The Return of The Rebel Rouser 2020…

BOOM!

What’s going on folks! Long time no pomp! Well, especially for me, it’s been a number of YEARS since I’ve done my own pompadour! Let alone maintained a haircut that allows me to rock one. Well, I mean… 2020… go figure…

As some of you may (or may not) have seen, I’ve been trying my hand at getting back to a flow on YouTube. So far, so ok… Could be better, but that’ll come with time and repetition. But I can’t lie, it’s been fun scratching the surface of rebuilding an online presence, especially with the way the internet and social media has evolved since my days of it! With this motivation to get back into making YouTube videos, there’s also motivation to get back into blogging and doing reviews. That said, I want to let everyone know what direction I plan on taking this platform and YouTube from this point on. Head over to my YouTube Channel to get the breakdown of what I plan on doing with it. It’ll be a bit different than what you’re used to!

While the main intention for both this blog and YouTube was pomade reviews and Rockabilly, time has gone by and my lifestyle has changed. Not that neither nor aren’t of an interest to me, but they are (unfortunately) not my main focal point for my day-to-day. They are both impactful and meaningful aspects that have brought me to where I am today, but I can’t say that I’ll be able to blog about such subject matter to it’s entirety.

Pomade was the gateway drug to all of this Spoiler alert: I’ve never done a single drug a day in my life! Not that that’s important, but I might as well ride on that… Without having used pomade, The Rebel Rouser wouldn’t have been what it was. Granted, I didn’t capitalize on it the way that some other pomade bloggers did, but hey, it is what it is! But I believe that I have a connection to it that the rest don’t, and I hope that it’ll show as time progresses. Pomade progressed my affinity with doing my own hair to what has become my livelihood of being a full-time barber. But being a barber doesn’t mean I only cut pompadours and slather pomade in people’s hair!

Early on that’s what I was looking for, but I realized early on that it would corner me to a certain degree. While that isn’t a bad thing, as there are many fantastic barbers out there that have cornered that market, it isn’t something I wanted to be solely known for. Nor did I want to try to be a rockstar in traveling barber in the industry, or an educator for a particular company. So at that point, what did I find comfort in with barbering? Everything!

Let’s be honest here: I’m not the best barber. I’m far from it. I can, however, say I work with individuals that I would deem being some of the best barbers. So what would stop people from jumping my chair to another barbers chair? Skill set wise: NOTHING. But, just like what drew people to this website and what kept people following me through all of these years? While everyone has their own personal reasons, I’d like to think it’s my individual relationship with everyone I come in contact with. Not that I’m a saint by any means or am the most interesting person, but I value the interactions with all of the individuals I’ve encountered over the years. To me, that’s why I have developed the clientele I have throughout the years. Hopefully the haircut is good enough as well!

Not only do I develop a relationship and rapport with people in the barbershop, but I’ve also developed a relationship with my tools of the trade. This is what angle I will transition my reviews to. Having bought several kinds of clippers, combs, holders, and everything in between, I want to get back to reviewing products without a bias of a sponsorship. And let it be known: I never got a sponsorship through any company whose product I’ve reviewed. But I have built relationships through many of them, and continue to value those relationships to this day.

In the coming weeks, I plan on reviewing some clippers I’ve been using and certain accessories I’ve bought along the way. Some work and are fantastic and there are a shit ton that are complete garbage! Which ones? WAIT AND FIND OUT!

That’s the gist of it all! I do plan on getting back to reviewing and blogging. While it won’t be pomade, pompadour, and rockabilly focused, I hope that it’s still pertinent enough to keep you all entertained. It was fun as hell doing it back in the day, and I’m excited to get back into the flow to blog again!

Thank you all for the continued support throughout the years. Without any one of you, the motivation to blog again wouldn’t be as strong.

Until the next time,

POMP HARD!

Tales From The Barber Shop.

Earlier this evening as I was checking out my last client, I saw a gentleman walk past the shop and straight towards the salon next door. As my client walks out, he walks up to the door and asks, “are you guys still opened?” I tell him that, ‘I’m still in the shop, so why not.’

