Cindy Crawford: going young at 43

By RaveBoutTheShave

Beauty and Youth have obsessed mankind since Adam met Eve. Adonis, Venus, Cleopatra, Sophia Loren to one Miss Monroe, have all captured imagination. In the post Berlin-wall world, one person has set the benchmark not only on the catwalk, but also for holistic health, for model motherhood and the concept of graceful aging.
Cindy Crawford has symbolized the 'modern day woman' who not only handles the complexities of a supersonic lifestyle but also manages her family with aplomb; the much elusive work-life balance.
Cindy is known for her adherence to discipline, both on and off work. It is her understanding of the basics of health and natural lifestyle that has made her the ageless model and mother that we know.
Lights, Camera, Wardrobes, Airport terminal... The quintessential 'living out of a suitcase'... That's how supermodels like Cindy Crawford earn their bread and butter. The fight is against time as the body clock ticks away tirelessly. But one look at her skin and its glow and you know that Cindy has something special going on. She attributes the 'glow' to the simple rules of nature that she sticks to.
Many of us have been dying to know the secrets of Cindy's Glow, Straight from the horse's mouth. Lets have it.

A youthful view ....from Pier# 43
For most of us, regular beings, Life starts going downhill after 35. But for Cindy Crawford, the real action has just begun. By her own admission, she has never felt so good about the texture of her skin.
Often, motherhood is considered a barrier to the proverbial 'jackpot' of life. Living in the fast lane, Cindy finds that the opportunity of motherhood has invigorated her life and her skin too. The glow of compassion and care transcends from our soul to our skin.
That's from Cindy to all the mothers who are above forty: Take care of your skin; Life has just begun.
But, is skin a prerogative of women only? Take a peep at men's skin care brands, like Baxter of California, The Gentlemens Refinery & Speick.
Men are catching up fast. Maybe Cindy has some tips for the Brads and Georges out there.

The mantra
Cindy's skin-care regimen is not an extra-terrestrial routine. In fact, most of us are well aware of it (it might even be too simple to be followed). But then, in nature, the simplest remedy is the most effective.

• Love nature's nectar. Water replenishes our soul and body. It keeps the PH level of skin exactly what it should be.
• Dump the Puff. Cigarette and good skin? forget about it. If you want to look like your granny at 43, then puff on!
• Avoid the ceiling. Don't overdo your love for looking good, It might spill over. So apply everything in moderation. Remember, less is good – from Food to Cosmetics!
• Don't let your hair down. A healthy bunch complements the glow on your skin. Care for your hair and it will pay back.
• Accept nature. Know your Bio-mechanics and play by its rules. You will age gracefully like a French wine.

Male Skin care …Are you kidding, Mr. Beckham?

By RaveBoutTheShave

Male skin resonates more with the rugged persona of Clint Eastwood – the best looking of the ‘Good Bad and Ugly’ fame. But, that’s like an old Texas tale of a town heartthrob who shot the Sheriff. Have you seen Mr. Eastwood at one of the Oscars lately? He is as well groomed as Cindy Crawford. That pretty much reflects the sign of the times.

David Beckham is a rebel – not just with his Banana Kicks but also off the field. He is the industry ambassador for Male grooming. Beckham is not the only sports superstar to bask in the glory of a clean look. Much Before Beckham, there was one Mr. Air Jordan who graduated from a flying Nike Super-dunk-hunk to the owner of a men's cologne line.  

And there are sports icons like Tiger Woods and Roger Federer – who seem to be as fastidious about their skin as about their game.  

Nivea for Men

You heard it right. Nivea is the undisputed leader for Men's grooming in the UK and are well known for their association with football - with the clean cut Beckham as the face of their product line. Nivea knows that the prospects are really bright for the Male grooming segment when the women's beauty industry turns over $150 Billion per year. Any marketer worth his salt will tell you the upward graph of Mens beauty industry.  

Can the shaving product giant, Gillette be left behind? Not, if they had any doubt about the Male skin care demand boom. Not to miss the macho gold-mine, they signed a multi-million dollar contract with modern day Adonis – David Beckham – to launch their products.

