A great hairdresser or groomer can be a game changer, and the right one can elevate your entire appearance, however finding the one is no small feat and who wants to play trial and error with their mane? As a men’s fashion stylist, I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by not only some of the best men’s groomers around, but also some of the best coiffed men in the world. We hounded them to spill the beans on their go-to hairstylists by city, from under-the-radar barbers to celebrated, high-end salons.
Editor’s Note: This list will be updated and added to on a regular basis, with more and more cities, so keep it in your back pocket any time you’re globe trotting for a work meeting, wedding, or just looking for your new go-to.
Jason Schneidman is one of Hollywood’s go-to’s, having worked with everyone from Hugh Jackman, Jonah Hill, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson and James Corden as well as editorials for GQ and L’Uomo Vogue, yet the vibe at his Venice shop couldn’t be more laid back. The barbershop-meets-surf & skate-shop spot also sells Schneidman’s line of grooming products, with part of the proceeds going to Schneidman’s foundation to help get homeless people and recovering addicts off the street one haircut at a time.
At his namesake salon, colorist and hairstylist Benjamin Nelson specializes in edgier cuts that lean more Peaky Blinders, and can be found on YouTube giving tutorials on how to do the perfect samurai bun.
8535 Santa Monica Blvd / Los Angeles / [email protected]
Dudes looking for an elevated take on an old school cut-and-shave (administered the retro way with hot towels and straight razors) need look no further than this gorgeous throwback barber shop in West Hollywood. Sources tell us you’re in good hands with any of their barbers. Along with shave brushes, razors and after-shave balms, the shop’s ever-popular brand Baxter of California also encompasses skincare, hair products, body washes, candles and soaps, making it easy to stock your bathroom in one visit.
515 N La Cienega Blvd / West Hollywood / 310.657.4726
One of the best haircuts we’ve seen in a long time came straight from the hands of CJ Romero. After working at Rudy’s Barbershop, Romero gained a steady clientele for his cutting, coloring, grooming, and hairstylist skills as well as working on films, print, and red carpets. Romero now cuts and styles out The Studio by Adam Lee Kenney in Silverlake.
4312 Sunset Blvd / Los Angeles / 323.543.3159 / [email protected]
Ian Scott Dorey’s male clients go to him for undone, perfectly messy, borderline-punk haircuts that grow out perfectly, requiring little styling and maintenance. Working out of his private studio in Downtown LA’s Arts District (just a few blocks from Soho Warehouse), the space is in a factory building built in 1921, decked out with antique gothic furniture. New clients book him directly through his Instagram page at @ianscottdorey.
Craingi is a renowned celebrity hairstylist whose cuts and color are just the glow-up you didn’t know you needed until see yourself after his handiwork. Working out of Industrie Salon, he’s a frequent go-to for several A-list guys with really great hair.
You may have noticed wild, curly coifs are a thing right now, meaning, if you have curly hair, let it loose. But to give it that untamed yet tamed effortless look, you gotta get it in the hands of someone who knows how to manage curls. Tony is your girl. By the way, f you have straight or wavy hair, she’s still your girl. And what a bit of scandal—you got your hair cut at Supercuts.
When you are the go-to hairstylist and groomer for half the men in Hollywood—including Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, and Jake Gyllenhaal, that automatically puts you in the sweet spot of setting the tone for men’s hair trends. Kristan Serafino does just that. When she’s not on press tour with clients she works out of the Sisley Paris salon on Bleecker. Or giving us great grooming tips from What to Pack in Your Dopp Kit to How to Nail a Mustache and even how to Manscape South of the Border and Beyond.
343 Bleecker Street / New York, NY / 212.645.1013
Well Connected Barbershop is a Lower East Side institution founded and owned by Master Barber Willis Orengo. Opened in 2009, WC has become one of the premiere New York barbershops offering a great cut for an affordable price.
66 Rivington St / New York, NY / 212.780.5780
One very meticulous A-lister told us you can walk into any Fellow Barber in any city and always expect a great cut and shave. Before Fellow Barber opened, the idea of “contemporary barber culture” as we know it today didn’t exist. In the early aughts in NY, there were two options for haircuts: to make an appointment at a salon and pay $100 and up or pay a visit to the closest barbershop charging an average of $12 for questionable quality. Fellow Barber provides an elevated and relevant take on barbering service with a convenient, walk-in wait list and a $40 price point and have spawned a new barbering subculture along the way.
Another spot where pretty much any barber you get is bound to nail it—however, if you can get Brett, do. He comes highly recommended from people in-the-know.
243 Mulberry St / New York, NY / 212.519.7189
Owner Martial Vivot is a world-renowned gentlemen’s grooming guru and arguably the city’s preeminent men’s stylist. Ask for Losi for the best haircut, not to mention a great shampoo and conditioner.
39 W 54th St / New York, NY / 212.956.2990
A go-to since the mid nineties, Barton is heralded for a distinct haircutting style she refers to as “interior shaping.” Having worked with everyone from Ethan Hawke (and honestly, who doesn’t want his hair?) to Bono, her cuts are known to last for months and grow in beautifully.
