BLADE RUNNER

In the 1990s, men began abandoning traditional barbershops—the kind where clippers buzzed and razors flashed—in favor of hair stylists. Suddenly, a man’s haircut was pushing $50, and the only flourish was a quick dusting of powder on the neck as you walked out the door.

Yet as the modern man embraced “manscaping” (yes, we know what that means), he also rediscovered a timeless ritual: the hot towel shave.

This deliberate, indulgent process places you at the mercy of a skilled barber, who approaches your face with the precision of a surgeon, a gleaming straight razor in hand, while you surrender to the enveloping warmth of a damp towel cocooning your face and eyes. Ready?

Today, the men’s grooming industry in the United States nears $46 billion, encompassing everything from foams, creams, and gels to an endless array of pre-shave oils, aftershave balms, and colognes—not to mention an overwhelming assortment of razors, blades, cartridges, and vibrating gadgets. And yet, for all of it, few products truly deliver the perfect shave.

Enter the revival of the hot towel straight razor experience—a ceremony of relaxation, precision, and trust. It’s a ritual that can take up to 40 minutes but leaves you feeling impeccably groomed and undeniably pampered.

The ritual begins with the barber assembling their tools: rich creams, fine brushes, traditional soaps, and, of course, piping-hot towels.

The first steamy towel, wrapped around the face and neck, immediately softens the beard and opens the pores, preparing the skin for what’s to come. It’s a moment of pure relaxation, the kind you didn’t know you needed until it happens.

For an added touch, many barbers incorporate a nourishing pre-shave oil, enhancing the glide of the blade and helping to minimize any potential irritation.

After 8 to 10 minutes, the towel is removed. A horsehair brush whips a dense lather from a fine soap or cream, applied in short, firm strokes to further soften the hair and lift it from the skin.

Then comes the artistry: gripping the straight razor between thumb and fingers, the barber makes short, deft strokes—no more than half an inch at a time—following the natural grain of the hair. Skilled shavers account for every swirl and change of direction, adjusting as they move across the jawline, cheeks, and neck.

The sensation is both invigorating and soothing. As the blade glides and the pores drink in the rich lather, the face begins to glow.

Following a rinse and light touch-ups, a second hot towel is applied for deep relaxation, finished with a cooling splash of moisturizing aftershave to hydrate and refresh the newly shaven skin.

Everglades Barber Shop, with locations in Palm Beach and Loxahatchee offers this traditional luxury. A representative shares, “Everyone who tries it is blown away by the experience. It’s not something most people plan for—until they see it happening and immediately say, ‘I want that!’”

Not necessarily an everyday indulgence, the hot towel shave is the perfect treat for special occasions, spa days, or simply a well-earned moment of personal luxury.

Because sometimes, a little ritual is exactly what a man needs.

Harrold Scrabbers frequently writes for WQ Magazine and for lifestyle publications across the UK and Italy. Hot towel shaves are a pleasure he enjoys regularly before an evening at La Scala. His favorite cream is Bergamot/leather by True Romance.