Taylor of Old Bond Street

‘Avocado on your face’

The TAYLOR Tradition was founded on September 1st, 1854 by Jeremiah Taylor, the great grandfather of today’s Chairman. He opened his Hairdressing and Hair Treatment Salon in Bond Street (in the heart of London’s fashionable West End) and gained a reputation in British Society for his botanical extract for hair and scalp treatment. His son, Ivan, using his training as a chemist, succeeded his father, developing many fine herbal treatments. The TAYLOR Tradition continues through the generations. They are determined to keep it a family business.

The TAYLOR Tradition has always been to manufacture products with as pure and natural ingredients as is practicable. ‘We refuse to compromise quality under any circumstances.’ Their product range includes the luxurious and the unusual.

The following fragrances are available in 2.5oz tubes & 150g tub Tubs

Almond Shaving Cream
One of the most favored of all scents among gentlemen. The alluring nutty essence of almond is the ideal introductory fragrance for first-time shaving brush users. This lightly scented shaving cream comes in a 2.5 oz tube /150g tub and can be applied with or without a brush.

Avocado Shaving Cream
A unique herbaceous scent of Rosemary and Lavender on a base of Juniper and woody notes with the added benefit of pure avocado oil for moisturizing. This lightly scented shaving cream comes in a 2.5 oz tube/150g tub and can be applied with or without a brush.

Lavender Shaving Cream
To the truly discerning gentleman nothing surpasses the superior herbal perfume of English lavender. Freshly picked at its peak from the lavender fields of Norfolk this lightly scented shaving cream imparts a relaxing and soothing effect. This lightly scented shaving cream comes in a 2.5 oz tube/150g tub and can be applied with or without a brush.

Lemon + Lime Shaving Cream
A most refreshing citrus blend including Lemon and Lime with a touch of Lemongrass on a base of woody Cedar and Oak. A lightly scented shaving cream certain to please even the most discerning of gentlemen. This lightly scented shaving cream comes in a 2.5 oz tube /150g tub and can be applied with or without a brush.

Rose Shaving Cream
Among British gentleman Rose is the most favored scent. Taylor combines the classic English Rose with a soft woody base of Cedar and Sandalwood. This lightly scented shaving cream is a must for every toiletry locker. 2.5 oz tube/150g tub. Can be applied with or without a brush.

Sandalwood Shaving Cream
Exotic Sandalwood and Cedar are blended with Lavender and Rosemary along with a touch of Jasmine and Rose for a vivacious and enticing yet confidently masculine lightly scented shaving cream. 2.5 oz tube/150g tub. Can be applied with or without a brush.

Eton College Shaving Cream
Inspired by the tradition of Eton - the premier college of royalty and the aristocracy - and especially formulated for its young gentlemen. It possesses a fresh invigorating yet lightly scented fragrance combining sparkling citrus oils with rich woody undertones to enchant the senses of the young - and the young at heart. 2.5 oz tube/150g tub. Can be applied with or without a brush.

Mr. Taylor’s Shaving Cream
For generations discerning gentlemen have selected this crisp and spicy fragrance in which Tarragon and Lavender are combined with hints of Green Galbanum and Citrus producing a lightly scented elegant manly fragrance with warm woody undertones of Cedar and Sandalwood along with Patchouli and Musk. 2.5 oz tube/150g tub. Can be applied with or without a brush.

Shaving Shop Shaving Cream
Revitalizing fresh Citrus is blended with the sophistication and ruggedness of precious Cedar and Oak woods. Add a virile undertone of musk over a floor of Sage and Rosemary and alluring Petitgrain for a lightly scented shaving cream that stimulates the senses and excites the emotions. 2.5 oz tube/150g tub. Can be applied with or without a brush.

St. James Shaving Cream
A very complex fresh herbaceous accord with crisp citrus top notes; it starts with bergamot and lavender on a layer of rosemary and coriander; it continues with juniper and clary sage on a heart of warm clove and thyme; then it finishes with base notes of patchouli and olibanum with a touch of amber. This lightly scented shaving cream comes in a 2.5 oz tube/150g tub. Can be applied with or without a brush.

