When covid first hit a few years ago I started growing my hair out. As someone who has always kept his hair short I wasn't sure how long I wanted to let it grow, but the longer it got the more I more began to like it. Much more maintenance for sure, but I kinda liked the way it looked on me. Which was a big change because ever since I was younger I've never really liked my hair. I could never quite get it the way I wanted and more or less cut it short by default. So after wearing it long/tying in a bun for a couple years, I got to a point where I wanted to do something with it to clean it up, but didn't wanna cut it or take any of the length off. I knew kinda in the back of my mind what I had envisioned, but wasn't exactly sure what it was called, plus I was nervous. I didn't wanna risk messing it up and having to buzz it all off again. I just knew that I wanted the finished product to look something like WWE wrestler Roman Reigns, and I KNEW if I was ever going to do this, I didn't trust going to the local Super Cuts/Great Clips to get it done, I knew I was eventually ready I had to find a genuine barbershop.
I started looking up local places to get some ideas, and realized not only was East 2 West Cutz one of the best rated in the area, but it was in the same shopping plaza as the Dunkin I'd occasionally grab coffee at, so it was super close. I went back and forth for a few more weeks as I was kinda unsure if I wanted to go through with it, but when I landed a new job this past summer I realized the time was now.
On a whim I just decided to walk in one afternoon with no real expectations, and by pure chance I just so happened to get paired up with Gabe. By complete coincidence, Gabe had long curly hair just like myself. As we got to talking, not only did I find he's from the Bay Area where I used to go to college, but he's also a massive UFC and hip hop fan, so we just clicked right off the bat had a great convo in the process. I showed him a couple pictures of Roman I had pulled, and immediately he knew what I wanted. I told him I trust your judgement so whatever you feel is best just go ahead and do.
What immediately stood out to me from day 1 with Gabe is his attention to detail. Never in my life had I ever experienced that during a haircut, it's always been kinda "rush you in rush you out" to get to the next client, but not with him. He spent well over an hour with me that day, combing out my hair with a fine-tooth comb, taking a few inches off the length, and the doing the fade/taper on the sides and back. The finished product was just as I had envisioned, I couldn't have been more satisfied with it.
Since that day I've been stopping in regularly every few weeks to get the fade/taper again, as well as do my beard. And the vibe every time you come in is always on point. There's been times were multiple other barbers came up to me to say what up. The place just makes you feel welcome, and every barber/stylist seems talented in their own right.
All in all, I couldn't recommended this place more. After all these years I finally have a haircut that I genuinely like, and I thank Gabe for bringing that vision to life. If you're ever in the San Diego/North Country area and need a cut, this is the place to check out. read more