Aspiring barber hones skills at South Plains College

LEVELLAND – For Naomi Torres, South Plains College’s cosmetology program provided a space to do the work she loves while mastering beauty trends and techniques. Unbeknownst to her at the time, she would later find a new challenge in the college’s barber certificate program.

In SPC’s barber program that started in 2024, students work to become certified barbers in Texas. For Torres and other cosmetology students at the time, the new program was an opportunity to cross over and try different techniques.

“It was the willingness to learn more and expand my knowledge in the beauty world,” Torres said regarding why she switched programs.

With the credits Torres gained from the cosmetology program, she said she will graduate with a barber certificate this spring semester.

Torres grew up in Ecuador until she was five years old, lived in Bolivia for about a decade and then moved back to Ecuador for another five years. She said she discovered her love of being a beautician when she moved to the United States at 20 years old.

Torres participated in a Lubbock missionary program for eight months and continued her service in Washington, where she lived for about two years.

“In Washington, I used to paint ladies’ nails, or if there was a wedding going on, I did makeup and hair,” she said. “When I returned to Texas, I realized how much I enjoyed doing those things.”

Helping people feel beautiful is a part of the profession Torres said fulfills her, so she decided to pursue a career as a beautician.

“Since I have a lot of friends in Lubbock, I came back,” she said. “When I returned, I started looking for a school, and South Plains was the closest option.”

Torres started her journey at SPC in May 2024. When she was in the cosmetology program, she said she was nervous about cutting men’s hair, so the learning opportunities in the new barber program intrigued her.

“There are different techniques you have to learn,” she said. “With that comes learning the anatomy of the face.”

From using a straight razor to understanding men’s hair, Torres said she had to learn multiple facets of barbering.

“I’m trying to learn more trends because beauty is changing all the time,” she said.

When faced with a challenging barbering technique, Torres said she can rely on the support of her peers who look out for one another.

“My teachers also have been really helpful even with the language barrier,” she said. “They’ve tried their best to explain things until I completely understand the material.”

Instructors, such as Isaac Jaramillo, continue to fuel Torres’ desire to learn the profession. She said she also receives support from her host family: Larry and Terri Stark.

After completing the program, Torres said she wants to continue learning about the beauty industry and hopes to start a salon in Ecuador.

“It can be hard and overwhelming,” she said regarding the barber profession, “but if you’re really passionate about it and want to put yourself out there, you can do it.”

 

Barber Certificate

During this two-semester program, students will be taught the rules and regulations of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and understand the theory and skills of shampooing, hair and scalp treatment, hair cutting, chemical hair relaxing, hair styling and shaping, manicuring, cold waving, hair coloring, skincare, facials, shaving and advanced barber services. Students will also learn all applicable safety and sanitation rules and regulations to comply with TDLR along with salon development, salon operations, professional ethics and record keeping.

Students will acquire the knowledge, skills and experiences necessary to become licensed by TDLR and work as a Class A Barber in Texas. To qualify for the Certificate of Proficiency, which students will receive upon completion of the curriculum, they must complete a Capstone Experience during the final semester of the program.