He walks in wondering what sort of decision he made by going into the barber shop as opposed to the salon next door (which was already closed.)

I tell him the differences between a barber and a cosmetologist, and break down that it’s like a metal worker versus a wood worker. Both use similar techniques to manipulate the pieces they are working on, but do so in a trade-specific manner. He starts to “get” what I’m getting at, and I further hip him to what I feel going to a barber shop provides for a man.

As the conversation progresses, he tells me that he YELPed three places to get his hair down… All of which were salons (which he was used to.) One was no more than 3/4 a mile from his house, which was closed by 5. He rolls up to our block, where there are two salons which are separated no more than 120 feet…Both of which are closed well before their advertised “closing” hours. He was surprised that out of the 3 shops he checked out, 2 of which should have been opened by the time he got there and were well closed, that the shop that closed the earliest (our shop which typically closes at 3 on Saturdays) was opened and willing to take in someone this late in the day without hesitation or showing declination of the quality of service… I joke with him that I didn’t get to take a lunch and that I had a Gatorade to sustain me… Wish I had brought a new jug of water at the very least!

While I finish off the haircut with the straight razor on the neckline and having him double check my work, he gets up and is enthused at the fact that someone was working as long as I was and was willing to keep going. After the boss made a joke about us charging $40 (n jest of the salons within the area charging similar prices) he puts $40 on the counter and looks at my boss and say, “See, I spent $40 on a haircut, because you got someone willing to work well after every one is closed… You got enough to get yourself something other than a Gatorade for lunch!” Well… something very similar along those lines, haha.

Moral of this story? Is that being a barber is more than giving someone a dope haircut, a skin-tight fade, or being booked out for two weeks striaght. It’s more than just a straight razor finish or a can of pomade, or one of those faux-gentlemen courtesy consultations. I don’t act prim nor proper to get people to enjoy sitting in my chair. You won’t get a white towel slung over my left forearm like a waiter or me presenting an open seat like a magician. Cut the bullshit, because that’s as authentic as the next shop half-way across the country putting on that same act to rise up getting an extra $5 in your tip. You’re getting what it is I, as a man, as a barber can offer… and that’s genuine human interaction, advice, shared experiences, a good laugh at a few jokes, finished off with a firm handshake and the knowing that you’ll be able to have that same experience in 2-4 weeks. What other place can you really get that?

Current Stomping Grounds.

For any and all trying to get a haircut by me:

I’m no longer cutting hair in Redwood City. Best wishes for the shop, and if you continue to get your hair cut there and not by me — no hard feelings. It’s a cool shop and I wish them the best. But, if you’re trying to find out here I’m putting hair on the floor…

You can find me at Bushwackers Barber Shop in Belmont, 1024 Sixth Ave.

Email me or call the shop for an appointment!

TheRebelRouser@yahoo.com
(650) 592-9772 (shop number)

Hope to hear from y’all soon!

Pomp Hard.

Pomade Review: Admiral Supply Co.

First pomade review of the year!

Brett of Admiral hit me up back when I was ready to take the few steps away from barber school, test for my barber’s license, and step into a barber shop. And unfortunately, that frantic time frame meant I wasn’t able to get back to him! But, when a bit of free time opened up I shot him an email and with open arms sent out a jar of his pomade. This stuff came pretty quickly, considering he was shipping it up from San Diego. Now relocated back to San Francisco, I could only imagine how much quicker it would come to my doorstep! Or maybe met up at the bar? Who knows. But, without further adieu, let’s get to the pomade review!

A few pomade brands have taken to the glass jar packaging. In my opinion, it’s a real nice and classic touch. But, no other water-soluble brands have went in this direction…

Admiral comes in a nice amber glass jar with a silver tin lid. A clean and simple style of package can go a long way. And the fact that you can use these jars for something else after you’re done with the pomade? And chances are, you’ll have a few empty ones? Man… You can’t beat that!

The labeling on the jar is clean, simple, effective, and most of all… proper.

