Watermans Applied Science offers the best high-performance sunscreen on the market. It’s designed for high-intensity athletes and tough guys like you. It’s formulated to stand up to the rigorous demands of active life in the sun, wind and water so you don’t have to suffer any negative consequences.

Honestly, this sunscreen is insane. It won’t bleed in your eyes, make your hands slippery or wear off prematurely. And, it won’t negatively affect your performance, athletic performance that is.

Watermans Applied Science starts with a base lotion that holds the sunscreen in place and is packed full of awesome additives to keep your face looking great. All you have to do is decide if you need a micronized mineral sunscreen, insoluble for the most extreme conditions, or an organic sunscreen, a good backup to the heavy duty stuff.

Photo courtesy of Watermans Applied Science.

They promise their sun creams and face sticks won’t leave you looking pasty, and they even have lip balm in case you go in for that kiss.

There’s more you can do:

• Don’t let yourself burn, period.
• Avoid UV tanning booths unless you want your sexuality called into question.
• Apply SPF 15 or higher, preferably by a hot woman.
• Reapply every two hours; see previous bullet.
• Look for weird skin conditions when you’re checking yourself out in the mirror.
• See a doctor if you find something funky.

Don’t let the sun get you down. Make sure you’re carrying this summer.

1. You should put on the best version of yourself when you go out in the world because that is a show of respect to the other people around you.

2. A gentleman today has to work. People who do not work are so boring and are usually bored. You have to be passionate, you have to be engaged and you have to be contributing to the world.

3. Manners are very important and actually knowing when things are appropriate. I always open doors for women, I carry their coat, I make sure that they’re walking on the inside of the street. Stand up when people arrive at and leave the dinner table.

4. Don’t be pretentious or racist or sexist or judge people by their background.

5. A man should never wear shorts in the city. Flip-flops and shorts in the city are never appropriate. Shorts should only be worn on the tennis court or on the beach.”

Personal branding for men.

to be continued…………..

The choice as to whether or not to don an undershirt is really a matter of personal preference and style.  You may decide to wear an undershirt for reasons of warmth, comfort, hygiene or style.  But if we may, let us begin with the answer in mind.  Yes gentlemen wear undershirts.

Undershirts give you a clean, crisp, polished look, extend the life of your wardrobe investments and protect your shirts and sweaters from sweat, body oils and deodorant stains.  So stop reading and go out and buy some quality shirts right now.  Oh wait, you need to know what to get.  So keep reading.

Why should I bother?

1.  The most obvious answer is that it helps men that sweat by absorbing perspiration and by keeping their dress shirt dry.  It also prevents those nasty yellow stains from wrecking your expensive white dress shirts.

2.  By absorbing perspiration and body odor, wearing an undershirt allows you to go longer between launderings with your better dress shirts and sweaters.

3.  Comfort is another reason.  Many garments, especially wool just don’t feel that snazzy on your skin all day long.

4.  Wearing an undershirt also keeps things under wraps like nipples and chest hair.  While you might be exceptionally proud of these manly attributes, they’re best brought out for special occasions and not introduced during sales calls and board meetings.

5.  We believe that properly fitted, an undershirt helps you and your dress shirt look better and give you an overall finished appearance.

What types of undershirt should I wear?

A-Shirt

These shirts have gotten a bad rap in recent years being associated with domestic abuse, gang violence and the like.  These shirts are the thinnest of undershirts, sleeveless and usually distinguished by a ribbed pattern that shows through the shirt.  These shirts are best worn with a Camel cigarette hanging out of your mouth and a Schlitz beer in your right hand (dang, see what we mean about bad rap).  Trust us, never wear these shirts, especially when cutting the lawn.

Crew neck

Just about every guy has these and they are the most common.  These shirts have the round collar and are usually worn under dress shirts and designer bearskins.

V-Neck

Similar to the crew neck shirt except that the collar has a V shape and can be worn when wearing your shirt with an open collar.

