Should Men Ever Get Lip Injections?

In this day and age, more and more men are opting for cosmetic procedures including lip enhancement.

Cosmetic surgery used to be reserved for mostly women, but times have certainly changed. This is the age of the Menaissance, and more and more gentleman are looking to keep up their appearance, using whatever means are necessary.

The problem with men and cosmetic procedures, is that male facial features tend to be sharper and more dominant, thus any change automatically looks more drastic, and can lead to mishaps like Michael Douglas and Mickey Rourke.

If you are a man looking to shave a few years off your appearance, I urge you to use caution and be subtle. One way to do so is with the use of facial fillers, like Restylane Silk. I recently visited my dermatologist Dr. Ellen Marmur, and she filled me in on the new product (no pun intended).

First off, you must know that I have a few fine lines around my mouth. I also have noticed as I have aged (I am 31 now) that my lips have lost a little volume. Restylane Silk is the only FDA approved product exclusively for subtle lip enhancement. It is also used to treat lines and wrinkles around the mouth and create symmetry in the face. The key is that the treatment is subtle, so you don’t have to worry about going from looking like Michael Fassbender to Khloe Kardashian.

A good result regarding fillers for men.

I wasn’t actually aware of this, but as we age, fat and collagen deteriorate in the face, thus our handsome skin becomes thinner, and wrinkles more prominent. Restylane Silk is made of hyaluronic acid, a very lightweight serum that is injected using a very fine needle. The result is a plumper, fuller lip or line that lasts up to 6 months.

Dr. Marmur confided in me that she has many male patients, and she is seeing more and more men come in to address the area around the mouth.

It is every gentleman’s duty to present his best face to the world. We are lucky enough to live in a day and age where we can do that, even if we need a little help to get there.

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Are Male Hair Buns Acceptable in Corporate America?

I truly believe that during your personal time you should display your absolute true colors, however extreme.  Therefore, don’t get me wrong, you should fully explore your personal style and I am fully supportive of the arrival of the male bun!

That said, what you do, wear or portray in the office is an entirely different point.  There are times when you are building your career were it is important know your audience and tame your appearance.

Corporate America is still a conservative boys club and you must choose your attire carefully, thus I don’t personally feel a bun will portray the correct image.  If you are working in the music industry or some modern advertising agency you may get a pass but law firms, public accounting, hedge funds and banks will not see this in a positive light.

David Beckham fails to disappoint in any sense and is a true trend setter.  If you are an international footballer (with the benefit of being tremendously handsome) then you can of course carry off such a look.  In conclusion, sporting this looking in a casual setting is perfectly acceptable and David gives you the perfect example.

Moving to the more formal look then I think it should be avoided.  During your career you need to be taken seriously and there are some that will look badly on such a sense of style.

Bottom line, choose your time to sport this look and be careful.

How the Dapper Man Dresses for a Job Interview

One of my favorite things to do is help a friend get ready for something. I had a friend need my advice on his outfit for a job interview that he had the next day and I showed up with a few pairs of shoes and shirts to work some magic. It got me inspired to write some helpful tips for the man who needs some assistance getting ready for a stressful job interview.

1. Neat Hair

2. Shave – This depends on the type of job you are going for. Some places allow it and some don’t. If you chose to keep your facial hair, try and keep the neck clean and shaped.

3. Always wear some type of button up. Seriously, I’m not kidding. It shows that you care and make sure it is either a solid color or a pattern that compliments the outfit.

4. A nice fitted pair of dark wash denim or pressed dress pants. Like I said before, depending on the job and situation, dark wash denim can be totally acceptable.

5. TUCK IN YOUR SHIRT. No excuses.

6. Wear a tie or bow tie. It’s always a great idea.

7. Get a manicure. Jagged and or dirty nails will always be noticed.

8. Wear a nice belt. It’s all in the details.

9. Keep accessories to a minimum. A nice watch is the most you’ll really need.

10. Don’t wear too much cologne. You don’t want to knock someone out.

11. Make sure your shoes are as clean as possible. Don’t forget those wing tips!

 

 

I hope these tips help you on your next job interview!

