It’s generally considered a woman’s getaway, a day at the salon, but there’s a growing trend where even the most manly of men want to get pampered, too.
Don’t believe it? With the help of some Washington Redskins, we put it to the test.
At the Robert Andrew Salon in Gambrills, Md., tucked away from the tinfoil and peroxide, there's a special Men’s Zone. It caters to men who want to relax and get pampered -- a previously untapped market -- all while watching the game.
"It’s pretty cool man," said 6-foot-3-inch, 315-pound offensive lineman Edwin Williams. "Reminds me of the players lounge at Redskins Park. All you need is a couple of xBoxes in here to get this party started."
And that’s the goal. The salon is profiting from making men feel comfortable. In the past year, it has seen a 13 percent increase in male customers. Now, 35 percent of its business comes from men.
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"From the outside we are very deceiving. When you walk in, men are very overwhelmed,” said salon spokeswoman Leanne Decker. "We are kind of like a mini mall. So the Men’s Zone is kind of known for them to get away from all the hubbub and all the women.”
What’s in the playbook? First up: the man’s facial. It feels "like I am being anointed with oils,” Williams said.
Next up is a relaxing massage, and what’s a trip to the salon without a mani pedi?
“It gets you relaxed, gets your mind ready for the game and gets your body feeling good,” said 6-foot-2-inch, 215-pound wide receiver Devin Thomas.
But what will his teammates think?
"They cant say nothing," Thomas said. "Trust me, a lot of guys do it whether they say it or not."
“I still feel like a man,” Williams said. “Just don’t tell my boys about this.”
Now that the secret is out, spa rookies like Williams are hooked on the trend, which just might spread through the locker room.
"So fresh and so clean," Williams said.
