Friends laugh when they find out about the cost of my skin treatment.

How did it get up to $50 for shaving cream, an aftershave balm and a moisturizer? It lasts for about 60 days.

The line I use is Jack Black, and it is available at Ulta in Southland Mall and Sidney at the Radisson Plaza Hotel and Suites. Sidney, known for fine clothes, doesn’t carry any toiletries for men other than Jack Black.

You can see through the shaving gel, see what you’re cutting. The aftershave gel has no fragrance — for those wives who don’t like colognes — and goes on smooth with no sting. It is a myth that aftershave applications have to sting.

But farewell, Jack Black.

Gotta cut back. Found some shaving soap from a barber for $2.50.

But to still feel good about the face, I thought about getting one professional shave during the holiday season.

It is one of those luxuries for men hidden in plain sight.

Women get massages, hot rocks, face masks.

Men can get professional shaves and still feel like men.

Think of dusty trail drives in the West and going to town to get a real shave.

For a while anyway, any guy can feel commanding, important, Beau Brummelsharp when angular cheeks are smooth and fortified against the elements, mustaches are manicured and lips are kissable.

And you don’t have to lift a finger to mess with the soapy stubble.

Some guys have gone through proposals, weddings, birthdays, holidays and have never had a professional shave.

I’m one of those guys, so I tried it.

Think back to James Bond, who had to chat with Pussy Galore and Honey Rider during afternoon beach scenes in the movies, then went out gambling in a white tuxedo in the evening. He, of course, was pressured to protect his skin at all costs.

I arrived to the barber with the Bond attitude.

Months ago, I asked a hair stylist to explain how to use a straight razor to shave. He declined.

“You’re going to make a mistake and cut your throat,” the stylist said.

It was easy to understand why when, upon getting my first professional shave, the straight razor blade seemed like the sharpest thing ever applied to skin.

But the hot towels first create the new experience of the professional shave. Curled around the face to moisturize, they form a cocoon of warmth providing security and privacy. The other guys see you, you’re the topic of conversation, but you don’t see them.

Then there are the barber’s ginger fingers on your face.

Since when does a guy touch another guy’s face? I tried to close my eyes so I wouldn’t seem weird about it.

With a haircut, the shave at The Groove Room, 711 W. North St., cost $20 during shaving specials on a Wednesday.

Tip sheet: Skin care advice for men: Here are some tips from local hair stylists and barbers.



John McMillon, owner, Hair Services, 121 E. South St., Kalamazoo, 269-349-4782

Women get information about their skin and faces all the time, but men do not, and they should.

“Have some mercy on it, because it is exposed all the time,” said John McMillon. As men learn about how to adequately take care of their skin, they connect to an investment in long-term skin quality, McMillon said. Many don’t realize that the “mother of the hair is the skin,” McMillon said.

McMillon’s professional “therapeutic shaves” cost $40 and include consultation. He sells badger hair brushes for $40 for personal use, a shaving cream to use with the brushes for $2.50 and bars of Redken soap that can be used to create lather for shaves for $8. He asks customers to fill out personal profiles so he can best help them with their skin care needs.

Dion Hazzle, hair dresser, Folio, 229 E. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, 269-381-2461

Hazzle, who styles women’s hair, said he has seen a surge in interest in skin and hair treatment among men. He tells guys he knows, “cleanse, tone and moisturize” (clean face, use decent shaving product and clean razor and follow up with lotion).

Hazzle suggests facials as well as occasional professional shaves. Skin products are made on site. Men’s facials start at around $45. Mayor Bobby Hopewell is a regular.

Kevin Vinson, owner, The Groom Room, 711 W. North St., Kalamazoo, 269-599-5280

Many guys have abandoned professional shaves because they have good luck using common drugstore disposable razors by Gillette and Schick.

Popular low-end shaving products remain Edge ($2.99) and Barbasol ($1.79), Vincent said. He also suggested that men shave while they are in the shower because the constant moistness helps.

He uses the Gillette turbo disposable razor and Barbasol. His professional shaves cost $25 with a haircut and $15 to $20 depending how much hair you have on your face.

Contact William R. Wood at bwood@kalamazoogazette.com or at 269-388-8549.