Hairdressers vs Barbers: What’s the real difference – and is it still relevant?

Think about your parents, grandparents, or relatives - where did they go to get their hair done? What kind of styles did they wear?

The places we visit for haircuts often say a lot about social norms, identity, and even history.

Until the early 1900s in the UK, women couldn't receive professional hair services in public. That changed with the launch of the first women’s hair salon at Selfridges in London. Before that, hairdressing was often done in private homes.

Barbershops, on the other hand, go back to medieval times—serving men with haircuts, shaves, beard trims, wig maintenance, and (pre-1750!) minor surgery.

Traditionally, hairdressers (also called hairstylists) worked with longer styles, colour, and chemical services, catering to all genders. Barbers specialised in shorter men’s haircuts, offering faster, walk-in services which included facial hair grooming.

The industry has long been split across gender and ethnic lines, with coily/type 4 hair considered a niche skill.

But change is happening. Since around 2022, more barbers are confidently styling short hair for women and non-binary clients. More men are opting for longer styles, colour, and perms. And more hairstylists are upskilling to provide high-quality services for curly and coily hair.

As professionals, we’re welcoming this shift. It keeps our work dynamic and our client base more diverse. Training access still needs improvement, but the future of hairdressing and barbering is looking more inclusive—and that benefits everyone.

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