WDL-08-2019-1

BUSINESS FEATURE

Barbers vs. cosmetologists: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

While seeming similar, barbers and cosmetologists have a few subtle differences in their training.

BARBERS are primarily trained with clippers, allowing for a smoother and shorter haircut, and tend to focus on men’s hair. Barbers are also legally allowed to use a straight razor. COSMETOLOGISTS are trained with shears, which is more useful for longer hair and are associated with cutting women’s hair. Cosme- tologists are also trained in skin care.

Owner Vida Humphries, center, and his teamoffer barber services at A Shaving Grace in TheWoodlands.

SOURCE:VIDAHUMPHRIES/COMMUNITY IMPACTNEWSPAPER

A Shaving Grace Family values shine in locally owned barbershop branch

BY ANDREWCHRISTMAN

D espite only being in the Houston area for four years, Vida Humphries, a barber and the owner of A Shaving Grace Barber Shop, has opened multiple branches of his shop all over the Greater Houston area. What brought him to open a shop in The Woodlands Mall in June was the need for trained and professional barbers in the area, something he noticed was lacking, he said. “There was a need for a real barbershop in The Woodlands,” Humphries said. “The Woodlands is an older area, but it really doesn’t have the amount of barbershops like the city of Houston has.” AN EARLY FASCINATION Humphries said he found his interest in cutting hair when he was years old aer his aunt took him to his cousin’s barbershop. “He was cutting my hair with me facing the mirror, and I was fascinated,” he said. “That’s what put the passion in me.” Humphries’ early years in Chicago also had an inuence on the business he owns today. He recalled a time as a teenager seeing a large crowd outside of his local mall where people were lined up and waiting to get a haircut. “It was genius,” he said. “There’s just so many people in there. … It’s a place where people come to look good and change their appearance with clothing, so why not go ahead and nish it o with a good haircut?” All four of Humphries’ shops are located within malls, with the rst opening in Greenspoint Mall in . Humphries ran the rst shop by himself before he was able to get help hired.

STICKING TO VALUES Humphries said he came to Houston aer forming a close bond with his pastor while living in Oklahoma City. Humphries said he wanted to keep his values apparent in his shop. The name, he said, can be seen as a play on the phrases “Amazing Grace” and “A Saving Grace.” He said the store tries to reect the values through its sta, choice of music and treatment of customers. “I tied the music with Christian-based, uptempo music for the rst three or four hours, then it’s regular music for the rest of the day with no profanity,” he said. Along with clean music, Humphries said his employees do not wear earrings or shorts and are prohibited from swearing. The result is a family-friendly and welcoming environment, he said. “People love that atmosphere; that’s what makes us dierent,” Humphries said. “We’re a family-friendly barbershop that is open seven days a week.” Looking to the future, Humphries said he wants to have a store in every mall across the country, but he is focusing on expanding his presence throughout the Greater Houston area in the meantime. The biggest issue he faces at the moment, he said, is nding licensed barbers. Barbers are trained primarily with clippers for a smoother cut that can get closer to the skin, whereas cosmetologists are trained with shears, he said. Barbers are also trained to use a straight razor. Humphries said he is considering opening a school for barbers to share his passion for the profession.

A Shaving Grace in The Woodlands opened in 2018 and features a well-lit shop with upbeat music throughout the day.

Barber Terrel Charley works with a client at A Shaving Grace.

A Shaving Grace 1201 Lake Woodlands Drive, Ste. 2192, The Woodlands 346-224-2196 www.facebook.com/christianbarbersalon Hours: Sun. noon-5:15 p.m., Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-8:15 p.m.

B B I N

The Woodlands edition • August 2019