Not only is it my first time getting a shave from a barber, but I'm here to get the ultimate, male morning facial: The Royal Shave, a 30-minute treatment full of pampering, massaging, relaxing, healing, trimming and, yes, shaving that features top-of-the-line products by The Art of Shaving, state-of-the-art equipment and—let's not overlook this attribute—the steady hands of a master barber.

As Luba finishes softening my follicles with the preshave oil and begins applying the extra creamy shaving cream, I learn that she started barbering more than 30 years ago in her hometown Russian province of Uzbekistan, where women dominate the barber profession. She brought all of that experience to the Salon Bellagio when it opened the barbershop earlier this year to meet the renewed demand for good, old-fashioned barbering.

Luba believes that the male mug is kind of like a fingerprint, in which no two are alike—except for the commonality of men not taking care of them.

As for the art of shaving in practice, “it's mostly about preparation,” Luba says, working her way around my beard with short, quick strokes of the straightedge. It's about softening the beard, opening pores, and protecting the skin—all of the things she has done—and, yes, it takes time. “About 10 to 15 minutes each day,” she says.

There's no exacerbation with The Royal Shave, of course. After the last razor stroke, Luba wipes my face, then soothes and purifies my skin with an aftershave mask. A minute later, she applies a second hot-towel treatment to remove the mask and—this is where the treatment truly pays royalties—to give me a few more minutes away from reality.

But like all good things, my Royal Shave comes to an end. Luba hits me with some aftershave lotion to soften and moisturize the skin, and to tighten the pores. Then, to close the pores and get rid of any extra lotions, she applies a cold towel to my face.

In a couple of minutes, I'm up and out of the chair and feeling my freshly shaved chin. Babies could only dream of having butts that smooth!

The exquisite Art of Shaving travel kit—with essential oils, a badger-hair brush for rich lather, soothing after-shave balm and a balanced razor—delivers the closest shave while you're away from home. Available at Spa Bellagio.(702) 693-7472