Now and then; classic hairstyles and grooming products keep coming back

Looking at the development of hair grooming since the 1930s, we can conclude that products have significantly multiplied while trends have grown in and out of fashion. A styling trick that the past gentleman taught the modern one is how to be well groomed using hair pomade for men. Iconic personalities like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash or Brad Pitt are known to have defined their hair styles by using this moisture rich, shine adding formula. » Read the rest of this entry «

When it comes to maintaining your hair, there are many extraordinary shampoos from which to choose. It may seem overwhelming, but many excellent shampoos are developed specifically with different hair types or conditions in mind to help you narrow your options. The top ten hair shampoos for gentlemen comprise the best choices.

Best Shampoos for Dry Hair
Anthony Logistics for Men Everyday Coconut Shampoo for Normal to Dry Hair is one of the best shampoos for men with dry hair. It is so versatile that it is also suitable for normal hair. This product has the ability to add moisture and body. It makes hair manageable and imparts a healthy luster. For best results, a conditioner for men is recommended after washing. » Read the rest of this entry «

With Movember 2012 in the horizon, it’s inevitable to see men everywhere growing shaggy beards and mustaches. The reason behind the practice is a noble one and we are always excited to see that this month-long event, along with prostate cancer awareness and support for its research, gain more and more traction.

But there’s no reason for eschewing neatness in favor of a yeti-like mug. While some might think that male grooming equals a shaven face, a properly looked after beard can accentuate one’s features. That’s why even though the meaning of men’s facial hair has changed over time — from a sign of wisdom, of masculinity, of sexual virility or high status, dominance and honor — beards and mustaches have never gone completely out of fashion. » Read the rest of this entry «

…or any side of the face for that matter, keep in mind two things: angle and pressure.

Would it surprise you to know that you are shaving wrong? Well, maybe you are not doing it wrong exactly, but you are overlooking two very important aspects of wet-shaving. If you value your skin, you will start paying more attention to two things: the angle of the blade and the pressure with which you apply that blade to your skin. » Read the rest of this entry «

The next time you visit the grocery store or the pharmacy, pay special attention to the hair care aisle. Do you notice anything missing? I have recently become painfully aware that most stores lack a selection of hair brushes marketed specifically for men and their different types of hair. Are men supposed to use the hair brushes that are targeted toward women even though they have different types of hair and different needs? I wouldn’t recommend it. Men should take a cue from their female counterparts and select hair brushes that were designed just for them and their special hair care needs.

Behind every good man is a good hair brush; find out which brush is perfect for you.

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Bridle leather is made from steer hides that have been painstakingly hand colored with vegetable dyes using waxes and tallow. These environmentally friendly dyes produce rich colors with an even consistency and attractive natural glow. Bridle leather is a heavy leather that is known for its quality. It has a stiff feel when new, but it develops a lovely soft texture with use. With care and maintenance, products made from bridle leather will maintain their durability and bring you years of enjoyment and pleasure.

Caring for bridle leather begins with keeping it dry. Getting this leather wet actually causes the natural oils within it to dissipate as the water evaporates. It may sound ironic, but allowing bridle leather to get wet ultimately results in drying it out. If your leather accessory does get wet, avoid the temptation to apply heat to remove the water. Heat will hasten the removal of those natural oils that keep leather soft and supple. Allow the water to evaporate naturally, then you can apply products to restore oils to the leather.

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Complete your perfect shave with these simple steps.

Step #3: Time to Shave
Now that you have prepared your face appropriately for the main event, it’s time to get down to shaving. I hope you enjoy shaving because you are going to do it thousands of times over the course of a lifetime. If you don’t enjoy it now, you should do whatever you can to make the process more pleasurable. Don’t forget to keep the blade at a 30 degree angle, and never apply pressure when pressing the blade against your face. Let the weight of the razor apply the only pressure you need. An ultralight razor may be applied to the face with gentle pressure, only as much as needed to make firm contact with your skin without scraping or dragging.

Test drive several double-edge blade brands with a blade sampler.

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Read these simple steps for a perfect shave before you pick up your razor again.

Step #1: Be Prepared
Before you begin wet-shaving, take the time to prepare your face. Your beard grows thick and strong for a reason. Although we will leave those reasons to the physical anthropologists to decide, one thing remains clear: your beard needs special preparation before wet-shaving if you want maximum results. Shaving your face without preparing it first is a surefire way to give yourself an inferior shave and unwanted razor burn. Shaving oil is a great choice for preparing your face, but it’s not the only choice.

PREP Original Formula Pre-Post Protective Cream

Products like Proraso, Prep-Italy pre-post creams and Taylor of Bond Street Pre-shave Gel are well-respected on the playing field of shaving preparation. If you are looking for a more inexpensive option, try an oil-based face and body cream. In the past, I used Vaseline creams because they worked great. Unfortunately, they are not great for one’s health due to their containing petrol, so I had to find other alternatives. If using petroleum by-products on your skin doesn’t bother you, the Vaseline creams will help you get a nice, close shave and smooth skin all in one fell swoop.

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Life is full of vagaries. The quality of light at the villa in Tuscany was ethereal, but the water was mineral-filled. The cleaning staff at the hotel on your last business trip thoughtfully repacked your dopp kit for you, but before your shaving brush was dry. The endless winter is over, but a recent humid spell is making the entire bathroom a bit damp — and a little “fragrant.” The long-awaited wedding of your closest friend is tomorrow, but your favorite shaving soap is hundreds of miles away, necessitating an emergency run to the drugstore for an inferior replacement.

Badger hair shaving brushes are made from hair that is quite similar to human hair. Photo by Marco Arment.

Time, accidents and choices can wear on the badger shaving brush you long coveted and now treasure. Although a closely-followed daily cleaning routine usually can keep your brush in fine lathering fettle, water hardness, humidity, improper storage and certain shaving products can cause brush failure. Stiffened or crooked hair or a growing soap-scum ring are signs you may need to deep clean your brush. And, the unmentionable, but quite possible, mildew or begins of mold on the handle or base of the hairs — not on the brush you use on your face! Take a deep breath, never fear, as you probably have exactly the ingredients for a rejuvenating shaving brush spa treatment in your kitchen, laundry and bathroom.

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You carefully considered and researched your investment in a high-quality badger shaving brush. Lathering techniques are well on their way to being mastered; you have cast not one look back to the hissing of the abandoned aerosol can. Although the wet-shaving course you’ve so eagerly begun is becoming routine, your daily pleasure in the procedure grows as quickly as your new-found competence. That badger brush is your partner in this new adventure, caring for your skin in a way you’ve never before experienced. It is past time to learn how to keep your partner up to the challenge of smoothing your way through your daily grooming.

Lather with care, then rinse and dry properly to prolong your brush’s life. (Image by Luca Boldrini)

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