Grooming and Gender-Inclusive Brands Are Reshaping the African Economy
Lifestyle
African Men are Moving Beyond the Barbershop
By Gagandeep Kaur
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August 16, 2026
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5 min read
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150
Walk into a neighbourhood barbershop in Lagos, Nairobi, or Johannesburg in Africa a decade back, and men’s skincare was simple. It included a quick trip to the local barbershop for a haircut or a traditional shave. Skincare was often an afterthought, limited to basic soap and whatever lotion was sitting on the bathroom shelf.
