A good haircut gives a boy confidence — at least that’s how Toledo’s barbershops see it this back-to-school season.
On Wednesday, Eastwood High student Gavin Shropshire, 16, opted for an old school mullet. It was his first time trying the 1980’s short-long hair style. Usually he just gets a trim.
But this back-to-school season, Gavin wanted something “fresh and clean.” That’s what brought him to Forever Faded Barber Studio in Maumee.
“I think everyone likes the long, luscious hair,” Gavin said.
His barber, Mila Hearse, emphasized that Gavin’s mullet was different. His came with a burst fade, which traces the natural curve of his ears at the sides, while leaving a full swath of curls up top.
“A little bit of sauce from the new era,” Ms. Hearse said.
A good haircut can make a guy want to get gas just to be seen, she said. It can convince a boy to ask his crush out, added Danny Rodela, co-owner of Forever Faded, while a bad one can make him want to skip school.
He’s noticed mullets like Gavin’s swing back in fashion. “Trends tend to circle around,” he said. A traditional mullet, made popular in the 1980s, features hair cut short at the front, top, and sides, and longer at the back.
A mullet signals that a boy has personality, Mr. Rodela explained, pointing to the “party in the back.” He called it an “eye opener” that shows a boy isn’t scared of making an impact.
“When people say, ‘Why would you have that?’ and you’re like ‘Because I like it,’” Mr. Rodela continued. “It shows that you don’t care what people think of you because you can rock it and still be confident.”
“Yup!” Gavin chimed in. He said he feels more open. “I just want to talk to everybody.”
As Mr. Rodela put it, a mullet is more than just a haircut: It's a statement.
The most popular back-to-school cuts, in addition to mullets, have been fades, messy crop tops, and taper fades, according to Mr. Rodela.
At Bella Rose Beauty, barber Adam Castillo said the latest trendy haircuts are medium length to longer hairstyles. He’s noticed an increase in boys wanting to grow their hair out, with styles that play with size and texture.
As for elementary school boys, hair etching appears to be in. Augustus Lewis, 7, is entering second grade with a comb over and a lightning bolt design at the back. He said his inspiration came from a classmate.
A chain hair cuttery wouldn’t be able to do these fancy designs, said Jessica Lewis, Augustus’ mother. She added that Forever Faded was one of the only barbershops in the area.
Mr. Rodela compared barbers to small businesses in terms of custom, quality offerings.
Back when Mr. Rodela was in school, a good haircut to him was like getting a brand new pair of shoes.
“If I didn't have that, it just was like having old hand-me-down clothes or shoes,” Mr. Rodela said. “I didn't feel like I would fit in.”
First Published August 19, 2023, 1:30 p.m.
