Good Grief!

My computer is acting up, so writing and posting is becoming more of a challenge than it should be. I think it's almost time for a new laptop....a purchase I've been avoiding all stinking year long. Ugh.

Anyway, since technology is not my friend, I leave you with a quick beauty quote for the day. Be sure to check back in tomorrow for a Beauty Product of the Week!

In the meantime...I think you'll get a kick out of this:

"The average woman would rather have beauty than brains, because the average man can see better than he can think."

-Anonymous

Happy Wednesday!

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For the Boys!

Father's Day is this weekend, so I hope you've taken some time to get something special for your dad, the father of your kiddos, or for the special men in your life.

If you're looking for something other than the normal dad gifts (ties, booze, grilling stuff, sports stuff, etc.), why not get dad something to pamper him? Men like to be taken care of just as much as women do, though they rarely take the time for themselves.

Here are some great gift ideas from Sephora:

• Jack Black Beard Lube Conditioning Shave (3 pack), $40: This is a value pack of Jack Black's 3-in-1 pre-shave, shave cream, and skin conditioner formula. The lightweight, lubricating lotion penetrates whiskers to soften even the toughest beard, while macadamia nut and jojoba oils penetrate below the surface of the skin to soften new whisker growth and minimize irritation. The result is a remarkably easy shave, soft skin, and no razor burn.
• Anthony Logistics Grab + Go Portables, $35: If you dad is on the go--either traveling for fun or business--or if he spends time at the gym, he could use some high quality products that are easy to pack along with him. This includes a zip-top bag filled with awesome Anthony products including Glycolic Facial Cleanser, Lip Balm, Shave Cream, Shampoo, Body Gel, etc.
• Tom Ford for Men Gift Set, $75: This set includes an eau de toilette spray and an aftershave balm. The scent blends traditional elements with modern influences. Like a second skin, the innovative Classic Woods fragrance is sensual, refined, and luxurious. It opens with a crisp citrus aroma from the Mediterranean, which carries into a bright and refreshing mix of ginger, grapefruit, and deep greens. From there the scent turns robust before mellowing into a rich and masculine base of amber and leatherwood.

What are you getting YOUR dad this year?

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Men in Makeup

Here's a silly video for you this Friday. It's a tutorial on how men should (or should not!) wear makeup. Doesn't it suck that men get to go through life without worrying about makeup and skin care products? I guess I shouldn't complain too much--buying and using makeup is fun after all.

So, enjoy this video. Though I must say that I'd love to see a video on how RuPaul's Drag Race drag queens make their transformation from male to female. Those men can really work makeup magic!

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Boys of Summer

Summer means dealing with hot, humid weather...and that makes our skin and hair behave in strange ways, not to mention the fact that we have to wear SPF to keep sun damage from taking over. Well, women aren't alone when it comes to needing special products for summer skin care. Don't forget about the men in your life! They could certainly benefit from some of these products from ZIRH.

ZIRH Skin Nutrition offers the essentials for summer grooming – from rejuvenating shower and body products to moisturizers and lip balms with SPF, ZIRH has you covered from head to toe!

Show Face
Cleansing your skin is one of the first steps in any skincare regimen and ZIRH makes the experience a refreshing one with Clean, an alpha hydroxy face wash that cleanses skin without stripping it of necessary oils. For a deeper clean, Scrub is a gentle, aloe based exfoliator that works to remove surface dead skin cells to reveal newer, younger looking skin. Lastly, Refresh is an invigorating astringent that not only tones and cools skin but helps to reduce excess sebum.

Protect Skin With SPF
Protecting skin from the sun’s harmful rays is necessary for protecting a healthy complexion. ZIRH facial moisturizer Defend is light for everyday use and suitable for sensitive skin types. Defend contains an SPF 15 while also helping to maintain skin’s natural elasticity. For the ultimate lip protection with SPF 15, ZIRH Lip Balm is made with beeswax and natural oils to maintain a hydrated pout. Available in four flavors: Vanilla, Black Cherry, Peppermint and Unscented.

The Ultimate Shower Gear
Summer days require the need for a revitalizing shower and ZIRH has the perfect gear. ZIRH Warrior Shower Gel Collection features five gels based on ancient warriors – each offering a sexy, yet masculine scent. Try Julius Caesar – this blends citrus notes with sweet almond fruit extract.

The ZIRH Cocktail Bar Collection can make any shower a happy hour. A classic body bar with a fun twist! Each bar is formulated after a signature cocktail – whether he fancies a Long Island Iced Tea or a Sake Bomb, his skin will feel detoxified and nourished. The light scents and vibrant colors make the perfect summer body pairing.

