Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Ladies have long enjoyed being pampered in stylish hair salons while guys got short shift in a barbershop with greasy combs and hair on the floor. Happily for local chaps a new Risborough business is now offering a unique male grooming experience in the most luxurious surroundings...
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smart blue door between the charity shops at the clock tower end of Duke Street, Princes Risborough, leads upstairs to Three Chairs, local stylist Ryan Bartlett’s unique concept in men’s hair, for which he has created the most fabulous male grooming salon, combining the relaxing, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere of a sitting room with a masculine gentlemen’s club vibe. There’s chunky leather sofas and chairs, a chic industrial edge to the solid vintage cutting chairs, a pool table and bar and the beautifully renovated 17th century beams and floorboards of the Grade II listed building - it looks great! It’s the perfect backdrop for the blend of values, skills and craftsmanship Ryan is utilising in combining modern hairdressing techniques with traditional barbering. “I’m trying to bring a bit of London style to Princes Risborough,” he says. “I worked at Man Made Grooming Rooms in Marylebone, where celebrities such as Daniel Radcliffe have their hair styled and could have beauty treatments like Botox there too if they wished!” Three Chairs isn’t going quite that far yet. Ryan and stylist Luke cater for haircuts, head shaves, beard designs and trims, face shaves and facials: “We have 40 minute appointments for men’s hair, whereas you will usually get 20 minutes in a traditional barber,” says Ryan. The perfect complement to Three Chairs is Kenny Botting’s KB Neckties also based at the salon. Kenny, right, is a skilled tailor. He undertakes men’s tailoring alterations and repairs and handcrafts original bespoke made to measure ties and bow ties. Choose your own mix of fabrics or even have your initials hand embroidered on the back - a fabulous present for Father’s Day, comes in a stylish box. From £25-£55. l www.kbneckties.co.uk Tel: 07712 610825
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“We start with a consultation and a hair wash with head massage, then we’ll cut and style your hair and give you product advice and a lesson on styling or blow drying your hair so you know how to use any products and will be able create your look again at home. We also have later opening hours, so it’s easy for clients to come in after work. “Clients can relax here and enjoy the atmosphere,” says Ryan, “have a drink and a game of pool and socialise a bit. I want there to be a friendly, sociable, club feel, rather than a rush in and out service.” Ryan grew up locally and went to Risborough School. He was keen on art and interested in hair styling from an early age: “I’d cut hair for friends and family and worked in some local barbershops. I then went to Saks Academy in Covent Garden and learnt general hairdressing skills and went on to work at Man Made before developing the idea for Three Chairs. “At the moment the staff is just me and Luke,” says Ryan, “but I’ll be looking to take someone else on later in the year. It has to be the right person though, it took me a year to find Luke. He’s from Holmer Green and was a Senior Stylist at Tony and Guy in Wycombe. I remember him giving me a really good haircut a few years ago and us getting on really well. “We’re offering something a little bit
different here but people seem to really like it. I’m planning on doing some pop-up shops at Penn Festival and Kop Hill Climb and we’re going to stage a charity poker night at the salon and have the occasional music nights. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for details.” Ryan has developed his own Three Chairs product range which includes: Salt Mist Spray, Fibre Gum, Hair Moulding Cream, Pomade, Shave and Beard Oil and Matt Grooming Clay, all smartly packaged in his Three Chairs branding and available at the salon. Salon prices range from £8 for a Head Shave or Beard trim to £10 for a Gentlemen’s facial, or £20/£25 for a haircut with Ryan/Luke. l Three Chairs Grooming, 2 Duke Street, Princes Risborough, HP27 OAT Tel: 01844 347312 Mob: 07852 907793 Email: info@threechairsgrooming.co.uk Web: www.threechairsgrooming.co.uk Open: Mon & Fri 10am-7pm, Wed & Thur 1pm9pm, Sat 8am-4pm. Closed: Sun & Tue. Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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