Mankind, Haircuts & Social Anxiety
by be.
Today, I dropped by Mankind to check out some of their services and consider getting a haircut. They’re a men’s grooming studio in Toronto that I was introduced to by my friend Bryan Brock of 1LOVETO.
When I arrived, I was greeted by Jay, who coincidentally is cousins with a friend of mine and shares a ton of mutual friends with me. I don’t ever go to salons or barbershops to get my hair cut because of my problems with panic and anxiety around people, so it was really tough for me to be there. It’s something that I’ve dealt with my whole life and I’m trying to get a handle on as I get older. So when I considered finding someone to cut my hair other than zaki ibrahim or my young cuz, Vince, I had to really do my best to find a place that would feel a little like home and would provide the type of service that made me feel comfortable.
My anxiety and panic attacks have held me back from so much more than I ever write or blog about. It’s one of the biggest demons I live with. It’s stopped me from getting jobs, made me run out on award shows and work responsibilities, and it has prevented me from doing simple things like have dinner at a family table, and obviously, leave home to get my hair cut. My struggles with it pushed me further into alcoholism and was the reason I would get drunk while I was at work for years. I realize that this can’t continue, and so today I tried to take a step in a better direction to beat this thing; a better direction that mainly deters me from getting back on pills which I used to abuse regularly.
I know it doesn’t sound like much, but being able to get passed today was a huge accomplishment in my life. I don’t really blog about this stuff because it makes me feel crazier than I already am, but I’ve always been honest with my readers and I don’t plan on slowing that down any time soon. Hopefully more things can happen like this and I can start to feel a level of normalcy that allows me to grow to my full potential.
After my cut, I was treated to a mini-facial with a hot towel and facial toner and a paraffin hand wax. I left the shop, shipped out my online orders and came back to shoot some photos of the space to blog about it. I haven’t shot in a little while, but it was the least I could do in exchange for great service.
I want to send a big shout out to Jay and Mya at Mankind for making today’s experience way better than I imagined. I appreciate it a lot.
Be sure to check them out:
MANKIND
grooming studio for men
477 Richmond Street West
Suite 103
416.551.1113
www.mankindgrooming.com
This is their reception area. I love the wood panelling and the glass top on the desk. Very dope. There is also a cut out in the front of the desk of what appears to be a mens collar and tie. It’s a nice subtlety that must go unnoticed often, but can be appreciated when it’s seen.
Today, Jay and Mya were working, but there are a number of other stylists, barbers and staff that help make this place a great option for a wide range of men’s grooming services.
There’s a little seating area with a stocked Red Bull fridge, a PS3, flatscreen TV, magazines, a bar and a leather couch. It feels like being at your rich friends house, sitting in his basement lounge. It’s definitely a place you could end up spending a lot of time in, shooting the shit with your homies and the staff.
I got a haircut. This guy got his whole head cut off. 1 for me. 0 for the moose.
Jay was cutting another client when I came back, but was just finishing up so I wasn’t able to get any photos of him at work. But I like this shot nonetheless.
This is the seat and sink I sat at for my wash, mini-facial and paraffin hand wax. Lucky me. Or lucky seat! ZING! lol.
It looks like an outdoor overground jacuzzi for a gerbil herd, I know. But really it’s wax bath for your hands. You dip your hands up to your wrist into hot wax, remove them and then they cover them with plastic. The wax dries, then is peeled away and you’re left with super soft hands for caressing your wife, or slapping your kids. I’m kidding. You shouldn’t caress your wife with your newly waxed hands. I’M KIDDING!
It was kind of strange, but felt amazing. Highly recommended.
This is Mya. She was responsible for giving me the mini-facial and paraffin hand wax. Jay tells me she’s going to be very famous and has a maniacal plan to make it happen. We’ll see how this story unfolds.
This is the chair that Jay cut me in. He shared a great story about it.
He found the chair in worse condition than it’s currently in, but bought it anyways with plans to rework it, weld some rickety parts and restore it to his liking. The father of a close friend of his saw Jay with the chair and said to him, “You’re gonna be really successful with this”, which humbled him since the man had a very successful business in the hair and grooming industry. Unfortunately, that was the last time he saw his friend’s father, as he has since passed away. But he honors him with a photo placed on the wall next to the mirror at that chair.
This is the father of Jay’s friend. It’s such a stand up move to have this photo in his shop. I loved this.
Shutting down.
This is me in my office with my cleaned up, Inglorious Basterds meets Asian Avenue, undercut fade, karaoke boy band hair. That’s my real face. Don’t make fun of me.
Once again, be sure to check them out:
MANKIND
grooming studio for men
477 Richmond Street West
Suite 103
416.551.1113
www.mankindgrooming.com
Love&Respect,
be.
- Bryan 'be.' Espiritu
Everything you write never fails to make me think, ask questions, or laugh out loud. It’s funny that I found out about your work through a mutual friend (Phil), and that we have so much in common. I’ve been managing generalized/social anxiety disorder since puberty and I went through all those situations; hell, I even jumped out of a moving car, mid-intersection when a particularly gnarly panic attack got me.
I stepped back, lived inside my own head for a few years and basically poisoned my self with whomever/whatever I could get my hands on. Three years later, I’ve managed to fight my demons to a point where I can be at University, taking a program I love, to get to where I need to be. I have the dopest girl around (just don’t tell her that!), and things are starting to fit into place. Just do you, homie!
Man I suffer from Social Anxiety also, though not as bad I can relate to missing out on alot of opportunities too….
I used to coop at a physio clinic in high school and they had that hand wax tub there for clients who needed it. I dunno what it had to do with physio but I used to put my hands in it all the time just for the hell of it. I just liked peeling the wax off and balling it up. Sometimes I would just put individual fingers in. It was so cool, and pointless, and a waste of their money but man it was so fun!
And that picture up top with the chair is the bees knees.
hey bryan, mya here!
i’m glad to hear your experience at mankind was both comfortable and enjoyable, and glad i could be a part of it!!
i’ve officially bookmarked your site – good reads & amazing amazing portfolio!
ps. my journey to stardom began the next day, not exactly as descibed in the shop …however, kick started none the less. but, that’s another story for another day haha!! best of luck bryan! :)
I was bored until i’ve found your website, interesting articles