u/Huge_Atmosphere8119

I'm developing a male character for a story, and as part of my research I like to experience some of the everyday situations he would go through so I can write them as authentically as possible.

There's one thing I've been too embarrassed to ask about.

I'm a woman, so I obviously don't have a beard. However, I'd really like to experience a traditional barbershop shave: the hot towel, the lather, the atmosphere, the feeling of the straight razor, and the whole process. I understand there would be little to no facial hair to actually shave, so I'd leave it up to the barber to decide whether it makes sense to use a real blade, the back of the razor, or adapt the service in some other way.

My question is: would you consider this request strange or disrespectful? Do you think a barber would be willing to do it if I explained that it's for research while writing a character? I'm also a bit worried about what the other customers might think, as if I were taking up a chair just for a whim.

If anyone here is a barber or has had a similar experience, I'd really appreciate hearing your thoughts.

And, of course, I'd be happy to pay the full price for the service.

I'm developing a male character for a story, and as part of my research I like to experience some of the everyday situations he would go through so I can write them as authentically as possible.

There's one thing I've been too embarrassed to ask about.

I'm a woman, so I obviously don't have a beard. However, I'd really like to experience a traditional barbershop shave: the hot towel, the lather, the atmosphere, the feeling of the straight razor, and the whole process. I understand there would be little to no facial hair to actually shave, so I'd leave it up to the barber to decide whether it makes sense to use a real blade, the back of the razor, or adapt the service in some other way.

My question is: would you consider this request strange or disrespectful? Do you think a barber would be willing to do it if I explained that it's for research while writing a character? I'm also a bit worried about what the other customers might think, as if I were taking up a chair just for a whim.

If anyone here is a barber or has had a similar experience, I'd really appreciate hearing your thoughts.

And, of course, I'd be happy to pay the full price for the service.

Good morning, everyone.

I'm looking for reference videos (for drawing) of men shaving the traditional way, but I haven't been able to find what I'm looking for. The little material available online usually feels very artificial and overly polished, whereas I'm looking for something more natural.

By that I mean that almost everything seems staged: multiple camera cuts, posed shots, blank expressions, scenes designed to look good on Instagram, or they come across as aspirational content. And, in the worst cases, I end up finding heavily sexualized fetish content.

As I said, I'd really like to see a normal, everyday shaving routine. Not in a barbershop, not from a movie, and not from someone trying to sell me something, but just an ordinary guy taking his time and enjoying his own straight razor shaving ritual.

Thanks in advance. 🫂