Most men look at shaving as a task – whether using foam and a manual razor, or an electric shaver, it’s generally a case of wham, bam, thank you ma’am. But one place can be counted on to cultivate the art of shaving.

Grand Royal Barbers, the brainchild of Maria Dillon and fourth-generation barber Steve Salecich, is a male-only establishment that was opened to fill the void of a modern barbershop that Sydney was sorely lacking. With original 1940’s barber chairs and memorabilia, it’s a fusion of old school charm meets new school design. 

They offer everything from standard to edgy haircuts, but their specialty lies in the dying art of the blade shave. Here your face-to-razor proximity warning will be in overdrive, but when done right (here’s where 20 years of experience comes in handy) can offer a super smooth finish. 

The golden rules:
Have a shower before shaving, as hot water softens your hair and opens up your pores.
Use foam and a bristle brush to raise your hairs.
Shave slowly with the grain, and then repeat against the grain.

Looking this good is a cut-throat affair. 

Grand Royal Barbers
Shop 2A, 10 Spring Street, Sydney, 2000
T: (02) 9221 8886
397 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, 2010
T: (02) 9360 3063
191 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, 2010
T: (02) 9356 3992
Haircuts from $25, Blade shave $40