Interview: Nathan Jancauskas, Founder Of Men's Biz - The Elegant Grooming Salon And Perfume Shop

Nathan Jancauskas founded Men's Biz which is one of the more exciting men's grooming salons and perfume shops in the city of Sydney. In fact, I am not entirely sure there is anything that surpasses it for men in Sydney. He has answered a few questions for us and it is well worth your while passing by and trying the scents on offer. They offer a comprehensive range and a dedicated team that know their product.

Can you tell us a little about how Men’s Biz came about a little about the products that you offer men when they come into your grooming salons?

Men’s Biz began in 2006 as a specialist online retailer. There wasn’t much available for guys at the time outside of the department store or supermarket and we saw the opportunity to create something better. We have curated a range of ‘best-in-class’ skincare, shaving, haircare and fragrances that span from the traditional to the modern, from affordable through to high-end luxury.

One of the problems I run into is that I often find it hard to shave the whiskers that are just below the nostrils at the start of our moustache. Do you have any tips for our readers looking to get in and around the nooks and crannies of their faces?

The Merkur Moustache & Eyebrow Razor (http://www.mensbiz.com.au/shaving/beard-moustache/merkur-moustache-eyebrow-razor.html) is designed for detailed trimming and to get into those hard-to-reach spots.

I love going to the barber but I try to avoid going regularly for fear of mounting expenses – I also try to avoid gym memberships too… My gym instructor would say that I need to go to the gym every day for 20 minutes of exercise, what would the barber suggest as to how often a man should stop past the salon?

As a general rule, most guys come back every 6-8 weeks. But if you can make it back every 3-4 weeks for a tidy up that would be ideal. Our advice is to choose a barber or salon where you can afford to have your hair cut regularly - this is much better than an expensive cut that you only do infrequently.

How difficult is it to start shaving yourself at home with a traditional cut throat? I notice that you sell the blades and creams required to start giving yourself a cut throat at home – can you recommend to our readers what products that you sell that they’d need to get started?

Cut throat razors do require a certain level of skill, but all you need is a little willingness to learn and you will pick it up quickly. Chose a razor with a 5/8” or 6/8” blade, a leather strop, a shaving brush and a good shaving cream (a can of foam from the supermarket won’t cut it). Buy good quality tools and look after them and they’ll last you a lifetime.

I notice that you sell men’s fragrances in perfumes and colognes and everything in between. Specifically I tried one which smelt like an Australian bushfire. Can you give us a run down of some of your more unique scents that you offer and recommendations for our readers as to a selection of scents for 2016 that are worth trying?

We have a wide range of men’s fragrances that you won’t find elsewhere. I think we stock something for everyone. If you’re looking for a new signature scent, drop by one of our stores and we can give you a few suggestions and some samples to take home for a test drive. Here's two to get you started:
Penhaligon’s Sartorial was inspired by the scents of the workroom at Norton & Sons, a bespoke Tailors of the famous Savile Row in London. It’s great for work or the office. And then there’s Tauer's L’Air du Desert Marocain, a cult fragrance that speaks of the fragrant world of Morocco and the Maghreb desert. It’s fantastic.

 

I love having a beard but I really abhor it when some barbers trim or cut around it because it makes me look a little like, well, someone who might strap bombs to themselves. Is there a way to trim your beard and keep it looking tame whilst not having defined lines where the beard stops and your shaved skin is?

If you’re getting your beard trimmed at a barbershop, let them know you’d like a natural fade rather than a sharp, defined line.

For men who are starting to bald or thin out, do you have hair cuts that you recommend so that they can remain youthful without having to go down the full bald eagle path?

A neat slicked-back style with a bit of volume would work well. A matte pomade will give you added texture and volume. Or like you suggest, there’s always the bald look.

Of all the Presidents of the United States, which one do you think had the best hair cut?

John F. Kennedy.

MEN’S BIZ has stores in Sydney and Melbourne, and over 2000 products available online at www.mensbiz.com.au

Strand Arcade
Shop 15, Ground Floor
412-414 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000
(02) 8386 3577

Royal Arcade
Shop 49,
335 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
(03) 9942 9308