Men’s Grooming: coming of age
A couple of years back a discussion like this would have been out of place. But, the frontiers are being challenged and we have seen women astronauts to a woman US presidential candidate – and then the first African American president of the US.  

So why not a Men's face wash or a Mens face mask or mens only scrubber? What about a Night cream for men or an Under Eye concentrate for Men? 

The fact is that they are all there.  

Baxter of California, Clubman Pinaud, Nivea for Men, Taylor of Bond Street have all seen the 'beauty conscious Male species' lapping up their products. Men's beauty care has surely come of age.


Sensible Stats
Synovate is a Global market intelligence company. In 2008, it conducted a global survey with the theme of their research being 'Male Beauty awareness'. One of the survey questions asked the respondents 'Whether they preferred a clean-shaven look'.  

The result of the survey must have been music to the ears of Razor companies: 

• 79% of men agreed that clean-shaven was the way-to-look for them 
• Almost 90 % South African men liked a clean razor cut look followed by China (88%) and Spain (84%) 
• Greece, Australia, and Brazil were at the bottom of the Clean-cut table 
• The top three most used products by men across all the markets surveyed were deodorant at 72% usage, whitening toothpaste at 61% and cologne or after shave at 58%
  

L'Oreal For Men, Macho Maybelline, Elizabeths Boxers

Not very unrealistic Brands – considering such a drastic shift in the Male Beauty & skin care perception

Macho moves for your skin!
For most of the male species, skin care comes as an 'also to be done' act– almost an activity that could be substituted with something more meaningful. But then, Male skin needs as much nurturing as a woman's skin and even more because of our 'way of life'.

A simple skin care regime can make it easier on us:

• Say No to Alcohol for Nicks, Burns, Rashes. Do not use alcohol based shaving creams or after shave lotions with alcohol.  
• Fight oil with Water. For oily faces, washing your face at least 3 times a day with water is a necessity if you Have Blackheads. Don't be shy to have a regular facial, and keep a cleansing mask in your medicine cabinet 
• Say no to artificial drinks & cigarettes if dark circles are creeping up.  
• Go with the Grain and not against; your skin will love it. Follow it up with an alcohol-free aftershave.

Fendrihan - Traditional Shaving Shop

10 Things You Didn't Know About Jacob Schick

Or maybe more than ten, who's counting. He didn't just give us the electric shaver, the man has quite a history behind him. An entrepreneur, inventor, adventurer, war veteran and an optimist (or at least so it seems to me; he expected to live to 120 just as a result of shaving properly). Quite the character; read more about him and his invention here.  

Fendrihan :: Classic Double-Edge Razor Blades

Landscaping my what?

Mr. Smith from the Globe and Mail is not beating around the bush with his answer to this one. Definitely worth a read, why not. I guess the subject begs the question, like with everything else in life, where do you draw the line? Should you stop shaving, trimming, waxing at the neck? waist? or just take it all the way home?  And what is the etiquette on matching; for example, if you have a goatee, should the nether regions sport a Vandyck?

New Guest Blogger

I'm glad to welcome RaveBoutTheShave as a guest blogger here on the Dispatch. His first article is live now and I enjoyed his style and outlook; great to know there's still someone out there who's that passionate about a badger brush. Thanks, Rave, and I hope you get the time to post some more soon.

Going through March Madness – Get a Badger Hair Shaving brush!

By RaveBoutTheShave

We are going through some real crazy times – Light wallets to rising pill of bills – not to mention the mortgage and the prices at the pump. OK , cut the chase – What does this have to do with shaving brushes?

Most of us are chasing shadows while trying to bring our house in order. So, how are shaving brushes going to help me?

Coming to that...
Well, let me start on a philosophical note – 'Embrace life and it will embrace you back' ..
But, do we have the time to enjoy the little pleasures of life - Let's ask ourselves...
Still no Shaving brushes...

We are in the age of drive-through breakfasts and instant coffees – and even instant drive-through marriages – remember Dennis Rodman of the Chicago Bulls. You must be thinking where I am getting with this and the Shaving brushes ...

Well, most of us want to be pampered, look good, relax, and have a good time – don't we?
Now, it's my turn to ask you a question...

