Skip to main content

Talking Facial Fuzz with Master Barber, Alex Glover

Remember when a beard was a sign of slobbery? At some point that symbolism was superseded by a new found sartorial respect for facial hair. A well-groomed beard or perfectly clipped handlebar moustache is now an indicator of awesome personal style.

Murdock of London has championed this trend since the first outpost opened in 2006. Since then, the company has firmly established itself, with five barbershops located across London and a bevy of now cult products used by some of London’s most style-conscious men. The Manual caught up with master barber Alex Glover to talk super sharp beards and a new era of facial fuzz.

When Murdock was established in 2006 it seemed to trigger a resurgence of the whole Victorian male grooming thing in London. Why do you think people went so mad for it?

At the time there was a resurgence of all things British – I think that was a natural reaction to globalisation – what seemed cool was the idea of independent British business again – the idea that we are a nation of shopkeepers but this time around it looks quite sophisticated – vintage but defiantly modern British.

Also in terms of men’s grooming there have always been style cycles and when we started there was a natural reaction to the last cycle which was the metro sexual male, that concept of salon based hairdressing for men with cut and colour, funky asymmetric haircuts and even make-up for men had become common, jaded and tacky. The new look referenced the burgeoning connection in London with vintage and naturally, certain eras were inspirational. Brendan Murdock’s (the founder of the brand) shop interiors created a space in which many eras were evoked but in a modern way whereby they can all look right in the same space. What started as quite 20’s went to the 30’s to the 50’s then back to the 40’s, with beards and moustaches currently referencing Victoriana.

What’s the nicest thing about your job?

The clients make the role of barber an absolute pleasure – you get to meet so many interesting guys (and some girls!) – such a diversity of men from all walks of life and with so many individual talents. It sometimes feels like we belong to an elite club of discerning new consumers who take as much interest in their grooming as they do with where they shop, eat and play.

What is the most popular service you offer?

Haircuts are our bread and butter but shaves and beard trims are what give us the (cut-throat) edge!

Why are beards so hot right now?

It’s my belief that the Internet and the subsequent digital revolution germinated the beard phenomenon of this generation in London and around the world. With more and more jobs being conducted online there was much less pressure to present a clean-cut corporate image at all times. Many men are now dressing how they want to dress at work and this thread continues into grooming. Now we have clients who visit frequently to keep their beards super sharp – creating hyper-masculinity – a real strength in the beard with sartorial elegance as opposed to the lazy beatnik styles of yesterday.

Do you have any amazing stories or regular customers?

Well styling the Brits and the Bafta awards were pretty fun  – sitting on a sofa with Jodie Kidd whilst looking at Tom Ford having a joke with Robbie Williams was like being in Madame Tussaud’s! Also we have worked with various charities such as Movember, which makes you feel warm inside!

When you meet famous actors, comedians and musicians and they are all totally pleasant and at ease it makes you believe anything is possible and that they are just like you or me just more driven.

If you had to advise a customer to invest in one amazing Murdock product what would it be and why?

It would be the Murdock Post Shave Balm – a face quenching, cooling, repairing balm which has the signature Murdock scent Avalon – a perfect Mediterranean moment to make even the most rushed of shaves feel like you just got out of the barber chair!

Finally who has rocked the best hair/facial hair look in history?

Hair wise David Bowie has covered every style imaginable but usually when everyone else was doing something else  – a style leader! Beard wisdom from GOD and JESUS…amen.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Jodie Kharas
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jodie Kharas is a style, art and culture writer who lives in London. She has contributed to the online platforms of POP…
How to maintain stubble year-round
A man putting on face cream while looking in the mirror.

For a classic and casual look for your facial hair, stubble is a great option for all sorts of face shapes and ages. It's also, rather handily, one of the easiest looks to maintain. But easy maintenance doesn't mean no maintenance, and if you want to look your best then you shouldn't skip on taking care of your stubble and your skin.

Stubble is a good choice if you're impatient for your beard to grow or if regular shaving is causing havoc to your skin. And with a little work to keep it neat and tidy, stubble can be an attractive and fresh look. We've rounded up a handful of tips to have your stubble looking its best.
Cleanse and exfoliate

Read more
How to straighten your beard at home safely and comfortably
Man with a straightened beard

Want to find out how to straighten that wild clump of hair on your face? You've come to the right place! In this article, we'll walk you through the easiest ways to straighten your beard, with and without heat.

If you've gone searching for answers yourself, you probably already know that there's an overwhelming number of guides and videos on the web purporting to explain how to straighten your beard. Unfortunately, few of them actually break down the different straightening options step-by-step, which is what we've tried to do it our guide. That way, you can have a clear sense of which beard straightening method best integrates into your daily routine.

Read more
How to shave with a straight razor without hurting yourself
Straight razor shave

Learning how to shave with a straight razor is a delicate art form of its own that requires practice and patience in learning how to master it. It's a ritual that can become a meditative discipline for those who hone its craft, almost transporting you back in time -- a suave experience. But don't just take our advice on it. Look no further than the epitome of sophistication -- 007 himself.

When Moneypenny helps James Bond finish shaving with a straight razor in the 2012 classic Skyfall, she says -- knowingly -- that "Sometimes, the old ways are the best." It's an adage to live by and one that holds true when it comes to men's grooming routines.

Read more