As I always say when we talk about barber shop head shaves, I love the experience but I have never had a barber shave my head as completely smooth as when I shave myself. But there's something really relaxing and luxuriant about the process of sitting in a barber chair, getting the full treatment with hot towels, warm lather and a shave with a straight razor. And yesterday, I just needed to treat myself to something relaxing. And I decided to really indulge myself with a pro shave that was expensive, but supposedly awesome.

So, for the first time, 2 days of stubble on my dome, I went to The Art of Shaving at the local mall. I walked in and was pretty psyched to see that 2 of the 3 guys working there were completely sly. One of the sly guys was the barber, Nelson. He took me to the small "shaving spa" room, with a comfy old style barber chair. We talked a bit about head shaving while he caped me and got set up. He asked me about the razor and products I use. (Currently I use the ProFusion Power - I like the vibration) And I threw down the challenge when I told him no barber had ever done as good a job as I do myself. He was very confident that he could prove me wrong.

He rubbed a pre-shave oil into my stubble. (Warning: they try to sell you products at every step in the process). He put on a layer of hot lather before the hot towel, and then re-lathered when the towel came off. First shave was straight razor - with the grain. More oil. Hot towel. Lather. Then he broke out a deluxe version of the Pro Glide, cool looking with a thick stainless steel body and what Nelson said was a motor twice as powerful as the standard drug store model. He used that for the against the grain shave. When he was done, he took a lot of time to smooth out any rough spots.

After asking me if I like it shiny or matte (answer: shiny), he finished by applying an after shave balm. Shiny, sure, but a bit sticky for my tastes. When he was done, Nelson asked me how he did, and as I ran my hand over my head, I had to admit that it was the best barbershop shave I'd ever had and was as smooth as my own best efforts. I told him that maybe it was because I finally had a barber who shaves his own head so he's had more practice, but also gave him props for his abilities.

I was dubious when Nelson said that his shave would last longer. I'm completely BBC and my hair grows coarse and quickly. But I have to admit that I woke up today and my head has hardly any stubble. Overall, a great shave experience. At $35 plus tip it's not something I'll do often. Plus, I really enjoy shaving my own head. But when I need to treat myself to a little luxury, I know where I'm going.

Anybody else ever try a shave at Art of Shaving?

@Bald Surfer, I'd be interested in knowing what city this Art of Shaving shop is in.  The Chicago boutique (at Macy's State Street) does not have their own barber.  They send you to a guy at another shop downtown.  I haven't been to him yet, but am considering it.

@npsbg, I had a face and headshave at my local Roosters (northwest Chicago 'burbs).  The barber; Jason, used a Gillette Fusion.  It was a satisfactory shave, but not quite as good as I can do myself.  I wanted to go again but too many Hens have invaded Roosters and it ruined the man cave experience for me.

I have to be carefull about what goes on my dome, I'm cursed with sensitive skin.

There are hardly any places, where I live that will even give you a shave due to the health dept. and issue's of disease.  Last good shave in a chair was in Chicago a few years back and it was early in the morning    had breakfast and went home to bed.

that sounded interesting, so i googled and found that


the result seems to be pretty good and the skin looked much better, kinda.

There is an Art of Shaving shop in Portland Oregon, however  if their website indicates what they have in their brick and mortar location I do not think I will waste my time.

Take a look for yourself http://www.theartofshaving.com/