Thread: Art of Shaving Spa

I am going on a business trip next week in San Diego.

There is an Art of Shaving Spa nearby.

I was thinking of getting their "Royal Shave".

Anyone experience the Art of Shaving Spa treatment?

Would you do it again?

I really want to try it. But at the same time I'm pretty scared that I won't like it as much as my own blades and leave thinking what the H did I do that for? Let us know how it goes.

I had a AOS Royal Shave in Vegas over last summer while on a business trip. I have to tell you, it was fantastic. Definitely worth the $50 plus tip. They use every pr doubt in the assortment and allowed me to choose the scents. The barber did a great job and gave me a good shave, no nicks, no cuts, no irritation.

So I figured I would try it again when I got home to NYC. I decided to treat myself for my birthday in November. Once again, they used all of there product line and included a progression of hot cold towels. But the barber here did nick me on one of the small moles I have on my jaw line. The experience wasn't the same as in Vegas.

I think the experience is definitely worth while, but the quality of the shave depends on the skills of the barber.

I wish my experience was positive but it was not. It was my first experience with a straight shave and it was no closer than what I could do with my own DE. I mean the experience was nice but the shave was very blah and I got one nick. She did no more than a WTG pass using a shavette (only legal way to do it I believe). Anyway, if I ever did it again, I would find out if it's only going to be more than a single WTG pass because I wouldn't do that again. I do MUCH better on myself than she did...

Well, I did it!

I went to The Art of Shaving Spa in University City Mall.

Hugo was my barber and he did a wonderful job! You really get pampered with the Royal Shave.

I'd do it again!

Originally Posted by 2005xfr

Well, I did it!

I went to The Art of Shaving Spa in University City Mall.

Hugo was my barber and he did a wonderful job! You really get pampered with the Royal Shave.

I'd do it again!

What kind of blade was used? Was it just one pass, or did he go ATG and/or XTG? I'm just wondering.

OK, the last post was from my Iphone.

Here is a more extensive explanation of my experience at The Art of Shaving Spa.

First, make sure the store you want to get the shave from actually has a “spa”.

There you will find a licensed barber that can do haircuts but for the purpose this post straight razor shaves.

My barber was Hugo who has been a barber for 3 years. He came from a long line of barbers.

To start they “towel you up” to protect your clothes.

Then…

• Pre-Shave oil -Hot towel
• Lather (from one of those hot barber lather machines)
• Shave – Now here is where some folks are concerned about XTG, WTG etc.
I thought about that when he was shaving me but… he explained it is easier to straight razor shave someone else because of the angles the barber can get
to that you cannot. Basically, he was all over the place (all different angles) whatever it took. However, I did notice that all of the strokes were short
and quick.
• Lather (from one of those hot barber lather machines)
• Shave – Second pass
• Hot towel – Lemon essential oil
• Patches over the eyes (rose water infused)
• Aftershave mask(stings a little)
• Cold towel – Lavender essential oil
• Shave balm – Rose scented

As far as what razor he was using... I don't know, all I know it was a "real" straight not a shavette.

All this took about 45-50 minutes.

I have to tell you that it was a great experience.
I wouldn’t get it done every week but it is a nice “I deserve something special” kind of experience.

Sounds awesome. Next time I am in an area they have a "spa" I will have to check it out.

Living in NY you can only use a shavette. I got a barber shave once from a local barber. Hot towel etc. I wanted a BBS but got a DFS, which I could get from a 2 pass straight or DE. Needless to say I havent done it again. Nobody knows my grain and beard better than me. Glad to hear your experience was a good one.

I went when I was in Vegas as well. The experience was great and totally worth it. The shave was very close and smooth. I have pretty sensitive skin though so my face did not like how close the shave was and how much pressure she used. It felt like the blade she used wasn't very sharp either compared to my straights. Overall it was worth it but I would not go again.