Offering the perfect add-on services for male clients

Male grooming is increasingly about more than just offering a haircut. Here, a pair of the industry's leading experts offer their take on two popular services. A guide to the perfect men's manicure from male grooming expert Daniel Rouah

• The male manicure grooming kit should contain a nail brush, orange sticks, emery boards, nail buffer, cuticle clippers and fingernail clippers.
• To prepare, cut nails using a fingernail clipper to the ideal length, then shape nails with an emery board - remembering to file straight across.
• File rough edges, so the tips are smooth and round.
• Soak hands in a bowl of warm water with olive oil for five minutes to soften cuticles, and massage hands to increase blood circulation.
• Once cuticles are soft, dab some cuticle remover onto the base of the nails to make the cuticle easier to push back. Hold the orange stick slightly at an angle and gently push back the dry skin of the cuticles towards the nail base, then push back the cuticles along the sides of the nail.
• Wipe away dead skin chips and use a cuticle clipper to clip any hangnails. Clipping must be precise to avoid injury.
• Buff the nail surfaces with a nail buffer and apply cuticle oil.
• Massage hands with hand cream.

A guide to the perfect wet shave from Chris Foster, The Foss Academy

• Examine your client's face closely to determine the direction of the hair growth.
• Before applying the hot towel, rub a small amount of pre-shave oil in the palm of your hands and massage it into the beard. Use a circular motion to lift the beard away from the skin.
• Unroll a hot towel and wrap it around the client's face. Ensure the towel does not cover the nose, or the client will have difficulty breathing. Allow the towel to remain on the face until lukewarm.
• Apply shaving cream with a shaving brush in circular movements; be sure to use enough product. Traditional lather has to be applied with a brush. The brush transports moisture to the skin and beard, generating a rich protective lather.
• Keep the straight razor at the correct cutting angle about 35-40 degrees. Shave in the direction of growth. This first shave will remove approximately 80% of the hair length.
• When using a straight razor, do not apply too much pressure as this will irritate the skin by removing too many surface skin cells.
• The tension hand is placed behind the razor, so that the skin can be stretched or pinched before carrying out each stroke. This enables a close shave and reduces the risk of cuts.
• When finished, apply a cold towel and soothing protection spray to close the pores.
• To complete your treatment, apply aftershave balm to the skin - this acts as an antiseptic and is nourishing, moisturising and soothing.