Owners of Barbon’s Barbershop, Clarita and Sarita Sanchez
Guest article by Mathis Kennington
More female entrepreneurs are making a mark on industries that used to be the domain of men, and Austin women are leading the charge. Nowhere is this more evident than at Austin’s newest barbershop, owned by sisters, Sarita and Clarita Sanchez.
Barbon’s Barbershop started as a creative dream shared by Sarita, whose obsession with the art of barbering earned her a reputation as one of the city’s finest, and Clarita, whose business skills made her a perfect fit to run the shop. It’s pretty obvious this sibling pair is a match made in barber heaven.
Super Laid-back Vibe at Barbon’s Barbershop
The interior of Barbon’s Barbershop in Austin
Located in east Austin next to a culinary favorite, Salt and Time, Barbon’s combines the classic look you’d expect from a traditional community shop with contemporary upgrades. You don’t go to Barbon’s just for a great cut; you go for an experience.
When I first walked into the shop, I was immediately struck by the fact that the old school barbering chairs were turned inward toward the shop’s center. When I asked Sarita about this, she told me she wanted to create the kind of community vibe you’d expect at a classic barbershop.
Come in. Turn off your phone. Don’t look in the mirror; you’ll love your cut. Trust me. Instead, grab one of the local beers on tap, and turn around to chat with a buddy while Sarita, Jesus, or one of the other masters of their craft cuts your hair, trims your beard, or styles you up with a straight-edge razor shave.
Who Runs the World?
It’s not every day you run into a female barber. Sarita had to confront this reality in her training and early on in her career. “Do you know how to cut men’s hair? Why don’t you just become a stylist?” These were the kinds of questions she confronted on a regular basis.
Sarita responds to her critics by pointing out the number of male stylists who cut women’s hair. “I don’t know why people think it’s wrong that a woman wants to cut men’s hair.” In fact, to Sarita, cutting men’s hair isn’t just a profession, it’s a passion. “I just love the straight-razor shaves and the whole art of barbering.”
Clarita agrees, describing her sister’s love affair with barbering. She adds, “It’s like a craft. One thing she’s mentioned to me before is, with barbering, there’s like this perfection behind it.”
Craft Cuts and Obsession With Details
List of services at Barbon’s Barbershop
Sarita’s attention to detail sets her apart in the trade. As a female barber, she has what it takes to make it in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Every trim, snip, buzz, and don’t even get me started on the shampoo, is treated with a surgeon’s precision.
For the same price I’d pay to get my hair cut at the last place I went to, here’s what I got at Barbon’s:
- Beard trim
- Awesome faded cut
- Life-changing scalp massage
All in a modern and friendly environment I was sad to leave. Next time, I’ll build in a little more time to hang around on the burgundy couch and enjoy a Circle Beer before I head out for the day.
Shop for the Bearded Man
You only need to take a quick glance at Instagram to know Barbon’s is the real deal when it comes to haircuts and style. But one thing Sarita has learned since barbering in our city is this: Austin loves beards.
The Spanish word barbon translates to “the bearded man.” Sarita and her barbers have a knack for shaping and trimming beards to perfection. I know this because I recently visited another well-known barbershop to get my first professional beard trim. I walked out feeling like I could have done that myself and saved 40 dollars. Sarita’s eye for how a beard should shape a face means she adds a personalized touch to every trim she gives.
For a limited time, Barbon’s Barbershop is offering 20 percent off your first cut. So come in and enjoy the newest addition to Austin’s barbering scene, and get your hair cut while you’re at it.
1912 E 7th St. – Website
@theAustinot wants to know:
When is the last time you had a quality hair cut, shave, or beard trim in Austin?
Mathis Kennington is a local couples therapist and Austin enthusiast. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
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