Burns & Brows

All right fellas, this tip should be straight up common sense. Unfortunately, for some of you it is not!

Burns

As far as the burns are concerned (sideburns if you are still wondering), no lower than the ear lobe. If you choose to venture that low or further, remember that Beverly Hills 90210 was popular in the 90’s. The 90’s! Also, keep them trimmed up in between haircuts (note: braided sideburns are not cool).

Brows

For the brows… do we really need to comment on this? Okay, you saw Gladiator right? Awesome movie that took place in ancient Roman times. Now, when it came to fighting lions and riding around in chariots, the Romans kicked ass! But, all that fighting and riding around didn’t really leave a whole lot of time to be concerned with how your eyebrows looked. Don’t look like an extra from that movie! Buy yourself a good grooming tweezer and get to work. Tweeze after a hot shower and gently pull in the direction that the hair is growing. Again, trimmage with some clippers or scissors is good here.

Many items in the Tweezerman line we carry are designed to make tweezing and hair grooming easy.

Wet Shave vs. Electric – Which Provides A Closer Shave?

It’s true, you may save a few minutes by using an electric razor and yes you can also use this method while riding down the road, but it’s a fact that a wet blade gives the closest shave and that’s what we’re all looking for. A closer shave will, of course, cut the beard nearer to the skin, which will extend the time until you need to shave again.

A wet shave gives you more effective shaves and better looking skin. The hot water opens the pores of your skin, relaxes your facial muscles, and softens your whiskers for more effective cutting. The key to proper wet shaving is keeping your face as moist as possible at all times during the shave. Always shave right after (or even during) a hot shower. When you get out don’t dry your face or open the door to let the steam out. You want to keep all that good moisture around. You will marvel at how much closer and more comfortable shaving can be!

If you’re running late and have to use an electric razor there are a few products available to help you achieve a closer shave.

Ingrown Hair Prevention

Causes

What causes these unsightly, painful, pimple-like bumps? Ingrown hairs can happen when a hair curls back into the follicle at the skins surface or when it is pushed under the skin after shaving. This irritates the skin and clogs the follicle. Sebum oil produced within the follicle will begin to build up, increasing inflammation, leading to the raised red bump you see.

Several issues contribute to these unruly hairs; incorrect shaving techniques, poor quality products, and dull razors are all factors that may lead to ingrown hairs, but don’t worry… follow our advice and you’ll have control of your face before you know it.

Prevention

• Shaving in the shower or right after you get out helps tremendously. The steam from the shower opens your pores and allows for a closer shave.

• Use a badger hair brush to apply your shaving product. The brush helps lift the beard, allowing the hair to be cut at a better angle.

• Change blades weekly (every 3 to 5 shaves is recommended).

• RELAX!!! Tensing up while you shave can cause you to shave too close, shaving off skin instead of hair…also known as razor burn, which increases the likelihood of ingrown hairs.

• Pat or dab on (rubbing increases irritation an is more likely to push a hair back in) an antiseptic shave balm after shaving to disinfect and reduce inflammation.

Treatment

• In the unfortunate instance you do get an ingrown hair, you don’t want to nick it during shaving, squeeze or pluck it, any one of these actions may re-infect the area, prolonging healing.

• Ready yourself a good ingrown hair tweezer (very sharp and pointy; also good for splinters) or ingrown hair kit, and lift the end of the hair out from the skin (DO NOT PLUCK). Cleanse the area afterward.

• Apply a treatment specifically made for ingrown hairs. This will expedite the healing process and nourish the skin.

Ingrown hairs are one of life’s unfortunate discomforts, but if you arm yourself with some knowledge and quality products, you can fight back!

Out With The Old And In With The New!

You pride yourself on taking good care of your skin. You’ve found just the right cleanser, toner and moisturizer and you’re faithful to your skin care regimen. So why, suddenly, does your skin feel like sandpaper, look dehydrated and dry, and blackheads are more visible? Most likely you’re in need of a good exfoliation treatment.

What is it and why do you need it?

Basically, exfoliation is a technique for removing dead skin cells from your face and body. Scrubs containing granules (we like Jack Black’s Face Buff for the face and Anthony Logistics Sea Salt Body Scrub for the body) gently buff away the daily grime while getting the blood flowing. Removing the old dead cells kick starts the cell renewal process and revitalizes the complexion, leaving a smoother canvas.

A skin mask can quickly salvage winter-weary or over sunned skin, softening, brightening and smoothing it in one easy step. Men’s oily skin responds best to a mask that’s fortified with natural clay, which tightens, tones and clarifies as it dissolves dead cells and removes pore-clogging debris on the skin’s surface.

Exfoliation may sound a little less than “manly”, but it will keep your face cleaner, minimize ingrown hairs (ouch), and keep your skin looking fresh as it can be. So call it whatever you need to, if you want to manify it… face blasting, flake attack, oil obliteration, etc… just do it a couple times a week and you’ll look good as new.

