EXODUS BARBER SHOP is Atlanta’s source for XOTICS by CURTIS SMITH, the all natural, hair, skin, and barber products. The line features, SWEET JAMILA, the BEST
HAIR PRODUCT for WAVES, as well as curly and straight hair styles. Sharing the headlines is SHAVE THERAPY the most amazing all natural SHAVING-CREAM that serves as a pre, during and after shave product.
The shop’s owner, Dan Brown is the Atlanta metro area’s major distibutor for the product line.
As a Barber with an extensive clientele, I value their business, and especially their trust. For this reason, I only represent products I believe in. In the case of Xotics I exhibit that belief by using them in conjunction with my services.
I always tell my customers that to have the hair you want, you must take care of your scalp. Many traditional hair products contain harmful ingredients, most prominently petroleum, which can be very harmful to the hair follicle and consequently hair growth and quality. XOTICS products are made of all natural ingredients, which take care of the skin, scalp as well as the hair.
For more information on the proper treatment of skin and scalp, feel free to read THIS ARTICLE.
So find your way to EXODUS BARBER SHOP for the best haircuts in the Atlanta area, and why you’re here pick up some of the best products on the market. We give discounts to customers purchasing services on Xotics products. For more information on purchasing XOTICS call Dan Brown at 770-364-5778, and visit XOTICSPRODUCTS.COM
Article written by DAN BROWN THE BARBER
I have a client who recently made his way back to Exodus Barber Shop after a hiatus, due to his relocation away from our general area. He explained to me that he came back because of the quality service he received from us, and that the bus ride was worth it.
The other day he asked me why some barbers “dry shave”, because he had a negative experience with a barber during his absence from Exodus Barber Shop. For the lay person, a “dry shave” is a razor shave that is performed with no moisturizing agent, such as shaving cream, gel, etc. Honestly, I really didn’t have an answer for him that I could stand behind. I’ve talked to some barbers who employ this tactic on hair, and beard lines to sharpen them and I had never heard any justification other than that.
The customer told me that it made no sense to him because it was uncomfortable, irritated his sensitive skin, and the lines were not as sharp as mine anyway (Hey, what can I say!). So I set out to find out the some reasons for this practice. Ironically I realized that at times I use the tactic to sharpen up lines, but only after I’ve shaved them the normal way, and the skin has already been conditioned, but dried naturally. We barbers love those sharp lines (don’t you?)! I polled some tonsorial artists on various online forums.
On Facebook we have “The Barber society”, “Andis Clipper Education”, and “Barberlife 101”. There’s also an excellent forum on the Barber’s social networking site www.barberlife.com (not to be confused with the latter of the Facebook groups.) Note to barbers, and people interested in top quality barbering…don’t sleep on Social Networking Sites! Let me know about some others in the comment section if your aware of any I haven’t mentioned.
Back to subject. Most barbers I corresponded with dry shaved for the same purpose, to sharpen the line. There’s also an “ash affect”. This is a powdery like line up against the edge of the hair, beard and mustache. Some of the barbers started the shave dry, while others did it just to finish. Some, however, stated that they’d shave the entire face, and head dry, from start to finish. One of the premier barbers in the country, Johnn Belt (owner of Premier Clipper company, and Majic Touch hair products) told me he has a particular customer, with sensitive skin, that he dry shaves, because that’s the only way he doesn’t break out. Johnn is adamant that to do this you need sharp blades, and a soft touch.
The beauty of our profession is that at times, there is no definitive right or wrong answer. There are so many variables such as the sensitivity of skin, thickness of hair, sharpness of blades, touch of the Barber etc. I admit, I tackled this topic with a bit of a negative stance against the dry shave. Personally, besides finishing for that sharp line, I’m not doing it, because of the skin sensitivity issues. However, I’m not hating either. Lubrication helps protect the skin and softens the hair for easier removal. Those Barbers who choose to engage in the practice Dry Shaving must have an extremely high skill level. I will say this, amateurs…don’t try this at home.
Blog written by Dan Brown “The Barber”
Every Barber has to deal with questions regarding shaving of the beard, and razor bumps in particular. Now a little history lesson will tell you that in the days pre-dating specialization of professions, barbers were basially Surgeons, and Dentists! The Barber performed all sorts of tasks from blood letting (the red on the barber pole symbolizes blood), to pulling teeth. Needless to say, today, we are not Doctors! As a Barber, if I recognize bumps as being parasitic or fungal related, my advice usually is “go see a dermatologist”.
A common issues we deal with is Psueudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) or what we commonly call shaving or razor bumps. PFB is an inflammatory reaction of the hair follicles, that primarily affects curly haired males who shave. Basically the curly hair grows back into the skin after shaving causing the body’s immune system to react. The inflamed follicle leads to the hard bumps that afflict many a black man.
As a precursor I want to state that everyone has different skin and hair so each situation is unique. With that being said, some recommendations are universal. First and foremost is hygiene. Always use new or sterilized razors, and shavers. If reusable razors are your thing, sanitize them before and after ever use. I’m of the belief that you can never be too clean, so you can go with soap and hot water, as well as alcohol. The same thing goes for electric shavers and trimmers (no soap and water, except for certain shavers, see instructions ie. Braun).
The next phase of hygiene is your skin. Be sure to clean the area you shave. I find the best results occur after bathing or washing up. As far as shaving products go, I like them as natural as possible. I use aloe vera gel or Shave Therapy by Xotics. You can choose whatever you feel comfortable with, and there are many products on the market to choose from. I prefer to shave myself and my clients with a product that doesn’t have to be washed off because of an uncomfortable post shave residue. Shave Therapy can actually be used pre, during and post shave. I usually reapply it to the skin after cleansing.
Cleansing the skin is of the upmost importance. At home you can use soap and hot water, and I recommend a hot towel pre and post shave. Hot towels soften the hair pre shave, and cleanse as well as open the pores post shave. I use products that may contain alcohol for antiseptic qualities (after shave, sea breeze etc.), but this is where an individual’s skin condition should be taken into consideration. For example, a person with psoriasis or exzema may find their skin too sensitive to handle excessive amounts of alcohol. On the other hand, some people need to feel that burn! Monitor it, and in the case of skin conditions, once again, consult your dermatologist.
Now here’s a little something many of you don’t realize. Once you start to shave, shaving probably has to be performed on a regular basis. Personally if I don’t shave every other day I start to bump up. Many of my customers only get shaved at the Barber Shop. If I recognize a bump issue, I may recommend purchasing a good pair of trimmers (check the sidebar of the website) to maintain the beard hair in between visits. Some can’t take a razor on the neck at all and should use trimmers, or shavers that don’t take the hair too close. You may choose to use a depilatory such as Majic Shave, which chemically removes the hair. Once again, skin condition is a major factor determining ones ability to use such products. When shaving with a razor there’s no reason to apply too much pressure. If the hair is softened, and properly moisturized with a good shaving product, the blade should do the work.
Shaving is something that all men have to do, or have done. As with any other task the more knowledge you have of it, the more successful the results will be. Hopefully this article will help!
Blog written by Dan Brown “The Barber”