shaving tips

5 Steps to Flawless Stems, You're Welcome

It's sundress season (almost bikini season... eek!), which means it's time to shed your tights and show off your legs!  While I can't wait I also have some work to do and have a feeling you may too.  My biggest problem is that I'm so pale I'm practically see through!  Then, of course there's always spider veins, scars and whatever else we'd like to rid (do I need to mention cellulite?).  So here you have it, five steps to air-brush quality stems. 1. Rid Dead Skin

While it may seem obvious to exfoliate, if you don't do it right, the whole step is pointless.  "To get the most out of the process, go up and down your leg in two sections, from your hip to your knee and then your knee to your ankle, in circular motions," Jamie Ahn, the President of the Town House Spa explains.  The Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish is one of my all time favorite exfoliants.

2. Remove Unwanted Hair

I've tried several hair removal tactics, but usually shave.  To get the closest shave, the best time to shave your legs is at the end of your shower when your skin is softened and hair follicles are relaxed.  A good shaving cream and razor make all the difference.  Invest in a razor that pivots with the contours of your body.  I like the Schick Hydro Silk, because it has four blades and releases a moisturizing serum when it gets wet.  For shaving cream, EOS Ultra Moisturizing Shaving Cream is my go-to.  It stays put and feels more like I'm lathering up in moisturizer than applying shaving gel.

3. Banish Cellulite

“The key to ridding cellulite is all in circulation,” spilled Ahn.  Your butt, and thighs normally receive no circulation on their own so you have to work them yourself.  Do squats and lunges to get the blood flowing in that area and massage it in a circular motion.  You’ll see in a short period of time that the cellulite is not as noticeable.  You can also try using a product like L'Occitane Almond Beautiful Shape that stimulates micro-exfoliation, has draining ingredients as well as caffeine, which helps to decrease the appearance of cellulite over time.

4. Achieve A Golden Glow

After exfoliating and removing all unwanted hair it's time to self tan.  First apply a thin coat of moisturizer around your toes and any dry areas that may pick up too much color.  For the perfect self tan you're going to need two types of tanner: a mousse and a spray.  If you only want to use one opt for the mousse, but be careful around you knees and ankles.  Apply the mousse like a body lotion up and down your legs skipping your knees and ankles, then spritz your knees and ankles with the can.  Since those areas tend to be drier, then pick up more pigment and spray applicators distribute a bit lighter.  I've been using the St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse and Guerlain Terracotta Self Tanning Spray. (I also think they're both great for the whole body depending on your self-tan style).

5. Cover Spider Veins and Bruises

While you can't make them vanish in a flash, you can cover them up for a night out, but the concealor you use on your face won't cut it.  Try body makeup that's known for covering tattoos like DermaBlend Leg & Body Cover or Cover Fx Camouflage Concealor.  I've tried both on my legs and on the tattoo on my wrist for filming certain segments and they work like a charm.  Pick a color that matches your skin tone and then set it with a powder.  The formulas last for hours and don't rub off on clothes as long as you don't put too much on.  A little bit goes a long way.

How To Get Him To Upgrade His Grooming Loot

As anyone who reads this blog knows, we're the type of girls who sometimes purchase products just for their packaging (OK maybe more often than not), spend the extra $5 to get the gift with purchase and really do care how our perfumes look displayed on our bathroom counters.  It matters!  Now think about your man, if he had the same habits as you it could be considered a turn off (does the term metro-sexual even exist anymore?). However, when thinking about grooming compared to primping, if your man has the appropriate tools to manscape, and cared about his loot as much as you did yours, you'll benefit from the results.  Follow? Therefore, the best thing to do is to gift your boyfriend "just because" with manly products that he understands, but wouldn't necessarily buy for himself.

Example: The Art of Shaving 4 Elements to A Perfect Shave Kit, $100

For one, your man's not going to splurge on this for himself when he can use his one drugstore product to rid hair.  Slip this into being part of his birthday gift and tell him you thought he'd love the experience of getting the "barbershop shave" at-home.  Not his birthday?  Sometimes instead of purchasing another new cocktail ring or fall perfume for yourself think about him instead.  This is the first step to getting him to upgrade all of his products and the way he thinks about grooming.  It may be so worth it!

The Art of Shaving Kit comes with pre-shave oil (to soften the hair for a closer shave), shaving cream, after shave balm (super moisturizing) and a shaving brush.  His skin will feel as soft as a baby's bottom and his side of the medicine cabinet will look almost as nice as yours.  I mean, if I were a guy I'd totally want that little brush thing.

 

Schick Intuition Gifts Fans Smooth Legs & Free Music

It may be winter but this season is all about showing off your legs so Schick Intuition comes to the rescue. What girl doesn’t want incredibly smooth legs?  Well we all know shaving can lead to drier skin so I suggest using Schick Intuition because of the built-in moisturizing shave bar. My favorite is the Schick Intuition Plus Renewing Moisture with pomegranate extract, not only because it's pink and looks cute in my shower, but also because it smells great and my legs feel moisturized after use.

Because the brand loves their fans, if you go to emusic.com you can score 2 free music downloads as a gift from them to you! All you have to do is go to www.facebook.com/schickintution and "like" their page then click on the "K.I.S.S. & Jam" tab to receive an exclusive code for the free music. It’s that easy.  So dance around your apartment with your sexy, smooth legs!

Help Him Pamper At-Home... You'll Reap the Benefits

Everyone knows that men like to be pampered – as a matter of fact, they make up about 1/3 of the spa goer population. According to the 2010 Day Spa Goer Report, even though men may still be the minority of day spa clients, when they do pay a visit, they spend more and are more loyal to a facility. Special salons or shall I say – barber shops – are popping up in major cities like New York, Los Angeles and Miami that cater to their manly needs and go way beyond the hair cut. The Sloane Square Barbers & Shoppe in Miami Beach, FL offers a la carte services that include luxury haircuts, beard trims, hot lather shaves, mini facials, nail grooming (for hands and feet) and shape ups.  However, for the more dedicated men, they have memberships where a monthly fee is paid for unlimited services.  Why don't spas offer that for women?  Can you imagine unlimited facials and pedis?

I spoke with Todd Goldenfarb, the Founder of Sloane Square Barbers & Shoppe to find out how guys can give themselves a pampering, barber shop shave at home. Ladies,... print this one out for the men in your life!  If he follows the directions you'll thank me later – no more scratchiness during a make out sesh!

  1. Use a hot towel or steam to warm the face to soften the hairs around the beard and open the pores
  2. Use a glycolic cleanser to rid any dead skin cells and lift hairs
  3. Apply shaving cream with a shave brush to lift hairs – this will ensure a closer shave
  4. Shave with the grain – short strokes on the cheeks, beard, chin and lip and longer strokes for the neck
  5. Rinse the blade throughout the process for a more effective shave
  6. Post shave, splash face with cool water to close the pores
  7. Use an after shave to prevent irritation