I’ve been writing this blog for over eighteen months and it
has seen a wide variety of beauty and grooming products reviewed, which
included a large number from Ted Baker’s Grooming Room. So when I was asked if
I would like to go and try out one of their legendary salons I couldn’t wait,
and asked if there was anything they could do with my hair, eyebrow (I say
eyebrow as I’ve had a mono-brow for about thirty five years) and beard.
After being booked in for ‘the works’ it was simply a case
of turning up – in my case in particular I opted to go along to the shop tucked
away in Holborn on Theobald's Road,
it being just a twenty minute walk from my office. You can see a full list of their locations, plus their new premises on Commercial Street here.
Upon arrival I thought I’d got the wrong place – while
looking effortlessly cool with a number of barber’s chairs and a hive of
activity I wondered where the luxurious experience was going to take place.
After giving my name my photographer in chief (aka beautyqueenuk) and I were
guided downstairs into a cool, and rather open area.
After being offered a complimentary cocktail (I declined
wanting to keep a clear head) the other half jumped at the chance and after
trying it I really wished I’d gone for one – it had rich flavour and a kick
like a mule! Anyhow, we weren’t there to get sloshed, we were there to sort out
my face…..
‘T’, my barber for the evening was given carte blanche to do
whatever he wanted to my hair, but the sad fact was that it was actually too
short to do anything drastic to the style and as I have quite straight hair we
settled on a much shorter style than usual, down to the bone at the back and
sides with a very short messy top – a sort of cross between bed head and
spikes. What struck me first was that rather than reach for the clippers to
shave around the back and sides everything was done using scissors and the look
of concentration was intense as the scissors snipped away. Clearly a man with
symmetry on his mind, T really knows his craft and within thirty minutes my
hair looked perfect – I was delighted, but this was just the start of my happy
surprises.
The moment I had been dreading arrived – the treading of the
brow (yes, dreading the threading)! Christ it hurt and I could hear a light
cackle coming from the direction of the missus (who was filming at this point).
It actually wasn’t that bad, the worst part was when T uttered the words “so
you did want them looking feminine?” and my heart stopped! He was joking and
within a minute my brows has been separated and shaped without completely
altering how I looked. Nice, neat and tidy and something I will have done
again.
After the brows (it still seems weird talking about them in plural) came the beard – I opted for a trim rather
than cut throat shave and this was done without incident, the beard being
trimmed and shaped properly (for the first time ever). This followed with the hairs in my ear being burnt away. I admit seeing a flame getting so close to my face had me getting a little bit nervous but it was painless and the inside of my ears are now incredibly smooth (like you needed to know that!)
Finally, and this really sealed the deal for me – for months
I’ve had a trapped nerve in my elbow which has caused mild numbness in my left
hand. Step forward T with the most relaxing massage – a hot towel was placed
over my face which nearly sent me off to sleep and then crack! I have no idea
what he did to my arm but ever since the numbness has gone and I feel like a
new man! Awesome!
The full treatment would have cost £75 and I have to say,
just the massage alone and removal of the pain in my elbow makes this worth it.
Add in the fact that my hair looked and still does look neat and tidy with a
nice twist on my usual style and you have a winner here. It’s strange having
two eyebrows, and I’m sure they will take time to maintain but I think the
whole package has improved how I look, which ultimately is the point of such obsessive
grooming!
I have nothing but praise for T and the folk at Ted’s
Grooming Room – it was an experience I’ll never forget and I will be back again
in a few weeks when my hair and brows need doing again. This may have been
provided gratis but I wouldn’t hesitate to stick my hand in my pocket and pay
for this myself.
FORGET THE REST, TRY THE BEST
You can see the full list of treatments available here.
You can read more of my reviews of the Ted’s Grooming Room
range by following the links below:
