What Beard Oil Does

Beard oil is a moisturizer. It treats the skin underneath the beard and conditions the hair itself. When your beard itches, when your face feels dry and tight after washing, when your beard looks dull, that is a moisture problem. Beard oil fixes it.

It absorbs. You apply it, work it into the skin with your fingertips, and within minutes you can not tell it is there. No hold, no weight, just soft hair and hydrated skin.

A few drops goes a long way. Warm it between your palms and massage it in from the skin outward.

What Beard Balm Does

Beard balm is a styling product that also conditions. It has a wax or butter base that gives your beard light to medium hold. It tames flyaways, shapes the beard, and helps longer beards stay where you put them.

It conditions too, but not as deeply as oil. Think of balm as the second step, not the first.

Short Beard vs. Long Beard

Short beard: use oil. You don't need hold on a beard that's already close to your face. You need the skin underneath to stay healthy, especially in the patchy growth phase when it gets itchy. Oil is the move.

Long beard: use both. Oil first to condition the skin and hair. Balm on top to shape and control. The oil gives the balm something to work with and keeps the skin from drying out under all that wax.

Medium length: start with oil. Add balm if you find yourself fighting flyaways or reshaping throughout the day.

Can You Use Both at Once

Yes. Oil goes in first, into the skin and hair. Let it absorb for a minute. Then work a small amount of balm over the surface to style. You get the deep conditioning of oil and the control of balm without either product canceling the other out.

The THB Options

Snake Oil is the beard oil. Lightweight carrier oils, absorbs clean, no grease left behind. Works as a shave oil too if you want to run it double duty.

Beard Balm is the shaping product. Light hold, conditions while it styles, keeps longer beards from going feral by midday.

Pick one or use both. Just stop letting beard care be more complicated than it needs to be.

What Texture Powder Does

Texture powder coats the hair shaft with a light, grip-creating layer. It adds volume at the roots, separation through the length, and a matte finish that looks natural. No grease, no heaviness, no shine.

It is not a styling product by itself. Think of it as a base layer. It gives your other products something to grip. Or use it solo for a dry, effortless look with real volume.

One Rule: Dry Hair Only

This is where most guys go wrong. Texture powder does not work on wet or damp hair. It clumps. Wash, dry completely, then apply. If your hair is still warm from the dryer, give it a minute to cool down.

How to Apply It

Shake a small amount directly onto your roots. And when we say small, we mean small. Less than you think. Start with a fingertip-sized amount and build from there.

Flip your head forward if your hair is long enough. Massage the powder into the roots with your fingertips. You are working it into the scalp area, not just the surface of the hair.

Flip back up. Run your fingers through to distribute. Style from there, either with your hands or with a comb if you want more definition.

Common Mistakes

Too much product. This is the main one. Texture powder builds. Start light.

Applying mid-shaft instead of roots. The volume comes from lifting at the root. If you apply it to the ends, you just get stiff ends.

Not massaging it in. Powder sitting on top of the hair does nothing. Work it in with your fingertips.

Which Hair Types It Works Best On

Fine or thin hair gets the most dramatic result. The volume boost is real. If your hair lies flat no matter what you do, texture powder changes that.

Thick hair benefits from the grip it adds. Makes other products hold better and gives you more separation.

Not great for very curly hair. It can disrupt the curl pattern. Works better on wavy to straight.

Pairing It With Other Products

Texture powder first, then a small amount of matte clay on top for hold. That combination gives you volume, grip, and a clean matte finish without heaviness.

Or use it with sea salt spray. Spray damp hair, rough dry, then hit the roots with powder. You get that beach texture look with actual volume.

Here is the honest breakdown.

What Matte Finish Actually Does

Matte pomade kills shine. That is the point. Your hair looks natural, textured, like you ran your hands through it and it just landed that way. For most guys, this is the right call. Matte works for messy styles, textured cuts, anything where "effortless" is the goal.

Clay-based mattes also add grip. They grab the hair shaft and give you real hold without that hard, crunchy shell you get from old-school pomades. The Matte Clay is built around that principle. You can reshape it through the day. The hold stays, the shine doesn't.

Best for: textured cuts, short to medium length hair, natural-looking styles, thick hair that needs control without weight.

What High Shine Actually Does

High shine is the classic. Think slick backs, comb-overs, the kind of hair that looks like it was done on purpose. If matte says "I woke up like this," high shine says "I took my time and it shows."

Water-based high shine pomades like the High Shine Original Pomade give you that mirror finish without the mess of old petroleum-based products. They wash out clean. They restyle through the day. And they make thick, coarse hair manageable in a way clay-based products don't always handle.

Best for: slick styles, vintage-inspired looks, medium to long hair, fine hair that needs help looking full and polished.

Which One Fits Your Hair Type

Fine hair: go shine. High shine products add the appearance of thickness and volume. Matte on fine hair can look flat.

Thick or coarse hair: go matte. You don't need help looking full. You need help getting control. Clay grips coarse hair better than water-based products.

Medium hair: either works. Pick based on the style you're going for, not the hair type.

When to Use Each One

Matte is the everyday workhorse. Casual, clean, works for most situations from the job site to the bar. High shine is when you need to look deliberate. A night out, a function, an occasion where "put together" matters.

Some guys keep both. Different looks for different days. Nothing wrong with that.

The THB Take

The Matte Clay is built for guys who want control without looking like they tried too hard. Medium-strong hold, dead matte finish, reshapes through the day.

The High Shine Original Pomade is the classic. Water-based, strong hold, the kind of shine that actually looks good instead of greasy. Works on any hair type that can pull off a polished look.

Neither one is better. They just do different things. Pick the finish that matches what you're going for, and you'll stop second-guessing it.

The problem isn't aftershave. It's what most aftershave products actually are.

