I’m going to finish 2009 with this re-post, to help you start the New Year off right! _______________________________________ /

Excerpt from my interview with Mens’ Health magazine…

Question:

How do I get a great haircut?

Answer:

Communication, communication, communication, I cannot say it enough.  I know I may sound like a relationship counselor or your wife or girlfriend, but truthfully, the only way to get a great haircut is to explain what you want carefully.  I always appreciate when my clients have a picture of what they would like.  Also, make sure your barber or stylist listens and can confidently communicate back to you how they are going to achieve that look for you. Otherwise you might have another surprise waiting!

______________________

Earlier in my career, I found that I was not asking the right questions in order to get the right explanation from my clients.  Sometimes, my lack of probing resulted in a service that ”could have been better”.  Since then, I try the best I can to communicate to my clients the what, the why and the how before each service.  I hope the above Q&A, helps both barbers and clients out there have an even better experience!

This post continues to be one of my most popular! Trust me… your skin & hair will thank you! ____________________ /

Ever taken a cold shower and noticed the difference in the way your skin feels vs. when you take a warm one?  What about after you shave…does your face feel better after a splash of cold water?  Or, have you ever hopped out of  a warm shower and struggled to get your hairstyle just right?

 Well, here is the secret.  Cold Water. 

From the top of our heads, to the bottom of our feet,  our body is alive.

GOOD FOR HAIR:

When you are finished shampooing and conditioning your hair, give it a final rinse with cold water.  Why? Well, it closes the cuticles that are on each and every hair follicle.  Your hair will not only feel cleaner but it will give off a great natural shine.

GOOD FOR SKIN:

This is good for your post-shave and the final rinse in the shower, as well.  Cold water closes the pores, so your skin will feel cleaner, look shinier and will make better use of the topical products (i.e. after shave balms and moisturizers) you put on after drying off.  Not to mention, if you were still trying to wake up, cold water can take care of that too!

So there you have it!  Who said keeping cool and looking good couldn’t go hand in hand?

 Ok, so I believe that I am in good company when I say that I try to avoid shopping at all cost, unless I can do it on-line. 

So just about two months ago, I ran out of my daily multi-vitamin, and asked my wife to pick up a new bottle whenever she had the chance.  I’m not quite sure where in the conversation my request was lost because she returned with 5 bottles!?!  She claimed she researched the best combination of vitamins for a man’s body to function at it’s best (I know, I know…how sweet!).

Now I know, who really wants to take five bottles of anything?…(well, maybe beer for a lot of you).  But based on research, there really isn’t one vitamin that is capable of satisfying what your body truly needs to function at its fullest potential.  So before you click off this topic on to another, hear me out! 

I had absolutely no interest but, I gave a shot anyway.  In less than 2 weeks, not only did I rest better and feel better,  my skin looked clearer and smoother! 

This is a “cocktail”, that is an absolute MUST TRY!!! 

Especially if you are interested in feeling and looking healthier.  Hey, who said looking good was easy?  Give it a try, it worked for me!  Let me know how it worked for you.

The “Perfect Skin” Cocktail

• Male Multiple by Solgar – (3 times a day)

Remaining vitamins below will give your body that extra umph! (stick to the recipe, no extras…ok?)

•  Vitamin E (1 a day – 400 I.U.) – for strong immunity, and healthy skin and eyes 
• CoQ10 (1 a day – 200 mg) – helps to boost energy and speed recovery from exercise 
• Vitamin C (1 a day – 500 mg) – protection against immune system deficiencies and even skin wrinkling 
• Mega Fish Oil EPA-DHA (1 a day) – boost heart health, control triglycerides, and lower blood pressure

Some men’s faces just can’t handle the razor. That’s where electric shaving comes into play!  _________________________________________/

After receiving several email questions about my Electric Shaving post.  I decided to go into further detail on how to get the best and most comfortable shave without any irritation.

So, here we go.

(1) Start dry – for electric shavers, you need your beard to be dry to the touch in order to maximize the cutting capability of your shaver, never wash you face before.

(2) Consider a pre-shave solution - no not a pre-shave oil, more like the modern version on Lectric Shave.  This works just like a pre-shave oil, it creates a protective barrier on your skin and lifts your hair to allow for a closer shave. These solutions work well with trimmers as well (Brands – Jack Black , Anthony Logistics, Lab Series)

(3) Sensitive areas 1st - many electric shavers can generate heat quicky during the course of a shave. Heat generally, irritates your skin more (if it is sensitive).  So shave the sensitive areas (i.e. neck) first, while the shaver is still cool. 

(4) Know your shaver -to get the best out of your shaver, Rotary - shave in small circular motions; Foil – shave with the grain and against on a case by case basis.

(5) Avoid Rubbing Alcohol – rubbing alcohol dries and hardens the skin, (ex. - novice hikers use rubbing alcohol to harden the soles of their feet, while guitarists use it to harden their fingertips).  Instead rinse your face, then apply an after shave balm that is designed to soothe, heal and moisturize your skin.

