The Grooming Guys Blog

It's Always Something It Seems

So we've been an open book in the past regarding the Grooming Lounge's minor stumbles and victories in our ongoing efforts to create the best and most-respected name in men's grooming. There have surely been more triumphs than defeats, but that said, we've certainly encountered some hurdles, as any growing business does, along the way. Perfection doesn't come easy... that's for certain. That said, here's just a recap of a few humorous (after the fact) hiccups that have happened during the past year -- followed by the latest snafu:

1. WALL PAPER:  Our Atlanta contractor put up our imported wall paper in a residential project they were working on. As they said, "Good news is we put up the wall covering... bad news is that we didn't put it up here." End result was that we ordered more and got it up in the space about three weeks late.  Looks great though.
2. HOMELESS TICKET REFUND: On a trip back from NY to meet with media regarding our new products, the Grooming Guys lost their train tickets, which were later found by a few fragrant homeless fellows. In exchange for return of the tickets, both homeless fellows were given Grooming Lounge razors and shaving skits (we had no cash).
3. MIRROR DISASTER: While having some new counter tops installed at our D.C. location (always trying to upgrade and maintain the look), the hired contractor "forgot" to tell us he broke a barber shop mirror.  When we arrived in the next AM, lack of a mirror made it tough to cut hair at that station. A week later, with lots of tape and pseudo shop mirrors, we were back in business.  A proper new mirror is now in place.

And now for the latest and greatest installment.

• GOOP, STUFF... WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?: As we've mentioned in previous blogs and promoted quite a bit in our stores, Grooming Lounge just released it's own, signature line of hair care items.  There are five items in the line: The Best Shampoo, You Need Conditioner, Some Hair Cream, Some Hair Stuff and Some Hair Goop. They are all great, you'll have to trust us on that.

Challenge is, as you'll notice, we only have the first three of those products available for use and purchase.  Why you may ask are the Hair Goop and Hair Stuff styling items not available? That would be best summed up by this conversation with our product lab President (who is a great guy... despite this mix up):

"We'll, we've got good news and bad news.  The good news is that the Hair Goop and Hair Stuff have been filled and are ready to ship.  The bad news is that we filled them in the wrong containers so Stuff is in the Goop container and vice-versa. It happens."

Crap!!!!!!!

So now, we are figuring out how to get each product in the proper container and ready for you to start styling with.  Stay tuned.

Hair Products Developed In A Barbershop... Not A Boardroom

When the Grooming Lounge launched nearly 10 years ago, there weren't many male-specific grooming brands on the market.  In reality, we were lucky to round up a few of the good ones and focus on quality rather than quantity. Since then, the men's market has been flooded with new product entries, some good and some not-so-top-shelf. A lot of brands have come and gone since then, but no matter what has transpired over the past decade, us Grooming Guys have always felt our little company had a distinct advantage.

You see, no disrespect, but 90% of the male brands out there were/are created by folks with no real background or "skin" in the men's grooming game.  The majority are dudes and ladies who saw a burgeoning market (the men's grooming market) and reasoned that their MBA diploma or venture capitalist background could make them a success.  Some made the dream work while others have realized that at the end of the day... this business is about more sizzle than steak. The products have to work and work well. Guys don't buy crap more than once.

That brings us to boasting about ourselves and what we think is the unique point of difference with Grooming Lounge Men's Grooming Solutions.  Bottom line... these products are developed by Master Barbers and Men's Skin Experts in our stores. They are tested by us Grooming Guys, two dudes who were born into the grooming industry, have a passion for it and are committed to raising the standards. Every product bearing the Grooming Lounge name is created with major input from our team of Grooming professionals and no product gets made until our crew gives it the unanimous thumps up. After all, they're the ones who have to use it on our guests everyday.

So why the hell are we telling you this? Well, we've just introduced a few new products that are great for just the reasons stated above. The new products are the first three additions to the Grooming Lounge Hair Care lineup and do the trick for guys with thick and thinning hair alike.

We could waste more of your time, but why not just check out the products. They are packed with best-in-class ingredients and are already a hit in our stores.

• The Best Shampoo
• You Need Conditioner
• Some Hair Cream

Thanks for listening to our propaganda. Although, can it be called propaganda if we're telling the truth?

The Grooming Guys Out List

The crew here at groominglounge.com likes to think we know what's in and out. Here's our take on some randoms whose time has passed.

1. Walking around with a bluetooth headset attached to your ear when you're not on the phone
2. Bragging about getting your car "detailed"
3. Making goofy gang-like hand signals while posing for group pictures (enlarge above photo)
4. Answering the phone by enthusiastically saying "yell-o"
5. Brandishing a toothpick in a non tooth-picking or photo-op scenario
6. Referencing a Seinfeld episode surrounded by the words, "did you see the the one where...?" (everyone saw every one)
7. The new celebration pro athletes do involving jumping up in the air and banging their sides or rears against one another (un-necessarily replacing the totally cool, classic and acceptable jumping chest bump)
8. Heidi & Spencer
9. Uni-sex group bathrooms (not novel anymore... just kinda' creepy)
10. Drugstore shaving cream

Stayed tuned for the Grooming Lounge "In" list next week.

