The Art of Shaving

My review of the Art of Shaving relates only to the in-​store experience I had yesterday at the Costa Mesa store, and not to the products.
I came in looking for a specific item, aftershave, and realized very quickly that there were no prices on anything in the store. The salesman was initially very helpful, although to be fair I almost walked out due to them not having things labelled or priced clearly. The salesman just briefly talked to me about his idea of how to shave, etc, and then tried to sell me a «kit» of several items.
I agreed to try it out. So far so good. He said their products were very high quality. Okay, whatever. Sure. I’ll buy some.
Then a strange thing happened, not once but twice. I was ready to buy a kit that was not their cheapest, but instead was the next one up, around $ 80 or so. Then I was told «you need a stand for your brush.» I was shown what looked like a $ 2.50 piece of plastic, with a round plastic stand, a pole in the middle, and a little hook to hang a razor and a brush on. Okay fine.
When we got to the register, the salesman then had a flurry of fast talking and said he could give me full size instead of samples, and the best brush they have, for no change in price. He repeated it more than once. I thought «there must be a catch» but said ok. He started to ring me up. I noticed the cash register read an amount over $ 450. I protested and stopped him.
He then, for the first time, explained that the razor cost $ 175, the stand was $ 100 (really?) and the other items all were in larger quantities so those cost more too. But he had said none of that before. I reminded him we were talking about $ 80.
He then said, well, how bout we go with the so and so package with this razor then? And once again, a flurry of fast talking, no large dollar amounts mentioned, lots of words like «free» and «same price». We get to the register. Now it reads $ 268. Again I protest.
What I really should have done was walk out. But I got him to give me what I actually initially agreed to buy and then left.
The whole store was set up for this kind of thing, right down to the lack of visible prices on anything in the store, to the cheesy sales techniques. I came in wearing jeans and a pullover shirt, and it wasn’t until the salesman realized I am an attorney that the attempts to gouge me really began in earnest. Which shows that not only are they cheesy but poor judges of character. I actually think the salesman hoped I wouldn’t notice the charge. No one in their right mind would pay $ 100 for that stand, or $ 175 for that razor, and if their cream and aftershave are no better, I won’t be buying there again.

My fiancé had been growing a beard before our wedding and I decided I would book him an appointment with a barber to shave it off. I consider $ 55 for a shave pretty steep, but I wanted to pamper him a little bit, so I went ahead and booked an appointment. I have worked in a salon before and know how important customer service is. Right away I was surprised by the receptionist. He was very short when I was asking questions about the shave. I wanted to book their first available for a Sunday morning and he told me it was 10am. A few days later the barber called me to tell me that there was no way we could have a 10am appointment, because they don’t open until 11am. The day before the appointment the receptionist left a voice mail confirming that the appointment was at 10:45am. I called back to see which time it was, 10:45 or 11:00, and he rudely told me that I had been called already to change my appointment to 10:45. At that point I was put off, but I really wanted a good experience for my fiancé. Against better judgement, we set out for the appointment Sunday morning and at 10:40am, we were entering the mall, the receptionist called to tell us they needed to cancel our appointment. Some of the worst customer service I have experienced. Needless to say, we made an appointment with a different barber and that experience was great.

First off, I’ve been Using their products for about 7 years. Love it. If your a man you shave with art of shaving, nothing else.
I decided to do the Royal Shave package. Alejandro was the barber and he the best! Very friendly and super knowledgeable. He knows what he is doing and very delicate and precise. The whole process is great!
I wouldn’t go to anyone else after this incredible shave.
Alejandro is a high caliber barber. Absolutely the best. Everyone must try him.
As for the girls in the front they weren’t the greatest. They weren’t as pleasant and inviting.

Best place in oc to get a beard trim. Great job on the haircut as well.

The first time I went Santiago was amazing. However, every other time I’ve gone, the service gets worse and worse. I guess if you’re a returning customer they think you’ll keep coming back and won’t provide you with good service. The last time I went, Santiago was rude and it was a very awkward experience. My beard also didn’t come out looking very good and I believe it’s because Santiago just didn’t care that day.
They also ask for your email address and if you give it to them they will bombard you with emails. I get several ever week and click unsubscribe each time yet they keep coming.
My facial hair was massed up enough last time I went in that I had to shave completely which upset me, and now I get an email reminder every week which is just salt in the wound

Very bad experience! They called me multiple times to confirm my appointment and then 45mins before my appointment I received a phone call saying that your shave is cancelled because the barber was ill. Then they said we won’t be able to reschedule until the following week!!!

My first experience with them and i was very disappointed.
I’ve got a wedding to attend in 2 days and i Made an appointment with them 2weeks ahead. Didnt get a confirmation call they day before, So i called them on my appointment day only to figure out they gave my appointment away! They made a mess out of my plans, however it turned out best for me. I found a barbershop that’s much friendlier with much less attitude than these guys.

