We can all agree that our deodorant is supposed to fight odor.  But, should it really act as your primary fragrance?

Do you honestly want to smell like everyone else in the locker room? Or on a date… Do you really want to leave that  lasting impression to your “sport” speed stick?

Yeah I thought so!

Well here are a few subtle and unscented deodorants that get the job done, but leave the lasting impressions to you and maybe a great smelling cologne.

• Tom’s of Maine Deodorants
• Crystal Body Deodorant for Men
• Mitchum Man Deodorant
• Degree Invisible Stick – Cool Rush

What is the hot style for suits right now? And what ties / shirts look best-skinny ties, bow tie, etc. ?–

This is a timeless question, but the answer always remains… “it depends”! Just like a hair style or hair cut, you should go with what you like and what makes you feel good.  However, there are some international trends and styles that are “hot” or more popular for the time. For suits, the 3 button is the classic business style; however, the 2 button suit is now a bit more stylish in business, allowing for more of the tie and dress shirt to be seen when the jacket is closed.

Ties: Skinny ties and bow-ties are all personal preference, but a great tip is to match the colors with the seasons, for example: Spring – yellow, pink, pastel colors, and Fall –  brown, tan, mustard, etc.

Shirts: Find a brand that fits your body type and stick with it. Also, although wearing colors that match the seasons is not required, it is a plus.

For more style questions…  “Life… And Style” by Michael Ferrera

I think it’s safe to admit that many of us are working harder and staying up later.

So here’s a quick fix to look like you’ve had a a full 8 hours of sleep.

Vitamin K

When used topically on the skin, Vitamin K helps to diminish the appearance of spider veins, under-eye circles, broken capillaries, and is also believed to help with bruising.

So the next time you find yourself working another 60hr week, use the vitamin that wakes up your skin.  Well, at least until you can take a few days off…

Recommended Products:

• Vitamin K Brightening Eye Serum by Naturopathica
• The Standard Eye Gel by The Gentlemen’s Refinery
• Royal Jelly Eye Creme by Burt’s Bees

One of the responsibilities of a barber is to finish off a haircut with a quick clean-up of the eyebrows, ears and the nose. If he or she isn’t doing that, then you can always ask them to do so.  But, you should never rely on anyone to do something you clearly can do on your own, got it?

So, always keep a nose trimmer handy (I use the Groom Mate Platium XL Nose Trimmer), so you can take care of them yourself in between visits to your barber. After all, that is another benefit to having a mirror in the bathroom!

Ah, yes!  The wonderful feeling of prepping your face with a shave brush!

Here is what you need to know!           

Boar hair is too tough, and doesn’t hold enough water.  Synthetic is just that, synthetic!  My preference… badger hair.  For arguments sake, they come in 3 Categories: Pure, Finest(sometimes referred to as “Best” or “Super”), and Silvertip. Here’s the skinny so you can run out and get one that’s just right for you!

• Pure- the lowest grade, coming from the back of the badger. Usually darker in color, and coarser than “finest” or “silvertip” due to its larger hair shaft.
• Finest – a middle grade brush. Lighter in color, softer, and it holds more water than “Pure” for a better lather.
• Silvertip – the highest grade badger brush.  It comes from the neck of the badger, so it holds the most water. A good way to spot one… they are fluffier in appearance, and have an almost white tip.  At home this brush will deliver the best lather you can image!

They range in price from $10 – $1000+. True, this is quite the price spectrum; however, in most cases after a certain amount you are truly paying for the craftsmanship of the handle.

Deluxe Vintage Safety Razor

Have you ever heard of a Double Edge (DE) safety razor?  Trust me you’ve seen them in movies; however, many of you think that they no longer exist… but they do!  Not to mention how much they’ve truly evolved with the help of technology.  The safety razor ranges in price from $30 – $100, but a complete set (safety razor, badger brush and stand) can run you $150+. 

The benefits?

They last a lifetime. Depending on how much you want to spend, they can be handed down to your great-grandson!  A 10-pack of razors are less than $5, and you can use the blades in most cases more than 5 times (you can’t beat that!).  All this to have more control on how close you want your shave to be, thereby greatly reducing skin irritation, is well worth the cost.  

Here is a great website to help you find a few you may like… www.classicshaving.com!

So here is my choice for 2009′s foil shaver….

Braun Series 7

For over 50 years this company has designed electric shavers.  Starting with the S50 in 1951 to the new 2009 – Braun Series 7.  What doesn’t this shaver do? Well, it can’t tie your shoelaces…yet!

1. The head – Pivots and flexes for maximum closeness
2. The Power Comb – as you shave it lifts missed hair that lies close to the skin
3. The blades – with the speed of 10,000 micro-vibrations per minute, these blades cut close, in one pass, without lifting or tugging.
4. Washable – when you are done, wash under water…it’s safe trust me!
5. Clean & Renew System – when charging, it also cleans, lubricates and dries your blades.  How’s that for service?

Priced just over $200, it’s an investment toward a better and more comfortable shave.  But, if you’re not looking to spend that much, consider the other Braun shavers – Series 5,3, or 1.

Do you remember my posts about what to do with your ear hair?  Yes, I said for you to wax ‘em!  And, many of you have…but, many of you are still a bit reluctant.  So here is another solution…

Groom Mate Platinum XL Nose & Ear Hair Trimmer

A few months ago I was given one to try out and was very impressed with how simple and easy it is to use, not to mention painless.  Who would have thought that this small item would produce such fantastic results?

 One of Amazon.com’s top three selling products last year is back for another round of grooming!

• Small (2.6″) & Light-weight
• Pure stainless steel
• Battery free (yeah…I know, pretty cool huh?)
• Noiseless
• Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee 

Just under $20, you simply cannot go wrong!  A painless, noiseless, tiny nose and hair trimmer that will last you forever!

Tools:

Nail Clipper – choose your desired length, keeping the white of your fingernails no longer than 2 millimeters.  Too long and you’ll be ready for your Halloween “pimp” outfit, too short and you’ll be wearing band-aids for fingertips.

Emery Board – after your nails are clipped they will still have a rugged appearance, so use one of these to smooth off those jagged edges .

Nail Buffer – I know, you don’t want them “shiny”, or maybe you do!  Choose the side for your preferred finish and it’ll give your nails a more uniform and natural look.

There you have it!  In less than 15 minutes your nails will look great, and that special someone will be happier for it!

Since 1931 (first successful electric shaver – Col. Jacob Schick), electric shavers have helped many men get a close shave.  As the demand for new and improved electric shavers increase, one can get a bit overwhelmed by the many brands to choose from.  So here is a quick run-down, and a few that I like!

There are two types of electric shavers…

1. Foil Shaver – oscillating blades (back & forth), that cut hair through a screen (often times referred to as screen shavers).  Brands: Braun & Remington
2. Rotary – a cutting system based on rotating circular blades.  Brands: Phillips Norelco

I will however add to this list.

the Hair trimmer – a small version of a hair clipper that is generally used to add the final touches to a haircut or beard. Brands: Andis, Oster & Wahl

Here are my favorites:

1. Braun  Series 7  - also comes in the 1,3 an 5 Series as well
2. Phillips Norelco Arcitec **
3. Andis T – Outliner
4. Oster Taler – Trimmers

** If your are prone to ingrown hairs, steer clear.  Rotary blades in many cases have been known to pull the hair out from the root, causing the hair to grow again from under the skin line, resulting in ingrown hairs.