A man should never look like he needs to go onto the barber, or just walked out of a barber’s chair.

René “Reneofny” Guemps,

Freelance Barber/Groomer

New York City base Barber/Groomer, René has been freelancing for over a decade, and without representation a good part of that time. His résumé includes two Hairstyling barber charts titled “HAIROGLYPHXand “NOUVEAU DIMENSION“, as well as a host of magazines that include WWE Raw, NV, Vibe, and Salon Magazine.

Trick of the trade

His favorite tool is a well-equipped kit that include everything from

Andis Fade Master,

Andis Master Hair Clipper,

Andis T-Outliner Trimmer with T-Blade,

Andis Professional Styliner II Personal Trimmer,

Oster Professional Turbo 111 Hair Clipper,

Wahl 7367-200 Custom Shaver

Cool Care Plus, lubricant/disinfectant, by Andis,

FEATHER Styling Razor,
,

Sage Styling Cream, by Malin + Goetz

Daily Protein Shampoo, by Baxter,

Daily Moisturizing Conditioner, by Baxter of California.

Clay Pomade, by Baxter Soft Water Pomade, by Baxter

Hair Pomade, by Malin + Goetz to

B&C Skin Tight Product, for Razor Bumps and ingrowns,

Tend Skin, , The Skin Care Solution For Unsightly Razor Burns, Ingrown Hair And Razor Burns,

Bump Patrol, Original Formula After Shave Intensive Treatment,

XFusion, Keratin Hair Fibers For Thinning Hair. I use this product to help minimize thinning hair.

A can Red Bull Energy Drink,, and a couple of PowerBars

Here are some of his secrets:

What Shampoo and conditioner do you use on your male clients?For Shampoo, I like the Daily Protein Shampoo, by Baxter, and for conditioner I use the

Daily Moisturizing Conditioner, by Baxter of California. Or sometimes I just use

Peppermint Shampoo, and

Cilantro Conditioner, by Malin and Goetz.

During the summer time, I also love using Tea Tree Special Shampoo & Special Conditioner, by Paul Mitchell for heavy dandruffs.

What is so good about those products you just mentioned, and how do you use them?

I love the

Clay Pomade, by Baxter of California and

Hair Pomade,

by Malin+Goetz for the hold and effect it lives on the hair and it’s not shiny, perfect for bed hair, but if you want to add a little shine, but non greasy, I use the
Soft Water Pomade, by Baxter of California. And for guys who don’t want to look like they have anything on their hair at all, I use

Sage styling cream, by Malin & Goetz. It works just like leaving conditioner or better.

None of these products are sticky or greasy, plus you can mix this Sage Styling Cream, with any of these other pomades, and they all wash off easily.
You can see how I mix and use all these products on my blog at reneofny.wordpress.com

What do you find that your male clients run out the most ?

I would have to say, Sage styling cream, by Malin & Goetz, it seems like a lot of guys just can’t live with out. They also love the way the Clay Pomade, blends in really well with it.

What are some of your favorites tools and who makes them?

Andis Fade Master,

Andis Master Hair Clipper,

Professional Super Taper II Hair Clipper,.by Wahl, for Crew cuts, Afro, Etc.
Wahl 5-star Senior Clipper is the perfect machine to trim the back/sides, even your beard and mustache, and it comes with 8 different settings, from a #1 to #8 (10 pieces) total
, and if you want to go even lower, such as a Triple 000

. Wahl Super Taper
“> hair Clipper does that too.

Andis T-Outliner Trimmer with T-Blade, by Andis, Professional Outliner II Personal Trimmer, By Andis,

a Professional Turbo 111 Hair Clipper by Oster.

I have been using a fade master and

a T-Outliner Trimmer, by Andis for the past 22 years, with the

T-Outliner, trimmers, they are perfect for clean ups and line, an the corners are perfect to trimming nose and ears airs. I also use a

Turbo 111 by Oster for the heavy duty jobs and a

Custom Shave Shaver,
by Wahl, that’s the closest you’ll ever get to a Mack 3 And Shick Hydro 5 or Gillette Fusion, Proglide Men’s Power Razor.