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Dear Old Dad

Father's Day is just around the corner, and while you could get your dad the usual gift (a tie, bbq equipment, etc.), why not pamper your poppa with some of these great products. Men like to be taken care of just as much (if not more!) than women do, and you can share your love of skin care/beauty products with your dad by checking out these goodies:

Every Man Jack Beginner's Luck Kit, about $25: Every Man Jack products are awesome! They're well priced and easy to find (just head to your local Target!), and they do a great job. Their signature mint fragrance is subtle and clean smelling, and will be fun to use. I've used their bar soap in the past--it was pretty and smelled great. Every Man Jack products aren't tested on animals and they're not packed with nasty chemicals like some shaving products. Totally budget friendly, Every Man Jack products are approachable and damn good!

Lab Series Daily Moisture Defense Lotion SPF 15 Gift Set, $37.50: Men need to use SPF just as much as women do, but we all know that they're far from enthusiastic about it. We get to sneak in our SPF by wearing foundation containing SPF, lipgloss with SPF, etc. This set, designed specifically for men, includes a face wash, shave cream, and sun block.

Sephora Brand Scent Sampler, $50: I love this gift! You get a box full of samples of the top selling fragrances for men. You also get a coupon for a full sized product of your choice. Your dad can test out ten different scents and then go back to Sephora for a full sized version of his favorite. If looking good and smelling good is important to your dad, this is a great gift...one that will let him get exactly what he wants.

Take care of your dad this Father's Day!

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Hairy Situation

Men and women have one thing in common when it comes to the world beauty: we all need to shave various parts of our body.

According to a recent survey conducted by King of Shaves…

• 70% of men shave before a date; 10% of men will only shave if it is a first date.
  
• 47% of men would like their girlfriends to shave her legs everyday.
  
• 64% of women shave their legs before a date.
• 71% of women prefer men to be clean shaven; only 7% of women admitted to preferring facial hair on men.
  
• 70% of women complained that men’s (husband/boyfriend) facial hair has irritated their face at one point.
  
• 64% of women have used men’s shaving products; 64% of women did not like men’s shaving products and prefer using shaving products for women.

Here are my thoughts:

• I prefer my man to be clean shaven. And he usually is. However, this year, my husband's been growing out his facial hair, which is tough for him. He's not a hairy guy, but he wants to see if he can get the Lemmy look. Here's Lemmy (from Motorhead) and his fabulous facial hair--and below Lemmy is super hottie Peter Steele sporting his own unique facial hair--also an inspiration for my husband's 2009 look. The facial hair grow out has been fun, and I'm all for a little experimentation! It's going to be weird once he shaves it off.
• When it comes to shaving my legs, I am terrible! In the summer I'm much more diligent, but during colder months? Forget it...I can't be bothered. Thankfully, I'm a married lady and my husband doesn't mind.

What are your thoughts on shaving?

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Shop to Your Heart's Content at Sephora!

Cupid’s bow is aiming for a beauty-full place this Valentine’s Day. Follow his arrow and it’ll lead you to Sephora, where an alluring array of beauty bounty awaits you. Anything and everything that will light her fire and spice up his night is available, affordable and above all, romantic. From soothing skincare sets to fresh fragrances, there is something that both you and your Valentine will adore.

Treat your sweetie to beauty:

• Sephora Brand Chocolate Espresso Bath & Body Collection ($12 - $16) – Create your own at-home spa experience for less with this delicious blend of energizing espresso with indulgent chocolate.
  
• Kat Von D Painted Love Lipstick in A-Go-Go ($18) – Seal his V-Day card with a kiss after you’ve slicked on this rich and sexy red lipstick from Kat Von D.
  
• On10 Hershey's Chocolate Fans Scented Soy Wax Candle ($20) – Give in to her chocolate cravings with this mouth-watering natural soy wax candle tucked in a portable tin.
  
• Anthony Logistics’ The Perfect Shave Kit ($50) – This ensemble is a must-have for a romantic weekend getaway, making sure his skin is smooth and refreshed for those close-ups.
  
• Sephora Brand Sweet Candy Lip Gloss ($7) – Pucker up! In eight yummy flavors, this skin-conditioning treatment will leave your lips moist, soft, and deliciously irresistible. The color choices are decent, and the price sure is right!
  
• Lily Pulitzer Eau de Parfum Spray ($48 - $68) – She’ll smell as sweet as candy with this delightfully pink, pretty, and flirty celebration of feminine style and gusto. Plus the bottle will look great on her vanity.
  
