Por Vida Barbering

Some people are just genuinely sweet. 🖤
I met my Monster Energy supplier at Tuska after he invited me along. While I was there, I spotted a BMX at their little competition booth and casually mentioned how much I loved it.
Six weeks later… I was surprised with one. Now that's a good post day!
Apparently, sometimes you should be careful what you say out loud.
Monster Energy has supported Por Vida Barbering since the very beginning, and the support has always gone far beyond just keeping the fridge stocked. They’ve shown up, backed the shop, included me in some brilliant things and consistently made me feel like part of the crew.
And speaking of that fridge… if you're visiting Por Vida, you're always welcome to a free, refreshing Monster while you're here.
A massive thank you to Monster Energy and the entire team here in Finland for always being there, for the good times, the madness, the opportunities and now apparently… the BMX.
I'm genuinely grateful.
Por Vida × Monster Energy — still keeping Ronnie caffeinated and apparently now mobile.

Shave it all off.
Show off the tattoos. Have a laugh. Grow it back. Shave it again.
One minute you're chasing greys, the next you're wondering why you ever cared in the first place.
That's the fun of it.
I love being this way. Hair is temporary. Tattoos are (mostly) forever. Do what makes you smile. Shave it, grow it, mow it, dye it, tattoo yourself—or don't. There are no bonus points for taking yourself too seriously.
Life's already ridiculous enough.
So enjoy the ride. Wear the beard. Lose the beard. Be the version of you that feels right today.
Uncle Ronnie says: if it grows back, it's just another excuse to come and see your barber. 🖤💈

This year I received a very generous invitation from Monster Energy to attend Tuska.
I'd somehow never been before, despite hearing for years that it was one of those festivals you simply had to experience. Turns out... everyone was right.
A fantastic lineup, great company with my friends, familiar faces around every corner, and some of the kindest, most welcoming people you could hope to meet.
I got to see classic bands that brought back a flood of memories, including seeing Trivium for only the second time—the first being over twenty years ago. Time really does fly when you're going grey. Alongside them were newer bands that completely stole the show and have earned a permanent place in my playlists.
One of the biggest highlights was being invited to join the Monster crew and fellow guests on the Nordic Energy podium to watch Kublai Khan TX. What an incredible set, and an unforgettable way to experience it.
A huge thank you to Monster Energy for the invitation and for keeping our energy levels high all weekend, alongside all the other brands and people working behind the scenes who made Tuska such an incredible event.
Here's to firsts that definitely won't be lasts.

When you're two months out from your last haircut, nothing feels better than a fresh fade to show off your equally fresh tan.
Personally, I love the tan lines. The paler scalp, the contrast... it all just screams, "I got me a haircut and I'm feeling fabulous."
For me, the fade line is part of the look, so wear it like a badge of honour.
I already look forward to my next haircut.
Are you?

Before ➡️ After.
From wickedly wild to thrown back and fierce.
Proof that your hair can have an identity crisis and still come out looking better for it.
Finished with Reuzel Matte Texture Powder for lightweight hold, natural volume, and enough flexibility to mess it up, throw it back, or run your hands through it all day without looking like you've just wrestled a hedge.
Structured when you want it.
Chaotic when you need it.
Because sometimes the best hairstyle is the one that looks like you didn't spend any time styling it... even though you definitely did.

Finding the heat a little too much for your grease?
When summer turns up the temperature, sometimes it's time to swap to a water-soluble pomade that'll keep your style styled and your smile smiled.
Enter Reuzel Blue Pomade.
High hold, high shine, and finished with that signature warm vanilla wood fragrance that'll have you catching a whiff all day long.
The best part? It plays well with others. Mix it with your favourite grease if you want that little extra pliability, a touch of waterproofing for those unpredictable summer showers, and a subtle nod to that classic greased-up finish.
Summer doesn't have to mean sacrificing your style.

My absolute favourite photo of me getting tattooed.
And I know it's not pretty, he's gentle and I'm just showing off my pain face.
There's no dramatic pose, no perfectly framed shot, no attempt to look tough while pretending getting tattooed doesn't hurt. It's just a moment that means a lot to me.
I met Alex completely by chance one evening at a bar. We got talking, and somewhere along the line I discovered he tattooed at Tatuata. Since then, he's decorated me countless times, and every visit has made me want to come back for another.
What keeps me returning isn't just the tattoos. Alex is gentle, warm, kind, incredibly knowledgeable, and one of those genuinely sensitive people who makes you feel comfortable the moment you sit down. The kind of person you'd be happy to meet regardless of whether they're tattooed or not.
With every session, my collection feels a little more complete.
Some tattoos are simply cool images. Some carry a deeper meaning. But one thing I've learned is that choosing the right tattooer matters just as much as choosing the right tattoo.
Choose the person you like.
You never know—they might become someone you'll remember forever.

I'm old, getting tattooed sucks.
It hurts. Sometimes a lot more than you'd like to admit, especially when the collection starts filling out and the needle finds its way a little closer to those... more delicate areas.
But every now and then, between the buzzing and the occasional internal questioning of your life choices, you find those moments where you can actually relax. Have a laugh. Share some stories. Forget about the pain for a while.
The funny thing about tattoos is that the bits that hurt the most often become the parts that help shape the final version of yourself.
This latest session with Monty ("I'm from Landaaaaahn") was one of those days. Good conversation, mutual friends from the tattoo world, stories about places we've both haunted over the years, and plenty of appreciation for tattoos we both love... and love.
The pain will fade. The memories and the artwork stick around.
Worth it. Thank you for the conversation, company and cuddle.

Here's the Por Vida Barbering waiting area "table".
Okay, it's a Dickies box I've upcycled into a table because I'm either a Hippie or I'm simply cheaper than you on a first date and won't buy new...
On top you'll find a pile of free stickers and flyers from brands, friends, and companies that support the shop—and just as importantly, businesses and people that I proudly support too. Everything is free to take and slap permanently onto something you know someone will enjoy also.
There's also a little reading material while you wait: my front-page/centerfold article from the opening of Por Vida back in 2021, and my absolute favourite photo book by Jelle Mollema documenting the history of Schorem. It's packed with photos from before I ever made my first pilgrimage to Rotterdam, back when the academy was still housed in what later became the Old School Academy before the move across the street.
So feel free to arrive a little early, grab a cold Monster, have a browse, take some stickers, and relax before I completely ruin your day with a haircut.

I met Lars a while ago. He works TATUATA and although I’ve always been friendly with the shop, I’m convinced it’s his Flemish heritage that connects us. I’m fairly certain my ancestry comes from that strange Dutch-Belgian corner of the world too.
Recently he tattooed me. I quite literally snored through most of it.
The tattoo itself fills a gap I’ve had since 2011. One of those spaces that never felt unfinished enough to rush, but never quite felt complete either.
Sometimes tattoos become more than the images we choose to wear. Sometimes they become stories.
This one says Hyvästi, a very Finnish word. A permanent goodbye.
I wanted it for reasons I couldn’t really explain at first. But if you asked me honestly, I think it was my way of saying goodbye to a lot of pain. Not forgetting it. Not pretending it never happened. Just finally letting it leave with a little more grace than it arrived.
Thanks, Lars. Some tattoos stay under the skin for reasons that have nothing to do with the ink.