This stuff is the bees knees. I have very course facial hair, and this is the best shave I've had by a longshot. If you're used to a 30 second shave, this is not for you. It's definitely a process, but well worth it if you enjoy a good shave. I've kept a neatly trimmed beard for the last year, so I stopped using it since it wasn't worth the effort. If you maintain a beard, I highly recommend Jack Black Beard Lube. It goes on clear, so you can see your beard line while shaving. It costs $16, but will last at least 6 months if all you're doing is shaving around your beard. I'll second the people who splurge on the spa. Man is it overpriced to go to a nice spa, but a good massage goes a long way. I only usually go when I'm on vacation, but I really would like to make it part of my weekly routine. If my wife didn't like Louboutin's so much, maybe I could swing it.
I stopped using bar soap because I don't feel like I get clean enough, in the way that I can't clean every nook and cranny on this finely sculpted body. After playing hockey, I smell really fucking bad, and if I miss even an inch of my body I can notice, so can the girl. Using body wash I can closer to being stink free than with bar soap.
Yep. The women's Dove bars aren't that bad, but liquid body wash makes me feel way softer, cleaner, and just all around nicer. My go-to wash is pomegranate mango Softsoap. I smell awesome and feel silky. El fiance asked me after a few months of dating whether I wore perfume or something because I always smelled good. Just one more reason to keep doing what I'm doing.
Well for me, I'm prone to dry skin and I have a skin condition, so bar soap is the quickest way for me to look like a Brendan Fraser movie reject.
Because I get to smell like the most successful mountain in Europe. Also, good shaving cream is everything. 99 cents per? You're selling yourself short.
I wear designer jeans, mostly Buffalo and Lucky. ~$30-$60 per pair, on sale at Macy's or Costco. They fit better, look better and feel better to wear. Unless you are a naturally beautiful person (you aren't, you post here) there is no shame in shelling out a little extra to look more presentable.
I used to go to a trendy salon and get my hair cut for $35 every 5 weeks. She did an awesome job on it and I felt it was worth it. I've recently moved for school and have found a barber shop in town that does a great job. I go every 3 weeks and he charges $14. I had bad acne in high school and because of it I'm really particular about the stuff I use on my face. I really like Jack Black face scrub and, as others have noted, the Art of Shaving has some awesome products as well. I've gotten several pedicures in the past. Not because I enjoy them (I hate people touching my feet) but because I get really bad ingrown toe nails and this is the only thing I've found that helps. Having a little lady touch my feet and scrub the hell out of them is the worst feeling in the world but it keeps my toes from hurting when I run or play hockey.
I think the younger generation of guys spends more on personal grooming than ever before. Maybe that's just a stereotype, but I'm 23 and I feel like men my age don't really have as many reservations about spending some money on a haircut or fine grooming or it being "unmanly" or something. Since the dawn of time, man has done anything that would even remotely enhance his chances at getting ass. And I think the advent of men's grooming and beauty products reflect the new trend that men caring about their appearance is socially acceptable. With that being said, I typically spend $25-$30 on a haircut, which usually lasts me a long time. When I buy clothing, I usually figure how often I'm going to wear this vs. the price of the item. If I buy a $40 pair of jeans that I'm going to be wearing 150 days this year alone, that is very cheap price per day. A fancy blazer that is going to be worn maybe 5 times a year - well, you might have to take a second look at that depending on price. So, I also use this metric with hair. I'm going to be 'wearing' this haircut every day. I'd rather it look good vs. a hack job by 22 year old neighbor looking to make a quick buck. Now, if you shave you hair completely off or love the extremely short look, well then obviously there is no point in paying someone to do that. It's going to look the same no matter who does it.
This is a recipe for really nice jeans and really shitty suits. Generally, I only buy one thing at a time after a lot of deliberation, it can't be too expensive ($60 is basically my limit), and it's got to go into the wardrobe rotation immediately. Otherwise, it's a waste of money. Keyword is quality, not designer. StyleForum tends to be a good resource if you can avoid some of the groupthink. As far as formalwear, you need a couple of things: 1 pair of nice brown dress shoes 1-2 nice suits (more depending on work attire) Blazers/Sportcoats (look for versatility) That's what you 'need' to not skimp on. Slacks, shirts, khakis, as long as they fit well (slim) they're good. My best ties were bought from a thrift store for 25 cents.
Got a question for the non-douches: I can't figure out where the hell to buy decent shirts. Jeans are easy - go to Bob's, buy the Levis that don't look like ghetto pants but don't look gay. Shirts, on the other hand, are a pain in the ass. I can't find any that don't look either thuggish or lame (Oh hey Billabong, how are you). Are there any decent T-shirts these days that don't have a brand logo or those retardedly intricate designs on them (or both) but aren't completely plain? Similarly, I can't figure out where to buy decent button-down shirts. I see either "Lame-ass ghetto button down shirts" or "Talbots" and nothing in between.
I find myself in need of the services of an otolaryngologist, so I visited my health insurance provider's website today to find one in my network and nearby. Sure enough, there are two in a group practice less than half a mile from my house. I called to make an appointment and was asked if this was for an ENT (ear/nose/throat) condition or a cosmetic issue. I told her an ENT issue. She replied I had to call their office in Ft. Worth. The local office is only for cosmetic surgery. Apparently, my area presents a bigger market for rhinoplasty than the traditional medical services of such a specialist. Vanity is alive and well, and apparently, big business.
1) I'm against graphic tees in general, but I like some vintage tees (Google is your friend here). Threadless does nerdy-yet-clever graphic tees, but T-Shirt Hell is more TiB speed. Fuck it, Old Navy has some shit I would wear. No need to go expensive. Decent button-down shirts: J. Crew, Uniqlo, and similar.
I am borderline metro-sexual. I spend about $35 for a haircut every other month. I get my eyebrows waxed every month ($15) I get a pedicure every month ($15) I use Bath & Body works shower gels and body splashes. I use Crest Teeth Whitening Strips couple times a year ($40 each) I exfoliate my face with some cheap Nutragena stuff I work out almost everyday to stay fit, but not to become a muscle head. I don't buy clothes that often, but when I do, it is usually high quality stuff so it lasts a long time. I get my tops (button down shirts & polo) from Brooks Brothers. Pants/shorts from department stores like Macy's or Nordstroms. I really don't have a very good sense of fashion. I dress for comfort. When I had gotten married, my wife said to me "You except me to keep myself fit and look good. I would like it if you did the same." I couldn't argue with that.