10 Barclay Crocker Shaving Tips
(for Taylor of Old Bond Street)

1.    Always use hot water before shaving to soften the beard, open the pores and cleanse the   skin.

2.    A pre shave gel is a great help when preparing to shave as it makes the shave easier and protects the skin.

3.    Use Taylor’s moisturising shaving cream and lather for at least 20 seconds.

4.    Ideally, use a shaving brush to lift the beard from the face and soften the hair.

5.    Use a quality razor blade with a handle that offers a good weight and balance.

6.    Always shave in the direction of the hair growth as shaving against the grain can cause razor burns and in-growing hairs. If the hairs towards the base of the throat are growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the face, i.e. upwards, you must shave upwards in that area.

7.    Do not apply heavy pressure to your razor as this can cause razor burn and skin irritation. Glide the razor gently over the face.

8.    Rinse the face with cold water after shaving to assist pore closure.

9. Use an After Shave lotion (see our great selection) to refresh and tone the skin after shaving.

10. Men with sensitive skin should consider using our own Barclay Crocker Vitamin E Aftershave Lotion which can be custom scented to match your Taylor fragrance.

PS.Finally, rinse your brush well, shake out the excess moisture and always hang on a stand with the hairs facing downwards.

In The Shadow of Windsor Castle

It was 1970. Roger and Kathleen Knowles bought an old apothecary located in the shadow of Windsor Castle. While cleaning it up they stumbled across ancient recipe and prescription books dating back two centuries. Using these original formulas as inspiration the two entrepreneurs developed the Woods of Windsor Line of perfumes and toiletries. Though the beginnings were modest, at the time of this writing Woods of Windsor has expanded mightily and now sells it’s formidable line of products throughout the world.

In the company’s own words,”combining traditional recipes with the scientific advances of the twenty-first century have led to a collection we feel proud to present to you..”

And the collection is vast. In the Mimosa scent alone we count more than 17 products, soaps, body sprays, perfume de toilette, dusting powder, moisturizing cream, bath & shower gels, body wash, wardrobe sachets and even…scented drawpaper. A similar grouping is also available in True Rose, Forget Me Not, White Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, Lavender.  Woods of Windsor Green Tea Therapy products demand attention as well, and include scented candles and Revitalizing Bath Bubbles in a bottle.

But perhaps the most intoxicating group is titled Aromatherapy Lavender. Here we find an incredibly pure lavender scent applied across the board in oils, gels and tonics, being also enshrined within arguably the finest lavender incense sticks on the planet!

So. When next you hear the name ‘Woods of Windsor’ mentioned at a gathering, you’ll now know it ain’t just a stand of timber lurking behind some crumbling old world castle. It’s also a soap and toiletries link on the internet worth searching for.

OUCH! Getting Rid of Shaving Irritants

Think of it. Daily most men, and even a few women, drag sharp blades across their sensitive skin, tearing away millions of hair strands from their native follicles, usually cutting themselves in the process and even at best, severely irritating their body-enveloping organ. What a ghastly event, repeated hundreds of millions of times around the globe!

Cheer up. There are a number of products available on the market for men and women who want an irritation free shave.

The list is long. Products like face washes, aftershave lotions and special creams are there to keep you free from wounding your skin. However, before you choose a lotion, cream or gel make sure that it suits your skin.

Some may want to consult a dermatologist before starting on a shaving product. There are many prescription products that may save you from shaving uneasiness. Absent this approach, we recommend that:

SHAVING CREAMS. Forget about cheap brushless commercial creams. They are thin, even the ‘best’ of them and will leave your face feeling raw. Brushless, easy as it seems, is not an option for healthy shaving. Attitude is everything. Commit yourself to making shaving an ‘art’. Search sites like www.barclaycrocker.com for the world’s best shaving creams, which come in tubes, tubs and blocks and will make your shaving experience the high point of your day.

BRUSH. Yes, a good shaving brush is mandatory. When you work in the lather for a minute or two, your skin will respond in ways you have never experienced in your ‘pre-brush’ lifetime.

Then, when you use a razor, your skin will be supple and yielding, and your shave will be close, clean and non-irritating.

RAZOR. Straight razor days are, thankfully, behind us. As a

Species, we’ve moved on. There are now 3 and 4 blade razors on the market, some with built in vibrators which actually work to

Make your shave closer than any in the history of civilization. Use one of these.

AFTERSHAVES. Beware of alcohol based products. They will dry your skin and cause further irritation. The best creams we’ve found are the so called ‘E’ creams, natural creams with vitamin E

Extract in the mix. These creams heal the skin and soften it.

