01
Jul

Nail Clippers Give Man’s Privates The Unkindest Of Cuts

Stored in: Grooming Tips

nail-clipper-150x150 Nail Clippers Give Mans Privates The Unkindest Of CutsIn our ongoing efforts to report the latest innovations and techniques in the world of men’s grooming , we bring you this recent “stroke of genius” from a previously jolly British bloke. For years, we’ve been promoting the use of nail clippers at home for men.  Only caveat is that we’ve strictly confined our clipping recommendations to the nail area (both hands and feet).  Seems this fella hasn’t been reading our articles real closely.  Enjoy, wince and learn

MAN USES NAIL CLIPPERS IN DIY CIRCUMCISION

by Teleghraph.co.uk

A man who gave himself a DIY circumcision using nail clippers was taken to hospital for emergency treatment.

The young man had to be rushed to the Lister Hospital in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The wound was disinfected to cleanse it before he was given a bed in an observation ward.

“This is something we would advise men never to attempt,” a medic said, “The results can be quite horrific and long-lasting and have quite an affect on a man’s sexual performance.

“Using a pair of nail clippers must have caused excruciating pain, even if he had had a few drinks beforehand.”

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24
Jun

10 Ways To Not Be An A-Hole

Stored in: Gentlemen Musts

If there’s anything we’ve learned in the men’s business over the past 10 years, it’s that the “little things make all the difference.” Time and time again we’ve been told that the details are often what our guests remember most after visiting with us. We’re talking about cleanliness, the way they were greeted, the beverage they got, the music levels and the music, etc.  All these little details play a role in setting us apart – and if not handled correctly – can have a devastating effect on the way people view the larger nuts and bolts of our business (haircuts, facials, products, etc.).

But just like business, the same can be said about being true gentlemen.  It’s all in the details. Sure you can make a ton of money and date a beautiful Swedish Supermodel, but if you don’t pay attention to the details or small nuances of being a “total package” kind of guy, you’re just a poser. And while we can’t tell you everything you need to do to be true gentlemen, we certainly can give you a few suggestions and some details to avoid.  Here are our “two cents” to take or leave:

10. Hold The Door: If someone is behind you, specifically a female, hold the door open for them or at least don’t let it slam in their face. By the same token, if someone holds a door for you, you must acknowledge it with a “thanks.”

9. Don’t Call Anyone “Chief,” “Coach” or “Boss”: Unless they are actually your chief, coach or boss, don’t refer to them as such. It’s a bit patronizing and moreover just impolite.

8. Avoid The “Bro Hug” Unless You Mean It: There is nothing more uncomfortable than a “bro hug” where both male huggers aren’t displaying the same level of enthusiasm. So, size up your potential hugging partner and “go for it” if there’s a match, but otherwise, stick with the firm handshake.

7. No Fish-Like Handshakes: Dad should have taught you this awhile ago, but if you’re giving a handshake… make it count.

6. Let Them Off: Never rush onto a train, elevator or other without first letting the people on step off.

5. Oakley Glasses & Hats Worn Backwards: No

4. PUP (Proper Urinal Picking): Selecting the proper urinal in a crowded bathroom is key. Always allow at least one stall to separate you from your fellow pee-ers  if available. All involved will appreciate it.

3. Like, I Mean: It’s extremely common, so listen to yourself and your co-workers today to see how often you hear words or phrases like “like,” or “I mean”  during standard conversation. Try to cut these out and save yourself some air and a few useless words.

2. You Do Need A Mint: Everyone does after eating.

1. Groom Yourself: Shameless business plug, but true.  No nose hair, ear hair, comb overs, bad breath, pit stains, etc. Not going to work.

 

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16
Jun

Washington Post Really Gets Into “Our Business”

Stored in: Business Insights

We’ve written a cute intro to this blog posting two or three times, but it keeps getting erased (what the hell is going on?) and we have important grooming business to tend to. So, without further adieu, below is a recent article from the Washington Post that tells more than you ever wanted to know — and more than we ever wanted known — about our company. It’s actually great insight and pretty accurate. Guess we’ve got nothing to hide… just a couple guys working hard, trying to build a brand the old-fashioned way.  We’ll see how it plays out. In any case, a real honor to be featured in our hometown daily. Thanks for your interest (if you’re interested). A link to the Post’s site is here.

A Well-Groomed Business

By Thomas Heath
Sunday, June 7, 2009

I was ahead of my time.

