At 23 years, Danielle Estanislao – known to most as Dan or Danny – has turned what began as a high school passion into a fully-fledged career. Born and raised in Macau as a local Filipino, Dan told the Post that barbering has become his livelihood and future ambition.
Dan recalled two major inspirations that led him into barbering: his former barber Tim, who, according to Dan, “lent him a lot of his stuff” and introduced him to the barber culture, and a YouTube duo called “FUNG BROS.”, whose videos “sparked” his interest.
He told the Post on Saturday that his first attempts, however, were far from perfect. “The very first haircut… was horrendous,” he admitted, remembering a taper fade* he tried on a friend in class. Later, after buying his own clippers, he attempted a fade on his cousin’s husband, who afterward remarked, “I thought you knew how to cut hair.”
Learning came through a mix of guidance, observation, and self-teaching. As an apprentice at Joker’s Barbershop at 17, Dan watched and practised under the busy barbers, but he stressed that “most of the time was self-taught, like, by experience.”
He clarified to the Post that barbering and hairdressing are two different things, explaining that barbering focuses more on men’s cuts and grooming, while hairdressing typically serves a broader range of styles nowadays.
He considers barbering both as an art and a profession, explaining that barbers “like to express themselves through haircuts,” and that they are artists who make that happen.
The most meaningful cut he’s ever done was for his great-grandfather shortly before he passed away, Dan told the Post. “The fact that he allowed me to do a haircut on him, and despite me not being good at it yet, it was just amazing. It feels like the generations kind of overlapped there somehow,” he reflected.
Looking forwards, Dan’s career dream is to become the sole owner of his own shop in Macau – a space that would reflect his personality and vision. He acknowledged that he was aware of the old misconception that barbers don’t make money, but he was quick to add that barbering as an industry has improved a lot, pointing out that “in the States [US], some barbers are making like 1,000 patacas per haircut.”
For young people pursuing their passions, Dan’s advice is clear: “Don’t be scared.” He revealed how with only 800 patacas that he had at the time, encouraged by his girlfriend, he decided to invest in his first pair of clippers. “You cannot be scared if you want to do something. You really need to decide that it’s now or never. It’s either one day or day one,” he advised.
Dan’s commitment has been unwavering since starting high school, balancing classes and work even through university. “That just shows how much I love my job and my clients,” he concluded.
Dan graduated from university this summer.
*Fade – A fade haircut is defined as a style characterised by a gradual transition from longer hair on top to shorter hair on the sides and back - Copilot Search
Undated photos recently provided by Dan Estanislao
