Ruffians Barber Shop Review | Covent Garden, London

Timing meetings to fit in with events and catching up with friends is definitely a perk working freelance. Living so far away from London can be a right pain, so when I do visit the city I try to arrange as many things  as humanly possible. Here's where Ruffians stepped in. The guys at Ruffians Barbers invited me into their flagship store at Covent Garden, to show me around and sample their unique service.

Since visiting Murdock London I've been really getting into it the whole grooming thing, just shaving though, no eyebrow rearrangements! Ruffians' founder Andrew Cannon explained that they wanted to create a totally unique barbering experience (much more than a service), one that not only classes high quality service at the top of the list, but also considering all the finer details tend to get forgotten about. Sounds pretty sweet up to now right?

Murdock London Travels North & Competition

Northern News Alert! Barbers and Gent's Grooming specialists Murdock London are venturing up to the north of England. Murdock's products were exclusively sold from their super cool stores (and some concessions) dotted around London but now the stylish chaps of the north can get a look in. Their kit is being sold through John Lewis stores in Liverpool, Cheadle (Greater Manchester), Newcastle and not strictly the north but Nottingham as well.

As I'm based up north (Blackpool to be exact) they sent me a couple of their most popular products to test drive. The Avalon British cologne and candle to be more precise. I have the say the cologne is like no other aftershave I've really ever used, it's fresh, citrusy and smells like you've just been given a wet shave from a guy in a white vest and braces. I've worn it tones already and had quite a few compliments.

As with anything for me the packaging and presentation matters a great deal. It's simple stuff really, nice traditionally shaped bottle and charming label. Lets just say the guys on the Young Apprentice could learn a lot from this!

Competition - 

As for the candle I'm going to let one of you guys have it. I'm not one for candles but it smells just as good as the cologne (and me). You can find out a few more deets about it here but just of the top of my head, "Notes of Sicilian bergamot, Calabrian lemons and hand picked lavender from the fields of Haute Provence, whisk you away to cocktail hour on the Grand Tour, with a fresh modern twist"....comes to mind! 

I reckon this would be a pretty wicked gift for any chaps but for women too, as it's not overly manly. Or you can just have it for yourself? So if you fancy a free Christmas gift or a treat for yourself just comment on this post saying that you want it. That's it, no nonsense, just a comment. 

I'll keep the competition open for a week and will pick the winner at random on the day. This one is only open to people in the UK though, sorry. I'm going to try do a couple of competitions in the run up to Christmas so you guys will have some good stuff to give to your loved ones or keep for yourselves! So check back for more soon, I'll be keeping them unisex too. Best of luck.

The Barber Shop Project

Been a little short on the old blog posts this week, I have been busy preparing for a photo shoot with the theme of an "All American 1950s Barbershop". Here is a few images I have used for inspiration within my research, when looking at possible shots/styling/set design.

Everything seemed to go well, I will post a few pics of the final shoot when they have all been edited. We ever managed to blag a Harley Davidson!