Pampering for Men!

Turkish Cypriot men are naturally macho.  Having said that, they enjoy a daily pampering ritual that carries with it the decadent luxury of the Ottoman empire and times past.  The Turkish barber shop is ubiquitous in our part of Cyprus.  There are lots of them in other words and they are busy, particularly from late afternoon through mid evening.  Men of all ages flock to the barber shops for a luxury shave, head massage and grooming session and for a cost of a few quid.

A visit to the barber begins with a hot towel applied to the face and head to open the pores.  Various creams are applied!  Sometimes, a pore-opening face mask.  Then, a traditional shave with a cut-throat razor to get that baby smooth finish not achievable with any other method.  Modern cut throat razors come with disposable blades so that you have a fresh, clean blade for your shave.  After the shave, more creams and lotions massaged into the skin and some bracing cologne.  Then, a head and neck massage.  The options you will be offered are nose, eyebrow and ear "neatening".  This process is achieved in one of two ways: taper or wax.  Often ear hair is removed with a smouldering taper which painlessly removes the hairs.  Eyebrows are generally tweezed or trimmed depending on what is required.  Nasal hairs may be tapered or more often wax is used.  Cotton buds are dipped in wax and placed into the nostril.  When the wax has hardened, zzzzzzzzzzzipppppp, the bud is whipped out.  Yes.... I will not lie...... this is an eye watering moment...... but.... gentlemen, it lasts but a second and the result is a baby bare nose.  And more importantly an experience that will allow you to empathise with the lady in your life.

Waxed or not, I guarantee you will leave the barbers feeling like a million dollars and with the smoothest facial skin ever.  It costs about 15 ytl, around £3.50.   A pampering bargain by anyone's standards.... 

Honestly, do try this when you are in Cyprus.  My husband goes often when he is at the villa and we always take our male friends for the experience when they visit.   Many Turkish and Turkish Cypriot barbers have now opened in the UK so you might even try the experience when you get home.  It won't be £3.50 though............