7 Bond St / New York, NY / 212.633.1011
Originally built as a barber shop in 1933 by Mr. D.C. Woodland, Avenue Barber Shop on Austin’s trendy South Congress is a locally-owned Austin go-to for locals and musicians. Classic, exceptional barber services offered in a relaxed, neighborhood atmosphere. Appointments are recommended and they’re cash only.
1710 S Congress Ave / Austin, TX / 512.441.2467
If you need something more specific than a barber haircut, check out Jackie, aka Jax, for both cut and color. Jackie studied under haircut masters Anh Co Tran, Pope the Barber, Buddy Porter, and Joel Torres.
6203 N. Capital of Texas Hwy. / Suite C100 / Austin, TX / 512.505.8525
Many Nashville artists swear by this bright, airy spot as the only place they would go to in town. The salon also prides itself on using eco and natural products from all around the world.
747 Douglas Ave Suite 106 / Nashville, TN / 615.645.9192
Opening just last year, Eric Marshall Salon is an intimate, product-focused salon in Nashville’s West Meade neighborhood who uses the Davines hair color and products exclusively. Eric Marshall himself came highly recommended by some of Nashville’s biggest superstars, who refer to him as an unsung hero of men’s hairstyling. Marshall says he doesn’t specialize in one particular thing, however grey coverage and removing weight from dense hair “take up a lot of his time.”
Many call Black Heart Barber the best in Nashville for men’s haircuts. It’s your typical old school barbershop, yet filled with hipsters. They have the classic hairdos mastered: pompadours, fades and slick-backs.
9 S 9th St Suite 1 / Nashville, TN / 615.939.5157
Celina Vito is often recommended specifically for men’s haircuts. Note that Local Honey has three locations in Nashville, so call ahead to find what location Celina will be working.
Everyone from the Afflecks to JFK, Barack Obama, Yo-Yo Ma, former Massachusetts governors Mike Dukakis and William Weld, and former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg has gotten a cut at La Flamme at one point or another. Harvard Square’s old historic barber shop, owned by George Papalimberis, has become a meeting ground over the years. Open since 1898, it’s the kind of place where Harvard alumni will come back 40 years later for a friendly hello.
Besides the fact that some of London’s A-list with truly great hair have used him for years, the Financial Times once said this of Guastella, “His haircuts grow out of the man like Michelangelo releasing David from Marble. Some call his haircuts works of art.” And how could anyone argue with that?
All we’re gonna say, without naming names, is that the barber of one of England’s most iconic heads of hair recommended Forbici, which offers several services including beard trims, wash and style, and of course haircuts.
If you want something traditional, Trumpers is the cool old school spot. They offer shave, beard and moustache trim and shape, mani-pedis, haircuts, hair grooming, and even facial cleanse and massage. A proper gentleman’s spot.
For a high-end offering, Gentlemen’s Tonic has haircuts and finishes, traditional wet shaves, beard trims, clipper cuts, father and son’s haircuts, and even razor head shaves on the menu and comes well recommended. They also have a menu of different offerings for coloring hair, like “Camo color” and “Grey away”.
31a Bruton Pl / London W1J 6NN / United Kingdom / 44.20.7297.4343
With several locations all over London, you can pick any one and expect a full service experience. You’ll be offered Turkish coffee, a hot towel, and all the little things that make you look forward to getting your haircut. And it comes highly recommended from Londoners with great heads of hair.
A grooming institution since it first opened in 1936, Alain Barbier—who has been referred to as “the Godfather” of barbers and is generally considered to be one of the best old school barbershops in Paris—is known as having opened the door to the entire profession.
Lombard has been a go-to for cool guys with iconic manes for decades and has worked with the likes of Vincent Cassel, Guillaume Canet and Lenny Kravitz. He also does silver fox like no one else.
9 Avenue de l’Opéra / 75001 Paris / 09.70.90.83.81
There’s no arguing that the French do cool French hair in a way no one else can even come close. Bobby Pins is the place for it. More effortlessly hip than hipster, it’s the ultimate low key, modern salon.
Gianluigi caters to some of Milan’s coolest fashion set and the salon aesthetic alone is worth the visit. You can also check out Gianluigi’s work here.
After an extensive period in Great Britain as art director at the Vidal Sassoon Academy, Davide Diodovich started working in film and TV, and eventually (given that Milan is one of the fashion capitals of the world) his talent took him behind the catwalks and coolest fashion shoots in Milan, Paris and New York—as well as working with the biggest international photographers for fashion magazines across the world and collaborating with the some of the world’s most prestigious fashion brands.
Via Aurelio Saffi, 25 / 20123 Milano MI, Italy / 39.02.8928.3420
Toni&Guy may not be the first place that springs to mind when you think cool, Milan spots but some of the city’s most stylish look to Sergio Carlucci, Co-founder and Creative Director at Toni&Guy Italia, for their do’s.
Editor’s Note: Some of the activities, hotels, and restaurants listed on our website may be currently closed due to Covid health restrictions. We urge you to check before visiting and to exercise caution and follow CDC guidelines if traveling or visiting any of our recommendations.
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