My dad used to take me and my brother to the barber when we were kids and even though I haven’t been to a barbershop in decades I still remember and recognize that distinctive smell.
What is the source of that smell? Hair? Shaving cream? Hair “product”? Talcum powder? Ozone? That blue stuff they dip everything in? All of the above?
The classic barber shop scent is Clubman Pinaud or the very similar jeris; it’s the stuff the barber sprinkles on the long wispy brush to remove the loose hairs from your neck. You can find the powder (used to be labeled “Talc” but is now labeled “Powder”) in many barber shops or places like Sally Beauty.
You can also find the stronger scent in Clubman Pinaud After Shave; look for it in CVS on the bottom shelf of the after shave section. It’s a very pleasant scent that’s been around for a hundred years or more.
Clubman is indeed that scent. Robert B. Parker’s hero, Spenser, used it, but his significant other Susan opined that it smelled like the landlord had painted the radiators. I love it, but I am not as tough as Spenser and my significant other is a lot tougher than Susan, so I don’t use it
The place where I get my hair cut usually smells like the hair cair products they also provide–they use the same products they sell for washing or styling the hair.
I don’t believe it is a traditional “barbershop,” though. I’m not even sure if they provide shaving services.