When it comes to keeping one’s self well-groomed, it’s mostly a do-it-yourself effort. Why pay someone to shave your face when you can do it yourself? (And there’s plenty of reasons to do it yourself, as you’ll see below). Well, there are several. For one, the barbers at the barbershops below are simply trained—and have better tools—to do a better job than you. But beyond that, going to get a good shave is more of an experience than anything: the hot lotion on your face; the feel of a straight razor against your skin; the precision the barber takes to ensure everything is straight and even. Keeping yourself well-groomed is essential (unless you favor an unruly neck beard, like myself), but every now and then, it doesn’t hurt to let a pro do it. Below are some of the best places in D.C. for men to get a good shave, according to some DCist writers (who don’t always do it themselves) and various Yelp users.

Photo by Erin M.

WISE OWL CLUB: Adams Morgan’s Wise Owl is as rustic and throwback as a barbershop can get, but, above all, they do a fine job. Every time i’ve gone to get a haircut there, they’ve done a fine job, but the beard trimming is by far the best part. For $30, they’ll shape, trim, and shave your beard with a straight razor, to ensure it’s the best beard it can be. Beyond that, you can get a Chipper Shave for $40, which also includes hot lather, hot towels, and a facial massage. And, for $60, you can get an extended Keen Shave, which includes masque tone, and moisturizer. It ain’t cheap, but you’re paying for the experience, which is well worth it.

Wise Owl is located at 2010 18th Street NW.

BARBER OF HELL’S BOTTOM: Another barbershop that prizes rustic, nostalgic decor, Barber of Hell’s Bottom writes that their “techniques are passed down through generations,” and that, “above all, we value traditions over trends.” That much is true for its beard shaves, which, at $30, uses warm lotion and a straight razor to ensure a clean, pristine shave.

Barber of Hell’s Bottom is located at 818 Rhode Island Avenue NW.

THE ART OF SHAVING: With dozens of locations throughout the country,The Art of Shaving has a reputations for being one of the best places to get a good shave—and for good reason. With two locations in D.C.—one in Union Station and another in Washington Square—The Art of Shaving is one the better places in D.C. to get shaved. From a Yelp user: “Better attention to detail than most places—the straight razor shave of my neck and sideburns was a good touch.”

The Art of Shaving has locations at 1050 Connecticut Avenue NW #16, and in Union Station at 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE.

DIEGO’S HAIR SALON FOR MEN & WOMEN: A favorite among several former DCist editors, Diego’s Hair Salon For Men & Women has been cutting hair in the Dupont Circle area for decades. For men, the barbers and stylists at Diego’s are pros at cutting hair, but for a few dollars more they’ll shape up and shave your beard with a straight razor. Fair warning: Diego’s is cash only.

Diego’s Hair Salon For Men & Women is located at 1901 Q Street NW.

THE GROOMING LOUNGE: With a location in D.C. and Virginia, Grooming Lounge not only provides careful, skilled shaving services for men, but it also carries a large variety of shaving products for you to stay well-groomed on your own.

The Grooming Lounge has locations at 1745 L Street NW and in Tyson’s Corner at 2001 International Drive, McLean, Va.

CAPITOL BARBER: There’s no frills at this Massachusetts Avenue barbershop, which offers premium haircuts and straight-razor shaves on the cheap, which is good for “neckhair Neanderthals”. From Yelp: “If you are a neckhair Neanderthal like me (it gets nasty back there…) they will also take a straight edge razor to the problem area, giving you a few more days of freedom before that gnarly neck trail starts. My mullet was conquered quickly too, my haircut took 15 minutes and I hadn’t had a haircut in two months.”

Capitol Barber is located at 201 Massachusetts Avenue NE.

Via Shutterstock.

TONY’S BARBER SHOP: If you, like me, don’t always have the budget to spend $30+ on a shave and/or a haircut, Tony’s is the place to go for a shave and haircut on the cheap. From Yelp: “So, full haircut, scraggly eyebrows trimmed, straight razor shave at back of neck, and then full facial shave with the straight razor. Total cost: $14. I gave him $25 and still feel like I should have tipped him more.”

Tony’s Barber Shop is located at 4444 Connecticut Avenue NW.

JOSE’S BARBER SHOP: Jose’s, located near Farragut Square, is the perfect place for a working stiff to get a good shave during the lunch hour. Quick and cheap, Jose’s favors classic straight-razor shaving. From Yelp: “A great place for an authentic shave. While growing out the winter scruff it was brought to my attention that I need to trim back my added layer of warmth and having tried all the new places I decided to go old school if you will. Jose did a fantastic job on cleaning me up, straight razor, hot towel and conversation. These are three things that every shave needs, everything else is just fluff. Don’t waste your time and money paying three times as much someplace else, go see Jose and be sharp and savvy within 20 minutes and leave with cash in pocket.”

Jose’s Barber Shop is located at 1825 I Street NW.

DOING IT YOURSELF: For the decade or so that I’ve had a beard, I’ve faithfully stuck to the DIY philosophy when it comes to grooming: It’s my facial hair, so it’s on me to shave it. But this is boomtown, and I recognize that I might be in the minority. Still, it’s hard to take seriously anyone who would go to a “lounge” or “salon” where a simple shave is sold as some long-lost art form or as the new mark of the modern man—and one that you’ll pay generously to get. I don’t need artisanal shaving creams, I don’t need razors carved from old samurai swords, I don’t need organic moisturizers — and no, I certainly don’t need anyone to “style” my beard. So unless you’ve got an old Italian barber that does it for a few extra bucks, accept the responsibility that comes with your facial hair and f**king shave it yourself. — Martin Austermuhle

Technically, you can shave anywhere, but DCist recommends you do it in the bathroom.