INGROWN HAIR. These are frequently found around the bikini area. If your skin is vunerable to this problem, consider banishing shaving and opting for waxing . When the hair is waxed, the entire shaft of hair is removed at the root, preventing tiny stubble from growing  underneath the top layer of skin. If you insist on continuing shaving, look for a lotion containing a slight analgesic to prevent ingrown hairs.

Lavender – the Calming Elixir

In ancient Rome Lavender was a staple in the baths..they recognized it’s unique calming effect when added to bathwater. Over the centuries this herb continued to gain in popularity as a therapeutic agent for treating a wide variety of ailments, from muscle pain and headaches to depression and irritability..even sleep disorder. During the Victorian age, the gentry carried handkerchiefs perfumed with Lavender to calm anxiety.

Lavender is pale yellow in color. It is the most versatile of all essential oils. Therapeutic grade Lavender is calming, sedative, a muscular relaxant, anti-inflammatory, indeed a  powerful tonic for the entire system. It is highly regarded for use in skin conditions such as acne and  to soothe burns and skin irritations. Inhaled, it can ease depression and nervous tension. It can be used to calm the nervous system, lower high blood pressure and balance the entire nervous system.

Lavender is ‘balancing’ and useful for a multitude of ailments. It is considered the ‘universal oil’ and is good for all skin ailments. It helps the body regenerate new skin cells and minimizes scarring, and is an excellent oil for sunburns and other types of burns. It is useful in healing acne and eczema, and is good for the hair and scalp. Lavender is very good for headaches, especially PMS headaches, as well as general sharp aches and pains.

Spiritually, Lavender brings a peaceful energy to all the chakras of the body, as well as opening the heart and crown chakras. It encourages feelings of patience and security. It balances the heart chakra system. No wonder it remains today one of Nature’s great gifts to all sentient beings.

The Science of Smell

We take smell for granted. When cookies come out of the oven,

When we pass by a pile of dirty clothes, one never thinks to trace the connection between these events and the processes of our respiratory system.

First comes the nose, the entry point into our system. Deep inside the middle of your face is the nasal cavity, which then leads to the back of the throat, separated from the inside of your mouth by a palate - the roof of your mouth.

You inhale..air enters the nasal passages and goes to the nasal cavity. From thence the air (carrying the scent) plunges down the back of your throat into the trachea, or windpipe, on the way to your lungs.

OK you say, I get it..but where does our ’sense’ of smell generate? Up on the roof  of the nasal cavity is the ‘olfactory epithelium’. Olfactory is a fancy word that has to do with smelling. It contains  special receptors that are sensitive to odor molecules that travel through the air. When the smell receptors

Are stimulated, signals travel along the olfactory nerve to the olfactory bulb. This little jewel is underneath the front of your brain..just above the nasal cavity. The ‘O’ bulb sends signals to other parts of the brain to be interpreted as a smell you may recognize, like the cookies or the dirty clothes.

Identifying smells is one way your brain tells you about your environment. Burning toast?! Run to turn off the toaster. Smell a delicious perfume..you’ll be led by your snoz to it’s source.  Our ‘O’ bulb is always on alert, enriching our lives.

And here’s the kicker. Without your nose, those cookies wouldn’t hardly taste at all. Need proof? Take a bite of one - then pinch your nose and take another bite. Notice the difference?!  Food for thought..through scent.

How To Look Like A Baby

We admit it, the title of this article is designed to shock. But there is a truth behind it that beggars some attention. Wouldn’t any of us over 50, looking at our skin under a 100 watt lamp, love to know of some secret potion which would render our largest organ more supple, pliant and, yes..babylike?

A child’s skin renews itself completely every 2 – 3 weeks. The surface layers are shed, leaving the unexposed lower layer, which becomes the new upper layer, stays for a few weeks..and then the process starts all over again. And that’s why kids aren’t strong on skin cream!

So what happens when we get over 50, or even years before reaching that epochal age? Simply, the rate at which our skin renews itself starts to slow down. In place of discarding the old, dead skin cells, they start building up on the surface of the skin, causing the layers to get thicker and rougher. Unfortunately, that means any imperfections we have no longer fall off with the old layers. And here’s the kicker: we lose approximately 10% of our epidermal cells per decade, reducing our ability to make more healthy layers of skin. Plus, less moisture gets to the top layer of the skin, bringing about the wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin we see in our beloved grandparents and, eventually – ourselves.
Sadly there is NO perfect solution to Ma Nature’s cruel joke on us. But we can partially solve our dilemma by helping our skin to shed these unnecessary cells and uncover the soft layer below. If we do this, we can also help more moisture to rise to the top layer of the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

Enter the world of skin creams. All-natural skin creams speed skin cell renewal and help slough off the dead skin cells which are covering the pores in your skin. Be a smart shopper however and make sure you choose a cream that both gets rid of the dead cells and helps your body to create new ones. Also, make sure that the cream you choose does NOT include harsh chemicals and is all-natural. If you are serious about your skin and take these suggestions to heart, you can rest assured that your skin will look younger and softer than ever in no time! Almost like a baby.