Finish up with a moisturizer containing SPF protection because you don’t want that smooth, sensitive new layer of skin going out there with nothing on it!

The Cutting Chair

Most guys tend to do their own thing when it comes to styling their hair. Either they just get comfortable with what they have going on or they are afraid of change. If you want some help out getting out of a hair rut you might want to check out The Cutting Chair:

Looking for a website that caters to Men’s hairstyles? The Cutting Chair might be the site for you. You can search the site for hairstyles based on your face shape hair texture, color, even by keyword (e.g. products, location, techniques). The Cutting Chair is also well versed with celebrity hairstyles and receives what’s current from the hairstylists as well as the North American Hairstylists Awards winners. (via She Knows Best)

We Got A Bleeder!

“Nurse! We need to prep for surgery; start an I.V. drip STAT!”

Calm down now. It’s not that serious! However, you do need to know how to properly take care of shaving nicks and cuts. No, don’t grab the toilet paper. Although this will eventually stop the bleeding, here at Foreman we don’t feel it is the most hygienic… do you??? Just think about the area the toilet paper hangs out in! Plus, you know you’ll end up forgetting to remove the paper and walk around with little white dots stuck to your face (see posted image of douchebag)

In the event you do cut yourself, the best way to stop the bleeding is an alum block or styptic pen. They use the constricting quality of alum to stop the bleeding immediately on most minor cuts. The alum block will also cleanse your skin and close your pores after shaving, so feel free to rub them over the entire shaving area!

To sum it up: Don’t dial 911, hang up the phone and grab your alum block or styptic pen!

The Skin You’re In

What is your skin type?

This question is vital when considering your choice of skin care products. As the climate and environment changes, it is possible that you may go through phases of different skin types.There are a lot of skin care products on the market and it’s easy to waste a lot of time and money trying to find the best solution.

Therefore, if you take a minute to educate yourself before purchasing, you will make sure you are getting products that will perform best for your skin type.

Skin Type Guide

• Normal: Neither exceedingly oily, nor dry, without discolorations or variations in pigment, generally blemish free. To keep your skin looking good follow a skincare routine that includes washing with a good quality facial wash twice a day and a scrub once or twice a week. Use a lightweight moisturizer morning and night.

• Oily: Shiny or slick appearance, with enlarged pores, and possible patches of flakiness around the nose area where oil collects and dries. Keep your face as clean as possible by using a good quality, all- natural facial wash twice a day and a mild alcohol-free and oil-free moisturizer. Use only natural, gentle products and stay away from soap. A gentle astringent and deep cleaning masque will also help tighten pores and soak up extra oil.

• Dry: Flaky and lackluster, sometimes ashen in appearance, and tight with a lack of elasticity. Obviously, dry skin needs a good moisturizer. Use it in the morning and before bedtime. Around your eyes, make sure to use moisturizers specifically for that area. Avoid products that contain alcohol and don’t use soap on your face. Soap strips the face of its moisture.

• Combination: Oily on the chin, forehead and cheeks, dry near the hair and jaw lines with patches of flakiness. Keep your skin clean by washing with a mild cleanser twice a day. Moisturize the dry area with a rich moisturizer; and control oily areas with large pores by applying a toners or mask after cleaning. Because combination skin is so sensitive, use skin products that are light formula with no fragrances.

• Sensitive: Blotchy, irritated, and prone to rashes and redness, with broken capillaries. You should use mild, natural products for your skin care regimen. Avoid anything containing harsh chemicals, alcohol, or fragrance. Don’t use soap and always select products designed for sensitive skin. Never use low-quality shaving products that don’t create an adequate barrier between the blades and your face.

Some experts recommend that drinking water equal to half of your body’s weight (in ounces) is a healthy way to promote great skin. You should also use a sunscreen with at least SPF 15 everyday even in the winter.

You’re stuck with it… so take care of it!

Foot Funk

Funk music (e.g. James Brown or Parliament-Funkadelic) can best be recognized by its syncopated rhythms, thick bass line, and razor-sharp rhythm guitars. Foot funk on the other hand can best be recognized by its pungent aroma, pinched noses, and comments like “Put your damn shoes back on!” We think you should enjoy a little good funk music from time to time, but by all means stay away from foot funk!

Why do feet stink?

The feet are densely covered with sweat glands (approx 250,000 each) that try to keep them cool. Sweat is essentially just water and salt, which does not smell bad on its own; however, your feet are also covered with natural bacteria. These bacteria live on dead skin cells and moisture. Therefore, when your feet sweat excessively the bacteria think it’s mealtime! As they consume, they in turn produce the waste material that causes the smell. Brevibacteria, are the leading cause of foot odor, which is the same bacteria that gives some cheeses such as Limburger and Muenster their characteristic pungency; thus, the term “cheesy feet”.

