In a world full of countless hair products, services, and salons for women, it can be easy for men to feel left out. With men taking their haircuts and hair care more seriously than ever, the need for a luxury barbershop has never been greater. Men are looking for a place where they can pamper themselves and experiment with trendy haircuts and beard trims, and Baxter Finley Barber & Shop is just the place.
Baxter Finley Barber & Shop has quickly become the top barbershop for quality haircuts and hair care in West Hollywood. When you get to know the shop, it’s easy to see why.
The Brand
Unlike most barbershops and hair salons, Baxter Finley isn’t owned by one or two people. Instead, it's owned by the L’Oréal brand Baxter of California. The corporate heritage doesn’t mean it’s not a passion project for the employees that have been there since day one. That's certainly the case for Sarah Healy, the shop's general manager.
Interestingly enough, Healy doesn’t have a background in barbering. She began her career in the beauty industry 20 years ago as an aesthetician. She quickly moved her way up the ranks as an aesthetician and was tapped to work as a consultant for Summit Salon Consulting, a company that exclusively works with salons that carry L’Oréal brands. When L’Oréal purchased the barbershop in 2013, they brought Healy on as a consultant to help set up the barbershop and barbers. When L’Oréal let the general manager who was there at the time go, they brought Healy on as the full-time general manager.
Even though Healy didn’t have experience in barbering, her experience as an aesthetician was a perfect fit for Baxter of California as the brand actually started as a skincare range for men before expanding into hair care. Over the last five years, Healy has helped to grow Baxter Finley into a one-stop shop for all men's beauty needs.
The Location
Much like the West Hollywood neighborhood Baxter Finley and Shop calls home, the barbershop decor is fun and eclectic with a perfect blend of old and new accents.
While the barbershop is a destination for the modern man, Healy says the antique touches are a nod to old-school barber shops where men used to hang out. Back then, men really took their haircuts and hair care routines seriously.
"When you walk in here, you want to feel like you kind of stepped back in time a little bit and you want to be able to relax. I’m big on energy and I want the space to make you feel good when you walk in the door—make you feel like you want to stay a little bit,” Healy explains.
The Products
Considering its name, it should come as no surprise that the Baxter Finley Barber & Shop exclusively carries Baxter of California products. Lucky for their customers, the Baxter of California range carries everything barbers and clients need to create flawless haircuts and beard looks. While the barbers use the full range to help their clients achieve the style they’re going for, Healy says Baxter of California pomades are easily their best selling product range.
“Our number one seller is the Clay Pomade. It tends just to fit the biggest demographic of hair types out there,” she says.
The barbers work closely with their clients to find the perfect products for their hair type, texture, and lifestyle. While the Hard Water Pomade may be perfect for straight and slightly waves strands, the Grooming Cream is more suitable for textured hair.
The Services
Like most barber shops, Healy says haircuts make up about 80 percent of their business, but the shop has way more to offer than just haircuts. Baxter Finley Barber & Shop offers a full range of barbering services including haircuts ($43+), buzz cuts ($25+), shaves ($41+), and beard trims ($20+). Baxter Finley Barber & Shop also offers a gray blending service for men who are beginning to go gray but want to hold on to their salt and pepper look a little while longer.
Unlike women, who typically visit the salon every 10 to 16 weeks, Healy says most of their regulars return every two to three weeks. The most dedicated clients—particularly those with beards—head to the barbershop weekly.
Most recently, Healy hired a female barber with a background as an aesthetician to begin offering Gentlemen’s Facials ($43+). The newest service is a clear nod to the brand's founding skincare range, but it also can be the first and only time Baxter clients spend time pampering their skin.
“She does a full 40-minute facial in the barber chair because the barber chair lays back and our clients love them. They kind of look like they’re just getting a shave with the towels on their face, but they’re getting a facial. It’s really nice. She puts a lot of clients to sleep,” Healy says.
The Details
The Baxter Finley Barber and Shop is located at 515 North La Cienega Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA. To book an appointment, call 310-657-4726 or visit www.baxterofcalifornia.com/baxter-finley. Follow the barbershop on Instagram and Facebook for more information.
