Beyond Beauty Basics » For Him

Perfect Father’s Day Gifts for Men Who Shave

Beyond Beauty Basics — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 01:05:28 +0000

Men are lucky enough that they get the opportunity to exfoliate and condition their skin daily while they shave. I know what some of you guys are thinking that aren’t so lucky. Well, maybe you just haven’t tried the right products.

When it comes to shaving, the options are limitless and I almost feel bad for you guys having to do this all on your own, so I am here to help. Remember, everyone has different skin, and everyone has a different style of shaving.

Essentially, there are four things you need to achieve the perfect shave:

1. A pre-shave oil or lotion
2. The perfect shaving cream or gel
3. A fabulous yet functional razor and/or brush
4. A soothing aftershave splash, lotion, or balm.

I know the pre-shave oil is often overlooked, but I introduced my boyfriend to this a few years ago and now he can’t live without it. Pre-shave oils are the answer to all of your shaving dilemmas. They do so much for the skin and you will get the most incredible and closest shave when you use one. Pre-shave oils moisten the skin, loosen the hair follicle, and condition at the same time. What this does is allow the hair to lift, straighten, and become softer for the shave. If you are a guy with ingrown hair issues, you will never see another one again once you start to use a pre-shave oil.

My favorite pre-shave oils are by the Art of Shaving. There are four blends to choose from, but I love the Lavender. You can use unscented, Lavender for sensitive skin, Lemon for oily skin, or Sandalwood for normal to dry skin.

Shaving creams and gels can get really personal. It’s almost like a woman picking out her favorite body lotion; a lot goes into the decision. Is it the right scent? Do I like the texture? How does my skin react when I put it on? For those of you out there that like the thick shaving cream, it is most likely you have a drier skin that needs a boost of hydration. Creams are best applied with a brush to help work the pre-shave oil into the pores and then get the hair out of the follicle.

Shaving gels are perfect for the guy with an oily skin or who is prone to breakouts. Gels are lightweight and will keep your razor close to the skin. Gels usually contain very soothing ingredients like aloe and vitamin E to help calm the skin. My favorite shaving creams and gels are:

Neutrogena Men Skin Clearing Shaving Cream - You can find this at your local drug store and it is usually less than $5. It will give your skin an exhilarating shave and help with future breakouts.

Anthony Logistics Shave Gel - You can find this online at Anthony.com or at Sephora or Sephora.com. This gel is packed with Aloe beads to soothe the skin as well as glycerin to lubricate the skin for an extremely close shave.

Lab Series Maximum Comfort Shave Cream is my absolute favorite - This cream is formulated for sensitive skin and helps prevent irritation. It is fragrance free and oil free. It’s perfect for all skin types.

When it comes to razors, this is where I am a pro! I have always prided myself on giving razors as a father’s day or birthday gift. I want to give something special that will last forever. Well, my friends and family have told me that although I have spent money on expensive razors, nothing compares to the Gillette Mach 3 Turbo. Every man in my life swears by this razor as being the best!

Aftershave splash, lotion, and balms are the final step to the perfect shave. Splashes usually contain the most alcohol and are best for oily skins. Lotions are for more of a normal to combination skin, and balms are great for dry skins. My favorites are:

Bliss Post Shave Repair Lotion - This is excellent for oily skins that are prone to breakouts. Your skin will love you!

L’Occitane Cade After Shave Balm – It will immediately cool the skin and help control redness. It’s perfect for dry skin types.

Men’s Skin Care Secrets Revealed

Beyond Beauty Basics — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:00:51 +0000

Let me start by saying that after the years of being in this ever changing beauty business, I am so excited to see so many men finally taking care of their skin! However, at the same time, men are only using products that say, “For Men,” on the package. You guys are welcome to use all cosmetic brands and get incredible results because your skin is a lot like ours!

Did you know that there really are only a few differences between men and women’s skin and you can actually use a lot of the same skincare products, if not all! Here are some truths behind the differences between our skin and our guys:

Women’s skin age faster than men’s because we lose collagen faster. So the men are lucky enough not to have to invest in all of the anti-aging products that we do to stay young. However, men do lose collagen so a little lift never hurt.

Men have thicker skin than women; this is the most popular one of all. Yes, men do have a thicker skin, but only by 20-30 %. This helps the men not get as many fine lines and wrinkles as quickly as women do, but that’s not to say it won’t happen. Don’t gloat men, you will get wrinkles one day!

Because men have more hair follicles on their face, their skin is more oily which also helps keep them young. Shaving everyday helps to exfoliate the skin and bring the new skin cells to the surface quickly. The down side to this is that it is proven that men are more prone to skin cancer than women so do not forget the sunscreen!

Now let’s talk product. I know you men out there only want the very best in skincare, so why is it that you are always and only going to men’s products? You are more than welcome to share in the luxury we women have of going to any cosmetic brand and finding what we need. So go ahead and use your ladies product and see what you think. Men’s skincare brands are great in that they smell great and are usually blended with a lot of essential oils to help with a close shave and soften the skin.

Stay tuned for my favorites on men’s skincare. I am like all of you ladies out there, I want my guy to take care of his skin too, but sometimes they just need a little help.

The Organic Pharmacy Is Finally Here!