Almost 20 years ago, I started getting facials at Elodie Salon, then located in Mazza Gallerie in Chevy Chase. I sat in the reception area in as manly a slouch as I could muster, paging through Vogue as women came and went.

When my esthetician, a lovely woman named Mimi, came to the reception area to retrieve me, I tried to jump up before she could say my name. I would run the gauntlet through the reception area without looking anyone in the eye. I felt like the other (all female) patrons wondered what I was doing there.

I eventually got over being embarrassed about getting facials, although I have cut back because of the cost. I could buy a few shares of blue-chip stock for what a facial costs.

But entrepreneurs Michael Gilman and Pirooz Sarshar have built a profitable little business called the Grooming Lounge around insecure guys like me.

Starting with a Web site, and later with a store on L Street Northwest, just up the block from my office, and another in Tysons Corner, the Grooming Lounge caters to guys who want to tackle unmentionable stuff like nose hair or eye bags without entering a woman’s salon or approaching a brightly lit counter at Bloomingdale’s.

It isn’t the business that the two men expected to pursue.

Gilman, 38, and business partner Sarshar, 37, grew up in the salon business and met at industry shows. Gilman’s grandfather started Davidson Beauty Supply in the District 80 years ago, and Sarshar began cutting hair under his hairstylist mother when he was 14.

They both liked nice clothes and good grooming, and their friends were always peppering them with questions about moisturizers, eye creams and hair gels.

In 2000, they paid a Philadelphia couple $3,500 to start a Web site called http://groominglounge.com, which would be a retail site for products. Gilman and Sarshar wrote the copy. They bartered grooming products for the Web site photographs.

The site was run out of Gilman’s basement near the U.S. Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, and it did a tidy little business, producing revenue of about $50,000 a year on about a half-dozen orders a day.

Then they latched onto a much more promising niche: “the embarrassed male.”

“Our friends were always coming to us and asking, ‘Can you get me this moisturizer?’ ” said Gilman, who had worked in public relations in New York after graduating from Ohio State. “They didn’t want to go into a salon with a pretty woman behind the counter. There was absolutely no opportunity to get products and services they wanted in a masculine environment.”

When a Playboy magazine report on their Web site caused a spike in business, their confidence in the niche got a boost.

Most landlords and bankers rolled their eyes at the proposal by two young men to start a grooming store, but they hired an attorney and kept looking for retail space. They raised $310,000 from family members and signed a seven-year lease to rent 1,500 square feet on L Street Northwest, just west of Connecticut Avenue, for around $6,500 a month in 2002.

“It was a spa for guys who wanted a shave, haircut and manicure in an atmosphere where guys would not only feel comfortable, but would enjoy it,” Gilman said.

A 30-page business plan, which took three months to write, included minute detail of what the store would look like, who would answer the telephone and what products it would sell.

No pastels at the Grooming Lounge. The interior is wood and chrome, creating a clubby masculine feel. Magazines run from Guns & Ammo to Maxim to the Economist. No Vogues allowed in this place. No Lifetime Network either. The televisions are tuned to CNN and ESPN. Martinis and espressos are complimentary. Shaves are $50. Facials start at $80 and run to $140. Haircuts — which are their bread and butter — start at $50. There’s almost always someone getting a pedicure. You can buy nose tweezers and razors, too.

With zero debt on the L Street location, the Grooming Lounge was cash positive from the first day. The L Street store draws 60 to 70 men a day and grosses about $2.5 million a year in revenue, with a profit a bit under $200,000. The Tysons Corner store, which opened in 2006, does about $2 million in revenue, with a profit margin under 10 percent. The Web site now grosses around $1.75 million, and earns a profit of about $175,000.

A big source of revenue, 35 percent, comes from gels, shaving creams, moisturizers and other “solutions” that customers buy and take with them. The Grooming Lounge paid a New York laboratory more than $100,000 to create its own line of shaving and hair care products, and then sell it under the Grooming Lounge label. The margins on Grooming Lounge solutions are around 50 percent, helping boost the bottom line.

Gilman and Sarshar each take an annual salary just shy of $100,000, and in a good year add a 20 percent bonus. Profits are reinvested into the business for expansion and maintenance. The partners have borrowed about $500,000 for the Grooming Lounge product line and to expand to Tysons Corner. The payment on the debt is about $8,000 a month.

About 50 percent of their cost is labor, with a top groomer earning around $100,000 a year. Another 20 percent is rent, maintenance and utilities. Debt, insurance and cost of the goods they sell push the total cost side to around 90 percent, leaving a 10 percent margin.

