"A deep examination of the rise of male beauty culture."
The New York Times
"Though the grooming work and shop floor are evocative, Barber's attention moves beyond hair to the social exchanges that take place … bringing together emotional labor, aesthetic labor, and physical labor, all the while highlighting the role of sexuality."
Gender & Society
... Read more"A well-researched contribution to the sociology of work, gender studies, and consumer culture … Highly recommended."
Choice
"Barber's book innovatively combines theories of work, gender, and culture. It makes a significant contribution to masculinities research. Anyone teaching or conducting research on gender, social class, qualitative methods, work, inequalities, and culture will find this book to be compelling. It is nuanced and rich in detail."
Men & Masculinities
"What does it mean that contemporary men are going to salons, getting their nails done, or dyeing their hair? Kristen Barber examines how these practices are intimately related to shifting definitions of masculinity, and actually buttress gender, race, and class inequalities. A compelling and colorful read."
C.J. Pascoe
author of Dude, You're a Fag: Masculinity and Sexuality in High School
"Barber provides excellent insight into how women groom men while upholding their gender and class identities, and how masculinity and beauty are not at odds with each other. Truly a pleasure."
Jamie Mullaney
author of Paid to Party: Working Time and Emotion in Direct Home Sales
How it became OK for guys to take care of themselves: an interview with Kristen Barber [http://goo.gl/o3qExa]
NPR's Marketplace
Why barbershops are disappearing: And what it means that some still thrive by Kristen Barber [http://goo.gl/mN4nWW]
The Houston Chronicle
The End of the Barbershop?: An Interview with Kristen Barber [goo.gl/CgX0Zv]
Word of Mouth
New Hampshire Public Radio
"Barber’s book innovatively combines theories of work, gender, and culture. It makes a significant contribution to masculinities research. Anyone teaching or conducting research on gender, social class, qualitative methods, work, inequalities, and culture will find this book to be compelling. It is nuanced and rich in detail"
Patti Giuffre
SAGE Pub
What’s the Deal With That Guy’s Fluffy Hair? by Thomas Vinciguerra
New York Times
"New barbershops cash in on male grooming trend" interview with Kristen Barber
Marketplace
"How the ‘Wife Beater’ Tank Top Became A Marker of Class, Ethnicity and Domestic Abuse" by C. Brain Smith
Mel Magazine
"A well-researched book."
Journal of American Culture
"Why So Many Men Chase Skirts, But Won't Wear Them" by Nora Whelan
Playboy
"A salon of his own: Men don't play second fiddle here," by Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
LoHud.com
"A salon of his own: More than just manscaping," by Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy
USA Today
"A Short History of Manly Beauty Products for Masculine Men," by Hazel Cills https://jezebel.com/a-short-history-of-manly-beauty-products-for-masculine-1834956610
Jezebel
"A cut above: Traditional barbershops are back," by Dave McGinn https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/style/article-a-cut-above-traditional-barbershops-are-back/
Globe and Mail
"WHAT EXPENSIVE MEN’S HAIRCUTS ARE REALLY SELLING YOU" by Quinn Myers https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/expensive-mens-haircut-worth-it
Mel Magazine
"Masculinity During A Pandemic: How Haircuts And Face Masks Got Political" an interview with Kristen Barber https://www.wortfm.org/masculinity-during-a-pandemic-how-haircuts-and-face-masks-got-political/
"A Public Affair," WORT
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