Style, Fashion and Grooming Tips for Men

More and more men are starting to embrace the importance of taking care of their skin. This includes using facial skin care products on a regular basis. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, healthy skin is becoming an increasingly important factor in overall health. is  But what products should you use and how should you use them?

There are many benefits to using facial skin care products for men. Here are just a few:

Improved Skin Health: Using the right facial skin care products can help improve the overall health of your skin. This includes reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as helping to prevent acne breakouts.

Enhanced Appearance: Proper skin care can also help improve the overall appearance of your skin. This includes making it look more radiant, smooth, and even-toned.

Confidence Boost: When you take good care of your skin, you’ll likely feel more confident in your appearance. This can translate to increased self-esteem and a boost in your overall well-being.

Protection from the Elements: The skin on your face is exposed to a variety of elements on a daily basis, including the sun, wind, and pollution. Using facial skin care products can help protect your skin from these environmental factors, which can lead to premature aging and other skin problems.

Customized Skincare Routine: One of the benefits of using facial skin care products is that you can create a customized skincare routine that works for your specific skin type and concerns. For example, if you have oily skin, you might opt for products that are specifically formulated to control excess oil production. On the other hand, if you have dry skin, you might choose products that are more hydrating.

Now that we’ve covered some of the benefits of using facial skin care products for men, let’s take a look at some specific products that can be included in a male skincare routine.

Cleanser: A good cleanser is an essential part of any skincare routine. It helps to remove dirt, oil, and other impurities from the skin, leaving it feeling fresh and clean. There are many different types of cleansers to choose from, including gel cleansers, foaming cleansers, and cream cleansers.

Exfoliator: Exfoliating your skin helps to remove dead skin cells, which can leave your skin looking dull and uneven. There are two main types of exfoliators: physical exfoliators, which use small particles to scrub away dead skin cells, and chemical exfoliators, which use ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) to dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells.

Moisturizer: Moisturizing your skin is essential for keeping it hydrated and healthy. There are many different types of moisturizers to choose from, including lotions, creams, and oils. It’s important to choose a moisturizer that is suited for your skin type – for example, someone with oily skin might prefer a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer, while someone with dry skin might benefit from a thicker, more emollient formula.

Sunscreen: Wearing sunscreen on a daily basis is crucial for protecting your skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays. This includes reducing the risk of skin cancer and preventing premature aging. Look for a sunscreen with a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30 and be sure to reapply.

Don't be afraid to try a number of different products to see which ones work best with your specific skin type. Happy moisturizing!

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Most of us by now have heard of the Tabata workout. This is a Japanese style high-impact cardio fitness exercise program that promises to reduce fat and increase muscle mass. It is designed for people with busy lifestyles and not a whole lot of time to go to the gym for a typical workout. It requires no equipment, and very little time. You can complete a Tabata workout in about 4 minutes with just yourself and a small area to move around. But does the Tabata workout really burned fat as promised? Let's take a look.

What is Tabata?

Tabata is a series of short 20 to 40 second high impact calisthenic workout segments or intervals, with 10 second rests in between. These calisthenics and movement exercises include jumping jacks, lunges, squats, push ups, elbow push ups, crunches, ab twists, planks, climbing, chairs, horizontal climbing, and similar cardio and strength exercises. Here is an example of a beginner Tabata workout. The idea here is to work your core, arm, shoulder and leg muscles while getting your heart rate up over 100 in a short period of time. A lot of keto diets include a Tabata component as part of their regimen, because Tabata with its strength and cardio, can help the carbohydrate deprived body into burning fat.

The truth is, a carbohydrate starved body doesn't have a whole lot of energy. So the Tabata workout is an excellent complement to a low-carb, Keto diet to lose fat. Tabata keeps the body moving, engages muscle tissue, and gets the hearts rate up. We like to see a heart rate over 140 for 5 minutes for people aged 18 to 30, 120 BPM for people aged 30 to 40, and 100 for people over 40. Of course, if you have have specific health considerations, adjust your dietary and Tabata habits accordingly. Tabata is a great way to keep the body moving, strengthen certain muscle areas and condition your heart.

But Does it Work?

In our experience, the Tabata workout is an great supplement to a low carbohydrate keto weight loss diet. One great advantage to Tabata is the ease and speed in which it can be done. You only need about 10 square feet of space, which could be in the TV room while watching the news, or the kitchen while you wait for your coffee to brew. No matter what, if you stay disciplined about it, Tabata can be a great addition to your overall health regimen. So the answer to the question does Tabata work? Well, yes and no. Alone, the Tabata workout program won't help in weight loss. But, if it's used in conjunction with a low carb keto diet, it will help the body burn fat. It will also help to get your heart rate up, improve your cardio and lung capacity, strengthen muscles and improve balance. Give Tabata a try!

