When it comes to men’s haircuts, it used to only be limited to your girlfriend’s hair salon — or that of any other important women in your life — and the local RM10 barbershop around the corner of the street. It’s a good thing men in KL are now presented with a third option: Gentleman’s style barbershops with more finesse and skill, so you can not only get yourself a splendid haircut, but also enjoy the process while relaxing in a stylish setting.
Of late, we’re seeing more alternative barbershops opening for business, targeting street style-conscious men who want to get the perfect fade coupled with the modern version of a pompadour. There, you will find old school traditions melded with current trends. Think hot towel face massages and getting your beard professionally shaved with a classic straight razor and shaving brush, but with Arctic Monkeys blasting in the background.
But before you head to one of these 5 best barbershops in KL as we’ve suggested, do a little research on the trendiest men’s hairstyles: Fades are still very much on point, but it’s what you couple the top parts of your hair with that makes the cut. Personally, we’re digging the combination of medium length curls and a high fade, and also the Mohawk fade.
(Main image: The Oven Cuttery)
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1 /5
Hailing from London, Gentlemen’s Tonic Malaysia is the brand’s first Malaysian outpost with branches all around the world including Dubai, Hong Kong, Moscow, and Mexico. In this Kuala Lumpur branch, not only does it offer haircuts and beard grooming services, it also provides facials and massages. We’d suggest first-timers to get The Shackleton package, a 70-minute treatment that includes a haircut and finish, and a beard trim or the traditional wet shave.
Gentlemen’s Tonic Malaysia, D5-G3-03 Publika, Solaris Dutamas, No 1, Jalan Dutamas 1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +603-6412 8660
2 /5
Get a cuppa joe in Battery Acid Club and get your hair done at The Oven Cuttery, housed inside the cafe. It’s a one-man-show run by Kevin Tan who polished his skills at OTHRS Barbers, previously known as Amplitude Barbers. After you’ve gotten your haircut, be treated to a hot towel face massage and have your hair styled with Mentega Co. products – also owned by Tan. Swagger out with your new hair, fresh from the oven. Be sure to call ahead and make an appointment.
The Oven Cuttery, 21, Jalan SS 21/34, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
3 /5
If you’re a frequent patron of Art Printing Workshop (APW) in Bangsar, chances are you’ve already spotted an artisanal-looking barbershop located in the same row as Proof and Agak-Agak. That barbershop is in fact 52 Barbers, ran by McBe who also hailed from OTHRS Barber. As is the standard for most modern barbershops, the services you’ll get here are bespoke gentleman cuts, shaves, and beard trims. 52 Barbers also offers a hot towel service, which finishes off your grooming session nicely. Call ahead to book for an appointment.
52 Barbers, 29 Jalan Riong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
4 /5
Joe’s Barbershop is one of the OG hipster barbershops in the Klang Valley with its first outlet opened in 2014. It has since opened nine different barbershops throughout KL. The shop was founded by local hip hop musician Joe Flizzow, who saw a growing market of men who were asking dry cuts from his then-personal barber, Ardy Damis. Other than the basic services of haircuts, Joe’s Barbershop also offers more unusual hair styling, such as dreadlocks, cornrows, and hair tattoos.
Joe’s Barbershop, 18G Jalan SS15/8B, Subang Jaya, Selangor, +603-5613 7000
5 /5
No heads will roll here, but you will get an excellent head of hair at Sweeney Ted. Founded by Ted Lee, this one-man-show barbershop offers the full treatment of a bespoke gentleman’s haircut and is finished off with a hot and cold towel two-pass clean shave. But if you’re just hankering for a simple beard trim or a regular cut, you can opt for that too. Sweeney Ted also distributes grooming products from Burly Fellow, as well as O’Douds, both of which are conscious and all-natural grooming products. As Ted Lee operates alone, be sure to make an appointment to not be disappointed upon arrival.
Sweeney Ted, Level P1, The School, 72A, Jalan Universiti, PJS 13, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
PohNee Chin
Editor, Kuala Lumpur
Poh Nee is the editor and writes about travel and drinks. When she's not living out her holiday dreams via Google Earth and sipping on an Old Fashioned down at the local bars, you can find her snug at home bingeing on Netflix and mystery fiction.
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