Creed Aventus (For Men)

So this might make me sound like a bit of a creeper but I was recently working with a fellow makeup artist and I could not stop admiring his cologne. I get to sniff everything from the latest and greatest to the tried and true classics and I have never sniffed anything like what he was wearing. So naturally I had to ask what his fragrance of the day was, and it was Adventus by Creed. It was soft enough that you had to be within an arms length to smell it and bold enough to make me do a double take, er, sniff. Not many fragrances make me have such a strong reaction that I absolutely must know what it is this very instant. It’s very sexy and masculine. Worth a try if you have some extra $ to spend and need a new fragrance.

The notes are: Blackcurrant, Italian bergamot, French apples and a burst of royal pineapple; Exquisite roses with a complement of dry birch, Moroccan jasmine plus a hint of patchouli; Musk with a touch of oak moss for depth, then ambergris and a dab of vanilla.

Also, this gentleman who seems to have an extensive fragrance collection himself gives it an excellent review (and I agree with everything he says): click here for youtube review. This guy also has great taste in fragrance (hello, Hermes Amber Narguile).

Zirh Shave Gel

Ladies and gents: If you’ve ever experienced razor burn and razor bumps, nicks, cuts, dryness, and ingrowns after shaving, Zirh Shave Gel might be your new savior. It’s mine for sure!

I have the hardest time shaving my legs. No matter what I use, I’m prone to everything I described above. I’ve tried several women’s products and several men’s products and nothing ever seemed to prevent or help my shaving woes (my least favorite $$$$ brand was The Art of Shaving). I use several men’s skin care products in my routine because I like quality and price and received a Zirh men’s skin care set that sat in my beauty stash for a few months, mostly unused (I love their scrub and used it up ASAP). I was packing for Hawaii, and realized I’d need a shave gel for the trip so I threw the Zirh in my beauty bag.

I’m glad I finally used it because it is amazing! No bumps, no nicks or cuts, no ingrowns, no dryness. It’s a clear gel that doesn’t foam, which makes it easy to see where you’ve already shaved. It really did help my razor to glide over my skin and didn’t gunk it up and wasn’t hard to rinse off. I felt like it cushioned and protected my skin. I used up the entire trial size tube on the trip and need to restock when I get paid at the end of the week. I already went back to using my previous shave gel (Skintimate) and miss the Zirh shave gel so much I might have to cave and buy it sooner.

 It comes in either an 8.4 oz jar for $23 or a 3.4 oz tube for $15 at zirh.com, and sephora.com.

Vegan Beauty Products

As more and more ladies and gents are becoming aware of the products they use, more companies are responding by creating parabin free products and even vegan products. I’ve been trying to compile a list of such companies for my readers, but it’s been a long road because some brands will have some vegan items while others in the line are not. Also, some vegan products are not classified as natural and vice versa.

On my search today, I found a small but reliable list of vegan goodies at Beauty and The Blog  for you all to check out until I finalize my own list. It will probably be a while before it’s posted because my July and August are pretty crazy booked, and I’ll try to post it as soon as I can.

Kate Somerville SPF 55 Serum, Sephora SPF Kit, Jack Black Lip Balm

 

I purchased the Sephora Sun Safety kit  this year, just as I always do every year, to see if I can find my new holy grail of sun protection. The 2010 kit included Kate Somerville SPF 55 Sunscreen Serum, my new love. It’s lightweight, absorbs quickly, is great for my oily skin because it’s oil free and non greasy, and does not have a scent. I am so so so so hooked on this product that I had to go buy the full size. I had to order online, though, because my local Sephora only carries three Kate Somerville products. 

 The other suncreeens in the Sephora kit weren’t really anything amazing, though I did like the Jack Black Lip Balm in Lemon and Chamomile. I’ve been using the balm in Mint for several years and might switch to the Lemon version because the scent is uplifting. The kit also includes Bliss Best of Skintentions Moisturizer with SPF, which I have also been using since it launched. Another honorable mention goes to Murad Essential-C Eye Cream SPF 15, for its light weight formula that works well under makeup.

Bandeau swim top pictured above is from Vitamin A.

Men’s Fragrances for Summer

Men take note: rising temperatures and more humidity in summer can make your deep, rich, or bold winter fragrance smell more intense. If you love your current fragrance too much to change, consider skipping your regular eau de toilette or cologne for an aftershave, deoderant, shower gel, or body lotion in the same scent. Most brands produce these ancillary items to match their fragrances. Another option is to dillute your fragrance by spraying a bit into an unscented body lotion and applying to your body. You can also spray your fragrance into the air and step through the mist. If you do the latter, please take heed to spray only a little.

