grooming
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Eliminate Dandruff With Mouthwash
1:00AM Azadeh Ensha | White flakes on your shoulders are less than flattering. If store bought medications haven’t worked, try using mouthwash to beat off the dandruff.. More »
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Try Shampoo Or Conditioner As Alternatives To Shaving Cream
5:00AM Erin Schwendemann | Running out of shaving cream isn’t the end of the world—just lather up with some shampoo. Thanks to their formulations, shampoo and conditioner can do that job and a whole bunch more. More »
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Shampoo Less (If You Can Pull It Off)
1:00AM Kevin Purdy | It’s a daily ritual for many, but NPR asks you to consider why, exactly, you’re shampooing your hair every single day. It’s not always necessary, and can actually harm your hair. National Public Radio’s story, available in text and audio, details the history of the social ideal of washing one’s hair every day, and talks to some stylists and dermatologist who say the oil your scalp produces to protect your hair, or sebum, is stripped away and forced to produce at a higher level—kind of like the chest-shaving paradox explored in Seinfeld. “If you wash your hair every day, you’re removing the sebum,” explains Michelle Hanjani, a dermatologist at Columbia University. “Then the oil glands compensate by producing more oil,” she says. Before you start accusing us of spreading a bad hygiene trend around, take note that not all hair types tolerate a drastically less frequent shampoo schedule quite the same. And nobody’s suggesting skipping the daily bathing ritual, but sticking to hot water on certain days might save some cash, and give your hair a bit more health. Photo by flash.pro. When It Comes To Shampoo, Less Is More [NPR] More »
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Top 10 Easy Ways To Look Sharp
3:00AM Kevin Purdy | In a perfect world, it wouldn’t matter what a genius JavaScript programmer or top-flight professional looked like. In this world, though, coming across as an unkempt schlub won’t do anything good for your career, your social life, or your luck with that cute guy or gal from marketing. Luckily, it doesn’t take a lifetime of primping practice to get good at looking decent. A few clever grooming hacks can give you a new and improved look, or help you prep when you’ve got almost no time before a meeting. Read on for our list of 10 low-fuss ways to upgrade your appearance. Photo by Jaako. More »
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Shine Your Shoes Like a Military Cadet
3:00AM Tamar Weinberg | Maintain your leather shoes with the occasional military-style deep shine. The Art of Manliness blog runs down how. First, spread newspaper underneath the pair of shoes you’re working on. With a horsehair shine brush, remove all dirt from the sides and toes of the shoes. Add a liberal amount of polish to the shoe but be sure to match the colour of the polish to your shoe as closely as possible. Let the polish dry, and then focus on giving the toes and heels that extra shine using cotton. Rinse and repeat until your shoes look brand new. The article suggests practical gear to build a solid shoe shine kit, which could come in handy before that big wedding or formal event. Photo by abchbum. How to Shine Men’s Dress Shoes [The Art of Manliness] More »
Learn to Shave with a Straight Razor
12:00AM Adam Pash | DIY web site Instructables goes step-by-step on how to shave with old-timey style using a straight razor—you know, like Sweeney Todd but without the blood. The tutorial includes lots of photos and several videos (including the one above) demonstrating the straight razor methods. The video makes it seem daunting and a bit expensive, but you may be saving money in the long-run on disposable razors. Then again, my disposable razor turnover has slowed significantly ever since we highlighted how to extend the live of your razor blades. That said, if you’ve ever wanted to learn the art of straight razor shaving, this tutorial should have everything you need. Learn How To Shave With A Straight Razor [Instructables] More »
Shave Without Getting Razor Bumps
7:00AM Adam Pash | If razor burn and bumps are a common part of your daily shaving routine, DIY web site Instructables details how to avoid those nasty bumps when you shave. Remember which direction the grain of your hair went, and how you shaved along with it? Changeup. Now we’re going to go across. If you shaved down, shave to the side. If you shaved to the side, shave up or down. Absolutely don’t go against the grain. You’ll be smooth, but you’re dooming yourself to a week of ugly red dots, especially around the chin. More »
How to Perfectly Tie Any Kind of Tie
5:00AM Tamar Weinberg | Dress for success with a perfectly tied necktie. The Kinowear blog teaches you how to tie any type of tie from the Windsor to the Four-in-Hand to the St. Andrew Knot, complete with video demonstrations and step-by-step photos. Further, learn which ties better complement the shape of your face. The article states: If you have a strong, angular face you look better in striped ties. Dotted and paisley printed ties go well with a round or baby face. Solid colors can be worn by everyone. You can also discover how your height factors into your tie selection in addition to getting the right tie length wherever you go. How to Tie a Tie: The Pursuit of the Perfect Knot [Kinowear Blog] More »
Shave Like Your Granddad
9:00AM Tamar Weinberg | With the the mass-production of disposable shaving products, the Art of Manliness blog claims that traditional shaving of our grandparents’ time no longer the norm. Perhaps, however, it should be. A classic wet shave reduces costs, decreases the impact on the environment, and allows for more consistent shaves. All you really need is a double-edged safety razor, sharp blades, a shaving brush, and the proper soap or cream. After you’ve stocked up on supplies, aim for technique: The four keys to a successful shave with a safety razor are 1) use as little pressure as possible; 2) angle the blade as far away from your face as possible; 3) shave with the grain; and 4) go for beard reduction, not beard removal. More »
