Shaving,......probably more for the men!

[MWEP]

One of the things I've always enjoyed when visiting countries like Spain is that you still come across what might be described as a "Traditional barber" or and no insult intended , but "Old fashioned barber"
I like to go in and have a proper shave and being "Follically challenged" have a head shave every couple of weeks.
Just wondering if any of the chaps on here like to do the same and found any good places in any of the villages between the larger towns.

 

[NYSE]

One of the things I've always enjoyed when visiting countries like Spain is that you still come across what might be described as a "Traditional barber" or and no insult intended , but "Old fashioned barber"
I like to go in and have a proper shave and being "Follically challenged" have a head shave every couple of weeks.
Just wondering if any of the chaps on here like to do the same and found any good places in any of the villages between the larger towns.

Absolutely! While walking the Portuguese this past autumn I stopped in Porto and had a very clean strait razor shave. And on the way back to Lisbon i stopped again for another. I don't think I can get a shave like that in the States anymore. Certainly not where I live.

 

[MWEP]

Absolutely! While walking the Portuguese this past autumn I stopped in Porto and had a very clean strait razor shave. And on the way back to Lisbon i stopped again for another. I don't think I can get a shave like that in the States anymore. CView attachment 162509ertainly not where I live.

Think we are on exactly the same page!

 

[J Willhaus]

Phil has had a shave or beard trim and haircut at a number of places on the Camino and in Santiago. No trick to it really. Pop in and ask if they have time and/ or when you should come back if there is a need for a later appt. Do it on Google Translate if you don't have the verbal skills. He usually also asks how much it will be in advance.

He's had it done in Carrion and Leon and also Santiago.

 

[alexwalker]

On my first Camino in 2008 I let my beard grow, and it has stayed on since. But I trim it it weekly or so. And I invest in a good haircut when my Camino is over .

 

[MWEP]

On my fu\irst Camino in 2008 I let my beard grow, and it has stayed on since. But I trim it it weekly or so. And I invest in a good haircut when my Camino is over .

Me with a beard is a horrible sight!!

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola - what a topic?? My first thought was (1) get a haircut before leaving home; (2) let your beard grow. I think I ended up shaving every three or five days, usually when I stayed in regular hotels with good lights around the bathroom mirrors and of course lots of hot water. As one who has very fair skin (from my Irish and English ancestors) the beard did something to provide sun protection (in addition to SPF50+ sun block).
Good advice, as usual, offered from above. Cheers

 

[MWEP]

Hola - what a topic?? My first thought was (1) get a haircut before leaving home; (2) let your beard grow. I think I ended up shaving every three or five days, usually when I stayed in regular hotels with good lights around the bathroom mirrors and of course lots of hot water. As one who has very fair skin (from my Irish and English ancestors) the beard did something to provide sun protection (in addition to SPF50+ sun block).
Good advice, as usual, offered from above. Cheers

For me getting a shave is about the experience, if you have never had a hot towel, wet shave I strongly recommend it.
Also I have very little hair and if let it grow for about 2 weeks I end up looking like a vicar!
Dip your toe in the water and treat yourself and you'll see why I enjoy it

 

[stevepjq]

I always have well trimmed facial hair while at home. I start my Camino journeys as such. I normally visit a traditional barber in the middle and then at SdC. The best shave I have had was from a barber in Sarria just a few hundred yards up from the stairs

 

[Camino Chrissy]

After his six week Camino Frances, my son decided to stop in a barber shop for a hair cut and a proper shave, which he had never had before. I watched as the barber went to work, hot towel and wet shave, and he came away looking his best and more cleaned up than on his wedding day five years earlier.

 

[Lindsay53]

I get a haircut and beard trim from my local barber before I leave and forget about it for the duration, apart from a weekly trim around my mouth with a disposable razor carried for the purpose.

 

[OZAJ]

Hospital D'Orbigo on the main drag, right hand side on the way out.

I usually have a head and beard trim every few weeks. At home I do it myself. On the Camino I find a barber and usually it is done with an electric razor.

In Hospital, I poked my head into the shop. Two elderly men chewing the fat with the elderly barber. I asked for a trim, expecting what I was used to - electric razor. BUT NO!!!!!

The barber used manual cutters and cutthroat razor. MAESTRO!!!

It wasn't just a haircut and beard trim.

 

[Bill's_Walking]

For me getting a shave is about the experience, if you have never had a hot towel, wet shave I strongly recommend it.
Also I have very little hair and if let it grow for about 2 weeks I end up looking like a vicar!
Dip your toe in the water and treat yourself and you'll see why I enjoy it

FWIW Google "wet shave" so you can have that experience at home. I grew my beard out when Covid arrived but before I wet shaved at home with a safety razor and used to use a hot wet wash cloth. I did get all the other gear too. My excuse for not doing this on the Camino is you can't take a safety razor in carry on luggage. Besides I like my beard.

