Barbering Seminars & Mini Classes

As a barber, the art of hair cutting is precise as it is graceful. The magic of a well executed haircut rests in the consistency of the system used by the barber. The tools, techniques, strategies, body mechanics, and decisions we mix together can shape infinite possibilities. These mini classes are offered to you in a repeatable, accessible, and affordable manner to bolster your confidence in the art of barbering and short hair precision cutting.

These mini classes are:

  • $45/person

  • Open to hair school students, newly licensed hair professionals, currently licensed stylists & barbers

  • Limited to 6 people per session

  • Hosted at Good Rats Barbershop

  • Hosted on Mondays (anytime based on scheduling needs)

  • 2.5 Hours in length

  • Based on a lecture or look & learn format

  • Selected from a pre-determined content list for ease of scheduling

Intro To Clipper Cutting

Clippers and trimmers are core foundational tools of barbering. In this mini class, I take you on a tour of what makes the ideal pair of machines for your barbering work to be seamless, blended, consistent, and easy to understand. We talk about the types of clippers, selecting the optimal settings, using the machines creatively, and using them with tricks of the barber trade to acheive your look!

BARBERING MINI CLASSES

Body Mechanics Of Barbering

Beyond the tools we use to shape haircuts, as barbers, how we approach the chair and how we use our bodies has great impact on the final touches of an excellent haircut. This mini class teaches you the angles, body position, feet position, hand & finger position required to unlock consistent cuts over time. We talk about the way to move ourselves, interact, and respond to the specific demads of repeat haircut sessions.

Blending

I was once told that the function of barbering is cutting hair but the true art of barbering is blending. The magic in barbering happens when we learn the many ways to blend different lengths together regardless of what tools we’re blending from and into. We must harness confidence repeat abilities to blend from clippers to scissors, clipper to clipper, and a variety of combinations. This mini class shows you tricks to make your blending repeatable, consistent, and smooth regardless of hair type/texture/color.

Large Format Barbering Seminars

  • Fundamentals Of Men's Haircutting

    6.30.2025

    11Am-3Pm

    $150 Per Person

    Branded Styles Hair Studio: 274 S Main St, Newtown, CT 06470

    What We Will Cover: How to cut men’s hair with confidence

    TOOLS NEEDED FOR MODERN DAY BARBERING

    METHODS AND TECHNIQUES FOR EXCEPTIONAL MEN’S CUTS

    HOW TO BUILD A CONSISTENT SYSTEM FOR MEN’S CUTS

    SETTING UP EVERY CUT FOR SUCCESS

    SEE PHIL PERFORM A HAIRCUT ON A LIVE MODEL

  • Fundamentals Of Men's Haircutting

    JULY DATE TBD

    11Am-2pm

    $150 Per Person

    Retro Hair Studio: 16 Huntington St, Shelton, CT 06484

    What We Will Cover: How to cut men’s hair with confidence

    TOOLS NEEDED FOR MODERN DAY BARBERING

    METHODS AND TECHNIQUES FOR EXCEPTIONAL MEN’S CUTS

    HOW TO BUILD A CONSISTENT SYSTEM FOR MEN’S CUTS

    SETTING UP EVERY CUT FOR SUCCESS

    SEE PHIL PERFORM A HAIRCUT ON A LIVE MODEL

  • Fundamentals Of Men's Haircutting

    8.18.2025

    11am-3pm

    $150 Per Person

    Retro Hair Studio: 16 Huntington St, Shelton, CT 06484

    What We Will Cover: How to cut men’s hair with confidence

    TOOLS NEEDED FOR MODERN DAY BARBERING

    METHODS AND TECHNIQUES FOR EXCEPTIONAL MEN’S CUTS

    HOW TO BUILD A CONSISTENT SYSTEM FOR MEN’S CUTS

    SETTING UP EVERY CUT FOR SUCCESS

    SEE PHIL PERFORM A HAIRCUT ON A LIVE MODEL

“The true master is one who never forgets what it was like to be a beginner.” - Wilfredo Perez, master barber to Phil Hovey