The Grooming Guys Blog

Leave The Head Shaving To Us Ms. Spears

With so much curiosity circling around regarding why Britney Spears shaved her head and why she has entered and exited rehab so many times -- the Grooming Guys think a key element of the story has been overlooked.  It's an angle of the story that apparently the Hollywood Paparazzi and the tabloids are just too scared to address.  So... while these Jackals are busy focusing on whether she has a substance abuse problem, mental issues or both... we'll cut to what's important:

HOW WAS HER HEAD SHAVING TECHNIQUE?

In a word.  Terrible.  At the Grooming Lounge, we perform dozens of head shaves a week and offer advice to hundreds of more guys who want to do it at home. The shearing technique Ms. Spears displayed in that salon made us cringe.  No preparation, no blade, no post-shave soother!  It made us sick to our well-groomed stomachs.

That said, we figured the only way to make it right was to spread the real gospel in terms of how a gentleman should shave his head properly.  Here's a quick step-by-step that should de-Brit any man and get him on the right track:

1. Shampoo your hair (or what's left of it) with a deep cleansing shampoo.  This will cleanse the scalp and up-root any stubborn of ingrown hairs.
2. Trim down the long pieces or follicles using a professional trimmer.
3. Apply a mixture of shaving oil and shaving cream to your dome.  Rub the mixture in aggressively everywhere you plan to shave.  Activate the product with a spritz of warm water.
4. Shave front to back.  Avoid the side to side.  Make sure to not leave any clumps or patches anywhere.
5. When done shaving, rinse away all excess cream and oil.
6. Apply a soothing aftershave product.  The ideal product is Sharps Bald Head Balm, which will soothe and protect your bald head from the sun.

Head shaving deficiencies aside, we do wish Ms. Spears all the best in her recovery.

The True Mark Of A Good Haircut

The true mark of a good haircut is how your hair looks a week or two (or even three) after you have it cut.  Plenty of barbers/stylists can make your hair look sharp while you sit in their chair, but it is a select few that can create a style that will stay strong for weeks after the service.

At Grooming Lounge, we're in the business of creating looks that help guys look good "down the line" -- not just "at the moment."  That's not to toot our own horn... it's just the truth.

So, wherever you are around the country and wherever you get your hair cut, judge the results a few weeks out.  That's what will tell you if you're seeing the right person for your cut.

Would You Like A Free Back Wax With That?

This is a true story.  Some names and descriptions have been changed to protect the innocent -- but -- this all happened at our Washington, D.C. store this past week.  Please know that we pride ourselves on great customer and technical service, this was just one of those fluke things that happens.  The bottom line is that no one ended up worse for the ware.  All was fine and all left happy. Here we go:

A gentleman, call him Mr. Rickson, walked into our store about 3:00 for a 4:00 Hot Lather Shave appointment.  He was seated, provided with a beverage and relaxed with a magazine, aware of the fact that he was significantly early for a Shave service that had been purchased for him via Gift Certificate.

About 3:30 one of our Men's Skin Care Experts, call her Lucy, walked into the waiting area and said "Mr. Smith" (who was the name of the person she had scheduled at 3:30 for a Full Back Waxing, but who did not post for his appointment).  Believing that his name was being called, Mr. Rickson stood up, shook Lucy's hand and followed her back to the Skin Care Room.  When in the room, Lucy asked Mr. Rickson to remove his shirt and told him that the waxing would commence after he did so.  He did not contest this, ripped off the shirt and assumed the face-down waxing position.

Lucy performed the whole wax, thirty minutes worth of intensive hair removal, without an objection from Mr. Rickson.  When she walked him to the front after the service, the mistake was caught by our Guest Services staff who informed Mr. Rickson that his Shave service would be next and that he had received a service he had not signed up.

"I loved it" said Mr. Rickson... "very nice and relaxing" and he proceeded to grab a new magazine, sit in the Lounge area and wait for his shave.  Post shave, he left happy, hair free on both the face and the back.

We just don't know what's going to happen when he tells his wife about the services he got?

The Return Of Cool

We're happy to announce that after a brief sabbatical, Molton Brown's best-selling EDT, Cool, is back in stock.  Repackaged in a more compact and streamlined bottle, this amazing scent is prepped to be sprayed on by suave dudes everywhere.  It's been more than five month's since Cool was available here and our initial supplies are limited -- so have at it. 

Also of interest in the EDT department, Molton Brown has also introduced a companion scent to it's famous Black Pepper Body Wash.  Are you man enough for Black Pepper EDT?

You Really Think He Wants That?

Looking for the perfect Valentine's gift? The best and most unique in grooming gifts can be found by just reviewing our Gift Guide here.

But just about anybody can provide you with a list of things you should buy.  How many companies would provide you with a well-researched list of things you shouldn't buy a man on the 14th?  Compiled via in-depth research gleaned from guests at Grooming Lounge stores, following is the first annual Grooming Lounge "Top 9 Things He Doesn't Want For Valentine's Day" list. So, if you got him one of these, we hope your receipt is still handy.  And don't be mad... we're just being honest and trying to make Valentine's Day a pleasant experience for everyone involved:

1. Hearts Filled With Random Chocolate Candies (some of which are injected with a strange, jelly-like substances)
2. Ties With Cartoon Or Animal Characters On Them
3. Pictures Of You Together
4. Any Type Of Stuffed Animal Sporting Any Type Of T-Shirt With Any Type Of Sentiment Written On It
5. The Valentine's Music Mix '07
6. Couples Dancing Lessons
7. Just A Card (because it's really more than the thought that counts)
8. Pictures Of You Together Set In A Heart Frame
9. A Nose Hair Trimmer (oh we sell those... so scratch this one)