Men Tips

posted by LanceThorington on Dec 9

Appearances are so important in this fast-paced life we lead. Whether we like or not, people tend to make a judgment on the way we look and this first impression can color how they see us as a person. Personal grooming is one area that is available to every man to improve his image. Once the domain of women, grooming products are now widely marketed for men. Here are some helpful tips to help men create a great impression by focusing on personal grooming.

The Skin.
The skin is the largest organ in the body, and is subject to the same laws as all our organs - if it is stressed for long enough, it will fail. Modern life places incredible stress on our bodies, and the skin is the first contacts with air pollution, chemicals in the water and air conditioning. The health of our skin is also affected by what we eat and drink - caffeine-high products, smoking, foods high in fat and sugar and alcohol all add stress to the skin.
* Cleanse the face and neck with a soap-free cleanser, at least once a day. Specialty facial cleansers are designed to clean deep into the layers of the skin and remove dirt and toxins.
* Use an oil-free facial moisturizer with an SPF15 or higher every day to hydrate the skin and protect from sun damage.
* Once or twice a week, use a facial scrub to remove dead skin cells and revitalize the skin. This is called exfoliation and it leaves the skin feeling fresh and improves the look of dull skin.
* Use an effective underarm, antiperspirant deodorant to always be fresh.

Shaving
Razor burn is the scourge of shaving for many men. It is caused by the friction of the razor as it passes over almost invisible folds in the skin, and is irritated more by hot water, chemicals in shaving products and sweat.

You can reduce, and even eliminate, razor burn by altering your shaving technique.
* Using an exfoliant regularly removes the dead skin cells which can clog a razor.
* Use a lotion based shaving cream rather than soap, which tends to be drying. The lotion gives a slick surface for the razor to glide over.
* Wet your face with warm, water and apply the shaving cream, using a shaving brush. (this helps to lift the hairs) Leave for 2 minutes to soften the bristles.
* Use a triple bladed razor as it is more efficient. Pull the blade in the direction the hair grows, not against - this is the most common cause of razor burn.
* Leave the toughest stubble till last to allow extra softening time for those hairs.
* Rinse off any residue - it may cause irritation. Apply an after shave balm - a great balm is pure aloe vera gel, which is soothing and healing to the skin.

The Hair
Make sure the style you choose is appropriate to the look you are trying to achieve. Invest in an appointment with a good hair stylist (doesn’t have to be expensive) and ask for advice on what styles would suit your face shape. Once you have a really good styled cut, it is much easier to keep your hair looking good.

Hair products for men have also increased in number and quality in recent years. Greasy, lank hair is not a good look so use a good shampoo and conditioner as often as needed to keep your hair looking shiny and clean. Choose from the wide range of hair grooming products on the market to keep your hair styled and neat throughout the day. Many men dye their hair these days, either to hide graying hair or to create a fun, modern look. Make sure you use well-known brands or have it done at a salon to avoid problems.

Include these men’s grooming tips in your daily routine to always feel good and look great.

Lance Thorington’s is an online publisher. His articles have been syndicated on many web sites, blogs and ezines all over the Internet. For the best mens grooming products and tips visit this site right now and find out what works! http://www.beautyfaire.com/mg-Mens_Grooming.html

posted by dominicdonaldson on Dec 9

Ah, I can almost smell the mince pies now. Yes, the season of good will is fast approaching, and whether we like it or not, it is time to spend spend spend! This time of year brings with it a few nuggets of beauty that slip seamlessly together; men, beards and gadget reviews that are full of silver man-gifts.

I’m not sure why it is that gifts for men have to be silver, I must remember to ask Santa next time I see him, but it does seem that it is possible to pick any ordinary item in the world, smother it in a brushed steel finish, et voila! It’s a gadget that every man never knew he wanted, and now can’t live without.

Given the time of year, and the nature of my occupation (professional shopaholic - BA Hons), I have been inevitably trawling those gift magazines that come with Sunday supplements for the perfect prezzie to pop in a stocking (besides my gorgeous legs of course!). It has been during this annual activity that is so spectacularly specific top the species Homo sapiens that I had my not so epic epiphany.

