TheMensRoom.com received over 450+ votes through Facebook, Twitter, and comments on this page.  The votes have been tallied, and I will be revealing the final logo with “tweaks”, of course, in early 2011.

In the meantime, please enjoy my recent and past posts.

Oh, and don’t forget to take a look at the summarized list of 2010 Must Have’s (below) for holiday ideas or simply for a better grooming regimen!

Happy Grooming…

• Face Wash – Glycolic Face Wash by Anthony Logistics
• Exfoliators – Face Scrub by Baxter of California & Purifying Cleanser by Lierac Homme
• Moisturizer - Intensive Moisture Balance by Dermalogica
• Anti-Aging – Max LS Ageless Face Cream by Lab Series
• Grooming Tool – Japanese Exfoliating Bath Towel by Cure
• Body Wash – Oak for Men by Bath & Body Works
• Deodorant - Crystal Body Deodorant for Men
• Pre-Shave Oil – The Standard by The Gentlemen’s Refinery
• After Shave Balm – Cehami After Shave Balm by Eyre BioBotanics
• Shaving Cream – Coates 1847 “Limited Edition” Shaving Cream

Staying true to the tradition I started last Holiday season, I’ve put together a list of this year’s favorite grooming products for you to consider giving a try, and maybe even gift!

I’ll be sharing “The 2010 Must Have’s” individually over the next month beginning Wednesday November 10th, so be sure to stay tuned.

I hope you enjoy the posts as much as I enjoyed testing each item and writing about them!

Best,

Craig the Barber

**Oh, and please don’t forget to vote for the new logo #1, #2, or #3  -  (See post: The Logo Vote!).

With that being said, I need your help!

The three logos above are in their final stages, but I will only be choosing one…

(1) the Man on Top (2) the Barber Shop or (3) the Leaning Man

As an author, I highly value the interests and opinions of my readers. So whether it’s a comment on this page, a Facebook or Twitter message, or even an email (newlogo@craigthebarber.com), let me know what you think!

The votes will be tallied over the entire month of November, and the logo with the most votes will be on the new face of the blog, so please vote early and often. Thanks for your help!

You be the judge…

What to expect at the salon: After you’re greeted by the receptionist, you are directed to a coat check. Here you are given a robe, which at first will make you feel silly, and eventually will continue to make you feel silly. If you’re wearing a collared shirt, remove it — makes the stylist’s job easier. You’re sent to a hair-washing station where an assistant washes and conditions your hair with great care. You might be tempted to close your eyes, but you should not. A shoulder massage is offered, accepted. After your haircut, ask for a rinse. It is also perfectly appropriate to request a trim of the eyebrows, nose hair, or ear hair, if necessary, or a beard trim, if applicable. Within a week after the cut, feel free to come in for touch-ups. Expect to pay between thirty and a hundred dollars. And tip. Always tip. For the coat-check woman, one dollar; for the assistant, five bucks; for the stylist, 15 to 20 percent. Unless he’s the owner, in which case he will claim not to accept tips. Ignore him.

What to expect at the barbershop: You walk in. They cut your hair. Tip.

One company in particular is the men’s grooming line Anthony Logistics for Men.

For 10 years, all products under the Anthony Logistics for Men umbrella have sported a blue ribbon for Prostate Cancer Awareness, and a percentage of all proceeds are donated to not-for-profit public charities dedicated to increasing awareness of Prostate Cancer.

And to further help with the cause, from Oct. 1oth to Oct. 16th, customers who shop on Anthony.com can also purchase the brand’s top 10 products for only $10 each.  Not a bad way to help the cause..!

*Visit the Prostate Cancer Foundation and ZeroCancer.org for more ways to get involved!

Not only does it usher in the beginning of football season, and the six pack (the one’s in the can that is), more importantly, it is the month  focused on the health of men, specifically, the silent but deadly cancer of the prostate.

Although the exam is strongly recommended for men in their 40′s and older, many physicians are now recommending a prostate exam every few years for men in their 20′s & 30′s. So yes, the month is almost over, but it doesn’t mean that a check-up should be postponed.

Listen, I know it’s an uncomfortable topic… but, I would be wrong if I didn’t do my part in bringing it to your attention.

Stay healthy guys!

Did you know…

That according to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), those with gum disease are almost two times more likely to to suffer from heart disease?

One theory suggests that bacteria in the mouth enter the bloodstream through the gums, traveling up the heart, attaching to blood vessels and restricting the amount of nutrients and oxygen that reaches the heart.

…?!?

It’s estimated that toothbrushes harbor hundreds of millions of viruses and cold and infection causing bacteria.

But don’t fret, I read about an item that can help us through this!

The Violight Zapi Toothbrush Sanitizer (pic) – This sanitizer kills 99.9% of the bacteria on your toothbrush that would otherwise seep into your gums. In just minutes, ultraviolet light kills bacteria by breaking up their chemical composition.

Hey, for $30 & a 2yr warranty… I’m in!

Having been coined “the world’s oldest medicine”, peppermint oil, has been known to treat indigestion, headaches, nausea and fever to name a few!

But to simplify these benefits to just grooming, let me show you why we find so many products on the market containing this magical ingredient.

Beyond “the cooling effect”…

• Hair: Peppermint oil is very useful in shampoos to help with the removal of dandruff and lice, and is also widely known as a hair growth stimulant.
• Skin: When applied to the skin, peppermint helps  to increase blood flow, thereby improving the look of  dull skin.  It also helps to lessen red and blotchy skin, and rid the skin of acne.
• Dental: Thanks to peppermint oil’s powerful antiseptic properties, toothpastes and mouthwashes enjoy its help in fighting gum disease and bad breath.
• **De-stressor: Since we tend to stress more… peppermint is able to provide relief from stress, depression and mental exhaustion due to its refreshing nature.

Did you know that cinnamon is a metabolism booster?

Yes, as you crunch your way to a 6-pack this summer, the delicious cinnamon spice can help!

How it works!

Cinnamon causes your stomach to empty food slower than normal so your blood sugar doesn’t spike. When blood sugar levels are stable, you’re less likely to binge or crave sugary and sweet foods.  And there’s no limit to how much cinnamon you can use. Try sprinkling it on fruit, like apples, or add  it to your green tea (see Post: But it’s green!?!… Drink it anyway!), fruit smoothies and even coffee.

*Source: New Beauty

• Shea Butter – rich in fatty acids and vitamins like A, E and F; but, because it’s very thick, it’s better to use on the body and NOT the face.
• Lanolin Oil – prone to aggravating acne.
• Mineral Oil – creates a film on the skin which can trick your skin into thinking it’s actually hydrated. It’s also thick and clogs pores which may lead to breakouts.

Here are a few brands without these ingredients!

• Kiehl’s - Ultra Facial Moisturizer Moisturizer SPF 15
• Anthony Logistics – Oil Free Facial Lotion & w/SPF 15
• Lab Series – Instant Moisture Gel
• Jack Black – Double Duty Face moisturizer SPF 20
• Molton Brown – Ultra light Bai Ji Hydrator
• Dermalogica - Active Moist

*Source: New Beauty Magazine