WOW! Why so many machines?Just like any good mechanics, the first thing you learn in Beauty school is (Invest in your tools) because you never know what you gonna need, each hair style and face are unique, you don’t want somebody to walk in asking for a certain look which can only be obtained by someone else’s machine, plus each machine are adjusted differently for different things, but ONLY good barbers know that. You have to be ready for whatever that look look or style is, the last thing you want to to do is borrowing anything from anybody. It’s the worst, especially when you want to use it and they want to use it.

Let me put it to you this way, all looks are not created equal, and one size does not fit all, NOT to me, I also don’t respect any barber who only have two machines. not only that, you get laughed at in some neighborhoods.

Where can people buy all these tools and cool products?That’s why I created the blog, but for a quick short cut they can also go to my store on
Amazon.com

Just remember whenever you purchase anything or services linked to my A-store, you help benefit my efforts and intentions.
Check out http://astore.amazon.com/reneofny-20 for a full selection of All these grooming and shaving products. All these products I mentioned on here will be available for purchase which will go live online (SOON) or my Blog,

What is your blog about?It’s a great blog on all things grooming – from the history of the sideburn, to the best places to get a haircut in the US, to recommended hair and shaving products. You can access the blog by visiting reneofny.wordpress.com, I guaranty you gonna love it.

My machines get stuck a lot, what you use to lubricate and disinfect your clippers?

They are many good sprays out there that you can use, but none of them come close to my favorite

(Andis Cool Care Plus).

It’s a 5 in 1 Spray, it’s a coolant; lubricant; disinfectant; cleaner; and prevent Rusting, and it smells good, and while you at it get yourself a small bottle of Clipper Oil, by Andis. It helps keep the machine lubricated longer, all you have to do is drop 2 small drips on each corner of the blades and put it away, not in open hair, because the moisture in the air will make the blade rust quicker

What Moisturizer, Toner, and facewash or cleanser do you use on your male clients?

for cleanser I use Baxter of California Vitamin E-D-A , Cleansing Bars, Italian Lime and Pomegranate, and sometimes

Malin + Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser. and to help tone the skin I also Baxter of California Daily Face Wash,

for the moisturizer I use Baxter of California Oil Free Moisturizer, And they help hydrating your skin on a daily basis while minimizing dryness which cause the skin to flake.
They get the job all the time.

What type of Straight razor do you use?I found one that I really fell in love with called “Luxor Pro Master Razor“. To me me it’s the best one ever, it’s crafted from surgical stainless Steel, design for precision cutting and detailing, plus the safety notch blade prevent you from cutting and nicking yourself. They said it’s designed for the master barber, but I think every man should own one.

By the way the Blue Steel “Not a replica straight Razor” is a good one too, but I must tell you, if you can’t do a good job using it, be careful, I am just saying

What beard oil and wax do you use on men with with a beard or handle bar mustaches?for beard oil I use “Mr. Natty Natty’s Frank’s Beard Oil Elixir, and for mustache wax, I use Mr. Natty Natty’s Moustache Twizzle Wax, oh I also think if you have a beard you should carry a beard brush Or a comb too, justify a small one

What do you do to prep for the shave?For the first shave, (Going with the grain). Perfect way for guys with sensitive skin.

1) First I apply Rose Water Facial Toner, by Poppy Austin,

to help lift all the hairs, then I proceed by applying a pre shave oil by Musgo Real, followed by

Shaving cream, a real good one is The Super Close Shave Formula made by. Baxter of California. Then I add

shaving foam or hot latter

shaving foam or hot latter, by Proraso, then I continue by placing a hot towel well scented with

Clubman Osage Rub , Invigorating Splash for Head and Face Facial Astringents.
( that stuff smells so good, you can even but it in your bath water), then let it stay there for one minute in order to warm up the facial hairs, then I grab my

Luxor Pro Master Razor and Derby Professional Single edge, and I live using Astra Superior Double Edge Safety Razor Blades the only thing with the

Astra Razor Blades is that, you will have to break it in half yourself. So be careful. Lol

What’s a double shave?

Ah, that’s where I go for the second shave, (I a talking about going against the grain now) (like laundry wash, rinse, and repeat. Assuming your skin can take it. If you have sensitive skin don’t do it.

