The classic barber shop...

In London, there are a select few proper barber shops. Trumpers and Truefitt & Hill come to mind. But in New York City, especially on the upper east side, there are a plethora of classic barbers that seem to be packed with old and young alike throughout the early hours of the day. The interiors seem to look the same as they might have in the early years of the twentieth century with the smooth contours of the barber shop chairs, tiled floors and ever-present old men who meticulously cut hair and shaved faces with straight razors and an un-wavering hand, steadied from decades of practice. Even the candy-striped beacon beckons customers from the street, as fresh as the day it was erected. A bit Gatsby, a bit Mr. Big, we can't help but admire the classic barbers of Manhattan.

Not yet in the UK: Arrojo products

Arrojo was created by the MANCUNIAN (yes, you heard that right) stylist who's been a mainstay in New York styling since the mid-1990s. Poached from Vidal Sasson by Bumble & Bumble, Nick Arrojo was high up there until striking out on his own. Check out his line of haircare. The site's a bit hard to navigate (I have some designers I could suggest, Nick, if you're interested) but the products are wicked.