185 / 302
normal style. So as the rollers start to
go in, I’m thinking here we go again. But
miraculously this time, the rollers add
the lightest touch of curls, but with loads
of lift and volume. I’ve got a bit of swish
factor going on, but it’s natural, easy, and
not all completely spoilt as soon as one
hair falls out of place. It’s basically my hair,
but at its absolute best and dressed to
kill.
So what’s the catch I hear you all
thinking! It’s Mayfair, so it’s going to be
mega expensive right? Ok, wrong again.
The prices are extremely reasonable,
especially when you take the postcode
into account. Feeling very chuffed with
myself, I decided to do a bit of exploring
of the rest of the salon. Downstairs
there’s a special men’s grooming area
(more to come on this) and an area
that’s set up like a nail bar. Is it a nail bar
I ask? “Well, potentially in the future,”
Matthew replies,“but for now I just keep
it as an area for my clients to chill out,
do their nails if they’re going out later, or
have a bit of time to kill before lunch.”
It’s this approach to business, as well as
Matthew’s amazing natural instinct with
hair that sets him apart from the rest.
Matthew’s Twitter page says ‘not boastful,
just professional’. Not just a catchy phrase,
this really sums up the character of this
Mayfair salon. As I’m leaving, Matthew
says “pop in when you’re next in the area,
doesn’t have to be for a haircut, just for a
cup of tea if you’re at a loose end.” This
may all sound a bit corny, and too good
to be true, but I can tell he really means it.
Men’s Grooming at Matthew
David by Anthony Quin
So, you were promised some more on
the men’s lounge, well here it is! This
man friendly den (think bat cave meets
gentleman’s club) in the basement of
Matthew David offers everything from
a cut, traditional hot towel shave to
moustache trimming. To start off with, I
hate trips to the hairdressers or barbers.
The memories of lots of butchered side
burns, weird fringes, and where are you
going on holiday chat fill me with dread.
So…first impressions are pretty good,
the setting is ideal for me. Set away
from the hustle and bustle of the city, an
oasis of calm, intimate low lighting, and a
decanter of whiskey on the side, and I’m
already feeling more relaxed after a
stressful day at the office. Believe it or
not, us men can be even more loyal
(stuck in our ways) than the ladies when
it comes to our hair. Fear of change can
drive us to long journeys revisiting our
home town salon for the same short
back and sides we’ve been getting since
we were 16. I meet Grace, the barber.
She’s cool, calm and collected, but you
immediately get the sense she runs this
room. Her many years of experience are
evident as she silently sets to work. She’s
tight lipped about her list of exclusive
clients, but some of the memorabilia
allude to the loyalty of her celebrity
following (think first editions of some
well-known novels). I’m kicking back,
feeling relaxed, and all of a sudden I’m
done, and I’m happy. That’s really the
biggest compliment I can pay. It was
efficient,great and to the point. As I settle
up, I have to pinch myself and remember
I’m in Mayfair, one of London’s most
exclusive, expensive neighborhoods.
www.matthewdavid.co.ukbite
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