Seamlessly printed onto the jar, the white Laurel wreath and anchor logo is perfectly centered on the jar, as well as the ingredient list and barcode. To add a bit of color-flare to the mix, a red and white trim sticker is placed on top of the silver lid. Like other brands with similar packaging (but plastic,) the hint of red really makes the packaging pop.

Twisting off the lid, you get a nice whiff of coconut. Now, personally, I hate coconut… Don’t you dare place no damn Mounds in my Halloween candy sack! Fortunately, this stuff isn’t too pungent, so the aroma of coconut doesn’t bother me one bit, instead its subtleties is rather pleasant.

Sorry, no picture of the pomade in the tin, I got too excited to use it on a client!

Scooping this stuff out is different than most water-soluble pomades. Rather than feeling like a gel, this stuff comes out feeling really creamy. It may be the hint of beeswax in it, but to the touch this stuff feels really nice, and you can tell it’ll apply evenly and smoothly. But, how does that affect the hold?

I tried this stuff on several clients of varying hair textures and it held their pomps up with no problem! Take a look:

Alex

Ed

Both of these clients have very dense and straight hair. Alex’s hair is a bit thicker than Ed’s, so seeing how this stuff works for both of these guys is pretty cool. Remember, the density of your hair is going to make a huge difference in terms of what hairstyle will work for you… Of course, depending on your barber or stylist – they should be able to work their “magic” with your hair and help you achieve various looks depending on your desires…

In terms of wavy hair, I found that this stuff won’t get the hair the straightest, since it isn’t the heaviest water-soluble pomade around, but decent enough to style up a smooth pomp without the waves kicking left and right.

With or without blowdrying, you’ll be able to comb up a nice tall pomp or a lower-profiled side-part. The way this stuff holds and sticks together is real nice. Like I said, it has a creamy feel to it as you scoop it out, which applies to how it’ll hold the hairs together, even the little ones that like to stick out!

As most water-soluble pomades go, this stuff has very little to no sheen and does harden (especially with a lot of water in the hair.) But, I noticed it doesn’t get crunchy… Get the difference? The sitff-crunchiness of water-soluble pomades is definitely a turn-off for many, while the hardening can be easily excused. And by that, I mean that when you run your fingers through the hair after it hardens, the now “messed up” hair feels relatively soft and not crunchy… Makes sense? I hope so! I applied this stuff to myself with dampened hair and noticed that it didn’t stiffen like some other gel-type pomades did, but hard enough to give it a solid hold throughout the day without the worry of it splitting apart. Pretty nice, yeah?

This Admiral impressed me. With an overall clean and simple product, this stuff would definitely suit several shops and individuals. The packaging: as I said, is great. The scent: not overbearing like most coconut scented pomades. The pomade: light enough to work smooth finishes with thicker hair, yet, thick enough to hold up finer hair. The product as a whole: a great addition to any personal collection or shop looking to add some diversity (in terms of packaging as well as product type.)

Big thanks again to Brett for shooting me some of his dope pomade! Look forward to meeting you in the near future!

Until the next time, folks…

Pomp Hard!

Recent Haircuts.

Here are a few more haircuts over the last few months. You can see slow progression from certain cuts, which is definitely something I’m excited to see! Can’t stop won’t stop growing with this profession… Once you start to get complacent or cocky, you’re fucked! Ain’t nobody got time for that type of barber!

Well, folks, I hope you enjoy the following haircuts!

If you like what you see and want to get a haircut from me, you can find me cutting hair at:

The Barber Lounge  (854 Folsom Street, San Francisco) – Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9-8 (Last appointment is at 7)
To book an appointment with me, you can call the shop number at (415) 934-0411 or email me directly at therebelrouser@yahoo.com and I’ll fit you in my books!

In the near future, you’ll also be able to find me at:

Captain’s Skate & Barber Shop (2066 Broadway Street, Redwood City) – Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
To book an appointment with me, you can call the shop number at (650) 568-1931 or email me directly at therebelrouser@yahoo.com. I’ll also be taking walk-ins!

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