Gilman said the profit margin will grow if they can expand sales of their product line, including on their Web site, in Grooming Lounge stores and in third-party locations. The company mails 200,000 catalogues a year to names from their customer base. It also helps every now and then to get free publicity from men’s magazines that want to write about men getting their backs waxed while guzzling beer and watching football games on television.

The shop has been enough of a success that it now has competition.

Another men’s grooming salon recently opened across the street. That space was formerly occupied by a candy store — an establishment I was never embarrassed to patronize.

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04
Jun

Is Your Dad A Disaster?

Stored in: Product Introductions, Product Reviews, Random Observations

With Father’s Day right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about what to get the old man for his big day. Ties - lame. Sweaters - lame. Bacon-Of-The-Month Club - actually very cool. Puppy Dog Boxers - barf.

So… if we’re so smart and know what Dad’s don’t like… we should certainly be able to tell you what they do like and do want.  WRONG.  Instead, we can only tell you what THEY NEED.  Stuff you and your family will want them to have and simple items that will make them look and feel better. Without further adieu, here is the greatest and most practical Father’s Day Gift ever created:

issues-kits-150x150 Is Your Dad A Disaster?

The “My Dad’s A Disaster” Father’s Day Kit $50

Sure you love the guy, but everyone knows Pops has a few personal hygiene challenges that need to be addressed ASAP. This kit gives Dad a sledge-hammer-like hint to start taking care of himself. Features a Panasonic Nose Hair Trimmer (for nasty nasal & ear hair), Balla Talcum Powder (for excessive sweating down below), an ACE Nail Trimmer (for nasty finger and toe nails) and Ritual Nature Calls (to mollify his gastric explosions). More than a $15 value as a set.

Or… get him a tie, which in no way will make his nose hair dissapear, his fingernails less green or your bathroom more fragrant. Your choice.

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26
May

Summer Grooming Guidelines… Again

Stored in: Grooming Tips

For the last five years, right after Memorial Day, the Grooming Guys have offered up our tips and tricks for staying well groomed (and not looking like a total toolbag) over the fast-approaching summer season.  So, with the long weekend behind us and disturbing visions men in jean shorts and Crocs running through our heads, here’s our updated 2009 Summer Grooming Guidelines:

 - Fry-Day: Even if you’re not at the beach, use products with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor). Protecting your skin from harmful rays is key for any guy who wants to avoid looking like a wrinkled raisin down the road.

 - Can We Talc?: There are certain areas where men tend to sweat a lot. To keep these locations safe and dry, try a quality talcum powder to absorb moisture. Chest, back and down your drawers are the areas men usually need to focus on.

 - Hey You… Get Back Hair!: Those tufts of hair on your shoulders and back… nah… not appealing to anyone. Visit a reputable skin care professional and get them waxed off (it’s not even that painful) so the rest of us can digest our food. If you desire to take off that “hair sweater” at home, try this or this.

 - That’s A Croc: Crocs are certainly an acceptable choice… if you work in a hospital or are under the age of 11.  That said, most men don’t fall into either category.  So guys, ditch your green rubber footwear for a old-fashioned pair of flip flops ASAP.

 - Have Another Drink: Of water that is… It’ll keep you hydrated and is a key component to healthy looking skin.

 - Back-ne:A zit on your back is no more attractive than one on your chin. To ward off the dreaded summer beach back-ne, make sure to hit your flip side with some soap each and every shower. A back brush, buffing cloth or a “special helper” can make this even easier.

 - Denim Disaster:Jean shorts = toolbag.  Different article, but grown men wearing Disney apparel outside a Disney property = toolbag as well.

- Don’t Let The Heat Go To Your Head: Use anti-humectant hair styling products (see Grooming Lounge) that will deflect sweat, won’t leave your hair looking greasy, won’t drip into your eyes and will maintain your style despite the humidity.

 - Don’t Let The Heat Go To Your BALD Head: Whether you are bald or balding, applying some sort of sun screen to that shiny dome (or shinier dome areas) is essential when out and about. Yes… apply something with an SPF even if you are wearing a hat, most of which don’t stop all damaging rays.

 - The Pitts: Avoid the dreaded W.C.A.S. (White, Clumpy Armpit Syndrome) by using a see-through anti-perspirant or deodorant.

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18
May

Five Products From The GL To Keep On The DL

Stored in: Product Reviews

Five Products From The GL To Keep On The DL

98% of all products featured on Groominglounge.com were tested and approved by the Grooming Guys.  The other 2% got sign off from our crack staff.  Our handy calculator shows these numbers add up to 100% — clearly demonstrating that we stand behind our offerings. 

