The Art of Shaving

Unilocal Challenge 2016: ⁰⁴⁄₃₆₅.
This spot is inside Brea Mall above Williams/​Sonoma. Went casually to Will/​Sono and walked in here, just cause. Every man loves a good shave, and I need two different blades to feel fresh and so clean clean!
I was told to use this and that, and it made no difference until the boys at Headlines Barbers straight razored under my former triple chins. I am reluctant for online shopping so after a few months finally found my straight razor at the healthy price tag of $ 55.
Chinese brands are avail for $ 10 online, but mine is Hecho en Alemaniaaaa!!! woo hoo, Germans makes good products.
Custie Svc was really good. The dude knew his products.
My barber says the shaving cream and after shave are all the same so all i wanted was my straight razor. Now i have almost every razor type to cut my face every other day… the investment is worth it!

Excellent customer service
Stopped in the other day to just take a look and check things out. I had switched over to using a safety razor recently as my brother had given me one for Christmas. If you have not tried one, then I highly recommend it! Definitely lower cost than conventional razors (a pack of 5 blades starts around $ 4~$ 5, and I can use each blade for at least 3 weeks to a month between changes) usage will vary depending on shaving habits of course…
As a result of this transition to the safety razor, I have also started to look into the old more old school methods of shaving: shaving brush for lather, and shave soap in a bowl rather than shaving cream in a can…
Anyway, back to the actual review: So Art of Shaving takes us back to basics, soaps, safety razors, and of course Straight Razors…
The actual process of shaving with a straight razor and using shaving oils and lathers is actually a little more complicated than I had thought. Though these methods can also be used even if you are using the more modern disposable style razors.
Daniel was the gentleman that assisted me. The first thing that I will say is welcome back customer service! Daniel took the time to answer my questions, show me the process to creating lather on a brush, m even showing me several different techniques using cream style lather vs soap block. As well as how and why to use the shaving pre-​treatment. Even though he was the only person in the shop at the time, I never felt rushed or pushed into a hard sell. He also took the time to show me the different quality of brushes and the pros and cons of each. Even with other customers in the store, he took the time to make sure that I had all my questions answered and opportunity to check out the different products.
Although I didn’t buy anything yet (this was a fact finding trip) I need to say, Daniel, great job! Excellent customer service!

It’s cool… I suppose. Kind of.
The location is nice and the employees are helpful and mostly friendly. I got a full 20 minute rundown of all their products and the whys behind everything. It all seems nice and probably high quality. I bought some after-​shave gel and it’s been a nice touch on the beard.
I just haven’t bought into everything. Why the after shave gel and not the oil in my beard after I shower. Oh, I can do both, they’re interchangeable? Then why is one before and after. I wasn’t able to get a clear answer on that.
I left and did not feel I needed anything here; nothing was crucial to my shaving or beard care– nice, but not crucial. I was also lost by the jargon used. The salesperson used very specific wording that could mean various things to different people, but didn’t bother to explain things in a relatable easy to understand way. I felt like I was outside looking in and that kept me from buying more. It’ll probably keep me from going back.
The prices may be justifiable, but the explanations of the system and terminology made everything muddy hard to relate to so to me it’s not worth the price you pay. I like what I bought, but don’t think I’d go back when I’m out.

I definitely got mixed feelings about this location/​place.
First of it’s Christmas Eve and there’s a lack of sales associates. This means that there was only one girl ringing, welcoming, & helping.
Don’t get me wrong, I have the most patience in the world. I also understand that the more you sell the more commission you make, and I’m all for helping others. The only thing that I hate is if you: Lie to me to sell.
So I was in line at the register ready to pay and asked for the fine badger brush. She’s super sweet, «informative» and seems like an expert in shaving. How would I know really. She said they’re out of stock and I have a choice between the pure and the silver tip — without letting me know the difference. After 10 – 15 minutes of ringing 10 people behind me in line «while I decide on my choices» two sales people came in at 3pm aka the manager and a another guy. The other guy helped me with my other questions and knowing that I’m now talking to another associate. She then said «uhm excuse me what about your product here in my register?» In my head I’m thinking. Oh I’m sorry I thought you put it back on the shelf since you took care of ten other people when it was my turn. But I get it you’re busy you get flustered you wanna make a sale. So then I talked to her and she said «we have one more left of the fine badger brush btw. She took it from the table next to her and was fixing it. The bottom of the brush has a bunch if scratches reminiscent of a brush that’s been standing around for display (yes display) she was brushing it off with her hands. And I’m thinking wow. So I said nope let me get the pure instead. Which came out f the box.
Do I think her actions are always like this? I’m not sure and I hope not and maybe no. But the way she was helping me or not gave me a lasting impression.

I’ve mentioned in the past that one shouldn’t really look at the Art of Shaving as an overpriced barber shop that sells trendy shaving supplies and skincare products. Although, men might be flogged publicly for admitting that they like being pampered, getting an honest shave and haircut from a barber was a simple and necessary act in America’s past culture. Even Clint Eastwood, maybe the manliest of all men, was often seen getting a close shave and a regular grooming in his Western movies.
Located in the Brea Mall, it’s a beautiful looking store. Shiny windows accentuate the proper lighting inside the business and a well groomed associate will greet and help you decide on what kind of products will work best for you. It’s kept rather tidy, since impressions mean everything in this type of business. Even their furniture is cool, collected, and rather inviting if I do say so myself.
Before, you start to bite off more than you can chew, there’s nothing in the Art of Shaving handbook which states that one must use a straight razor immediately. Since, their parent company is Procter & Gamble (owner of the Gillette brand), they actively promote finely made razors, replacement blades, and electric shavers. With that in mind, just take baby steps and be gentle to your mug, using the following:
— Pre Shave Oil
— Shaving Cream
— After Shave Balm
— Shaving Brush
I purchased the Lemon Essential Oil After Shave Balm a while back and I’m still using it constantly. It’s probably one of the best after shave lotions that I’ve experienced and I get quite a few compliments on the fragrance.
As for the 1 star deduction, the BIG issue with this location is the absence of the Master Barber that performs high end shaves, hair cuts, head shaves, and beard/​mustache trims. Without this integral professional, the store lacks the very essence of what completes the entire package. I’m not sure how they plan on staying in business by just selling the products as standalone, nor without a genuine craftsman to teach clients his classy art and sassy process.
Oh well, looks like I’ll have to save my gift card for a close shave at another location. THE PROBLEM — trying to get my Asian face to grow enough facial hair to make it worthwhile.

Art of Shaving is a very mixed bag. They do make quality products, but if you’re looking into traditional wet shaving there are products out there that are just as good at ¹⁄₃ of the price. That’s my big complaint here, Art of Shaving is so expensive! Also the people who they usually hire are by no means experts. If you want to try traditional shaving out, check out
and
. Also, there is a ton of good information on youtube.

This place is like a Sephora for men. Haha
I’ve always shaved with the cheap/​over priced disposable razors and never knew any better about the type of shaving gel. I always use the NIVEA or Aveeno sensitive skin kind and still get cuts and bumps. So I’ve always been kind of blind about how much of a difference the right set up could make. My first thought having Diane show me around was «How on earth would a girl know the first thing about how I shave my face?», and she’s a total pro, very upbeat and easy going with lots of knowledge, just cause she’s a girl, don’t be fooled guys, she knows exactly what’s up and I’m very impressed. I still wasn’t sure about what product to get and she gave me a few samples to try (very thankful for that). The next day I gave myself the best damn shave of my life, not a single bump and extra smooth, I’ll be going back here from now on.