• NARS The Love Set ($49 a $73 value) – Get pretty in pink with this sleek black box packed with pinky peach hues of blush, lip gloss and lip pencil. This includes their famed Orgasm blush and likewise suggestively titled Pillow Talk lipgloss and Sex Machine velvet matte lip pencil. What more could you need?
  
• Jean Paul Gaultier LE MALE Eau de Toilette Spray ($39-$77) – Let your sweetie indulge in this scent-sational blend of cinnamon, cumin, wood and musk. Jean Paul Gaultier's packaging is unique and cheeky...just like him!
  
• Philosophy Candy Hearts Lip Duo ($20) – Show your lips some love with this seriously tasty treat in two irresistible flavors – pink bubbly and angel food cake. These tubes will make your lips shiny and yummy. Plus they're packaged with iconic conversation hearts on them--cute!!
  

Head over to Sephora before Saturday, or go online to place your order.

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Beauty for Boys

This holiday season, don't forget to pick up a personal care product for the men in your life. Men may not admit it, but they like to be pampered just as much as we do...and unlike us girls, they don't always buy themselves anything nice.

Here are a few of my favorite men's products you should check out:

• Sephora Brand Scent Sampler Best Sellers for Him, $50. If your guy thinks that Old Spice is the best he can do for a fragrance, maybe he needs to have his horizons broadened. This kit includes deluxe trial sizes of the ten best selling scents for men. Once your man picks the fragrance that suits him best, he returns to Sephora with the included gift certificate for a full sized bottle of his favorite scent. Nice! (They have this for women, too!)
• GoSmile Smile Whitening Kit, $89. I tried a sample of this product and was instantly impressed. Brighten up the smile of the man in your life with this high-tech tooth whitening set.
• Clinique's 3-Step Face Care for Men (prices vary). Men need to take care of their skin just as much as we do. Clinique's famous 3-step skin care system for men will encourage your guy to wash, tone, and moisturize. Since men are more likely to be diagnosed with skin cancer, be sure to pick up the moisturizer with SPF to protect his skin.
• Ear/Nose Trimmer, $15. Hey, we're all humans...we get hair growing in the strangest of places. It may seem like a weird gift, but an ear/nose trimmer for men is a must-have!
• Korres Absinthe Shave Cream. This product is tough to get in the USA and I have no idea why. I got it a few years back for my husband and he loved it. If you like in Europe, pick up this product immediately! Its pricey, but its creamy and gives men a great shave. My husband was very happy with this product! (Hey Sephora! You used to stock this...please bring it back!)

There you have it. My top picks for guys. If you have a fave, leave me a comment!

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Beauty Review: Father's Day Gift Ideas

Father's Day is just around the corner and thoughts of digital cameras, watches, plasma tv's, and golf clubs are milling about in your head. As a kid, I never used to panic about what to get my father because he was always happy with a cute drawing and lots of hugs. Now that I'm a wife of a husband that is a father, I'm thinking an amateur drawing of us and lots of hugs would be a nice thought but wouldn't cut it lol. If high-tech gadgets are a little out of your budget, cologne and men's skin care is always the next best gift! Here are some gift ideas that will keep him smelling good and his skin looking great!

Tommy Bahama Set Sail South Seas Cologne ($52.50): It's a light, refreshing scent perfect for summer. With a fusion of watery nuances, violets, rum, and citrus blends it's crisp and woodsy scent is fresh but masculine. The scent and the packaging remind me of a beautiful island escape. Every time I smell it on my husband I'm whisked away!


YSL L'Homme Limited Edition Design by Jean Nouvel ($79.50): For the modern man that appreciates style and architecture. The bottle, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, was inspired from the shape of a test tube or rather a symbol of a man's virility. A fresh, woody fragrance that is both sparkling and sensual!

HydraMen Shave Gel and After-Shave Balm: If your father is an eco-friendly/organic kind of guy, then load him up with HydraMen Shave Gel and After-Shave Balm! Every man has to shave so why not give him something that is nutritious for his skin and environmentally friendly? My husband appreciated the clear shave gel because you can see exactly where you're shaving which means no ugly razor nicks! He also didn't mind the sweet almond scent. The after-shave balm was soothing and didn't leave any residue on the skin. Sounds like a winner!


Lancome Men Energizer Total Gift Set ($65): Most guys tend to neglect their skin and figure that those dark circles and wrinkles will disappear on its own. The problem is men just don't know what to buy so why not make it easier and buy the gift of energized, revitalized and supple skin! This gift set includes 1 Energizer Total, 1 Ultimate Cleansing Gel, 1 Trial Size of of High Definition Shave Foam all packaged in a sleek black pouch.

Happy shopping! Wishing all the father's a Happy Father's Day!

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