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Glow Salon & Spa
Glow Salon & Spa has long been a go-to for stylish women in this city, but it seems the secret’s out and it now has a loyal male clientele as well. Glow offers a broad menu of hair, face and body treatments for men, ranging from haircuts, hair colouring and smoothing treatments for frizzy hair, to spray tanning, facials, and laser, SHR and IPL hair removal.
Glow founder SIOBAN GUILFOYLE says that while men’s interest in grooming is not new, men are now more likely to want to replicate the types of treatments women have been having for decades.
“Men started paying much closer attention to their personal grooming over a decade ago, but it has become increasingly acceptable, and even expected, that gentlemen preserve their skin, take care of their nails, and groom not only the hair on their head, but on their bodies, too,” she says. “Our therapists are trained and qualified to perform treatments and hair removal on all skin types and body sizes, so extending facials and hair removal for men wasn’t an impossible reach and the market was there.”
Sioban says their male clients turn to Glow not just for haircuts – they have a number of stylists with experience with men’s hair – but also to book facials and manicures. The most popular treatment for their male clients is laser hair removal. “We look after men who want a course of treatments to reduce hair on their body, increase the volume of hair on their heads, and those who want to reduce the appearance of scars and remove unwanted tattoos,” says Sioban. “We have men who come for spray tans, lash and brow tinting, and regular manicures and pedicures as part of a grooming routine, with regular four-weekly haircuts and facials.”
Glow sees men from all walks of life – so much so that there isn’t a “typical client”. “Younger men come into the salon as teenagers, usually prompted by their mums,” Sioban notes. “And older men come to Glow too, sometimes prompted by their wives!” Hong Kong’s competitive work environment has been one of the key drivers in men being more aware of their grooming, Sioban notes.
So, what’s the secret to keeping one step ahead of the competition? Sioban recommends a good haircut, and clean, fresh skin, along with well-trimmed or well-groomed facial and body hair. She adds that men are also more savvy now about what products they use for skincare and haircare. “Men like to ensure that their scalp is healthy, especially if they suffer from thinning hair, and skincare with great hydrating properties is also becoming increasingly popular.”
For men who haven’t experienced professional grooming before, Sioban recommends a haircut and facial package. “Most men love a great haircut and for those who have never experienced a facial before, it can be a real treat,” she says.
Personal grooming is increasingly a priority for men in Hong Kong. Here are some of the services available from leading salons and therapists.