I love this time of year! Hair shows and clipper competitions are in full swing and I can’t wait to see the new and current waves of talent that are willing to take the big stage!
Whether it’s your first or 40th competition, there’s always room for improvement. As a competitor, model, and judge of barber battles, here are 5 rules to follow if you want to win!
1. Know Your Category; Read the RULES.
Often, people assume the actual haircut is the only factor when in competition. Remember, things like length of your model’s hair, how much hair to be removed, and the use of props, costumes, and enhancements are a few items that also play a huge factor.
This is why you have to do your research on the category you are entering. Though many rules will be the same, whether you are in “Fastest Fade,” “Total Look,” “Fantasy,” “Designs,” or another category, each one will have its own “thing” that sets it apart from one another.
There is no universal set of rules or point scale, so make sure you read and understand completely the official rules made available to competitors.
2. Ask about ENHANCEMENTS.
In the beauty and barbering world "enhancements" could mean hair color, chalk pencils, extensions, or any other outside element used to “enhance” the look.
On a regular everyday cut, enhancements may not be your thing — but in the hair battle world, enhancements can take you from average to WOW when used correctly.
I'm not saying you have to use them, but if you plan to, make sure your competition category allows them. Otherwise, your game plan has been compromised and you’ll have to adjust. When in hair battle mode, there’s no room for that!
3: Be Prepared; Know What EQUIPMENT is Allowed.
I’ve been to battles where competitors were relying on their razor to clean up their haircut — only to find out it was prohibited. I have also witnessed people borrowing or buying cordless clippers at the last minute because they forgot to bring their own extension cord.
Know what tools are allowed and are not allowed to use, and make sure you bring chargers, cords, replacement components, and backups for everything you will need!
Sometimes a clipper company will sponsor a competition and gift the competitors clippers and shears to use during the battle. If this is the case, you want to be as prepared as possible before using a potentially unfamiliar tool.
Research the tool's performance on YouTube and other platforms. Once you learn more about it, you may decide to change your model or rethink the cut you planned to go with.
4. Strategize Your LIGHTING to Avoid the Dreaded "False Blend."
During hair battles, you'll often see a judge holding a white sheet of paper against your model’s head, or shining a bright light on your model. What they’re looking for are “false blends” — looks that may appear well-blended at one angle, but when held against a light or a contrasting color, the imperfections really pop out.
This may seem small but trust me, the tiniest imperfections can bump you from first to completely out of the rankings.
My tip: wear a shirt that contrasts the color of your model's hair, to help you while you're working. Use your phone’s camera or a mirror to check for false blends in your cut. If you can bring your own ring light or head lamp, use that.
You never know the lighting situation, so stay prepared and expect the unexpected!
5. Finish Strong and Don't Blow It on the DETAILS!
I was once judging a battle in New Jersey where a local legend was present. He could REALLY cut! From the audience point of view, he was easily the victor. But when we took the models backstage to judge, he ended up placing third.
What knocked him down? His client looked “unpolished." He was so busy celebrating after his performance, he forgot to brush off his client and had hair everywhere: on the model’s collar, base of the neck, and behind his ears.
If you jump into a competition, it’s not just the haircut. It’s the complete look, which means a strong and polished finish. Be sure when finishing your masterpiece, you inspect it with a fine-tooth comb. (I mean that figuratively of course!) Don't blow a strong performance by falling short on the details that can make or break a look.
On March 23, I'll be at the Fades and Blades Barber Battle in New York, sponsored by L3VEL3 and hosted by the International Beauty Show! Interested in competing FOR FREE? DM me on Instagram or email MrStateboard@yahoo.com.
Thomas “Mr. Stateboard” James will be teaching "Transform Chair Hoppers into Loyal Clients" and "5 Things to Do Before & After Graduating to Launch Your Career," as well as participating in several panel discussions, at the International Beauty Show-New York from March 23-25. Register here.