The Weeknd, the R&B crooner with a beautiful voice and even more beautiful girlfriends, revealed a new look during the Toronto International Film Festival (he’s Canadian). Long known for his beard and dreadlock hairstyle, the artist shaved his signature facial hair to promote his role in the upcoming Uncut Gems which co-stars Adam Sandler. For his new look, The Weeknd opted for a close 5 o’clock shadow trim rather than a clean shave and shaped his mustache for a sophisticated alternative to his traditional beard-style — definitely much more of a 9-5 look than The Weeknd. (Shout out to SZA.) Just shows how a little trim can go a long way.
Since launching only 6 years ago, Harry’s has evolved into a full-on grooming phenomenon for millennial men. What started out as a straightforward and practical shaving service has expanded into a limited range of shower products and an uncomplicated line of skincare goods — a perfect gateway for the guy who doesn’t know his serums from his exfoliants from his toothpaste. Which brings us to Harry’s next plan of attack: hair.
Today, the grooming brand launched its first line of no-fuss hair products, which consist of a gel, a putty, a cream, and a (gasp) 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner. Now depending on what your hair needs are — gel provides the strongest hold but at a sometimes shiny cost, creams provide moisture and a light hold, and putty is the best for the natural bedhead look — each item is designed with maximum convenience in mind. This just means that there are no unnecessary ingredients and it’s easy to wash out.
With 6 locations in London and a fresh outpost in Midtown Manhattan, Pall Mall Barbers is steadily increasing its position as experts in the ever-growing grooming world. Already counting Prince William as a client (he went to the shop back in February), the barbershop chain is at the forefront of men’s self-care, frequently partnering with Lions Barber Collective to promote the importance of mental health. Later this spring, the Midtown location will host a panel series on the subject.
Lions Barber Collective is an international group of professional barbers that raise awareness on suicide and other prominent mental health issues. Citing how men often feel comfortable opening up and chatting while seated in a barber’s chair, Pall Mall Barbers owner Richard Marshall saw an opportunity to further amplify the conversation of mental health among men.
“I had a strong connection to the Lions Barber Collective when I learned of their mission. Like so many, I have lost a loved one to suicide, so mental health is a cause I take very personally,” Marshall said in a statement. “We are so pleased to partner here and offer this potentially lifesaving training to our staff. It’s our hope that Pall Mall Barbers can help expand the reach of this program through our stores, and effect positive change by delivering a safe space for clients to feel comfortable to talk to their barbers about their mental health.” We emailed Marshall to learn more about his message and the value of self-care.
EH: What inspired you to get into hair?
RM: Actually, it was my dad who suggested I go into a trade as I was having difficulties in school. Before I turned 13, I started working in a barbershop – sweeping floors, helping the barbers, making tea for the guests. At 21, I honed my hairdressing and interpersonal skills enough that I moved to London and worked there for eight years. I worked on saving my money to purchase Pall Mall Barbers. Pall Mall Barbers have been at the forefront of male grooming, and have set the agenda for style conscious gentleman, for 120 years in London, however, I knew that my passion for the brand could help it reach global appeal and visibility. When I first started at Pall Mall Barbers I was working every day each week, giving it my all. Because of this, the barbershop continues to succeed and reward those who put their time, love, and energy into creating a unique barbershop that focuses on allowing clients a comfortable space for their grooming needs. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to be part of this brand each and every day.
EH: Men’s self-care is something that is becoming a larger cultural topic. What are some things that Pall Mall Barbers does to separate itself from other shops and cultivate a more inviting atmosphere?
RM: Men’s mental health awareness is an important topic for me. Like so many, I have lost a loved one to suicide, so mental health is a cause I take very personal. We are so pleased to teach our barbers how to connect with our clients so they not only walk away with the perfect haircut but also feel like their best selves when they walk out of our shops.
One example of our dedication to our clients’ mental health includes the Wellbeing treatment which includes in chair massage and power nap.
We also provide grooming treatments such as shaves, beard styling, and hair coloring in addition to hair styling.
EH: What’s been your most rewarding moment since this all began?
RM: I get asked this question often but I have to say I can never pinpoint one thing. I am proud that we do great work at Pall Mall and that the best is yet to come for us. I know that the hard work from each of us at Pall Mall fuels us to do more and keep building the brand – both in the US and back home in the UK.
I’m never satisfied by looking back on what we’ve built, I’m far more excited thinking about what’s next for us. In the very near future, you may even see more locations around NY and even the world.
