One of the most common questions we get in our Grooming Lounge stores relates to our Signature Hot Lather Shave and why we do it like we do it. Many are curious to learn that it’s not the “spaghetti western” version of a shave — you know the one in which the wise, mustached barber wields a straight edge freshly sharpened on a strop which dangles from the chair. Instead, we do it a bit differently… but we do it differently because of the results our method provides. Our shave’s got all the pageantry and big-shotness a guy needs in spades… and the bottom line is, it’s the closest shave and the most relaxing experience a gent could have. We say this cause we’ve experienced it ourselves and our loyal guests back this bold statement up.
The easiest way to explain our shave is to review the way in which it was developed. The year was 2001 and the Grooming Guys were about a year away from opening our first shop. We had both had our share of professional shaves and decided that to perfect the model, we needed to travel to Europe to experience some of the classic barbering haunts that have been doling out shaves and shaving advice for decades. We went, we got straight edge shaves, we complained, we broke out a bit and we decided in the end that there just had to be a better way. Sure, some of our shaves were pretty good, but most were a kind of forgettable.
Fast forward a few months when we stumbled upon a renegade Irish Barber based in New Orleans, the great Aidan Gill. After some chats with Mr. Gill, this great bloke told us he’d created a method that trumps any straight edge shave any day. So, the Grooming Guys headed to the Big Easy and Mr. Gill kindly showed us his great shop and his new shaving technique that combined the tradition of the old-fashioned hot lather shave with the technology of the modern Mach III blade. He gave us both shaves worthy of a King and we headed back to DC.
Upon returning home, we tweaked, rearranged and enhanced on the base provided to us in New Orleans to create the Grooming Lounge Signature Hot Lather Shave. The final product was created via the Grooming Guys coaxing of every friend and barber they knew to try it out and experience it. By the end of 2001… it was set in stone.
So what is it?
It’s a shave that combines the best in tradition and technology. The tradition comes in the form of seven steamed towels, fresh from a warm towel cabinet, multiple applications of hot shaving lather supplemented by a clove-infused shave oil, a razor pass both with and against the grain, the application of a soothing after shave balm and the grand finale… a freezing cold towel pressed against the skin to shut down the pores. All in all, about 40 minutes in what turns out to be both a functional and uber-relaxing experience.
When folks ask us why we use the triple blade instead of the straight edge… the answer is simple. It provides the closest shave. When people ask us how we give that old-school feel… the answer is simple. Seven hot towels, oil and cream up the wazoo and an ice-cold towel. When people ask us what’s so great about it… the answer is simple. You obviously haven’t experienced it yet.
Thanks for listening.
Why did I spend all of these years perfecting a double edge razor when I could get the same results in less time with a mach3? Oh, I remember it was partly to do with the price of cartridges, but I’ve spent way more on badger, cream, soaps, and aftershaves… I’m going to have to go buy a four pack of cartridges and try them out again.
What I am taking away from this article is that the tool itself is unimportant to the shave, its the preparation that makes a great shave.Seven hot towels seems a bit excessive though, is this the “normal” shave you give at your shops, or is this the “deluxe” method?
By the way, I would love it if you would expand your home scents line to include more candles and other home aroma products. Do you have any advice for grooming your nails? I always seem to clip my fingernails a little unevenly and I would like a product that produces a more uniform cut.
hasdrupal.
On the nail front, using a quality trimmer/clipper will usually solve your un-even issue. We always recommend a little bit of white on the end — and that should be uniform through all nails. For best results, good to start off right with a professional manicure, whether from us or anyone else reputable. That will provide a solid base from where to continue to maintain your nails.
The Grooming Guys
I am interested in learning about the traditions of shaving cream and shaving, in general. What was the mystique of it, and how come we don’t see it in the mainstream anymore?