Can I pick up a 10-pack of these at Walmart?

Well, yes but don’t.  Believe it or not quality does matter.  Even though the undershirt isn’t supposed to be seen, unless of course, you are prone to dribbling your lunch and wearing narrow ties, undershirts are meant to be smoothing layers so that the outer garment drapes better and looks better.  So fit and material are everything.

Economy shirts just are not up to the task.  First, they are hang on your body instead of conforming and instead of smoothing they add bulk.  They are usually constructed of thick cotton and add a soggy, smelly marsh between you and your crisp white shirt.  Lastly, they tend to run short making them difficult to keep tucked in.  And they don’t wash well.

So once again, you get what you pay for.  Look for thin, high quality blends containing a stretch modal fiber.  These shirts are like micro-fibers, breathe nicely and help to keep your shirt tucked in all day.

 What kind should I buy?

If money is not an object and you are looking to do a little “sculpting” shall we say, Equmen, an Australian brand, is really the ultimate.   This collection of underwear offers men the ultimate control and support with its line of core precision control underwear and undershirts.

Under Armour is also a good alternative with built-in HeatGear moisture transport, ArmourStretch 4-way lightweight fabrics and built-in Odor Technology that prevents the growth of odor causing microbes.

Tommy John Undershirt

Another excellent choice is Tommy John.  These micro modal undershirts simply do the job by absorbing moisture and keeping it out of your dress shirt, and creating a smooth look.

Final Tips

1.  Here’s the lowdown on those pesky yellow armpit stains.  The real cause is your antiperspirant.  Aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex mixes with colorless perspiration and causes the yellow stains.  Plus, it doesn’t sound like something you want close to your body anyway.  So look for better deodorants that don’t contain this junk.

2.  Fit is important,.  Too tight and you’re uncomfortable.  Too big and it’s bulky and your dress shirt doesn’t lay right.

3.  Only wear undershirts once between washings.  While they help with body odor, unless you enjoy working alone and long distance relationships, splurge and put on a fresh one every day.

4.  We believe that the undershirt should not be seen.  If you are buttoning up and wearing a tie, opt for the crew neck.  If you are wearing an open collar then choose a V neck.

5.  Don’t wear your undershirts as outerwear.  If you want to wear a T shirt that’s fine, just get one that has a slightly heavier fabric, better stitching and is meant to be seen.

6.  Consider wearing a heather gray undershirt.  It blends better with your skin tone and is virtually invisible under your dress shirt.

Ok, now you can go shopping and would you bring us back one of those body shaping Ecumen’s? Not that we need it of course.

This is how it’s done in Denver from head to toe.  GQ Barber Lounge’s stylist Crystal cut and styled his hair, but Eric did the rest.  From his beautiful vintage style shoes to great trousers and masterfully blended fabrics and colors, Eric put it down and let the world know that Milan’s got nothin’ on Denver when it comes to mens’ fashion.

However, if you’re cruising into the gym with an expandable Tumi on rollers stocked full of shampoos, conditioners, scrubs, moisturizers, ball powder and who knows what else, we need to talk.  On the other hand, if your Dopp kit contains only lava soap, a swiss army knife and condoms, we still need to talk.

SPA Future Thinking, a market research firm recently reported that

• Almost two-thirds of men use grooming products for men because it makes them feel good
• Nearly two-thirds believe that it gives them more confidence
•  Many guys think it will get them into the sack
• But 1 in 5 men do not use deodorant
• One in four do it because they think it will make them successful

Successful guys know that paying attention to grooming simply makes sense.  ZZ Top said it best ” every girl crazy about a sharp dressed man.”  In business and in the bars, the competition is tough.  Smart guys look for and use every competitive edge they can.  It’s all about your personal branding.  You can break the rules, you can let your hair grow longer, you don’t even have to shave.  It just needs to be intentional and you need to look like you know what you’re doing.

