Father’s Day gift giving is just around the corner, and the number one complaint I hear is, “dad is so difficult, because dad seems to have everything they already want.”  From personal experience, my father is the worst to purchase for because he would just go and get whatever he wanted or had been talking about, so my mother had a rule with him- no gift hunting one month before major celebrations.  Sometimes it worked, often times his impulse won.  So this father’s day, let’s surprise him with something he would not necessarily think to purchase for himself.

The cosmetic world is a great market to explore- I’m not saying buy the guy some anti-age products (if you do this, it needs to be together, in person, and guided so he feels some ownership in the decision),  I’m saying, let’s give him an experience to pull him out of his normal routine.

I first thought of barbershop old-fashioned shaves when I realized just how much I love getting my hair done, and my face taken care of. An old-fashioned, hot towel shave is the closest thing I could think of that would;

1. create an experience

2. pamper dad

3. maintain a feeling of “manliness” and

4. get him closer to an organic interest in product and skin care.

That’s when I discovered, Chopshop, in Santa Barbara, a one and a half-year old booming business, run by masterminds, Frank Perez and Elijah Zayas.  I sat down with Frank Perez and Elijah Mayas and dove into what an old-fashioned hot towel shave is all about.

Perez creates experiences.  He begins the service by a hot lather- this means that he lathers up the face with a shaving cream from a machine which warms the product and is mixed with an oil to bring dirt and grime to the surface, and soften the beard bristles.  He then puts a hot towel around to encourage hair follicles to soften, and actually come out of the skin a little more to get a closer shave!

Next, Perez removes the towel and re-lathers the face with a dry oil from The Art of Shaving.  Perez explained to me that, at this point, “the hair is soft, and the blade just glides.”

Not just any blade though- these guys are all about hygeine- every razor, which is inserted to the old-time handle, is disposable and thrown out after every client and replaced with a new one.

After the shave, another hot towel is cushioned around the face, and removes any lasting residue.  The next step makes perfect sense, which is to use a cold towel to close up the pores, and make the shave last longer.  Finishing touches include an aftershave from The Art of Shaving and Talc, to keep sensitive skin feeling amazing, and bacteria and irritation at bay.

If you’re in the Santa Barbara area, check them out: 3204 State Street Suite C, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 and give a call ahead of time because they book up!                  (805) 770.2933.

For our loyal news followers, mention the key word, “Fox 11,” and get $10 off a Father’s Day package deal (shave and hair cut usually priced at $52).  Chopshop offers gift cards, and I don’t think Perez could have put it any better, “When you look good, you perform better.”

If you are not in the Santa Barbara area, give yelp a search for “old-fashioned shave” or “shave shop,” and see if there’s one near you because I forecast this as the next best thing!  And as Zayas says, it’s a great way to “hit the refresh button” on style!

Maybe dad really doesn’t have the time?  Here are some of my favorite Father’s Day fragrance ideas, most of which you can find at Sephora:

1. L’Homme by Yves Saint Laurent $25-$125 – clean and classic full of; bergamot, ginger, vetiver, cedar wood, and lemon

2. L’Homme Sport by Yves Saint Laurent $54-$87- a more citrus twist on the above classic boasting; woody notes, along with citrus, and amber

3. Jazz Club by Maison Martin Margiela’s Replica $125 – a more dangerous fragrance that makes me think of whiskey and cigars; Pink Pepper, Lemon, Neroli Oil, Rum Absolute, Clary Sage Oil, Java Vetiver Oil, Tobacco Leaf Absolute, Vanilla Bean, Styrax Resin.

Here is an Art of Shaving kit that caught my eye. Art of Shaving is carried at Sephora.com and of course, Chopshop.

What are some of your favorite gifting ideas for dad? I hope you start your shopping early!

Happy Fathers!

Love and Beauty,

E