This was my first real trip to Los Angeles. I had 3 days to visit 3 shops. I didn’t just want to visit. I wanted to experience that LA Barber life. I wanted to know what type of cuts were popular, what products barbers were using, and what tools they recommended. This was a discovery trip I definitely wasnt disappointed.
In between hitting up the taco spots; “best tacos on earth”, lounging on Venice Beach and tasting the finest chocolate edibles; I actually had time to work at a few shops.
My first stop was an afternoon appointment I booked at Long Beach’s Visible Transformation’s Barber Salon. The shop was located directly across the street from Long Beach Community college. There were 3 barbers on duty on a slow, sunny Friday. With the college still on break, the traffic was not as busy as it usually is on a Friday. This was cool because it gave me a chance to cut my brother who lives in LA. I loved the camaraderie of the shop and its barbers. The owner was a cool, laid back dude with that old school swag you usually see in someone much older. I got to actually learn a little history of Long Beach from one of the older, wiser clients. The type of guy who goes to the shop 4-5 times a week just to talk about politics and current events. Good brother.