The Urban Gentleman

Don’t Drop the Soap: Best Soap Bars for Men (Top 10 List)

| Grooming, Skin, Top/Best List | 6 Comments

Some people just like good ole’ fashion soap bars… and here’s the best…

Tom Ford, $18

This cleansing bar seems to be making its way to every gentleman’s shower- the soap smells great, lasts, and has been highly rated since its release.

Bliss Mammoth Minty Scrub Soap, $18

Supposedly the currently most wanted big bar soap, mainly b/c of its ability to scrub.

Anthony Logistics For Men Glycerin Cleansing Bar, $8.50
100% vegetable-based with natural ingredients to
promote healthy skin.

Dove Beauty Bar, $1.35
Nope, it’s not just for women. Many men swear by Dove

The Art of Shaving Tangerine Body Soap, $18
Cleans, purifies and moisturizes with Tangerine essential oil, high in Vitamin C from California, and Kokum butter to nourish and revitalize the skin

Musgo Real Men’s Body Soap, $6.00
Developed for the aristocracy, this men’s soaps has been handmade and stamped in Portugal since 1887. One of the most popular soap amongst real men.

Sexy For Men Soap Bar, $5.00
A new vegan soap to try.

Molton Brown Moisture Rich Aloe & Palm Body Bar, $22
The “multi-tasker soap”- perfect for face, body, and creates the the perfect foam for a great shave. Contains shea butter, aloe vera, palm oil and pure essential oils.

Zest, $1.99 (3 bars)
There’s nothing like being zestfully clean.

Anthony Logistics For Men Mud Scrub Exfoliating Bar, $12.50
Deep Cleansing. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this product is donated to prostate cancer research.

Other Good Brands: Old Spice, Sharps Happy Me All Over (sold out everywhere though), Irish Green, Palms Cocoa Butter Soap (and Shea Butter Soap).

Celebrity Grooming Must-Haves: Xotics Sweet Jamila and Shave Therapy

| Grooming, Hair, Skin | 5 Comments

Hand made products the leave the hair and skin smooth and moisturized. Used by celebrities like Diddy, Usher, Ne-Yo, Nelly, and Dwayne Wade. The shave therapy soothes skin after shaving and can easily be used as a total body shaving creme.

Noted benefits of Sweet Jamila:
- Adds moisture and strength to hair (perfect as a leave in condition.)
- Helps against breakage and give hair body & manageability.
- Rich in vitamins A, D, and E, and omega-six that tones the skin.
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
- Soothes dry, abused skin and protects against moisture loss.
- Works as an antioxidant and natural sunscreen.

Purchase both products at janellebeauty (they are now sold out).

Groom My Travels: Baxter of California

| Fashion & Style, Grooming, Skin | 1 Comment

This top-notch kit is a must-have for traveling men, only $50 for a kit that includes: face wash, moisturizer, shaving cream, after shave balm, protein shampoo, and 2 cleansing bars. Baxter of California is known for its cutting-edge men’s products that work for many different skin types. Plus you can get free samples online- how dope is that ($5 for shipping). baxterofcalifornia.com

It’s Cold Oustide: Moisturize

| Grooming, Skin, Top/Best List | 3 Comments

Today, New York City was a mess… hella cold, hella rainy, hella windy. And I talked to my friends in Georgia and they’re pretty cold down there as well… so it looks like its officially cold in most of the US. Which means it’s time to give your skin extra care, check out these products:

1. California North Action Moisturizer
Award winning and can be used for your face and body. Official world triathlon skin care product.
buy: californianorth.com

2. Double Duty Face Moisturizer
Designed to hydrate the skin without leaving the skin oily. Suncreen and moisturizer in one.
buy: sephora.com

3. Men-U Ultra Concentrate Facial Moisturizer Lift
Skin refresher that will give your face a noticeable lift (you’ll feel it).
buy: amazon.com

4. African Male Ikhala Moisturizer
Dual-purpose facial moisturizer and post-shave balm.
buy: treasuredlocks.com

For more Grooming Products, go here.

Be Smooth: Basic Skin Care for the Urban Gentleman

| Grooming, Grooming, Guides, Skin | 4 Comments

For some reason somebody created the myth that men don't need to do worry about skincare… "Lever 3000 and Suave is all I need" are words that have been echoed by many- and I must say, "It's sad, oh-so sad". A man doesn't need 20 cremes to take care of his skin, but please guys you can do better than Lever, Suave, and Old Spice.

