The Symphony of Shaving Accessories

Technorati Tags: dry shaving, perfect shave, shaving, Wet Shaving

Well here’s one for the books that only the Chinese can write.  An absolute must for the man on the go.  It’s something designed with the multi tasker in mind (I think I’ve run out of inane platitudes for the moment).  What am I talking about? The Shave Mobile Phone of course, what else could it be?

I’m not making this up.  A Chinese firm name Todemoketai (don’t even ask me to pronounce it) came out with this little shaving accessories beauty.  Apparently the idea came from the popular RAZR phone made by and marketed in China by Motorola.  RAZR…Get it?  At any rate with the Shave Mobile you get the best of both worlds an electric shaver and a mobile phone.

What more could you ask for?  Well how about, a 2 megapixel camera and an FM tuner to boot.  For you techies, the phone incorporates a 2.6 inch touch screen, 506 KB of memory and SD card slot for 8GB.  Oh I almost forgot, its’ also got Bluetooth support.

Owning this truly revolutionary, breakthrough  new product means that you can leave you razor,  , camera and radio all behind when you’re on the road, leaving space for that extra pair of socks.  Or it can be used for that quick touch up to rid yourself of the 3 O’clock shadow right before that big meeting.  At the same time making a phone call to let them know you’ll be late.  Yes,  the Save Mobile has it all covered.  You can save tons of time by talking to you friends, family or closing that big deal, all while you save.  I know that that’s something that I’ve been looking for.  Not certain whether or not the noise level of the shaver running would present a problem or not.

Some additional thoughts.

• You could down load and watch a video while you  shave
• You could listen to the radio
• You could even take picture of yourself shaving and send it to all your friends
• Hell, you can do all of the above at the same time

This little beauty retails for only a hundred bucks.  An investment that will surely pay rich dividends as it saves you more and more time and makes traveling less and less of a hassle.

This one gets classified under “Silly Shaving Accessories”

Technorati Tags: electric razor, mobile phone, razr, shaving accessoires

Well here is something quite out of the ordinary for a blog on, all things shaving accessories.  But to keep one’s perspective it’s important, once in a while, to look on the other side of the street and pay a bit of attention to our bearded brethren.  With that in mind I’d like to draw your attention to the First Annual National Beard and Moustache Championship scheduled to take place between June 3 and June 5, 2010 in Bend Oregon.

The competition is sponsored by the Beard Team USA, a group dedicated to the appreciation and promotion of all facial hair.  By definition facial hair includes beards, mustaches, sideburns or goatees.  From the looks of what I assume to be member photos on their web site, they are truly dedicated to their craft. It’s unlikely that anyone who has not nurtured their facial hair for decades will be able to effectively compete in the Championship.

Categories

The competition will be in five separate categories each with a cash price of $1000 awarded to the winner.  The categories are: the best moustache, the best partial beard which includes goatees, van dykes, sideburns and musketeers (?), the best full beard, a freestyle category and finally a random selection from all the contestants.

Events

Along with various recreational activities, largely dominated by brewery tours are float trips and dances.  There will be various styling clinics, a press conference, a contestant processions and of course the contest itself.  The preliminary judging to begin at 2pm on the 5^th with the finals and award ceremonies at 7pm.

While I don’t anticipate the art and practice of shaving and shaving accessories to be much in evidence, if you find yourself in central Oregon in early June, it might be worthwhile to check out the First Annual Beard and Moustache Championships and see what you’ve been missing.

Technorati Tags: beard, moustache, shaving, Shaving Accessories

Global Industry Analysts, Inc. an independent research organization has recently released a study that suggests that we may be on the verge of explosive, world-wide growth in the men’s grooming/ shaving accessories market.   They suggest that  the increase is being fueled by the rapid rise of the “metrosexual male” (however you define that phenomenon), a concerted new product effort by manufactures, a worldwide growth in the middle class, increased internet connectivity and a growing demand for “prestige” products

While there has been a niche market for male grooming products for a long time, the seismic shift has come by way of major manufactures beginning to recognize its growth potential.  They do what all good businessmen do when face with an opportunity to make a buck; they take a proactive role by introducing whole ranges of new product categories and new products.  The major and minor corporate players have attempted to expand the market beyond the traditional shaving related products and deodorants into other categories such as skin care, hair care and bath products.  Figuring that men are looking for products specifically designed for their unique needs, no longer making due with products borrowed from their wife or significant other.