 

[ShellToucher]

FWIW Google "wet shave" so you can have that experience at home. I grew my beard out when Covid arrived but before I wet shaved at home with a safety razor and used to use a hot wet wash cloth. I did get all the other gear too. My excuse for not doing this on the Camino is you can't take a safety razor in carry on luggage. Besides I like my beard.

I brought my safety razor and just picked up DEs when I got to Spain! The razor is bakelite and was disassembled in my dopp kit. As long as there’s no blades I never have had a problem! Oh and another tip, if you are booked at a hotel (on any trip) ship the blades ahead! Buen Camino…and Shave On!

 

[MWEP]

After his six week Camino Frances, my son decided to stop in a barber shop for a hair cut and a proper shave, which he had never had before. I watched as the barber went to work, hot towel and wet shave, and he came away looking his best and more cleaned up than on his wedding day five years earlier.

I remember the first time I had a full on hot towel shave, I felt fantastic.
I have no Idea why, but you just feel so much better than doing it yourself.

 

[MWEP]

Hospital D'Orbigo on the main drag, right hand side on the way out.

I usually have a head and beard trim every few weeks. At home I do it myself. On the Camino I find a barber and usually it is done with an electric razor.

In Hospital, I poked my head into the shop. Two elderly men chewing the fat with the elderly barber. I asked for a trim, expecting what I was used to - electric razor. BUT NO!!!!!

The barber used manual cutters and cutthroat razor. MAESTRO!!!

It wasn't just a haircut and beard trim.

Now that's what I'm talking about.
An old chap, who has done it for years and years!
I am surrounded by modern barbers in my home town, but to go into an old style traditional barbers in a small village, can't be beaten

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I remember the first time I had a full on hot towel shave, I felt fantastic.
I have no Idea why, but you just feel so much better than doing it yourself.

Watching my son get that straight razor shave reminded me of the ones I've seen in classic cowboy movies. It is possibly becoming a lost "art" in general, especially when you don't want to cut the client.

 

[PMSLAW]

It was a wonderful experience. 2013. He spoke no English and I no Spanish. Yet we deciphered each other well enough that I learned it was his 65th birthday and he had 4 grandchildren. I believe he has since retired.

Part 36. A Shortcut and a Haircut, Peter M. Schloss, J.D. - Mediator.

May 12-13, 2013. Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo and Vega de Valcarce. May 12th was a largely unremarkable day on the Camino

mediationkc.com

 

[RRat]

One of the things I've always enjoyed when visiting countries like Spain is that you still come across what might be described as a "Traditional barber" or and no insult intended , but "Old fashioned barber"
I like to go in and have a proper shave and being "Follically challenged" have a head shave every couple of weeks.
Just wondering if any of the chaps on here like to do the same and found any good places in any of the villages between the larger towns.

Not a problem.

One of the things I've always enjoyed when visiting countries like Spain is that you still come across what might be described as a "Traditional barber" or and no insult intended , but "Old fashioned barber"
I like to go in and have a proper shave and being "Follically challenged" have a head shave every couple of weeks.
Just wondering if any of the chaps on here like to do the same and found any good places in any of the villages between the larger towns.

Not a problem. But no different than walking into any shop in a new town. There are the "shave and a haircut, two bits" shops and the designer fashion shops. The price, cliental, and shop layout will provide clues.

 

[Peadarmac]

One of the things I've always enjoyed when visiting countries like Spain is that you still come across what might be described as a "Traditional barber" or and no insult intended , but "Old fashioned barber"
I like to go in and have a proper shave and being "Follically challenged" have a head shave every couple of weeks.
Just wondering if any of the chaps on here like to do the same and found any good places in any of the villages between the larger towns.

https://g.co/kgs/2Jd1XfN

Top barber shop in Astorga that I had the pleasure of frequenting back in 2015. About a 5 mins walk from the Cathedral. I believe the owners son now runs things. If walking the CF you will be well ready for a shave and cut by the time you get to Astorga…….

Alternatively if walking the Via de la Plata I believe there’s a Barber in Seville …… apologies , couldn’t resist that

Buen Camino

 

[Peadarmac]

https://g.co/kgs/2Jd1XfN

Top barber shop in Astorga that I had the pleasure of frequenting back in 2015. About a 5 mins walk from the Cathedral. I believe the owners son now runs things. If walking the CF you will be well ready for a shave and cut by the time you get to Astorga…….

Alternatively if walking the Via de la Plata I believe there’s a Barber in Seville …… apologies , couldn’t resist that

Buen Camino

 

[David Tallan]

I was bearded for my 1989 Camino and grew a beard on my 2016 Camino (and shaved it off upon my return, to my wife's great relief). But then my wife gave me my sello with the drawing of me she had done (which is used as my Forum avatar). Now I can't grow a beard on my Caminos, because if I do, I won't march the drawing.

I've been shaving myself with a light disposable razor every couple of days. But I'm certainly open to considering a barbershop shave.

 

[MWEP]

Great picture!

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Now I can't grow a beard on my Caminos, because if I do, I won't march the drawing

But then you could walk incognito

 

[David Tallan]

But then you could walk incognito

I'm hardly incognito if I am using my sello to share contact info. And then people couldn't look at the sello and remember me.

