To avoid his father's razor and comb approach, Lowell Stephens taught himself to cut hair at age ten. Business partner Kirk Tulloch was sixteen when one of his hair designs was featured in a national ad for volleyball apparel. The entrance to Onyx Barbers, their second floor shop next to the Canon Theatre, is easy to miss so look closely if you want to look sharp!
Writing and photos by Christos Tsirbas
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how much does it cost for a basic cut?
it costs $15 for people over 12
How much for a fade and a line up?
it's $7 on Tuesdays for any cut and $15 dollers for me any cut.
where excatly are you guys located on victoria street?
like the main intersection closest to you guys!?
how much is it for a design?
I wouldn't recommend this place unless you've got black people hair or you're looking for a buzz-cut or going for a really close cut - short haired look.
I don't think these people have experience / will provide anything impressive with anything else, they didn't even ask me what # I wanted on my sides -- they just started cutting.
They are on Victoria just south of Dundas on the west side, 2nd floor.
HEAR YE! HEAR YE!
Actually the best Barbershop in the city of Toronto and the GTA was(past tense)"No Substitute Hair Design" on Lakeshore Blvd West & Islington Road in the southside of Etobicoke. The service was fabulous and the art those artists did on those clients were fu@king amazing. Sorry for the language.... The owner/artist was very innovative with his designs and he never faded, but blended the hair within its self. So when your hair starts to grow back it would look very smooth till the next visit.
P.S. Too bad the business never flourished with its potential. But unfortunately the neighbourhood never gave that business the proper respect it deserves. Too bad for that neighbourhood. R.I.P
do they do like writing in your hair?
A great place to get an "urban" haircut... great bunch of guys but everyone seems to avoid one of the guys ...I believe his name is Tomasi...I was not sure why until he cut my hair a few days ago.. now I know why people avoid Tomasi.. he is an arrogant and retarded SOB... I wanted to get a taper on the side and the back and he ended up giving me a pseudo-fade ala Fresh Prince..wtf and he seems to be bothered to listen to anything you have to say.... I would recommend anyone who goes there to get Lowell or Kirk as your first choice, anyone else including the token white guy and if your in a hurry, then go with Tomasi but I'd rather be waiting for hours than put up with that fool...
Im not in school and I did not finish my hair dressing course, but why im writing this note, is because im looking for someone to teach me how to cut black men hair in less than a year, willing to volunteer my time on learning how to cut all types men hair
do you know if they do blowouts?
Im from the United States and heard alotof great things about
Onyx. Im seeking employment in the GTA. Please give a call
@704-393-1765
can u guys do tape-ups?
Recently moved to a larger and better spot in/near the FLOW 93.5 building on Yonge St. a couple doors south of Shuter St.
what time do they open?
I am a regular visitor to Toronto from Barbados and I have made ONYX my barbershop while there. The professionalism and relaxing atmosphere makes it easy for me as a visitor.I've eevn recommended this barbershop to other Barbadians who live there as well as numerous Canadians. Keep up the good work guys!!
I am morlon fisher a barber in jamaisa i need a work in canada ,i have being cuting hair for 15 years no ,and i like to cut in canada help me if you can.
Does anyone know all the barbers names and where their stations are?
I know Lowell is right of the tv(from the perspective of the waiting chairs) and Nitro is to his right, but I dont know the names of the other guys
how much is it for a braid up?
I normally go to "Mankind" and Brian cuts my hair. He's probably one of the best barbers out there but kinda pricey at $35 bucks for a fade. I'm interested in going to onyx but don't know if it's by appt only or by walk-in. Any assistance would be appreciated,
Sincerely,
Brooklyn Ny born and bred fade guy.
You'll see a open binder on the front desk when you walk in and you're supposed to write your name down on the next available slot. Then you just sit on the chairs to wait for them to call you up (takes usually 10 min. until a station opens up).
I used to work at Onyx in London Ontario, used to be the best/busiest shop in the town. Sucks how they closed now im in Ottawa and the shops arent that great.
These guys are hands down the best for
Fades
Outlines
Fro-Hawks
Blow Outs
Tapers
Designs
Beard Trims
@Veronique, I can hook you up with an internship, I guess that's what you'd call it, at both Onyx or a barber shop in Scarborough, whichever is more convenient for you.
I'm not going to post my contact info on here, and you shouldn't either, but if you are still interested reply on here and we'll figure out a way to get in touch.
@Jay, the guy you are talking to goes by Tomasi but his name is Michael.
He may come off arrogant but trust me he's a really nice guy. If you had a bad experience I don't blame you for not wanting to have him cut your hair but he's not arrogant. I admit, he's not the best guy to go to if you are looking for a complex design and he tends to do his own thing but if you clearly tell him what you want he'll do a good job. Next time you go try getting Michael, Kirk, Drizzy, or Pops.
