Friday 20 January 2012

Accessorizing Tips for Men

At first you might scoff at this title as the very word ‘Accessorize’ sounds feminine and boring.  If you’re like me you’ve probably spent what seems like lifetimes standing in shopping malls or airports whilst your significant other tries on yet another pair or sunglasses or a slightly different shade of pashmina.  Well the bad news is accessorizing is just as important to men as it is to women.  The good news is if you do it right, it can completely change your look for the better.
Shirts, trousers, socks, shoes, ties, jackets, jumpers, it’s hard enough just trying to figure out how to match one item of clothing with another. With so many different articles of clothing and changing trends that come and go with each season, getting it right and walking out the door appearing as if you have a solid sense of style is not the easiest of tasks by any means.
Unfortunately for you, modern male, figuring out what goes with what, when to tuck in, and how to match your shirt to your shoes, isn’t good enough.  Yes, you can master the art of wearing a great suit, and yes, you can tailor your clothing to perfection and wear all the latest styles. But like I said before, that’s just not going to cut it.  What’s the problem, you ask?  You need to accessorize.
Accessorizing can be a very tricky thing for us man.  You don’t want to look like a Jersey Shore cast member, nor do you want to look like a bejewelled and bedazzled window display.  Too much and you can say goodbye to your masculinity.  Wear nothing, and all your efforts at putting yourself together can be a colossal waste of time.  For the accessories newbie, I suggest starting slow and working your way up one piece at a time, always being careful to realize when enough is enough.
First things first, think statement piece.  The easiest and classiest way for a man to accessorize and impress while doing so is investing in a watch.  And not just a watch, but a really great watch.  A watch that says,
“yeah I’m a pretty big deal, but no, I don’t feel the need to brag.  What was that?  You want to know the time?  Oh, let me find that out for you.”
A good watch can cost quite a pretty penny, but a good watch is timeless (get it?) and worth the price.  Women notice a great watch.  Other men notice a great watch.  Prospective employers notice a great watch.  Basically, what I’m telling you is: get yourself a timepiece.
If you want to experiment with other pieces of jewellery, like bracelets, necklaces, or rings, I’d suggest starting off with wood, leather, and other neutral, more masculine materials.  Simple metals are also ok, just make sure nothing is too flashy.  You don’t want to look like an extra in a Sopranos episode.  You don’t want that. 
Another option is eyewear.  With eyewear, you have more options and can get a bit more creative without feeling like you’re dipping into your girlfriend’s jewellery box.  Maybe you wear contacts everyday, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give your eyes a break every now and then from the poking. So slip on a nice pair of glasses.  There are so many different frames to fit each man’s personal style. Go ahead. Feel free to go crazy.
Have 20/20 vision and not up to have anything dangling from your wrists or neck?  Take a cue from Mad Men and get a tie clip, or stuff that jacket pocket.  The throwback look is in right now, so keep your limbs chain-free while still accessorizing your way to excellence. 
Now let’s not forget the facial hair.  Beards are very fashionable right now and even the moustache is making a retro comeback.  If you decide to go down this road, remember; growing a beard is not an excuse to stop shaving completely.  Your facial hair will need shaping and your skin will need looking after.  We’ve writing previous blogs about tips on facial hair so take a look.
It’s up to you how you want to go about doing it, but the bottom line is that you should be accessorizing to some extent.  Your silhouette looks sparse without it, and all that hard work you put into your outfit needs to me complemented with a statement piece to give your look that extra oomph.  However you choose, choose wisely, and go with it.  




Shaving LondonShave LondonWet Shaving LondonBarbers in LondonBarbers LondonBarber shave LondonBarbers W1Barbers MayfairBarber MayfairBarber WC1Barber shop MayfairMens Hairdressers MayfairMens hairdressing MayfairSW1SW2EC1EC2 SohoConvent GardenSt JamesPall MallLondonMens hairdressing LondonShaving LondonShave LondonBarber shopLondon BarbersShaveBarber shaveLondon Barber shopShave product LondonShaving GiftsShave giftshave gift voucherswet shave gift vouchesmens shaveMens shavingshaving Londonwet shavingW1WC1WC2SW1,SW2,SW6.SW6safety razorsafety razors uksafety razors for mensafety razors for beginnersdouble edged razordouble edged razor techniqueshaving giftsshaving gifts for menshaving gifts Londonshaving gifts onlineshaving gifts himshaving gift sets for menshaving gift setsshaving setsshaving sets for menshaving sets for men with brushesshaving sets for saleshaving sets with brushshaving sets with mugsshaving sets with safety razorshaving sets with bowl, shaving sets with soapsshaving sets ukbadger brushbadger brush shavebadger brush shaving setsbadger brush shaving kitsbadger brush shaving soapshaving brushshaving brush standshaving brush setstraight razorstraight razor ukstraight razor shavingcut throat razorcut throat razor shavecut throat razors for sale, cut throatcut throat shavecut throat shave Londongifts for mengifts for men ukgifts for men ideasgifts for men who have everythinggifts for men who have everything ukmens gifts, mens gift ideas,

