Each of your accomplishments marks a growing independence, inevitable if at first imperceptible. The moments crawl but the years fly for those who nurture. The little boy who clung tight to that capable and gentle hand squeezes hard and then lets go, making his own way in the world. The tight orbit that was parent and child expands every day as the boy becomes a man.

Yet the bond remains, invisible perhaps, but tangible to you two. The strength of the connection corresponds directly to the quality of your character. With such a loving foundation, one can do no less than build a formidable and complex personality, ready to take on the challenges and opportunities of robust and meaningful life. Your life, well and truly lived.

Behind every man of distinction is the mother who faithfully protected, guided and, when the time was right, trusted she could watch with love and pride as you made your own path. On her day, honor her trust, love and pride by letting her know how important she is to you.

Happy Mothers Day.

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

Just because the grocery stores and the drug stores have failed to provide adequate hair brush options for men doesn’t mean there isn’t a need for them. Men should discover which type of hair brush suits them best, and then purchase that brush. Using the wrong tools for your hair type will result in substandard hair care. On the other hand, using the best tools for the job will result in the best hair of your life. The choice is yours. Here are some tips on how to care for your unique hair type and which brush will work best for you to manage your style.

The best hair brushes are all handmade or hand-finished in England by a company called Kent that offers an array of different brushes for different types of hair. G B Kent & Sons Ltd, commonly known as Kent Brushes, has been producing high-quality hair brushes since the 1700s. They currently produce a whopping 250 different brushes for men and women (not only hair brushes and combs, mind you, the are also famous for their shaving and make up brushes). When it comes to hair brushes, the name Kent is virtually synonymous with quality.

Is Your Hair Receding or Thinning?
Many men are concerned about a receding hairline or thinning hair. It’s a common concern, particularly among men who have already noticed there isn’t as much hair on top of their heads as there used to be. Yes, thinning hair is perfectly natural and frequently comes along with the aging process, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to maximize the appearance of the locks you do have. Even the perfect brush will not help you regrow hair, but the wrong brush can exacerbate your hair loss. Avoid using a hair brush with overly stiff bristles that can break your hair along the hair shaft. Instead, use a brush with softer bristles. Softer bristles are gentler on your hair and soothing to your scalp, making them ideal if you have a receding hairline or thinning hair. The Kent MS23 (pictured) is a brush that was created with thinning hair in mind. This brush is labeled “Soft” right on the label to differentiate it from the other hair brushes that Kent offers.

Is Your Hair Thick?
Although thick hair can be challenging to manage, it can be controlled and styled nicely with the right brush for the job. Unlike thinning and receding hair, thick hair needs very stiff bristles to keep it in line. The stiff bristles will penetrate your thick hair and reach your scalp. If you have thick hair, the Kent OG2 (pictured) and the Kent MN11 hair brushes both have the stiff bristles that your hair needs. Kent created these brushes especially for men with this type of hair, making them the best choices for thick hair care.

Is Your Hair Medium?
Men with medium hair are very fortunate. They actually have the easiest type of hair to manage. It tends to be shiny and easy to control. Medium hair does not dry out like some other types of hair. That makes it easier to manage. Men with this kind of hair can get away with using nearly any type of hair brush. However, they will still see the best results from using a brush tailor-made for their hair. Men with medium hair should use a brush with medium bristles or stiff bristles. Kent produces the MS11 just for this purpose. To maintain healthy medium hair, men should develop a brushing routine on a daily basis. Hair brushing should be a very thorough process that starts at the nape of the neck and extends to the front. While brushing your hair, your head should be angled forward and downward. The movements of the brush should mimic a spa or barbershop head massage. Once you complete thoroughly brushing, you can style your hair.

Do You Have Fine Hair?
Men with fine hair may find styling frustrating. Fine, limp hair always seems to end up in the same style no matter how hard you try to change it. Often, the only way to keep fine hair where you want it and maintain your desired style is by using styling products. Despite its drawbacks, fine hair has some benefits. It is generally shiny and sleek. Men with fine hair should accentuate the positive aspects of their hair by using a hair brush that has soft or medium bristles. If you have fine hair, using the Kent MS23D will give you the most control even if you must keep your hair in place using styling products.

Men, it’s time to exercise your right to proper hair care. Determine which type of hair you possess prior to purchasing your perfect hair brush. You should always use the brush that was designed for your particular hair type. If you use styling products, those should also be geared toward men with your unique needs. Style and grooming are not reserved solely for women. Now, more than ever, men have come to realize the benefits of taking care of themselves. That’s why savvy men know they need the right brush for their hair type. Knowledge is half the battle. So, now that you know the secret to managing your hair, make sure you get the right brush to take care of business and look your personal best.

