Living well sometimes means living hard, and I don't always me from a partying perspective. Spending time on the beach in the sun (God bless St. Lucia), being out in the elements and just the goddamn loss of collagen in your skin makes skin maintenance a non-negotiable.
Another fact, well I know my most attractive-while-clothed physical features are my charming personality and razor wit, It is important to looking good under those bar lights for the ladies. Some, direct from the pages of my volume of grooming notes, here are a few of my thoughts:
1) Don't fool yourself, no matter how young or well groomed, women make fun of you on Match.com if you include a picture with your shirt off. If you get past third base, she isn't going to care if you don't look like Usher. Go to the gym regularly for your heart, but have confidence simply because you take care of yourself and being fit will overall help your appearance.
2) Groom often, it's like that lawn you always wanted, it is a constant project. Commit to it for life. Washing, trimming, shaving and moisturizing are daily activities. Weekly activities include exfoliating, whitening and - optional - waxing.
3) Clean is important and soaps matter, face soaps and body soaps are incompatible for their objectives. Face scrubs will keep you from looking like an actual lizard, looking like a lounge lizard is still okay. Good body soaps are available at Keihls.com and Sephora.com (Anthony makes a good body soap). Good face soaps are available at Clinique counters or at Sephora.com.
4) If you shave, upstairs or down - it's really none of my business - but use a good product. I use The Art of Shaving Oil and Cream. The Art of Shaving has some great creams and oils in subtle scents that layer well with cologne. Use small amounts and lather with a drop or two of water. If you are afraid to ask for it, they sell it directly on their website or at Sephora.com. Also, change your blades regularly. I find rust on my teenagers blades and freak out.
5) Nose hair is God's joke and a natural repellent to even wild animals. You will figure out your own system, but it is gross if it hangs out of the orifice. By the way, as tempting as it is, don't hold a match up there to burn it out - no joke I had a friend do that once and the result was really funny but bad.
6) Moisturize appropriately for the appropriate areas. Eyes, forehead, feet and elbows are all different. Buy well, it is worth it: Good eye cream: Strivectin. Good face cream: Roth and Caudalie. All are available at Sephora.com.
7) Use natural products when available, especially antiperspirant. Natural antiperspirant will not yellow your shirts. Natural Fresh makes a nice "salt stick" that you wet before you apply, if you are afraid to ask, go to CVS.com.
8) Use sunblock and stay out of the sun. That sexy tan is only turning you into leather and a chemo patient. Use sunblock over your face cream, 15 SPF or better, I use 30 SPF because I am better then most of you.
Good grooming doesn't make you girly man or metro-sexual, it makes you smart. Go now, and look younger.
You know a man with my beautiful face enjoys the feel of a good shave. There is something decadent when you can comfortably lay back in a chair and a pair of skilled hands takes the time to shave your face to a perfect buttery smooth. If you haven't had a shave from a barber, book one now.
Up until a few years ago the only place in Washington to get a great shave was when you could find a call girl with "shaving" listed on the al a carte menu. I am a germaphobe so I didn't get one until after The Grooming Lounge came on the scene - located on L between Connecticut and 18th Streets.
During what I refer to as the Revival of Shaving in the last decade, many at-home products improved and became available. The Grooming Lounge sells a pretty decent private label brand of shaving products, although I wouldn't call them value products - they are pricey for the size and quality of the product.
I am now calling it for the best at-home products for shaving and the best shave in Washington. The Art of Shaving makes both the best product for home use and gives the best shave in Washington. Granted, the barber shave is a luxury, but one worth having before that special date, interview or as a divorce celebration...yes, Uncle Tony is single, sort of.
When you go to the Art of Shaving, there are two locations - Union Station and Washington Square - opt for the Royal Shave. It runs about $70 with a tip. For the seventy frog skins you get a pre-treatment, oil massage, brush cream, straight razor and a little post shave pampering. It is an awesome 30 minutes and you feel like you do when you look out over a freshly mowed law, minus the stinky shirt and grass stained sneakers (or velvet slippers in my case).
For home use, get the Art of Shaving set, containing pre-shave oil, cream and brush. There are better after shave balms on the market so skip those sold at The Art of Shaving. I prefer an after shave balm called "The Cool Fix" by Anthony for post shaving. The Cool Fix is available online or at Sephora. A comment on the cream: the cream is meant for a brush, if you don't like using a brush, and frankly I don't, buy the travel cream because it is creamed for no brush. If you get the can of cream without the brush, just add a dab of water to the cream when you dip it out and lather it in your hands.
As far as razors, I would advise you on a razor only after we are married...seriously razors are too personal a decision for advice. Double blades are always easier on your skin, but some faces really need a straight razor while others are better with a single blade or a once-a-day disposable.
