In fact, a hit movie series plays up on the role they have played in many guys' lives. But if you are really just looking for a great hairstyle, you might not care about that. Regardless of whether you want quality or camaraderie, you can find it with the right shop. We've compiled a list to show you how to find a good barber for your situation. 

For whatever reason, you're looking for a new barber. Maybe it's your first time ever getting an upscale haircut. Or perhaps you moved to a new area and haven't made that important connection yet. Well, the good news is that with a little effort you can be in your favorite barber chair. It really is not that hard to learn how to find a good barber. And the internet has only made that process easier. But there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind before you start looking. We've selected some key pieces of information to bring with you as you begin the quest.

1. Know your style - There are many different types of barber shops. Some are traditional and will cater to any client who enters. Others are specialized based on particular hairstyles. If you're looking for a very precise cut, you might want to look for the latter. But if you just want to trust your hair to expert hands, a more general barber might work.
2. Know your expectations - We've established that going to the barber can be a social experience. If you're looking for that, there are ways to identify the type of community you seek. But some guys are looking for a quick cut to get out of the door. There are plenty of options for these men as well.
3. Know your budget - When we say budget for your haircut, we're not just talking about money. You might be comfortable paying a premium for a high end haircut. But maybe you can't sit around and wait for service. Whether you're budgeting time or money, knowing what a barber offers up front is helpful.

We've heard the excuses people have used to just try out any barber or salon. They say it's "just hair" and "it will grow back." Well, maybe you don't want to wait for a bad haircut to grow out. If you want to lower the risk that you'll be stuck with an embarrassment, just follow our tutorial.

Okay, if all your friends walk around with bed head or a mop top, maybe skip this step. But if you hang out with fashionable guys and like their style, ask them for recommendations. Even if you don't like their style but think it was cut well, take that into consideration. The bottom line is that your friends will be more accountable. If they lead you in the wrong direction, you can at least call them out on it. In a friendly way, of course. Chance are they'll take an extra minute to think before sending you to a barber. Trying to figure out how to find a good barber might seem intimidating. Talking to your pals is probably an easier way to get started in the process.

As you probably know from seeking any type of referral, search engines can be your best friends. Whether you use Google or one of its lesser known rivals, the power of the internet is awesome. Of course, anyone who has logged on knows you can't believe everything you see. But a consensus among many satisfied customers is a great sign. People who have been there can show you how to find a good barber.

Check Yelp or a similar business review site for a good place to start. And be sure to look beyond how many stars a particular barber shop earned. Customers have different reasons for selecting that review. Dig deeper into the comments to see what the recurring pros and cons are. If the good points match up with your needs, that might be the barber for you.

A barber shop can clean up its image online with a little effort. It takes a lot more to cover up deficiencies in the shop itself. Don't be afraid to linger a little bit before going into a business you think might be right. Check out the facilities first. Does it look like a place you can trust? You probably want to look beyond some structural issues. We've found that a lot of great barber shops are in antiquated shop fronts.

But you don't want to see supplies inside with obvious signs of disrepair. If the chairs look rusty and uncomfortable and mounds of hair are everywhere, think twice. There might be signs of sanitary or other issues after a closer examination. If so, it's better to find that out before sitting down for a trim. On the other hand, you might be delighted by the cleanliness and professionalism. That could make your decision much easier.

We consider how to find a good barber to be similar to locating a great contractor for any service. You'll probably want to have a conversation with a person before giving him or her money. Whether they're babysitters, landscapers or barbers, you want to know you can trust them. So there is nothing wrong with sitting down with someone to make sure you feel comfortable. And a great barber will not be offended or make you feel like you are wasting time.

When you find the right barber, he or she will be a big part of your life. This is the person responsible for much of your look. And any prospective barber worth trusting your hair to already knows the stakes. A reaffirming chat might be all it takes to convince you that you're in the right place.

Even if you think you've found the right barber, you might not want to start off with a new style. We recommend going in between cuts and asking a candidate to take "a little off the top." It's a cliched request at this point. But it serves a useful purpose. Not only will it keep you looking clean between cuts, it gives you insight. 

You'll be able to find out if the barber interacts with you the way you prefer. Is he or she too chatty? Not chatty enough? And you'll also get a low risk idea of this person's skills. This way you won't have to risk a wreck of a haircut just to find out if your new barber is good. Instead, you can limit the possible mistakes to the edges. And if you like those results, chances are you can trust this barber with bigger jobs.

Sure, if you always want the freshest hairstyle, the stakes are high. Finding a new barber means trusting your locks to a stranger. That's why we recommend making sure he or she is not a stranger. Following each of our steps will help you cover all of your bases.

We hope you've enjoyed our tutorial and learned a little about how to find a good barber. Please share our list with the fashionable guys in your life. And let us know what quality you look for in a barber by commenting below.

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