Fact About Body Lotions

Where do body lotions come from? In short, everywhere! From herbs, fruits, plant leaves, seeds, you name it. And these lotions work in so many ways, such as healing dry skin, improving skin texture, nourishing and replenishing  the skin’s lost natural oils and restoring the natural radiance of our largest organ. Here are a few of the most useful:

SHEA BUTTER. This creamy butter is derived from the fruit kernels of the shea nut tree. It has remarkable healing and softening abilities. Shea butter has anti-inflammatory effects on the skin, increasing wound healing and improving scar appearance. From it’s physical makeup of vitamin E, vitamin A and cinnamic acid - as well as a unique fatty acid profile, this butter can moisturize and heal dry skin.

SUNFLOWER OIL. This oil is rich in vitamins D and A and very high in fatty acids that aid in restoring skin moisture. Vitamin A  encourages collagen production and is able to retain moisture.

ALMOND OIL. Easily absorbed, this is an important nutrient for skin softening and conditioning. With high vitamin A content, it is very suitable to dry, flaky or inflamed skin. Helps the skin to balance it’s loss and absorption of moisture.

JOJOBA OIL. Good for all skin types, it readily penetrates the skin to nourish,moisturize and soften dry skin.  Hypoallergenic and pure, it contains minerals, proteins and a waxy substance which imitates the skin’s collagen, making it supple and soft to the touch.

COCOA BUTTER. Like Shea Butter, it acts as an emollient helping the skin feel soft and calm. It can also prevent and lessen stretch marks if applied regularly.

ALOE VERA. This is a miracle plant! Studies show that aloe vera can radically improve the skin’s ability to hydrate itself. It is a powerful penetrator which carries healthy substances through the skin. With daily use, aloe vera will help maintain a healthy, glowing skin. Because of it’s numerous biologically active ingredients, such as polysaccharides, phytosterols, glycerol, vitamins E, B and C, plus zinc - these all contribute to the healing, scar reducing and anti inflammatory effects of aloe vera.

MADACAMIA OIL. This oil has lubrication properties and is easily absorbed. This oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids acting as antioxidants to prevent deterioration and weakening of cell membrane. Great for mature and aging skin.

GLYCERIN. It has humectant properties, drawing moisture from the air unto the skin.

Aromatherapy – Top Essential Oils

Below is a list of some essential oils most suited to an aromatherapy bath. Most have specific properties and these are indicated…

ROSEMARY OIL. Rosemary essential oil is great to use when one is looking to relax achy muscles. It is also good for dull skin, gout, tiredness and poor circulation.

GERANIUM OIL. This fresh essential oil helps balance the mind and emotions, while stimulating the adrenal cortex, balancing the hormonal system and stimulating the lymphatic system. It also balances the production of sebum in the skin, while keeping it supple and helping with the healing of wounds.

JASMINE OIL. Great for lifting one’s mood. Also good for treating dry and sensitive skin, tiredness and labor pains.

LINDEN BLOSSOM. A good palliative for headaches.

LAVENDER. The most well known of all popular essential oils.

Has a multitude of uses which include: muscle relaxant, anti-inflamatory, alleviates depression, skin conditions and burns, lowers high blood pressure, cures headaches - especially PMS, as well as general aches and pains. Lavender brings peaceful energy

To all the chakras..and opens the heart and crown chakras. It is one of Nature’s great gifts to mankind.

MANDARIN. Another very versatile essential oil. A natural house cleaner. A disinfectant. Prevents stretch marks. Relieves cramps and tired muscles. As for aroma, Mandarin is called the ‘happy oil’

PEPPERMINT. Relieves asthma, headaches, sinuses, vertigo

PINE. Pine essential oil is great when you need a pick, me up. It helps to energize.

BASIL. Aids in being mentally alert. Relieves feelings of nervousness.

EUCALYPTUS. Really good for helping one breathe clearly.