The commercial incarnation of Christmas was made for beard trimmers. It all makes perfect sense, and here I shall put forward my watertight argument; in the style of Ally McBeal. Or maybe not. Firstly, it seems to me that a large proportion of the aforementioned man gifts that are of bond-esque silver gadgety beauty are designed to keep various forms of facial hair growth in check. Secondly, that familiar and friendly face of Christmas, Santa Clause is one seriously hairy guy.

As far as subliminal advertising goes, I know it exists, but the unity of beard trimmers and the hirsute public face of Christmas is too much of a coincidence. In fact, it is the utter obviousness of this marketing genius that has allowed the whole shebang to go undetected for a number of years. Maybe Mr Clause is in fact that Remington guy, or in deed Mr Philips, even Mr Wilkinson. Maybe he is an undercover Christmas sales agent called Remington Wilkinson-Philips and he is duty bound to shear every last hair from the face of every last man, under the cover of his own visual cacophony of facial hair.

Maybe I have become a little over exited, but my near as leak-proof point has been more or less made; it’s all about silver grooming kits, not as some think, Coca Cola. Among the treats this year are the ever more advanced shavers and trimmers from Remington Wilkinson-Philips. The gadget reviews of the latest instalments promise an attachment for every style. The Remington PG400 for example, boasts six precision attachments for creating a goatee of any shape, a docking station and three types of silver-look coatings - nanosilver (that’s a new one for me), titanium and a plastic tray that apparently looks like it’s made from metal.

The Quattro Titanium Precision from Wilkinson Sword, manages to slip it’s metalness into it’s title, thus making it a viable man-gift this season. It is essentially a normal razor that has a conveniently placed, battery powered beard trimmer attachment, and seems like a no-frills solution to fashioning the face hair. Finally, Philips has released the TT2021. I have decided that this is the ultimate stocking filler for Christmas. Not only is it a one stage metal effect groomer (chrome) but with TT in the title, it is strutting a manly aura before the trimming even begins. The snowman on the icing has to be the fact that the Philips is an all-over body groomer, which means no matter where Santa is sprouting hairs, he’ll be a smooth as a Victoria plum by New Year.

Dominic Donaldson is an expert in the technology industry.
Find out more about Gadget Reviews and the latest gadgets and gizmo’s on offer in time for chriatmas at Pocket Lint.

posted by TheBrooker on Dec 9

So I decided to meet my father at the Coffee Corral. That’s where we had coffee long before Starbucks came along. Dad walks in at 10 o’clock sharp, right on time, as usual. My father was a very successful attorney, a litigator unlike any I’d ever seen.

However, his skills as a father were suspect at best. I know he tried, but it just was never a natural role for him, unlike being a barrister. As we discuss life over a cup of java, I remarked to my father that it seems like he just complains all the time. We go back and forth about the current situation in the world today, his cases, and everything else that’s on his mind.

As he continues to complain about the overall situation in the world today, as well as his own personal life, I remarked you know, it seems like you complain a lot. I added Dad, you are one of the most negative people I know. We go back and forth discussing positive versus negative attitudes, when finally I decide to mention something I’ve thought about for many years.

Dad, why is it you constantly complain? He looks a little startled, stops, thinks about it for a few minutes, and finally answers as follows. Did it ever occur to you that I might just like to complain? As the words hit my brain, I let them settle in a little bit to really think about what he’s just said. After having a few moments to consider his comments, I remark, Fine Dad I have a comment for you. Did, it ever occur to you that I may just not want to hang out with you then?

He looks slowly down at his coffee cup. Fair enough. I like to complain and you don’t want to hang out with me. As I walked toward my car that day, I was reminded of the old saw, you can pick your friends but not your family. My Dad was clearly one of the most negative people I had ever met., and apparently enjoyed complaining and being negative. I consider myself one of the most positive people I have have ever met. Can you meet yourself?

I realized then that my father and I would never be that close because of the opposite ways we look at the glass of water. It was too bad because even though he was my father, I have learned, we are so completely influenced by those that we spend our time with. Shortly before my mother died, she whispered something in my ear that I never forgot.

She said David, your father does the best he can with what he has. I will forever feel blessed for having an attitude that reflects positive and focuses on the solutions and not the problems. I am proud of that attitude.

David Brooke, has been a coach, speaker, and motivator for over 25 years. He specializes in coaching people to manage the stresses of life by applying an attitude of gratitude. To access his strategies on how to utilize your Daily Gratitude Journal, visit: http://www.thebrooker.com