“The Man” photo by Jon Åslund on flickr.

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.

Sometimes you can’t avoid getting caught in a rainstorm. Even with the best of intentions, your bridle leather goods may get wet. Fortunately, a little care and attention can restore your wallet, key case, or other leather accessory back to like-new condition. Begin by cleaning the item with a soft, damp cloth to remove any lingering dirt or debris. Then use a dry cloth to rub a small amount of a leather care product into the item, allowing the leather to absorb the product. Remove any extra with your dry cloth. The best products for this purpose contain naturally hydrating elements like beeswax or lanolin. You don’t have to wait until your bridle leather gets wet to use this treatment. You can gently rub a product made especially for leather care into your item as soon as it begins feeling dry, hard, or brittle. You will find that your items last for years longer than you might expect with a little care and maintenance.

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.

Make sure you use a sharp blade. Price is less important than you think. If you are looking for the sharpest blades on the market, they are the yellow and the black Japanese Feathers, Astra Platinum, and Dorco Platinum. Mid-range blades include Personna Super Plus, Merkur, Precision, Astra Stainless Steel and Regular Dorco. However, if you care about your skin, you will want to stay away from 7 A.M, Red Personna, Lord, and Sputnik, as they are far too dull to suit your needs.

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

Step #4: Finish by Cleaning and Moisturizing
You may be done shaving, but you’re not really done until you have cleaned and moisturized your face. Wash any lingering lather and residue with warm water, then rinse your face in cold water. The cold water will close your pores and get your face ready for moisturizing. Another great way to close the pores is by using a product called an alum block. Unfortunately, if you have scraped, nicked, or otherwise cut your skin, an alum block will burn and sting more than you can imagine. Some people will argue that an alum block shows you if you did a good job shaving, so try it if you are feeling particularly adventurous. Follow up with a moisturizing aftershave splash or balm, and your shaving process is finally complete.

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.

Step #2: Apply the Lather
Applying lather to your face sounds simple, doesn’t it? It should be fairly easy to follow the instructions on the label and spread a nice layer of lather on your freshly prepared face. However, there are always a few tips that make even ordinary actions just a little bit better.

• Don’t add too much water to the shaving product or you will end up with thin, runny lather.
• Don’t use canned shaving cream or shaving gel because it provides an inferior shave compared to shaving soaps or traditional shaving creams.
• Don’t thin out your lather. Thicker is better.
• If you have a choice between using a shaving mug or applying the lather directly to your face, use the mug.
• On the other hand, if you are using a brushless cream, apply the cream directly to your face without using a brush. Unfortunately, it still won’t work as well as shaving soap, but it’s better than nothing.

It could have been some clever product placement scheme to promote this little gem that is coming soon to our store.

But it was not. Still, nice touch!

Gillette not only tried to invent the multi-bladed razor, but they managed to convince the general public that they had succeeded. Never mind that an Italian company had already invented a razor with five blades more than a century earlier. Gillette wants people to think that they invented the close shave, but men have been seeking a closer shave for millenia while Gillette has only been trademarked since the early 20th century. They certainly have managed to create the illusion that they created shaving, but the earliest known examples of shaving tools actually date back tens of thousands of years. It’s hard to believe, but it’s true.

The Safety Razor: invented in the the late 19th century, and still going strong.

How about the vibrating razor? Surely that was a modern invention by Gillette, right? Wrong. Actually, a product by the name of Stahly Live Blade Razor was produced seven decades ago. Although I can’t imagine using a vibrating razor produced in 1946, Gillette was surely standing on the shoulders of giants when they came up with their post-modern version. Stahly even had a women’s version of the Live Blade Razor in pink.

So, where will Gillette find its next big inspiration? Perhaps they will find it in the slant-bar safety razor of yesteryear or the open-comb classic razor. These are both impressive products that are still in use today for good reason. They provide impressive control and a clean, close shave. I just hope Gillette won’t pretend to invent them.

Has everything good already been invented? We won’t know until the next big thing comes along. However, when it comes to razors, it seems there is truly nothing new under the sun.

Not merely a fragrance, the secret formula gifted in 1792 was an “aqua mirabilis” or miracle water, purported to have amazing curative properties. Taken internally before any thought of being worn as a fragrance, Muelhens embraced the formula and began production. Just two years later, Muelhen’s home in the Glockengasse was numbered 4711 during the French occupation of Germany. An everlasting name for the elixir crafted within was born.