How can you forget the soothing touch of a Shaving brush dipped in hot water tub – and sprinkled with English shaving cream....

Imagine the morning sun on your face all soaked in soothing lather waiting to reveal the baby skin under it?
A gentle brush on my skin would just make my day ...Yours too, if you are still loving your wet shaving routine... Shaving Brushes are the curators of the wet shaving regime...

Most wet shaving lovers would treasure their shaving brushes like an original Swiss knife.

OK, now I guess, you might have a feel of where I was getting with the 'Shaving Brushes' treatise.
The gist is that we have forgotten the old art of going with the flow – enjoy the little wonders of nature – bury ourselves in a soft pillow – and soak in the gentle caress of a Shaving Brush.

March madness or April Madness – The crazy times will always be there...
Shaving brushes can change the way we look at a day – Slow, gentle, loving, and most important a much needed exfoliation - a perfect start to a new day.

Kent BLK12, Extra-Large Silvertip Shaving Brush

Shaving Brushes – Badger or Boar?
The old timers now what I am talking about. Any wet shaver worth his salt know the pleasures of shaving with a badger hair shaving brush...
'Badger to Boar' is Like 'Silk to nylon'.

The gentle caress of Badger hair Shaving brush - The memories remain for life. So, go for a badger hair shaving brush even if it is a cheap one.

Badger Brush by scottfeldstein

Shaving Brushes – The Good Old days

OK, let me ask you guys...

How many of you have had breakfast at IHOP (International House of Pancakes) lately ?
An hour long breakfast - Double omelet, French toast, Pancakes with maple syrup.....So far away from a Burger King Drive through.

How many of you have traveled from Windsor to Quebec on Via rail?
French wine & cheese, 5 course dinner, walking the aisle – through streams and bridges ...Far removed from LAX , Heathrow

In the same vein, I should ask you –
How many of you have felt the bristles of a Shaving brush lathered with a good old-style shaving cream?

If you can answer yes to either one of the above, your life is close to being normal....

Good Quality on a Dime... and Speick

Speick After Shave Balm

I wanted to point out these two great (though not-that-new) posts that talk about quality grooming products for a reasonable price. The first one is compliments of Kafeneio and comes with enlightening  industry-insider revelations. I make it sound more scandalous than what it is, but it all comes down to this: assess your shaving products for what they really are and don't let the brand fog your judgement. He brings out an example of a good, honest product (or two, produced by the same Canadian house). That's Booster and J.M. Fraser, and I completely agree.

The second post is from Mantic59 and picks up Kafeneio's line of thought, adding more products worth of note. Mantic closes with one of his favorite lines, Speick, which is a German gem of a company. 

You could say Speick is a company with a philosophy, and not just some made-up story for the sake of looking dignified. Founded by an anthroposophist, the meaning behind its grooming line seems almost too enlightened for our everyday shave, but that's alright with me, and it comes at a good price too.

Speick Natural Soap

The Financial Post Gives the Badger Brush the Thumbs Up

Simpsons Shaving Brushes. 

From left to right: Wee Scot, Chubby 1, Keyhole 1, and Polo 10; all in best badger hair.

Here's an article from the Financial Post that gives a nod to the old trusty badger brush. The reasons are well known to those who shave regularly with this natural wonder; for the author, host of CBC Business Fred Langan, it seems to come down to style and economy (both in terms of money and energy). As an interesting footnote, his own badger hair brush is 20 years old! I wonder what brand and model it is.

Kent, Simpsons, and Rooney Shaving Brushes at Fendrihan

The Perfect Stone: Belgian Coticules

Girls like diamonds... wet-shavers prefer coticules...

I just got this batch of excellent Belgian coticules and I don't want to brag, but they're great. They're awesome to sharpen a straight razor, but you can about sharpen any kind of tool with it, and sharpen it well. Some of these beauties are natural combo stones, which means they have two different kind of stones that are found together and harvested in this way. Just like the picture above, where you see a yellow and blue combo stone, these have different grit on each side, making them very versatile. These stones are pretty special; they contain millions of hard, faceted garnets that polish without damaging or abrading the surface of the steel. 

Belgian Coticules at Fendrihan