The Carter and Bond Male Grooming Experience Review

 

I imagine I am not alone when I express the tedium I experience on a somewhat regular basis at the thought of performing the ritual of ‘the daily shave’.  What a treat it would be to have someone else take care of the tiresome task whilst I lay back, relax and enjoy the whole experience for a change, but where does one find a truly authentic and talented barber?

Well, we’ve discovered the crème de la crème when it comes to barbering skills and experience.  Take a seat in Mustapha’s barber chair at Carter and Bond in West London and you’ll be transported to Morocco, his birthplace where as a teenager he began his training as a master barber.   ‘The first time Mustapha gave me a shave I was just blown away with his skill’, says Founder and MD of Carter and Bond, Joe Cotton.  Having enjoyed a wet-shave by dozens of barbers on his business and personal travels around the world, Joe has not found anyone who compares to Mustapha in technique or experience, ‘He’s genuinely skilled’, says Joe.




My Male Grooming Treatment at Carter and Bond 

Arriving at Baseline Studios in West London I was immediately greeted by a friendly and welcoming Mustapha, soon to be followed by Joe.  No sooner had I arrived than I was comfortably seated in the barber’s chair and ready for my male grooming treatment: a traditional Gents haircut, facial and hot towel wet shave.

Efficient and professional, Mustapha does not disappoint.  The haircut was cut to the perfect gradient with clippers on back and sides, and scissors over comb on top.  This was then followed by a relaxing facial using Baxter of California Face Scrub and Cleanser.  The ultimate in hot towel wet shaves then commenced: Scented hot towels cocooned my face, opening up the pores; Proraso pre-shave cream was then massaged onto my face by hand, shortly followed by Baxter Shave cream.  I was then to experience the closest and most enjoyable shave of my life.  Fantastic technique, a truly comfortable, professional shave that resulted in the smoothest shave I have experienced to date!  A non-alcoholic toner then cleansed my skin of any residue shave cream, following this Baxter of California Oil-free moisturiser completed the treatment.  I feel and look about 5 years younger!

Take a look at the step-by-step process of Carter and Bond’s hot towel shave.

The Manifestation of Carter and Bond
Launching in 2002, this year sees the 10th anniversary of Carter and Bond, the male grooming online store set up by Joe following a stint at a mail order company, amongst other things.  He saw an opening in the market to offer upscale, niche male grooming products and grabbed the opportunity.  After six years Joe decided it was time to expand, opening a shop on Westbourne Park Road in 2008 and employing the talent and experience of Mustapha, he branched into providing barbering and hot towel shave treatments to his growing clientele.




Joe’s Thoughts on Men’s Grooming
When I sat down with Joe to pick his brain about what constitutes a really great shave he explained that key is the skill and experience of the barber, even without fantastic products you’ll receive a comfortable and enjoyable shave from an expert barber.   ‘Mostapha has the edge (here) since he’s been doing it since his teens’, says Joe.

The Carter and Bond website states, ‘finest hot towel shave in London’ so we asked  Joe what’s so special about the male grooming services he offers and why would one travel from across town for these services?

Unlike most barber shops, Carter and Bond have only one barber station, therefore, since he knows the quality and experience that Mustapha offers, the grooming services provided will always be to an extremely high standard.   The very fact that Joe himself receives two hot towel shaves per week from Mustapha goes to show just how much he believes in his master barbers’ skills.

Carter and Bond aim to offer a truly exceptional grooming experience to their loyal clientele and new converts too, and they offer a large product range of some of the best male grooming products on the market.  No-one offers the Carter and Bond experience – it really is something quite outstanding.

Joe’s Shaving Tips

• Use a good pre-shave product, oil or cream. Joe swears by it! It lubricates the skin allowing the razor the glide better and creates a barrier to avoid nicks and cuts, as well as making the shave more comfortable and the skin less prone to irritation. Massage into the face then put the shave cream on top. It’ll take your shave to the next level in comfort!
• Joe is often asked for advice on shaving as many men suffer from problems such as irritation, ingrown hairs, and red spots. His first question to these individuals is always, what razor do they use? Generally, the response is 4 or 5 blades. Think about the effect those five blades have as they drag across your skin, then you’ll realise that less is more! So, go back to 2 blades and your problem should be solved. This is usually the case.
• Shave as infrequently as you can get away with. Again, this relates to point 2. If you cut down on the frequency of shaving you’ll not only give your skin a rest, but you’ll also enjoy the experience more, rather than it becoming a chore. If you absolutely have to shave every day then try shaving the night before, thus giving you skin time to calm down and feel less sensitive.

You can book and appointment to have Mustapha perform a hot towel shave or find out more about Carter & Bond by visiting their website or their shop at

Carter and Bond
15 – 17 Baseline Studios,
Whitchurch Road,
London, W11 4AT
www.carterandbond.com

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