Level Up Gents

A lot of you out there are sporting the stache this month participating in Movember to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men.  Since we are well into the month most of you have already chosen the shape/style of your mustache, which after seeing lots of facebook posts, I may not agree with.  But hey- it’s a stache and why not have fun with it?  Here are a few tips to keep your mo fly this month.

Your mustache should never grow beyond your upper lip — otherwise you’ll look too sloppy to be Sharp (and will likely be one of those guys who constantly has food stuff in his facial hair).

When trimming a mustache, begin by trimming the length of the mustache hair from the middle and work your way out to each side. Usually you do not need to trim the top of the beard around the nose.

Keeping clean. To keep facial hair clean, use the same shampoo as you would on your hair and rinse thoroughly.  You can use conditioner every other day to ensure its full bodied and fluffy.

Styling can be done with wax.  Oregon Wildhair Mustache Wax is an artisan wax made using beeswax, petroleum jelly, lanolin, and natural musk oil without perfume, so as not to destroy flavors like tea or coffee.  Start by vigorously brush your moustache with a natural bristle brush to help shape it; then I apply the wax.  If it doesn’t want to cooperate, use a hair dyer to warm the wax after it is on your mustache. Heat one side for 10 seconds or so and then hold the end of the moustache to the shape you want until the wax cools, which takes another 10 seconds. Then I do the same to the other side. Apply more wax if needed.

Tools for Grooming

• The beard trimmer is your most important piece of equipment. The trimmer will help you maintain an even facial hair length (no bald spots) and will also help you define and keep you neckline clean. While it is possible to use a scissors, keeping balance and an even length is much more difficult with simple shears. There are many beard trimmer brands on the market. Choose your favorite at epinions.com.
• When choosing a trimmer it is essential to compare prices with regard to what accessories and features are included. Make sure to check if the model you like is cordless and whether it requires batteries or is rechargeable. The cordless, rechargeable ones are probably the most convenient but will be the most expensive.
• You will also need a narrow-toothed comb for to brush out the mustache. Check out the La Cross Moustache and Beard Groomers, Scissors and Comb at drugstore.com. The comb included in the set is great for beards and other facial hair styles.
• A magnified mirror or three-way mirror can be particularly helpful in judging the evenness of facial hair on each side of the face.
• If you do choose to trim with a scissors, make sure the pair you use is a quality professional pair. The La Cross Moustache and Beard Groomers, Scissors and Comb set is good value, or try the Tweezerman SPA Moustache Scissors

Does this look like you?  Shoulders rolled in, neck plunged forward, upper back hunched?  Not a good look.  Bad posture is incredibly noticeable and reflects badly how you carry yourself.  One of the definitions of posture is “one’s image as perceived by the public.”  Every time I see someone with really bad posture I just want to stick my foot in the middle of their back and grab their arms at the elbow and pull their shoulders back.  Do you know anyone with charisma, confidence, and power with a hunched back?  I didn’t think so.

Bad habits are hard to break but this is an important one to work on.  Get an ergo assessment at your workplace.  They should be offered in the workplace where they set up your workstation correctly.  Some good ways to break the bad posture habits is sit on a yoga ball instead of a regular office chair.  You can’t really slump on a ball and it keeps you active and works on your core.  I highly recommend doing yoga just once a week to keep you flexible but it also helps with your posture.  Plus you get to check out a class of hot chicks that can bend in all sorts of ways.

A friend introduced me to John Bridges How to be a Gentleman: A Contemporary Guide to Common Courtesy.  The book offers practical advice on being a gentleman in the 21st century.  Easy quick read with tips worth reading.  I pulled some of my favorites in personal care:

“A gentleman clips his nose hairs and the unsightly hair in his ears.  As he grows older, he may need to trim his eyebrows.”

“If there is no polish involved, a gentleman occasionally has a manicure.”

“A gentleman washes his hair regularly, and he makes every effort to prevent dandruff.”

“A gentleman never colors his hair.”

“A gentleman never runs out of toilet paper.”