If you’re open to something  new, try switching to a cool, crisp fragrance during warmer months. You can often find similar versions of your winter fragrance that wear better when the murcury rises. Not sure where to start? Check out my suggestions below or hit up your local Nordstrom (I find their fragrance sales associates to be wonderful) or Sephora (look for or ask for a certified fragrance expert or peruse their Scentsa computer on your own).

Some of my faves for summer (or any time of the year because they are light) include:

1. Fresh Citron de Vigne, $18.50-$75; fresh.com and sephora.com: Founder Lev Glazman created this new and exciting fragrance inspired by sparkling notes of pinot noir. Its fresh and sensual notes of neroli, bitter orange, pinot noir accord, lemongrass, sandalwood, and amber make it optimal for everyday wear. I’m a huge fan of Fresh fragrances overall, and think that Lev, who is also a certified nose, has a very unique, fun, and sophisticated point of view in all of his creations.

2. Bvlgari Aqva Pour Homme, $55-$75; bergdorfgoodman.com, sephora.com: Inspired by the sea and mediterranean, this summer-esque fragrance is both fresh and soft while still masculine. It features only five notes, four of which are unique (mandarin, petit grain, santolina, posidonia, mineral amber).

3. Kenzo L’eauParKenzo Pour Homme, $54-$72; sephora.com: Subtle, fresh, and light, this remarkable fragrance from Kenzo embodies leisurely summer days. Notes include yuzu (one of my favorite notes), lotus leaf, aquatic mint, mandarin, and waterlily.

4. Burberry Touch for Men, $57 for 1 oz, burberry.com; While this fragrance has some spicy notes of white pepper and nutmeg, it’s rounded out by cooler notes of violet leaves, and mandarin tree leaves. This is a great option for guys who like a heavier fragrance during the winter months.

5. Burberry Classic for Men Summer Edition, $60 for 3.3 fl oz, sephora.com; One of my favorites for men, this fragrance is pleasantly surprising. The top notes of pineapple, citrus, and frozen mint are a fresh and unique blend. I love that this fragrance is rounded out by woody notes and tonka bean.

Sickday Beauty to the Rescue

 When I’m laying at home sick in bed the last thing that crosses my mind is keeping up with my beauty routine. As of late, I’ve been feeling quite under the weather. The only thing I want to do is sleep, drink juice, sleep some more, and watch old movies. There are certain beauty items, however, that will sometimes sneak their day into my sick days and make me feel a little better or occupy my time, if only temporarily.

1. Sephora Collection Colorful Mini Nail buffers, $8 for pack of 3; Sephora.com: I am really bad at keeping my nails up. They get filed and trimmed a few times per month and maybe even a coat of clear polish or the occasional swipe of colored polish. Other than that, I keep my nails fairly low maintenance. I like to keep these mini buffers on hand for quick fixes (snagged nails, uneven nail bed). I also love whipping one out when I’m sick in bed and watching TV to pass the time.

2. Lush Honey Trap Lip Balm, $6.95; lush.com: I love this moisturizing balm for sick days because it’s not sticky, greasy,  absorbs quickly, and won’t end up on my pillow when I’m napping. Thanks to a blend of shea butter and oilve oil, the hydrating formula feels great on the lips without leaving residue. It also features honey, a natural humectant, to hold moisture in.

3. Caudalie Grape Water Mini, $8 for 1.6 oz; Sephora.com: If you follow this blog, you’ll know that one of my go-to “It” brands is Caudalie. I use and adore a lot of their products. I always have a mini Grape Water on hand for spritzing anytime I feel dry or need an instant boost. I love chilling one in the fridge to mist myself with when I’m running a fever. It feels lovely, cool, and I love that I’m giving my skin an antioxidant boost at the same time. *Also great for hot summer days.* 

4. Carol’s Daughter Body Aches Bath Salts, $18 for 16 oz; sephora.com: I love these bath salts for when I’m sick or after an intense workout (especially Jackie Warner’s workout DVD’s). Peppermint, sea salt, and epsom salt help to ease muscle aches, while lavender calms the senses. I’m not a fan of the little floating lavender bits in my tub so I used an old nylon or cheesecloth to filter the salts under running water. 