Check out this video by American Crew and see what we mean.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gf5rbA_I–Y

Everyone notices your hair.  Use professional hair care products like American Crew or Paul Mitchell.  Your hair needs to look and smell clean.  Using gels and pomades to get just the right look doesn’t make you a sissy, it just makes you look good.  And people notice. Besides, why use your wife or girlfriend’s shampoo?  You don’t use her tampons do you?

When it comes to shaving, that trusty old can of foam that your dad used just won’t cut it anymore.  It deadens your skin so that you shave too close and it drys out your skin.  Not cool.  We’re not suggesting that you need to step up to The Four Elements of a Perfect Shave by the Art of Shaving with preshave oil, shaving cream and after shave balm.  However, at least consider using better products such as Jack Black’s Beard Lube and Double Duty Moisturizer.  Professional grooming products work better, feed your skin and make you look sharp.

Soap is not meant to be used as shampoo, shaving cream and body wash.  And honestly, some of the stuff that comes packaged up in five and ten packs is murder for your skin.  Oh yeah, it may smell like irish spring, but it can also kill the pH balance of your skin.  A better body wash is just that, a better body wash.  Your skin is the largest organ on your body and deserves to be taken care of.  You wouldn’t put harsh cleansers and cheap wax on your car would you?  Professional body cleansers such as Paul Mitchel’s Lemon Sage or Lavender Mint do a great job of cleansing and protecting your skin. Then you don’t need to worry about getting up close.

“You are your greatest asset. Put your time, effort and money into training, grooming and encouraging your greatest asset.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                –Tom Hopkins

Better grooming products give you confidence when it’s on the line.  The last thing you need to worry about is how you look and smell when going for the close.

Granted, we were excited when remote controllers for TV’s came out.  And when cell phones the size of a suitcase weighing 20 lbs. became available we went nuts.  And now….there’s inhalable caffeine.  Just when we thought maybe America had lost its edge, lost its competitive spirit, lost its ability to innovate its way to leap tall buildings in a single bound, there’s Aeroshot.

David Edwards a mad scientist, err professor at Harvard “fuses the deductive logic of scientific experimentation with the intuitive inspiration of artistic creation.” We didn’t say that, he did. Heck,we don’t even know what that means.

But we do know this, Aeroshot is cool.  This little device that frankly looks like a shotgun shell packs a bunch of B vitamins and 100 milligrams of caffeine into each dose.  What’s different about it is that you pull on the pump and it supposedly releases a puff of citrus flavored B vitamins and caffeine that instantly dissolves in your mouth.  More convenient than traditional energy drinks and Starbucks, but you might miss that cute little leaf on top of your 2 PM latte.

The product will be released in Boston and New York in January, 2012 but if you act now they’ll send you a free sample to try.  Early reports say that the shot tastes bad, really bad but then it goes away.  And then whammo, the caffeine hits you like the turbo boost on a Porsche Carrera.  Clean, pure energy that snaps you alert, helps you focus and then…well you crash…just like with the Carrera.

Ok so it’s not the answer to nonrenewable energy depletion and won’t solve the energy crisis but won’t it be fun to explain to the TSA Agent that the little device isn’t really a shotgun shell, doesn’t contain liquids and only contains a fine powder that gives you a jolt.

(Image courtesy of Esquire Magazine)

Let’s face it, getting your back waxed, chest waxed or any other part of your body slathered in hot wax that is then unceremoniously ripped off is no guys’ idea of a great Saturday afternoon. So why would any guy in his right mind even consider it? Because times have changed and even though “that guy” called the Metrosexual is long gone, cleaning up your act and paying attention to male grooming has become part of building the professional man’s personal brand. It’s called manscaping.

So here is a guide to the wonderful world of waxing for men.

