February 6, 2010
Posted by marta
If you aren’t distracted by getting a popcorn refill, you may notice an ad for the new Dove’s Men+Care line on Super Bowl night. If, like me, you associate Dove with the real women campaign, you’ll be bracing yourself for hairy backs and beer guts. Fear not, I’ve had a sneak preview and it follows the journey from boyhood to manhood and all the unsung achievements in a typical bloke’s life en route to finding comfort (and Dove as part of their regimen).
The Dove Men+Care range takes the cautious view that guys don’t do much more than wash. Hence there is a face and body wash and a soap bar and that’s about it. Oh, I mustn’t forget the Shower Tool, a dual sided scrubbing brush thingy ($3.89). Read more...
January 16, 2010
Posted by jimmy
Last week, I reported on a fruity, fresh and “fun” face scrub (Mario Badescu Kiwi Face Scrub) that was a gentle buff for your face. I thought it would be interesting to write about a face scrub that was the exact opposite: MenScience Microfine Face Scrub.
It’s like the Clint Eastwood of scrubs: serious, direct and no frills.
MenScience Microfine Face Scrub is—as you would assume from the word “science” in the brand name—all about chemicals. It’s incredibly effective but if you’re sour about parabens and acids, it’s probably not for you. In fact, the only “natural” ingredients involved are allantoin (which sets off any irritant from the scrub) and aloe vera extract (again, helping restore a smoothness with anti-inflammatory properties and its moisturizing action). Aside from those two softeners, it’s all Mr. Clean from here. Read more...
January 3, 2010
Posted by jimmy
When it comes to skincare products, I like to stick to the philosophy of “less is best.” When a face wash is crammed with ingredients (many of which are unnecessary), I get a little dubious. I just want simple (maybe it has to something to do with the Japanese traditions of moderation, which is so ideal). Thankfully I got my hands on Pevonia for Men Aqua-Gel Foaming Cleanser ($38), which is condensed with gentle and effective (and minimal) ingredients that all improve your skin. Read more...
December 11, 2009
Posted by Mark
As Christmas looms upon the horizon, homes are being decked in their holiday finery of balsam, cedar, magnolia and mistletoe. But did you know you can also use mistletoe on your face? Yep. Sacred to the Druids millennia ago and shrouded in mystery and tradition, the mistletoe leaf is now a cosmetic ingredient used for its anti-inflammatory properties.
3LAB is a relatively new company that has the mistletoe extract mingle with about 23 other botanical extracts and oils in a face cleanser they call PERFECT Cleansing Foam ($40). (The full list of ingredients doesn’t appear on their website, but is found on the actual product.) Although dubbing anything ‘perfect’ immediately casts a doubtful shadow, this product delivers. Tiny jojoba beads help gently exfoliate then quickly dissolve, while a host of botanicals work to condition and provide antibacterial, antiseptic, astringent, moisturization and emolliency properties to the skin. A flip-top tube dispenses a thick, pearlescent cream that will massage into the skin and produce luxuriously rich, dense foam that rinses easily away. (Only a pea-size amount is needed). Read more...
November 17, 2009
Posted by copley
Big, bad pores happen to good people. Some skin types are genetically predisposed to larger pores, but even if your mother wasn’t plagued with pockmarks, pore size generally tends to increase with age. As your skin loses elasticity and accumulates impurities, facial pores can slacken and even collapse. And when acne-causing oils and environmental dirt and debris get clogged in the pores, your face can turn into a minefield of visible blackheads and blemishes. Sothys Pore Refiner System sets out to raze this minefield- or prevent it from being formed in the first place. By tightening the skin grain and illuminating the complexion, this four-part system aims to treat the cosmetic woes of combination-oily skin afflicted with enlarged pores and a shiny complexion. Read more...
