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| - So I've been hunting for a regular spot to get my hair cut and beard trimmed for a while now. I've tried a few of the "top" barber shops in the city, and I believe after my visit here, I can stop my searching! While a cost of around $50 for a cut and trim might seem steep to some, they do offer more than just a cut and trim but even minus the extras, the combination of service and quality of a cut make the price worth it. And $50 is not by any means the most expensive option out there for similar experiences.
It's right next door to "Mankind Grooming Studio" which offers more or less the same level of service, but I found Original Grooming more to my liking. But they are both very similar that if you can't find a spot in one, the other should serve you well. Since it's newer (I assume that's why) it did have more slots open in their very handy and easy to use online reservation system than Mankind a couple of days before my appointment. And while it may seem like "splitting hairs" a combo of cut and trim here is $5 cheaper.
Like Mankind, Original also offers more than just a cut for the price of $45. It really is a full on pampering for guys without quite overdoing it. While I opted out of their hot wax treatment for my hands (since I was in a little bit of a rush and had already experienced it at Mankinds), they still do a refreshing hot towel treatment post cut. I would recommend the full treatment if you have the time, because why not feel special right?
I had made my booking with Ashley just because her time worked with my schedule and my random pick ended up working out really well for me, she was a great barber and unlike some of the other barbers I've gone through the last few months, she talked through her thoughts about specific styles, and just gave me enough confidence in her to want to come back. She also took very good care trimming my beard without just running a clipper over my face.
I do have to admit that my experience at "Garrisons By the Park" was better in terms of beard trim (at the end of the day it's not that big a factor), but the fact that Original Grooming (and Mankinds) both offer a post cut wash make them my clear preference since a post cut Dishan without a hair wash is not a comfortable fellow!
A note: if you book with the owner? Jason (Edit: co-owner) you get the privilege of being tended to on a slightly elevated platform with it's own special chair. And as far as I know a cut with him costs the same as a cut with any of this other staff members, and after a few years of getting haircuts at salons that love to charge more for senior stylists I really respect that fact.
They also provide a complimentary touch up within 2 weeks of your cut, so that's a big plus too!
I really enjoy the the actual barbershop, large windows surround it, it's got a very open space feel to it and it's very old school meets new school with classic barbershop accessories sharing table space with iPhones happily charging away. If you have time to kill before your appointment, they do have a big couch, next to a big TV and "manly" books about facial hair to kill your time.
I will most definitely be going back to these guys!
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