Groom for improvement

Shaving is, for most, a daily occurrence. For others, it’s a glorious ritual. I assume that the average man will spend more than 1,000 hours of his life pruning back the whiskers. It’s no wonder that many young gentlemen — for a special occasion perhaps, or just to lift the spirits — are looking for assistance with this chore by seeking out an expert barber who can wield a razor and do a far superior job of it.

A fan of the old-school approach is Back Alley Barbershop. Its location on a Salcedo Village side street makes it seem like a secret. But step inside and it’s an oasis for justifiable male pampering.

Owner Owens Sun wants to dispute the mindset that salon-based stylists are more adept at trimming men’s hair than traditional barbers. “Salcedo Village has provided this kind of environment, allowing us to serve both the residential and office market.” Their brand of specialized grooming covers the classics, which, aside from a smart haircut, include a clean, consistent shave and a solid massage.

Rescue service

I’m an adult with hardly any facial hair to speak of, so growing stubble can take close to a week, causing mild existential discomfort. Here, however, is the real payback that comes from not shaving for a while. Nothing is more rejuvenating and refreshing than having a professional do it for you.

Plying the straight razor with aplomb, my barber Roland takes some 45 minutes to administer the wet shave, a mercifully short time to turn me from a scruffy wretch into a boyish anchorman. After a shave at home, I often see my chin turn into a range of bumpy red peaks. There was no razor burn this time. I went in rough and came out smooth.

We press on with the Back Alley Hungover Treatment, which I’ve been told is “not just an antidote for long nights, but a general relief and rescue service for gents who need a refresh.” Roland applies hot towels to open the pores, cold towels to close them afterwards, and a medley of foams, masks, milks and lotions to restore that baby-faced freshness in between. A massage that focuses on the arms, shoulders, chest and back is a soothing finishing touch.

Pleasant bonuses

With my skin moisturized and my chi reconditioned, the details at Back Alley become apparent. The chair I briefly nodded off in is vintage Takara Belmont, refurbished for the 21st century. The Murdock shaving brush, made in England, consists of badger hair, which helps hydrate the shaving cream in order to form a thick, rich lather. Back Alley uses skincare products by Noevir, recognized by the Japan Patent Office as a cosmetics industry innovator, and sells grooming essentials by Baxter of California and Hairbond from the UK. Even their monogram, by Plus63 Design Co., is clever: the letters B and A come together to form a pair of scissors. 

Manager Raffy Tan indulges my request for some Thelonious Monk and reaches for the vinyl, one among an eclectic selection. Yardstick coffee would’ve been perfect, too, had it not been so late in the day, so I choose a complimentary bottle of Katipunan Craft Ale instead. All these were pleasant bonuses.

Manly necessity

“The interaction between the barber and a customer reflects the tradition and heritage that we strive to preserve,” continues Owens. “With that as our central focus, the steady vibe then emanates from the atmosphere we provide — from the curated music to the art, down to the grooming products.”

I find that looking one’s best is a manly necessity, not a narcissistic indulgence. Neither is it a trend. Back Alley takes pride in their barbers, “talented men equipped with the best tools of the trade.” Now that I know what it’s like for them to soothe and wake up my face — something to be taken seriously and savored — upon my return I plan to let them have their way with my hair. 

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Unit 1D Bautista corner Sanchez St., Salcedo Village, Makati City. Cell 0947-5185736. Email dude@backalleybarbeshop.com. Facebook: backalleybarbershop. Instagram: @backalleybarbershop.

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