Did you know that a barber is considered a groomer of men?

  A good groomer uses high quality clippers for the finest haircut along with the sharpest razors for a smooth shave in order to help their clients look their very best. While barbers have been grooming men for decades, some barbers are branching out and using their skills with other clients.  Shay McElroy, owner of Cuts and Styles for the Soul in Manteca is one such barber.

“I am what you call a Barber-Stylist,” said Shay. “I do more than just cut men’s hair.”

Using her barber skills to provide clean clipper cuts, fads and razor shaves for men complete with the old fashion warm towel facial, Shay also styles hair for men, women and children in addition to braiding, weaving, flat ironing, eyebrow shaping and a great deal more.

Having established herself as a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to hair over the past 18 years, Shay is passionate about what she does.  As the owner of Cuts and Styles for the Soul, a small, up close and personal type of salon Shay has been able to connect with her clients in a personal way that larger salons don’t always allow.

The family-friendly suite is tucked away in a charming yellow building with a number of other salons at 507 East Center Street.  Shay admits that the location of her shop is very unique. 

“There are 14 different shops in one location.  Out of the 14 I am the only barber-stylist there and I believe I’m also the only one who does hair with multiple ethnicities.”

Having clients of multiple ethnicities means that this barber-stylist has developed vast skills in working with all different textures of hair which has allowed her to better create cuts and styles according to each client’s unique fashion needs and to that Shay admits, “I just love it.”

Having reached her 18th year as a barber-stylist, Shay is now qualified to be an instructor which is something she hopes to pursue in the near future. 

“I have always wanted a barber shop/college where I could train students and once they earn their license, they could have the option of working in my shop” she said.

The desire to teach and mentor others naturally developed over the years as many of Shay’s clients would bring their children to her shop while they were getting their hair done. As mom or dad sat in the barber chair, their children would observe Shay at work, ask questions and want to learn what being a barber-stylist was all about, in which Shay was more than happy to reply.

Now with the start of a new school year right around the corner, Shay is fully aware of the typical high school students need.  Many students will be desiring a new look for the school year, pre-planning their hairstyles for prom  or already considering which cut is best for their senior portrait.  In effort to minimize the genuine high school student hair worries Shay offers a $5 student discount to first time customers along with a Bring a Friend discount for those students who get their haircuts and styles done together. 

 Committed to her work, Shay is proud of her barber roots as a groomer of men and equally proud of her stylist flair which helps all of her clients, men, women and children, look their very best.

Cuts and Styles for the Soul is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are most definitely welcome. To schedule an appointment or for more information call (323) 357.4034.