ELENA RARDON
ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS
Haven Living is holding a promotion for the month of November in support of the Movember Foundation—a charity that holds an annual fundraiser for men’s health awareness where men spend 30 days growing a moustache.
For the month of November, participants can purchase grooming products at Haven Living on Adelaide Street-—including beard oil, shaving soap, brushes and serums—then compete to see who has the most impressive moustache at the end of the month.
Desja Walker, owner of Haven Living, has teamed up with local photographer Tashia Potter to put on this event.
“We thought it was a great cause, and thought it would be great to get behind that cause,” said Potter. “Also for me, I wanted to get more guys in front of the camera,” she added, laughing.
“Men are a tough sell,” Walker added. “Guys are really forgotten about in the beauty and self-care realm. It’s never about the guy.”
Walker noted a trend over the last two years in the growth of grooming products for men. Popularity has definitely grown, especially for natural, handmade and Canadian-made beauty products. “Men are really underestimated in this industry,” she said. “And I think guys are really excited about it.”
“I think men pull towards craftsmanship in general,” Potter added.
Participants in the event are encouraged to use the hashtag #owntheMoPA to share their progress. A portion of sales from Haven Living’s men’s product lines will go towards the Movember Foundation.
On Nov. 30, Potter will take photos inside the shop of the participants, and the public will get to vote for the best moustache on Facebook. The winner will receive a shaving kit from Haven Living, a framed portrait from Tashia Potter Photography and a hot shave from Hone & Strop Barber Company.
This is the first year Haven Living has put on a Movember promotion, but Walker said she would be interested in making it an annual event if it goes over well.
“Next year it would be cool to have before and after photos,” she suggested.
Haven Living will also be holding a two-year anniversary event on Dec. 1, featuring a pop-up shop with local artisans and a photo booth.
For more info, you can contact Haven Living in person or through Facebook.
elena.rardon@albernivalleynews.com