Prevention

The foot of an average male can exude half a pint of sweat a day! All that moisture is a breeding ground for bacteria, molds, toenail fungus, and viral infections, leading to smelly feet, rashes, or other more serious medical issues. Here are a few tips to keep you dogs funk-free:

• Wash your feet regularly

• Wear clean socks, preferably made of cotton or other absorbent materials that absorb a lot of the sweat so the bacteria can’t feed on it

• Wear well-ventilated shoes

• Don’t wear the same shoes everyday – give a pair of shoes 24 hours or more to air out before wearing them again

• If you sweat a lot or will be doing a lot of activity, apply an antiperspirant to your feet

• Sprinkle some talcum powder, cornstarch or potato starch onto the feet before putting on your socks or buy some absorbent Odor-Eater type shoe inserts

• There are also products available that will help safeguard by protecting the skin with a layer of glycerin

One nation under a foot-funk-free groove!

The Beatdown

While sunshine may lift your spirits, it can do serious harm to the skin. Exposure to the sun’s damaging UV rays is one of the leading causes of premature skin aging and also puts you at greater risk of developing skin cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that, regardless of skin type, a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 is essential for year-round use.

Why is the sun so bad?

The sun’s rays, which are called ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays (UVA and UVB rays) damage your skin. This leads to early wrinkles, skin cancer and other skin problems.

Being in the sun often over time, even if you don’t burn, can lead to skin cancer. A tan is the body’s desperate attempt to protect itself from the sun’s harmful rays.

Preventing skin damage

The key is to avoid being in the sun. If you’re going to be in the sun for any length of time, wear clothes made from tight-woven cloth so the sun’s rays can’t get through to your skin, and stay in the shade when you can. Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face, neck and ears. Always wear a sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15 when going outside.

Remember that clouds and water won’t protect you; 60% to 80% of the sun’s rays can get through clouds and can reach swimmers at least one foot below the surface of the water. The sun’s rays can also reflect off of water, snow and white sand.

You don’t need to hide away indoors to protect your skin. Just be smart about your sun exposure and take precautions to keep your skin healthy for years to come.

Pick The RIGHT Scent… Not Just ANY Scent

You have to use some common sense when it comes to scents! Nobody wants you to leave a telltale trail as you walk down the hallway, telling everyone where you’ve been and where you are headed. They also do not want the entire boardroom to smell like you, no matter how good you smell. A scent is something personal that only you and those in your immediate vicinity should be aware of, like using that “inside voice” your mom always used to remind you about. It is a subtle salute and finishing touch to the rest of you good grooming habits.

Eau de huh?

What’s with the funny name? It’s actually not just some fancy label placed on the product. Most fragrances are diluted with ethanol, which evaporates rapidly and allows the smell to emanate from your skin. The name of the scent refers to the amount of fragrance oil it contains:

• Perfume extract: 20%-40% aromatic compounds

• Eau de parfum: 10-30% aromatic compounds

• Eau de toilette: 5-20% aromatic compounds

• Eau de cologne: 2-3% aromatic compounds As the percentage of aromatic compounds decreases, generally the intensity and longevity of the scent decreases.

Selecting a scent

Since scents dissipate over time, they do not smell the same from start to finish. They can be broken up into three separate smells, typically referred to as “notes”. You will need to experience them all to know exactly what you’re buying. Follow these steps:

1. Smell the scent on a blotter card. This is the “top note”.

2. Wait 10 – 15 minutes and smell the card again. This is the “middle note”.

3. After another 45 minutes to an hour, smell it one more time. This is the “base note”, the longest-lasting scent.

Matching skin type

You know what the notes smell like, but picking a scent is also a very personal thing. The way a fragrance smells will change from guy to guy because of the difference in the chemical reaction that takes place due to varying skin properties. Both pH and skin type play a role in how you will smell.

Oily Skin – Skin high in natural oil can interact to create longer-lasting, more powerful scents. To counteract this effect, wear less cologne and opt for lighter fragrances. Go for the ones developed for summertime wear that have more citrus and floral tones.

Dry Skin – Without the right amount of natural oil, the scent will dissipate faster, so it must be applied more frequently to keep the aroma flowing. However, the dissipating effects can dry out your skin. What to do? Opposite of those with oily skin, try the winter scents. Typically they are stronger and are formulated to last longer in drier conditions.

Sensitive Skin – Follow the same rules listed under Dry Skin, but look for products that list all-natural ingredients. They will be free of synthetic fragrances that may irritate your skin.

Switch it up

Different times of year and different occasions may be better suited to certain scents, so there’s no need to pick one as your “signature”. Try out several that you like (or that simply seem to “drive them wild”) and keep a well-stocked grooming cabinet, so you are ready for any occasion!

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