Shaving related products such as pre-shaving oils and lotion, shaving creams and soaps, post shaving products and, of course, razor blades continue to make up the lion’s share of the grooming business.  However toiletries; bath and shower products, hair care, skin care and deodorants represent the fastest growing segment.

Geographically, while Europe and US dominate sales worldwide, the Asian Pacific region is the fastest growing, as western taste and culture continue to dominate the life style trends.

The market for men’s grooming products is highly competitive with many companies that that use to focus on women’s beauty products shifting into the male realm.  US firms tend to dominate with, Avon, Colgate-Palmolive, Energizer Holdings, Johnson &Y Johnson, P&G and Gillette ranked in the top tier.

As proof consider the following.  In addition to the introduction of new razors by Gillette and Schick;

• During this year’s Super Bowl, Unilever, the makers of Dove, premiered its Dove Men + Care product line. The line, which includes body wash and a body bar, focuses on creating comfortable skin for men.
• While Dove Men + Care targets middle-aged men, Axe, also manufactured by Unilever, targets 18- to 24-year-olds with racy television and Internet ads. Axe promotes the use of its body wash, deodorant body spray and hair products as a way for men to look good without being overdone.
• Gillette, a Procter & Gamble brand, has offered men’s shaving products for years but has recently revamped its image and added a hair care and body wash line.
• Burt’s Bees owned by the Clorox Co., also has a line designed for men. Its all-natural products for men include soaps, shaving products, moisturizers and cologne.
• And don’t count out Old Spice, a Procter & Gamble brand. It has expanded its line of deodorants and aftershaves to include body washes as well.

Don’t expect the trend to taper off any time soon.  With so many eyeballs and so much money at stake we can expect the feeding frenzy of activity to proceed unabated.

Technorati Tags: new shaving products, shaving, Shaving Accessories, shaving accessories makret

What is aftershave all about anyway?  Is it just an effort to smell a bit better?  To give off those notorious pheromones that reportedly sends the women over the top?  Well perhaps, but there are other issues at play here, including cleanliness and skin health, appearance and “feel”.

Cleanliness and Skin Health

Two issues here.  The act of shaving with warm water opens the pores of the skin.  Overall this is a good thing since it allows more of the whisker to be exposed to the blade, helps prevent nicks and serves to clean out the accumulated dead skin, oils and debris from the affected area.  But after the shaving process is complete you want to close them back up again to inhibit the re-accumulation of the same grit and grim.  The astringent nature of most aftershaves does just that, close those pores back up.  Nicking eventually becomes a problem for everyone.  I’m not only talking about the bloody ones but those that cut the skin but not deep enough to draw blood.  Everyone gets them.  Since many if not most aftershaves have antiseptic properties, they help protect those areas from infection.  A bit of a rarity but it does happen.

Skin Appearance and “Feel”

The antiseptic properties of an aftershave also help accomplish two other tasks.  It generates that “tangy snap” feeling you get upon applications and gives you skin a bit of a “glow”.  While both are short-lived and don’t  effect any concrete benefit, it is a fitting end to the shaving ritual which provides a bit of a boost, energizing  and helping prepare one to meet the awaiting challenges of the day.

Other Aftershave Issues

Most aftershaves are alcohol based which provides some of its antiseptic properties.  But it also dries out the skin.  If you have a problem with dry, flakey skin, it’s best to select an aftershave product composed of predominately moisturizing ingredients.  There are many available so read the labels.  An alcohol based product may not be the best for those that have sensitive skin or suffer from acne.

Aftershaves come in many forms and formats: liquids, gels, creams and balms.  As a side note, I’m continually confused about the differences between the last three.  IMHO it’s more or a marketing distinction than one of any real substance.  After you’ve resolved any ingredient issues you may have, the form that the aftershave takes is completely one of personal preference.  I’ve yet to be able to determine any difference between a liquid or “semi-solid” aftershave regarding their performance or durability.  If someone has a different opinion or experience, love to hear from you.