First off everyone has a different type of skin, some of you may have really dry skin while others may have really oily, sensitive, normal, or problem skin- it's important to realize what type you have. Once you realize it you can buy products that are best for your type of skin.

There are a few key products that most men should use and own:

1. Palmers Products: Shea, Cocoa, or Olive

The realness of it all is that Shea Butter, Coca Butter, and Olive Oil are GREAT for the skin of people of color. If you want smooth, bump-free, stretch mark free (yes men get stretch marks too, especially if you work out) then it's all about these products. Palmers has the best range of products from oils to lotions to cremes to soaps they have it all. And the price of their products are great! Where to buy: Walmart, Target, Walgreens (most drug stores), and online.

Try this:

After washing your body in the shower, rub some Palmers Coca butter oil on from neck to toe then rinse it off. And once you step out the shower dab yourself dry instead of harshly rubbing the towel against your body… I promise you'll see a difference within a week or so.

2. Jack Black Products

They have such a comprehensive range of products that fits all skin types and complexions. There are many men who absolutely swear by Jack Black (I've met a few).
Where to buy: Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Sephora, and online.

Try this:

After washing your hands put on some Jack Black Hand Healer. It's the perfect product for men who work out alot and have rough hands from lifting weights, it's also great for guys who always work outdoors or have jobs that leave their hands rough and dry. I suggest carrying some in your car and having one at home.

3. The Art of Shaving
Oh how I love the name… it just sounds like it's good, huh. Like Jack Black, The Art of Shaving carries products that are great for all skin types. But the difference is that this brand specializes in products for shaving, every gentleman should own atleast one Art of Shaving product.
Where to buy: The Art of Shaving Store, Nordstrom, online.

Try this:
Many men, especially men of color, tend to get ingrown hairs and lots of bumps when shaving.
If you run into this issue then dab some Ingrown Hair Night Cream before going to bed.

Other Good Products:
4. Lab Series
5. MenScience

Try these:

Buy it online from labseries.com

Buy it online from menscience.com

For ALOT more Men's Skincare products go here.

*BEST SKIN CARE PRODUCTS FOR MEN

What are your favorite skincare products?

Men’s Grooming: Diddy & Jigga Man Get Bikini Waxes

| Grooming, Hair, Skin | 13 Comments

Mr. Shawn Carter likes it bare down there

“Bald is Beautiful” – Jay-Z

When I first learned of Jay-Z and Diddy waxing there private areas, I thought it was pretty funny. I thought to myself “Okay Diddy- I can definitely see that, but Jay-Z iounno that’s a little much”. But at the end of the day I do know guys that shave in places that are typically only shaved by women and swimmers. I can totally see why men would do it- cuz no chick wants her man to look like Chewbacca down there, lol, but waxing??? Waxing just seems like it would be too painful for men. . . I mean c’mon putting hot wax down there ripping off the hair- pretty graphic picture, huh? I can just feel pain. . . I mean most women can’t even do it because of how painful it is.

Remember that scene from The 40-Year-Old Virgin? When Steve Carell’s character got his chest-waxed? Soooo painful! I just can’t see why a man would wanna go through that, but I guess Beyonce and Cassie prefer their men hairless. . .

Let’s be real no one’s surprised that Diddy gets bikini waxes

Check out this excerpt I found from one site:

*Men Brazilian Waxing is a hair removal on everything in your bikini, two sides, genital, testicles, gap between the butt and anus with wearing a paper thong. Leave you completely nice and clean, smooth and silky feeling. With a Brazilian wax, you’ll never have to worry about “escaping tendrils” again. A Brazilian wax is not something you should undertake at home; it’s definitely a professional procedure. You’ll never be able to reach all the spots and crevices a professional can, and really, wouldn’t you rather have somebody else making sure you’re perfect?

If you think you want to try to be baby’s bottom smooth you should try to choose products that won’t irritate your skin. I would recommend using whatever you see your mom and/or sister uses- if they have really good skin. There’s an Australian wax called Nad’s for Men Hair Removal Strips that is a favorite. You can find it on Amazon for the low.