Barber Answers
Do You Need an Appointment for a Barber? Booking vs Walking In
Short answer: It depends on the shop. Some barbershops run on walk-ins, but many, especially those doing detailed fades, work mainly by appointment so every client gets the full time their cut needs. Booking ahead is the only way to be sure of your barber and your time. At Markcutit you can book on Booksy, call or text (647) 221-9795, or send an Instagram DM, and same-day openings often come up.
Why many barbers now work by appointment
Appointments let a barber give each client the time the service actually needs instead of rushing to clear a waiting room. A skin fade blended to bare skin cannot be done well in a slot sized for a buzz cut, and a queue creates exactly that pressure.
Booking also means you choose who cuts your hair. In a walk-in shop you usually get whichever chair is free next, which is fine for a simple cut but less so when you have a barber who knows your cowlicks and your preferred fade height.
For the client, the biggest gain is predictability. You know when you will sit down and roughly when you will leave, rather than giving up an open-ended chunk of a Saturday.
Booking versus walking in, side by side
Each approach has trade-offs. This is how they compare in general, not at any single shop.
| Booked appointment | Walk-in | |
|---|---|---|
| Choice of barber | You pick | Whoever is free |
| Wait time | Minimal if you arrive on time | Unpredictable, can be long on weekends |
| Time for detail work | Slot sized to the service | Can feel rushed when busy |
| Spontaneity | Needs a free slot | Just turn up and hope |
| Best for | Fades, beard work, regular clients | Simple cuts, flexible schedules |
Four ways to book at Markcutit
You can book a chair with either senior barber through any of these routes, whichever suits you.
Whichever route you use, have three things ready: the service you want from the menu, the barber you prefer (or that you are happy with either), and a couple of days and times that suit you. That turns a booking into a one-message job.
- Booksy: shows live availability for Mark and Marcel, prices and appointment length, and lets you manage the booking later. Start from our booking page.
- Call (647) 221-9795 if you would rather talk it through.
- Text the same number with the day and service you want.
- Send a DM on Instagram to @markcutit.
Getting in on short notice
Same-day openings often exist, so do not assume you have to wait a week. People reschedule, finish early or cancel, and those gaps appear in Booksy as they open up.
If Booksy looks full, call or text and ask for the next free slot with either barber. Being flexible about which barber and which hour gives you the best chance, since we are open 7 days, 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM.
For something time-sensitive like a wedding, graduation or job interview, book a few days ahead rather than relying on a same-day gap. Our guide on when to get a haircut before a big event covers the timing.
What to book: the Markcutit menu in plain terms
Book the service that matches the work you want, because the menu item decides how much time is reserved for you. Picking the right one up front avoids a rushed finish or a gap at the end of the slot.
Every one of these includes a free hot towel, hair wash and head massage, so there is nothing extra to add for the finish. Prices and appointment lengths sit next to each item on Booksy.
- Haircut Only: any haircut, whether a fade, a taper or a scissor cut.
- Haircut + Beard: a haircut plus beard shaping and a razor lineup, planned as one look.
- Beard Only + Lineup: for the weeks between haircuts when only the beard and edges need attention.
- Full Face Wax: face, nose and ears.
- Nose Wax: quick removal of hair at the entrance of the nose.
Choosing which barber to book
Pick the barber whose work matches what you want. At Markcutit, Mark Yousif is known for skin fades, fade-into-beard blends, razor lineups and slick backs, while Marcel Shabo focuses on tapers, drop fades, texture and detailing.
If you are not sure, book whoever has the time that works and tell them in the consultation what you are after.
Do you need an appointment for a barber: common questions
What should I book if I just want a fade?
Book Haircut Only on Booksy. It covers any style, whether that is a fade, a taper or a scissor cut.
Can I book for a friend at the same time?
Yes, book two separate appointments, ideally one with each barber at the same hour if you want to be in and out together. A call or text is the easiest way to line that up.
Do I need an account to book on Booksy?
Booksy asks for basic contact details so it can confirm and remind you. If you would rather not use the app, call, text or DM instead.
What if I need to change my booking?
Reschedule in Booksy or call or text as early as you can, so the slot can go to someone waiting for an opening.
