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Owner Sam Buffa (the man behind the FSC Barber empire) has tweaked the blueprint at Fellow Barber’s latest location in Soho: "We’re moving away from the complete antique look and pushing the envelope on barbershop design," he says. So while you’ll still sit in a vintage barber chair, modern touches like nickel-plated cabinets and white metal give the place a pared-down look. He’s also added a fully-stocked apothecary to the front of the store with pomades, shaving creams, and shampoos. (Of note: Buffa says he washes his hair only once every two weeks. "The debate of ’should men wash their hair or not’ goes off in our barbershops every day. I’m somewhat in between—I’m active and out motorcycling and surfing so I use a conditioning shampoo. Most guys are still using stuff that’s too harsh.")
The Vibe: With a large storefront and spacious backyard, Buffa says the spot is "pretty amazingly quaint—we wanted it to feel like you’re walking into someone’s upstate apartment."
The Cut: "We’ve really perfected the hybrid style between a traditional barber cut and something that still has a bit of naturalness. Our guy wants a tight cut but he doesn’t want it to be obvious when he walks out that he’s just had his hair done."
The Goods: To help you pick out dopp kit essentials, Buffa has ’grooming guides’ on hand—knowledgeable advisers who can explain the difference between a cream and a clay and help you sort through brands like Odin, Ursa Major, and Proraso. The guides will keep your profile on hand so you can phone in to re-order, or even have a package with your essentials sent out on the reg.
A Few of Buffa’s Favorite Things:
Malin and Goetz Sage Styling Cream "I have pretty thick hair and like a natural look. This cream gives hair a couple days dirty look and has light hold."
Juniper Ridge Siskiyou Cedar Soap "I’m a huge fan of their bar soaps. These guys go out to state parks and national forests and get permission to forage the land for things like pine needles and sage to make essential oils."
Wahl Sterling Stinger Clipper "If you don’t have time to go to the barber for a beard trim, I recommend buying professional grade clippers. They cost more but will last you a lifetime."
Fellow Barber, 33 Crosby St, New York, NY 10013
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