A Cut Above

By: Audrey Glass

Michael, how did you get started, and what brought you to the Hamptons?

I’m from Colombia, but I grew up in Spain. I moved here with my mom and my brother, and we came straight to the Hamptons because we had family here. After I finished school, I got my license as a barber, and came here and asked for a job. I’ve been here about nine years now.

As someone who cuts hair year-round, how does the vibe in the shop change from winter to summer?

In the winter, I think the people are more chill because they’re all locals. And I also think that they’re more patient. In the summer, it gets busy, and the people are always in a rush. If you don’t book like three or four days ahead, you might not get a haircut!

Who cares more about their hair—the hedge fund guys or their teenage sons?

Some parents really care, but it’s the kids who want to make sure their hair is right. They usually ask for something bulky on top with a little taper on the sides. The teenagers are always asking for that.

Who are your most loyal clients—year-round locals or summer regulars?

Some people who come back each summer remember me or remember to come back to the shop, but I feel like the locals are more loyal. Over time, you start to get to know them better, and it’s less like I’m cutting their hair, and it’s more like talking to a friend.

What’s the vibe in your chair? Are you more of a talker or a listener?

It depends on the person. Sometimes people don’t want to talk, sometimes they do. But I think I’m more of a talker because I always want to make sure they feel comfortable in the chair. We watch a lot of soccer and basketball in the shop, so we usually talk a lot about sports. Sometimes we talk about investments and stuff like that, too.

What teams are you rooting for, and what games are usually on in the shop?

Knicks for basketball. For soccer, Barcelona. We watch a lot of Champions League and Premier League—any sport that’s on, really.

Do you have any celebrity clients?

We do, but I’ll keep it private.

Who are the best tippers?

I would say the summer people.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I play a lot of soccer. I play with a local team, and we do a lot of tournaments. I also like to go out to eat. My favorites are Le Bilboquet, Bobby Van’s, and Publick House, which is nice for getting a drink with friends.

Hamptons Barber Lounge has two locations: 36A Hampton Road, Southampton; 128 Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton