The Elements of Shaving
For most men, one of the things they need to manage is facial hair. Upon reaching a certain age, men start experiencing the growth of facial hair. Some men welcome their mustaches or beards but most will want to shave it off. While men may get the traditional training on how to shave from their elders, there are those who are just so lost they end up with unsightly nicks and cuts.
For ages, the shaving ritual has not changed much. The best shave can still be achieved through methods that have been around for centuries, though the implements may have changed. One of the most basic elements of the perfect shave is the pre-shave hot towel that rests on the face a few minutes before shaving.
Hot towels work to open up the facial pores while softening the bristles. Barber shops have added a twist to the hot towel by adding a concoction of moisturizing soap or oil for a smoother surface ideal for shaving.
Get a feel of the direction of your facial hair growth and shave against it. After applying your shaving cream, you want to shave as close to the skin as possible without actually nicking it so you need to relax to be able to maintain light and easy strokes. After covering all the areas with hair growth, splashing an aftershave is optional. There are some men whose skins are sensitive to aftershaves and develop red blotches that stay on for hours.
Shaving is as much a part of a man’s day as bathing so it is best to perfect this activity until you get to a point where it has become second nature. Search for products that will agree with your skin and stick to it. A clean-shaven face is always a welcome sight.
Watch It
Watches are undoubtedly men’s favorite accessory. They love it so much they have tons of it and whether consciously or unconsciously, they usually end up with a collection. Watches are quite a sound investment; they are durable with the right care and they mostly do not go out of fashion. If you are ready to take your watch collection seriously, there are some things about watches you need to know.
Functionalities
Some watches have a chronograph functionality that enables these time pieces to show elapsed time on top of the time of the day in an organized way. The power reserve function visually indicates the remaining power of your watch before you have to rewind or replace your battery. Some watches have the global time zone scale that shows a 24-hour scale or a second time zone.
Major Watch Types
The type usually matches the occasion for which the watch will be worn. There is the dress watch that has minimal frills and is usually thin with a leather strap. This type is worn for all formal occasions. Then you have the sports watch that is chunky and is loaded with various features and functionalities. They do not only go with your sporting gear but is likewise great for casual wear. Finally there is the everyday watch or those that cannot be categorized as either a dress watch or a sports watch. They can come in a leather, rubber or metal strap and are usually worn at various occasions.
Next time you plan to buy a new watch, check the ones you already have and see if you can start a good collection.
Men Who Love to Shop
Stylish men did not happen by accident, a lot of hard work goes into creating the look. When shopping, stylish men understand that it is not so much the clothes they are buying but rather the image that the clothes project. These men will never be under pressure to wear what is in trend unless the trend is in keeping with their personal style. A man’s style is an extension of his personality so the next time you go shopping, let that personality shine through and be comfortable in your own skin.
It is never wrong to ask the opinion of others like those of clothes salesmen in the men’s fashion section of a mall, but it is ultimately your call. Regardless of what everyone says, if you feel good in something and you are confident that you can carry it off then it’s a good buy. Never get caught in the bandwagon, just because a shirt looks good in a magazine or a billboard it does not mean it will automatically look good on you. Wearing clothes all your life you would have to have a good idea of what works for you and what your personal style is, but you have to remember that sometimes you need to blur some of the lines or mix things up a bit to introduce variety.
Sometimes, achieving an original look can be challenging given the amount of mass-marketed trends out there. If you really must get one that is in trend, make sure you buy it out of genuine liking for the item and not because it is in trend.
Freeze Break
The beach is one place where you can let your style come to the fore. The laid back atmosphere, the sun, the sand and blue water all make for one of the best fashion scenes there is. If you are planning a day in the beach consider the clothes you will wear because everyone wants to vacation in style.
Footwear
The staple is a pair of flip flops. This comfy footwear has been around for ages but in recent years the fashion spotlight has been trained on this article of clothing. All major fashion brands have a handful of designs and colors, even the style has evolved from the conventional single band that goes across your instep, which every brand has in their collection, to the strap that goes around the big toe supported by one band across the foot. The insteps also come in different cuts and styles as well as the soles which can be thick or thin. You have to make sure that the color you choose matches the rest of the ensemble.
Bathing Suit
Unless you’re into nude beaches, you will need a bathing suit if you plan on taking a dip. There is no right occasion for thongs especially for men. Pick a style that flatters your body. If you have invested a small fortune to achieve the abs to die for, then it’s only fitting that you show it off in a little pair of skimpy swimming trunks. If you have not been blessed with a great figure, you can always wear shorts.
Accessories
Start with the towel; get something that is thick and fluffy so that you can use it for a good number of seasons. A solid color is always more stylish than their printed counterparts. Since you are spending a good number of hours under the sun, do not forget your protection. A cap or hat for your head and sunglasses for your eyes. If it is particularly hot, get a sunscreen with high SPF to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun.
Outside Clothing
You are not going to the beach in your trunks for sure. So wear clothes you can be comfortable in while walking around the beach. Wear light colored clothing that is cool on the eyes. A printed Hawaiian shirt or a comfortable sleeveless shirt paired with board shorts should tide you well.
Facial Care for Men
Men are starting to realize the benefits of facial care not just for aesthetic purposes but more importantly for health reasons. The face is usually exposed to the harsh elements like the sun, smog and dust. These elements can damage the skin so everyone should have a facial care regimen to protect the face, including men.
Exfoliation is no longer exclusive to women. Men have discovered that exfoliators rejuvenate the face, making it healthier and younger-looking. A good exfoliator works to rid the skin of dead skin cells, sweat and grime. It is also ideal to use right before shaving as it prevents red blotches that may be caused by aftershave or razor burns.
On the subject of facial care products, the shaving cream always comes to the fore. Most men will settle for whatever they find in the drugstore, but it is high time that they consider the product they are buying.
Check the labels for ingredients that promote moisture and hydration as composition and consistency of each product have been designed for different skin types. Shaving products may be in the form of oils, gels, foams or creams. Depending on your skin type, choose the one that will work best.
If you are undecided, a quality cream with glycerin, oil and moisturizers can work well on any skin. Stay away from the cheap stuff as they have a tendency to have a pungent scent that stays on for hours. As for aftershaves, the water-based kind can be a bit strong for your face leading to unsightly blotches. A great alternative is the aftershave balm or lotion as they leave a smoother feel and they have a cooling effect that men will like after running a razor across the better part of their face.
A final word on facial care, the key is never to scrimp or save on the products that will be used on your face. Invest in some quality products to ensure that you are giving your face the care it deserves.
Brasher for All
For the man or woman who is the outdoors type, that likes to be active and enjoy mountain sports, there is only one place to find your outdoor boots and that is with Brasher. This is the perfect place in which to select the shoes that you will wear for trekking. It is important that your shoes be comfortable since you will be on your feet most of your time spend outdoors. It is said that Brasher boots are designed in such a way that any hiker, be they new or seasoned, will have ultimate comfort.
These boot are not heavy like some hiking boots so if you must carry them, they will not be a burden. These boots offer the best strength for those harsh terrains because they are designed for just that.
Most of these shoes offer a sole of rubber and a mid sole is your shock absorber. Leather is the top part of these shoes and so they are water resistant. This allows your feet to stay warm but they can also breather and throughout the day they will be protected to the fullest. If you have kids who are now following you into the hills, then know that Brasher makes kids hiking shoes also as well as socks and accessories.
The Way of the Tap
Looking at your bathroom shape, looks and configuration is always the first step when it comes to successfully decorating it. And the centerpiece of your bathroom will invariably be the sink, which makes sense since most of the functions that you perform in the bathroom are centered around the sink. This means that the first step in choosing how your bathroom will look like is picking the sink and the tap.
As for what concerns the tap, you’ll definitely be picking a bathroom mixer tap, both for the sink and the shower, by the way, since it doesn’t make sense to use a separate hot and cold tap in these modern times. Looking at a catalog from any specialized tap seller may leave you a bit confused as to what you want to get, so the best choice is to bring three of four samples home with you and just look at how they’ll look in your bathroom. This is something that they’ll normally allow you to do, usually with supervision. Make sure that the finishing on the tap, which is usually either polished chrome or a golden color metal or even brass, but may also be a marble or a dark stone finishing.