Wednesday 4 January 2012

Stay Sharp

After the frivolities of Christmas it’s that inevitable time to (with shaking hands) check the bank balance and consider how to budget for the remainder of the winter (shudder / groan as you feel fit).  The good news is you can still keep a gentleman’s health and grooming regime without becoming a pauper.  Here are our tips on making your shaves closer and your shaving blades go further.

Disposable shaving blades are definitely convenient, but they have gotten considerably more expensive and you might be thinking of ways to make each shave and blade last longer.  By just using one blade per month instead of two puts money in your pocket. For example, a 12-cartridge set of Gillette Mach3 blades costs an average of £16. Using one per month means you spend £16 per year versus £32.

Preparing your face for a clean smooth shave helps keep your shaving blades last longer.  First place a hot towel over your face to loosen and soften your beard (this is most affective after a hot shower or bath). This weakens the resistance your whiskers will have against the blades. Second, use a quality shave cream and apply it with a brush. You’ll actually use less shaving cream, and the brush works in the cream to further prepare your beard for the blades. OK, so you’ll have to lay out some cash for the brush when you first build your complete shaving kit, but you’ll be saving money in the long run with a better shave and less money spent on blades.

Rinsing the razor and blades as you shave is another method that keeps the blades lasting longer.  It's important to rinse the excess cream and stubble from the blades regularly throughout the shave. Rinse under hot water to reheat the blades, and turn them over under the water to clean the back side of the cartridge as well. Hot blades slice through hairs faster, and rinsing the back side of the razor means more stubble and cream can pass through the cartridge on your next pass.

Clean and dry the blades thoroughly.  Just rinsing out the blades with hot water is not enough to make your shaving blades last longer. Sure, they're clean, but the excess water will cause oxidation on the blades, which will slowly break down the molecular content of the metal, which dulls the edges. You can dry the blades with a quick blot of a clean towel and then rinse them in a cup of alcohol, which purges the remaining moisture, sterilizes the blades and then evaporates quickly. You can also use a blow dryer for a moment or two and dry the blades immediately after rinsing with hot water.

Store the blades away from moisture.  If you shave in the shower, you’ll want to clean and dry the blades and let them sit upright, with the razor away from the shower to make your shaving blades last longer. If you shave at the sink, be sure to follow the above steps for cleaning and keep the blades well away from any areas where they may be splashed or knocked into a sink or tub of water.

Making these changes to your daily routine do not make you cheap, just smart. In tough times like these, often the small adjustments in spending and changes in how we care for ourselves are the things that make the biggest impact on our wallets. Best of all is the fact that you’ll also get a better shave each time because the blades will be clean and ready to do their job. 


Shaving LondonShave LondonWet Shaving LondonBarbers in LondonBarbers LondonBarber shave LondonBarbers W1Barbers MayfairBarber MayfairBarber WC1Barber shop MayfairMens Hairdressers MayfairMens hairdressing MayfairSW1SW2EC1EC2 SohoConvent GardenSt JamesPall MallLondonMens hairdressing LondonShaving LondonShave LondonBarber shopLondon BarbersShaveBarber shaveLondon Barber shopShave product LondonShaving GiftsShave giftshave gift voucherswet shave gift vouchesmens shaveMens shavingshaving Londonwet shavingW1WC1WC2SW1,SW2,SW6.SW6safety razorsafety razors uksafety razors for mensafety razors for beginnersdouble edged razordouble edged razor techniqueshaving giftsshaving gifts for menshaving gifts Londonshaving gifts onlineshaving gifts himshaving gift sets for menshaving gift setsshaving setsshaving sets for menshaving sets for men with brushesshaving sets for saleshaving sets with brushshaving sets with mugsshaving sets with safety razorshaving sets with bowl, shaving sets with soapsshaving sets ukbadger brushbadger brush shavebadger brush shaving setsbadger brush shaving kitsbadger brush shaving soapshaving brushshaving brush standshaving brush setstraight razorstraight razor ukstraight razor shavingcut throat razorcut throat razor shavecut throat razors for sale, cut throatcut throat shavecut throat shave Londongifts for mengifts for men ukgifts for men ideasgifts for men who have everythinggifts for men who have everything ukmens gifts, mens gift ideas,