The next issue is fragrance.  Here we have an extremely subjective and contentious issue.  From my personal experience it’s best to let the person who has to smell the fragrance pick it out.  Namely your significant other.  My taste in fragrance often doesn’t mesh well with others’, so I typically don’t pick out my aftershave.  Due to the fact that a few minutes after you apply an aftershave you’ll no long be able to detect its’ presence, the particular fragrance really shouldn’t be a big concern of yours.

Finally is more expensive, better? Not really. It might give you some sense of pride or accomplishment to wear a $100 a bottle aftershave but it only meaningful to you. With the exceptions of a few “experts” with an exceptionally keen sense of smell, will ever know.

One Last Note: No matter who picks out the fragrance, not matter how good it may smell or how may compliments your get, please, please use it sparingly.  A little bit goes a long, long way.  Too heavy an application can make you a social pariah in quick order as well as trigger coughing and sneezing fits from those around you.

Technorati Tags: aftershave, shaving, Shaving Accessories

Funny Videos”>
Classic shaving cream prank – Watch more Funny Videos

Shaving Cream and April fool’s Day seems to go together like ham and eggs.  (Do people still eat ham and eggs?).  Anyway.  It seems like 90% of the April Fools jokes revolve around shaving cream in one way or another.  So in the spirit of the day and because there is still time to put one of these in play, I thought I’d list a few.

• Covering the head of a sleeping victim with shaving cream.
• Putting shaving cream in the hand of a sleeper and then tickling their nose.  Makes for a great YouTube vid.
• For the sports minded, shaving cream in the jock strap is always a crowd pleaser
• Fill a folder with shaving cream.  Put the open end under the door of an unsuspecting target and stomp on the cream filled end.
• Fill a school locker with shaving cream.
• Shaving cream in shoes, socks or pockets works well
• A shaving cream pie sure to get a laugh.

In 1978 Australian businessman had long been discussing a plan to tow an iceberg from Antarctica so he could sell ice cubes.  Sydney residents got really excited when on April 1 of that year a barge towed a large white object into the Sydney harbor.  But when it started to rain the “iceberg” quickly dissolved.  It was made of shaving cream and firefighting foam

Did you know? No one really knows how or where April fool’s Day began. On theory suggests that it started with people being confused by the transition to the Gregorian calendar.  Some think that it has something to do with people’s lightheartedness at the start of spring.

So be sure you have plenty of shaving cream and enjoy the day.

Anyone have any other Shaving Cream Pranks they would like to share?

Technorati Tags: April Fool.s Day, Shaving Cream

I recently came across this study and thought that it might be of interest to many of you who experience irritation and/or discomfort when shaving.  A kind of How to Shave. While I had a couple of problems with how the study was conducted (more on that later), the overall conclusions about shaving accessories are certainly worth noting.  The study was conducted by a dermatologist at Wake Forest University, financed by Gillette (ne Proctor and Gamble).

The Study

The study was composed of 40 men who reported that they suffered from sensitive skin and irritation when shaving.  Two shaving regiments were designed.  The first was composed of regular bar soap to clean the face, canned shaving cream for beard prep and a popular razor.  The second was composed of a proprietary pre shave cleanser, a gel type shaving cream, a high end razor and a post shave balm.  The study participants shaved half their face with each shaving regiment for a period of 14 days.  The results of the study showed that the second regiment produced a significantly more comfortable shave.    They based it on three measures: the participant’s reports of less irritation, their skin was more hydrated and when skin samples were examined under a microscope, less flaking was in evidence.

Although I’m neither a demonologist nor a researcher there do appear to be a couple of things about the study that give you pause.  Fact that P&G financed the study.  Different razors were used in the regiments.  The same razor was used throughout the 14 days.  But in spite of these issues the results do pass the basic logic test.  If you prepare you face by cleansing it properly, use  high quality beard softening/ lubrication soap, cream or gel, use a hydrating post shave balm and you employ a high quality, sharp razor you will get a more comfortable shave, guaranteed.