Beyond Beauty Basics — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 16:28:16 +0000

The Organic Pharmacy is a line of men’s products that has been making a huge impact over in the U.K. and I am so excited to say that they have now launched here in the US. The Organic Pharmacy carries pure organic products as of now but will be expanding into a larger range of skin care.This is a certified organic line by the U.K’s Soil Association and is free of artificial preservatives, colorants, petrochemicals and fragrance. They use only the purest and highest grade natural and organic ingredients. All the products come in 75ml tubes so they are perfect for those men who like to use a lot of product!

I personally love the packaging and according to Margo Marrone, the co-founder of The Organic Pharmacy, about 90 percent of the customers are women. The prices are great ranging from $39-$59 and are all infused with antioxident protection as well as ingredients like green tea and tamanu for their anti-inflammatory properties.

What I was really impressed with is that every Organic Pharmacy product has a shelf life of 2 years which is hard to find with organic lines. After opening, you get 9 months but you are sure to go through it and love it the entire time!

Visit The Organic Pharmacy to explore the entire line in detail, you are sure to be impressed and I love the site. It’s packed with info on organic ingredients and remedies to help heal and calm the skin. Enjoy!

Beards are Back

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 20:58:45 +0000

If you haven’t noticed lately, young men are sporting facial hair. A few years ago, goatees were the thing, but now it’s more about having either a full beard or the jaw outline (that takes considerably more upkeep). (Scott Speedman, left)
If your man (or you, if you are a man) decide to have a beard, make sure that it’s kept neat. Comb through it often (especially after eating) and use your hair shampoo to wash it every day (otherwise, it can get pretty rank). (Chris Daughtry, right and Brad Pitt, left)

Facial hair that’s not attractive:

Dread beards
Sparse long-haired beards
Full beards with empty spots
Under the jawline-only beards
Beards on women

If you have any of the above, keep shaving.

Check out this video for a good, old fashioned shave…

Comfort Max Anti-Irritation After Shave Balm By L’Oreal

Beyond Beauty Basics — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 22:55:46 +0000

Ok ladies, it’s time to think about your guys skin, not just our own, for just a minute of course! Well, if your guy shaves his face everyday, like most do, L’Oreal has come to the rescue. They have an entire line dedicated to your guy’s skin, because we all know we have to do what ever it takes to get them to use even the slightest bit of skin care. L’Oreal’s men’s expert line of skincare is perfect for any guy, even the most sensitive skins. My favorite product for my guy is the Comfort Max Anti-Irritation After Shave Balm with spf15.

Ladies, this is the perfect product to get your guy started on actually taking care of his skin. Not only will Comfort Max Anti-Irritation After Shave Balm calm and cool the irritation of shaving and leave his skin feeling super soft and smelling great, but it will also leave his face protected from UVA and UVB harmful sun rays. With a high concentration of Vitamin E as well as the patented Active Defense System, ADS, his skin will be smooth and completely hydrated without him even knowing it.

So ladies, here’s the plan… start with this one and slowly but surely just keep adding in one by one of L’Oreal’s men’s expert line of skincare for your special guy and before you know it, he will be in the bathroom with you making sure his skin looks almost as good as yours.

Easy to find at your local drugstore, Target, Walmart, CVS, and L’Oreal.com

A Spa For Two: Give Him a Metro Makeover

Paul Baranda — Wed, 16 May 2007 19:15:52 +0000

Ok so you’re walking around town with your new manicure and pedicure while the spring/summer winds breeze into your freshly blown out hair. It’s just about half past noon and everywhere you start to notice a plethora of men going to lunch in their designer suits, tanned smooth faces, and separate divorced brows. You wonder, “well I didn’t see any of them at my spa.” Why it’s an avenue of metrosexual men! He’s been defined as a straight, sensitive, well-educated, urban dweller who takes care of his appearance and may even have a feminine side. He may have a standing appointment for a weekly manicure, and he probably has his hair cared for by a stylist rather than a barber. Well your man may not exactly dress or look like Brad Pitt or “Mc Dreamy” but you can certainly send him off towards the right grooming department. It may be awhile to get your guy to volunteer his Sunday to go shopping with you around town or insist on moisturizing in the morning, but you can definitely get him groomed the “metro” way. That’s because spas now offer more services that cater to men as well with facials and treatments.

If your in New York City, Metamorphosis Day Spa is on the upper east side that offers an array of facial and body treatments for her AND for HIM! Again, that’s “treatments” not “miracles” ok? The spa has also been given the ALLURE Editor’s Choice Award and has great reviews on Citysearch.com! So, have your man get pampered with the “Metrosexual Male Makeover” ($225) while you get your favorite facial treatment! There are many more spas that will be more than happy to makeover your man. Consider a Spa Finder Gift Certificate

Sandalwood Shaving Soap From George F. Trumper

Beyond Beauty Basics — Sun, 13 May 2007 20:20:12 +0000

Sandalwood Shaving Soap in a Wooden Bowl from George F Trumper

is the perfect add-on to the Aqua di Parma shaving accessories. Trumper has some of the best shaving products in the world, with many products to choose from (based on fragrance preference or skin type).

$32.00

Available at C.O. Bigelow and trumpers.com

Collezione Barbiere By Aqua di Parma

Beyond Beauty Basics — Fri, 11 May 2007 20:16:40 +0000

Collezione Barbiere Razor and Brush from Aqua di Parma

This collection of Shaving Accessories is the perfect gift for “him” when you’ve just spent $2000.00 on three skincare products and a mascara. The brush is made with the best badger bristle and the wood on the handles is wenge (a very tight grained, water resistant wood).

$585.00

Available at neimanmarcus.com and Bergdorf Goodman