CLARY SAGE. A mood lifter.

JASMINE. Helps relieve depression and enhance feelings of confidence.

ORANGE. Orange is another essential oil that is great for lifting one’s mood.

CHAMOMILE. For relaxation and restoring calmness.

The Essential Oils listed above are fantastic choices when one is looking to create an aromatherapy bath. There are many more that could be added and it is worth looking up ‘essential oils’ on the internet for a full list.

As a primer, mix 2oz. of some type of carrier oil. Sweet almond works well. Add 20 drops of essential oil. Try Lavender. Mix together and add to your bath. AAAAAaaahhhh! Nuff said.

The Rise And Fall Of The Barbershop

It’s unclear why men and women felt the need to remove hair from their faces and bodies in the first place. It’s gone on since cave man days. Long before Christ walked this earth Alexander the Great was reportedly obsessed with shaving his face and body and would never enter battle with a five o’clock shadow. Early Greek women removed hair from their legs by singeing it off with a lamp, and Roman women used creams made from exotic ingredients like bat’s blood and powdered viper as daily hair removers. It was obviously important to both sexes and remains so today.

There is not room in this article to trace the evolution of dipilatories from ancient times to the present so let’s jump to the mid 19^th century A.D. when the barons of commerce (and their ladies) had developed the smoothing of skin to a fine art form. For men: enter the Barbershop. If we were to look inside a typical barbershop of the period our sight would reveal a room with pressed tin ceilings, gas lamps, wooden floors and brass spittoons. Mounted chairs with thick leather seats and backrests stood like sentinels waiting for their hosts and on the back wall of the room hung a rack of custom decorated shaving mugs. This was a place of refuge, a place to smoke large cigars and smell fine bay rum..to have one’s shoes shined and tell dirty jokes in the company of your cronies, all the while gently pursuing the purpose of it all - to remove one’s hair. Behold the golden age of barbering!

Fast forward to Grand Central Station, circa 1950. The same product, hair removal. But now the shoe shine stands have grown into wooden monuments and rows of porcelain finished chairs line up in front of white tile walls. Old black men hand out towels for tips in front of toilet stalls. The straight razor rules. It’s all business.

At the turn of the twenty-first century we are left to ponder where it all went. Now barbershops that remain are low key affairs with no swank or swagger. Those with money go to tony salons to recapture the glow of a past age. Metrosex rules. There are no-smoking signs, linoleum floors and little conversation. Advertising all about warns us to be sleek and shorn. But alas, the barbershop mystique has gone from our lives with the civilization that spawned it and we, like Alexander before us, march into battle shorn -

But essentially, alone.

Proraso – Ludovico’s Tuscan Treasure

More than a  half-century ago a Tuscan entrepreneur named Ludovico

Martelli set out to enhance the art of shaving. Methodically he created and produced a world class line of shaving products, with PRORASO shaving cream as it’s cornerstone. When one opens the  distinctive green package it’s an easy step back into an age before the advent of foams and gels*, when shaving meant taking out quality time and really ‘taking care’ of oneself.

The Proraso factory in Florence is the oldest of it’s kind, a Tuscan proudness. As Martelli himself reflects,” We believe that the coherence of our products helps us, as well as the Quality-Price ratio we offer.

A kind of continuity from generation to generation, even if the products themselves have changed very little over the years. We saw them on the bathroom shelves of our grandfather and father, as we now see them in the locker of the husband, son or boyfriend.”

To the uninitiated, hear it now - the PRORASO brand is not a limited option. The company offers a wide array of scents with it’s shaving cream, including the new ‘Eucalyptus’ and ‘Green Tea’, now available in shave cream pots..fresh and invigorating. Further, as eucalyptus is antiseptic and antibiotic, it is helpful in reducing facial breakouts. Green Tea and Aloe is exceptional for use on sensitive skin. Looking out over the entire product line, there is a complete range of items from Pre-Shave to Aftershave Balms and Splash..even Shave Foams for convenience and Styptic Gel for those occasional nicks and cuts.

Proraso also offers  remarkable value in  a shave-brush made for them by Omega in Bologna, Italy. The brush stands 5″ high with a silver color base. The brush area is 2 ½” high and, when wet, tapers at the top for excellent application of soap.

It may be your time to take a trip on-line - to the heart of Tuscany and the soulful essence of Proraso, one of the world’s great shaving institutions.

*Fast-Shaving foam was invented in the 1960s.

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