THE art of being a skilled barber and the science behind the close shave, will be brought into sharp focus at the inaugural UAE Best Shaver & Best Barber Competitions at Beautyworld Middle East 2016. The competition, which will see the most talented scissor jockeys and razor whizkids of the country match their skills in a specially-constructed boxing ring in a series of match-ups, is being organized under the auspices of the British Barbers' Association (BBA). The competition promises to be the most exciting wet shaving showdown and display of barbering of its kind ever seen in the region. The competitions are open to any barber currently working in the UAE, and will form a part of a competition-cum-workshop being organized by the BBA during the duration of Beautyworld Middle East 2016. The winner of the contests will get a chance to compete against the winner of the British Best Shaver and British Best Barber competitions in the UK. The contest will also underline the growing importance being accorded to male grooming as a high growth category in the beauty industry around the region and globally. There has been a marked increase in the number of men today, who go in for spa and beauty treatments, skin conditioning and manicures as a part of their grooming routine, which earlier used to comprise of an occasional visit to the barber for a trim and a shave. "We are tying up with Beautyworld Middle East to launch the UAE Best Shave competition as we consider it the best platform to reach barbers, hairdressers and male grooming professionals from across the region," said Mike Taylor - Director of Operations of the British Barbers' Association. "Through the British Best Shave competition, we were able to positively impact the development of barbering trade in the country as well as elevate levels of training and competency among British barbering professionals. We hope to create a similar favorable impact on the profession through our venture in the UAE," This growing trend is being driven by the rise of the metrosexual, who is not averse to pampering himself with choice beauty products and haircare aids. Analysts estimate that the global market for male grooming in 2015 was worth US$ 20.3 billion and this is estimated to grow to $26.6 billion by 2020.
