The history of the Barbershop

The History of the barbershop

Walking into an authentic barbershop is a truly unique experience.

The old traditional barbershop is a place with a welcoming friendly atmosphere and dedicated professionals who love their work and who truly understand men's hair.

Barbershops are now making a comeback and this traditional art form hasn't changed much over the years.

In the late 19th century and up until the beginning of World War II, barbershops rivaled taverns and pubs in terms of popularity.

They functioned as the place where men frequented, who came not only for a shave or a haircut, but also to catch up on current news and chat with friends.

Many visitors returned every week or even daily. 

This was the golden age of barbers.

Classy elegant furnishings, elegant walnut chairs, luxurious upholstery, artistic frescoes, ornate mirrors and even crystal chandeliers - these are typical features of the interior of a barber shop of this golden age, now reproduced by modern aficionados.

Despite the luxurious surroundings, barbershops were designed to be comfortable places where men could come in, relax and clear their minds from their busy days.

Barbershops flourished until Gillette introduced its traditional safety razor and launched a huge marketing campaign positioning it as a safer and cheaper alternative to a visit to the barbershop.

The Great Depression and two world wars made matters worse with the clientele getting smaller and smaller and people reluctant to spend cash on barber services.

Later, hippie culture brought in the sloppy styles and visiting a barber became a completely outdated experience.

The rise of the unisex barber shop kept the classic barber shop on the sidelines during the 1980s and 1990s.

However, in recent years, there has been a huge increase in traditional barbershops around the world as many men seek an experience tailored to their needs.

Today's barbershops offer a social outlet as they did a hundred years ago.

Clients come out having heard some great stories, jokes and conversations about current developments.

As in the old days, you can relax in a traditional barber's chair and enjoy a classic shaving experience or a haircut by people exclusively specialised in men's hair in a friendly atmosphere.

Also something that is often not mentioned is the products used by the barbers were of very high quality and designed specifically for the care and grooming of the male face, head or skin and were used almost exclusively in the barbershops.

For example, hair pomades were and are classically superior to today's cheap hair gels that dry out both the scalp and the hair itself. 

Hair tonics may have lost in popularity and many now don't know what they are or consider them unhelpful however they are as necessary as one can imagine. Whether you want to quickly freshen up the scalp, tame unruly hair or want to style your hair with a very light hold , hair tonic can do the trick.

Many times due to price or due to advertising of big brands with a huge range of products, quality products like hair tonics get lost over time. However, it is never too late to buy one and if you want to discover or learn more read now our article about the benefits and actions of hair tonics.

Barbering is a tradition that has changed very little over the years.

When you visit a barbershop, you know you're in for good company and a thoughtful haircut.

Vintage, more specialized, barbershops these days go the extra mile by offering extra services like a beer or a whiskey, paying homage to the golden age of the barber shop, when even a simple trim was considered a full service worthy of the barber's undivided attention.

Barbers in barbershops are always willing to give advice and will help you find the style that suits you, and how to maintain it.

It's worth it to try this traditional experience and see for yourself the reasons why this place is special for many men.