Even though this ad is embellished, it does reflect the state of a lot of men’ s wet shaving practices. Over the years, men have been sold the idea that the best shave comes from a can of shaving foam. This was born from advanced chemical science that wanted to steer the shaving market toward a faster and more transportable shaving routine. It was a sign of how quickly our society was moving, and how hurried our lifestyles had become, particularly for the Boomer generation. “Time is money” was the mantra.

Things are changing. Lifestyle has become a priority, and time is not necessarily money anymore.  Men want to do things properly. This is why there is a resurgence in good wet shaving practices.

What is wet shaving exactly?

Wet shaving simply refers to shaving your face with moisture, as opposed to dry shaving, which includes electrical shaving devices as well as shaving with a razor without moisture (AY CARAMBA!). There are a variety of ways to wet shave, but the most effective involves a good shaving cream and a badger shaving brush.

Why?

A shaving cream has a lot more moisturizing ingredients that makes the skin more flexible and the skin softer so that it does not tear or break. The OM shaving cream for example has shea butter and coconut oil which helps to reduce the shearing effect of the razor on skin cells. This prevents razor burn and gives a more comfortable shave.

So what does the shaving brush do?

The shaving brush helps to exfoliate the skin, giving the razor a better ‘look’ at the hair itself. ‘A clean slice’, so to speak. It also lifts the beard off of the face making each hair stand straight up. This is just how cutting dry grass with a lawnmower is much easier than cutting wet grass. It also ‘hyper-moisturizes’ the beard, making it more flexible and softer. A softer beard is easier to shave than a hard beard.

In the end, wet shaving is returning to what our grandfathers used to do. A good shaving cream, and a good brush can make the world of difference to a man’s shaving routine.

It was early Sunday morning when my alarm went off.  I had just finished a good week in the store, and a few hours of extra sleep would have felt really good.

But this was no ordinary Sunday. Today, I was on my way to Prince George to teach progressive barbering techniques.  It is something that I really enjoy doing. It is a change of pace, and a great opportunity to meet other professionals in the BC who are looking for forward-thinking education.

I’ll be honest, I did not know what to expect. It was my first trip to ‘PG’, as it is referred to by the locals.  I have two employees who are from PG, and when I told them that I was teaching up there, they both smiled and said: “why are you going there?”

I was soon to learn that this is how “PG-ians” think of themselves.  They often take themselves way less seriously than us up-tight Victorians do. In fact, it was refreshing to be around people who did not take life as seriously as we sometimes do down here. When I asked my class what people do in PG, they all said: “Red-neck stuff!”

I laughed. What a great attitude to life. There was a lot of laughter and a lot of exchange.

The girls at the Razor’s Edge Salon and Spa were one of the best classes that I ever taught. They were open and generous with their energy. I could tell that they really wanted to learn.  When we started the straight razor shaving class, they were all pretty nervous. One of them almost fainted when I mentioned safety precautions (almost, but not quite), but it may have been the early Sunday morning air, which was normally reserved for sleeping in and ‘party-recovery’  But these fine ladies were dedicated.  By the end of the course, they couldn’t wait to do more shaves! It was a real honor and treat to see them learn so quickly.

By the end of the two day workshop, the girls were revved up and ready to go. I have no doubt that they will be leading the way in Prince George in the years to come. Well done girls!

Of course, hair product is a great way to finish a style, but it is not the best way to get the style.  This is where the hair dryer becomes handy. One great trick to get rid of unwanted curl and frizz is to use a hot blowdryer.  Remember that frizz and curl are enhanced with moisture.  Just ask any curly haired person how their hair behaves in Hawaii and they’ll tell you that their hair goes CRAZY! That’s because the moisture breaks ‘H-Bonds’ in the hair, which normally holds the curl under control.

My advice to Travis was to use a high heat dryer, and blow the hot air down through the curls, just like the picture below.

Afterwards, the curl is more relaxed…and it only takes a couple of minutes. You can finish it off with a pomade or fiber such as the OM fiber, which will give it a little shine and hold throughout the day (and night).

Remember: business at the back, and party on top!  Happy styling!

Mother’s Day is coming up, and as all men know, we can’t forget mom.

So what can a man do for his mom to thank her for all she has done for us.

There are always the go to ideas like flowers and chocolates, but what about ideas that are a little more different. Here is a list of unique mother’s day ideas:

1. Zip-lining. If you have an adventurous mom, nothing says I love like throwing her down a zip-line. There are several zip-line companies in town. It is a great way to bond with mom, and get the whole family involved.

2. Renting scooters are a real hoot! There are a few scooter rental companies in Victoria. You never know, mom may love to zoom around town. Just make sure you take her a to nice restaurant afterward.

3. Vineyard tours are another great gift idea for mom. Try a great local site such as Averill Creek. They have great views and a nice wine selection.

4. Feeding the seals at Oak Bay Marina is a neat few hours. My sources tell me that you can head on down to Oak Bay Marina, and get up and close to these cute little creatures.

5. Of course, there is nothing like letting mom relax with a good old pedicure.  Check out OM nailspa for one of the best pedicures in Victoria.

Finally, remember to say: “I love you mom!”