Category Archives: Product review

Travel Essentials For Weekend Getaways

Posted on May 20, 2013 | 3 Comments

Memorial Day Essentials 

Memorial Day is approaching and that weekend we celebrate the unofficial beginning of summer. Queue backyard and rooftop barbecues, casual and summer Fridays and ice coffee-everything. And since summer and everything fun is all we begin thinking about, it’s when we start thinking about running away for the weekend.

I love hopping down to Philadelphia and exploring its burgeoning food scene and maybe, just maybe I’ll make it to Maine this year. One thing I’ve come to realize, however, is although you’re escaping for a few days, you can’t depend on your hotel to stock quality grooming essentials. Grab these essentials and take them along for the ride.

Kiehl’s
Since you can’t take everything with you, where will you cut a corner? Maybe a 2-in-1 product is what you need and why not look to Kiehl’s for the answer. Their Cross-Terrain All-In-One Refueling Wash is packed with goodies like Aloe Vera, vitamin E, and citrus oil and will keep you squeaky clean from head to toe.

Bulldog Natural Skincare
Since your routine will be thrown off in the name of fun, slash time of your morning shave sensibly. Bulldog Natural’s shave gel has 8 essential oils, aloe Vera and jojoba to moisturize, and protect your face, while quickly moving your razor along sans any irritation.

Baxter of California
While the look of Baxter of California’s Citrus deodorant can be deceivingly simple, it packs a subtle punch. It’s so light you won’t even notice you’re being protected all day long.

Ursa Major
Loaded with all natural and organic ingredients, here is another combo pack you don’t want to leave behind. Ursa Major’s Fortifying Face Balm fights ingrown and razor burns with its soothing antiseptic properties, and provides anti-aging benefits. The best part, all of that won’t leave your face feeling greasy as it quickly absorbs into you skin.

Thirdman
The beautiful thing about fresh, citrus scents is they can be worn anywhere. One of the things that has bothered me about them ist that many lack depth. Thirdman has created a collection of invigorating Eau de Cologne’s that are far from basic. Eau do Nomade’s Sicilian lemon, blood orange and cardamom are beautifully balanced and what you get is a zesty, slightly sweet and tantalizingly warm, scent that’s far from your average summer cologne.

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Odor Eaters

Posted on April 15, 2013 | 6 Comments

nicheformen_deotorizingwipes_pack

Gents, what do you do when the day is hectic and you know a shower isn’t possible? You either wing it or hope no one notices you’re not your freshest. For occasions like these and many others, Niche For Men has developed deodorizing wipes made especially for men.

Individually packaged wipes, which are about the size of a hand towel (9×11), are infused with ginseng and aloe vera. What you’re left with is a very masculine scented wipe that’s good for one use but well equipped to get the job done. I recently tested Niche For Men after a night out at the cigar lounge and it easily washed away the odor of hanging out for a few hours in a smoked filled room. The best part, my wife couldn’t detect any cigar scent. My skin felt rejuvenated and moisturized.

Tis the season for increased activities. After work cocktails, which can lead to flirty dinners and late night shenanigans is just one of many possibilities that can occur now that the weather is breaking. Do yourself a favor and keep these in your bag or at your desk. You won’t be sorry.

A one pack of Niche For Men’s deodorizing wipes, which brings two individually wrapped wipes are $3.00

Niche For Men sent a sample of this product to me but my opinion is my own.

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Fog Free Shower Mirror by ShaveWell

Posted on April 5, 2013 | 1 Comment

Fog Free Shower Mirror

For the as long as I’ve been wet shaving, I wanted to do so in the shower. Warm air holds more moisture and since you’re already under the water, this setting is ideal for saturating your facial hair and thus obtaining the best possible shave. To make this happen, I needed to find a shower mirror that is easy to install, wouldn’t fog up and is reasonably priced. I recently purchased the Fog Free Shower Mirror by ShaveWell and I couldn’t be happier.

For starters, the Fog Free Shower Mirror is Apple-esque in its out of the box ready to use ease. The package includes minimal but easy to understand instructions, a plastic hook and the mirror. The hook is one of these super strong adhesives and it only requires cleaning with area of the wall you intend to hang it with some rubbing alcohol. Once you let it dry, the instructions indicate waiting 2 hours, your mirror is ready to be hung. (You can also use one of these Command Water-Resistant hooks, which I did.) Ease of installation – Check!

The mirror comes with a protective coating that you ultimately remove. Once this is done and when you’re ready to shave, you hold both the back and front of the mirror under the shower stream to warm it up. This one tactic is the brilliance of this mirror. When the mirror in your bathroom fogs up, what’s happening is the warm air from your shower, which is saturated with moisture, comes in contact with the cooler surface of the mirror. As a result, the moisture is sucked out of the air and falls onto the mirror. To reverse this action, you simply raise the temperature of the mirror to equal that of the air inside the shower. No fog – ehh!

Here’s the best part of this whole thing, the starting price for ShaveWell’s Fog Free Shower Mirror is $9.99 on Amazon. For $3 more, I ordered the Deluxe, which is bigger than their original mirror. The size is perfect as I can comfortably see enough of my face to guide myself through my shave. Reasonably priced – Check!

There really isn’t anything bad I can say about this mirror. For the price, you aren’t buying aesthetics. It’s a simple mirror that’s super easy to install. With respect to no fog, I truly expected that it would never fog up. Chalk that expectation up to its name but that hasn’t deterred from how satisfied I am with this product. When this happens it’s usually right before I’m about to shave. By that time, the mirror’s surface is still cooler than the temperature of the air inside my shower. That’s quickly remedied, however, by submerging both sides of the mirror under the shower stream for a few seconds to warm it up. Be sure to install your mirror in a place that’s not subjected to a draft as that will cool the mirror’s surface too. Using the Command Water-Resistant strips I mentioned will allow you to move the mirror around, if necessary, to find the ideal spot in your shower.

Bottom line, I cannot remember the last time I spent this little money on a product and was this thrilled. My shaving experience is better for it too.

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Pit Approved

Posted on March 22, 2013 | 4 Comments

Deodorant

Have you ever come home, opened the refrigerator and stared into it like something would miraculously jump out at you that didn’t before? That’s the same thing that often happens when I troll the aisles of chain drug stores looking for deodorant. Don’t get me wrong, they aren’t all bad but sometimes I look hard for something else; anything other than what’s already there but somehow I leave without buying anything.  As a result, I didn’t wear any deodorant for a long time. I don’t perspire a lot but the last time I left my pits bare, it was in the fall/winter so I could get away with it. With spring and summer on the horizon and perspiration due to increase, something had to change – enter Baxter of California’s Deodorant.

The first time I smelled Deodorant, I thought I forgot to take a protective layer or something off the roll on. The scent isn’t as loud as most men’s deodorants can be. It’s Citrus & Herbal-Musk scent is subtly present and it won’t compete with your fragrance choice of the day. The citrus notes are in the background giving the scent a slight fresh lift but its earthiness is what will rope you in. It’s all man without the usual “guy” scent. For those with sensitive noses, I think you’ll find this wearable. For those with sensitive pits, this is formulated with you in mind. And it’s aluminum and alcohol free to boot.

Deodorant 2.65 0z $18

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MCMC Fragrances’ Hunter Scented Candle

Posted on March 11, 2013 | 3 Comments

HUNTER_candle MCMC Fragrances

While at the recent Elements Showcase, I happened to stop by the booth of Anne McClain’s MCMC Fragrances and I’m so glad I did. The brand recently launched a collection of scented candles and they are excellent. As we chatted about life, her aspirations for the collection, etc., I couldn’t put them down. One after the other I picked up the candles and inhaled awesomeness.

The one my nose gravitated to most was Hunter. A replication of a scent in the collection with the same name, Hunter is comfort. It’s sweet and smoky and will leave you thinking a campfire is somewhere nearby. I wondered how the scent would diffuse as sometimes it’s just not the same. Hunter didn’t disappoint. The scent is just right; it nicely perfumes a room without being overbearing.

If history tells us anything, winter isn’t done with us just yet. As you agonize over the beginning of spring, Hunter’s notes of tobacco absolute, organic Bourbon vanilla and balsam fir will distract you long enough keep you at ease.

Hunter by MCMC Fragrances – $48 for 6.5 oz

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Headed Out The Door, Don’t Forget This

Posted on March 1, 2013 | 4 Comments

Hand Creams
Wallet – check. Phone – check. Keys – check. Money – check. It’s safe to say these items are part of the checklist of items men run through before they leave home for the day. Perhaps lip balm is on there when it’s really cold out but the question I pose today is this, how many of you carry around hand lotion? Does that seem a bit too fussy? Consider the fact that women notice fine details and ashy hands will result in the loss of brownie points. If that got your attention, read on.

If you suffer from ashy skin, you’ll notice it occurring during the winter and after long hot showers, two common factors. During the winter, temperatures drop and the air gets very dry, and while long hot showers can be soothing, the heat opens our pores allowing moisture to escape. In both of these instances, the top layer of our skin is being stripped of its natural moisture, leaving the skin dry and itchy. Add to that the fact that in the winter, we’re constantly washing our hands to kill germs and that is a recipe for ashy hands.

So, what can we do to remedy this? Cutting down the length and temperature of those showers will help but what you really want to do is moisturize your skin more often. Add any one of the following to your daily checklist of must have items before you leave the house to keep your polished look intact. (From L to R):

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter
I can’t even remember when I started using this but it’s stood the test of time. Cocoa butter will do your skin justice. Its rich formula will create a protective barrier between your skin and the elements. The result, moisturized hands that look manicured without feeling greasy.

Jack Black Industrial Hand Healer
Jack Black’s Industrial Hand Healer is a quiet worker bee. Before you know it, eucalyptus, vitamin A and E quickly penetrate your skin to rid it of ash. There’s no residual greasy feeling or extra shine. Hands are left feeling smooth and moisturized and no one’s the wiser.

Portland General Store Wood Super Thick Hand Cream
Formulated for overworked hands, Wood Super Thick Hand Cream is all natural and loaded with essential oils. It works fast to moisturize hands and is the most masculine smelling of the bunch.

Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream
You probably noticed your ladies’ Bliss products but this is one you can use with no shame. You only need a little bit of Bliss’ High Intensity Hand Cream to heal your ash. Macadamia nut oil and grape seed extract work to hydrate and soothe your skin leaving hands feeling rescued.

L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
Super creamy and packed with 20% shea butter honey, almond and coconut oil, L’Occitane’s Shea Butter Hand Cream is by far one of my favorites. Creamy and light, it quickly penetrates the skin to hydrate hands leaving them polished and soft without the feeling of grease.

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Ancient Resins by Aftelier Perfumes

Posted on February 26, 2013 | 16 Comments

Notre Dame Cathedral Paris
One of the things I fondly remember about my youth was going to church on Sundays. I missed a lot of Sunday football games but mom was happy her boys received their blessing. One thing that stuck with me was the church’s scent, which was a mix of body heat and old wood. With no air condition, we tried to stay cool with paper fans. They kept us cool and hot at the same time. That collective heat and that old church made for a scent that will forever be ingrained in my head. I used to wear my father’s Grey Flannel, but not enough to drown out that old church smell. Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t bad, but I often wondered what it was like going to a Catholic church where they burned incense. That was the first thing I thought about when Mandy Aftel introduced me to one of her latest releases, Ancient Resins.
Ancient Resins
Incense has long been a part of religious ceremonies. It’s referenced in the bible and there are myriad historical references. Its perfume is meditative and it’s also said that the smoke symbolizes our prayers being taken up to God. History also tells us that people used it to perfume their bodies. I imagine Mandy drew upon this knowledge when she created Ancient Resins for the legendary Leonard Cohen.

Ancient Resins had me hooked from its opening notes; I wore it for a few days straight while testing it. It’s a body oil so it can be used to moisturize your skin. I chose to wear it as a fragrance and applied it to my pulse points as I would any other cologne. It opens subtly with a smoky, resinous presence and quickly quiets to a beautiful perfumed whisper. Don’t expect a bloom of perfume surrounding you. Ancient Resins wears close to the skin and in an intimate moment, it just might answer your prayers. If you’re familiar with frankincense, you’ll pick it up immediately as it contains a generous amount. The scent stays pretty consistent throughout its wearing and it lasts a long time.

A 50 ml. bottle of Ancient Resins is $40. It’s a steal gents.

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Mo’ Better Beards (or ‘stache)

Posted on November 16, 2012 | 4 Comments

Here we are, the middle of November or known to some of us as Movember. Guys all over the world have taken a vacation from shaving as part of their pledge to raise money for prostate cancer and other male cancer charities. It’s a brilliant cause and by now many of you are sporting hefty stubble, whether it be a moustache or beard. The question is; how are you taking care of it?

I’m sure you’re enjoying the extra time you’re saving every morning by not having to shave; it can be a chore at times. But wearing your facial hair as a badge of pride this month comes with responsibility. Just like the hair on our heads, your ‘stache or beard will attract the dirt and grim of the day and while you maybe saying I take care of that when I wash my face, it isn’t enough. The hair on our face is often courser than on our head and when it starts itching, because it most certainly will, there’s a few remedies that will offer relief and keep you well groomed.

If I present a bunch of options here, some of you may be turned off. You’re enjoying the freed up time and don’t want to think of a bunch of grooming products for this cause. If that’s you, let me introduce you to Imperial Barber’s Glycerin Shave/Face Soap. Developed by actual barbers, it’s dual-purpose keeps the juggling act in check. Good enough to rid your face of dirt and grim, it’s use of vitamin E will also do wonders for your facial hair. Lather up; work it into your stache and beard and rinse. That’s step 1.

To keep your hair soft with a slight sheen that continues your groomed theme, I offer you beard oil. Portland General Store is offering a trio of moisturizing oils for $75. Made with hempseed and marula oils and coming in ginger, vetiver and whisky scents, this trio will moisturize, soften and keep your whiskers nicely scented. That’s a winning trifecta.

Boom – two steps for a mo’ better beard (or ‘stacheb).

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Four Office Friendly Scents That’ll Keep The Peace

Posted on September 19, 2012 | 3 Comments

Now that summer is behind us and its excesses have become apparent, e.g., one too many beers, I’m putting in time at the gym. During a recent trip, I discovered many if you had the same idea; the gym was packed. As I entered the locker room, a potpourri of aquatic/citrus scents greeted me. It smelled like every guy in there went to the same store and left with the exact same cologne.  Continue reading →

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Racer Shave Cream by Portland General Store

Posted on August 17, 2012 | 9 Comments

When I was a youngster, I remember seeing soap commercials for Irish Spring, which featured hairy-chest man working up a good lather. I even remember my father working up a good one before he shaved. If it lathered, it must be doing something, right? As I got older and could afford to pay attention to my grooming regimen one of the first questions I asked was about how it lathered. The takeaway from these moments was that it is all about the lather, or so I thought. Continue reading →

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