THE LONG AWAITED RETURN OF THE PEAKY BLINDERS HAIRCUT?

Well, they’re back, back, back again, this time for their final run around the bullring. Yes, Peaky Blinders returns for its sixth and final season. We’re sure you, like us, can’t wait to discover what the Shelby family will do this season.

It is hard to explain just how much of an impact this show has had on hair fashions since its launch in September 2013. In fact, the zeitgeist for sharp fades and facial hair was pretty much begun by Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), his big brother Arthur Shelby (Paul Anderson) and their associate Alfie Solomons (Tom Hardy) the Peaky Blinders haircuts gathered momentum in a way not really seen in men’s hair previously. Barber shops up and down the country were inundated with clients showing up with photos of the Shelby haircuts saved on their smartphones.

Arguably the most iconic Peaky Blinders haircut is Tommy Shelby’s distinctive high and tight fade, and floppy fringe. This was a clear step change for barbering, as we swerved away from the Pompadour and started creating texture and movement in ways not requested since the 90’s #britpop phenomenon – with the Gallagher Bros and Mr. Albarn leading the way back then.

Although the Arthur Shelby haircut was a close second, with his iconic very high and tight skin fade as a whole horseshoe front to back, and pulled back slick-down length through the top. Admittedly we had fewer requests for these, but they were definitely more of a head turner on the street. 

The Shelby’s, their gang mates and their many different adversaries have helped to create better barbers in the last nine years. The Peaky Blinders style were unique and they created lasting trends – in turn these innovative styles meant barbers had to challenge themselves; to step out of their comfort zones and be more mindful of what the hair wants to do, rather than what they wanted to do with it. 

With the new wave of hairstyles came new products; softer support and semi-matte styling products became the best choice for discerning followers of hair fashion the world over. The influence Peaky Blinders had on the development of our own Hair Clay and Hair Cream with their unique, groundbreaking formulas and performance is not to be underestimated.

Of course, we can’t forget Tom Hardy as Alfie Solomons, with his dishevelled crop and full beard. Before Peaky Blinders, bigger beards had typically been very crafted and anvil-like, but Alfie encouraged us all to relax a little with the shape whilst keeping it well maintained with products like our Argan Beard Oil. Much more Hitman than Hipster. Definitely one for the archive!

Finally, we come to Tommy’s brother Arthur Shelby Jr, who can possibly be credited, alongside Movember, with the return of the moustache. It’s fair to say the noughties was a low point for the mo, it had developed a shady reputation, most commonly seen on dodgy detectives in shiny suits, but the power play ‘tache came back into play when Arthur roamed the streets.

The setting of the show in the 1920’s proves that fashions go in cycles, and that a fresh injection of popular culture can give old trends new life a hundred years on. And as for the show, we’re excited to see if there is one last hair twist in the final series – just like the plot lines that have entertained us for the last nine years!