Viktor & Rolf, known mostly for their prowess in the fashion world, have added another cologne to their repertoire - Spicebomb. This amazing mixture of notes include bergamot, pink pepper, cinnamon, vetiver, red pepper and tobacco accord. I’ve worn this cologne off and on for the past few weeks and I must say that it definitely lives up to it’s name. So with a whole lot of spice in each spray, a little bit goes a long way!
Keep in mind that everyone should have at least one spice fragrance in their arsenal… Ok, so I just made that up! But, if you’re looking for one- Spicebomb should definitely be considered.
Depending on the person, Spicebomb can successfully be worn day and night. However, for me it worked best in the evening.
I get asked a lot of questions about grooming. So much so that a lot of what you read on this site is inspired by those very questions. One that I am asked more often than any other is… “Can I even use a razor?”.
Now, most of the time this question is coming from men that have always shaved with electric shaving tools like trimmers, clippers or electric shavers (foil or rotary). But, a small number of them are also young men just trying to figure out “the whole shaving thing”, or guys that have always worn beards. Their primary reason for this question is to find out if their skin will react poorly to the use of a razor. The biggest fear 9 times out of 10 – ingrown hairs.
The most straight-forward short answer? The easiest way to determine whether the shaving process will work for them, is to first look at how their beard grows. If the the majority of their beard grows in a direction that can be followed by a razor (with the grain), then the chances of irritation, especiallyingrown hairs will be minimal. However, if shaving with the grain will be a challenge due the the beard hair growing in several directions (i.e. towards the ear, nose, in circles…), then the chances of irritation increase. Of course, I’m not saying this to turn them (or you) away from trying out the razor, it’s simply a way of knowing what challenges if any, may present themselves.
There are good aftershave balms and there are not so good ones. There are also effective aftershave balms and then there are others that aren’t so much…
This one – êShave’s Orange Sandalwood After Shave Soother, fits the good in both categories, good & effective. Mixed with common essential oils as it’s other partners in the collection (shave cream and pre-shave oil), it’s set up to guarantee the speedy recovery of a freshly shaven face.
Here’s the breakdown of a few:
Star Anise - anti-oxidant qualities like vitamin-C (for inflammation reduction) and vitamin-A (help to form new skin cells and reduce wrinkles).
êShave further complements it’s new Orange Sandalwood line with a pre-shave oil. Being a huge fan of pre-shave oils, I was very eager to try out the combination.
Made of a highly refined extra-virgin formula, this oil adds the extra glide to further help its shave cream partner deliver a close and comfortable shave, while also adding an extra layer of its great fragrance blend. Although slightly weaker in consistency than the oils I tend to use on a regular basis, I did enjoy how well it accompanied the shave cream.
It’s certainly not an item that should be left out of the virtual shopping cart, especially if you’re considering to purchase the complementing shave cream.
êShave has always been known for good lather shaving creams and great smelling products. And they certainly didn’t disappoint with their newest fragrance – Orange Sandalwood. At first I was skeptical, considering Orange and Sandalwood are independently very strong fragrances, but somehow êShave found the right blend to merge both scents without them being overbearing. The following are a few of the natural and exotic botanicals that went into making the two fragrances blend perfectly: Grapefruit Oil, Star Anise Oil, Geranium and Cedar wood Oil.
As for its performance, the Orange Sandalwood shave cream covered well and maintained a consistently moist layer throughout the shave. Adding it’s pre-shave oil counterpart also seemed to help deliver a longer lasting lather and fragrance. Good job!
Dandruff and dry scalp both cause annoying flaking, but they aren’t the same problem. The main difference between the two is the type of flakes produced.
With dandruff, you’ll see large, greasy flakes fall onto your shoulders, and your scalp could be red and itchy. It can be treated with either an anti-dandruff or prescription-strength shampoo.
Dry scalp, on the other hand, includes powdery flakes when you brush or wash your hair, and your scalp might feel tight. It can be a result of anything from product buildup to an underlying health issue. Many people find relief by using conditioning treatments that focus on the scalp.
It’s important to not use anti-dandruff shampoo on a dry scalp, as it can dry out the scalp further.
Well, I wouldn’t give up on shaving so quickly. I’ve personally noticed that once someone has learned the proper way to shave his face with a razor, all irritations typically subside.
Depilatories(i.e. Magic Shave, Nair…) can be a great hair-removal alternative for some, but I’ve consulted with men who have experienced nightmares with their use, and I’ve also tried my share of them with mixed results.
The main concerns are: (1) Can your skin handle the aggressive nature of these products, and (2) Can you wait two to three days for your face to heal before you are able to use them again?
In short, since everyone’s face has different sensitivities, I feel that it’s much easier to control a razor’s cutting ability rather than depend on the effectiveness of a chemical. The skin quality (oily vs. dry) can also play a role in the success of a depilatory. Unfortunately, finding out whether it will work with your skin could result in an increased level of skin sensitivity. My suggestion is to practice propershavingtechniques, buy a good razor and shaving cream, and give that razor another try before going down an alternate route.
It’s truly amazing the things that trigger inspiration for my blog…how about this one: neck hair!
I was on my way to an event in NYC when I looked over at the cab driver and saw his neck hair was long enough to consider his hairstyle a mullet. *pause* Yep, that long.
Now, I completely understand that neck hair can get long in-between haircuts, but allowing it to grow to the point where it’s fighting your neck for space in your shirt is UNACCEPTABLE.
Quick remedy, consider a tapered neckline (See post:Men’s neckline choices: Squared, Rounded, or Tapered). With this option, the back hairline will grow out in a manner that keeps the style looking neater longer. If you happen to be one of the many men who struggle with a fast growing neckline, ask you barber to work out a deal for you where you can come in for a quick clean-up between haircuts. Or, worst case scenario, you can ask a friend, girlfriend, wife (you get the picture) to trim the area with a pair of trimmers. Hey, it doesn’t matter the method you choose, justchooseone!
I’d love to sit here and say that I am preaching to the choir, but I know that there are a lot of men out there that still need to be reached. So let me be the first to say that I will not stop talking about proper shaving practices, until every man truly understands how important thebeginning (Prep) and theend (Post-Shave/Refresh) is in getting a close and comfortable shave that will also always yield healthy looking skin.
Why? Because I care. And, that’s the job of a barber - to make sure that his/her clients always look their best!
The beginning – Prep: Cleaning and exfoliating allows for the skin and beard to be in the best condition (clean & soft). Sticking with a moisture rich shave cream not only aids in further softening the beard, it also protects the skin from the blade. Because the job of the blade is to cut the hair, not the skin. Adding a pre-shave oil adds to greater comfort and closeness… consider it!
**If you feel that shaving across or against the grain is necessary after your 1st pass (with the grain), make sure you always, always, alwaysre-lather prior to changing direction! (Remember my “baby-butt-smooth” rule.)
The end – Post Shave/Refresh: A wet-shave is an exfoliation of the skin; therefore, the skin is far more susceptible to being dry. To prepare for this possibility, always use a mild fragranced or unscented after shave balm that is designed to quicken the healing process while also moisturizing the skin. This puts you – the shaver, in a better position to handle your next shave without fearing any pain.
For the step-by-step process of my recommended shaving techniques – click here!
Viktor & Rolf, known mostly for their prowess in the fashion world, have added another cologne to their repertoire - Spicebomb. This amazing mixture of notes include bergamot, pink pepper, cinnamon, vetiver, red pepper and tobacco accord. I’ve worn this cologne off and on for the past few weeks and I must say that it definitely lives up to it’s name. So with a whole lot of spice in each spray, a little bit goes a long way!
