Hot-Towel Shave NYC
Sixty minutes of steam, straight razor and quiet. The same shave Vanity Fair wrote up from the chair in 2011, unchanged at both salons.
4.9★ on Google · 355 reviews · New York’s first men’s salon, est. 2008
Prefer to book by phone? Midtown (212) 956-2990 · West Village (646) 649-5909
The ritual
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The steam
A hot towel rests long enough to relax the hair and soften the skin. Neck hair grows without a defined pattern — the barber reads it before any blade is lifted.
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The blade
A straight razor over foam, worked with the grain your growth map calls for. This is the pass that leaves the neck calm instead of red.
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The close
A soothing eye mask, a face mask and a scalp massage. You leave with the quiet part of the hour, not just the shave.
In the press
Vanity Fair sent a writer to be shaved at the Midtown salon — and printed the whole thing.
Vanity Fair
Questions
What happens during a hot-towel shave at Martial Vivot?
Sixty minutes, sequenced. A hot-towel steam relaxes the beard, the straight razor follows over foam, and the service closes with a soothing eye mask, face mask and scalp massage. The Shave is $150–$170; the shorter L’Erboristica shave is $95–$115.
Where can I get a straight-razor shave in Manhattan?
Martial Vivot performs hot-towel straight-razor shaves at both salons — Midtown, at 39 W 54th St beside MoMA, and the West Village, at 639½ Hudson St. By appointment, walk-ins welcome.
How should I prepare for a straight-razor shave?
Arrive with a day or two of growth if you can — same-day shaving works against a close finish. Every shave begins with a short consultation, and the barber adjusts the passes to your skin and growth pattern.
Do you trim beards as well?
Yes. A beard trim is $60–$80, or $80–$100 with a straight-edge razor finish. Many guests pair it with a haircut or a shave.
Google reviews
What guests say about the shave
4.9 355 Google reviews
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“Great experience. The receptionist greeted me and offered a welcome drink as soon as I arrived. The stylist (Danielle) came out and introduced herself. I had requested a razor head shave and she did a fantastic job! She gave me a fantastic shave without any cuts whatsoever! I will definitely plan to return.”
— Brian Coakley
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