A local salon is bringing the past into the present with the introduction of straight razor shaves for men.
Shawna Beaupre, barber at Karma Salon, has added straight razor shaves to her repertoire as a method of “man pampering.”
“It’s man pampering without losing the manliness,” Beaupre laughed.
“They don’t have to go in and get their feet soaked or cucumber slices on their eyes, they’re getting a shave.”
Barbers and straight razor shaves were commonplace in the 19th and early 20th century, but they slowly became a part of history in the 1950s with the advent of safety razors.
The once ordinary practice is now considered a treat for the modern man.
According to Beaupre, the entire process from preparation to shave takes about an hour. Chronologically, the shave includes hot towel compresses to clean and open pores, a moisturizing exfoliating massage, straight razor shave, and application of toner and moisturizing shaving gel.
For sanitary reasons, a new blade is used for each client, and an aerosol shaving cream is used, in lieu of the traditional foam shaving cream.
Since starting up the “man pampering” service a few weeks ago, Beaupre has had two to three clients per week.
“Most of the time they just sit there with their eyes closed the whole time. They don’t go to sleep, but I know they’re loving it and they get to keep their manliness about them, too,” she said, adding her clients have shown near fear at the thought of a straight razor travelling up their necks.
Beaupre got the idea to start up straight razor shaves when she took over her late mother’s position at a Langford barbershop three years ago.
She resolved to start straight razor shaving after she noticed a demand for the service, and that’s exactly what she did at Karma Salon.
With the completion of a straight razor shave course, and authentic, light-green coloured barber chair, Beaupre was ready to shave.
“I’ve got a really cool chair. All the women think it’s really ugly, but the men come in and go, “Oh, wow, cool chair!” Beaupre laughed.
Karma Salon is located on 6596 Sooke Rd., and each shave is $20.