Men don’t always have quite the same options as women when it comes to salons. In an effort to change that, Chris Brown opened 18|8 Fine Men’s Salon in Oakley.

“18|8 is a place where men can go to get high-quality, premium and on-trend grooming and salon services in an environment designed just for guys,” explains Brown. It’s a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere. Our customers receive the highest level of attention and care, and that’s what they love and deserve. There’s not another place like this for them.”

The name of the salon, 18|8, has a unique background. “So if you take hardened, rough steel and add it to 18 percent chromium and 8 percent nickel, it transforms into stainless steel, a more polished version of itself,” says Brown. “On the same token, that is exactly what we intend and promise to do for the men who come to our salon – transform them to look better, feel better and perform better in their busy life.”

According to Brown, 18|8 looks and feels like a salon but in a masculine way. When clients walk into 18|8, they’re greeted by a receptionist who helps him to get comfortable with a refreshment, including lite snacks and drinks (even beer), and directs him to a waiting room where there are comfortable, plush chairs in front of a big screen television.

“When it comes to our stylists and barbers, they are the best,” says Brown. “Specifically trained and have had additional education in the art and craft of cutting men’s hair and grooming services. They will offer our guests personal consultation and on-trend suggestions.”

Since 18|8 officially launched in 2002, it has established itself as the only men’s salon that caters to a discerning clientele with an upscale suite of hair care and salon services. Originally founded in Southern California by Scott Griffiths and Ron Love, 18|8 only recently began franchising. Brown says there are currently more than 50 18|8 Fine Men’s salons across the country with 90-plus franchise units under development in every major city in the U.S.

It’s Brown that has the rights to develop the Cincinnati market. He opened the first salon in mid-November at Oakley Station, and he’s got plans to open several more over the next few years around the Tri-State.

Services offered at 18|8 include haircuts and other grooming services. “Our haircuts are our core service and come with a scalp cleanse, a consultation, a hand-crafted haircut design just for that guy – taking his head shape, hair density and overall look he is going for into consideration,” says Brown. “Haircuts also come with a hot towel facial, a 5-minute neck and shoulder massage and end with a wash, condition and style.”

Brown says the analogy they like to use at 18|8 is like comparing a suit off the rack to a tailored suit. “18|8 will be a tailored haircut, not an off-the-rack haircut,” he says.

In addition to haircuts 18|8 offers razor shaves, hair loss prevention treatments, rejuvenation facials, manicures/pedicures for men, hair coloring/grey blendings and hair removal (eyebrows, nose, back, etc.).

“All of those services are tailored specifically toward men,” says Brown. “So it’s a manicure, pedicure or facial with men’s unique needs and skin types in mind.”

Memberships are also available at 18|8 that cover prepaid hair and grooming services and provide member perks including complimentary clean-ups, discounts and other benefits.

The price of services at 18|8 are moderately priced from $35 to $55. Each haircut or grooming service is done in semi-private grooming areas.

Despite only recently opening, Brown says that the main goal is, of course, to open several more salons in the Cincinnati area. They’re also coming out with a new hair loss consultation service that men and utilize to treat thinning and hair and to help stop the loss.

You can learn more about 18|8 by clicking here or liking them on Facebook.