2021 was a banner year for Nieves Almaraz: He won NAHA’s Men’s Hairstylist of the Year and opened How to Fade Hair Barbering School Inc. We spoke to him to find out about his accomplishments.
New perceptions of gender--more specifically, the greater acceptance of gender fluidity and things like choosing your personal pronoun — have opened the door to men’s acceptance of more traditionally feminine products and services. However, the marketing of cosmetics for men still retains a heavily masculine sensibility, but this is changing.
Before you click a camera, know this: why are you creating the images? The success of a photoshoot hinges on your answer. Even if it’s just for fun, set a goal or purpose and stay focused to attain good results, otherwise, it’s like shooting fish in a barrel—you might get a nice photo, you might not.
In planning our photo shoot, we asked the question: men with makeup, what is it? They have to be men who wear cosmetics for a more significant reason than to cover up a pimple. They want to look better and maintain an air of naturalness. It has to complement their lifestyle, I said to the team.
The iconic barbering company is putting creators — from renowned hairstylists to ranchers and groomers, to people cutting hair at home — at the forefront.