Manscaping. You can't escape it these days so don't even try. An inevitable product of the metrosexual "menaissance" of the past decade (thank you David Beckham, Ryan Seacrest and Ashton Kutcher), manscaping takes grooming to a whole new level. Whether it's small tweaks to your regular routine like getting those eyebrows trimmed or chest waxed, or the whole nine yards (brozilian, anyone?), manscaping is taking over the world and men's bodies – and there's no use fighting it. Says The Observer's Simon Doonan in his article, "Manscaping Takes Manhattan": "Manscaping has now gone way beyond the confines of Chelsea. Those Wall Street guys who used to just get their backs lasered are now requesting Botox in the face, hair removal in the groin."
Below, we've listed the best spots you can get yourselves gloriously manscaped in New York City, be it a trim, eyebrow wax or man-facial (you may laugh, but a smooth complexion is very important to the ladies). Thorough research and countless recommendations from local experts, friends and our very own, impeccably-groomed male staff members have led us to the following shortlist, so put that Mach3 away and let NearSay take care of you.
This Chelsea spa takes its manscaping very seriously. So seriously, that it specializes only in men's treatments...pretty much all of them. From an in-house hair salon offering highlights and hot oil treatments, to massages and body treatments, facials, waxing and lasering, and even male mani-pedis, the services offered at Nickel run the entire gamut of male beautification. New York Magazine adds "there couldn't be a better spot for the men-only Nickel than the intersection of Eighth Avenue and 14th Street, where the West Village meets Chelsea...and metro meets sexual." Luxist declares the spot a "sanctuary for [male] urbanites" and raves the spa has styled itself into "the destination for a new generation of men – not just metrosexuals, but any man who wants to be clean and well-groomed." Yelp reviewers recommend Nickel's massages, who also rhapsodize over their "relaxing" eyebrow waxing services (sorry ladies, it's a male-only spa).
Note: The internationally-acclaimed Nickel also has outposts in Paris and London. If you're too busy to trek over to Chelsea (or London or Paris) for a killer facial, however, you can still purchase Nickel's amazing line of products online or at select department stores.
"At John Allan’s, men are the focus, not an afterthought," promises this Midtown East men's spa, barbershop, club and cafe. A men's paradise it is indeed, with its club room, billiards lounge, cafe and even a mini art gallery featuring a revolving collection of work available for purchase. All of these amenities, however, serve only to bolster the grooming and manscaping services offered here ("the image-conscious gent can get barbered and buffed, then kick back with a beer, billiards, and ESPN or MSNBC," says New York Magazine). John Allan’s basic treatment is the “Full Service,” a forty-minute treatment involving a scalp massage, shampoo, condition, hot-towel face wrap, haircut, manicure, shoe shine, and drink. New York Magazine adds that the cosmetologists are mainly "comely females" (sentiments echoed by Time Out New York, who swears "all the employees are attractive ladies"). Which certainly can't hurt.
John Allan's also scores a "Critic's Pick" and the title of "Best Men's Spa" by New York Magazine, and 4.5/5 star Yelp rating ("wonderful work, the stylists know what they are doing. During the cut, I received a manicure too...it was really relaxing and my nails look awesome"). Bottom line is this one's for the manliest of men who blanch at the thought of primping and preening, but still want to be pampered, shaved, and scrubbed clean as a whistle.
Note: John Allan's also has three other NYC outposts; Wall Street, TriBeCa and Fifth Avenue.
If you're indifferent about billiards and hot towel treatments and just want to get the job done, then Craig Wern is the man for you. Although manscaping seems to be a recent trend, New York native and the city's "most coveted manscaper" Wern has been at it for almost twenty years. A typical grooming session at Craig Wern's refreshingly simple office lasts about an hour and consists of clipping the chest and stomach hair, removing back, hair and for some clients, "clean up work down below the belt." You can treat yourself to a hot shower to freshen up afterwards, and off you go. Yep, manscaping doesn't doesn't get more no-frills than this.
Craig Wern scores the title of "Best Manscaping" by New York Magazine, is crowned "New York City's Best Manscaper" by Pocket Change NYC, and has been featured in a number of publications, from Cosmopolitan to Details.
For an unbeatable facial that's tailored specifically for an "active urban man's dermatological needs," head to the popular Exhale on Madison Avenue. Although Exhale is a men's and women's spa, the skin experts at Exhale offer specialized treatments that use masks and astringents created especially to soothe and heal men's issues such as razor burn. With the hour-long signature Exhale Men's Facial, you will enjoy a rigorous scalp, face, neck and shoulder massage while your skin soaks in their nourishing alpha hydroxy acid therapy. Exhale also offers excellent waxing services for men starting at $50 (for chest).
Exhale Spa on the Upper East Side also receives a "Critic's Pick" from New York Magazine for its holistic and Asian-inspired wellness programs.
Honorable Mentions: Completely Bare & Eyebrow Threading Spa
Editor of The Luxury Spot and star of The Millionaire Matchmaker, Bryce Gruber, says Completely Bare is the way to go for your brozilian (they also do a bizarre array of beauty treatments for women; take a peek if you dare at Bright Lights, My City), while one of our immaculately-groomed newsdesk gentlemen Karlyn Smith recommends the Eyebrow Threading Spa in Spanish Harlem for sexy, smooth brows and a decent shave.
The Best Manscaping Spots in New York City
Nickel is located at 77 Eighth Avenue, at West 14th Street.
John Allan's is located at 46 East 46th Street, at Madison Avenue.
Craig Wern is located at 14 East 4th Street, near Lafayette Street.
Exhale is located at 980 Madison Avenue, at East 77th Street.
Completely Bare is located at 25 Bond Street, at Bowery.
Eyebrow Threading Spa is located at 1719 Lexington Avenue, at East 107th Street.
