Shaun Fanaeian is opening Canberra's first dedicated men's barber and spa because he says a lot of guys are too embarrassed to go to a traditional beauty salon.
"I've noticed, talking to my clients, a lot of times they want to get their nails done but they walk into a nail salon and people stare at them, they don't feel comfortable. They do really want to look after themselves but there's nothing out there," he said.
"I was talking to a friend, she was in Woden, getting her nails done, and this guy walked in to get his eyebrows done and and he was very embarrassed and she felt embarrassed for him, as well, being in front of people, getting his eyebrows done."
Shaun's barber shop in Braddon, Fanaeians, which has been open for a decade, will incorporate the men's spa into its premises, opening next week, becoming Fanaeians Barber and Spa.
Men will be able to get treatments including facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing and massages.
Shaun, 29, said in his travels to Dubai he had seen that men's spas were much more mainstream in the Middle East compared to Australia.
"It's really big," he said.
"You've got men's spas where you go and get a haircut, eyebrows, massages and it's sort of well-established. I saw the gap in the market here.
"I feel like you look at all the beauty salons in Canberra, they're all so feminine and I feel that's why a place dedicated for men was needed."
Shaun said men were interested in looking after themselves and looking at treatments beyond a haircut and shave.
"There's a huge demand for it," he said.
"I sort of put it in the same category as going to the gym or eating healthier, it's just part of our modern living."
Shaun says the treatments are meant to make men feel good, but shouldn't be regarded as an indulgence.
"From the way your hair is cut, to the condition of your skin or the presentation of your hands, self-care isn't about luxury, it's about investing in yourself and how you show up every day," he said.
One of Shaun's loyal customers is George Anagnostopoulos, of Red Hill, who is the group finance manager for Lennock Motors.
George, 62, has weekly beard trim, but also likes to have a manicure and pedicure. He says his job is all about presenting well, and good grooming is a big part of that.
"If you look at a man's nails, and they're not clean and tidy, it's not a very pleasant thing," he said.
George said he wouldn't necessarily feel self-conscious at a regular salon but instead chose to patronise Fanaeians because he never felt rushed there.
"They have a real attention to detail," he said.
"Shaun cares, he works around your schedule and makes sure you get what you want. I wish him all the best in the new business."
See more at fanaeians.com.au
