The Best Grooming Establishments In The Captial
Grooming experiences no longer start and end with getting a ‘trendy’ haircut. The rise of traditional cut-throat shaves and men-focused ‘beauty’ treatments means that there are now more options than ever available to contemporary young gents who want to look and feel their best.
So, if you’re looking to upgrade your grooming routine or are simply in need of a one-off treat, try one of the five recommended experiences below.
1. Ruffians Barbers
If you live in London or Edinburgh (or are visiting for the day) and are in need of a decent haircut or shave, head to Ruffians.
Offering high quality service in a stylish, relaxed and masculine atmosphere – think plenty of exposed wood and old-school aromas – Ruffians isn’t your traditional barbershop. Each staff member has been hand-picked for their exceptional skills and is well informed of current hair and beard trends, ensuring you will leave looking better than when you walked in.
What’s more, you’ll get an ice cold beer or coffee on arrival and your assigned barber will actually listen to your requests while offering personalized suggestions and styling tips.
Services range from beard tidies (£30) and moustache trims (£15) to straight up hair cuts (£35-45, depending on location).
See more at ruffians.co.uk.
2. The Spa At Dunhill’s Bourdon House
OK, so spas are usually a bit hit or miss. Most of us don’t have the time or patience to retreat to the countryside and indulge in a day of massages and facials.
However, British heritage brand Dunhill have redefined what the term spa means with Bourdon House. This magnificent Georgian mansion is the only detached house in Mayfair, and was once the London residence of the Duke of Westminster.
Now updated with a smart contemporary clubhouse feel, it offers a selection of the finest Alfred Dunhill products alongside unique services such as a traditional barber, luxurious spa and private screening room.
Forget all preconceptions of zen-like spas, this place is to the point and feels a little bit like stepping back into a London members club of yesteryear. As well as its traditional barber services (including cut throat shaves and haircuts), we highly recommend the spa treatments – particularly the intensive muscle release experience and men’s detox facial.
So, if you’re a stressed city worker who is in need of a little pick me up, Bourdon House offers the ideal way to unwind after a long day – plus if the treatments don’t do the trick, you can always nip downstairs to the cellar bar afterwards for a well-deserved whiskey. Treatment prices start from £40.
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10:00 – 19:00
Address: 2 Davies Street, London W1K 3DJ
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7853 4440
Web: dunhill.com/london/
3. Murdock London
Murdock London launched its first barbershop in Shoreditch back in 2006. The aim? To re-imagine the masculine luxury of the capital’s Victorian male grooming establishments.
Essentially, the brand wanted to create a stylish and welcoming environment for modern gents to relax, have a beer and actually get to know their barber. After all, along with your tailor, your stylist is one of the most important relationships you can cultivate as a style-conscious male.
Now occupying six stores across London, each branch boasts a highly extensive treatments list, along with a superb in house grooming range, which includes everything from shaving tools and beard oils to fragrances and hair styling products, so you can get the look at home.
See more and book an appointment at murdocklondon.com.
4. James Harknett Spray Tanning
We advocated the services of Mr. Harknett in our 2015 Grooming Manifesto, and he is a name worth having on speed dial if a year-round glow is as much of a priority as the rest of your grooming regime.
Labelled the “Tom Ford of self tan” by InStyle magazine, Harknett – who counts Harry Styles as one of his clients – offers three distinct spray tan options for men:
- The Gent – a barely there golden hue that will ensure that no-one even realizes you’re faking it.
- The Squire – this slightly darker solution will leave your skin radiant and shouting summer all year round.
- The Lad – a double application where the abs, biceps and pecks are contoured with precision to help naturally define the body.
James Harknett operates out of the W Hotel, Leicester Square. See more at jamesharknett.co.uk.
5. The Refinery
The Refinery is mecca for London’s grooming elite, and we’ve been told on more than one occasion that they do some of the best facial treatments in the capital.
With so many new wave barbershops popping up on city’s grooming scene, it’s nice to know there’s a place to go if intense, focused spa treatments are of interest.
We recommend the Aromatherapy Associates Powerlift Facial to revitalize an exhausted appearance.
See more and book an appointment at the-refinery.com.
