Alyssa Brasket is proud to call herself a barber.
The Camas resident was crowned the American Crew U.S. All-Star Challenge winner on Jan. 25 at the International Salon and Spa Expo in Long Beach, Calif. The competition looks to highlight the best stylists in the country, using American Crew men’s grooming products.
“I was definitely surprised (by the win),” she said. “I thought I had messed up my chances. When we were supposed to sit down and explain our hairstyles to the judges, I couldn’t get any words out because I was so nervous.”
During the competition, the final three hairstylists had to cut and style their final model for the photo shoot. The judges were looking for a style that best exemplified a modern, masculine look.
The judges ultimately picked the winner based on how their work reflected in the photo. The competition left Brasket a little starstruck. But, she said, she remembered to keep her cool. Especially when David Raccuglia, the founder of American Crew, was the photographer of her final look.
“For him to do my photo personally was extremely crazy for me. It’s something he doesn’t usually do. I was overwhelmed with happiness,” she said.
The 26-year-old has been cutting and styling hair for nine years. Brasket works at The Barbers, a Vancouver-based chain of barber shops run by Don and Alison Lovell.
Brasket said she prefers being a barber over working in a salon.
“Guys are more willing to change up their haircut, and you get an instant result with just a trim. It’s amazing how dramatic the change is,” said Brasket.
For her winning look, she started with the idea of a pompadour, “but I wanted it to have a more natural look, a more natural flow,” she said.
Inspired by the fashion of films such as “Casablanca” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” Brasket added modern techniques such as short fades and feathering, with a hint of James Bond sophistication. The hairstyle also incorporated her knowledge that many men she knew were growing out their hair.
“This is a cut that can last a guy for quite a few months,” said Brasket.
Brasket said she constantly looks through magazines such as Men’s Health and GQ, which helps her understand the importance of the latest style trends, before she adds her own twist.
“Not every trend is going to match every guy who comes in. I want (the haircut) to match who they are,” she said.
Brasket said she enjoys seeing the confidence a haircut can build in her customers, and “once you have that confidence,” it can really translate into other aspects of their lives, she said.
Brasket’s win will advance her to the global competition in Rome, as winning hairstylists from 40 other countries will compete for the title of best men’s stylist in April.
“I just want people to know if they have a dream, just to go for it,” she said. “I’m definitely just your average person, as long as you study hard and put time into it, it will work out in the end.”
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