It’s barber-battle season, and Thomas “Mr. Stateboard” James is here for it.
“I love this time of year!” James says. “Hair shows and clipper competitions are in full swing, and I can’t wait to see the new and current waves of talent stepping onto the big stage.”
As a barber and cosmetology educator — and someone who’s been on every side of barber battles as a competitor, model, and judge — James knows what brings the winners to the top. Whether you’re entering your first competition or your 40th, he says there’s always room to level up.
With the next big barber battle coming up in New York at the Be+Well | Beauty and Wellness Show (formerly International Beauty Show) in March — where James will also be teaching — his insights are especially relevant.
Here are James' five pro tips for barbers who want to take home the win. (For a chance at a free entry to the New York barber battle, scroll to the bottom).
1. Know Your Category and Study the Rules
One of the biggest mistakes James sees: Competitors thinking the cut is all that matters.
“People forget how much the rules affect scoring,” he says. “Things like your model’s hair length, how much you’re allowed to cut, and whether props, costumes, or enhancements are permitted — all play a huge role.”
Categories like Fastest Fade, Total Look, Fantasy, and Designs may seem similar, but each has its own quirks and expectations. According to James, there’s no universal rulebook in barber battles. Every competition sets its own standards.
“Do your research,” he stresses. “Read the official rules completely and understand them before you even pick your model.”
2. Understand Enhancements and Know if They're Allowed
In barbering, an “enhancement” is any outside element used to elevate a look. This can mean a lot of things: hair color, chalk pencils, fibers, extensions, etc.
“Enhancements might not be your thing on a regular, everyday cut,” James says, “but in the hair battle world, they can take you from average to WOW when they’re used correctly.”
That said, not every category allows them. James warns that assuming instead of confirming can ruin your entire game plan.
“If enhancements aren’t allowed and you planned your whole look around them, you’re already in trouble,” he says. “There’s no room for last-minute scrambling in hair-battle mode.”
3. Come Overprepared With Approved Tools
James has seen it all, including competitors disqualified for using prohibited tools or scrambling backstage because they don’t have something they need.
“I’ve been to battles where competitors were relying on their razor to clean up their haircut, only to find out it was prohibited,” he recalls. “I have also witnessed people borrowing or buying cordless clippers at the last minute because they forgot to bring their own extension cord.”
His advice? Know exactly what tools are allowed and come overprepared. That means chargers, cords, backups, and replacement parts for everything.
Sometimes competitions are sponsored, and competitors are gifted clippers or shears to use during the battle. In that case, James advises doing your homework to prepare for using unfamiliar tools.
“Watch reviews, look them up on YouTube, learn how they perform,” he says. “Once you understand the tool, you might even rethink your model or adjust your cut.”
4. Control the Lighting; Catch False Blends
If you’ve ever seen a judge hold a white sheet of paper against a model’s head or shine a bright light during judging, there’s a reason for it.
"What they’re looking for are 'false blends,'" James says. "Those are looks that may appear well-blended at one angle, but when held against a light or a contrasting color, the imperfections really pop out.
"This may seem small but trust me, the tiniest flaws can bump you from first to completely out of the rankings."
James’ advice: wear a shirt that contrasts your model’s hair color while you work; use your phone camera or a mirror to double-check your blend; and even bring your own ring light or headlamp if possible.
“You never know what the lighting situation will be,” he says. “Expect the unexpected.”
5. Remember: The Winner is Decided by the Details
Always leave time at the end to finish strong!
James recalls judging a battle in New Jersey where a local barbering legend seemed like the clear winner. “From the audience point of view, he was easily the victor," he says. "But he ended up placing third."
What went wrong? The finish.
“He was so busy celebrating after his performance, he forgot to brush off his client,” James explains. “There was hair everywhere: on the model’s collar, base of the neck, and behind his ears."
In barber battles, it’s never just about the cut; it’s about the complete presentation. “Inspect your work with a fine-tooth comb,” James says. “Don’t let a strong performance fall apart because you skipped the final details that make or break a look.”
The Master the Mic Barber Competition, sponsored by L3VEL3, will be held March 9-10 at Be+Well New York (formerly Int’l Beauty Show) at the Javits Center. For a chance at a free entry, complete this form by Feb. 11, 2026.