I neglected to blog about an experience I had a few weeks ago. I was in desperate need of grooming, but my regular stylist was moving locations...WHAT TO DO?!?!?
Fortunately, my youth orchestra gave me a gift certificate to a new "men's salon" in the area. It's called "The Hair Saloon for Men". The title of this blog is their slogan.
I'll tell ya, it's a very interesting concept. They've built an entire franchise on the premise of men's hairstyling and products. To be sure, there is a TON of psychology involved in everything from the store's decor, extras and freebies, to the stylist's approach. And just for good measure, I got a good haircut too.
When you walk in, it's decoration and architecture is distinctively "male". A lot of dark wooden and leather furniture, checkers, men's magazines (ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and the like, no girlie mags), a shoe shine stand, free beverages of coffee and soda. TVs are tuned to ESPN, CNN, or other predictably male-preferred channels. There's a putting green and dart board. I'm told that the place is just packed on the weekends. It's pretty easy to wait when you have these kinds of amenities, huh?
So, when your time finally comes to get your trim, you're escorted by your PHD (Professional Hair Designer) to a semi-private room with a chair, sink and the other typical garb used. It's clever that they have isolated the customers and their stylists so that they can talk frankly. Their point is that men are willing to talk about their hair; that men care about such things. They believe that men want to look good and are willing to be educated on what it might take to make their hair look OK. Cool. It works for me. On top of all the talking about hair and products and styles, get this, they took notes. My stylist said it was standard so that they could discuss next time what we did this time. Very cool.
So, I got my cut and they also do a scalp massage. In addition to being relaxing, it's also supposedly a good treatment to prevent or slow down balding. I have little chance of that, but I enjoyed the treatment nonetheless. It's very relaxing.
Finally, reminiscent of barbershops of old, they give every customer a steaming hot towel at the end of their cut to clean up a bit. It's very refreshing as well. Of course, you also get this before a shave, if you've requested one.
So, that's pretty cool, huh? Well, what I think is also cool is the effort to bring back the community, particularly among males (old and young alike) centered around the barbershop. They have a Father & Son cut special where the boy gets a cut for $5 more than the Dad. They have a TON of seating and encourage guys to sit and chat before or after their services are complete.
They are very professional and expect the same from the clientele. I was concerned that when I arrived that the only stylists I saw in a place that catered to men were women. Don't misunderstand, I like women and fully realize that most stylists are women. It just makes me nervous at the thought of some knucklehead waltzing in and causing problems. Granted, that can happen anywhere, any salon. But strange things occasionally happen when large quantities of testosterone gather in the same area.
In any case, it was a great experience. I truly loved it. All of the psychology worked 100% on me. I got a cut. I bought product. I'm going back. In fact, I need to visit them VERY soon. I'm looking shaggy and could use a shoe shine. :)
Later.