Thread: First professional shave experience

Hi guys,

I haven't been posting in SRP for a while now due to moving to a new house, so I'll figure that I'll take some time off to share my experience regarding my first professional shave. Nov 16th is my birthday and recently I found out that a well renowned barbershop just open its branch in Kuala Lumpur (I'll just hold the name of the barbershop for now, we'll see where this thread goes). Since this is a chance to experience a professional shave, my wife decided to treat me to a session of their Ultimate Shave.

I went to the barbershop in the afternoon with 2 days worth of facial hair. The setting and ambiance of the shop lounge is nice and luxurious; with free espresso provided while waiting. In an article on the barbershop featured in a local newspaper last week, it was mentioned that all their barbers are well trained with many years of experience and I went in with quite an expectation. One thing struck me when I met the staff though. While all of them were very polite and friendly, both the manager and the barber serving me had at least 3-4 days worth of facial hair. I find it amusing for a barbershop that advertised/ pride itself in providing high quality shave to have staff on duty looking like that.

I brought my 3 day set Engstrom razors which I already stropped the night before and asked the barber to use it which he obliged. He made a comment that he was surprised to know that I shaved myself with straight razor and on how not many people (at least this part of the world) know or want to. Apparently for hygienic/health purposes, the shop only uses straight razor with disposable blade.

He proceed with applying preshave oil and hot towel. Then he trimmed my beard and a bit of my sideburns before applying the shaving cream with a brush. Then he continued with shaving with and across the grain. I made a mental note on how light he applied the pressure while shaving and the way he pinched my skin in order to stretch it especially above the upper lip. I suspect that the barber just want to do 2 pass so I asked him to also shave against the grain which he again obliged. In the course of the session, he used 3 hot towels, gave a face massage, cold towel, applied aftershave balm, powder and some cologne. The barbershop sells their own product range and other shaving equipments. I myself bought their pre-shave oil just to try a new product.

The verdict: Since I started shaving with straight razor daily for only 4 months now, I must say that I was a bit disappointed with the end result. Although the barber shaved against the grain, it wasn't something that I would call BBS. In all honesty, I achieved better result daily with the same razor. He also missed a couple of difficult spots under the jaws (which I also do). That was my chief complaint about the whole experience. The rest was a wonderful way to pamper one self. Would I go for it again? Maybe for my next birthday but if its for the quality of shave, then I'll have to take a pass based on that particular experience.

Any of you guys care to share your experience getting a professional shave? Is it possible that a barber might need a few sessions to get familiar with the customer's face (direction of hair growth/grains etc)? Or a good barber should be able to nail BBS the first time? Thanks in advance.

No one knows your face better than you. However, you should be able to get a really good shave from a Barber. I'm guessing that at this point, you can shave your own face better.
I've been going to a Barber for a shave since I'm a young man, my Dad used to take me. I always enjoyed the shave and found it to be very close. Recently I found that I can give myself a better shave since I know the specific nuances of my own face. I continue to enjoy a Barber shave for many reasons.

PS. I have a three day set of Engstrom frame back razors as well. I really enjoy them.

I had a fantastic shave once in Morocco. The barber used his own razor. I do not remember if it was a straight or one that needs a new blade every time.

I think a good barber gives a good shave, no matter who the client is. The experience kept running in my head for years. And finally that shave persuaded me into straight shaving.

Hi Pesa, I know *exactly* the unmentionable place you refer to as I went there this week for the first time. It looks like we had nearly identical expectations and similarly disappointing results. I'm caucasian but have quite a heavy beard combined with sensitive skin. I went in with 2 days of growth as I thought that would allow my face time enough to recover from my usual Merkur Future / Feather DE / TOBS soap combo that I use day to day at home and that which totally decimates my thick beard with zero irritation. I thought that, given the barbers there are supposed to have a minimum of 10 years of experience, I would be in for a real treat. I opted for the traditional shave as opposed to the ultimate that you went for, but needless to say the prep combined with the environment and products used was still fantastic and it was certainly relaxing experience. The blade (I didn't take my own in so it was all their gear) combined with his technique felt incredibly light and efficient as he executed each pass and I was really looking forward to seeing/feeling the results. He did 2 passes and a few finishing touches here and there and it did not occur to me to ask for any additional passes as I assumed I would be blown away by the results, given the establishment I was in. The after shave process was again very good, my skin felt rejuvinated and the scents used were awesome, but a close shave it was not. I too had bits of stubble around my chin and in various other random areas of my face. Suffice to say I did not tip the barber and made a beeline for the exit after I had paid. I definitely won't be going back there again. Perhaps the place is too new and it is some kind of franchise setup, so not really the original establishment it hails from when you look beyond the decor and products used, and they are fine products too. So overall, the experience was good in terms of environment and products, but the skill in the barber is not there yet and I think in your case you can rest assured knowing your own blade is not to blame, since I used all their gear. I had high hopes for this place but I'm afraid at their prices I cannot excuse the fact that it is new. Don't suppose you have found any decent traditional wet shave dens here in KL? How about indian barber shops?

