cover story Growing up visiting traditional Shanghai-style barber shops with his father, Adam Chan was won over by their charming atmosphere from a young age. Initially becoming a hair “stylist”, memories of his childhood visits to the barber shop persisted until he opened his own business in 2013. Offering only a classic gentlemen’s cut and shave, Chan finds that most customers visit on a regular basis every two to three weeks in order to achieve the perfect ‘fade’. “The silhouette of my signature cut is masculine and square so people come from far away to get a proper fade. Even after 16 years of cutting hair I still don’t feel bored, I love making my clients look sharp and feel great”. A classic men’s cut starts from $320 while a traditional wet shave with hot towel and straight razor is $240. Come for the haircut and stay for a drink while taking in the very Hong Kong tradition of well-regarded Shanghai-style barber shops. 2/F, 20 D’Aguilar Street, Central, 5598 9965.
Originating in Mayfair, London, Gentlemen’s Tonic has been spreading its brand of luxury men’s barber shops since 2004 and opened in Hong Kong in 2011. Relocating to its current home on Wellington Street a few years ago, Gentlemen’s Tonic offers a traditional barber shop setting as well as a full range of grooming and massage treatments to leave you feeling in tip-top shape. A standard haircut and finish starts from $585 which includes a wash, conditioning treatment and scalp massage followed by a bespoke haircut and finish. Combine your haircut with a traditional wet shave for $910.
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Facials range from the 30-minute booster facial ($500) which helps to cleanse, tone, soothe and hydrate the skin up to the antiaging 90-minute facial ($1,200) which claims to dramatically lift, tighten and firm the skin. If you’re looking to shave a little of your wallet too then opt for an afternoon of ultimate pampering with the ‘Rubio’ package ($2,100); a 180-minute session which includes haircut, wet shave, express facial, hand treatment and neck, scalp and shoulder massage. 43-49 Wellington Street, Central, 2525 2455 www.gentlemenstonic.com.