Cornering the Market

Ultimate pampering place for men

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Artistic Men’s Grooming Barber Boutique
1217 Broadway, Hewlett
(516) 569-1656, www.artisticmensgrooming.com

According to owner Leon Yakubov, Artistic Men’s Grooming is a “collaboration between barbering and hair dressing for men.” For a long time, his vision has been to provide men with similar pampering, styling and amenities so readily available to women in hair salons. His barber boutique does just that and more. And it’s a must to be seen.

Yakubov is a portrait artist and a third generation master barber. His grandfather was a barber in Russia, and during World War II, he was basically saved from harm because of his talents. Leon has been cutting and styling men’s hair for nearly 19 years and formerly owned a shop in Oceanside. But his dream was to open something much more unique.
It took over a year to create Artistic Men’s Grooming. Leon designed and built most of it himself, doing all the woodworking. “I wanted a place where men can get away and take a time out,” he said. The results are truly stunning … a spectacular visual masterpiece merged with cozy, luxurious comfort.
Walls and dividers are artfully rendered in brickwork and multi-hued wooden planks. Antiques and memorabilia abound. The waiting area has upholstered seating facing a fireplace. There’s a beverage counter with barstools, adjacent to a pool table. Behind glass is a ventilated cigar lounge, complete with a chess set. Six cutting areas have monogrammed barber chairs and wood-carved stations.
Men can get a manicure while having their hair cut. Straight razor shaves include a hot towel with eucalyptus oil. Also available are men’s facials in private rooms, eyebrow shaping and body waxing (hair removal). Among the other talented barbers on site are Ariel Babekov and Leon’s father, Alex Yakubov.
Leon Yakubov also instructs beauticians at hair salons to cut and style men’s hair. He goes way beyond barbering … paying extra attention to point cutting, angles, layers, razor cutting, and even blowouts. He typically spends 30 to 40 minutes on each hair cut.
Appointments can be booked online — www.artisticmensgrooming.com — with confirmations and reminders sent to one’s phone. Hours are Monday through Wednesday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They are closed on Saturday. Memberships are available for access to special events and discounts.