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Men with dry or sensitive skin often find shaving a painful and uncomfortable experience. Some skins types are sensitive to certain types of blades, causing razor burn, cuts and nicks. Small scars on the face can create an uneven or bumpy skin surface which can lead to cuts and nicks. Here are some shaving tips for men with sensitive skin:

 

Before You Shave

• Wet your face and wash up with warm water and a mild facial soap before shaving. This will help soften the hair and open the pores
• Apply shaving cream or gel to your face. This will help protect your skin from the razor blade.

 

Shaving

• Use a sharp, clean razor blade. A dull or dirty razor can cause irritation and lead to razor burn.
• Shave in the direction of hair growth. shaving against the grain can cause irritation.

 

Post - Shave

• Rinse your face with cold water after shaving to close the pores and soothe the skin.
• Apply a moisturizer to your face after shaving to keep your skin hydrated.

 

Following these shaving tips can help make the shaving experience more comfortable and prevent razor burn. Men with sensitive skin should also avoid using aftershaves that contain alcohol, as this can further dry out the skin. Instead, choose an aftershave that contains glycerin or witch hazel to help soothe the skin.

shaving should be a relaxing and enjoyable experience, so take the time to find the products and shaving technique that work best for you.

Happy shaving!

 

Photo by Sander Sammy on Unsplash

Okay, we've all been locked up at home a lot longer than we expected, and we're getting a bit shaggy. When I look at myself in the mirror I see a Sasquatch version of myself that hadn't shown itself since sophomore year in college, which is a sad because I liked that version of me. But times have changed (understatement!) and my unkempt appearance is not out of choice but rather out of circumstance. I could spend some time on YouTube watching home haircutting videos, but that would spoil this glorious opportunity to do something truly memorable and reinvent myself for a while. A chance like this won't come around again for a very long time, if ever. Sure, I could get out the kitchen scissors, cut cut of the tufts of hair above my ears, try and mimic what my regular barber does and use a comb and slice off a nice straight line from the top, but what is the fun in that? And because I believe that home haircuts are here to stay, I think experimentation and practice are the way to start. Soon we'll all be proficient in giving ourselves a passable haircut.

And so, this is my 'not your normal mans guide to cutting you own hair at home while the barber is closed' how to:

1. Don't let your Wife of Girlfriend do it

My wife, and I suspect many women, have been waiting for this moment for a long time. A fairly inconsequential chance to make over their man in their own image, in what version of him they want, at least hair-wise. This is why you can't allow it. They make most of the decisions already, and if they make this one, what is left? This isn't about you caring, because you probably don't care very much what you new hair looks like for your Zoom calls. Plus, you'll be able to go the barber soon anyway to fix whatever mess you make up top. But because home haircuts are here to stay, now is the time to practice, make mistakes, and learn from them.

2. Treat the First go as Practice

So why not get started by doing something really reckless and stupid? Nothing makes a statement like a Joe Strummer-style mohawk, so why not go for it? You can always fix it later. Nothing is forever, and as the saying goes, "The difference between a good haircut and a bad haircut is about 2 weeks."

3. Get Your Supplies Ready

Now that you brimming with consequence-free confidence, you will need some tools of the trade. You will need a comb, a trimmer (your dog shears will work too!), some decent scissors, a mirror and some potentially some booze. Oh, and those layer cutting scissors are also good to have. Home haircuts works much better when your inhibitions are lowered. It is also a good idea to attempt your first try when no one else is home, so your wife, girlfriend, daughter or really anyone can talk you out of it.

4. Go For it.

Start on one side, around your ear and clean-up the hair wings that grow over the course of a month. This is the part of your hairdo that drives the rest. Take off and inch or so, and then move up toward the top of your head. Now do the other side and shake off the hair new trimmed hair so you can see your work so far. Repeat this cycle until you've got an even looking cut. Now, cut the front hairline by your forehead to your desired length. Be a little conservative here in case you screw something up later and need to fix the front again. Finally thin it out with the thinning or layering scissors. It is hard to screw this part up, so don't be afraid to get aggressive here. Most of the time your hair is too thick anyway. Now it's time for the back. This is tricky since it is unlikely you'll be able to see the back of your head in a double-mirror set-up and keep both hands free. If possible, get someone else to do that back, but in the absence of a helper, try and angle the scissors perpendicular to your spine just cut across. Shake off the excess locks, dunk your head in the shower and admire your masterpiece. And don't worry, so one will see you (or care) and two weeks will go by quickly..

 

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