1. What is waxing?

Waxing is a hair removal service for men that involves applying hot wax to the area where hair is to be removed, pressing down with a cloth or a muslin strip over the area and then quickly ripping away the strip. Along with the strip comes the wax, the hair, the root, the whole shebang. Some salons for men use a similar method called sugaring that dates back as far as the ancient Egyptians.

2. Why should I get waxed?

As men age, hair starts to grow in other places, in and on your ears, in your nose, on your back and chest. Hair in other places can become a bit unruly. It’s really hard to pay attention to someone when they’ve got hairy vines growing out of their nose and their ears sport a nice orange halo in the sunset. Many professional men routinely get their brows waxed as part of a their normal grooming regime.

Smooth skin just feels better and it cuts down on body odor. Plus, women prefer clean, smooth skin that smells good. So wouldn’t you rather have a woman’s arms wrapped around your back than a forest of smelly hair that you can’t even reach to wash.

For a little fun, spend a minute and check out this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpEsNrYEssw

3. What parts do men have waxed?

Most guys tame and shape their eyebrows first. It’s really about taming the unibrow. Two eyebrows are better than one and nobody wants massive tree branches hanging above their eyes. Next up are the ears and nose. It’s relatively painless, quick and just something that every guy who wants to be taken seriously needs to do.

The next areas are back and chest. Some hair is fine, even manly. But if you look like a gorilla front or back, you may want to consider waxing.

Some men are opting to go all out and wax their manatomy. There is no truth to the rumor that trimming the shrub makes the tree look taller. It’s simply a matter of personal preference for you and your partner. Most guys can improve their manatomy grooming by using a personal body groomer. We recommend the Phillips Bodygroomer if only because we love their videos. Here’s another one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsbXwzqlqsU

4. Is it painful?

This won't hurt a bit

Well…..yeah.  But it’s really not too bad. Facial waxing including brows, nose and ears goes pretty quickly and only smarts for a second or so. Depending on your sensitivity, getting your back and chest waxed can be a little more painful because these areas are larger and in the beginning the hairs are usually thicker. Some guys take an aspirin or other pain reliever 30 minutes before a waxing service. With repeated waxing over time, the hair grows weaker and thinner and the whole ordeal becomes no big deal.

5. Will the hair grow back?

Yes, it will grow back. However, waxing weakens the root and it will grow in finer over time.

6. Can’t I do this with a home kit?

Well yes, but do you want to? It’s hard enough to wash your own back, let alone wax it. Then there’s the mess and clean-up. And if your waxing your manatomy, it’s really not the way the to spend a Saturday night.

7. Are there other methods of hair removal?

Why yes, sports fans, there are. You can try electrolysis or laser hair removal. These methods take more time and are considerably more expensive.  The upside is that both of these methods are permanent. But be careful. You may decide that you want that hair back to keep you warm in the winter. Or the hot young chick you got waxed for in the first place is gone along with your hair, your money and your Ferrari.

On a serious note, permanent hair removal options do make sense for athletes, body builders and models. And for those that want a tattoo, laser hair removal is also a good alternative.

8. How long does my skin stay red?

Immediately after waxing, your skin is irritated. The redness usually goes away in a couple of hours. If not, call your doctor.

9. What should I do before a waxing treatment?

Exfoliate the skin. Make sure that your skin is clean and free of oils, lotions and moisturizers. For back and chest waxing you should have at least a quarter inch of hair so that the wax can adhere.

10. What should I do after a waxing service?

It’s more about what you should not do:

• Don’t suntan or stay out in the sun for prolonged periods for at least 12 hours, 24 is better.
• Don’t go swimming or hang out in a hot tub for at least 12 hours.
• Don’t take a steam or dry sauna immediately after. Wait until the next day.
• Don’t apply cologne or strongly scented creams right away.
• Do apply a vitamin E cream or aloe/chamomile gel or cream to soothe the skin.

So how do you find a barber shop in Denver that meets your needs?