(6) Clean – shavers must be maintained to maximize their cutting ability.  So, clean after every shave or wait no longer than after every 3.  Replace the screen and blades once year, in foil shavers.

I received a few questions regarding my previous post (Multiple razor blades…gimmick?). The first one…How does someone determine if they have a tough beard?  And the second… How do guys with tough beards get a more comfortable shave?

Well let’s start by first identifying if you have a tough beard. 

Here are a few of the signs:

1. You have an afternoon shadow, not a 5 o’clock one.
2. You cannot seem to get you beard moist enough to shave.
3. It feels like you are “tug” shaving instead of “wet” shaving.
4. Your blade dulls after one shave…a bit pricey huh?

Do any of  these descibe your beard?

So, how can you enjoy the shaving experience like the guys on the Gillete commercials?

1. Shave in the shower – make shaving the last thing you do before getting out. Or, shave immediately after you get out.  Why? Because your beard needs to be as moist as possible prior to applying any shaving products.
2. Use a Pre-Shave Oil and (Glycerin based) Shave Cream - The pre-shave oil traps the moisture onto your face, and  protects your skin from the blade.  The glycerin based shaving cream adds more moisture further softening the beard and protecting the skin.
3. Choose your blade wisely- The Gillete Fusion Power (stick with this vibrating one) can tackle these types of beards easily.  But be aware that the above tips are of utmost importance if you want to get a more comfortable shave and to avoid that “tugging” experience.
4. Shave “With the Grain” First – Most tough bearded men seem to have more sensitive skin under all that armor.  So, attack the beard methodically.  To get a closer shave…keep it moist, by re-lathering and then go again across the grain.  For you,  “against the grain” should be for “touch-up” purposes only, not the entire face.

There you have it, it’s all about customizing the shave for your face and creating your own guidelines.  Safe shaving, and tell me how it goes!

I found  a few illustrations that gives a visual as to how the hair on your head and more importantly, how the hair in your beard grows.  Why?  Well, many men who suffer from irritation especially razor bumps and ingrown hairs typically fall in the beard growth category of “Wavy Hair” & “Curly Hair”.   

These illustrations (left & below), give the best example as to how the hair grows out of the skin.  Knowing this tid-bit of information, will help you understand the importance of choosing the right shaving equipment as well as why shaving against the grain is a “no-no” (for “you” that has these challenges of-course!).

As I have mentioned in a few other posts, shaving against the grain and using a multiple blade system (ie. 3, 4  blades, etc.) cut the hairs so close that they fall below the skin line.  And, as you can see by these images, your hairs can have a difficult time growing out of the skin.  So guys, when you are shaving or out shopping “know your beard”, and I promise you face will love you much more for it!

For what?…Because it’s an important step to keeping your face looking and feeling good. 

It ranks just as high as shaving with shaving cream, and you already know how I feel about that…(see post – Put Something on… Sheesh!)

After shaves can be lotions, balms or even a gel.  They are designed to calm, moisturize and heal your skin from the aggressive nature of shaving.  Many times after shaving, your skin can be dry and irritated.  An after shave prepares  you for the next shave by speeding up your skin’s healing process.

There are a plethora of after shaves to choose from, believe me, I’ve tried a few myself.  But, I have made it a little easier for you, by already posting two in the “Product of the Month” category.  Trust me, this extra step is extremely important for your face and your overall appearance as you get older.

Here are a few others to help you get started on finding you own…

• Shaved Ice by Billy Jealousy
• The Gentlemens Refinery After Shave Balm
• Jack Black Post Shave Cooling Gel
• Kiehl’s Ultimate Mens Aftershave & Moisturizer

All items can be found in The Store  – Beard: Refresh (Post-Shave)

Come on guys!  This is one of the first things you see when you look in the mirror.  Don’t you notice your eyebrow hairs weaving a cocoon above your eyes?  Or that maybe these days, it appears that you only have one long eyebrow instead of two?  To be honest this is truly the responsibility of your barber to keep them under control.  Our proper procedure  is: haircut or shave, trim brows and ears (boy…that’s another post!)

Anyway, we all know that when we get older the hairs on our heads leave to find a new place to grow…like our eyebrows, ears and noses.  Not exactly, but you get my point.

So, as your eyebrows get unruly ask your barber to trim them for you.  If you have more than the barber is interested in handling (i.e. thick uni-brows) find a local salon or spa and ask the esthetician to trim them and make them two again by waxing them.  But guys, let’s stay away from giving them too much shape.  This could cause weird stares and even make your girlfriend a bit jealous that your brows look better than hers!

Many men are tempted to shave between the brows.  I have one word for you who do that:  Don’t!  Typical razors are wider than the space between brows, so you will end up with too much space between them.  Also, the hair will grow back quicker.  With a small space it is easier to pluck.  Want to try it at home?  Ask your barber to get you started and then handle the maintenance yourself.  Invest in a pair of tweezers ( I like the Tweezerman Slant Tweezers) and pluck between the brows.