Joe Corto Takes 1st Place in the International Beauty Show's Barber Competition in New York City

Hamburg, NY, March 13, 2011 --(PR.com)-- When you have over 50 years experience in being a barber, some things just come naturally. Joe Corto, a resident of Hamburg, NY and local barber at Corto's Salons and Seasons Spas in Hamburg (and formerly at their South Buffalo location), won first place in the barber competition at the annual IBS (International Beauty Show), held at the Jacob Javitz Center in New York City. The competition, which was hosted by Major League Barber and sponsored by Andis, a reputable brand name in barber clippers and accessories, was open to all barbers for a $100 entry fee. Barbers from all over the country attended the event in hopes to claim the honors of being top barber, but Joe, a seasoned veteran who has been cutting hair before most of the competition was even born, and with the help of his trademark "full-boat" mustache, stole the show.

Barbers were designated into two categories: Color and Design Cuts and Conservative and Traditional styles, the latter which Joe was a contestant. All contestants were judged on technique, precision, stage performance overall cut. All models' hair was required to only be cut at competition and were not allowed to cut, trim, shape or pre-set model's hair beforehand. Additionally, all Barber competitors must show a visible transformation of the model's hair.

Joe chose his brother Dominic, owner of Corto's, the chain of salons and spas in Hamburg, Orchard Park, and South Buffalo, to be his model. Originally the plan was to find a model from the crowd at the show, so Joe began his day walking around with a "Model Wanted" sign around his neck. However, being particular with the right type of hair he needed for the show, he needed to look no further and use his brother, deciding that his hair type would be best suited for what he had in mind. Sure enough, it ended up being the winning cut.

This is Joe's first competition since 1980, where he placed 4th in the Ladies Haircutting Competition in Tampa, Florida. His other honors throughout his career include 1st Place, Men's Haircutting at the New York State Master Cutting Competition, 1960; 2nd Place Ladies Haircutting, NY State Hairdressers' Association, 1978; 3rd Place, 1979. For photos and video of Joe and the competition go to www.cortosalons.com.

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