When Movie Hair Goes Horribly, Horribly Wrong!

You can depend on a great haircut, not to mention an awesome straight-razor shave, whenever you walk into any Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club®. But sometimes, a guy can find himself victimized by a barber who either doesn’t have a clue – or has a sick sense of humor instead.

Most of us have suffered through the indignity of the “Haircut from Hell.” The good thing about it is: you wait it out; your hair grows out, and your grooming crisis passes. You, and everyone who had the good taste to point and laugh at you, will forget it ever happened.

Pity, then, the Hollywood Actor who appears in a blockbuster film with his own “Haircut from Hell.” He can never forget about it. Not only has it been captured for all eternity, but audiences will be able to see it magnified a hundred times over on the big screen. It’s like having a pimple the size of Cuba on your forehead.

For example, remember Javier Bardem and his recent Oscar-winning turn in No Country for Old Men. That pageboy haircut on a soulless serial killer? Really? Yes, we admired how he took care of business, but he must have won that Academy Award for actually still being creepy despite looking like a middle-aged Buster Brown.

Let’s talk about a couple of other cinematic killers with throwback hair – Samuel Jackson and John Travolta in another Oscar-winner, Pulp Fiction. It’s a testament to both their talents that they come across as the coolest guys in the room – despite Jackson looking more like the original ‘70′s “Shaft” than he did when he made the remake, and Travolta looking like Liv Tyler after swimming class. Again, it’s easy to be professional hit men when your victims are so taken aback by your horrible hairstyles that they’re too stunned to run. The real assassins here are the barbers involved.

Then there’s another fun screen couple whose exploits were a bit on the lighter side – Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels in Dumb and Dumber. At least their haircuts were slightly justified by the fact that they were supposed to be stupid. Nevertheless, two hours of Carrey looking like Moe from The Three Stooges and Daniels looking like one of the dogs he’s supposed to be taking care of is a lot to ask.

Finally, there’s one of the all-time modern movie superstars – Tom Cruise, who, admittedly, isn’t as handsome as he used to be. You probably think his star began to fall when he started the new Olympic sport of “couch-jumping” on Oprah’s show. We have a different theory. We think it started with his hairdo in the movie, “Magnolia.”

It’s not one of his more widely-seen movies – and he actually played a supporting part – but for those of you used to the standard Tom Cruise Top Gun haircut, you’ll be startled to see the girly-man hairstyling in this offbeat flick. Frankly, it made us think he was a great candidate to play Lois Lane if they ever make another Superman movie. Cruise might have known what he was doing, however – because, once again, something about having the guts to sport the worst possible hair for a part, convinced the movie Gods to reward the actor with an Oscar nomination.

We’re being a little cruel here – obviously, all these extreme hair styles were purposely created to enhance the specific parts the actors were playing. And in all cases, these superstars were handsomely rewarded for these specific parts with either Oscar recognition or bigger career opportunities. The wrong haircut made the right difference for them.

But you’re not after an Academy Award when you step into the barbershop – you’re after the best possible haircut. And that’s why every Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club® guarantees you “The Best Haircut and Straight-Razor Shave You’ve Ever Had, or it’s Free.” Our revolutionary concept combines the amazing barbershop experience we all remember and cherish, along with the best in modern grooming products and free amenities. Check us out at
www.kennedysbarberclub.com for our locations and franchise opportunities.

At Kennedy’s, we make sure you look good for your starring role – your life!

P.S. Cruise recently did it again playing a big Hollywood producer in the Ben Stiller comedy Tropic Thunder. Hope he gets something for that role. It’s work watching just for his scenes.

Tips and Tricks for Beyond the barbershop

The Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club® franchisees guarantee you “The Best Haircut and Straight-Razor Shave You’ve Ever Had, or it’s Free.” But we can’t help what happens to your hair once you leave our barber chair – and, let’s face it, many of you guys are guilty of Hair Abuse on a daily basis.

