While in Turkey, Men Must Experience a Shave and Haircut in Barber Shop
Before marketing and metrosexuality ruined men’s lives, there was a time when the words “male” and “fashion” rarely appeared in the same sentence. It’s possible to relive those moments by visiting one of the barbers in Istanbul.
Turkish male “Berber” and “kuaför” shops are renowned for a reason. They’ll shave closer than anyone else, cut hair cheaper than anywhere else, and possibly throw in a head and shoulder massage.
What is a traditional Turkish Barber?
It’s easy enough to find sparsely decorated “Berber” and male “kuaför” stores all over Istanbul. Small blue or white towels airing outside on the pavement are a definite giveaway, as is anywhere that looks like it hasn’t seen a new piece of furniture in sixty years.
A stack of tattered football magazines and trashy gossip rags are always present. Every reputable Istanbul barber has one client waiting on the vinyl bench and four friends who’ve just popped in for a chat.
Nowadays, Most Turkish Barbers have become modern and are now called Kuafor. All seem very fancy, and all staff is educated. They follow the World’s fashion haircut, and also they know how to do traditional Turkish haircut.
How to Get a Shave and Haircut in Istanbul?
Upon entering the barber, it’s customary to say “günaydın,” take place on the bench and smile. It’s pretty standard for the barber to offer tea, and this is an excellent time to practice mime and gestures for communicating.
Lack of common tongue does not impede a decent haircut since body language can easily signal close shave, beard trim, short-back-and-sides, and head massage. Point and instruct.
Shaving happens before the haircut and with a cut-throat razor. Warm soapy suds are applied liberally and vigorously, and this is the queue to lie back and doze gently. After the shave, there’s a violent head-dipping-in-sink followed by stinging alcohol and a slap of talcum powder.
Next is the haircut. Hair is rarely washed before the cutting process, mostly because men groomed with chemical pomades and wet-look sludge tend not to hang out at the barber. It’s a good idea to signal whether the nape is tapered or squared-off and to gesture the desired length of sideburns.
After the haircut, the barber lights a long implement that has been dipped in alcohol and ignited. The flame is used to singe any stray hairs around and inside the ears. This may cause consternation, but it’s advisable only not to distract the barber during the process.
The message is very enjoyable in Turkey, not refused. The urban myth of neck-cracking belongs to Indian barbers. Turkish barbers may be brisk and spirited, but they don’t perform chiropractic manipulations.
What to Pay and Who to Tip in Barbers in Istanbul?
The people generally ask, “How much does haircut in Istanbul? “and “Where is the best barbers in Istanbul? “
First of all, the price changes according to your location and the service you would like to have. The price list of barbers is not fixed and they have different prices for different models. Before you start your shave and haircut, you can ask the price.
There are many barbers in Istanbul. If you are in Sultanahmet Area, you can have a shave and haircut in Salon Kadir Sultanahmet https://www.kadiralkan.com.tr/salon/kadir-alkan-sultanahmet/ where is located in Sultanahmet down to Topkapi Palace. They have good service at a reasonable price.
Adress of Salon Kadir Sultanahmet: Cankurtaran Mh., Cankurtaran Cd. No:10, 34123 Fatih/İstanbul
Phone Number: +90533 034 9940
Tripadvisor Link: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g293974-d13414579-Reviews-Salon_Kadir-Istanbul.html
Salon Kadir has many branches in Istanbul and all over Turkey. You can check their salons on their webpage https://www.kadiralkan.com.tr.
Foreigners often feel nervous about any service for which the price is not displayed. The Turkish barber will not overcharge customers since he depends on trade from regulars. A Turkish barber offers a great service for a very fair price, and having a shave and haircut in one of the barbers in Istanbul is a great experience before you go back home.
Recommended Barbers In Cihangir
Cihangir has a couple of barbers that are very used to dealing with non-Turkish-speaking foreigners.
These shops are very short, a five-minute walk, from Taksim Square and Metro stop by walking down Siraselviler Caddesi.
Cihangir Erkek Kuaföru (One of the best coiffeur in Istanbul); at 47 Akarsu Yokusu is just up from the Akbank corner branch, and open weekdays between 08h00 and 20h30 and weekends from 10h00 to 17h00.
Just opposite the Carrefour supermarket is Yeni Yuvar street. On the corner is a small convenience store. Ten meters up Yeni Yuvar Street is an unnamed barbershop where young Jemal and his uncle offer one of the best traditional and unglamorous hairdressing experiences in the whole of Istanbul.