What Aftershave Actually Does

Your job post-shave is to calm the skin down and close it back up. Shaving removes the top layer of dead skin cells along with the stubble. That is a good thing, it keeps your skin looking fresh. But it also leaves the skin temporarily vulnerable. Redness, tightness, razor burn, ingrown hair risk. That all comes from skipping or bungling the post-shave step.

A real aftershave does three things. It closes the pores. It soothes irritation. It hydrates the skin barrier that the blade disrupted. Alcohol-based aftershaves do one of those at best, and badly at that. The burn feels like it's working. It is not.

Alcohol-Based vs. Tonic-Style

Alcohol closes pores fast by stripping moisture out of the skin. It is cheap to produce and gives an immediate sensation that reads as "clean" to most guys. The trade-off is dryness, irritation, and skin that feels tight by midday.

Tonic-style aftershaves use witch hazel, glycerin, and skin-calming ingredients to do the same job without the dehydration. They close the pores, reduce redness, and leave the skin hydrated instead of parched. The result is a better shave, less visible irritation, and skin that actually looks good instead of just smelling like a barbershop.

The Right Order of Application

Finish your shave. Rinse your face with cold water first. Cold water contracts the pores and takes down surface redness before you apply anything. Pat dry, don't rub.

Apply a small amount of aftershave tonic to your palms, rub them together, and press gently into the face and neck. Press, not slap. You are not in a movie. Then let it absorb. Give it 30 seconds before you do anything else to your face.

If you're using a moisturizer, it goes after the aftershave, once the tonic has absorbed.

What to Look For in an Aftershave

Witch hazel or similar astringent that closes pores without alcohol's dehydration. Glycerin or a humectant to hold moisture. No synthetic fragrances that sit on irritated skin. A light enough formula that it absorbs completely without leaving residue.

That is a short list. Most products on the shelf don't hit it.

The Last Thing

If your current post-shave routine involves burning and waiting it out, that is not how it should feel. A good aftershave leaves your skin feeling better than before you started. That is the standard. Anything short of it, and you are using the wrong product.

The THB Aftershave Tonic was built to close the shave clean. Bay, whiskey, and lime. Smells the part, does the work.

Here is how to actually do it.

Why Safety Razors Are Worth the Switch

One blade. Sharp, clean, and replaceable for pennies. No multi-blade drag that tugs and irritates. The safety razor rides on a single edge with weight doing most of the work. Less pressure, cleaner cut, less irritation.

The learning curve is real but short. Two or three shaves and it clicks. After that, it is faster than cartridge shaving and the results aren't even close.

What You Need to Get Started

A good razor. The SR-71 Guard Bar is the beginner-friendly option. Mild geometry, forgiving head design, lets you learn technique without getting beat up. If you're ready to go aggressive, the SR-71 Slant cuts at an angle for a closer shave on coarse stubble.

Quality blades. Most double-edge blades are cheap. Get a sampler pack and find what works with your skin and stubble density.

A real lather. Shaving cream from a can is pressurized foam and not much else. Shave soap or a proper shaving cream builds a real cushion that protects the skin and lets the blade glide instead of scrape.

Prep: The Step Most Guys Skip

Hot water softens stubble and opens the pores. Shower first, or at minimum soak your face with hot water for a minute before you shave. Stubble that hasn't been hydrated fights the blade. Hydrated stubble cuts clean.

Build your lather and work it into the beard with a shave brush. The brush lifts the hair off the face so the blade cuts at the base instead of pushing it down. This is how barbers have done it for a hundred years. It works.

The Technique

Short strokes. No pressure. Let the weight of the razor do the cutting.

Keep the handle at roughly 30 degrees from your face. That is the sweet spot for most safety razors. Not flat against your skin, not perpendicular. Find the angle where you hear and feel the razor cutting cleanly.

Go with the grain first. Once you are comfortable, a second pass across the grain gets you closer. Against the grain is for experienced shavers on their best skin days only.

Rinse the blade every two or three strokes. Clean blade cuts better than a clogged one.

Post-Shave Routine

Rinse with cold water to close the pores. Pat dry, don't scrub. Then aftershave tonic, not a stinging alcohol splash. You just dragged a blade across your face. Treat the skin accordingly.

The Aftershave Tonic calms irritation, hydrates, and closes the shave clean. It is what your post-shave should feel like.

The Full THB Setup

Razor: SR-71 Guard Bar to start, SR-71 Slant when you want to go closer. Lather: Artisan Line Shaving Soap. Finish: Aftershave Tonic. That is the whole system. It costs less per shave than any cartridge setup and the results are better from shave one.

When we walked into the building on N Wellwood Ave in Lindenhurst, something felt right. It was built in 1932. It had weight to it, history you could feel in the walls. It also had drop ceilings, brown wood paneling, and brown carpet. Decades of people covering up what was already there instead of letting it breathe.

We started pulling it back.

What Was Underneath

Ripped up a piece of carpet. Underneath, original white oak floors. Damn near a hundred years old and still beautiful. Popped a drop ceiling tile. Behind it, tin ceilings. The real ones. Pulled back a section of that ugly brown paneling and found the original sea foam green stucco walls sitting there, waiting.

This building had been hiding in plain sight. Not rotted out, not beyond saving. Just buried under decades of shortcuts.

Most people would have gutted the whole thing. Started fresh. Slapped up some drywall, threw in some Edison bulbs, and called it a barbershop. That is not how we do things. We don't cover stuff up. We uncover it. We brought the building back to its original bones and gave it a Holy Black soul.

Why a Barbershop

The Holy Black started as a product company. Stefan making pomade and shaving soap in small batches, selling online, building a following of guys who gave a damn about what they put in their hair. The brand grew from there into something bigger than any single product.

A barbershop was the natural extension. Not a side project. Not a vanity play. Barbershops are where the culture lives. Where guys sit down, take a minute, and walk out feeling like the best version of themselves. That is what we have always been about, with or without a physical space.

