Key Takeaways: Want a list of the top barbers to keep your eye on? Your wish is our command. Take a peek at this curated list of talented barbers, educators, and stars we think every barber (yeah, that means you), should have their eye on this year and every year.
UPDATED: March 27, 2026
One of the best things about the barbering community is that it’s an industry absolutely overflowing with talent—and we mean talent of all kinds.
Sure, we love a barber who can shave up the cleanest fade in the game, but we also love a barber who knows how to run their business like no other. That’s what makes the barbering game so dang interesting: we’re a community of creatives who are making art and taking names while simultaneously showing the world what we're made of.
Personally, we don’t think there’s another profession out there like barbering—but hey, we’re probably biased, right?
The problem here? There are so many talented barbers out there, it’s nearly impossible to pick favorites or keep track of any up-and-comers. Until now.
We’ve laid out a list of the top barbers that we believe you’ve 100-percent-absolutely-gotta keep your eyes on this year.
This group of barbers is doing something unreal, showcasing their talent in all aspects of the game, unlike anything we’ve ever seen. Don’t believe us? Go ahead, check ‘em out for yourself.
Our List of Top Barbers to Watch This Year: 2026 Barbers You've Gotta Check Out
A Top Barber: Trevor Moots | @tailorfade
Trevor Moots, a must-watch barber born and raised in Florida, is taking the IG game by storm with an impressive almost 70k followers.
Running his barber game out of Orlando, Trevor’s only been in the industry for about 10 years (according to his IG) and had dreams of being a touring musician—but when he fell into barbering, he fell hard.
Though he’s got a whole head of gorgeous locks of his own, his insta showcases epic fades, clean lines, and styles that look badass on men and women. You’ll definitely want to keep your eye on this one.
The cool thing about Trevor? He's got barbering education up on his IG, too!
A Top Barber: Wade Menendez | @wadethebarber
Wade is a barber, sure, but he’s also the owner of The W Hair Lofts Inc. and is considered a pioneer in barbering as well as educating.
Wade definitely knows what he’s doing behind the chair (check out his insta and see what we mean—the looks he delivers are fresh, clean, and all kinds of fierce).
But he’s also constantly touring around the country offering hair-unit classes that barbers just like you can access. Wade’s got more than just barbering tips and tricks, though—he’s also offering blueprints for building your business, your character, your career, and more.
Follow him for some serious barbering (and business) inspo.
A Top Barber: Nomad Barber @nomadbarber
Nomad Barber is exactly what the name suggests – a global force in the barbering world.
He’s not just behind the chair—he’s out in the world, traveling, documenting, and showcasing barber culture from just about everywhere. His content gives you a look at how deep this industry really runs, from traditional techniques to modern styles across different countries.
And yeah, the cuts are solid—but it’s the perspective that makes him stand out. Education, storytelling, culture—it’s all there.
If you want to see barbering beyond your own city (or even your own country), this is the account to follow.
A Top Barber: Victor Fontanez | @vicblends
Representing the ATL, Victor is a young barber (his insta says he’s 20!) who’s already made a huge splash both online (with a total of 330k followers, by the way) and with his tangible talent.
His feed showcases lots of emphasis on clean lines and on-trend styles, but his ability goes far beyond just what’s hot-right-now.
In recent years, Vic Blends has stepped far beyond the chair, evolving from a viral barber into a purpose-driven leader in the industry. One of his most impactful moves has been helping launch a barbering program inside Valley State Prison—an initiative focused on giving incarcerated individuals real, usable skills and a path forward after release.
At the same time, he continues to expand Vic Blends Academy, offering training that goes beyond technical skill into branding, mindset, and business growth.
A Top Barber: KC Fee | @kcfee
KC Fee operates in a lane that goes way beyond the traditional barbershop. Known for working with high-profile clients like Jeremy Allen White and Kumail Nanjiani, her work lives at the intersection of barbering, grooming, and editorial styling. From red carpet appearances to major campaigns, she’s the one making sure everything is dialed – from the cut itself to the finer details like beard work and overall presentation.
What sets KC apart now is how consistently she bridges industries. Her work isn’t just about clean fades – it’s about shaping how modern men show up in media, fashion, and entertainment. Scroll her content and you’ll see that mix of precision and polish, but also the behind-the-scenes process that goes into getting talent camera-ready. It’s that combination of technical skill and high-level execution that keeps her firmly in the conversation—and still setting the tone for what’s next.
A Top Barber: Patricia Plymire | @queenofthesouth512
Ripping up the barber game in Austin, Texas is Patricia Plymire, a barber unlike any other. Do we love Patricia’s barbering skills? Absolutely. Are we obsessed with her insta feed? For sure.
But you know what we literally cannot stop screaming about? Her insane braiding skills. Seriously, this queen of the South combines a sweet little mix of barber skills and braiding in a way you would not believe.
She continues to evolve her brand well beyond intricate braid work, leaning harder into education, collaborations, and high-level industry presence. She’s been showing up in major training environments and brand partnerships, including hands-on education events and collaborations with companies like Rolda, where she’s actively teaching and mentoring other barbers.
We can’t even do it justice—go peep her Instagram right now.
A Top Barber: Sofie | @staygold31
This multi-talented LA-based barber does it all—creates flawless looks that are interesting and enviable, runs the photography game, and also can make a dang seamless video, too.
Sofie isn’t just part of the barber conversation—she’s shaping it. Operating out of LA, she’s built a brand that goes way beyond the chair, blending high-level barbering with photography, content creation, and a seriously dialed-in aesthetic.
Her feed? Straight-up addictive. Imagine epic transformation cuts, behind-the-scenes videos, lots of tattoo talk, and plenty of transparent, honest captions. We’re straight stuck on her insta right now, so we suggest you give it a peek, too.
She’s also not afraid to get honest in her captions, which makes following her feel less like scrolling and more like actually learning something.
Bottom line: if you’re not already watching what she’s doing, you’re behind. Go fix that.
A Top Barber: John Carmona | @titan_barber
This Denver barber is redefining what a clean-cut looks like—for real, his seamless lines, epic gradients, and overall looks are straight stunning. Every photo he posts on his insta gives us extreme style envy.
He's continued to expand his presence far beyond the shop, stepping into a global education and stage artist role. As a Wahl Professional educator and two-time Future Makers participant, he’s been traveling, teaching, and sharing his craft on stages around the world. His influence now reaches well beyond his Denver base, with a growing reputation for breaking down technique in a way that resonates with both new and experienced barbers.
The best part about him? He’s a traveling educator and a business owner, so he’s got a lot of excellent knowledge to bring to the table. Trust us, he’s a must-add to your insta following count.
Did we miss an epic barber? Don’t see someone on our list that absolutely should be? Let us know!
We’re all about highlighting skilled barbers in the biz, so make sure you bring them to our attention.
Drop a barber’s insta handle in the comments so we can give them a look for future editions of barbers to watch—we’re always looking for talent to showcase (because we love this community, y’all).
For other barber inspo, advice, insight, and tips, be sure to keep up with the NAOB blog so you can keep up with our regularly updated content—we’re all about providing you with all the tools you need to make a name for yourself in our one-of-a-kind community.