And no I don't work there but I know the barbers personally.
@Young City....I have been a loyal patron ever since I first got my haircut at that joint a little over a year ago....but I have yet to see the Tomasi fella ever interacting well with his customers. I might not know him on a personal basis but neither do I know Kirk, Pops or any of the other fellas but they seem to be interacting very well with the customers. If you have even been there, you'll realize that most people either write down Kirk or Pops in the binder...and thus if you're short of time like I , you just end up with him. As for the intricate designs, I am a 40 year old military officer who usually gets a simple basic cut with no bells or whistles.
However, this does not mean the place is not a great barbershop. I still go up-to this day but I usually just write Kirk's name in the binder and have never had a negative experience.
Great place and I will continue to be a loyal customer for a really long time to come.
Can I get information?
I heard y'all moved locations
What time do you open/close?
Yo these guys give you the best fades in the world, and everyone is very friendly i consider this the best barber shop in TO, i've been around alot of places. They're located in yonge st. now right in front of the eaton centre. It might get busy at times, but it's a real comfortable setting. If you go around 12 in the afternoon, they put on family feud and crack jokes at the contestants, these guys are clowns....lol. Definately 5 Stars!
deffinitely agree with biggie ...today was my first time going there and it was amazing
Yeah, the place at first seems sketchy. But all the guys are extremely down to earth! Don't go on Tuesday, since its the busiest day of the week. Made that mistake! Tomasi at first seems arrogant, but he actually is a really great guy when you get to know him or get a couple cuts from him.
their website for people who are looking to contact them www.onyxbarbers.com.
New Proclamation to all looking for the best haircut in the city......
New location to check beside Onyx and all the other urban barbershops. It's called "Ambiance Unisex" located at John St. and Adelaide St. just west of Hooters restaurant in the Entertainment District. Guaranteed to receive the cleanest and tightest fades, blends whatever you would call it anywhere in this great city of ours. The artists who you need to ask for are, Theo or Markus.
If ever you're willing to try someone new and for sure become in love with the artistry, make that call. (416) 585-3000. The establishment is open from Tuesday-Saturday. Theo is there from open to close while Markus is there from Thursday-Saturday. It's acceptable for walk-in business or make an appointment with either artist.
Those artists are capable of doing any type of hair texture, style, fades, hair design, beards, line-ups and they also use hot towel and straight blades for shaving purposes.
IT'S WORTH THE VISIT, NOW MAKE THAT CALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There is a barber at Onyx that gave me haircuts that got me the the most complements. His name was Bentley. At the old shop He was at the window but at the new shop I don't know which station is his. He's not always there anymore, because he's away at school, think in the states. He's usually there in the summers and on holidays.
Look out for him he is GOOD!
Any Cut, any Style, any Hair Texture!
Onyx Barbers The best in the City
www.onyxbarbers.com.
I am a loyal customer at Onyex, actually go there every two weeks, POPS is most def my favorite. Kirk, Lowell, Adrian, Nitro, Tomasi, the white boy, and the new kid (who needs a LOT of practise) are all cool! cheers
Anyone know which dude does the best faux-hawk? Haven't been before, and looking for the best barber in the shop, if anyone could help? Please let me know.
Anyone know which dude does the best faux-hawk? Haven't been before, and looking for the best barber in the shop, if anyone could help? Please let me know.
Looking to get a faux-hawk done, just wondering which barber is best suited for the job? If anyone could recommend a specific barber for the job it would be greatly appreciated. Let me know!
Lowell!!!! It's Laura (from Lumina). Chris (also from Lumina) found this Blog!! We'd love to hear from you.
http://www.facebook.com/laura.garnett
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001719230056&ref=ts
Hope you are doing well, my friend :)
Laura
Great barbershop. AVOID Tomasi at all costs. He's rude, arrogant, and completely disregards your instructions in terms of what kind of haircut you want.
As many people before me have made clear, AVOID Tomasi at all costs and you will lover this barbershop.
Been going to Onyx since their last year @ the Victoria St. location. I've been cut by almost every barber in the shop aside from the recent new guys. Each barber has their own unique method and look depending on the style of cut you want. I have straight hair and Bentley's taper fades were ideal for me (when he was there) but Tomasi and Nitro are both safe choices also. Most of the barbers are proper overall, but like I said, all the barbers @ Onyx have their strong suites (again, not sure about the new guys) you just have to find the one that caters best to what you're looking for.
Preferred barber: Tomasi
Cut: Low/med top with bald tapers