Inclusive spaces: Hairdresser and barber recommendations
Words by Aroha Witinitara (they/them; Ngāti Kahungunu)
As a first-year student who has recently moved to Wellington, I've been putting off getting my hair cut. I’ve never found haircuts to be an enjoyable experience, and back at home it took time for me to find someone who understood and accepted my tastes.
I often find myself fighting to get the hairstyle I want because my preferences defy gender expectations that stylists expect me to conform to. When I sit down for the first time with a hairstylist, I find myself fighting for each inch of hair I want chopped off. They keep trying to send me home with a ‘Karen’ haircut. It’s an uncomfortable experience having my identity purposely put down. I’d much rather support an establishment that treats me with respect. Due to the accumulation of these kinds of experiences, haircuts have negative connotations for me.
A hairstyle is one of the most noticeable aspects of a person's style. My hairstyle is an integral aspect of my queer identity, and I know this is the case for many of the other queer people in my life. Many of them have beautiful, bold hairstyles, often dyed an unnatural color, like electric blue or candy floss pink. Although the heavy gender expectations associated with hair can cause problems, when we defy them, it makes a powerful statement.
I understand that most people are content with salons being feminine spaces, and barbers being masculine ones. I’m not suggesting that's inherently a bad thing. Everyone has a slightly different conception of what gendered spaces should look like. But sometimes, gender diverse people aren’t included in those conceptions. I think it’s important that establishments take steps to be inclusive. Asking customers for their pronouns and using gender neutral language in advertising are easy steps businesses can take to let us know we’re welcome.
I ventured out into the CBD to talk to both barbershops and salons about the steps they take to be gender inclusive. I hope these recommendations can help any other gender non-conforming folk avoid the experiences I’ve had. We all deserve to have our haircut in an environment that includes and affirms us.
JAM Hair
44 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Affordability: 4 stars
JAM hair has shifted to using a gender-neutral pricing system. Service costs are determined by time and products used. Their website makes suggestions to help customers figure out which time slot best suits their needs.
Ben Hampton, co-owner of JAM, said the gender-neutral system came about because it felt like the right thing to do.
“The new structure has been well received. It just makes sense. Most other services are priced based on time and materials used. It just requires us to work with clients to figure out what duration appointment will suit them best,” he said.
“The most important step JAM takes to be inclusive of diversity is to create a safe space where any flavor of human can fulfill their hair dreams without any judgment.”
As an added bonus, JAM has flexible pricing options. For some services you can choose between seeing a senior or junior stylist at a different price.
Te Auaha Barbering
65 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Affordability: 5 stars
Situated on the ground floor of Te Auaha campus, this barbershop is a training institution for students completing their Level 4 Barbering Certificate.
Daimon Johnson, Lead Barbering Tutor, said that when he started out, barbering was largely a job for older men. But the industry is changing. There’s a more diverse selection of clients interested in barbering.
“I’ve always been very clear that barbering is not a strictly male industry, although it has been traditionally. It’s just a style. The type of work that we do doesn’t dictate the gender or the interests of the customer.”
“Generally speaking, we’re here to serve the Wellington community,” he said. “Everyone is welcome here.”
Cole Meleisea, a student currently in the program, said the barbershop welcomes a diverse range of clients.
“Coming into the barbering industry I could see that [stereotype] that a salon is for a lady and barber for a man, but our tutor really broke that down on day one.”
Most services are free of charge. Some of the more intensive services, like wet shave and facials, cost five dollars to cover the time and product used.
The students themselves are a diverse group. Ranging from the age of 16-50+. The program also attracts international students.
“Last year we nearly had a 50/50 gender split. That shows that barbering isn’t what it used to be,” Daimon said.
The barbershop is staffed by students from Tuesday to Friday for the duration of the Certificate. Daimon also takes clients during weekends at a charge.