5. Fresh Rose Face Mask, $55; fresh.com: Another of my go-to brands is Fresh. I love the luxe formula’s and simple yet elegant packaging. I love the decadent rose mask because it helps to hydrate and sooth the delicate skin around my nose when I’m sick. Sometimes I will even leave a little on when I’m napping to protect the area. It’s calming effect is thanks to rose, cucumber, and aloe. If I need to make a brief appearance anywhere, say a visit to the doc or pharmacy, it’s a great quick fix for the mild facial puffiness I get when I’ve been laying down for a while. 

6. Josie Maran Argan Oil Moisturizing Stick, $22; sephora.com: Argan oil and vitamin E hydrate and nourish the skin in a quick and easy to apply stick formula. I love this handy tool for it’s multi-tasking abilities: as a quick body hydrator (elbows, cuticles, hands, feet, knees), a quick lip ”balm,” around the nose,  to slick back any stray or flyaway hair and to hydrate the ends of my hair. It’s a great on the go beauty item and also fab for sick days when you don’t want to put in much effort. 

Some favorite movies to watch when I’m sick include: The Thin Man (any in the series, especially the orginal), North by Northwest, any Doris Day & Rock Hudson movies, Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Nip/Tuck Substitutes: Do They Exist?

 I love anti-aging products because I hope to do just that: anti-age and keep the skin I have now for as long as possible. Here’s to hoping that having a great skin care routine in my 20′s pays off when I’m 60. There are so many products on the market that promise to lift, banish fine lines and wrinkles, reduce pore size, firm, restore elasticity; there are even creams that promise to lift your bust and booty. Famed plastic surgeon Robert Rey from Dr. 90210 even has his own line of skin and body care.   

So do these “miracle” elixirs really work? Some can help a bit and can be great alternatives to plastic surgery. While you won’t see the same results as you would from surgical procedures, they can help soften the appearance of aging, though the only thing that will give you the effects of a facelift is an actual facelift.

When it comes to the various brands available, there isn’t one that’s “best” because each and every line has its own unique variables and you should take into account your skin type, your needs, any allergies to specific ingredients, your budget, and the amount of time you have in your daily routine. Skin care products, whether for acne, aging, or general upkeep require time and consistency; you need to use products as directed to see optimal results. 

Some scientifically proven active ingredients to look for when choosing anti-aging skin care include: 

• Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA): Exfoliates the skin’s surface and can improve texture. Common types to look for include lactic, glycolic, lactic, malic, citric, and  tartaric. 
• Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA): Exfoliates and, unlike AHA’s, can penetrate pores due to their oil solubility, giving you deeper benefits. BHA’s can help with rough skin texture, wrinkles, acne and minor sun damage. Salicylic acid is BHA. Also look for willow bark as it’s a naturally derived form of Salicylic.
• Coenzyme Q10: Helps to reduce free radical damage.
• Retinol (vitamin A): Smoothes wrinkles, skin texture, and helps to create healthier skin cells. Presceription strength retinol products include Retin-A and Renova. OTC formulations are available in both high-end brands and drugstore brands.
• Neuropeptides: Aids in anti-inflammation relief and helps to boost collagen and elastin.
• Vitamin C/L-ascorbic acid: antioxidant properties, helps reduce  discoloration.
• Amino Acid: Helps with plumping lines, discoloration.
• There are several more out there so I recommend if you’re curious, do some homework based on ingredient, your budget, and skin type.

IMPORTANT info about active ingredient listed above: 

Please note that when using the above products, you MUST religiously use a broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen of at least 15 or higher (my old derm insisted that everyone must use at least a 30). This is because these active ingredients can make your skin more susceptible to sun damage. I know you’re probably saying, “But I’m never in the sun and I don’t burn so I don’t need it!” Oh yes you do, indeed. While you can see what’s happening on the surface of your skin, the deeper layers can hide what you don’t see and often times these active ingredients can magnify the sun’s effects up to 50%. What does this mean? Basically that you’re wasting money on product because the “good” you are doing is being undone and can surface in more wrinkles, age spots, sun spots, and other surface imperfections later on. UV rays are still present on cloudy and rainy days and can still effect the skin, so use your SPF every day.

New Year, New You: Examples of Men’s Basic Dressy Casual

 

 

Dear Men, 

Here are a few simple looks you can quickly put on when you want to look pulled together and polished in an instant. Most items above are things you may already have in your existing wardrobe or should consider adding to it. 

Think of “dressy casual” as casual Friday at the office, provided that your office allows you wear denim.