Listen Up. Our First Podcast Is Here. Press Play!

Grooming Guys Podcast #1 – The 10 Immutable Laws Of Good Grooming
Press Play Below To Listen Or Download Here

Wanna' See Our New Joint In Atlanta?

The goal of this blog is make make you more handsome and more well groomed.  So, we're trying to determine how showing you a recent TV clip profiling our NEW Atlanta Grooming Lounge accomplishes that?

Oh yeah... you'll look at the Grooming Guys featured and pick up some tips.  You'll also see what our Grooming Lounge stores are all about and say to yourself... "I've got to get into one of those stores and make myself even more handsome." 

Mission accomplished.  Check out the below link from the Grooming Lounge Atlanta on CBS-TV:

Grooming Lounge Television -- Click Here!

Sore Teeth, No Cash & Homeless Guys With Our Tickets

Before we get any backlash, please note that this blog is in no way meant to demean the homeless or the plight they face.  It's a serious issue and although approached a bit off-center and not exactly pro-active this time, we recently did a bit to help a few of NYC's less fortunate look a bit better.

So the Grooming Guys are heading back to DC from NYC last week after a few days of meeting with editors to chat up our new Grooming Lounge Hair Care Solutions. Great trip and we were lucky enough to have sit downs with the who's who of the publishing world to review what our company is doing, our new products and the Grooming Lounge's view on the men's fashion industry as a whole.

Throughout the trip, one Grooming Guy was battling severe mouth pain, which later would be remedied by no fewer than three root canals (good times) and a healthy heaping of Codine. Anyway, that plays into the whole story as by the time sore-toothed Grooming Guy hits the NYC Train Station, he's a bit out of it.  After picking up the pre-purchased train tickets for the duo, sore toothed Grooming Guy stumbles somewhere and loses the train passes for both himself and other Grooming Guy. Crap.

Grooming Duo tries to get new ones printed, talks to customer service, re-traces steps, but to no avail. Turns out the only solution is to buy brand new tickets. That's no small price for a few guys trying to build a burgeoning business -- but with taking a bus out of the question and duties awaiting at home -- they dig in and buy brand new tickets. Root Canal boy complains the whole time both about oral pain and financial irresponsibility.

When it gets good is about 10 minutes before boarding when the Grooming Guys are paged (they used our real names -- not Grooming Guys) by Amtrak Customer Service. After snaking into the Customer Service office we are greeted by the Amtrak Representative and two guys who appear to be homeless and a bit out of their minds (mumbling to selves, not particularly fragrant). The following conversation ensues:

HOMELESS GUY #1: Are you Pirooz and Mike?

GROOMING GUYS: Yes.

HOMELESS GUY #1: We found your tickets and want to give them back to you.

GROOMING GUYS: Wow... thanks so much (hand extends to take tickets).

HOMELESS GUY #2: So how much you gonna give us for these?

GROOMING GUYS: You mean you're not just returning them out of the goodness of your heart to do the right thing? We would certainly give you a few bucks anyway.

HOMELESS GUY #1: Nope, they are $20 each if you want them back.

From there the Grooming Guys thrust hands into wallets only to find that between them they have $5 in cash. Both Homeless Guy 1 and 2 get angry looks and appear ready to walk away when:

GROOMING GUYS: You look like you could use a great shave.  In our bags we've got two Grooming Lounge Greatest Shave Ever Kits and two Grooming Lounge razors.  The retail on these is about $100 each and we've gotta get on the train.  Deal?

HOMELESS GUYS: If that's all you can do, OK.  How much do you think we can sell these razors for?

So we got on the train, returned the un-needed second tickets and made it safely to DC. Not sure what the moral of the story is, but thanks to those guys in NYC and hope you:

A) Got a great couple of shaves

B) Sold those razors for some dough.

Thanks for listening and for visiting www.groominglounge.com

How Often Do You Really Notice A Man's Shoes?

In one of the great movies of all time, The Shawshank Redemption, unfairly incarcerated Andy DuFrane escapes Shawshank Penitentiary wearing the Warden's Classic Wing Tips. His struts past the guards with footwear unnoticed because as he says... "how often do you really notice a man's shoes?".

While we agree with pretty much every philosophy of Mr. DuFrane's, we certainly take issue with his take on footwear.  Sure, you might not notice a guys kicks in the Big House, but in the big city it's another matter all together. Shoes say a lot about the gentlemen and can make or break a suit or outfit.

