Pall Mall Barbers and Barbering on the BBC

Pall Mall Barbers was the backdrop for a recent programme filmed for the BBC on the History of Barbering. With our salons styled in the traditional barber shop style with wood panelling, retro tiles and front facing sinks, they are the perfect location for a programme about barbers and how the barber shop developed.

Dr Alun Withey, one of the BBC’s New Generation Thinker was doing a feature for the broadcaster about barbering in the 18th century and decided to use one of our barber shops in Central London to film in.  The team were there for most of the day and we have some great shots of them filming.

Sporting his own impressive growth of facial hair, Alun took the plunge and went for a luxury wet shave when he came into Pall Mall Barbers in Fitzrovia after deciding to experience all the joys of a professional shave for himself.  So with Michael, a very experienced and skillful barber he was in safe hands and ended up with a smooth, hairfree face and soft moisturised skin. If you want to see the before and after pictures and learn a little more about the history of barbering, the programme is now on the BBC Arts website.You can also see the steps Michael goes through when he gives a luxury wet shave.

Or if you want to read more about the fascinating history of barber shops and their tradition of surgical services through the ages, then Alun’s got a longer feature on his blog.

And if you fancy enjoying the barbering skills of a Pall Mall Barber, why not book in for your own luxury wet shave. You can book online or call any of our Central London barber shops.

Double Edged Razor

Double edged razors are really popular with men you prefer a traditional shaving routine, rather than using an electric version.

One reason for their popularity is that the blades they use are much cheaper than those used by Mach 3 (or 4 or 5!) razors.

They're also very easy to use.  When you need to replace the blade on your double edged razor, you simply unscrew the top, remove the top and then take out the blade - they can still be sharp enough to cut your finger, so be careful.

Unwrap your new blade and slip over the screw, replace the top of the double edged razor and screw the handle firmly back in place.  That's it! It takes seconds.

At Pall Mall Barbers in London, we've been doing professional wet shaves since 1896 so we really are the shaving experts.  We've got loads of great tips and shaving advice, and if you use a double edged razor we can help share that knowledge so that you get the smoothest, closest shave possible.

We always recommend that if you use a double edged razor, you shave with it at a 45 degree angle and go down your face slowly.

Double edged razors are great for sensitive skin and are less likely to give your skin any irritation because there is only one blade touching it.  They are also really good if you want sharp lines on your designer stubble as they can get closer to the edge.

If you want to see one of our barbers demonstrating the double edged razor watch this video on the Pall Mall Barbers YouTube channel.

Shaving Cream

All men use something during their daily shaving ritual to help their razor glide across the skin - it may be a shaving cream, a gel, an oil or foam.

Here at Pall Mall Barbers, we use a shaving cream.  In our opinion, it really is the best product to use.  And we should know what we're talking about.  Pall Mall Barbers has been in London since 1896 cutting mens hair and delivering the closest, smoothest shaves in the capital,  All from our traditionally styled barbers shops.

In fact, we provide ourselves on delivering a traditional service in a modern manner for over 100 years.

Our barbers are some of the most experienced and respected in the UK today and you'll often see them in magazines, on the TV or radio talking about their skills and sharing their advice.  In fact, when a media company wants an expert's view or advice on shaving, it's Pall Mall Barbers they turn to. So, when we say a shaving cream is the best product to use, you should listen.

Our Pall Mall Barbers Sandalwood and Clove Shaving Cream has been developed using the finest ingredients and contains prickly pear seed oil and jojoba oil combine in this hydrating shaving cream to deliver a luxury lather and a comfortable shave.

It will create a thick moisturising foam when lathered up with a shaving brush and the circular movements with encourage the bristles on your face to stand up.This means your razor can get closer to the base of the hair, so you get a smoother shave.  The oils in the shaving cream will soften and hydrate your skin so that it feels super smooth afterwards.  Use regularly and not only will your shaving experience and end result will be better, but people will probably start commenting on the quality of your skin too.

If you'd like to try some of Pall Mall Barbers shaving cream, you can buy it in any of our Central London barbers shops or on our website, on the shaving cream page.

Mens Shaving Brush

A mens shaving brush is so much more than just a simple old shaving brush..... it's a crucial tool in your shaving ritual to get the smoothest, closest shave possible.

The best mens shaving brush is made out of badger's hair, which is world renown for its durability and ability to absorb water, unlike horse hair or any other synthetic material. The bristles in our mens shaving brush will soften and lift the hair follicles on your face for a closer, longer lasting shave.

So why not bring a bit of Pall Mall Barbers old school indulgence into your bathroom and treat yourself to a high grade mens shaving brush?

The best way to use a mens shaving brush is to generate a thick, creamy lather.  We've got a great video here with Erin demonstrating how to use the Fitzrovia mens shaving brush which is available in three great finishes - an imitation ivory, black resin and an oak.

This particular mens shaving brush is great if you have quite tough stubble as the hair is taken from the back of the badger and is therefore rougher and will encourage your bristles to stand up more.  Watch the video, and Erin will show you exactly how to use it and some great shaving tips and advice.

If you then fancy trying it out yourself, then you can buy the Fitzrovia mens shaving brush here, along with a range of our other mens shaving products.

Shaving Cream for Men

Shaving cream is a must for a good shave.

The second step in our exclusive 3 step shaving system is the shaving cream.

We developed the Pall Mall Barbers shaving cream over several years. Applying our experience as barbers, listening to our customers and noticing what products worked well.

The result is this Sandalwood and Clove Shaving Cream with its luxurious scent and thick lather.  It contains prickly pear seed and jojoba oil which combine to create a smooth, creamy lather that encourages the bristles on your face to stand up, so that you get a smoother and more comfortable shave.

To use this shaving cream, all you need to do it wet your face with warm water, dispense one pump of the cream from the canister directly onto the face and lather it up with a shaving brush. Using circular movements with your shaving brush with generate a generous lather.  We’ve got a great video of Erin demonstrating the technique for you.

Once you’ve finished your wet shave, rinse any remaining shaving cream off your face with cool water and pat your face dry – don’t rub it with the towel.

The natural products in this shaving cream make it suitable for all skin types, even sensitive ones and it comes in a 100ml dispenser which will last quite a while as a single pump dose is all you need for your daily shave.

This product can be bought on its own or as part of our 3 step shaving system – a professionally developed range of shaving products specifically designed for men, to give the closest and smoothest shave possible.