Muelhens adopted the iconic hexagonal shaped bottle, still encompassing today’s enchanting effusion, in the early 19th century. Golden medals including “Brand of the Century” won by the magical No. 4711 are festooned about the rich Bremer blue of the label. The uncommonly wrought vessel accentuates high-quality while at the same time being easy to use and to transport. Decanted into the unusual glass phial like a fairytale magic potion, the irresistible blend of refreshing, relaxing and revitalizing elements gained immediate success. Through its fresh nature-inspired scent, legions of influential personalities from aristocrats to royal figures became devotees of No. 4711.

Wondering how No. 4711 impressed the Tsar of Russia, the Prince of Whales or the German genius Goethe? While some may still believe in fairytale dust, it likely was the ephemeral and appealing aroma that captivated. The blend of orange, bergamot, lavender, rosemary and neroli masterfully fuse to create a positive counterpoint, having a stimulating, harmonizing effect.

As time has passed, No. 4711 only gained more fame and admirers. Many today treasure fragrant memories of No. 4711 as the signature scent of a loved one or friend. The familiar bottle evokes tender reminiscences of earlier blue and gold vials whose owners may be gone but who will never be forgotten. Now is your time to continue the tradition and create your own precious memories, for you and those you hold dear.

Step into the past or stride into the future scented with a cologne for the centuries, and feel as unique and distinctive as those who once made No. 4711 their own. Become part of the magic of the ”Number of the World.” Embrace No. 4711 as did Wilhelm Muelhens more than 200 years ago. Imagine what miracles will come of your enjoyment of these esteemed waters.

Birchbox’s latest roll-out is called, appropriately, Birchbox Man. Men purchase a $20 per month subscription (available only in the United States), and in return Birchbox ships them a box filled with gels, lotions, scents, and gadgets. It is a way for men to experiment with variety of personal care products and devices without having to go shopping for them.

An article from Business Insider.com quotes Birchbox co-founder Katia Beauchamp, who said, “There aren’t as many places for men to go and learn about products… Men might not be willing to talk about the best exfoliator they use and we want to make Birchbox a place where they’re comfortable.”

It is an interesting idea, and it is easy to see the appeal. A lot of men are reluctant to be seen strolling around in what is traditionally considered a woman’s area of the shopping mall. And with that being the case, it is difficult for men to learn about products that could enhance their appearance, their health, and the way they feel about themselves, even men who are predisposed to such things.

And apparently the service is resonating with men. The article states that “thousands of men have signed up to see what Birchbox is launching for them.”

While some of the products offered are not traditionally considered masculine, others can be seen as very attractive to men. Face and body wash, skin moisturizer, soothing lotions and amino acid shampoos are some of the more “metrosexual” products for men that Birchbox is bundling. But Birchbox Man also includes such things as hair trimmers, blowers, and other electrical gadgets likely to appeal to men.

So, clearly it is a new day. The “ding-dong” at the front door may no longer be the Avon Lady. Now it’s the Marlboro Man calling.

"My first dollar shave club package" by paulidin

Recently, there’s been a lot of press about The Dollar Shave Club, a new company in California started by comedian Michael Dublin. This company claims that it can provide consumers with quality shaving razors for only $1 a month (plus shipping). This sounds like a great deal, but is it worth it? Part of The Dollar Shave Club’s marketing tactics is to tell consumers that these razors are just like the ones their grandfathers used, but that’s not true at all. People really used to use double-edged razors to obtain the closest shave possible.

Double-Edged
Double-edged razors are a classic; men have been using them for decades. A double-edged razor uses a timeless sturdy handle, which individual blades are inserted into. Double-edge safety razors start at $16.95, with packs of 100 safety razor blades also starting at $16.95 (or less than two cents per blade). The razors themselves last a lifetime, so this is a very good investment.

Dollar
The Dollar Shave Club sends out plastic razors with changeable blades that cost about sixty cents each (once you take the cost of shipping into account). While it’s true that The Dollar Shave Club is more cost-effective than many other options, such as most other disposable razors currently on the market, buying a double-edged razor is still more affordable in the long run. After about a year of using The Dollar Shave Club, the cost will be more than if you would have purchased a double-edged razor and a box of 100 blades. As time goes by, the double-edged razor becomes even less and less expensive than The Dollar Shave Club.

The Verdict
In order to ensure that you have a good, clean, quality shave, the choice is clear: you need to go with a double-edged razor. You can easily find these classic men’s grooming tools in Canada, at prices affordable to any man. Double-edged razors also make great, lasting gifts for a man who you love. Due to the popularity of disposable razors, double-edged razors had fallen to the wayside, but they’ve made a comeback as men realize the tricks of their fathers and grandfathers that they have been missing out on.

For more reviews on the Dollar Shave Club, go to this Business Insider article, or this one on MacLean’s. For more information straight from the source, including their viral video, go to the Dollar Shave Club.