Peter Joannou. Brighton Barber & Tricopigmentation Specialist

Once A Styler, Always A Styler

The great band leader Duke Ellington once gave some advice to the singing legend Tony Bennett, “Always do two things".

Tony Bennett not only was a great singer, he was also a great painter.

I have also done two things all my life. I have sung, and I have specialised in men’s hair, styling and grooming. Today, that means premium barbering, proper consultations, precision cutting and finishing, and specialist scalp work including scalp Tricopigmentation.

I have always loved the details that make a man look and feel sharper. A strong haircut that suits your head shape, a clean finish around the neckline, a tidy beard line up, a style that works on a Monday morning as well as a Saturday night. And for men dealing with a receding hairline, thinning hair, or wanting a more defined shaved look, SMP and tricopigmentation can be a natural looking option to add the appearance of density and definition, with a calm, consultation led approach and realistic expectations.

When I was around 13, I had my first electric guitar. It broadened my mind to listen to different music, and that is when I first heard Nat King Cole. At the same time, I was massively interested in hairstyles and fashion. By the age of 14 to 15, I had two part time jobs. During the day on Saturdays I worked with my uncle George in his barber shop, and in the evenings and on Sundays I played guitar and sang with different bands at Greek dances and weddings.

From the first day at work with my uncle George, he taught me how to hold a comb, scissors and clippers, and he trusted me with the local lads and regular friends. I even had to tell a little white lie that I was older than 14 and actually at college.

The weekend gigs increased too, and eventually I put the guitar to one side and became the front man. I was in my element doing both, really enjoying it, and working hard at my craft.

By 23 I had my own barbershop in East Twickenham. It was originally set up by my uncles George and Alex in 1958, and it had an original 1950s vitralite cabinet. I restored it, and soon I got the business right back to its best, four chairs and four barbers working flat out on a Saturday.

Later, I fulfilled a boyhood dream and emigrated to Cyprus with my family, living closer to my parents. We created magical memories, and I also rekindled my desire for singing, writing new songs and performing in hotels.

When we returned to the UK in my early 40s, I came back to what I know best, men’s grooming and barbering, and opened up in the heart of Brighton, just off the Lanes. This location has worked brilliantly for me. It has allowed me to marry two professions that I am equally passionate about, welcoming local lads, Brighton regulars, and visitors who want a proper barber shop experience.

Over the years, my work has evolved with what men actually ask for. Alongside classic cutting and styling, more men now want solutions that support confidence as well as appearance. That is where scalp micropigmentation and tricopigmentation come in. Whether someone calls it SMP, a hair tattoo, a scalp tattoo, or simply “sorting my hairline out”, the goal is the same, a natural looking improvement in the appearance of hair density and definition, delivered carefully and professionally, starting with a consultation.

As Tony Bennett said, I agree.

“I have a passion throughout my life to just improve, improve, practice, practice, practice and try to get better and better. And it’s never stopped. I always tell everyone that I’ve never worked a day in my life because I’m doing two things I love. It never feels like work to me.”

If you are looking for a Brighton barber shop that focuses on quality, precision and a proper client experience, or you want to explore scalp micropigmentation SMP or tricopigmentation with a clear plan and honest guidance, you are welcome to book a consultation, call 01273 328799, or pop in at Peter Joannou Male Grooming and Barber Shop, 40 Middle St, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1AL.