Weekend Reading

The Grooming Guy’s Morning Routine

Waking up and getting ready with the founder of Church California

Getting a great haircut is like a religious experience—it's a fresh start, a reset and helps balance things out. The act of taking care of yourself, making yourself look and feel your best, and simply slowing down and staying present in the moment. These are all things that happen when you sit down in that chair. When Ryan Gonzalez decided to enter the businesses of barbering and grooming, he wanted to elevate the experience for guys. His goal was to offer a space where every detail is considered, and where the community and customers can experience the ritual of grooming, in a place that truly inspires them.

And that's just what he did. Of course, the brand's name, Church California, is fitting. Based in San Francisco's Hayes Valley, Church is a temple to self-care, with a growing line of products that focus on natural and organic ingredients that bring out the best in you. As Gonzalez says, it's about "choosing real over fake, natural over synthetic." Of course, he's a busy guy: Running a business and taking care of himself, all while maintaining a healthy and happy home life. So how does he do it? We caught up with him on a recent morning for a glimpse into his daily routine.

My Routine

I never get a chance to sleep past six, unfortunately.

I'm always awake by six—pushed out of bed by either a dog, or a person.

I’m a very vivid dreamer.

So I usually spend the first few minutes cycling through and unpacking my dreams. I'm also a note taker, and a list maker. That helps me mentally prepare for the day. I plan to take up meditation next, which seems to be calling me recently.

My nightstand is stocked with essentials.

Currently, it has my Apple TV remote, iPhone, some handy blue light blocking glasses (only way I can watch TV before bed and still sleep well), and this cool Bocce light that gives off the perfect soft light as I wind down.

I’m grateful I don’t have to make the bed.

My wife, Bea, does. But I make dinner. We share chores in a very natural way.

The first notification I check on my phone ...

Email, then text. I like to see if anything's urgent before I get up for coffee.

I reply to urgent items first thing.

I don't like to have people waiting on me; I'm in California, so half the world is awake and on with the day by the time I wake up. I appreciate when my communications are returned reasonably quickly, so I always reply right away when I can.

I like a slow start to the mornings.

I drink coffee with Bea in the kitchen. I like it it black. I grind fresh beans every morning and always use spring water, never tap. I drink at least two cups. And one is usually when I'm having breakfast with the kids. I typically only eat what the kids don't finish on their plates (bread, yogurt, fruit, etc.). On Sundays I like to make a more serious breakfast—pancakes—something fun.

Ideally, I take the dog for a walk before I get going on the workday, too.

It's all part of making a connection with my family, being present with them, setting each of our day's up for success. Life is short and I want to make sure I'm tasting the good as much as I can.

My mornings have definitely evolved over the years.

I start the day earlier and earlier, which has become easier since I finally gave up on being a night owl. I watch less television, and I drink and smoke less. I love good cigars and quality alcohol, but I try to limit myself to the weekends now.

Fitness has become increasingly important to me, too.

I like to run or walk every day, and I do some form of strength training four to five times a week. Being fit and able bodied is so closely tied to your ability to enjoy life, especially as you get older. I'm not a fitness freak or anything, but my goal is to improve my health each day. I'm a fan of the Peleton app for classes. I don't use the bike, but the Apple TV app is good and keeps me engaged.

Most guys don’t drink enough water.

That's something that I think most men forget to include in their grooming and health routines. I try to drink a lot of water, ideally natural spring water. Hydration is key to healthy skin, which is a big part of grooming.

I’m a low maintenance groomer, really.

My look is based around that. For example, I trim my own beard, usually once a week, because trimming a beard is easier than shaving every day (we just created this DIY beard trim guide). I get a haircut at Church Barber every three to four weeks. I shampoo three to four times a week, but condition nearly every day, using our shampoo and conditioner bars. I use our coastal creme pomade, which is the one product I would take with me if my bathroom was on fire—it's super hydrating, and adds volume with a very low amount of hold, for the perfect natural look. I do our skincare routine—the Church Ritual—twice a day—morning and night. It's super easy—just three steps—and it's a good way to wake up and wind down.

But I’m always testing products.

Most of the products I use now we make ourselves, of course. For instance, I've been using versions of the natural deodorant we've been working on for a little over a year now, which will be launching in 2025. I use our Rosehip oil on my face and beard—which I put on after cleansing with our botanical clay cleanser—and I spray my face and neck with our super hydrating Neroli Water.

When it comes to clothes, I first throw on something comfortable.

I like to wear something I can move in, which kind of forces me to get a workout or a run in. Post workout, I usually have a few favorite pickups I cycle through each season—a new favorite pair of pants or shoes for example—or a new jacket, depending on the weather. My favorite brands are Our Legacy, Evan Kinori, Lady White Co., and LA Apparel for basics.