I've been going to LIC Tonsorial since 2021. My previous barber was cutting my hair for over a decade and he moved out of state (Miss you, Kellz ). I have a bit of experience in barbering (I use that term loosely). I've watched some YouTube videos and cut some friends, friends of friends, family, whenever they can't make it out to the barber shop or if they don't got the bread for a cut. I'm familiar with the terminology, techniques, equipment, sanitary procedures and all that, so my search for a new barber was pretty rough since I have high standards. After trying out a handful of barber shops, I decided to give up and grow out my hair during the pandemic. I went from normally having a 3 with a mid-fade to having long, shoulder length hair. I would shape it up myself every now and then, but eventually, I realized the long hair life wasn't for me and needed a cut. I reached out to my old barber that moved away, and he recommended Luis at LIC Tonsorial. I recall meeting Luis many years ago at another shop, but never got a cut from him.
When I stopped by LIC Tonsorial, I was told that they do cuts based on appointment only, which is genuinely life-changing for me. The days of sitting around waiting for a haircut, spending half of your day asking your barber "how many more you got?" are a thing of the past. LIC Tonsorial got this part right for sure.
Let's go back to Luis. Luis is an extremely talented barber. He's got years and years of experience, and can probably do a mid-fade with his eyes closed. He also just seems like a genuinely good dude. I'm more of the silent type, but he always found a way to get me talking or laughing. He cut my hair for a few months, and I was never disappointed. I found that he was so great of a barber that he had such a long list of clients, and was booked on the specific times that fit my schedule. If he's available when you want a cut, by all means, give the guy a shot. He won't let you down.
Let's move on. I was introduced to an apprentice named Aura in late 2021. For those who don't know, an apprentice is someone that's studying the craft, learning by shadowing more experienced barbers and practicing those techniques. Their haircuts normally just take a bit longer than a master barber. I saw Aura's work a few times when I was in there and I was impressed. When Luis was on vacation, I saw that her availability was open at the time, so I made an appointment with her. I haven't had anyone else cut my hair since. Her attention to detail and the techniques that she utilizes are of the most advanced barbers, yet she still has the passion for barbering and drive to refine her skills further. It's the perfect combination that results in nothing short of a masterpiece every time. She's no longer an apprentice and has a permanent schedule there, so I would highly recommend making an appointment with her for your next cut. read more