If you aren’t already following barber Vince Garcia, chances are you’ve at least seen his finest work. Ever heard of Lebron James, or maybe one Travis Kelce? Those are just some of Garcia’s A-list clientele; Garcia has carved quite the reputation for himself among our greatest athletes, and even landed himself a coveted ambassadorship for Dior Sauvage and the line’s new new skin care assortment.
Garcia has been cutting since he was in eighth grade. “My childhood barber taught me the basics on how to fade, so I started doing line-ups and designs on my friends and family,” he says. It was in 2009 he cut his first athlete, in Toronto: Chris Bosh, the star center for the Toronto Raptors. “I ended up moving to Los Angeles in 2010 and Chris got traded to Miami. I told him to let his NBA friends know I’m in Los Angeles, and if they ever needed a cut to hit me up.” Now he travels almost weekly to cut clients’ hair, while also taking bookings back home in LA, where he lives with his fiancé and kids.
We caught up with Garcia between his big-league bookings to ask a few questions that someone at his level might know—everything from navigating the A-game pressures to fixing football helmet hair. After all, not everyone gets to cut the hair of NBA and NFL champs, much less the guys they grew up idolizing.
Essential Hair Care Tips for Athletes
How Do You Fix Hat Hair?
Garcia tells his helmet- and hat-hair prone clients to invest in a good leave-in conditioner spray. “The conditioner allows the natural oils to reduce friction between the hairs, which will smooth out the hair, and allow them to brush and comb back to style easily,” he says. “It’s a great low-maintenance way and works with cuts of all lengths.”
How Often Should Athletes Shampoo?
For his high-performance clients, Garcia grants permission to break code, and to shampoo after every workout or game. “You need to prevent sweat or bacteria from accumulating on the scalp, which can cause irritation and possible infections,” he says. “And it’s not just enough to shampoo. It’s really important to condition so your hair remains clean and healthy without drying out—especially if you’re washing your hair that often.”
How Often Should You Cut a Short Hairstyle?
Now, if you’re in front of the camera as often as Garcia’s clients, then you definitely need frequent tune ups. “My clients who are professional athletes get their haircut by me at least once a week, and sometimes twice if they’ve got important games, events, photoshoots, or commercial shoots in the same week,” he says. And if you have a super short style, Garcia says to visit your barber weekly in order to keep those fades and lines clean, too. As it grows longer, you can buy a little more time between cuts. (Once you’re past that initial skin-tight fade area, you can often go 6-8 weeks max between cleanups, even as you grow out your hair.)
Essential Skin Care Tips for Athletes
As a Dior Sauvage ambassador, Garcia is stepping into the skincare space, too. Here are some of his foremost skincare tips for athletes and guys with active lifestyles,
Prioritize Soothing Ingredients
As an athlete, you’re sweating constantly, maybe you’re out in the hot sun a lot, and also washing your face more frequently than most people. That’s why Garcia recommends a soothing and gentle-minded regimen above all. He points to the cactus extract in Dior’s key Sauvage assortment, which is rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to keep skin calm and fortified against further strain.
Get Familiar With Toner
More men should use toner, says Garcia, especially sweaty and oily skinned athletes.. “Toning product will help athletes keep their face hydrated and will balance the pH in their skin,” he explains. Toner soothes skin and can even balance oil production in the pores. “Applying toner before working out will also help remove dirt and debris before the sweat rubs into the pores,” he adds.
Don’t Wear Hair Product When Working Out
Yes, this is a skincare tip, not a hair styling one. “I always suggest not to put any product in your hair if you’re going to be working out or playing a game, because you don’t want that hair product running down your face while you’re playing or working out,” Garcia says. There might be pore-clogging ingredients in that product, which would make skin break out. “Also, always shower after working out or playing a game to prevent breakouts on your skin from the sweat and dirt.”
Garcia’s Go-To Products
I also wanted to get Garcia’s favorite hair styling products on record; what are the types of products he trusts for his clients?
The Best Hair Stylers: Clay and Matte Paste
“These keep hair looking natural and easy to style,” he says. “Once you blow your hair dry, apply the clay or matte paste to your hair to give it a good hold for the rest of the day whether you live an active or busy lifestyle.”
He even recommends these products in longer hairstyles, too: “The trick to styling your hair is blow drying it the way you want it styled before adding the product. You want to train your hair to how you want it then apply hair product and you’ll be good to go for the day.”
**Two GQ suggestions for matte products: **
Garcia’s Favorite Hair Styling Brand: STMNT Grooming Goods
Here’s something Garcia and I have in common: An affinity for STMNT Grooming Goods and their impeccable roster of hair styling products. “They’ve got products for all kinds of hairstyles, and they’re created by barbers! Julius, Sofie and Miguel created some awesome products for our industry and community,” he explains.
His Favorite Dior Product: Dior Sauvage The Serum
“The three new Dior Sauvage products [toner, cleanser, and serum] are awesome, but the serum is my MVP of the three, Garcia says. “It’s super hydrating and youth-boosting and features a cactus power duo of cactus water and cactus oil for deep hydration and increased water absorption. You can really feel it locking in moisture. It also works to strengthen the skin barrier, keeping skin healthy, strong, and hydrated.”
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