A whole new level of male grooming @ We Need A Hero

How does an average Joe upgrade himself to become a hero? This high-street all-male grooming salon has the perfect solution

Most men underestimate the power of personal grooming, but times are changing. Say hello to an emerging breed of men who would go the extra mile to look suave. Where can they head to for the perfect cut and shave?

Where Heroes Are Made

We Need A Hero is a professional male-only grooming salon on a mission to keep men well-groomed. Services on their comprehensive menu include cut-and-shave, beard design, eyebrow-threading and full-body waxing.

We headed to this trendy outlet tucked in Tiong Bahru Estate to experience authentic old-school grooming for ourselves. Frank, Weekender’s CEO, offered himself as the test subject. The Chief Barber, Quester Ng, personally attended to Frank’s cut-and-shave.

Start Off Squeaky Clean

we need a hero — Kick-starting with a good wash

Quester explained that it’s essential to use warm water when shampooing to allow the cuticles to open, the scalp to expand and for cleansing agents to readily penetrate the hair. Next, he used a peppermint conditioner that invigorated the senses and offered a tingling sensation. Finishing off with a cool rinse closed the pores.

Nimble Fingers Make Fast Snips

Quester then blow-dried Frank’s hair and started snipping away deftly. An industry stalwart who has worked with celebrities, he readily dispensed numerous insiders’ combing and styling tips as he created Frank’s new hairdo.

Previously averse to getting his hair buzzed at all costs, Frank decided to give Quester free reign this time. Starting at the base, Quester expertly trimmed off parts of Frank’s crop that originally looked too poufy.

A Part from the Rest

Next, Frank was given an elegant side-parting, a refreshing change from his usual “motorcycle helmet hairstyle”. Quester said it takes at least five days of consistent combing in the right direction for one to maintain a new hair parting.

After adding the finishing touches to Frank’s crowning glory, Quester applied some pomade to give the hair a slight sheen and to hold the style. Frank’s looking more charming already!

The Art of Old-school Shaving

Next comes the shave. Firstly, a hot towel was wrapped around Frank’s face for 40 seconds to open the pores. A moisturising lotion was then applied to lubricate the areas to be shaved.

While most men just slather on shaving cream haphazardly with their hands, Quester stressed that it’s crucial to use a shaving brush. The bristles of a shaving brush lift the hair away from the skin surface while distributing the shaving cream, thus allowing the blade to cut closer.

The first shave was done along the grain (in the direction of the hair growth). The process is then repeated across the grain. The final shave was done against the grain.

To wrap up the shave, a refreshing cold towel was applied over Frank’s face, followed by the aftershave. These meticulous steps ensured that Frank could achieve a clean-shaven look without putting up with much skin irritation.