The barber shop shave is an experience that all men should have at least semi-regularly.
You know I encourage indulgences around here. Not all of those indulgences have to be food related, however. You may remember my discussion on getting a massage. Likewise, I encourage us all to find a master with a straight razor and indulge in the relaxation.
I never shave clean. In fact, it’s been many years since I’ve seen the bare skin on my jaw. Once a week, I see my barber and get tightened up. I’ll vary the lengths. Sometimes a 1, sometimes a 1.5 on the clippers, depending if I want a bolder or a cleaner look. Independent of beard length, it’s the experience I’m endorsing. Men need a break from reality. We work our asses off. Women have their manicures and spa visits. We can sit in a chair for 30 minutes and snatch our equivalent. From theartofmanliness.com:
It’s relaxing. The straight razor shave is the facial for manly men. The experience is definitely a treat. There’s nothing like a hot towel on your face or the manly fragrance of shaving cream to sap the stress right out of your body. The few times I’ve gotten a straight razor shave, I’ve fallen asleep because it’s so darn relaxing.
It’s manly. When you get a straight razor shave, you can almost feel the testosterone increasing in your body. It feels cool to be taking part in a ritual that thousands of men from history experienced. Plus, in a world where women are pretty much doing everything men are, a straight razor shave is one of the few activities that is still completely and exclusively male.
Light-hearted joking on manliness aside, taking a few moments to chill is critically important for humans of all genders. We’ve riffed on the value of putting away your cell phone once in a blue moon (at least). Sometimes, we need an excuse. It’s impossible to text and email with a hot towel wrapped around your face and eyes. Believe me, I’ve tried. Escaping from reality is a critical part of mental recovery and if we can’t do it by choice, we can find sneaky little ways to force ourselves to stop typing.
Speaking of a break from reality, if your daily routine consists of hairs all over your sink, little cuts and feeling rushed, you need to go back in time to a slower, calmer way of taking care of yourself.
For most guys, the only shave they’ve ever known involves standing over the bathroom sink, hurriedly scraping their faces with a plastic Bic and rushing off to work with bloodied little bits of toilet paper dotting each cheek. Shaving was never meant to be this way. Few guys have ever been on the receiving end of a shave, much less kicking back in a barber chair and being treated to shave oils and a heated lather.
Take these critical steps:
- Use Yelp to mine a five star barber in your area. Use keywords, “shave, master, best, service.”
- Make an appointment one week out.
- Call your doctor (any doctor) and ask him to tell you not to shave for a week. Then tell your boss that your doctor suggested that you not shave for a week. Then, don’t shave for a week.
- Get to your appointment early and leave your cell in the car. Read some magazines while you wait.
- Get lost in the heat of the towels, the scrape of the razor, the smells of the cheap aftershave and alcohol or witch-hazel.
- Tip generously.
Let me know how it goes.
Strong mind,
Kap
slappythefishman says
Kap,
Can’t agree more, the only thing that makes it better is if you find a barber with a shoe shine stand…this way you get to take your shoes off while you get your shave and nothing beats the feeling of walking out of the barber with a tight shave, a good suite and a pair of wings tips that shine like glass…It’s like you were pulled out of a Scorsese flick
Stephanie St Amour says
No question, that’s a great feeling (the general idea, anyway, I haven’t quite experienced those exact specifics).
Gabe says
Dig, STF. Love a good shine.
Chris says
Always wanted to give this a try. I mildly recreate this at home by using a hot towel, badger hair brush and use shave soap in a dish. Harry’s makes some fine razors if you’re on a budget, if you’re not Art of Shaving is the top dog.
Stephanie St Amour says
I’m not entirely sanguine about having forcible moments of being out of contact, but the little moments of relaxation in a day or a week are easily forgotten but so important.
Greg says
I’m trying this. I’ll report back and let you know how it goes!
Msquared says
I recently had a barber use warm foam and a straight edge on the back of my neck to edge me up… Felt amazing..