Matt runs the shop. He is the face of the brand, the one with the handshake everyone remembers. The team he built, Kevin, Tony, Saul, Anthony, Nick, Robby, and RJ, are all cut from the same cloth. Guys who are serious about the craft and don't take themselves too seriously.

The Philosophy Behind It

Whether it is a building from 1932 or a formula we have been dialing in for years, the work is the same. Find what is real. Strip back what is covering it up. Let it speak for itself.

We do not chase trends. We do not reformulate products to cut costs. We do not gut the character out of a space to make it look like every other barbershop in America. The original bones matter. The work you put in to preserve them matters more.

That is the philosophy behind every product with The Holy Black name on it. Small batches. Real ingredients. Nothing hidden.

Come See It

The shop is at 166 N Wellwood Ave in Lindenhurst. Tuesday through Saturday, 9 to 6. Walk in or book through Squire. If you are on Long Island and you have not been in, now is the time.

And if you can not make the trip, the products ship everywhere. Everything we make in the shop, we sell online. Same quality either way.

Learn more about the barbershop or shop the full collection.

A solid grooming routine isn’t just about looking good—it’s about doing things the right way. The details matter, and small mistakes can throw everything off. We see it all the time, and chances are, you might be making one of these mistakes yourself.

Here’s how to fix them.

Mistake #1: Using Too Much Hair Product

Pomade, matte clay, texture powder—these are meant to enhance your style, not drown it. Too much product weighs your hair down, making it stiff and unnatural.

Fix: Start with a dime-sized amount of Supermax Pomade or Matte Clay, and add more if needed. If your hair needs a lift without buildup, Texture Powder is your best friend.

[Shop Hair Styling Essentials]

Mistake #2: Skipping Beard Maintenance

Letting your beard grow wild is one thing, but a dry, scraggly beard is never a good look. Neglecting your beard makes it rough, itchy, and uneven.

Fix: Keep it soft and healthy with Snake Oil or Beard Balm—hydration and control in one.

[Explore Beard Care]

Mistake #3: Ignoring Pre- and Post-Shave Care

If you’re still shaving with just water and a cheap razor, you’re doing it wrong. Redness, irritation, and uneven results are the price you pay.

Fix: Lather up with Shaving Soap or Shaving Cream for a smooth, irritation-free shave. Finish with Aftershave Tonic to refresh and protect your skin.

[Upgrade Your Shave]

Mistake #4: Forgetting to Moisturize

Dry skin makes you look older, rougher, and less put together. If your face feels tight after washing, you’re missing a key step.

Fix: Apply Moisturizing Lotion after shaving or cleansing. It absorbs quickly and keeps your skin looking fresh without feeling greasy.

[Keep Your Skin in Check]

Mistake #5: Sticking to the Same Routine All Year

What worked in winter won’t always work in spring. Warmer weather calls for lighter products, fresher scents, and an adjusted routine.

Fix: Swap heavier balms for lighter oils, use Texture Powder instead of dense pomades, and refresh your scent with a clean, classic aftershave.

[Shop Seasonal Grooming Essentials]

Dial It In

Grooming isn’t about following trends or doing what everyone else does. It’s about finding what works for you and doing it well. If you’ve been making any of these mistakes, now’s the time to fix them.

[Get the Right Tools for the Job]

Stay sharp,
The Holy Black Crew

Spring is about fresh starts—and that goes for your grooming routine too. We asked the team here at The Holy Black what products they’re reaching for as the weather warms up. Here are our top picks to keep you looking sharp and feeling fresh this season.

The Holy Black Spring Essentials

Matte Clay – Lightweight Hold, Effortless Style

"When I want to look like I put in effort—without actually spending all morning on my hair—the Matte Clay is my go-to. It holds up but never feels heavy." – Tristan , Barber

✅ Perfect for a natural finish
✅ Works great in warmer weather
✅ Easy to rework throughout the day

[Grab Your Matte Clay Now]

Snake Oil – The Beard’s Best Friend

"Snake Oil is a daily essential. It keeps my beard soft and smelling incredible—especially after a long day." – Matty, Founder

✅ Hydrates beard and skin
✅ Adds a subtle, fresh scent perfect for spring
✅ Doubles as a nourishing hair oil

[Shop Snake Oil]

Texture Powder – Volume Without the Fuss

"On those days when I skip a wash, Texture Powder is a lifesaver. It soaks up the oil and gives my hair that extra lift." – Michael, Barber

✅ Adds volume and texture instantly
✅ Keeps hair fresh between washes
✅ Ideal for quick morning routines

[Try Texture Powder Today]

Shaving Soap & Aftershave Tonic – Clean Shave, Fresh Finish

"There’s nothing like a proper shave with our Shaving Soap—it lathers like a dream. And the Aftershave Tonic wakes up my face and cools everything down." – Stefan, Founder

✅ Rich, creamy lather for a smoother shave
✅ Soothes skin and prevents irritation
✅ Light, invigorating scent for a fresh start

[Shop Shaving Essentials]

Moisturizing Lotion – Your Skin Will Thank You

"Coming out of winter, my skin was wrecked. This lotion absorbs fast, doesn’t feel greasy, and keeps me hydrated all day." – Tony, Barber

✅ Lightweight, non-greasy formula
✅ Perfect for daily use
✅ Restores moisture without the shine

[Stay Hydrated with Moisturizing Lotion]

Why These Picks?

We use what we make—because we believe in it. Our products are designed to perform, last, and make your daily routine easier. Spring is the time to freshen up, so why not start with the products we reach for ourselves?

[Explore All Staff Picks]

Get Ready to Look Your Best

Your grooming routine doesn’t have to be complicated. A few small upgrades can make a world of difference. We’ve got you covered—now it’s your turn to pick your favorites.

[Shop Now and Refresh Your Spring Routine]

See you out there,
The Holy Black Crew

If you’ve been around long enough, you already know that The Holy Black isn’t just about

grooming products. It’s about something bigger. A mindset. A way of carrying yourself. A belief that the details matter—whether it’s the way you style your hair, the way you shake a hand, or the way you take care of the people around you.