2) Now I re-apply the Musgo Real, Pre Shave Oil
Then I proceed by Baxter of California Super Close Shave Cream over it, followed by

shaving foam or Hot lather, Proraso, then I continue by placing a hot towel with

Eucalyptus,
100% Pure essential and let it stay thre for 1 minute in order to warm up the facial hairs again, then I grab my

Luxor Pro Master Razor and re-add a put a brand new blade by

a blade by Derby one thing with the Derby You have to to re-place it for the second shaves,?
because the first shave always dulls the blade, depends on how thick the beard is, but if you think you gonna have to replace it just use the Astra, it’s much sharper. OK, now I go against the grain for maximum closeness.

After that, I take the recent towel and remove any residue left on the face, once that’s done, I get a real cold towel with the

Eucalyptus ,100% Pure essential Oil -30m and let it stay on the client face for another minute, then once remove, I apply my

After Shave Balm, by Musgo Real, than I add a little

talcking powder

What after shave or face balm do you use after a shave?Here is a good travel kit all men should have in their medicine cabinets Baxter of California Skin 1.2.3 Kit

After every shave I rub a little bit of Baxter of California After Shave Balm, in my hand and massage it all over the client’s face,

to prevent any burns and ingrowns I use Tend Skin , the Skin Care Solution For Unsightly Razor Burns, Ingrown Hair And Razor Bumps

Or sometimes I like using Bump Patrol , the o riginal Formula After Shave, that’s if you have any ingrown hairs or just to prevent that from happening.

What do you do to combat razor burns or ingrown hairs?

For razor burn, I like using a very cold towel saturated with Eucalyptus Essential Oil it

after the shave then I rub a little bit of Baxter of California After Shave Balm,

in my hand and massage the face, or sometimes I just use Bump Patrol. or
Barc Bump Down –The travel size is a really good one for all skin types.

What do you do for nicks and cut?

that rarely happen, but if that does happen, my best must have products are:

Clubman Dab On Nick Relief,
Infalab Nick Relief , powder, put just a small amount on your finger and dab it on the cut, or you can just use the Clubman, styptic pencil, all you gotta do is roll it on the cut and Voilà, it clots the bleeding.

Do you have a method to make thin hair appear fuller and thicker?

At photo shoot I always carry a can of

X-Fusion, Keratin Hair Fibers For Thinning Hair, to help minimize thinning hair with me,
it’s always a good idea to spray a little on the area that needs it the most, it makes the hair look natural and thicker. Plus it’s a good way to trick the the eye into thinking all the hair is there. They also have different color for all hair types, from dark brown to light brown and so on, oh by the way they also have a pump that you can use, for those of you who don’t like to sprays

How about grey hair, what’s your secret?I came across this color company name Bigen Powder Hair Color #58 Black, in 1999, and been using it on client ever since, it’s like a henna Bigen Powder, Hair Color #58, Oriental Black #59, it’s the perfect semi-permanent colors, it doesn’t have a strong smell to it easy to mix and it doesn’t require a lot of work, , and it won’t stain your shirt if you get cut in the rain or won’t come down your forehead if you are sweating, plus it doesn’t make you look like you are are wearing a helmet like the other coloring companies. All it takes 1/2 a bottle and it takes 15 minutes and you are done.

For black hair I recommend the black brown #58, you can get a box at my A-store on Amazon for
$4.99

How do you remove the color stain left on the skin?That’s the questions a lot of my clients who considering getting color asked me all the time. I found this back in 1999 Roux Clean Touch Haircolor Stain Remover and it works and if you are a smoker, cigaret ash works too, I learned that when I went to Mexico, 11 years ago. That’s the beauty of dealing with people from different cultures, LOL.

How do you deal with dry scalp and dandruffs?Always change your every 3 months, this season, I am only going to use a Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo & Special Conditioner Duo, by paul Mitchell on all my male clients, in the fall I will be using a
Peppermint Shampoo, and Cilantro Hair Conditioner, by Malin+Goetz.

Go Here To find out how you can control your dandruffs.

What about shaving for people with sensitive skin?

