Barber vs. Stylist: What's the Difference and Which Should You Book?
It is one of the most common questions men have when booking a grooming appointment: should I go to a barber or a stylist? The terms get used interchangeably, but they actually describe two different training paths. Understanding the difference can help you feel more confident when you book - though at Van Buren Gentlemen’s Salon in Chicago, every chair is staffed by a men’s grooming expert regardless of their title.
The Traditional Difference
Historically, the distinction between barbers and stylists came down to their training programs.
Training and Licensing
Barbers and stylists go through separate licensing programs in Illinois. Barbers complete a program focused on men’s cutting techniques, straight razor shaving, and facial hair grooming. Cosmetologists — what most people mean when they say “stylist” — train in a broader curriculum that includes cutting, coloring, chemical treatments, and styling across all hair types and lengths.
Both require state licensing and hundreds of hours of hands-on training. The textbook difference is in where that initial training is concentrated.
Where the Old Stereotypes Break Down
Here is where things get interesting — and where a lot of outdated advice on the internet gets it wrong. The old rule was “go to a barber for a fade, go to a stylist for longer styles.” That might have been true twenty years ago, but it does not reflect the reality of modern men’s grooming.
Fades are the single most requested men’s haircut right now, and any stylist or barber worth their license can execute one at a high level. The idea that you need a barber specifically for a fade is outdated. What matters is not the title on someone’s license — it is how many years they have spent cutting men’s hair and how well
How Van Buren Gentlemen’s Salon Approaches It
Our team is made up of ten professionals — eight stylists and two barbers — and every single one of them specializes exclusively in men’s grooming. Our stylists are not generalists who happen to cut men’s hair on the side. They have five to fifteen years of experience working with men’s hair specifically. They do fades, tapers, textured crops, classic cuts, and everything in between at the same level as any barber you will find in Chicago.
The difference at Van Buren Gentlemen’s Salon is not barber versus stylist. It is that every professional on our team has made men’s grooming their craft. Whether you are sitting in a barber’s chair or a stylist’s chair, you are getting someone who has spent thousands of hours perfecting the cuts that men actually ask for.
Our barbers bring straight razor work and hot lather shaves to the table — services that require a barber’s license in Illinois. Our stylists bring deep expertise in texture, styling techniques, and versatility that comes from their broader training foundation combined with years of men’s-only focus. Both deliver sharp fades, clean lines, and the kind of precision that keeps our clients coming back.they understand the craf
What This Means for You
When you book at Van Buren Gentlemen’s Salon, you do not need to stress about choosing between a barber and a stylist. Here is a simple way to think about it.
If you want a Classic Shave with a straight razor and hot lather, that is a barber service — book with one of our two barbers. For everything else — fades, tapers, beard trims, textured styles, longer looks, you name it — any member of our team will deliver an excellent result. Every appointment starts with a consultation so your professional understands exactly what you are going for before they pick up a tool.
Our haircuts start at $62 and our Classic Shave is $62. Barber beard trims start at $45. Every service uses premium grooming products from Kevin Murphy and Hanz de Fuko, and your stylist or barber will recommend the right product for your hair type so you can maintain your look between visits.
The Bottom Line
The barber versus stylist debate matters a lot less than people think — especially at a salon like ours where every team member is a men’s grooming specialist. The real question is not “barber or stylist?” It is “who has the experience and skill to give me exactly what I want?” At Van Buren Gentlemen’s Salon, the answer is everyone on the team.
We hold a 4.9-star rating on Google because we match every client with the right professional. We are located at 235 W Van Buren Street in Chicago’s Loop, serving the Financial District, River North, West Loop, and surrounding neighborhoods.