We don’t just sell pomade, beard oil, or aftershave. We build something deeper, a community.

What It Means to Be Part of The Holy Black

Respect for the Craft
Every product we create is made with the same attention to detail and dedication that goes into mastering a skill. The right tools make all the difference, and we take pride in giving you the best.

Tradition
There’s a reason we look to the past for inspiration. Classic style, traditional shaving, well-groomed beards—these things never go out of fashion. But tradition isn’t about staying still; it’s about taking what works and making it your own.

A Group of Like-Minded Individuals
The Holy Black isn’t just a brand, it’s a community. When you use our products, you’re part of something that values craftsmanship, individuality, and carrying yourself with confidence.

What’s in Your Daily Ritual?

Every man has his own routine. Some keep it simple, others take their time. Whether you’re starting the day with a clean shave or taming the beast of a beard, it’s about taking a moment for yourself and doing it right.

Here’s what we reach for every morning:

• Supermax Pomade – For a sharp, clean style that holds up all day.
• Shaving Soap & Aftershave Tonic – For a classic, smooth shave that leaves you refreshed.
• Snake Oil – To keep the beard healthy and soft, without feeling greasy.
• Moisturizing Lotion – Because dry, rough skin has never been a good look.

If you’ve never tried them, now’s the time.

[Explore the Essentials]

More Than Just a Product

The Holy Black is about knowing that how you carry yourself says more than words ever could. It’s about being part of something bigger than yourself—whether that’s a craft, a community, or a mindset.

If you get it, you’re already one of us.

[Shop Now]

See you out there,
The Holy Black Crew

The Holy Black | Early Spring Refresh

Winter is finally behind us. The cold, dry air and months of hibernation have taken their toll, but now it’s time to shake it off and step into spring looking your best. As the days get longer and the weather warms up, your grooming routine should evolve too.

Spring is about fresh starts—this is your chance to clean up, refresh, and make sure you’re ready for the season ahead.

How to Refresh Your Grooming Routine for Spring

1. Tame Your Hair with Lightweight Hold

Ditch the heavy products you relied on during colder months. For a lighter, natural finish, reach for our Matte Clay or Texture Powder—perfect for creating effortless styles that hold up without feeling weighed down. Need something with extra hold? The Supermax Pomade has you covered without the greasy finish.

2. Revive Your Skin

Winter air dries out your skin, leaving it dull. Start fresh by using our Moisturizing Lotion—light enough for daily use but rich enough to replenish hydration. Don’t forget to exfoliate before moisturizing to get the full effect.

3. Refresh Your Shave

If you let the beard grow over the winter, now’s the time to clean it up. Our Shaving Cream and Shaving Soap deliver a smooth, protective shave, while the Aftershave Tonic soothes and invigorates the skin—no sting, just refreshment. Prefer to keep the beard? Keep it looking sharp with Snake Oil for hydration and shine, or the Beard Balm for shape and control.

4. Lighten Up Your Scents

Spring calls for brighter, cleaner scents. Our grooming products, including Aftershave Tonic and Snake Oil, carry fresh, invigorating notes that are perfect for warmer weather. Smell as good as you look.

Your Spring Essentials Are Waiting

We’ve curated everything you need to refresh your grooming routine and step into the new season with confidence. Whether you’re cleaning up the beard, restyling your hair, or reviving your skin, we’ve got the tools to get you there.

Why Wait? Spring Doesn’t Last Forever

You’ve spent months bundled up—now it’s time to shed the layers and show up looking your best. Your face, hair, and skin will thank you.

Clean up. Refresh. Look like you’re ready for spring.

See you on the other side of winter,
The Holy Black Crew

Grooming Essentials: Embrace the Changing Seasons with The Holy Black

As the seasons change, so do the needs of your skin and facial hair. Transitioning from the harsh winter cold to the pleasant warmth of summer, or vice versa, demands a shift in your grooming routine. At The Holy Black, we're all about blending tradition with modernity, and offer three remarkable products tailored to cater to your skin and facial hair year-round: The Holy Black's After-Shave Tonic, Snake Oil, and Moisturizing Lotion.

1. After-Shave Tonic: The Essential Finish

Every shave deserves a perfect ending, and The Holy Black's After-Shave Tonic is precisely that. Crafted to perfection, this alcohol-based aftershave tonic is, in no exaggeration, the best you'll ever put on your face. Its merits go beyond just a refreshing post-shave ritual; it's a crowd-pleaser, an experience that might just change your life.

Benefits:

• Toning & Cleansing: An alcohol-based aftershave tonic acts as an astringent, toning your skin and cleansing it thoroughly. It's a gentle reminder that it's doing its job, giving you a subtle burn that vanishes quickly.

• Long-Lasting Fragrance: The Holy Black's signature Gunpowder Spice fragrance lingers, neither overpowering nor too subtle. It leaves you smelling and feeling fresh throughout the day.

• Fresh & Invigorating: Applying this tonic post-shave leaves you feeling revitalized, ready to conquer the day with confidence.

2. Snake Oil: A Multifaceted Grooming Elixir

Snake Oil, as the name suggests, is a versatile elixir for your grooming needs. This 'dry' oil, contrary to common misconceptions, won't leave you greasy. Its uses are diverse, making it a grooming essential for the modern man.

Benefits:

• Multi-Use Marvel: From a pre-shave treatment to a leave-in conditioner, this oil does it all. Use it as a shaving oil, beard oil, hair tonic, anti-dandruff solution, and more. It's a tool you'll keep reaching for.

• Non-Greasy & Quick Absorption: The 'dry' oil formulation ensures it absorbs easily without leaving any residue or staining your clothes.

• Anti-Frizz Technology: Borrowing from women's grooming products, this oil conquers frizz, leaving your beard and hair tamed and polished.