 

[ian&linda]

I shaved my head before leaving home and took a couple of disposal razors with me. Shaved my beard about every 2-3 days and then went to a lovely barber in León who charged me €7 for a head shave. He was very attentive and a skilled barber. Tony Mellado, Pl. Jardin de San Francisco, 14, 24004 León, Spain

 

[gns]

If you want to smarten up on your way to the Praza de Obradoiro there is the Barberia Milenio on Rua de San Pedro.

 

[jflorez]

I got a great haircut and shave at Peluquería de Caballeros El Aseo, on Rua San Pedro in Melide. Super friendly, and professional, right on the Camino.

​

 

[oursonpolaire]

For my past few caminos I have embraced the town barber for a no. 1 beard trim, which saves me the bother of carrying my beard trimming machine and injects a few extra euro into the local economy. I have had some great chats in my execrable Castellano, and in Tapia de Casariego held two patrons spellbound with my description of life in Ottawa, dodging polar bears on the way to work. In Zaragoza I found myself getting trimmed in the barber beside the local Guardia Civil HQ, to the amusement of several retired Guards (one of whom brought me a cafe solo from the nearby bar while I waited). As @Rebekah Scott once mentioned to me that, off the main piste, pilgrims were the major entertainment.

Elsewhere on the boards in years gone by I mentioned the retired Scottish naval officer who had a straight-razor wet shave every 3 or 4 days along the del Norte. He, too, sought out the older barbers, many of whom had trained in the Spanish forces in the days of conscription (apparently many young men would rather learn to cut hair than to stomp around on training patrols in the campos)-- his Castellano was good enough to chat. He said that the barbers immediately identified him as an officer and he enjoyed being called Senor Amiral. On a few occasions, he was invited in to the local restaurant for the menu de dia and said that getting a shave was a great entrée into Spanish life.

 

[MWEP]

For my past few caminos I have embraced the town barber for a no. 1 beard trim, which saves me the bother of carrying my beard trimming machine and injects a few extra euro into the local economy. I have had some great chats in my execrable Castellano, and in Tapia de Casariego held two patrons spellbound with my description of life in Ottawa, dodging polar bears on the way to work. In Zaragoza I found myself getting trimmed in the barber beside the local Guardia Civil HQ, to the amusement of several retired Guards (one of whom brought me a cafe solo from the nearby bar while I waited). As @Rebekah Scott once mentioned to me that, off the main piste, pilgrims were the major entertainment.

Elsewhere on the boards in years gone by I mentioned the retired Scottish naval officer who had a straight-razor wet shave every 3 or 4 days along the del Norte. He, too, sought out the older barbers, many of whom had trained in the Spanish forces in the days of conscription (apparently many young men would rather learn to cut hair than to stomp around on training patrols in the campos)-- his Castellano was good enough to chat. He said that the barbers immediately identified him as an officer and he enjoyed being called Senor Amiral. On a few occasions, he was invited in to the local restaurant for the menu de dia and said that getting a shave was a great entrée into Spanish life.

Great Post!

For my past few caminos I have embraced the town barber for a no. 1 beard trim, which saves me the bother of carrying my beard trimming machine and injects a few extra euro into the local economy. I have had some great chats in my execrable Castellano, and in Tapia de Casariego held two patrons spellbound with my description of life in Ottawa, dodging polar bears on the way to work. In Zaragoza I found myself getting trimmed in the barber beside the local Guardia Civil HQ, to the amusement of several retired Guards (one of whom brought me a cafe solo from the nearby bar while I waited). As @Rebekah Scott once mentioned to me that, off the main piste, pilgrims were the major entertainment.

Elsewhere on the boards in years gone by I mentioned the retired Scottish naval officer who had a straight-razor wet shave every 3 or 4 days along the del Norte. He, too, sought out the older barbers, many of whom had trained in the Spanish forces in the days of conscription (apparently many young men would rather learn to cut hair than to stomp around on training patrols in the campos)-- his Castellano was good enough to chat. He said that the barbers immediately identified him as an officer and he enjoyed being called Senor Amiral. On a few occasions, he was invited in to the local restaurant for the menu de dia and said that getting a shave was a great entrée into Spanish life.

Great Post!

 

[M2ME]

Having read of the practice among pilgrims of many traditions of shaving their heads I decided to follow suit. I also decided to forgo the razor. On arrival in Santiago I was in need of a shave and even a tidy up of the tonsure! The hot towel shave at O Barbeiro -Barbería on Rúa do Hórreo was excellent.

 

[BikeHikeChai]

One of the things I've always enjoyed when visiting countries like Spain is that you still come across what might be described as a "Traditional barber" or and no insult intended , but "Old fashioned barber"
I like to go in and have a proper shave and being "Follically challenged" have a head shave every couple of weeks.
Just wondering if any of the chaps on here like to do the same and found any good places in any of the villages between the larger towns.

If you are doing the Via de la Plata you could always try The Barber of Seville