For most Malaysian men, a trip to the barbershop is no different than buying groceries or sending a car for repairs; it’s an errand to check off the list. While run-of-the-mill barbershops continue to be mainstays in serving everyday people, a new generation of barbers is emerging to modernize the men’s grooming experience, going beyond just offering the usual shaves and cuts. Kevin “Cottie” Tan is at the forefront of this movement, alongside his industry peers.
Tan is the co-founder of The Oven Cuttery, a contemporary barbershop in Petaling Jaya (a major suburb outside of Kuala Lumpur known for its bustling F&B scene), as well as Mentega (which means “butter” in the Malay language), a handmade grooming product brand. The two brands come together in the barbering process: upon the completion of a haircut, Tan styles using Mentega-branded pomade, prepping his clients to take on the day with the confidence and swagger only a new look can bring. As alluded to in the brand names, a haircut here is meant to be a “fresh out of the oven” experience.
A former journalist with an unwavering passion for music, Tan, together with his team, has solidified The Oven Cuttery into an institution known for quality haircuts, personalized service, and a welcoming atmosphere for the modern man to seek respite from the grittiness of Kuala Lumpur — albeit just for an hour. RADII spoke with Tan over text to learn more about the juxtaposition between barbering and music, old school grease, a future clothing line, and more.
The following interview has been edited for clarity and length.
John Lim: To get things started, give us a quick intro about yourself.
Kevin “Cottie” Tan: Hello! My name is Kevin. Some people know me as Cottie, a silly nickname I got in the music industry. For work, I am a barber and the co-founder of The Oven Cuttery barbershop and handmade grooming brand Mentega. Out of work, music is a big part of my life. I used to play in indie rock, metal, and hardcore bands before embarking on a solo project.
John: You were a journalist, but now a barber. That’s quite a career switch. How did that happen?
Kevin: Getting into barbering was quite accidental. During my time as a journalist (at least 12 years ago), I began dabbling in making traditional oil-based pomades. They’re worn [for] classic hairstyles from the early 1900s (think Peaky Blinders, The Great Gatsby) to the 1960s. Old school pomades in Kuala Lumpur were a rarity. You’d find a handful of imported brands, but there was a lack of variety. This gap in the market spurred me into making my own blend where I could control the shine, hold, and scent of a pomade.
Eventually, my friends were asking me for pomades, and their friends started asking me too. This was also the time when I left my job as a journalist to pursue barbering. During this period, my mentor, Lex Low, was setting up a barbershop, and asked me to join him in building the business. Everything just fell into place, so I decided to make barbering a career and launch a brand for the pomades.
John: Let’s talk about music for a bit. You played in bands and now you’re experimenting with guitars and gear, and even releasing a couple of songs. How does your passion and background in music help in barbering?
Kevin: I think all forms of creative work intertwine with each other. It’s like the cognitive experience we all have as humans. When creating haircuts with my clients, we tend to explore concepts instead of how “short or long” a haircut should be, because it’s about the character of the style, rather than the technicalities. This explains why I lean towards bold haircuts; anything with a level of distinction. Whether you’re looking at it from afar or up close, there’s uniqueness. It’s similar to how hardcore or metal music has a strong sound of aggression: the screams and distorted guitars — it’s instantly recognizable.
John: Tell us about The Oven Cuttery — there’s a loyal following, why do you think that is? What separates it from other modern barbershops?
Kevin: Aside from being barbers who perform quality cuts and shaves, we focus a lot on our atmosphere, for people to find solace and rest in the city. Our appointments end with a relaxing hot towel service and a head and shoulder massage. We also serve coffee and craft beers if our clients want to hang out before or after their appointment. I think this aspect is what brings people back — to the crew, but also the space itself.
John: The shop is also home to Mentega, a grooming line consisting mainly of quality pomades. What’s next for The Oven Cuttery and Mentega? Will you be introducing more products beyond pomades?
Kevin: We are going through a small rebranding for Mentega, followed by some new hairstyling products and also home goods like body washes, room sprays, candles and such. Finally, a menswear clothing label under The Oven Cuttery that’s coming up soon. Very excited about this!
Banner image courtesy Kevin “Cottie” Tan.