3. Moisturizing Lotion: The Unseen Necessity

Moisturizing isn't reserved for a particular season or gender. The Holy Black's Moisturizing Lotion is a testament to that. Slightly fragranced and non-greasy, it's your year-round companion for well-nourished skin.

Benefits:

• All-Year Hydration: Tailored for all seasons, this lotion ensures your skin stays healthy and glowing, adapting to the changing weather.

• Versatile Usage: Use it as an aftershave balm or as an everyday moisturizer for your face, hands, elbows, and more. It's lightweight and versatile, fitting seamlessly into your grooming routine.

• Soothing & Absorbent: Infused with Aloe Vera, it calms the skin while absorbing effortlessly, providing relief to dry or cracked areas.

The changing seasons don't have to be a challenge for your skin and facial hair. Embrace the transformative effects of The Holy Black's After-Shave Tonic, Snake Oil, and Moisturizing Lotion. Tailored for modern men seeking timeless grooming solutions, these products adapt to your needs, making every grooming ritual a pleasure. Trust us, your skin will thank you.

Explore The Holy Black's collection and embrace the changing seasons with confidence and style. Discover more at The Holy Black.

1. Elevate Your Volume with Matte Texture Powder

2. Hair Pomade: Choose Your Finish

3. Tame Your Beard with Beard Balm

4. A Complete Shaving Experience

5. Multi-Purpose Elixir: Snake Oil

Our only fragrance designed explicitly for women, Scarab is a polarizing scent. Red Egyptian musk, from the Ambrette plant and the only musk derived from a grain, is said to be the worlds most alluring aphrodisiac. Powerful yet feminine, this long lasting, fragrant musk is mixed with heartwoods and a touch of rose to tame the sometimes overwhelming musk notes. Perfectly balanced for every day wear, this perfume is a head turner. Originally formulated as a custom scent for our sister, friends who have gotten a chance to smell it have been asking us to produce it, so we bring it to you just in time for Valentines day in this 200 bottle limited batch. The perfect gift for the lady in your life,even if that lady is yourself. 78ml atomizer bottle in a eco-friendly paperboard tube with removable gold-tone charm.

1. Original High Shine Pomade:  This was our first pomade and it is still our number one seller. Water based and easily washable, this pomade gives a firm hold and a high shine while also able to be restyled with a wet comb. This is a great every day pomade and it comes lightly scented in our signature Gunpowder and Spice fragrance. Classic barbershop, you cant go wrong with this one.

2. Matte Clay Pomade: When you want that natural look, a matte clay is the way to go. Our Matte Clay is a hybrid, which means it has waxes in it for hold, but is water based and washes out easily; as a result this is a favorite product amongst our barbers. Whether you want that "I woke up like this" look or just don't want the shine, this is a super versatile product and also works great as a beard and mustache styler. Also scented in our Gunpowder and Spice fragrance.

3. SuperMax Pomade: Possibly the strongest water based pomade ever formulated, we spent a lot of time getting this one right. Differentiated by it's black contents and Bay Whiskey Lime fragrance, this one is a must for people who need that extra hold. It is also water based and washes out easily and can be restyled with a wet comb at any time.

Leave a comment and let us know which one is your favorite!

The head shave, the most challenging part of changing from a cartridge razor to a Safety Razor, is a daunting but achievable feat. In this article, we will touch on the techniques, tips, tricks and skills needed to come out unscathed.  The head shave breaks down to 3 major areas of focus and properly handling each area will result in a smooth shave every time. The 3 things this article will focus on are: Prep, Lather and Razor. We will go into the best procedures and tools for the job, and believe me your head is gonna to thank you.

 Preparation

                The most important part of any shave is always the preparation. You can’t just take a blade to your face without a little wet work. For head shaving, prep is even more important. If you’ve been shaving your face with a safety razor, you know that the chin is the most difficult area to get right, and the head, is “all chin”, so take it slow and follow the steps here.

                Step 1: Cut it down to size

                                Use a hair or beard trimmer to bring it down to a manageable level. Safety razors can handle a bit more length than a cartridge razor and they get clogged up a lot less, but the shorter the hair, the better shave you are going to get.  I usually set my clippers to the lowest setting [0]. Takes a couple extra seconds but it’s definitely worth it.

                Step 2: Shower first!

                                Truing to shave without thoroughly wetting the hair and skin is a sure-fire way to cut yourself and have an all-around uncomfortable shave. Hot water seems to work best, although some people swear by a cold shower and cold water shave. Personally, I prefer hot showers.  You can try to use hot towels but a shower tends to take the same amount of time to get satisfactory results. Also, while in the shower use a high glycerin based soap to wash your head and face and it will help with prep by softening the hair and moisturizing the skin.

                     Step 3: Oil up, Trust me.

                                A little pre-shave oil goes a long way with keeping the skin soft and to keep the lather from further drying your skin. Two or three drops massaged into the scalp is plenty and you should feel the slickness immediately. A good pre-shave oil should be non-comedogenic which means it won’t clog your pores. Using a quality oil will also help with dandruff and dry scalp issues that can arise from constant head shaving. Our Snake Oil is also designed to be used as a hair tonic and a beard oil so you can get some other uses from it. It can also be used in a pinch to oil your electric clippers, but check with your manufacturer before trying this as all clippers are different.

  The Perfect Lather

                Check out our article about how to lather shaving soap if you want to get a little further in depth, but we will cover the right way to make a protective slick lather from a shaving soap or shaving cream in this article as well. Canned foams, gels and brushless creams need not apply.

                Step 1: Load it up

                                Brush choice is not critical to the end result here, but to make your life easier and your shave more enjoyable, I would recommend using a brush on the larger size, maybe a 28-30mm knot in your preference of badger, boar or synthetic. Synthetics have made significant strides in the last couple years and now are as highly regarded as some of the best badger brushes on the market. I like to get my synthetic brush just about dripping wet and load it up on the surface of the soap for about 100 swirls. This makes a bit of a mess but the soap will be well loaded in the brush for the next step. If you are using a cream, add an almond sized dollop to a bowl and use your wet brush to load it into the brush there.

