By: Nancy Pierce
When a man sits in a barber’s chair, he may not know exactly what he wants — but he knows what he doesn’t like: uneven fades, highlighted flaws, or a “perfect” haircut that doesn’t suit his head shape. This is where the barber’s work begins — not with clippers, but with observation, analysis, and adaptation.
Rusana Plonsak is a stylist and self-taught barber, originally from Ukraine, based in Florida. She began her career during the rise of barbershop culture in Eastern Europe and, over time, developed her methodology: adaptive haircuts. This approach involves tailoring every detail to the individual’s skull shape, hair density, growth patterns, and even past haircut mistakes. Her goal? The haircut should work for the man, not the other way around.
The Power of Scissors in a World of Clippers
In a barbering world dominated by clippers, scissors become a form of art. Rusana stepped away from standard techniques and developed her scissor skills, specifically for those areas where clippers fall short, such as uneven bone structures, scars, or sensitive transitions.
Her signature is clean fades, crafted with such precision that even clients often avoided by other barbers leave her chair satisfied. But it’s not about chasing perfection — it’s about creating harmony where others see only flaws.
Her technique didn’t come instantly. It began with YouTube tutorials, barber school, and many mistakes along the way. As one of her mentors once said, “You won’t grow until you make mistakes — and learn how to fix them fast.” Today, mistakes don’t scare her. She knows how to correct them and turn them into strengths. That confidence is one of the reasons clients continue to come back.
From Ukraine to the U.S.: Adapting Abroad
Before moving to the U.S., Rusana gained experience at well-known Ukrainian barbershops, including Retro and Central. The move to America was a challenging but necessary step. Her first tasks were to obtain her license, have her qualifications evaluated, and navigate various administrative hurdles.
Her first job in the U.S. wasn’t behind the barber chair but behind an administrative desk at Boardroom Salon in Texas. That experience proved invaluable: “I was able to see how the business operates from the inside — service flow, client expectations, team dynamics. It completely changed my view of the industry,” Rusana shares. She later moved to Florida and began working as a stylist at SportClips, where the atmosphere is more family-oriented and dynamic.
Although she initially focused on men’s haircuts, Rusana is now actively learning to cut women’s hair as well. Still, her heart belongs to fades, lines, and clean detailing.
Hair Care: The Chemistry of Confidence
Another key aspect of Rusana’s work is hair care consultations. Many men choose products based on how they look on the shelf, without understanding what their hair truly needs. And often, stylists themselves struggle to explain which product is ideal for a specific hair type.
Rusana, however, has completed training in trichology and cosmetic chemistry, enabling her not only to recommend products based on their ingredients but also to educate clients on proper hair care. “When a man understands why a product works for him, he uses it with more confidence — and enjoys the results every day,” she explains.
No Competition — Only Colleagues
In an industry where competition often takes center stage, Rusana follows a different philosophy: there are no competitors, only colleagues. “Every barber, whether a seasoned professional or a beginner, is my colleague. We all have something to learn from each other,” she believes. Rusana is grateful to the mentors who helped her grow and now passes on her knowledge to others. She’s happy to teach colleagues interested in her techniques — a gesture of respect for those who once supported her.
The Mission: Helping Every Man Feel More Confident
At the core of Rusana Plonsak’s work is a simple yet powerful goal — to help every man walk out feeling better than he expected. Regardless of head shape, hair texture, or past haircut experiences, there’s always a solution. The key is knowing how to find it.
Rusana Plonsak’s philosophy of adaptive barbering is not only about scissor skills — it’s about understanding each client and responding to their individual needs. It’s more than a haircut — it’s a transformative moment where a person leaves the chair not only with a fresh look but with the confidence that they look better than ever before.
Published by Joseph T.