No, we’re not going to call the Hair Care Cops on you – or even ticket you for having Hat Hair – but we would like to help you out by answering some of the basic questions about how to look after your locks. It’ll keep you going in between your visits to a Kennedy’s barber club.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I SHAMPOO?

Despite what you might have heard, it’s perfectly fine to shampoo and condition your hair every day – your hair won’t fall out or turn orange. Well, it might eventually fall out, but it won’t be the shampoo’s fault!

The trick is to use the right type of shampoo for your hair. For instance, if you have dry hair, you could damage your scalp by using a shampoo meant for oily hair. Just use common sense and don’t just keep swiping the product of whomever you might be sharing a bathroom with. Get the right product for your specific hair type.

DO I REALLY HAVE TO USE CONDITIONER TOO?

Yes, we’ll admit it. Men are lazy about all this stuff. We spend that whole twenty seconds shampooing and rinsing, and we think we deserve to watch a ballgame and have a beer as a reward. Well, try to avoid skipping the conditioner – it’s incredibly good for your scalp health, which, as you may have noticed, is what your hair is connected to.

WHAT ABOUT GELS?

The problem with most gels is they harden and they don’t let your scalp breathe. If you like the look you get from a gel, try to find a brand that doesn’t clog up your pores too much. And also make sure you wash it out every day.

WHAT KIND OF PRODUCT SHOULD I USE?

Maybe you think there’s no difference between the shampoo and conditioner you find on the supermarket shelves and the higher priced product they sell in salons and at Kennedy’s barber clubs. Well, first of all, those supermarket brands tell you to shampoo twice. You know, the famous “Shampoo, rinse, repeat”
sequence from the instructions on the bottle? That’s just to get you to use up more of their brand and it’s totally not necessary, plus it seems like a never-ending loop if you’re really fanatical about following directions.

Salon brands are formulated more for specific hair types and are better overall for your scalp health. They also make your hair look better. Our advice is don’t shop for hair product at the drug store and supermarket. Maybe you won’t be able to get that special “Shrek” Bubble Gum scented shampoo you love so much, but, hey, some sacrifices are necessary.

Feel free to ask your Kennedy’s barber about what product would be best for your hair – he can make an expert recommendation. Our barber clubs have a full range of hair products available for you to use during your visit and also for sale. At Kennedy’s barber clubs, our objective is to give you the best of the classic barbershop experience along with access to all the newest premium hair care products. To find a Kennedy’s near you, or to find out more about our great business franchise opportunities, visit us at http://www.kennedysbarberclub.com.

And remember – shampoo and rinse, but don’t repeat!

And How “The Lipstick Indicator” Affects Men!

Do you remember comedian Billy Crystal’s imitation of actor Fernando Lamas on Saturday Night Live in the ‘80’s? One of his big catch phrases was, “It’s better to look good than to feel good.” And that’s what “The Lipstick Indicator” is all about. Guys, stay with us here – it does carry over to our gender.

What’s The Lipstick Indicator? No, it doesn’t have anything to do with pigs, pitbulls, or Palin. Believe it or not, it’s a sign of economic distress, as devised by Leonard Lauder, chairman of the Estée Lauder cosmetics company shortly after the 9/11 attacks of 2001. Lauder noticed that lipstick sales spiked as the stock market dived downward in the days that followed. And he had the bright idea that when business goes bad, people start a stampede towards affordable luxuries – since buying big-ticket items is suddenly not an option.

Lauder’s theory was validated by a little more research – turns out, during the Great Depression in the 1930’s, the cosmetics industry actually boomed – with an annual increase of 25%. Not many other businesses could make that claim! With that track record in mind, Estée Lauder and other lipstick companies are suddenly releasing new shades and new lines for sale, to maximize their advantage in the wake of this year’s “Wall Street Meltdown.”

The New York Times did an entire article on the dynamic this past May – and quoted Dr. April Benson, a Manhattan psychologist, on why women lap up the lipstick when money’s tight: “When women use lipstick in times of stress, they’re doing it to put forward an image that they are more alive and vibrant, and not as down in the mouth.” Yep. Better to look good than to feel good.