 

But it is in our ongoing efforts toward full disclosure that we must admit that some products are best kept tucked away.  What we mean is that while certain products are first-rate and do the job they boast to – they also have a high likelihood of getting a guy goofed on. The equation boils down to:

 

great product w/ embarrassing element + other human noticing it = never ending ball busting.

 

Here are our top 5 products that work, but are best hidden in between usage:

 

gloves-150x150 Five Products From The GL To Keep On The DLMenscience Body Buff Gloves: What stud doesn’t shower sportin’ a pair of black gloves designed to eliminate dead skin?

 

powder-150x147 Five Products From The GL To Keep On The DLMenaji Anti-Shine Powder:  This first date couldn’t be any better Susan.  We love the same restaurants, dig the same movies and OMG… we have the exact same compacts.” Hmmmmm.

 

stone-150x135 Five Products From The GL To Keep On The DLTweezerman Pedro Stone: “You guys go on ahead to the game.  Just gotta’ finish scrubbing my heels with this here Pedro Stone.”

 

cru-150x150 Five Products From The GL To Keep On The DLDavi Le Grand Cru Face Cream: Sure we sell it, but $175 face cream? Really?

 

comb-150x59 Five Products From The GL To Keep On The DLKent 20T Folding Comb: This comb has a clip on it. Yeah… like a clip for your belt. Awesome. 

 

 

 

 

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12
May

It’s Award Season Fellas — And Here Are Some Winners

Stored in: Grooming Tips, Product Reviews

oscar-150x150 Its Award Season Fellas -- And Here Are Some WinnersLots of men’s magazines, at least the ones that remain (rest in peace Men’s Vogue, FHM, Stuff, etc.) dole out superlatives for their favorite men’s grooming items. But, there is one magazine that rules the roost when it comes to official “Grooming Awards,” and that’s Men’s Health Magazine.  For the past 1/2 dozen year’s or so, they’ve anointed their top products in every men’s grooming category — and the honors pretty much serve as the Academy Awards of our business.  Of course… sans the red carpet, bad outfits, nauseating narcissism, etc.

So, it was quite a boon to the ole’ GL pride when it was announced that Men’s Health’s editors had named our Beard Master Shave Oil as the Best Shave Oil for 2009. But we’re not here to just talk about our stuff exclusively.  Beyond our own pride and joy, we wanted to make mention of the other brands and products we carry that got top honors this year.  Here’s the passive-aggressive sales pitch on those:

 - Zirh Shave Cream  got props for its foam-less ability to hydrate and fend off irritation.

 - Lab Series Face Wash  was praised for the way its Aloe Leaf Juice preserves the skin’s natural moisture.

 - MD Skincare EZ4U 4-in-1 Facial Treatment  was compared to Swiffer wipes for the face — in a good way.

 - Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm  was singled out for how it’s a no-brainer for warding off lip cancer, which affects more men than women.

 - John Varvatos Artisan Scent was said to smell downright awesome. While we don’t carry it yet, you’ll see it on the GL within a few months.

Congrats to all the winners and we’ll see you at the after parties.  Grab a May Men’s Health to see the full article.

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01
May

Running An Upscale Grooming Business In Crappy Economic Times

Stored in: Business Insights, Marketing Stuff, Store Info

So how is business going in this economy?  If Grooming Lounge, or any other smaller-sized business had $20 for every time this query was posed, these businesses wouldn’t have any financial worries. Alas, we don’t get any cash for these questions and are unfortunately forced to stick to solid basic business principles to keep things humming along.

So how is Grooming Lounge doing these days?  The nutshell answer is “pretty well.”  While our store business is kinda’ flat when compared to ‘08, many would view that as a victory with all that’s happening in the world. Heck, if the automakers were flat, our DC neighbor Mr. Obama wouldn’t be lending them 10 times the GNP of Sri Lanka. What we do see in our stores is that men know the quality that comes along with a Grooming Lounge service.  Whether it’s a haircut, manicure or facial, our regulars remain so because we are constantly trying to improve and not taking their business for granted. The men who come in every day are our bread and butter and our focus is always on WOW-ing them, rather than coveting guests we don’t yet have.  But, where we are possibly not seeing growth is in the gifting realm.  We certainly hope things will turn around, but as with all retail businesses, people are tightening up a bit when it comes to purchasing gifts, especially the more expensive types. We hope this loosens up before Father’s Day.

