Ever walked out of a haircut feeling worse than when you walked in? Yeah, me too. Three years ago I let some guy at a random shop talk me into bangs. Bangs! I’m a 30-year-old man. What was I thinking? Wore a baseball cap for like a month straight until that disaster grew out.
Point is, picking where you get your hair cut matters more than most guys think. Your hair’s sitting right there on your head every day. People see it before they see anything else about you. And yet we’ll spend more time picking a Netflix show than researching where to get a trim.
There’s plenty of barber shops in O Fallon MO if you’re local, but just because a place exists doesn’t mean it’s the right fit. I learned that lesson about six bad haircuts in. Could’ve saved myself a lot of grief if I’d known what to look for from the start.
Know What Style Actually Works for Your Face
This part trips people up because nobody wants to admit their favorite celebrity’s haircut might look ridiculous on them.
Your face shape matters. Got a round face? Certain styles add height. Square jaw? Different approach entirely. And then there’s your actual hair—thin, thick, curly, straight, that annoying cowlick that sticks up no matter what.
I’ve got this weird double crown situation in the back. Took me forever to find someone who knew how to work with it instead of against it. Before that I just looked like I’d been electrocuted from behind.
Pull up some reference photos on your phone. Real ones, not just “I want to look like Ryan Gosling.” Unless you ARE Ryan Gosling, in which case… why are you reading this?
The Smell Test (Literally)
First time you walk into any shop, take a breath. Does it smell clean? Or does it smell like a mix of old hair clippings, cheap cologne, and regret?
Sounds weird but your nose knows. A shop that smells musty or dirty? That’s telling you something about their standards. Same goes for the floor—if there’s hair piled up from three haircuts ago, they’re cutting corners. Literally.
I walked into this place once near my old apartment and it smelled like a wet dog had been living there. The barber seemed nice enough but I couldn’t get past it. Made up some excuse about forgetting my wallet and left. Your comfort matters.
Check If People Are Actually Happy There
Sit in the waiting area for a minute before your appointment. Watch how the barbers interact with clients. Are they listening? Joking around but still focused? Or are they rushing through cuts while staring at their phone?
Best barber I ever had—guy named Marcus—would spend five solid minutes just talking before he touched the clippers. Asked about work, family, what I was doing that weekend. Made the whole thing feel less like a transaction and more like hanging with a friend who happened to be really good with scissors.
You can feel when a place has good energy versus when everyone’s just going through the motions. Trust that feeling.
Instagram Doesn’t Lie (Usually)
Every barber posts their work online now. Spend a few minutes scrolling their feed before you book.
What are you looking for? Clean lines. Attention to detail. Variety—if every photo looks identical, they might be a one-trick pony. You want someone versatile who can adjust to different hair types and styles.
Also check how recent the posts are. If the last update was from 2019, either they gave up on social media or… they’re not that busy. Neither’s a great sign.
One time I went to a shop based purely on their Instagram. Photos looked amazing. Turned out the owner posted all the pics but three other barbers worked there who weren’t nearly as skilled. Always ask who specifically did the cuts you’re seeing online.
Word of Mouth Still Beats Everything
My current barber? Found him because my coworker came in one Monday with a fresh fade that looked perfect. Asked him about it over lunch, got the address, been going there for two years.
People love talking about their barber when they’ve found a good one. It’s like finding a good mechanic or a pizza place that doesn’t skimp on toppings—you want to share that information.
Don’t be shy about asking strangers either. Guy at the coffee shop with a great cut? Quick compliment and “where do you go?” works every time. Worst case they think you’re friendly. Best case you find your new spot.
Reviews online help but they’re kinda all over the place. Someone giving one star because they had to wait fifteen minutes even though the cut was great? That’s not useful. Look for patterns in the actual feedback about quality and consistency.
The Conversation Before the Cut
This is huge and too many people skip it.
When you sit down, your barber should talk to you. Not just “how do you want it” but actual questions about your lifestyle. Do you style your hair every day or just roll out of bed? Work in an office or outside? Have products at home or nah?
All that stuff affects what cut you should get. A high-maintenance style looks great but if you’re not willing to spend twenty minutes with a blow dryer every morning, it’s gonna look like garbage by 9am.
Had a barber once who gave me this elaborate textured thing on top that required three different products and a specific drying technique. Looked fantastic when I left the shop. Next morning I couldn’t replicate it to save my life. Waste of money because he never asked about my routine.
Good barbers match the style to your actual life, not just what looks cool in the mirror.
More Than Just Cuts These Days
Maybe you’re just here for a haircut and that’s totally fine. But some places offer way more if you’re interested in leveling up the whole grooming situation.
Like there’s this face and body spa in O Fallon MO scene that’s grown a lot. Not just haircuts but proper shaves, beard sculpting, facials, even massage work. Sounds extra but honestly? Getting a hot towel shave before a wedding or big event is worth it. Makes you feel like a new person.
You don’t gotta do it every time. But having a place that offers options means you can switch it up when you want to.
Price Tag Reality Check
Cheap haircuts exist for a reason. They’re cheap.
I’m not saying drop a hundred bucks every time you need a trim. But that $12 special at the chain place? You’re probably gonna get a $12 haircut. Uneven spots, rushed work, zero personalization.
Expect to pay somewhere between $25 and $45 for a solid cut depending on where you live. That includes the actual skill, the consultation, the detail work, all of it.
Think of it like this—you’re gonna have this haircut for three or four weeks minimum. That’s less than two bucks a day for something that affects how you feel about yourself. Worth it? I think so.
But if somebody’s charging you sixty bucks for a basic cut with no extras and acting like they’re doing you a favor, walk out. That’s just pricing for ego.
You’ll Feel It When It Clicks
There’s this moment when everything just works. The barber knows your name. Remembers how you like your fade. Maybe asks how that thing you mentioned last time went.
My guy now knows I want it tight on the sides but not too tight because my ears stick out a little. Knows I hate when hair touches my ears. Knows I’m always running late so he builds in buffer time for my appointments. Didn’t have to tell him any of that after the first few visits—he just paid attention.
That’s what you’re looking for. That relationship where it stops being a service and starts being “oh cool, haircut day, gonna catch up with my barber.”
Takes time to find but it’s absolutely worth the search.
Look, your hair’s gonna be on your head whether you like it or not. Might as well find someone who makes it look good. Do your homework, try a few places if the first one doesn’t work out, and don’t settle just because somewhere’s close to your house.
You deserve a haircut that makes you feel confident, not one that makes you avoid mirrors for three weeks.
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