But what does that have to do with guys? Well, it turns out men aren’t as different from woman as they might like to think. Maybe they can’t afford that hot new sports car – or
they have to pass on that boys-only Vegas weekend for now. But they too, look for affordable luxuries that can make them look good – it turns out, feel good as well.

That’s why many men are suddenly flocking to Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club, a new barbershop franchise that brings back the classic barbershop services and atmosphere – and adds a few modern twists that make for an awesome, self-indulgent, yet affordable experience. By featuring authentic straight-razor shaves administered by expert, licensed barbers, modern grooming products, and other extras, including complimentary beverage service (even Beer!), Kennedy’s barber clubs turn the traditional shave and a haircut into a luxurious but affordable “time-out” from the stresses of today’s economic woes. That’s why Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club franchises are being bought up quickly as smart investors realize The Lipstick Indicator Theory really points to one of those rare opportunities not to be passed up. There’s a lot more about the revolutionary, new (yet old), Kennedy’s concept at their website, http://www.kennedysbarberclub.com.

Contrary to Billy Crystal’s catchphrase, you CAN look good and feel good – just ask any delighted Kennedy’s member. And don’t be afraid to admire that member’s outstanding new shave and haircut by using that other famous Billy Crystal catchphrase: “You look marvelous!”

The Good Old Days When You Could Get a Manicure or an Appendectomy!

Remember when the neighborhood barbershop used to be the center of the community? Sure the town haircutter had power then, but, back in tribal times, when men were really men, the barber was also something of a high priest. People believed that long hair was a sign of “evil spirits,” so the barber had the scissors – and the spiritual power – to free them of any bad juju just by chopping their locks.

If only it were that simple today. Because if it was, there would be more than a few Washington politicians and Wall Street tycoons that should have their heads completely shaved.

In Greece, around 500 BC, the barbershop really became the cradle of civilization – from a man’s perspective, that is. The barber (the word “barber” comes from the Latin word for “beard,” if you’re wondering) would trim and curl noted gentlemen’s beards and add scents (yes, there were grooming products even back then). And, wouldn’t you know it, the guys would talk about sports, as guys apparently always did once the first ball was invented. A barber’s talents were so important back then that a big deal Greek politician actually lost an election because his opponent’s beard was more neatly trimmed. Shades of the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debate!

The Romans continued the Greek tradition and created their own version of the barbershop franchise, taking the tonsorial parlor to new heights. Some Roman gents would spend hours a day at the barbershop, which included such bonus services as massages, manicures and all sorts of ointments and cosmetics. And once again, it was the central gathering place for the most notable Roman men. As a matter of fact, Romans elevated barbers to such a status that they put up a statue dedicated to the first barber of Rome. You sure don’t see many barber monuments these days.

The whole barbershop business took a left turn during medieval times though, when barbers used to cut much more than hair. Do you know how the design of the traditional red and white barber pole originated? You may not want to know, as this is information that may disturb the squeamish, but barbers during medieval times used to also be in charge of bloodletting – the charming practice of cutting people so they bled a lot. In those pre-Blue Cross days, it was the common belief that that was how you could rid the body of disease, a practice that went on for almost two thousand years (and if you think we’re smarter today, remember there are still a substantial number of people who think the Chicago Cubs will one day win a World Series).

Barbers, interestingly enough, also decided around then they were dentists as well as surgeons – so when you went in for a shave and a haircut, you might leave missing either a vital organ or tooth, in addition to some hair. People complained – at least the ones who lived did – but the King of England upheld that a barber-surgeon was a good thing. Probably the Romans were smarter to limit the extra services to the massages and manicures, rather than allow a barber to literally have a license to kill. It wasn’t until the late 1800’s that barbers were once again limited to cutting hair.

The barbershop model that the Greeks and Romans celebrated evolved into the All-American barbershop so familiar to all of us from our childhood and old movies and TV shows. Unfortunately, it fell out of favor after the 60’s, when men’s hair became longer and more complicated. Suddenly, guys were sneaking into beauty parlors to get the same kind of service as their wives and girlfriends – or getting a quick hack job at the new unisex haircutter franchises and businesses.

