Photo by Clare Sausen Is your grooming routine in need of a major tune-up? When it comes to performance, not all lotions and potions are created equal. No, not every car in the parking lot is a Mercedes Benz. But stocking your medicine cabinet with a few of the right products will take your regime from 0 to 60. Here are a few high-octane products that deliver turbocharged results.
Having a solid pre-shave ritual is critical. Prepping your skin with just three to four drops of Grooming Lounge Beard Master Shave Oil can eliminate razor burn and irritation.
How it works: The perfect blend of Meadowfoam to lift whiskers, Peppermint Oil to lubricate the skin and soothing Avocado Oil come together to form a see-through, slick barrier between the skin and the blade. Less drag on the razor equals less redness and irritation.
Think of using a regular disposable cartridge razor like driving a reliable car. It will get you where you need to go, and there’s nothing wrong with the ride. But learning to master a double-edged safety razor like the Merkur 34C will lead to a more luxurious smoother ride. Like a supped up sports car, it’s all about the handling. Hold the razor at a 30-degree angle, pull your skin tight and take short strokes.
How it works:
Because this razor weighs a little more, it requires less pressure when shaving. Yes, the blades are sharp, and they'll take down your whiskers in a jiff. Less pressure and fewer passes with the razor means fewer bumps and burn.
Scrub
While it doesn’t have to be part of the daily ritual, a scrub should be part of every man’s skincare maintenance. Using Jack Black Face Buff Energizing Scrub will improve the efficacy of all your shaving and skincare products while taking care of those nasty in-grown hairs.
How it works:
Small scrubbing particles supply just the right amount of friction to remove dead skin cells, free trapped ingrown hairs and deep clean pores. And once the dirt and grime are gone, all the goodness from your shave oil, creams and balms can sink in and go to work.
Healthy skin is well hydrated and should be moisturized every day. Doing so helps your skin retain its elasticity and preserves your youthful good looks. Before sun damage, pollution and birthdays start showing on your face, add a serum to your routine. Different than a moisturizer, a serum like Brickell Reviving Day Serum for Men is super concentrated and penetrates deeper delivering moisture and vitamins.
How it works:
Collagen is king when it comes to looking young. As you age, you lose the ability to produce this vital protein. Serums contain active Protein Peptides that help rev up the production of more collagen, which restores firmness and diminishes fine lines.
It’s common to carry some extra under eye baggage when you’re tired, hung-over or stressed. Puffiness happens when the delicate tissue under your eyes fills up with fluid. You can use a cold compress to bring down the swelling. Or you can accelerate the process and awaken your tired peepers with Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Eye De-Puffer.
How it works:
Caffeine supplies the horsepower to this energizing cool-on-contact eye treatment. It’s a hero ingredient that dramatically decreases swelling and inflammation by constricting blood vessels and shrinking under-eye baggage in an instant.
Hailing from all over the country these bourbons defy the odds with their reasonable price tag and can turn a nightcap into a night you’ll (hopefully) never forget. Here are the seven best bottles of bourbon under $100.