Where our business is seeing substantial growth is on the internet and via our award-winning catalog.  In conversations with other “bricks and clicks” outfits (people with both an online and physical retail presence), this seems to be a common theme. To be honest, we’re not sure why, but by the same token, who would question growth?  Part of our growth stems from enhanced features to our site and the addition of several new in-demand product lines. With that said and as stated above in regard to the stores, our core growth module has been our loyal and long-time customers. While new business is gravy (we’ll treat you right too), over-delivering for these folks (hope you’re one of them) is the focus of our online business.  The nutshell is that taking care of “what we’ve got” will help this online segment continue to flourish.

So what does this worldwide downturn mean for growth plans for the Grooming Lounge?  Well, it probably doesn’t mean more stores at the moment as banks aren’t lining up to finance such.  However, you can bet your ass on enhanced services and service in our stores, an improved online experience and a knock-you-over 2009/10 catalog coming down the line.

We’re an open book and hope you enjoyed reading about our business.  Good things to come.  And by the way, got $20 we can borrow?

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24
Apr

Can A Guy Wear Skinny Jeans?

Stored in: Grooming Tips, Random Observations

The Grooming Guys get a slew of standard grooming questions from guests in the store and online — you know — why am I breaking out? How can I eliminate wrinkles? Can you recommend a cologne for nighttime events?  Grooming 101 stuff.

But lately, we’ve received a bunch of inquiries regarding clothing, overall fashion, etc.  And to be precise, we’ve had at least 5 guys inquire about their jeans and if they can wear skinny ones without looking like a total tool.  So it was “in the stars” when our favorite men’s fashion blog, Magnificent Bastard , sent the below chart out earlier this month.  It’s an ideal guide for seeing if you can pull off such jeans with pride.  To be clear, this is a chart designed by the Magnificent Bastard, not us. Although, we do agree with it 100%.  You should read the below and then visit their site.

skinny-flowchart Can A Guy Wear Skinny Jeans?

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14
Apr

Dude Shaves Like A Lady

Stored in: Embarrassing Issues, Random Observations

This blog is going to make us look a bit bad,  a tad disorganized and maybe even slightly disconnected from what we do for a living.  Long story short — one of the Grooming Guys shaved with a variety of women’s razors all last week.  Sure we get more than our fair share of freebie razors sent to us all the time, and could in a pinch, even take a blade or two out of our own inventory.  But, that’s not what we did on a recent family trip.  Instead, we forgot male-friendly razors and blades all together. None.  Zero. And with too much pride to go and buy a man’s razor from a store, here’s how we handled it and some reviews of how blades for the fairer sex faired.

venus Dude Shaves Like A Lady

DAY ONE — GILETTE VENUS:  Woke up, felt a bit scratchy and rifled through the dopp kit with nary a razor to be found.  Asked wife, who offered up a Gillette Venus.  Pill shaped, blue and white with a very dainty handle. Triple-bladed. A lot slimmer horizontally than a standard men’s razor, so it required additionally passes to get the circumference of the entire beard area. Also, tough to get nooks and crannies of the face as it’s designed for a lady’s legs, which tend to be pretty straight forward. Felt silly while shaving, but have to say the result was pretty solid. No real complaints.

 

extreme Dude Shaves Like A Lady

DAY THREE — SCHICK XTREME:Time to shave again and wife tossed Venus blade as she said it was “nasty.”  With no extras to get from her, went to sister for help. Enter the Schick Xtreme Disposable. Was a little thrown off by the pink handle, but impressed by the offer of both pre and post-shave lubricant strips on top and bottom.  Shave was decent, but not a huge fan of the way the blade flexed as it caused a minor cut.  Felt silly shaving and silly with toilet paper on face from cut after. Sister says it’s first rate for legs… which is where it should stay.

 

quattro Dude Shaves Like A Lady

DAY FIVE — SCHICK QUATTRO FOR WOMEN:Dad offered up his pre-historic double-edge, but decided to push forward with the experiment. Ma’s Schick Quattro was the tool of choice this time. Pinkish color wasn’t ideal, but handle was super comfortable and four blades looked promising.  Huge benefit of this sucker is that it’s handle was a bit heavier than the others and enabled precision control for tight sports. It also had a vertically compact blade system, which is always good. No cuts, no rash and no complaints.  Probably the winner.

So the bottom line was and is… chicks razors do the trick in a pinch.  No, we won’t start using them, selling them or recommending them at Grooming Lounge, but if you’re stuck in Western Florida and refuse to cough up the dough for a Mach III, all hope is not lost.

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