I am a student barber, I have about 200 shaves under my belt, and I have a few observations for you. First, your average Joe-schmoe off the street that uses a cartridge razor is usually totally blown away by a professional straight razor shave, but their point of reference is much different than yours. The fact that you're a member of a wet shaving forum, that sometimes teeters on the edge of over-indulgence concerning what is usually a menial daily chore, says something about your level of expectation.

Second, like you already hypothesized, nobody knows your own face better than you. I have noticed an improvement in shave quality with my regular clients, but that also kind of plateaus after about 3 or 4 services. To me, this whole thing boils down to how the place markets themselves: it sounds like the place you visited touts themselves as a 'luxury' experience, and it seems that in terms of the service that you received-- that in spite of the end result, you ultimately had a luxurious experience. While on the other hand, an everyday barbershop shave is just that, a good quality shave that will cost significantly less than what you paid.

So, yes, while any barber that is worth his salt should be able to give any person a good comfortable shave-- I highly doubt that any barber would be able to exceed the closeness of the shave that a shave-centric minded person, such as yourself, could give yourself at home. So, you just have to decide for yourself if the 'experience' itself is worth the money that you paid for it.

Just my 2 cents.

bilbow: I guess some establishment, well as you mentioned are purely 'franchise' which might or might not be able to replicate the original one. About Indian barber shops around here, most of the barbers are well experienced (especially the older gentlemen) although I can't say I've tried their shaving treatment myself.

chay2K: Spot on observations. NOw that you mentioned it, I wonder how many of the gentlemen in this forum regularly visit their barber for a shave and consider the experience worth the money...

Only professional straight shave I've had was on my wedding day. Got the royal treatment at Art of Shaving in Las Vegas. To this date it is still the best shave I've ever had. Was disappointed that the lather was from a hot lather box, rather than freshly whipped, but was very very pleased with the final result.

Very valid inputs chay2k, we certainly can be a picky bunch. I guess the other issue in my case is I've only ever had one other "professional" shave and that was again in Malaysia in 2006 but in a hair salon near a hotel where I was staying, not a barber shop, and in that case I left the shop thinking that Sweeney Todd probably would have cut me less - mostly due to hardly any face prep...yikes, still remember that. Anyway, this therefore means I have hardly any reference points for professional shaves. I'll certainly try get some more data points from as many countries as possible as I travel about. All the best with your training!

There is a joint here in Fort Collins called Scissors and Sinners that offers straight shaves. Unfortuantely, I cut my own hair and shave myself, so I have not been in yet. At some point I expect a giftcard or will just treat myself, but I am happy to know that the establishment exists locally.

I had a barber shave while I was learning, hoping to pick his brain for tips and have an enjoyable experience. It was a one-pass disaster that I could have easily (even as a raw beginner) done better.

Specific to the questions in your last paragraph, I think expectations of a barber shave are different. Some customers want comfort, others want a precision job. The guy who shaved me thought my skin was much more sensitive than his, and probably sacrificed quality to make it comfortable and enjoyable for me.

The barber I use said he can make more money by just cutting hair and not offering hairstyling and shaving. So taking the time to give you a comfortable BBS would probably require him to charge enough to cover the 2-3 haircuts he's missing out on while shaving you. Then he has to keep hot lather, towels, and aftershave around.

What I have learned here far surpasses anything a barber could teach me, because the members here shave themselves and prepare their razors and develop their technique accordingly. A lot of the learning process is something that really can't be taught. All the experienced members here have been through all phases of it, so the best way to get what you want is to do it yourself and come here for guidance.