Just a few notes on jeans e-h: Guys on the shorter side may want to avoid the finish on the jeans in g (above) because it can take away inches from your height. This also applies for men on the huskier side as it can make you seem wider. Also, while certain finishes are “in” now, they may be ”out” next season so be sure to edit your closet at least twice a year or invest in classic pieces instead of ultra trendy ones. 

So what pairs well together, anyway? 

Any casual day-time gathering or “just hanging out”: Pair shirt a with e-i, and shoes 1-4. The dressier the event, the darker your pants should be; wear shoes 1 or 3. For a more casual event, try shirt b with pants e-h and shoes 2-4. 

Going out to a casual party, dinner or drinks: Pair shirt a & b with pants e, f, h, and i, and shoes 3. You may wear shoes 4 only if you are wearing pants i. You may also pair any of the shirts with a dark blazer. 

Dressier dinner, drinks, a date, or a club: Wear C with D (do not wear a patterned tee ala shirt b under a vest, unless it is a long-sleeved dark dress shirt with an all-over small print) with pants e, f, or i, and shoes 1 or 3. Shoes 4 may be worn with jeans. You may substitute the vest/waistcoat with a dark blazer or sport coat and wear a patterned shirt ala shirt b.

P.S. The difference between a blazer and sport coat is a pattern; blazers are solid, sport coats have a subtle pattern (if in doubt, go for a small tone-on-tone pattern, or subtle pin stripe pattern in dark grey, navy, or black).

If your pants seem droopy, grab a belt. Us ladies would rather see the curve of your derriere and not your underwear. Not sure what belt to wear? A slim, black leather belt with a silver-tone or brushed metal buckle is always a best bet. It goes with everything and looks smart. You can often find inexpensive versions at Target, Gap, and Sears. Heed the words of General Larry Platt, “Stop looking like a fool with your pants on the ground.” When in doubt, always grab a belt.

When wearing your button down shirt open, please do not wear a plain white tee underneath. It will look like you’re wearing your white undershirt, which will make you appear sloppy. Wear a different color or something with a slight pattern. To appear more stylish and/or polished, avoid wearing tee’s with slogans and cartoon or comic characters.

Very few guys can get away with wearing a vest with Chuck’s, so heed caution when trying to mix the two. I’ve seen men do this with great, stylish sucess, and also with great fail. If you try this look, go for jeans with a dark wash.

If you wish to accessorize, add in a watch, funky belt buckle, a simple cuff, or a ring; not all of these together. A best practice is to keep visible accessories to, at maximum, three. If it’s cold and you are wearing a tee, add in a scarf in a dark, solid tone (grey, navy, and black are sure bets, though you can get away with brown and deep reds). Do not, for the love of the fashion gods, wear a scarf with the vest or sport coat/blazer.

Eau de V-day: Men

Fragrance is a great Valentine’s Day gift for yourself or a loved one. Here are my top picks for anyone close to your heart: 

1. Yves Saint Laurent L’Homme, $43-$100, sephora.com: Modern and sensual, this offering from YSL will dazzle your senses with bergamot, cedar, ozonic accord, white ginger, cedarwood, and vetiver.

2. Givenchy Play, $53-$71, sephora.com: Fresh, play-ful, and inspired by hottie Justin Timberlake, this well-rounded fragrance features bergamot, mandarin orange, bitter orange, grapefruit, Amyris wood, and black pepper.

3. Diesel Only The Brave, $53-$65, sephora.com: Bold, confident, and masculine, this fist shaped bottle with Diesel knuckles only needs four fragrance notes to get its point across: lemon, leather, amber, and cedarwood.

4. Dolce and Gabbana The One For Men, $40-$70, sephora.com: Mmmm…I saved the best for last as this fragrance is pretty much sex in a bottle. Who wouldn’t want to get close to a guy wearing The One? With its notes of grapefruit, coriander, ginger, orange blossom, cedar, and amber, it’s both fresh and woodsy all in one bottle. Or…snuggly.

Tonight: Tim Gunn on “How I Met Your Mother”

 

I rarely watch TV nowadays but tonight I will be tuning in to How I Met Your Mother because Tim Gunn will be making a cameo on the show. Exciting! Also, check out TG’s facebook page for a video update of the People’s Choice Awards best and worst fashion. I didn’t watch the awards show and I would love to know who the  “star who looked like he came in from doing yard work” is.

EDIT: If you missed the show, you can catch the Tim Gunn scene here (@ 1:33):