Fortunately, the classic barbershop is making a bit of a comeback, combining the best of the old and the new. Case in point is Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club, a new barbershop franchise that smartly combines the old school haircut and straight razor shave service with modern grooming products and additional amenities such as complimentary beverages and other services. You can find out more about this phenomenal return to civilized barbershop offerings at www.kennedysbarberclub.com. Franchise opportunities are also available as a part of this exciting new venture.

And please be assured that Kennedy’s barbers are experts in their field – and have no interest in attempting surgery or dentistry on their customers.

I must to the barber’s, monsieur; for methinks I am marvellous hairy about the face, and …if my hair do but tickle me, I must scratch.
-William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream

A shave and a haircut are suddenly back in style!

During the 1960’s, American culture was turned upside down. Sure, some of the changes were necessary and important, but a few of them were absolutely wrong with a capital “W.” One of those things was definitely the decline of the barbershop.

When those of us over a certain age were kids (you know who you are!), there was no question where you’d go to get your hair cut – the barber. You’d see the men get a straight razor shave, you’d smell the hair tonic in the air, catch the game on the radio or TV if there was one, and listen to everyone shoot the you-know-what about everything and anything. Saturday morning at the barbershop was definitely the place to be – everybody knew everybody and it was an awesome experience to be a part of.

Somewhere in the 70’s, guys suddenly started showing up at beauty parlors and salons, of all places, to get their hair “styled”. Not only that, but unisex chop shop franchises began popping up at every corner – cookie cutter places with under qualified personnel that had no personality and truly crappy and/or out-dated women’s magazines to read in the waiting area.

Meanwhile, the barbershop businesses began displaying “For Sale” signs in their front windows more prominently than their operating hours. It suddenly seemed strange to even think about going to one – it was considered an endangered species, just like the general store or the malt shop. In one huge period of decline, the number of American barbershops went down by over a quarter as recently as between 1997 and 2001.

Well, like the resurgence of the 50’s diner a few years ago, some great things DO eventually come back into style and the barbershop experience is one of them. In recent months, major celebrities such as Will Smith, Rudy Giuliani, and Toby McGuire have extolled the virtues of the barbershop straight-razor shave – with Sting and David Letterman even getting them live onstage during their respective shows (just do a quick search on YouTube to take a look!). Quality magazines such as Forbes have also done features on the barbershop comeback.

And that’s why the hot new barbershop franchise business, Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club®, was born. The four founders of Kennedy’s: Chris Hurn, Tony Zara, J.W. Dicks Esq. and Nick Nanton Esq., saw an opportunity to bring back a beloved institution and freshen it up with modern touches, such as complimentary beverage service and new grooming products, that would appeal to today’s “distinguished gentlemen”. They wanted to create a place where guys could once again gather comfortably and be in their element.

And, of course, there’s the allure of the straight-razor shave afforable – a tradition that had become so out of date, that it’s now a newfound and welcome luxury. Most men these days have never been shaven by anyone except themselves – and are surprised by how much of a relaxing, comfortable and feel-good experience it is.

“It’s difficult for a professional guy, or any guy for that matter, to find the straight-razor shave,” commented Hurn. “It’s a dying art form in America, and we’re giving it a ‘Renaissance’.” But now, thanks to the Kennedy’s concept, it’s no longer on life support – and patrons can count on getting it done right, from an experienced licensed barber who definitely knows how to give the closet shave of your life.

Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club® offers multi-leveled memberships at its locations that feature varying discounts and additional services on top of unlimited Signature Haircuts and straight-razor shaves. Walk-ins from non-members are also available. For information on Kennedy’s Barber Club locations and information on how to buy into this hot new franchise, visit the Kennedy’s website at www.kennedysbarberclub.com .

If there’s a Kennedy’s in your area, check it out for yourself – and you’ll see how they indeed live up to their guarantee – The Best Haircut and Straight-Razor Shave You’ve Ever Had, or it’s Free™!