The Hot Towel

Tinisha Cox / Photos: Jean Velez

Award-Winning Barber Opens Unique Concept Near The Galleria

by Jacquari Harris
| February 5, 2018 1:05 pm CST

Tinisha Cox

Tinisha Cox

The New Year is an experimental time of the year because people are always wanting to shake things up and try something new. That can be a new diet, a new relationship, and of course, a new look. A fresh haircut may be the right move, but getting the perfect cut is key.

Growing up, my haircuts were treated like church service. It was the same time every week, but if I was late, somebody was going to have an attitude. My uncle cut my hair every Wednesday at 4 p.m.; and from a hi-top to a low-bald fade, I knew what precision was and expected it every time. So, after my uncle retired his clippers and I became an adult looking for the next best thing, I eventually found a barber who has kept me looking dapper for over 12 years.

Tinisha Cox, also known as Nish, is an award-winning master barber who I met in 2005 when I wandered into Miracle Hair beauty salon in Southwest Houston. When I walked in, I asked if there were any barbers available because I needed a haircut – bad. I was told that there were barbers on the second level of the salon, so up the stairs I went, mentally preparing for a blind date with someone who would either do me wrong or do me justice. Luckily for me, it was the latter.

Nish not only gave me a superb fade that I wanted to instantly go show off, but she changed my 26-year-old perception of what a great barber looks like. Before Nish, only men cut my hair. It wasn’t by choice, but it was what I was exposed to growing up. She has definitely set a standard for me, which is why she’s been my barber for over a decade. Nish’s talent with a set of clippers is pretty open-ended. From fades to tapers to geometric shapes, her grace with a straight-edge razor speaks for itself.

Nish’s work has captured the attention of celebrities and music artists, as well. She’s cut the hair of some familiar names, including: Ludacris, Young Jeezy, David Banner, Joe and Bobby Valentino. She’s also won the Houston Press award for Best Barber in 2009.

The Hot Towel

The Hot Towel (TX) Barbershop

In 2017, Nish opened her first barbershop called The Hot Towel (TX) at 2400 Augusta, in the Galleria area. The barbershop offers a full-service grooming experience with all-female barbers, which is something new for the area.

“I wanted to do something different,” Nish said. “My male clients like to come into a shop that’s female-based. We’re going to take a more serious approach to your grooming, whether it’s nose hairs, trims or the eyebrows. Just fine tuning things you don’t usually get with a male barber.”

The Hot Towel

The Hot Towel (TX) Barbershop

The Hot Towel (TX) has a variety of services you can choose from, including: hot towel shaves, beard maintenance, eyebrows, fades and some of your most creative cuts such as faux hawks and custom side parts. The hot towel is a signature part of the customer experience, which is something Nish has loved for years.

The Hot Towel

“I used to do hot towel shaving back in barber college and it was very enlightening for the client,” she said. “So once I decided to open a shop, I wanted to revert to what I used to do. The hot towel is very soothing and relaxing for clients as well as for myself, so I wanted to tap back into it.”

The Hot Towel

The Hot Towel (TX) Barbershop

So if you’re looking for a change in 2018, The Hot Towel (TX) is a good start. You can have a cocktail and relax while the ladies behind this unique concept shake things up.

The Hot Towel (TX) is open Tuesday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on the barbershop, or to book an appointment, visit thehottoweltx.com.

The Hot Towel (TX) | 2400 Augusta Drive Suite 285, Houston, TX 77057 | 713.314.0871

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