limited # of Barber Teachers AND schools, creating a never ending “wait list”. Also, there are a large # of people who get released from the prison system, and find ways to get the state gov’t to pay for Barber School for free so guess who gets first dibs on an opening….?? The Barber Teacher know’s the state’s gonna give up the $$ quicker. And that’s the game…
ALSO, how many of the 41 Barber schools offer evening classes for those who have to work during the hours of 8am-5pm? Most instructors I know in Texas are having trouble finding help to run the schools and the quality sometimes takes a back seat because 1-2 teacher’s have to manage the school, instruct and discipline at the same time and its not easy: Teachers become overworked at times.
What’s the real deal here?
March 23rd, 2011 at 5:58 pm
What about salon staff who razor cut hair without requiring any additional licensing. We are watching this as it affects our cosmetology programs.
June 15th, 2011 at 7:52 pm
This problem is happening across the country as the joining of cosemetology and barbering is becoming more and more popular. The problem is that it is being decided by governor’s who do not in fact know anything about the industry. Usually going off what they think. There is much disinformation in our own minds as professionals because we seem to forget our roots, why the laws are in place, etc. Take for instance the beleif that barbers infringed upon cosmetology in the seventy’s trying to survive. Fact is cosmetology was started by barbers at A.B. Moler as an addition to barbering and called it “cosmetic application”. Prior to the early 1900′s there was no such thing as cosmetology. Public safety, health, and the right to know the person working on you in a salon or barber shop is licensed and is held accountable for what happens in there shop and is duty bound to know there craft. It is for the public, not for our benefit. Sadly the split happened, we saw a increase in creativity and knew techniques and we have seen decline in many areas in both industry sides in the past thirty years as a result as well. States are deciding to lower education requirements for both industry’s every year including getting rid of practical exams. No continueing education mandates etc. Students going in think this is great. However it is killing our industry. The shave is more than scraping hair of someones face. It is a experiance that should be met with much respect and attention to detail. You can disfigure someone for life, give them a disease, or worse yet kill them. Chemical application of bleach and lightner can make someone bald for life and scar them forever. A rusty razor blade can give tetinous as a minimum. I suggest if we do end up combining the two sciences that we increase the hours to 2400 with a 9 month apprenticeship, I suggest that the health department be in charge of sanitation inspection, That there be a practical after school graduation and another after apprenticeship time is up. Also continueing edu for sanitation and current techniques per year.) The more bad hair there is out there the less we are deemed worth as a whole. People stop caring and get less and less services. People already get less and less shaves because they have had a bad one or hear the horror story’s of them. We are systematically destroying our profession by allowing more and more hacks out of school doing things they have no idea how to do. Prices go farther down. On that note all of you who work at a corporate chain for 10 bucks an hour are destroying our industry as well and dont even know it. Thats why we have to charge 15 to twenty for a haircut after all the education we go through and pay for. They can charge so little because they pay you so little. You have insurance free. Cracks me up i make over 3 thousand a month and do so even though i just started in a shop on commision without knew clientelle and its a barber shop. Yet you take home 500 after taxes after 2 weeks of working your ass of. I work three days a week. so how much is that insurance costing you? You make the hole in which you find yourself for working in such places.
June 15th, 2011 at 8:20 pm
This problem is happening across the country as the joining of cosemetology and barbering is becoming more and more popular. The problem is that it is being decided by governor’s who do not in fact know anything about the industry. Usually going off what they think. There is much disinformation in our own minds as professionals because we seem to forget our roots, why the laws are in place, etc. Take for instance the beleif that barbers infringed upon cosmetology in the seventy’s trying to survive. Fact is cosmetology was started by barbers at A.B. Moler as an addition to barbering and called it “cosmetic application”. Prior to the early 1900′s there was no such thing as cosmetology. Public safety, health, and the right to know the person working on you in a salon or barber shop is licensed and is held accountable for what happens in there shop and is duty bound to know there craft. It is for the public, not for our benefit. Sadly the split happened, we saw a increase in creativity and knew techniques and we have seen decline in many areas in both industry sides in the past thirty years as a result as well. States are deciding to lower education requirements for both industry’s every year including getting rid of practical exams. No continueing education mandates etc. Students going in think this is great. However it is killing our industry. The shave is more than scraping hair of someones face. It is a experiance that should be met with much respect and attention to detail. You can disfigure someone for life, give them a disease, or worse yet kill them. Chemical application of bleach and lightner can make someone bald for life and scar them forever. A rusty razor blade can give tetinous as a minimum. I suggest if we do end up combining the two sciences that we increase the hours to 2400 with a 9 month apprenticeship, I suggest that the health department be in charge of sanitation inspection, That there be a practical after school graduation and another after apprenticeship time is up. Also continueing edu for sanitation and current techniques per year.) The more bad hair there is out there the less we are deemed worth as a whole. People stop caring and get less and less services. People already get less and less shaves because they have had a bad one or hear the horror story’s of them. We are systematically destroying our profession by allowing more and more hacks out of school doing things they have no idea how to do. Prices go farther down. On that note all of you who work at a corporate chain for 10 bucks an hour are destroying our industry as well and dont even know it. Thats why we have to charge 15 to twenty for a haircut after all the education we go through and pay for. They can charge so little because they pay you so little. You have insurance free. Cracks me up i make over 3 thousand a month and do so even though i just started in a shop on commision without knew clientelle and its a barber shop. Yet you take home 500 after taxes after 2 weeks of working your ass of. I work three days a week. so how much is that insurance costing you? You make the hole in which you find yourself for working in such places.
As far as Razor cutting. Barbers are in fact trained in all manners of cutting hair including the use a feather razor. In fact up until recent years the haircutting course in most cosmetology schools is considered a barbering course.
Barbers
A “barber” is any person who engages in the practice of “barbering” for the public generally or for consideration.
As per the Kenyucky board of barbering defination:
“Barbering” is the practice upon the human neck and head, principally of shaving or trimming the beard or cutting the hair but includes also:
•Giving facial and scalp massage or treatments with oils, creams, lotions or other preparations, either by hand or any contrivance;
•Singeing, shampooing, pressing, arranging, dressing or dyeing the hair or applying hair tonics;
•and Applying to the neck or head cosmetics, lotions, powders, oils, clays or other preparations.
Dictionary:
Barber
n.
One whose business is to cut hair, hair dressing or arranging of, and to shave or trim beards.
v., -bered, -ber·ing, -bers.
In fact in Kentucky its 1500 hours to graduate school
Then a bored practical including written exam.
During the practical you must perform a Mens Business taper(From nothing to hair at a 45% angle around the base perimeter of the head with no gaurds using only a taper comb for taper and barber comb for sides then a standard hair cutting comb for shear work on the top) the perform neck shave, upright Shampoo, A Straight razor face shave complete with hot towels and calling out which step of the fourteen your on as well as what stroke type, then a face massage calling out what part your on and correct manipulations, followed by your live model being checked and escorted out you will show and describe application of color, highlighting, and 3 perm rods on a maniquin. Then once all thats done and you pass in an our and twenty minutes you can apprenticeship for nine months and do this test again in less time for your full llicense. How many of the cosmetologist in this list can say they had 600 hours of nothing but straight razor shaves on live people, chemistry 350, haircutting 350 and, 200 sanitation. Not including apprentiship? How many cosmotolgists posting in this list has more training then that?
September 8th, 2011 at 10:23 am
whats intersting about this is that the cosmos want to overtake every service that has always belonged to the barber. But barbers (for the most part) are not interested in doing beauty services. So who’s the aggressor here?
December 15th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
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