1. Location:  Do you want something quick and easy?  Then look for a chain with several locations around town.  Floyd’s Barbershops has locations all over the Denver metro area.  And while they are our competitor, we think they do a pretty darn good job, they’re not too expensive and chances are you drive by one of their shops every day.
2. Cost:  Let’s face it, not everybody cares about a haircut as much as we do at GQ Barber Lounge.  Sometimes, good enough is good enough.  If you’re not looking for finish and detail, or a grooming experience, or additional services or a wide selection of men’s grooming products, then one of the quick cut places in the mall or a corner barbershop may be just the ticket.
3. Additional Services:  If you’re looking for more than a haircut you may need to look beyond traditional barbershops and quick cut franchises.  At GQ Barber Lounge we offer much more than just stunning, highly detailed and finished haircuts for men.  We also offer thinning hair solutions, coloring, scalp treatments, massage, waxing, shaves, manicure, pedicures and skin fitness treatments for men.
4. Quality of the haircut:  Not all haircuts are created equal.  And unfortunately you do get what you pay for.  If the haircut is inexpensive, they have to make up for it by doing lots of haircuts.  That means the stylist or barber doesn’t have a lot of time to spend detailing, blending and finishing your haircut to perfection.  At GQ Barber lounge we charge more than most places because we take the time to do a better job, we spend money training our barbers and stylists to produce tall, lean masculine looks, our stylists and barbers expect more money and we only use quality products.  You get what you pay for.
5. Relationships:  Some guys simply don’t care who cuts their hair and that’s ok.  After all, it’s just a haircut.  Seriously.  At GQ Barber Lounge it’s not just a haircut, it’s your haircut.  It’s your personal branding statement and we want to make sure we get it right.  Plus, it’s also about relationships and experience.  You have to get a haircut, so why not get a great haircut?  While you’re at it, drive a little farther, take a little more time, add some services, give yourself a break and enjoy a truly personalized grooming experience. Or you can go down to that place by the  7/11 and get your haircut in 10 minutes for 10 bucks.

In the beginning he was bold and brash.  He challenged the way things were.  Steve even managed to get fired from his own company and then he sold his consolation prize (Pixar) for $7.6 billion.  He really did ask us if we wanted to change the world and then he went out and did it.  And he did it over and over again.

He defined style.  Man, did he define style.  Was he ever Mr. Jobs to anyone?  Or was he simply Steve.  Watch the YouTube video of his presentation to the Cupertino City Council.  He was presenting them with greatness in how Apple’s new headquarters would change Cupertino, how it would accomplish so many green objectives and how it would be a world mecca for how corporate campuses are conceived.  And they wanted an Apple store.  Seriously?

Blue jeans and a black turtleneck.  He once had great, long black hair and then it grayed and thinned.  And he just looked better and better.  At GQ Barber Lounge, October 6th will forever be “Blue Jeans and Black Turtleneck Day” in honor of the man who challenged us to “Think Different” and to change the world.

Beyond your immeasurable accomplishments and world changing ideas, thank you Steve for redefining branding and for showing men that we can overcome failures, that it’s ok to challenge the standard and it’s ok to be who we are.

  In another great photo from The Sartorialist we see understated elegance.  Luciano Barbera said it best ” To be noticed without striving to be noticed.  This is what elegance is about.”

People notice.  And what sometimes really influences is when they pick up a style, a sense of who you are, without actually thinking consciously about it.  This is when you know you’ve achievde the goal of presenting your personal brand without trying too hard.

We’ve all taken note of the guy who tries too hard to pull off a look or make a statement that winds up shouting at us instead uf gentlety tapping us on the shoulder to say “hey, this is who I am”

We can quietly project our image by wearing just a bit of stubble to the business meeting if the rest of our attire isn’t overly sartorial.  You can go to meeting without a tie and pull it off so long as you’re wearing a great, well tailored and well pressed suit and a crisp shirt with a stunning collar.  The message says “yeah this is a business meeting and I have credibility but I’m not a suit.”