I always try to educate my clients about the way they shave, because a lot of them don’t really know how to it and how to use the razors, for the super sensitive skin, it’s always a good idea to shave with the grain a good single or 2 blade razor is always a good start, but if your face can’t take the razor, use my favorite, my portable Wahl Professional Rechargeable Shaver Shaper, it also come equip with a shaper in the back of it, that’s perfect for shaping the beard and the sideburns, and you can cut any the hair down with it before you shave.
Another one I use specially for me is a Braun Series 7- 790cc, Pulsonic Shaver System, Silver, it’s so good it even cleans itself of after you are done. Don’t go for any rotary shavers those will pinch your face a lot.

By the way it’s always a good idea to have a pair of Andis Professional Outliner II Personal Trimmer at home, if you are the type of guys who only shave every 3 or more days, you will be needing that first to cut the long hairs then you use the shave, but if you shave every day, you won’t need to use the outliner.

What do you do to trim the beard or sides burns?I use a Wahl Professional Senior Clipper that’s my favorite or Wahl Professional Super Taper II Clipper. They come with different settings from number #1 to #8. I hope your beard is never long enough for you to go to the last clip, but if you must, get yourself one of those two, you will not regret it

How about weekly clean up?

If you have the time to go to the barber, it’s all good to do it every two week, but if you don’t, get yourself a

FEATHER Styling Razor Kit

you can reuse it over and over until it gets dull, it’s the best, the blade is protected so there won’t be any nicks and cuts, but always remember if you have any mold or birth mark, find a way to go around that area.

Picture: Courtesy of Brian Hutchison
Read more About how to tell your barber how to cut your hair.

What advise do you give a man before the “BIG DAY”?Always, always get your hair cut a week in advance before “D day”.

You want to make sure that your hair is behaving like its suppose to. You’ll be stressed enough, and you don’t want your hair to stress you out any more than you already are, give it enough time to relax and settled.

How often should a guy get his haircut?I say every 3 to 4 weeks, 6 weeks the most! after that, I don’t know.
You can always get a clean up in between haircuts cuts. (I.e If you get a haircut 4 weeks, you get a clean up every 2 weeks, if you get a haircut every 6 weeks, you get a clean up every 3 weeks).

How about kid’s haircut, when is the best time?It’s so funny that you’ve asked me that, I’ve work at a barbershop 13 years ago, when the owner of the shop every time a parent would bring in a kid around time which he deem was “inappropriate”. And those time were early morning, lunchtime and rush hour, because to him those times were reserved for real clients, he said, but not to me. Kids are people too, and if their parents are paying for them to get a haircut, they should be able or allowed to get their hair cuts when ever they want and from who they’re please.
But if you want to know more about when to take you kids to a barbershop, you can read more about
that here On my blog

What form of payments do you accept?

I still accept traditional payments, but if it’s somebody I don’t know, I accept most major credit cards, PayPal, and the hottest and newest currency in the market…

What’s that?Bitcoins!

What keeps you going through the day?

I can’t believe I am saying this, but I drinks at least 5 medium size can of Red Bulls, Energy Drink, a day, and in in between clients I eat a lot of PowerBar, Granola, Natural Valley, Balance, I eat all flavors, I have no prejudice against sweet stuffs.

What advise do you have for men who use Rogaine, Propecia,
Plugs or hair transplant, I heard that Bosley, and Rogaine for Men, I heard they are doing wonders out there?

Use it at your own risk, your own discretion…
All I can say is that if you gonna use any of those products, I suggest using them wisely and knowing when to stop, because I have seen cases, we’re client grow hairs in 3 to 6 months, and I also seen cases where I’d go see a client, the first thing they would ask while I am putting the cape on is “do you see any differences, do you see any new growth” where I have to be like , “it’s been 9 months now, I did not see any thing then, and I don’t see anything now”. But then again sometimes it’s all in your head, if you think hair is growing, then it’s growing, if you think it’s not, then it’s not. That when you just say fuck it, I don’t need hair. Lol

The way I see it is like this: You are a man, it’s hair or no hair, born without it, die without it. And beside when was the last time your hair got you anything any way?
A girl maybe, but how about your job or that promotion, unless you are a hair model.
Oh wait! Are any of those companies hiring Bald models now?

You don’t have to take my word for it.
Read more: here
Originally at: www.http://mhgrowyourgame.com/