Austin barber in bouldin

I first visited Austin in 2005 when some family members relocated here from New Orleans. Over the years, my curiosity about the city grew with each visit, I was drawn to Austin's arts scene, its love for live music, and the laid-back energy that permeates the city. I hoped to find a community full of free spirits, artists and kind people and that idea lingered until I finally moved here in 2020.

I spent a lot of time exploring Austin’s neighborhoods, searching for a place that would suit both my business and lifestyle. I drove through every corner of the city—north, south, east, and west—before settling on Bouldin Creek. There's an intangible energy here, The people are laid-back and easygoing, embracing a slower pace of life, and there’s a strong sense of community. It’s clear that those who live here genuinely care about the city they’ve chosen.

I've been working in Bouldin Creek for four years now, building relationships within the community and offering my heart in commerce. Like many big cities, Austin is home to a wealth of talented artists, hairstylists, and barbers. But one thing I’ve noticed is how easy it is to find a quick, cheap haircut. That’s not what I want to offer. I aim to give my clients the most profound haircut they’ve ever experienced. I care deeply about my craft and trust that my clients care about the service they receive. It’s a synergistic exchange, where we align energetically. I use only hand-forged Japanese scissors and precisely crafted combs, treating each look as a new project. I take a holistic approach, considering the client’s unique hair texture, bone structure, growth patterns, and preferences. My goal is to tailor the haircut to perfectly fit their skull, crafting the cut to fit like a glove.

Bouldin Creek is incredibly walkable, and I love discovering mom-and-pop shops that have seamlessly blended into the neighborhood. It’s cool to see people out and about in 78704—a blend of tourists inspecting Austin for the first time on South Congress and locals strolling South First to grab a coffee or a bite to eat. The salon is located just off South Lamar, a bustling area frequented by both locals and visitors.

Bouldin Creek offers quick access to downtown Austin and the eclectic shops along South Congress. This compact neighborhood is filled with tree-lined streets and roundabouts, where you’ll often find homeowners cycling or walking their dogs. It embodies the “Keep Austin Weird” philosophy, with colorful houses, unique landscaping, and the occasional vegetable garden or rainwater collection tank. Notable landmarks include Auditorium Shores, the Long Center for the Performing Arts, and the Palmer Community Events Center. The neighborhood also houses the 65-acre Texas School for the Deaf, and its history dates back to the early 20th century, when affordable land attracted residents despite frequent flooding from the Colorado River. Most of Bouldin’s growth occurred in the 1920s and 1930s.

I look forward to meeting you and offering you a fantastic haircut!

Behind the chair

I began my journey in hairdressing in 2008 at my aunt’s salon in New Orleans. It was fascinating to witness how a hairdresser worked with a diverse array of clients, each with unique textures and specific goals. The expectation was clear: create works of art with precision and consistency in a limited time. As my career progressed, I explored different techniques and tools, studying under masters and mentors from around the world. I learned that the craftsman, not the tool, is often responsible for the final result but each tool has its primary function and limit.

For as long as I can tell, barber shops and salons have been divided by gender. In the 1950s, the barbershop was a social hub, where the neighborhood men gathered and the barber was a respected figure, a relic from a time when barbers were also doctors and community caretakers.

With industrialization, society advanced, leading to ultra-specialization in our crafts. Machines took over for efficiency and scalability, but something essential was lost—the individual craftsman’s touch.

I’ve worked in several barbershops where clippers were the primary tool, used to articulate the client’s desired style. Tools can be used with integrity or haphazardly. I don’t mean to discount the skill it takes for a barber to cut 16 clients a day with precision and consistency with clippers—it’s a challenging job.

Within every craft, there are those who respect the art and devote themselves fully to mastery. But there are also many who chase money, treating the craft as a means to an end. The U.S. is full of barbershops modeled after fast-food chains—cheap and fast, but often lacking in consistency due to irregular training in academies and short appointment times.

Nowadays, clients arrive with AI-polished photos and unrealistic expectations for a perfectly crafted haircut in a short amount of time. The dynamic has shifted; clients often dictate what the barber should do. This shift reflects a broader societal disregard for the craft of barbering and hairdressing. I believe a true craftsman should work with integrity, intention, and conviction. An expert should be trusted and respected.

I’ve spent years working in various barbershops chains and independent shops burning out my hands, body and inspiration. After acknowledging it was a short term pace, i have sense slowed down and refocused my work to be more intentional, less rushed, more curated and ultimately a better product and service for the client.

the scissors give me complete control over the results and i love it! i am truly challenged with every haircut, trying to perfectly balance the nuances of their texture, bone structure and preferences! hoping to create a super tailored result that speaks with confidence and ultimately allows the client to move back into their life with a sense of ease and confidence.

let’s chat about your hair!