To that end, we sat down with our Grooming Lounge D.C. Shineologist (he brightens the boots of D.C.'s big shots), Mr. Clarence Nixon, to get his tips on how to purchase and take care of foot wear:

• GOTTA' BUY COMFORT: Of course they have to look good, but if they aren't comfortable, don't buy them. Rigid shoes will take their toll on your feet and will eventually gather dust in your closet.
• TREES OF LIFE: They don't cost a lot, but shoe trees can double the lifespan of your footwear. Buy several sets and pop them in your shoes whenever you aren't wearing them.  They will help keep the original form.
• ROTATE: You change your clothing daily, but few men change their shoes.  Get a shoe rotation going to keep style fresh and to reduce the number of shines needed.
• THE 7X RULE: Get your shoes cleaned/polished up at least once after every seven times wearing them. They need attention just like anything else.
• SOCK IT TO 'EM: Socks should match your pants... not your shoes. Clarence has seen this rule broken many, many times.
• COBBLE, COBBLE: A good Cobbler can do wonders for a favorite pair of shoes.  Before tossing a classic set, see if a real pro can simply replace the heal or insole.

Thanks for visiting www.groominglounge.com. Now shoe!

That's Quite A "Counter Offer"

We don't want to seem small time, but at the end of the day us Grooming Guys know that it's the details that make the difference. It's the little things our guests notice, or don't notice, that make us stand out and makes them tell their comrades they should give the Grooming Lounge a shot.

To that end, we've recently undertaken a slow and steady remodeling process at our flagship D.C. store.  Now don't get us wrong, this store is a beaut.  That said, it's a TITAN in the men's grooming industry, a store that is humming opening to close and has had its doors open for nearly six years.  That's a lot of haircuts, shaves, massages, business manicures and more.  And with that comes a little scuffing of the wood, nicking of the floors, scratching of the paint. The worn and weathered look just doesn't fit with our brand.

So, we're stepping it up in a bunch of areas over the coming months and step #1 was to redo our barber counters in the D.C. barbershop.  While wood has been there previously, we decided to put in black granite to upgrade the vibe and match the counters at our Virginia and Atlanta outposts.  That's where we ran into a problem (it's been fixed, so don't you worry).

Seems the people at the counter top joint (who won't be named unless they refuse to touch up the things they said they would), didn't think any of the following items were necessary when installing said granite:

• Covering the store to account for the massive amount of dust that comes with sawing a counter top.
• Neatly placing and replacing the bevy of items that rest on the counter top (hot towel cabinets, hot lather machines, barbicide jars).
• That if you bump a counter top into glass mirrors they will break and that it's pretty tough to cut a man's hair without a mirror.

Needless to say, it wasn't a pretty site when we opened Monday morning to dust, broken glass, no mirrors and worse.  But, as the true team we are, all pitched in and other than a few paint chips here and there (which will be fixed this weekend), the Flagship is looking better than ever.

Thanks for listening... and if you're reading this To-Be-named Counter tops, you're on four days notice.

Go groom yourself.

Will The Real Molton Brown Product Please Stand Up

The brilliant folks at Molton Brown have done it again.  A few weeks ago they introduced their latest innovations, a new lineup of hair care products for men.  Consisting of some shampoos, conditioners and styling products, these items continue the company's mission of introducing ahead-of-the-pack products with nature-friendly ingredients.  They also continue the company's history of introducing products with really odd names.

Just how different are these names you ask?  Test yourself below by I.D.ing the four actual Molton Brown products.  As for the others... we had a few extra minutes in the office:

1. Exploding Dragonfly Hair Pomade
2. Radiant Lili-Pili Hairwash
3. Refreshing Cumulus Cloud Hair Condition
4. Pure Tag-Ur-It Hair Puddy
5. Defining Caju Hair-Texture
6. Explosive Sammi-Dammi Balding Shampoo
7. Purifying Plum-Kadu Hairwash
8. Extreme Peek-Aboo Shampoo

Get answers to the above mysteries at the Molton Brown Brand Page.

Don't Rain On Our Parade. When Was The Last Time You Were In Men's Vogue?

The kind folks over at Men's Vogue showed their kindness (and great taste) by featuring the Grooming Lounge in this month's issue.  The issue, showcasing a shot of the great Daniel Day Lewis on the cover, takes a page to talk about the opening of our new store in Atlanta and makes reference to the "sense of humor" we try to bring to men's grooming. Basically, the article and the crew at Men's Vogue appreciated the fact that while we take great service and products very seriously, we don't take ourselves too seriously.  As they quoted us as saying, "we're helping men groom... not splitting the atom."

Anyway, wanted to take a chance to brag about this great piece and give you the opportunity to view it here.  Or, of course, you could spend a few bucks and grab a copy yourself.

And by the way, our Atlanta joint opened last Friday (nearly six weeks late). It's worth the wait though, as the place is beautiful and our team is top notch.  A special thanks to Nicole and Amanda, two of the most talented Grooming Experts on the planet, who made the move from our DC store down south.  Stop in and see them if you're in the area.