                Step 2: Whip it!

                                Making lather is just like making whipped cream, we want to add as much air volume to the lather as it can hold. Small bubbles are a good sign that it is ready, and a healthy sheen should develop if it is well hydrated. Add water slowly, you can always add more but you can’t take it away. You can whip your lather up with your brush in a bowl or you can skip that step and work it right on your head and face. Which brings us to the next part.

                Step 3: Paint it on.

                                Don’t be afraid to really work the brush on the skin, it will further enhance the lather, help the hair stand up, and exfoliate the skin. Get good coverage and save the lather on your brush for a second pass by standing it on it’s base or putting it in a bowl or scuttle. You are now ready to choose your weapon.

 Choose your weapon!

                Your choice of razor and blade combo is tantamount to getting a nick free shave, especially on your head.

                                The Razor Head

 I’d recommend something with a head geometry that is on the milder side. We have a Slant razor that I definitely wouldn’t recommend for a beginner here; our SR-71 Guard Bar Razor would be a better candidate for someone starting out. You can check out our article on safety razor shaving here if you want a little more info.  So stick with a mild razor, and choose a blade that agrees with your skin.

                                The Razor Handle

                Choosing a razor with a shorter handle helps with the tight maneuvering and I personally like something with a little heft. Again, our SR-71 would fit the bill as well as some vintage razors. Heavy handles help to allow the razor to do the work

                                The Blade

                                                Some blades are known to be sharper or less smooth out of the box. Everyone’s skin is different, so try a few different ones on your face and on your head. I usually purchase sample packs online but many local stores are now carrying Double edge blades. I always toss the blade after a head shave, even though I can get 5-6 face-only shaves from a blade. Headshaving seems to wear blades out much more quickly.

  The Shave!

Ok you are now ready to shave. Here’s a couple tips to help it go smoothly.

                Tip 1: Start with the stuff you can see.

Get all the easy stuff out of the way. We will tackle the harder stuff afterwards. Seeing what you are doing gives you an idea of what the razor will be doing when you cant see it. This allows you to see how often you need to rinse and how efficient it is cutting.

                 Tip 2: Use your other hand.

                                Make sure you use your other hand. Use it to keep your skin tight and also use it tactilely to feel for areas you may have missed, or need to be touched up.

                Tip 3:  Reduce the stubble slowly.

                                Shave with the grain for your first pass, relather and then attack it from a different angle. Working across the grain or, if needed, against the grain will be significantly easier if you’ve reduced the amount of hair there. Using your other hand will help you find problem areas.

                                You are now ready to go tackle the beast on your own!  If you need anything mentioned in this article, I have put links to the products into the text and we also sell a starter kit here with everything you need to get started with wetshaving.  Good luck and let us know how it goes in the comments!

As we continue to experiment with different shaving soap formulas, we find that high tallow content makes excellent lather. With some free time in the lab, we took a day to render some tallow and get ready to make a new batch of hot process shaving soaps.

First stop is our local artisan butcher shop. The owner, Sal was nice enough to butcher about 5 lbs of beef tallow from his dry aged, grass fed, organic sides.

Once we got it back to the lab we froze it for a couple hours to make it easier to work with. When it was sufficiently frozen we chopped it as fine as we could with a knife and removed as much meat as possible.

Into the food processor it goes in small batches until we have a nice uniform consistency. The food processor really helps move this process along.

Now we get our crockpot nice and hot and slowly heat the suet(fat) until the fat completely renders into a liquid and the connective tissue and meat is left behind. This smells good at first, but eventually it doesn’t anymore. Trust me.

This process can take several hours. Don’t try to rush it or you will burn the batch and you might as well throw it out at that point.

Next we strain the whole mess through a few layers of cheesecloth into a large container with about 6 inches of water in the bottom, and place the whole thing in the fridge to cool.

 http://theholyblack.com/collections/catalog/products/shaving-soap-bay-whisky-lime

Once cool, you can peel the whole disc of pure white tallow from the top of the water and pat dry.

Now our tallow is ready to be used for soap making, or even cooking with. From 5 pounds of beef suet we ended up with about 2.5 pounds of tallow. We probably could have gotten a bit more if we allowed it to render longer, but this amount is more than enough for our intended usage.

If you decide to try this yourself, be careful, don’t get burned, and try to work in a well ventilated area!

      1. Share with friends and family, but don’t spam them. In fact, the one rule to follow is “don’t spam anyone.”

 2. Make use of social media. Putting your Holy Black affiliate link in your bio on Instagram and then referencing it in your post is a great way to get clicks. Boosted posts on Facebook may be profitable too. Twitter is a great place to find conversations where our products or website might be relevant.

 3. Bloggers can get very large audiences. If you can guest write for a blog and include your affiliate link, or if a blog has room for banner ads, sometimes if they have enough traffic or is specific enough in it’s niche it can be worth is to spend a couple bucks for the space. Even sometimes including your affiliate link in the comments on a relevant blog can get you some clicks.

 4. Forums are an untapped resource. Getting out there and finding forums talking about topics related to The Holy Black may present opportunities to link people to our site.

 5. Paid advertisement. Buying ad space with Google Adwords or Bing or Yahoo can be profitable if you do your research. This is a bit more advanced but the most professional approach.

 Have fun, don’t spam, and make some cash. You’re already talking about The Holy Black, you might as well get paid for it.

You can sign up for our Ambassador program here.

Believe it or not, Aftershave is not as straightforward as it would sound. What kind should you use? When should you use it? What does it do? I will answer these questions for you and maybe a little extra in this new blog post. Aftershave lotions, balms, tonics and toners are all slightly different but in the same family. We will demystify them for you here.

What kind of Aftershave is best for me?

