So I made it easy!

Click the highlighted titles below for details on the itemized list, or the BIG GREEN BOX, right up there in the corner! —>

12 Post’s for the  Holidays – 2009…

1. Groom Mate Platinum XL Ear and Nose Hair Trimmer
2. Braun – Series 7
3. Electric Pre-Shave Solution by Anthony Logistics
4. The Cool Fix by Shaveworks
5. The Almond Collection by eShave
6. Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash by Kiehl’s
7. Skin Clear Jade Face Exfoliator by Molton Brown
8. Night Recovery Lotion by Lab Series
9. Schick Quattro Titanium Trimmer
10. Tonic Shampoo by Bumble and bumble
11. John Allan’s – BLU Pomade
12. Hanae Mori by Hanae Mori for Men

So here we are on the 12th post… I think that there is nothing more fitting at this point (being that we covered shaving, cleansing and hairstyling), then to finish off with an item that brings this all together…cologne!

Since we all know how to apply it now, and make it last (see How to Apply Cologne), I searched my bathroom counter for one that I can recommend.

One of my favorite… Hanae Mori by Hanae Mori for Men

An oldy but goody!  It’s been around for over 10 years (not on my counter, but you know what I mean…), and the scent never grows old.  I won’t bore you with the fragrance notes, but the base fragrances are moss, vanilla and amber.  Hanae Mori, is made for the evening, and is the perfect fragrance to have on for when you just so happen to be under a mistletoe!

Priced $25 – $80, it is competitively priced with other colognes.  So go out, and treat yourself…you deserve it!

So this is what I like… John Allan’s – BLU Pomade

This is a lightweight water-based pomade that gives just enough shine to enhance your hairstyle without making your hair the center of attention.

Advantages:

Because it’s lightweight and water-based, it makes it easy to rinse out, helping to extend the life of your pillow cases!

For men who worry about this pomade just coating their hair and leaving it dry, not to worry…this does the opposite.  Orange Flower, Lemongrass and Grapefruit are only a few of the ingredients used that are designed to nourish and condition your hair.

2.4oz will run you $21. A little goes a long way, and it’s even TSA approved!

Hey, we all do something out of the ordinary when it comes to home remedies, but here is one remedy that works! 

Oily hair meet…   Tonic Shampoo by Bumble and bumble

A Tea Tree Oil shampoo that is muli-faceted! 

• Tea Tree- is a natural antiseptic (eliminates the need to scalp-scrub!)
• Peppermint – regulates oil production
• Rosemary – stimulates the scalp (gotta love the tingle!)
• Lemongrass – adds the shine

A shampoo designed for the men that do not suffer from dry scalp or dandruff…go figure!

At a price just over $20, it’ll help you keep those pillow covers longer!

Now, Schick claims that it is good for body trimming as well as shaving and edging.  But, I found that the trimmer works best for daily maintenance of your hair (sideburns, etc.) not a full-on body trim.

Schick Quattro Titanium Trimmer

It has three very specific functions: Shaves, Edges and Trims (ALL can be done while in the shower!!!) I personally haven’t seen daily maintenance made so easy. 

1. 4 blades for a close shave (however, irritation prone beards…beware!)
2. Single blade for edging (sideburns, moustaches, etc.)
3. Trimmer - impressive power for a single AAA battery!  Also, comes with an adjustable guard for keeping those stray hairs in check!

What can I say…I’m impressed, especially with it’s price tag of about $12.  It won’t replace your plug-in clippers or trimmers, but they certainly will shave a few minutes off of your morning routine, not to mention being a great option for you road-warriors that jetset for business!

I don’t have to tell you that moisturizing your skin is important. You already know that…right? After all, with so many elements out there (sun rays, cold temps., winds…) ready to damage your skin, you practically have to carry a tube of moisturizer in your gym bag.

So here is one that you can try. 

Believe me, choosing a moisturizer out of so many good ones was a challenge.  So, I chose a product that serves a slightly different purpose.  One gentleman described it’s results as, “giving your skin a tall glass of water before
going to bed”.  My thoughts…more like Gatorade!

Night Recovery Lotion by Lab Series

• Continuous hydration throughout the night with ingredients like…spring water!
• Firms the skin and reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles
• Potent anti-oxidant complex (including Vitamin C & E) that helps to protect the skin from natures elements
• Perfect for hydrating the skin during air travel and other artificial elemental scenarios
• For all skin types

Just over $30, it’s an investment. But you know what? It works!  I’ve used this product for some time now, and every morning my skin looks refreshed, even after only 5 hrs of sleep.

Remember my post (Exfoliate?…Should I?) where I discussed in great detail the importance of exfoliating?  Ok, maybe not great detail, but you got the point!  Well, on this 7th post ’til Christmas, I decided to blow you away with a brand new men’s grooming line by Molton Brown, more specifically their….

Skin Clear Jade Face Exfoliator

I’m at a loss of words with this one, because I am not quite sure how to describe it.  Different? More like nothing I’ve ever used/experienced before in an exfoliant…in a great way!

Listen to this…

• Ground jade stone
• Jojoba
• Tea tree leaf
• Pistachio butter!?!

Who would have thought to put these ingredients together? That’s right, Molton Brown!

This is great stuff! From the texture, to the delightful aroma, to the way your face feels afterwards, you can’t go wrong.  At just under $30, I will admit it’s pricey; but, as the old saying goes…”you get what you pay for!”

We all wash our faces right?  Some of us do it with soap and water…bad idea, and others use a face wash…good job!

OK, enough with the compli-bashing (made up word!), let me get right to the point.  Since we ALL should be washing our faces with a face wash, and not a bar soap (why?…detergent dries the skin), let me help you find a good one!

Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash by Kiehl’s

For:

All skin types – mild enough for all categories (dry, normal, and oily) and everything in between.

Does:

What it says – removes oil, dirt and other impurities.  Perfect for prepping your beard and skin for shaving without making your face feel dry. 

Feels:

Great – The formula for refresh-ness! Caffeine, Menthol, and Vitamin E – as well as invigorating extracts derived from Lemon and Orange Peels.  Need I say more?

Priced just under $20, just get it!  You’ll pay more in a week at Starbucks!

I get emails from many of you stating that you love wet shaves.  Believe me, I love them too!  So here is a shaving cream that has only been on the block for a short time, but is getting a great deal of attention!

The Almond Collection by eShave

• Lather -rich, thick AND very few bubbles (for you wet shaving aficionados)!
• Scent – the calming scent of almond. Perfect for those faces easily irritated by strong fragrances.
• Moisture- as we know, moisture is a great component to a close shave…not to worry, your face will stay moist throughout the entire shave!
• Collection – you don’t have to worry about mixing and matching your favorite pre-shave oil, shave cream and after shave.  The Almond Collection has all three!

Demanding respect at just under $25 means it’s a great stocking stuffer price that might leave room for the other two items!

The Cool Fix by Shaveworks

Why I like it?…

1. It tackles four shaving woes – ingrown hairs, razor bumps, razor burn and redness
2. Filled with exfoliating agents that slough off dead skin, leaving the area clearer
3. Boerhavia Root Extract – what?!? no worries…ingredient that helps to calm and soothe redness on contact
4. Unisex- it’s formulated not only for you, but  for her as well.  Go ahead you can share!

Moderately priced @ $25 a bottle.  Don’t worry…unless she decides to use it as body lotion, it will last you at least 6 months!