Santiago is absolutely amazing. He’s truly an artist, takes his time and makes sure everything is perfect. His attention to detail goes a long way. Best experience ever every time I visit the barber spa.

Shave: Alejandro overall did a great service. He was able to inform me on different areas to improve my shave, how to take care of my hair and make it look more ‘lively’ than the current look.
Price: $ 55 for royal shave. Bit steep, but it’s a high end place of business.
Store associates: very professional, informative and truly enjoy the store.
I recommend would recommend to anyone looking for professional grade A service!

Came in to snag some more shaving cream and Celeste helped us out. I was just bragging to my boy Charlie at how amazing their products and staff were and Celeste definitely proved that. She provided Charlie with an in store demo showcasing the 4 part shaving system. She assisted me in my purchase of shaving cream and some steel small tools for my dopp kit and we were out. I’m sure Charlie will be back soon to snag a kit. Thanks guys.

My husband is a fan of The Art of Shaving company and while we were shopping at the South Coast Plaza and walking away from Banana Republic (down the same wing as Bloomingdale’s by the way), my husband realized that he needed more after shave balm (helps to keep his skin moisturize after a clean shave).
So we walked inside and were immediately greeted by a friendly sales associate (with a pretty cool looking mustache, unfortunate I did not get his name). He offered to give my husband 10% off his total purchase if he signs up for the loyalty club. So of course he signed up and picked up his after shave balm ($ 38.88 after discount and tax… pricey, but the quality of these products are excellent).
The sales associate assisting my husband was helpful in providing sample scents of each different types of shave balm and also showed him (and me) this after shave type of cologne (not exactly sure what the proper name of this product is).
By the way, this particular location has a chair in case you want to get a nice close shave (the sales associate told us it was $ 55 for the royal shave treatment).

This is a late review for the Barber Spa. I had the Royal Shave and Head Shave. This was an awesome experience. This was the first time having this service. Alejandro was my Master Barber, and I learned a lot from him about shaving my head and face. This was a great treat from my wife. I told her this was one of the best gifts she has ever gave me. I know AoS products are high but my skin feels much better afterwards compared to the other products I have tried. Thanks again Alejandro!

Nice products but not friendly staff at all. I was barely greeted nicely when I entered like I was harassing them… I was the only customer in the store. I only bought here because this is the closest location to me. I will definitely not come here but will drive to the Mission Viejo location or buy online. 2 stars only because the layout of the store is nicely done, it sells itself.

This Art of Shaving location is very unprofessional. When I called to make an appointment for a shave and a haircut, they forgot to ask for my name and the level of shave that I wanted. When I went in for my appointment, they were very rude. They kept trying to get me to upgrade to a Royal shave which I told them that I didn’t want. They even badmouthed their Las Vegas branch, which I have been to before.
They did a good job on the shave but my haircut was uneven in the back. I didn’t realize this until a friend told me later that night. The next day, I called the corporate office to file a complaint and see if I could get a refund on the haircut alone. The corporate employee was also very rude and she didn’t seem to care. They never got back to me and that is why I am writing this negative review to warn others not to go to The Art of Shaving in Costa Mesa because of their horrible costumer service and lack of skill. I am taking my business elsewhere!

This particular Art of Shaving store has lost my business, and I’m probably just going to stop using their products all together. I purchased a badger hair shave brush from this store 6 months ago for well over $ 60 and it has already begun loosing the badger hairs. About 20 – 30 hairs end up all over my sink or face each time I use the brush. So I did the logical thing and called the store and asked about their warranty to see if I could get a replacement at no cost. I was told by the man on the phone that loosing hairs over time is normal and that they wouldn’t be able to exchange the brush. I then said to the man on the phone, «so you guys don’t stand behind your products?» He replied, «yeah, yeah, of course we do.» That response didn’t make any sense to me. Either they will exchange the brush or they won’t. I guess Art of Shaving employees are also skilled in the art of the circle jerk. LOL. In any event, I’ll be putting in a word with Art of Shaving corporate on my issue. For those people considering buying anything at this particular store, don’t do it. You will have no warranty whatsoever, despite what the sales person tells you. If there is a warranty, this location will make you fight tooth and nail to replace a product. Think of how great Costco is at taking products back. The art of shaving is the exact opposite of Costco. You’ll need a lawyer and lots of great evidence before this store takes one of it’s products back. Considering the cost of all their products, it’s just not worth the risk if it doesn’t work out.

I’m a huge fan of the AoS! Having said that, this particular chain is just awful. I always said that if you want quality, then you’ll have to pay for it. Such is the philosophy of the AoS. This particular store treated me like crap. The guy with the plastic mustache decided to debate me on a particular product I wasn’t happy with. Instead of leaving it alone, he publicly humiliated me to tell me I was wrong and I should be happy with any of their products. Then he told me that they intentionally introduce new incompatible products to get money from us. Because of him, not only will I not shop here, but I will look for other high quality shaving products elsewhere. I cannot believe I was so loyal to a product that treats their customers badly. Goodbye AoS.

