Absinthe Guest Profile: Paul Garbett

Paul Garbett: 28 years
Marketing @ Garbett Homes SLC, Ut.
Haircut: #2 clippers tapered up to scissors and Max Length up top with a smart part on the left.

Paul is a real gentleman and a great sport.  He's an energy-conscious young man who likes to be in bed at 9:30pm and loves black licorice.

Favorite chick-flick: The Princess Bride.

A Gentleman Should Know: Nick Wooster

People YOU should know:  Nick Wooster

Nick Wooster was born in Austria (not Australia) in 1472. He was given birth to in a barn, much like baby Jesus. He was placed in a cot made out of hay, cheese...

No.  He wasn't.  But this was one of the first bits of info that I came across when looking for the particulars on Mr. Wooster.

Nick Wooster is the Men's Fashion Director for Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.  He has established himself as a streetfashion militiaman and guru of all things gentlemanly.  He is also style advisor to GiltMan as well as Park&Bond.

If you have ever wondered how to realize an intercourse of mature/elegant masculinity with street-savvy trends, Nick Wooster is your man.  His passion for esthetic as well as attention to detail and badass-poise makes Nick Wooster an inspiration to me.

Every man needs a mentor.  He needs a hero.  If you are in the market for a new one, give Nick a try.  Next time you are lacking inspiration for  a new haircut or wardrobe, spend a little time getting to know Mr. Wooster.  Punch his name into your google and explore the results as you would an abandoned mansion full of paintings, pictures and rooms.  As you explore the images and articles, pay close attention to how Nick has decided to present himself and why.  I am confident that you will find a little something that resonates with you.

Go on.  Get inspired. http://nickwooster.com/

Profile of a Gentleman: Bruno Ostarcevic

Bruno: Absinthe Parlour Patron/ Family Man
Profession: Data Mining/ Analytics
Favorite Movie: Pulp Fiction or Reservoir Dogs

Bruno is a man of distinction.

In addition to his proclivity for fine men's grooming and style, Bruno has a brain.  Born in Zadar, Croatia and raised for a time in Davis County Utah, Bruno expresses his intelligence in his hairstyle just as much as he does in his profession.

Father, husband and badass, Bruno stays sharp at home too.  With between his son and their english bulldog Lola, Bruno and his wife stay pretty busy.

When asked if he had any advice for a man preparing to be a father he replied:
"Set your alarm clock to go off every hour and a half, get up and do something... put yourself into a Russian stress position or something and then go back to bed.  Get up and do it again in 90 minutes."

Don't get us wrong, Bruno couldn't be happier to be a dad.  Affectionately referring to his infant son a a little "loaf of bread."  He is one proud papa.  He just wishes that people had prepared him for how much work is involved being a professional father.

Profile of a Gentleman: Aaron Silver

Absinthe Parlour Patron: Aaron Silver
Employment: Architectural Project Manager/Sniper

A connoisseur of fine haircuts and ammunition alike, Aaron is a man of distinction.  He has earned himself several awards competing in various long-range tactical shooting events.  A father and family man, his razor sharp focus competing side-by-side with military and law-enforcement officers in high pressure marksmanship matches inspires me.  Shooter, rifle and ammunition combine to pierce targets, well over a mile away, with laser precision. 

There is no doubt that there is an element of precision and accuracy in the trade of barbering.  This is a great example of what you can achieve when you are willing to take skill and focus to the next level.  Not to mention a reminder of what you can accomplish with the right tools for the job. 

Post Script: Aaron mentioned that many of the rounds used are capable of reaching their targets thousands of yards away with the force of a point-blank .44 magnum impact.

Advice from a Gentleman: Kyle Paul; Self Improvement

Kyle Paul on Self Improvement.

I have had the great fortune to be colaborating on a very cool film project with a good friend of mine by the name of Kyle Paul.  One of the first things that you will notice about Kyle is that he is driven.  At the same time, he is by no means a whirlwind of chaos or an overwhelming presence by any means.  He just really knows what he wants and he is on his way to making it happen. 

As Kyle was getting some fresh color for another project, I asked him what was on his hand.  He informed me that they were personal truths.  A personal truth is important because nobody can argue with it; nobody can take it away.  For example: I love the smell of shaving cream.  It just doesn't make sense for someone to argue that I don't. 


In the name of self improvement, Kyle has trained himself to place 2 personal truths on his hand that he can focus on either for the day, a week or even a month.  The key is that the first truth be a positive one, something that you love about yourself and that the second be something that you would like to change.  He said that it is very important to couple a positive affirmation with the negative.  No matter how small it may be, you must include something that you like about yourself or that you feel you do well.  Then, go to town.  What can you improve?

Coming from a fairly accomplished individual such as Kyle, I tend to believe that there is probably something to this.  I may like the way I cut hair but I could definitely work on my posture.  One step at a time, I'm sure I'd be better off for giving this routine a try. 

The very definition of a valuable person is one who is capable of identifying their issues and is willing to resolve as many of them as they can over time.  Making changes in small and manageable portions is the name of the game.  Dedication and focus will help make sure you reach the desired outcome.  Thanks to Kyle for sharing a bit of his recipe for success and happiness! 

-Buster A. Boyd

Pioneers of Shaving: Alexander The Great

The origins of shaving go way back. The Bible itself contains references to barbering and shaving as far back as Moses in the book of Ezekiel. As early as 400 BC shaving and barbering had gained high status in Greece. A well-groomed beard was a status symbol to Greek men who had them trimmed, shaped and scented with oils regularly. Over 2,000 years ago, the barbershop was a gathering place where the news of the day was discussed. Whether sports, politics, philosophy or social issues, the barbershop was an epicenter of activity.

As far as shaving goes, It was in the 3rd century BC that the troops of Alexander the great introduced clean-shaven faces on a grand scale. In many battles with the Persians, Alexander's men would fall by the hundreds because of their beards. Persian soldiers would use the Macedonians beards to pull them to the ground and slay them. It was at this point that Alexander decreed that all soldiers under his banner would be clean-shaven. Consequently, barbers though less busy trimming beards, would be happily employed shaving the faces of Rome's men.

-David A. Boyd. I am a full-time professional barber in Salt Lake City, Utah. I am owner & operator of a full-service salon & barbershop by the name of Absinthe Hair & Grooming Parlour. Among our various services, I offer hot towel shaves with a straight razor as well as just about any men's haircut and style that you can imagine!

Check out our Website HERE: www.AbsintheHairParlour.com