Cut Hair at Home Like a Pro

Wearing sunglasses and holding an acoustic guitar in his home recording studio, Steve “Woody” Woodham—owner of the Haircut King Barber Shop and the Princess Beauty Salon in Prescott Valley, AZ—explains that he once wanted to be a great songwriter and singer, but when fame and fortune eluded him, his mom suggested he instead become a barber like his grandfather. Thirty years later, Woodham's easy-going enthusiasm is still apparent as he demystifies the process, explaining that all haircuts are variations (and often combinations) of three approaches: framing, layering, and clipper cuts (which he says are more like sculpting). Advising that one of the most important tools is a pair of razor-sharp scissors, Woodham demonstrates a simple, safe test to see if your shears are ready for the job (he also recommends purchasing clippers designed to trim animal hair because the quality of the steel-blade attachments is much higher than typical home clippers, which use plastic). Although well-shot, the film avoids razzle-dazzle graphics, and the style is folksy; but it's also clear that Woodham knows his stuff. The models are real people in need of a haircut, and the tips, tricks, and instructions (including some for left-handers) are solid. The resulting program (complete with a jingle Woodham wrote and performed) is charming. A companion book is also available. Recommended. Aud: P. (C. Block)