Conclusions

The result of the study clearly demonstrates the following:

• Cleansing the skin prior to shaving removes all the dirt, oils and dead skin cells from around the hair follicle.  This improves the  hair water absorptions properties, i.e. fatting  and softening it up, enabling the razor to cut the hair closer to the skin without excessive tugging and pulling.
• Using a high quality lubricant (cream, soap or gel) will minimize tugging and pulling and will help hold moisture in hair during the shave.
• Along with the beard, skin cells and moisture is removed during the shaving process which can lead to dry irritated skin.  A quality moisturizing balm will assist and re-moisturizing and protecting the skin.

Although significantly increasing the time spent and the expense of your daily shave.  Paying attention to these extra steps will surely ensure that you get the closest most comfortable shave possible.

Technorati Tags: pre shave cleanser, razor, Shaving Accessories, shaving balm, Shaving Cream, shaving gel

Maintenance…Ugh!!! Who has time to spend on maintenance?  The products we buy should last forever with absolutely no maintenance, Right?  Well that might be correct and if you have something that proves the point let me know, will you.  I’m going to rush right out and get it.  Maintenance is part and parcel of everything we buy.  Neglect it at your own peril, for without a bit of tender loving care the usable life of the item will be cut back drastically. You’ll need to replace it earlier than need be, which that will end up costing you more money.  Shaving Accessories, specifically shaving brushes, are no exception.  A small bit of time spent in extra cleaning and proper storage will prolong its usefulness life significantly.

Post shave maintenance

The first step in the brush maintenance process takes place immediately after your shave.   While probably self-evident, always clean your shaving bush after each shave.  Rinse the brush with warm water removing soap residue.  Once soap is no longer visible give the bristles a gentle squeeze from the handle side to remove the excess water.  An addition gentle shake or two would also be in order simply to ensure that as much water as possible is removed from the bristles.  Using pre shave oil could reduce the water retention properties of your shaving brush.  If you do use oil, it would be a good idea to work up a bit of lather on the brush with some hand soap, then rinse thoroughly.  This should  get rid of the oil residue.

Between shave storage

There are a couple of schools of thought on how to store your  brush between shaves, bristles up or bristles down.  I’m of the bristles down school.  Even though the handle of your brush is flat, allowing for bristle up storage, it’s my feeling that, in many cases, (i.e. inexpensive brushes or those with wood handles) that any water that remains behind at the bristle and handle junction will more rapidly degrade brush.  Storing the brush handle down will allow the water to drain away from that area. Do invest in an inexpensive brush/shaving stand that allows water to drain away from the handle.  If not, simply store the shaving brush bristles down in your shaving mug.

Keep you shaving brush in the open.  Allow it to dry completely between shaves.  Don’t enclose it in a confined area with no air circulation.  Mildew can develop on things that stay damp for too long.  If traveling, don’t store your shaving brush in your dopp kit, leave it in the open.  Don’t worry the maid won’t steal it.

Preventive Maintenance

At least once a year it’s a good idea to give your brush a more thorough cleaning.  My preferred method, although not the most pleasant smelling, is to use a vinegar solution.  Vinegar dissolves the any soap residue that may remain on the bristles or trap in the handle area.  A 9 to 1 hot water to white vinegar ratio should do the trick.  Soak the brush for a couple of minutes making sure that the bristles and lower handle are completely submerged in the solution.  Stir occasionally.  You want the vinegar to penetrate as deeply as possible into the brush.  Once soaking is complete rinse the shaving brush thoroughly and let it soak in clear warm water for a moment to insure that all the vinegar has been washed clear.  Dry with a towel, fluff and store.  You may want to increase the vinegar proportion if you have especially hard water or your brush doesn’t appear clean after the process. If vinegar is not too your liking try Borax, at a ½ teaspoon to 1 cup or water ratio and follow the same procedures.

A good shaving brush will set you back a couple of bucks so a little bit of maintenance will prolong the life of your shaving brush, save you money and insure that you’ll continue to get a great shave year in and year out.

Technorati Tags: borax, maintenance, shaving, Shaving Accessories, Shaving Brush, vinegar, Wet Shaving