Close shave with American Crew - myhairdressersearch.com

By Rob Kotevski April 7 2009

It has been said that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

I can now add another saying to that theme: the way to a man’s heart is simply to give him a really great shave.

To commemorate the launch of a brand new shaving line, American Crew decided to step back in time a little and treat the male species from the fashion and grooming media industries to a good old-fashioned professional shave in an old-school barber shop.

American Crew took over Grand Royal Barbers for a day, located in Sydney’s Darlinghurst. Grand Royal Barbers is tucked in Liverpool St, and the 50s feeling is replicated so well, you can almost hear a barber shop quartet singing as you walk through the doors.

The barber shop is a comfortable size: not too large so you feel you’re in a huge shopping centre and small enough so that your individual needs are being taken care of. Antique reclining barber shop chairs proudly call the men’s salon home, and the work benches are adorned with vintage-looking razors and aftershave bottles.

Truth be told, I jumped at the opportunity to have a professional shave. I can get a little lazy from time to time when it comes to shaving, so to have someone else do it for me seemed like an opportunity to too good to pass up. I work in a pretty relaxed environment so I can get away with not shaving for a few days and wearing what a friend has christened “designer stubble”.

Looking razor sharp … American Crew launched an impressive shaving range that every guy should have in his armoury of grooming products.

I settled in with a drink as I sat in the reclining barber’s chair. A hot towel was placed on my face for a few moments and I reached a heavenly almost trancelike state of Zen. This had already been the best experience of my life and the shave hadn’t even started yet.

My own personal barber for the day expertly shaved with the grain on my face, followed by another much welcome hot towel. The second part of the shave saw her shave against the grain, allowing a professional and smooth finish.

The shave was finished off with a cold towel placed on my skin. The hot towel had felt delicious, and the cold compress against my newly sensitised and baby smooth skin took the feeling to a whole new high thanks to the two different sensations. An aftershave lotion was applied to my skin which was a wonderful cooling balm.

I left the barber shop glowing, feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and looking about ten years younger.

My tip is a professional shave at a barber shop would even make a great gift, whether it’s for your husband, brother or dad (who can be notoriously difficult to buy presents for!).

The man in your life will be the centre of attention with his every need catered for. If the new breed of days spas proliferating at the moment is too intimidating for the man in your life, the old-school barber shop environment would ensure he feels comfortable while he is being pampered. And who doesn’t love being spoilt?

The American Crew shaving range includes the moisturising shave cream, precision shave gel, lubricating shave oil and post-shave cooling lotion. For more information, call 1800 104 204.

Grand Royal Barbers
397 Liverpool St
Darlinghurst NSW
02 9360 3063

Best tips for shaving

Start your shave with a splash of hot water to open your pores and then cold water to close them.

Thoroughly clean your razor after your shave and change it to a new one regularly.

Run some oil across the blades to keep them sharp.

If you have an ingrown hair, stretch the skin out around it and run your fingernail across it a few times until it pops out.

Sensitive skin can mean you sometimes break out in a shaving rash. Using a moisturiser with vitamin E included will help with sensitive skin and have you looking your best.

Find out more about grooming for men.
Read some more hair and grooming tips.