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A Men’s Guide to Grooming in Seattle

Until recently, only a fraction of the services and products in the multibillion-dollar beauty industry were for men. Now, however, men are getting their due with more and more companies offering male-specific products and services

By Andrew Hoge and Chelsea Lin April 12, 2019

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This article originally appeared in the April 2019 issue of Seattle magazine.

This article appears in print in the April 2019 issue, as part of the Local Beauty Secrets cover story. Click here to subscribe.

Dermal Fillers
SkinSpirit Skincare Clinic and Spa
University Village, 2613 NE University Village St.; 206.522.2613
Once a treatment popular with women who wanted to maintain a youthful appearance, dermal fillers—which typically use hyaluronic acid and similar substances to address concerns such as lines around the mouth and thin or uneven lips—are increasingly for men. “We are seeing a lot more men seeking the rugged masculinity encapsulated in the Northwest natural look,” says George Baxter-Holder, an aesthetic nurse practitioner at SkinSpirit. “Dermal fillers in a man’s face create more chiseled features, like a strong chin and defined jawline.”

Platelet-rich Plasma for Hair Loss
Glow Medispa
West Seattle, 4409 California Ave. SW, Suite 100; 206.800.7379
It’s no secret that one of the most prominent aesthetic concerns for men is premature hair loss. Luckily, the rise in popularity of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, a treatment that involves separating platelet-rich fibrin and PRP (see PRP face-lift on page 56) from the patient’s blood and injecting them into the scalp ($750/session), will have men everywhere throwing away their caps and scheduling a consultation. Anecdotal evidence suggests this treatment is promising in reversing hair loss. But the key is to stick with it—two to three maintenance visits per year are recommended. “PRP requires long-term maintenance, and though I’ve seen many men for the initial treatment series, fewer of them [than women] maintain it,” says Katherine Dee, M.D., at Glow Medispa.

Gentleman’s Facial
Spa at the Four Seasons Hotel
Downtown, 99 Union St.; 206.749.7000
The unique skin care needs of men, who tend to have larger pores and produce more oil than women, have largely gone unaddressed. Thankfully, several local spas have recently developed facials tailored for men that clean out pores and focus on exfoliation to release trapped ingrown hairs and remove dead skin cells. With the Gentleman’s Facial ($150), you’ll enjoy 50 minutes of serious skin rejuvenation.

Shave and a Haircut
Acme Barbershop
Capitol Hill, 103-A Bellevue Ave. E; 206.709.2263
Simone David Barbershop
Downtown, 1420 Fifth Ave. #219; 206.900.9700
While the popularity of the retro barbershop is nothing new for a certain group of suspender-wearing hipsters around town, more and more men have decided to see what all the fuss is about and enjoy a traditional visit to the barber while upping their pompadour game in the process. Find a range of services, from a buzz cut to a straight razor shave, at Acme Barbershop, with its retro vibe; or at Simone David Barbershop, with its leather-and-mahogany digs.

A Grooming Guide for the Well-kempt Man

Let’s face it: Sometimes figuring out where to start in the world of men’s grooming can be daunting. Maybe you weren’t taught its importance while growing up. Or perhaps social stigmas have prevented you from taking these opportunities seriously. But the truth is, it’s now easier than ever to up your grooming game. Not sure where to start? Our step-by-step guide will get you there

Step 1: Haircut and Beard Trim
Finding a barber who will listen to your needs and execute the perfect haircut every time is essential, akin to finding the ideal beer buddy or game-day comrade. Your first stop should be the closest thing to a man cave for the well-groomed gentleman: the salon at Gene Juarez Men. Enjoy expert services (haircuts from $50) and local beer on tap and a flat-screen. Now that’s what we call a touchdown. Bellevue, 700 110th Ave. NE, Suite 290; 425.450.2999; genejuarezmen.com

Step 2: Mani-pedi
Scheduling a monthly manicure and pedicure will add another coat of polish to your look—and an hour of refreshing downtime. The Beau Pedicure ($40) at Spa Jolie is specifically tailored for men, with a longer exfoliation process and a focus on callus removal. Madison Park, 4114 E Madison St.; 206.323.9298; spajolieseattle.com

Step 3: Proper Grooming Supplies
If you are tired of leaving the house with razor burn and ingrown hairs, update your shaving routine by investing in a shave kit courtesy of The Art of Shaving. The starter kit ($30) includes pre-shave oil, a shaving brush, shaving cream and after-shave balm. Pacific Place, downtown, 600 Pine St., No. 135; 206.737.8370; theartofshaving.com

Step 4: Facial
Address those skin concerns—from patches of redness to fine lines—with a personalized skincare routine. Habitude’s Essential Facial (from $118) is designed specifically for men; a specialist will perform pore extractions, minimize razor burn, and even give you a neck and shoulder massage. Ballard, 2801 NW Market St.; 206.782.2898; habitude.com

Step 5: Concealer
Even with a good skincare routine, there are days when your skin will not want to cooperate. Keeping a stick of Tom Ford’s concealer for men ($42) handy will save you in a pinch, helping to cover blemishes, circles under the eyes and razor burn. And no, makeup isn’t just for girls. Available at Nordstrom, multiple locations, including downtown, 500 Pine St.; 206.628.2111

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