EH: Do you have a particular self-care ritual that you practice?
RM: It takes self-reflection. Getting your mind in the right place and living in tune with a heartbeat is key. It’s all about body and mind connection. Before I start my day, I take 5 deep breaths and smile. It’s an amazing way to frame my day.
Since puberty struck me a good 10 years ago, I’ve struggled with achieving the elusive ‘perfect shave.’ A combination of coarse beard hair (and lots of it), a shaky hand, and general lack of patience have rendered my face and neck a bloodbath after nearly every shave. I get so many cuts and ingrown hairs that I think I have chicken pox. I’ve never had chicken pox. Not to sound like a white person in an infomercial, but nothing ever worked!
That is until I heard about Kiehl’s Close Shavers Squadron, AKA Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream. Part of what makes this cream different is that it uses menthol and camphor, which give the face a cooling sensation and prevents inflation. Additionally, sesame oil allows the product to be easily absorbed into the skin while softening its texture — all ingredients for a perfect close shave. The best part is that the cream doesn’t feel heavy at all once applied, and I find myself worrying if I’m using too little (I’m not). When finished, instead of my skin feeling raw and dry as I’ve come to expect, my face feels refreshingly hydrated, with no signs of visible bleeding. Some reviews say that this cream clogs their razor blades but I think they’re just being dramatic since I didn’t struggle with that — see for yourself!
Buy Kiehl’s Close Shavers Squadron AKA the best shaving cream ever here.
Just in time for the holidays, Anthony brings us The Perfect Shave Kit, which features some of the most popular products that the grooming brand has to offer. These smart grooming products and skin care essentials are formulated with natural ingredients designed with the right mix of botanical extracts and science that address men’s unique skin needs. Products included are the Facial Cleanser that removes surface impurities, gently exfoliates, and lifts beard hairs for a closer shave, while the Shave Cream makes sure to lubricate and relaxes the skin. The Pre-Shave Oil acts as a cushion under the shave cream without clogging pores, and the After-Shave Balm, which also nourishes, cools the skin post shave, and acts as a razor burn reducer. Smooth, protect, and soothe, with the four full-size products designed to work together for the ultimate shaving experience.
The perfect kit for the perfect man is available online.
Now that we’ve moved past the Spring 2014 collections, it’s time to take a look at something a little more now. Like, the first ever fall shaving collection from Harry’s Shave, which dropped just in time for the fall equinox that transpired yesterday. Yes—a collection of shave handles, because clothing isn’t the only thing that needs some seasonal metamorphosis.
Especially around now when work is fully back in session. If that job includes a corporate type office, there’s a good shot that the higher ups around you have taken their heads out of the clouds and aren’t to pleased that you’ve let the hair on your face grow to John Hamm Emmy beard proportions.
The German engineered blades are crafted in a “Gothic Arch” pattern, meaning that each of the four razors in the cartridge are sharpened at different angles. Set on a rubber hinge that moves to the contours of your face, the variation in shape attacks the hair at different angles, leaving nothing but smooth skin in its wake. The handles are made to feel agile, like paintbrushes, with a zinc alloy core and smooth polymer coating.
Harry’s makes their own natural shave cream too, employing a blend of moisturizing marula and coconut oils, protective vitamins E and B5 and soothing milk thistle, cucumber and licorice. Ah, licorice…the shave cream comes with the slightest ever scent of the holidays, the next time you’ll find yourself with the kind of time off from work to allow a revisit more bearded days, which you will then have to summarily shave.
Launched last spring, Harry’s quickly carved out a niche for themselves in purveying quality, vintage inspired cartridge razors and handles at reasonable prices. Makes sense coming from one of the founders of Warby Parker, known for their handsome and wallet-friendly eyewear.
Makes sense that Razor MD products would team up with someone as health conscious as Popeye. The man could, after all, squeeze spinach out of a can with just one hand. Anyway, Popeye the sailor man has ditched retirement and has snagged himself a job as the new face of a line of luxuriously, hand-crafted line of Razor MD® shaving products. The Popeye Shave Collection is an all-natural, American-made line for men, and like all Razor MD products, is for you guys who appreciate unfettered ingredient lists and something a little extra in terms of style. The collection sold as a complete three-piece shaving set—a herbal shave cream, post-shave lotion and pre-shave oil—comes housed in a hand-made Popeye signature tin can, which maybe could be refilled with spinach, or today, more likely, kale. The limited edition collection will launch on March 31st at Nordstrom.com and should be kept in mind for Father’s Day.
