Being pampered in a man’s world
THE mainstream retail sector’s failure to cotton on to the changing personal grooming demands of South African men has encouraged smaller, less formal service providers to fill the gap.
For several years now, barber shops and salons have been offering additional treatments to the established cuts, colours and shaves.
When we arrive at the tiny Top Men’s Barber Corner in Overport, Durban, manager Riaz Khalifa tells us the owner is out — “he’s overseas”.
The most popular grooming requests are still the basic haircut and shave, he says, as evinced by the presence of two bibbed gentlemen getting their heads and beards trimmed.
The clients are mostly professionals, not student types.
In the six years the shop has been open, the clients have gradually opened up to the idea of having their faces scrubbed and their faces, heads and shoulders massaged. Khalifa directs us to the price list.
Threading is popular with the guys, especially if they have a unibrow
Haircuts, differentiated by style, are mostly R25 and shaves R20. Eyebrow, cheek and upper-lip threading is R10 each. Having it done on the whole face costs R50.
Facial treatment combinations involving scrubs, masks, steams and massages range between R25 and R60. A full facial costs R100. Hair colouring is also on offer.
Further along the road, the 5 Star Hair Salon offers similar options. The twopart beauty parlour is partitioned into male and female sections. The male section is bigger. It is where grooming specialist Altaf Khan works his magic.
Born and trained in Pakistan, he does not speak much English, so his colleagues take us through what is on offer.
“Threading is popular with the guys as well, especially if they have a unibrow. They want it taken off,” says hairstylist Candice Prakasem.
For R50, a man may enjoy a deep-cleansing facial. “It’s all-inclusive, so you’ll get your steam-clean, exfoliating scrub, face mask and moisturiser, as well as a massage.”
Some opt also to bleach the fine hairs on their faces. A R30 haircut includes a free head, neck and shoulder massage.
Aftercare products, mostly imported from India, are popular, according to nail technician Safira Khan. They include hair gels, hair growth products and a variety of facial scrubbing, cleansing, toning and moisturising lotions.
The salon’s clientele is mostly, but not exclusively, Muslim, Khan tells us. “All nations come here. Basically, everyone wants to look good.”