The short answer is, it depends on your skin and your preference. If you have inherently dry skin, you may want to stay away from high alcohol content aftershaves and use something a little more moisturizing like a cream, lotion or balm. With our Whiskey based Aftershave tonic we have a low alcohol content so you can reap the benefits of the antibacterial properties of the alcohol without suffering too much of a burn. There are those people who enjoy the burn of an alcohol based aftershave. I always like to follow up an alcohol based tonic with a moisturizing lotion. A moisturizer is a great guard against dry skin whether you shave or not. Just a small dot in your hands and applied to the face and you are good to go, especially in the cold winter months when your skin is prone to wind burn and chapping. Choosing the best scent for you is also important, though an aftershave, as opposed to cologne, should dissipate rather quickly, although some may linger.

When should I apply aftershave?

After you shave, obviously! But you can also apply it whenever you need a refreshing feeling, or right after you wash your face, or if you prefer stronger scented aftershaves and don’t like to wear cologne, you can wear your aftershave out for a night on the town. Many cream and lotion aftershaves make great every day moisturizers as well.

Do I need to use aftershave?

Well, you don’t have to use it, but it helps to keep your skin evenly toned, helps to close your pores (although a splash of cold water will also help with that), is a powerful antiseptic in case of any bacteria on your razor, and it feels great and smells better.

Wow, that’s much simpler than I thought!

Everyone’s face is different, don’t be afraid to experiment with different products and use them in a way that works for you. And if you have any questions you can always shoot me an email at Stefan@theholyblack.com!

 I get a lot of emails asking how to shave with a safety razor, double edge razor, or single edge razor. There are a few different techniques and tips I will share with you, but it’s not as mysterious and dangerous as it sounds. It’s fairly easy to get started and in time you will probably find that you get a better, closer, more comfortable shave, all the while actually enjoying what used to be a daunting or trivial task.

                For this article I am going to skip over all the talk of shaving soaps, shaving brushes, and all the other fun goodies that come along with wetshaving. I’m also not going to go into detail about the different types of razors and blades you could try. That is a whole other post, or could even be a book. Let’s focus on technique and the rest will come naturally.

                Every razor is a little different when it comes to loading your blade. So the first step is figuring out how to get the blade into the razor. We will assume you are using a double edge razor like this one:

                This is called a three piece razor because it comes apart in 3 pieces. The head, the baseplate and the handle. The razor gets sandwiched between the head and the baseplate(make sure you don’t install your baseplate upside down, a very common mistake) and then the whole thing gets screwed back together. Simple. There are also twist to open designs which are even simpler and there are also 2 piece razors where the baseplate is fixed in place.

So you have your razor blade installed, now what? Before it’s time to lather up and shave, take a moment to map the different directions your hair grows on your face. Everyone is different, and if you’ve ever shaved before you probably are pretty familiar with your face. Now, use your favorite method to lather, whether it is canned foam or a luxury shaving soap or cream, get it on your face.

They key to wetshaving with any safety razor is taut(tight) skin. Don’t be afraid to use your other hand to pull your skin tight in the areas you are shaving. A little PROTIP here, shaving lather is slippery, if you have an alum block or styptic pencil, rub it on the fingers of your off hand to gain more grip.

Now, with tight skin bring the razor to your face at the shallowest angle and slowly lower the handle until you can hear or feel the hairs cutting. This is the part that can take a little fiddling, and every razor has a different “sweet spot”.  You should be shaving with the grain and we are going to call this “our first pass”. Some people can get a quality shave in one pass. For some people it can take 3 or 4. Your mileage may vary, especially when you’re first starting out.

Once you have removed all of the shaving cream with the grain. Relather your face and do your second pass across the grain if you need it. After that, I usually relather again and feel with my fingers for any areas that need a touch up, and then shave(with very tight skin) against the grain in those areas only. Depending how sensitive your skin is, you may want to stop after your first pass for the first few shaves, or only shave your cheeks and finish the shave with a cartridge razor if that’s what you’re used to.

Tips and tricks: Problem areas.

The CHIN, the neck, the upper lip, and for you bald guys, the HEAD. I always say the head is all chin. Work in small areas on these problem spots and make sure your skin is as tight as possible. Don’t overdo it or you WILL get razorburn. For the upper lip, go with the grain only until you’ve got some experience and even then be careful if your blade is less than optimally sharp.

Safety Razor Shaving is very rewarding, easy, and fun. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get it right the first few times. Everything in this life worth knowing needs a little work to be proficient with. Check out our safety razors here and Enjoy your shave.

5 Secrets to Grow a Really Sexy Beard

 By: Guest Blogger from www.topmenshavers.com

Beards are back! A well groomed beard can be seen as a sign of power and manliness, which is why many of the most influential men grow one. Unlucky for some, they are not able to grow beards as others get to enjoy.

Nonetheless, at the end of the day, it is all about patience and the right set of tools. Here are 5 secrets on what you can do to grow a sexy beard:

Choose a Good Beard Shape for your Face

1. The shape of your face is highly indicative of the best beard shape that will make you look sexy. Your beard can be effectively used to show off your best features and disguise features that are not so appealing.
2. For a squared face, keep a beard full on the chin and short on the sides.
3. For the round face, the beard should be long on the bottom and short on the sides.
4. For rectangular faces, having a short and trimmed beard is perfect.
5. Meanwhile, if you have an oval face, you are fortunate since you can work with almost all styles of beards.

Be Patient when Growing your Beard

Patience is a virtue, even when it comes to growing beards. Your beard will not miraculously grow in tip-top shape just overnight. Keep in mind that the rate of its growth will depend on various factors, such as genetics and your level of testosterone. You should also keep in mind that the measurement of beard is not on the basis of length, but on months you had it grown.

Trim it Like a Pro

Once you have grown your beard, make sure to find time to have it trimmed or go to the barber shop for professional help, at least in the beginning. After you get the hang of it you can do it yourself at home with the right type of beard trimmer. While you have no direct control over where and how the beard grows, you can have control on how to have it styled through trimming.

