Skill Barber is a fantastic barber shop to check out when in Chiang Mai for its haircare services and its overall vibe. And with a name such as theirs, we were intrigued if they can indeed deliver—so we decided to check them out!

What we liked about them most is they’re open every day, which means you can drop by at your own convenience. They’re also pretty responsive, so booking an appointment is easy. 

The barbershop itself has a great look to it with its interiors looking like a modern industrial building rather than the traditional barber shops of old. We like this because getting a haircut or a shave here means feeling young again.

We also found that they have professional barbers and the equipment to do their tasks well (be it a conventional razor or an electric shaver).

However, we were quite disappointed to learn that not all their barbers have the same level of expertise. Some people we surveyed mentioned that they didn’t get even cuts and didn’t like the way they were shaved.

Furthermore, we noted some complaints about long waiting times. But this may have happened during peak hours because Skill Barber has a number of barbers working per shift.

Nonetheless, many people we spoke with mentioned that they were pleased with their results. They also commended their assigned barbers for their cheerful and approachable personalities.

The Cutler aims to look like a traditional barber shop of old, and we think it does so pretty well! With its classic-looking interiors and gentleman sports club appeal, it certainly fits the bill of being a classy yet elegant shop to get a haircut.

Aside from their usual haircut services, we liked that they also offer shaving services using both traditional and electric razors, giving one of the closest shaves we’ve seen in Chiang Mai. 

You can also have your hair dyed here as well. The availability of this service is a plus for us  if you’re feeling adventurous and want to change your look!

We also like that they offer various haircare products like pomades, hair gels, and shaving cream. These are perfect especially if you want to stay stylish and neat even after your visit to their shop or once you get back to your hotel.

Another aspect that impressed us is that their barbers are all skilled. From our surveys, many people mentioned they liked how the barbers at The Cutler provided consistent clean haircuts.

Many also appreciated that they had complimentary short neck and back massages after each haircut!

The only downside we found is that they need to improve their queueing system or at least assign additional barbers per shift as lines can get pretty long. 

This translates to walk-in customers waiting in line for hours, or worse, not getting any services at all–something we’re quite iffy with.

California Barber and Coffee Shop is a great lifestyle barber shop if you want more than just a haircut. We think it’s awesome that they have a coffee shop and a tailor onsite so you can take care of your clothing needs while you wait for your turn.

We also found their interiors fantastic, with traditional and elegant decors and furnishings that make the experience feel more premium.

As for their services, we liked that customers can get a haircut and a shave in this location while also purchasing some of their haircare products. 

From what we’ve seen, their best-selling one is their hair wax, which can help you maintain your new hairdo even when you step out of the shop’s premises.

It’s also impressive that their barbers aren’t just skilled but also very friendly and customer-oriented. After each haircut, they give their customers a relaxing head massage, which we think is a really nice touch.

Considering that you can get your haircut in an elegant location with a free head massage after each session, we agree that they offer great value for money. 

The only thing we wish they did better was to have a more organised queueing system. Some of the customers we surveyed complained that even if they booked in advance, they weren’t really accommodated during their reserved slot.

If you want a barber shop that can provide you with a one-stop-shop experience, then 168 Barber Shop is your place to be. Here, you don’t only get a haircut but you can also get their full-service package which includes hair colour, wash, and a shave.

We think that the interior of this shop is inviting if a bit quirky. It has a chandelier and classic-looking furnishings while at the same making use of bright solid colours, giving the place a traditional yet modern feel that we found charming.

We were also impressed that their barbers are experts in trimming hair and are able use a variety of tools to get the job done. Most use electric razors they can also go with the more traditional shave to give you the lines and cuts you want on your fade.

As for the costs, we were quite amazed at the affordability here. You can get a haircut for as low as 150 THB and also get their full-service package at just 1,490 THB– good value for money if you ask us.

On the downside, most customers noted that the barbers here often relied too much on their electric razors. 

We think it would have been better if they finished off their trims with a more traditional Gillette blade to get the finer details right or at least offered this option.

56 Barbershop will make you feel like you’re having your haircut in a classy art gallery. The interiors are decked out in white with elegant and classic decor that makes everything around it look elegant such as paintings, fedora hats, and ottoman chairs.

We think it’s noteworthy that the main barber here is referred to as an artist by most of his customers, and we see why. He’s known for his fantastic side fades which means he’s the guy you need to see if you want the same stylish hairdo when in Chiang Mai.

We also like that this shop wants its customers to relax as they play soft and mellow music during a haircut. This is certainly a nice touch as it surely helps to soothe and relax you even more as you get your hair trimmed and your facial hair shaved.

One major downside is that queues can get crazy long especially if you want to be serviced by their main barber. 

Also, we found that the price for a haircut is a bit more pricey compared to their competitors. While we think it won’t break the bank, there are other shops that offer cheaper services so that’s one thing to think about when getting your haircut here.

Ultimately, we recommend that you call in advance to book a slot and to prepare around 300 THB for a basic haircut. If you can get past these requirements, then 56 Barbershop is a great place to have your hair cut and cared for.