G
gone down south
What's the first rule boys and girls? If someone touches you in a way that makes you uncomfortable make them stop right away! Why oh why did I forget that?!?!?!
So, last week my wife proved that she had, indeed, been listening to my endless ramblings and got me a proper barbershop shave for my birthday. She knew I wanted a straight shave, and knew enough to stay away from AOS and their Mach3's, so she researched far and wide and came up with a well recommended local place. There aren't a lot of online reviews for men's shaves, you know, but this place good reviews and no negative comments anywhere.
I get all ready for pampering and relaxation, and walking in the door I'm not disappointed. It's a small 2-chair barber shop, but all done in dark woods and rich colours, opera playing quietly in the background, very luxurious. There's high end soaps and super badger brushes all over the place, lots of upscale products being sold and used on customers, I'm liking this. The barber is this totally cool and laid back guy I instantly trust with my face, just quiet confidence. We chat while he does the hot towels and facial massage. He's whipping up some T+H Trafalgar and I'm really getting into it.
Then, he pulls out a shavette (which I'm OK with, it's the best you can expect today) and I swear to god he puts his whole body weight behind it. I can feel him pushing down with it and the tip seems to be making little gouges in my skin. Now, I paid good money for this and I assume he knows what he's doing, and I'm thinking "I've never had a straight shave before, maybe I'm just being sensitive because I'm nervous." The shave cream had made my skin tingly and numb, so I wasn't feeling any razor burn (yet!) He kind of meandered around my face in a random pattern reapplying cream every now and then. About halfway through I knew it wasn't going to end well when he kept sprinkling some kind of powder on my chin and going back over the same spot.
Anyways, long story short, I leave there feeling beat up and looking pretty red. No tip, of course. By the time I walk home I can see major irritation on both cheeks and my mustache area, and there's honest to god blood flowing on my chin. You know those abrasions you get when you wipe out on gravel, the ones that seem to be inside and under the skin? Those are popping up on my chin. Worst of all, there's just about as much stubble on my neck as I had going in and he missed big patches on my chin.
That was Saturday. Naturally, I've been a mess of irritation and dryness ever since. Today, the skin on chin has started to peel and flake. Lovely, huh? And my wife feels awful, because this was supposed to be my special treat 'man spa' day.
Anyways, lesson learned. The next time I feel the slightest bit uncomfortable anywhere I'm getting up and walking out on the spot. While telling them off in a nice, loud voice to boot.
Oh, and don't go to the 2B Groomed salon in Philadelphia, no matter what anyone else tells you!
So, last week my wife proved that she had, indeed, been listening to my endless ramblings and got me a proper barbershop shave for my birthday. She knew I wanted a straight shave, and knew enough to stay away from AOS and their Mach3's, so she researched far and wide and came up with a well recommended local place. There aren't a lot of online reviews for men's shaves, you know, but this place good reviews and no negative comments anywhere.
I get all ready for pampering and relaxation, and walking in the door I'm not disappointed. It's a small 2-chair barber shop, but all done in dark woods and rich colours, opera playing quietly in the background, very luxurious. There's high end soaps and super badger brushes all over the place, lots of upscale products being sold and used on customers, I'm liking this. The barber is this totally cool and laid back guy I instantly trust with my face, just quiet confidence. We chat while he does the hot towels and facial massage. He's whipping up some T+H Trafalgar and I'm really getting into it.
Then, he pulls out a shavette (which I'm OK with, it's the best you can expect today) and I swear to god he puts his whole body weight behind it. I can feel him pushing down with it and the tip seems to be making little gouges in my skin. Now, I paid good money for this and I assume he knows what he's doing, and I'm thinking "I've never had a straight shave before, maybe I'm just being sensitive because I'm nervous." The shave cream had made my skin tingly and numb, so I wasn't feeling any razor burn (yet!) He kind of meandered around my face in a random pattern reapplying cream every now and then. About halfway through I knew it wasn't going to end well when he kept sprinkling some kind of powder on my chin and going back over the same spot.
Anyways, long story short, I leave there feeling beat up and looking pretty red. No tip, of course. By the time I walk home I can see major irritation on both cheeks and my mustache area, and there's honest to god blood flowing on my chin. You know those abrasions you get when you wipe out on gravel, the ones that seem to be inside and under the skin? Those are popping up on my chin. Worst of all, there's just about as much stubble on my neck as I had going in and he missed big patches on my chin.
That was Saturday. Naturally, I've been a mess of irritation and dryness ever since. Today, the skin on chin has started to peel and flake. Lovely, huh? And my wife feels awful, because this was supposed to be my special treat 'man spa' day.
Anyways, lesson learned. The next time I feel the slightest bit uncomfortable anywhere I'm getting up and walking out on the spot. While telling them off in a nice, loud voice to boot.
Oh, and don't go to the 2B Groomed salon in Philadelphia, no matter what anyone else tells you!