Groom with the Use of the Right Products

There are many products that will make the beard look sexier. For instance, you can use a beard conditioner or beard balm or oil to avoid dryness or roughness. More so, you can also use grooming products that will allow the beard to grow thicker, giving you the flexibility to have it trimmed and style as you desire.

Match your Beard Style with a Sexy Celebrity

We wanted to make a pair of gentleman's knuckle dusters, and while brass is usually the metal of choice, we wanted something a little classier. Silver in color, lead-free pewter is one of my favorite alloys to work in. 

The first step of the process was pouring a solid slab of black urethane resin. Once cured I cut the general shape out with a scroll saw and worked it with files and sandpaper until I got the final shape I wanted.

A couple brass inlays, since I still haven't learned to engrave for shit.

Sand Casting mold packed and powdered. Steel Cope and Drag courtesy of Mike Daniels at Jalopy Garage.

Flashing still intact, sprue removed.

Filed and sanded down to 400 grit.

Comparison shot.

On the desk.

Test fit, a little tight for me, but they're for my brother and should fit well.

You need a little space to absorb impact.

Approaching final polish. 

Final Polish

For Glory!

Identifying your soap and choose the best brush: You want to see if you've got a hard or soft soap here. Harder soaps tend to work better with stiffer brushes. I prefer a boar or horse hair brush for harder soaps. Some soaps won't dent easily with a fingernail, and some you can leave a thumbprint in. There are also many creams on the market, for those the Boar bristles will work just fine, but for a luxurious upgrade you can switch to a synthetic or silvertip badger brush. The softer bristles will hold more lather and make painting the lather onto your face a dream. 



Loading Soap onto your brush: The next step is to get your brush loaded well with the soap. With boar brushes, you must soak them before use, but for synthetics and badger brushes, just wet your brush thoroughly and then shake it dry until it is damp but not dripping. Now swirl the damp brush to pack the bristles with soap. Your brush should be dry enough that you are not forming a lather yet, just caking soap into your brush.

Just add water:  Here is where the magic happens! Whether you want to build lather in a bowl, directly on your face, or in the palm of your hand, slowly add water a few drops at a time until you get smooth, thick lather, look for micro bubbles and a silky shine. Lather should hold up and not dissipate over time.

Remember, every soap and cream is different: If at first you don't succeed, don't be afraid to adjust the ratios of soap to water. Hard water can also cause issues with making lather, may times more water is the answer, some people will soften their water with citric acid, or use bottled water to make lather.

Wet Shaving is an art form, and it takes time and patience and also your own personal style to become proficient. Good Luck!

I decided to start with horse hair, as it seemed the easiest to work with and the most readily available. I got a haft of mane hair in black, and probably have enough left over to make two more brushes.

After being cut to length it goes into a custom hair stacker to get the tips lined up, and then into another homemade stacker with a concave bottom to get the bulb/fan profile. (This step is not so necessary with horse hair because it can be clipped to shape, but will be essential for synthetic and badger hair) The knot is tied here with regular cotton butchers twine in a slip knot. Get it as tight as you possibly can or it will unravel in the next step.

A sharp knife is of the utmost importance for this next step, cutting the hairs down to an even footing.

Now our knot is ready to be glued, before it can be glued into the plug, I use a CA type of glue that is very thin and, wearing gloves, work the CA glue in between all the individual hairs in the knot. I have found this step is the most important to make sure your knot doesn't shed in the future.

Here is the knot with a polyester resin plug that I poured into a 24mm silicone mold that I made for this particular project.

The finished knot, ready to be epoxied into a handle.

I bored the hole in this custom handle down to 28mm to give this knot some much needed backbone and leaving us with about a 65mm loft. Overall I'm very happy with the performance, and was surprised how much lather the horse hair held. 

These are not currently for sale but I do make them in synthetic and in silvertip badger hair at my store.

Thanks for looking!

Here is the original whale tooth that I borrowed to make the mold.

This is a picture of the tooth ready to have a mold poured in silicone, I cut off the bottom of the solo cup and added a clay base to stand the tooth up in.

This is the first resin cast coming out of the completed mold.

Raw resin vs real tooth.

38mm Knot Vs 22mm

Just trying some stuff out.

Mocking up the base and decorative trim

Embedded  in the two part mold box.

Registration marks made, and a coat of crystal clear.

Mold for Harpoon brush stand, ready for High Temp Silicone.

Mold cured and waiting for hot Pewter.

One of the original etched brass designs

And the finished product.

Safety razors have been around since the early 1900’s and they haven't changed much from the original designs Gillette introduced. The fact of the matter is, they work great just the way they are. One blade, reusable, replaceable, and ultimately disposable. Vintage safety razors are abundant and modern models are everywhere, so why are you still using a cartridge based razor? Let’s talk about the reasons switching to a Double Edge(Safety Razor) is leaps and bounds better than what you’re using now.

Price: Plain and simple economics. Double edge safety razors(DE’s from here on out) can be found just about anywhere, from antique shops to ebay for vintage ones, and from sites like ours for new models. They can be had from anywhere from $10 for a good 3 piece starter razor, on up to hundreds for sought after collectors items. That’s pretty much the only investment that may be more than a cartridge type MachX razor handle, as they sometimes give the handle away for free when you buy cartridges. But that is where the savings end. A pack of four cartridges can run you as much as $20 and they don’t afford you any more good shaves than that 10 cent Double edge blade. You can literally buy a pack of 5 double edge blades for $.50. At that price you can afford to shave with a brand new blade every single day!  The problem with those cartridges as that they are just so expensive that you always find yourself trying to get “just one more” shave out of them, and you’re practically scraping the hair off your face by the time you change it out. Admit it, you have switched out your dull cartridge for another used, dull one that you thought was used up weeks before. Welcome to the world of economic, excellent shaves.