If I was a man this place would be my indulgent. To be treated like a true gentleman in a very sophisticated way, ahhh yes this would be my place. I stopped in and was very impressed with the barber spa in the back. It looked like a wonderful experience, just like the way a man should be treated. Darrell on the floor was super informative with all aspects of man grooming, shaving techniques and skin care. Terrific service and attentiveness. Why shouldn’t a man enjoy being treated to wonderful shave products and all the pampering that goes with it? I do feel a man should review this place but I am really pleased I stopped in because this is one great gift idea!

Went from a customer to a raving fan after Angela replaced my 2 year old, $ 200 razor after I dropped it in the shower and it broke. I called the store just to see if they could do anything for me, but not really expecting much. After explaining my situation Angela originally only offered a discount toward a new one but I guess she heard the disappointment in my voice because she then she would replace it at no charge!
I was surprised and will be a loyal customer for years to come. I can’t wait to get a shave!
Way to go Angela! Thank you!

My only real complaint about Art of Shaving is that their items are a bit pricey. But, they’re good quality so I guess that the trade off.
I particularly like this location because it has an actual barber shop in the back. A lot of the locations in Southern California don’t.
But the best part about AoS is that the staff is always so friendly and knowledgeable. This is true for all of the locations I’ve been to, not just this one. For this trip we went in to talk to someone about how to set up an appointment for a shave as well as look for potential groomsmen gifts. The employee (sorry, I don’t remember her name) was extremely helpful and answered all of our questions honestly and right away.

Before, you consider The Art of Shaving as an overpriced, grooming salon, you have to look at it from another perspective. A lot of people don’t see these establishments as barber shops that sell expensive shaving supplies and skincare products. And NO, the Master Barber isn’t going to slice your throat as he gives you a professional shave. If you’re anxious about these kind of things or paranoid about people touching you, then just STOP reading right here.
There’s more to the story. Some men like to get pampered, just as much as women. If I told myself several years ago that I would eventually get regular massages, I’d probably be laughing my ass off. But as you mature, you appreciate the things that make you feel good, hopefully reducing some stress along the way. Haircuts, facials, foot massages, manicures, pedicures — you Unilocalers have this stuff down to a science. Also, you don’t have to turn professional overnight. It’s not starting from high school and then jumping to the NBA in one day. There’s nothing in the handbook that tells you to start using the straight razor immediately. Cause they promote finely made razors, replacement blades, and electric shavers. Plus, no need to go all out on the grooming products.
Start easy with some of the following:
* Pre-​Shave Oil
* Shaving Cream
* After-​Shave Balm
* Shaving Brush
For the most part, they all seem to be high-​end, quality products. Several of my buddies swear by them, as they provide shaving kits as gifts, especially during Father’s Day or for a male relative or friend. Expensive? A little bit, but I have a gut feeling that I’m going to enjoy using this stuff, along with their relaxing amenities. Procter & Gamble (multinational consumer goods company, owner of the Gillette brand) believed in them so much, that they bought the national retail chain in 2009.
The worker that helped me today was friendly, knowledgeable, and obviously well groomed. He even offered me FREE sample packets of unscented oil, cream, and balm, excluding the brush. The Lemon Essential Oil After-​Shave Balm caught my attention after I tried some at the shop. It felt clean and soothing. Pricy at $ 40, but it had an inviting citrus smell, made with shea butter and grape seed extract. The balm is antiseptic and alcohol-​free, claims to promote healthy skin, as it refreshes and hydrates after shaving. SOLD. I have just joined the «Brotherhood of Shaving.»
Reading some of the reviews at the various locations, many of the clientle swear by the services of the Master Barbers that work there. These guys know what they’re doing cause they’re Masters of their Craft. They teach you that there’s a method to this madness, a right and wrong way of completing the task correctly, using all the essentials, therefore showing you — The Art of Shaving (
).
Master Barbers perform high end shaves, hair cuts, head shaves, and beard/​mustache trims. Each service lasting anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes. Reviews perceive them to be gentle, friendly, meticulous, and very informative, as they explain the tips and tricks — all in a masculine, comfortable way. A few locations offer manicures and pedicures as well. TIP — not all stores have Master Barbers present. NO for Brea, GO for Costa Mesa. Check out their website for the nearest barber spa (
).
YOUR AFTER SHAVE
Studies shows that men who shave 5 times a week or more, have more sex twice as often as men who don’t. Some men also report earning less money, being less happy, and not feeling as confident. Alright, so maybe the fact is that guys who shave have normal jobs, but the findings are intriguing, yet somewhat compelling.