 

– Jamie

Luxury Accessories: The Travel Shoe Shine Kit by Horchow

From being a very young boy I have always been told a gentleman should have the following:

–        Well shined shoes

–        Well groomed hair
A polishing kit is an absolute must for any gentleman.  This luxury shoe shine kit by Horchow comes with all the essentials a man may need to keep his shoes polished and shiny, and will help you put your best foot forward whilst traveling, in a manner of speaking.

One of the amenities I love about New York is the affordability and access to shoe shiners all over the city, unique in my experience to America and rarely found in Europe.

Although I love nothing more than to sit and peruse the Wall Street Journal whilst having a professional tend to my oxfords, it isn’t always timely or feasible. A travel shoe shine kit can be a luxury for a jet-setting corporate man, and a life-saver for last minute touch ups.

Key tip: one of the widely available services in hotels (tremendously underused) is the shoe shine services which is always overlooked.  Next time you are travelling you must ensure you arrive for every event looking fresh and remember, that in any decent hotel it is complimentary!

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How should a Gentleman Shave?

Any gentleman must have a shaving brush and razor in his collection.  I find it a most perfect gift for those with a taste for luxury and something you can use and treasure (potentially) for a life time.

If the act of shaving is as personally important to you as getting a clean shave, then it stands to reason that you should take care to invest in your grooming implements. A handmade shaving stand is an excellent way to care for your straight razors and badger brush, while also adding aesthetic value to your washroom.  Many of the options can be design objects in and of themselves.  I personally do not need to use a cut throat razor as I find it hard to grow a beard!

Walnut and Cherry-$79

Shaving stands vary in price remarkably and the key is that you don’t need to spend the national debt!  You can find very attractive shaving stands online for a reasonable price, such as the handcrafted wooden options featured in this post.
Implements like this can take the act of shaving from a daily nuisance to a cherished ritual, and are worth the minor investment.

If you already own one, remember that it makes the perfect gift for the special gentleman in your life!

Solid Walnut-$76

Solid Cherry with Padauk- $69
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Are Tattoos Acceptable in Corporate America?

The short answer is no, tattoos are not acceptable in corporate America. The old saying goes that the more things change, the more they stay the same. While tattoos in the workplace have become more common, corporate America is a different beast entirely. The backbone of corporate America thrives on a strict standard of professionalism, and even though I can understand that tattoos are a form of self-expression, corporate America is a results driven business that is less concerned with self expression, and more interested in making a good impression.

Whilst I am a strong believer in living your life as you wish, I feel it will be a long time before this is not an area that people judge.  The good news is that typical corporate dress generally involves a long-sleeved dress shirt and jacket, so no matter where your tattoo is, it is likely to be covered.

As we have said in previous arties, there are many options that are appropriate for business and others that are more suited to casual attire.  Be aware with tattoos and how visible they are, you always have the option to conceal in the wrong setting.

If you know you are going to be in a situation where your tattoo will be visible, but don’t wish to reveal it there are several makeup options such as the primer and foundation by Dermablend, featured below.

Dermablend Foundation- $27

Dermablend primer- $25

As with anything else, concealing your tattoos is a matter of judgment. There is a drastic difference between a tasteful tattoo of your college alma mater crest, and an image of a nude pinup girl riding a dolphin.

When it comes to body art in corporate America however, it is always preferable to err on the side of caution.

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A Gentleman’s Guide to Mustache Grooming Post Movember

Facial hair is not my personal preference, however in many circles it is considered a very masculine and traditional look. Facial hair enthusiasts have even gone so far as to rename the month of November Movember, and celebrating by allowing their facial hair to grow all month. While I did not personally partake, I would be remiss if I didn’t offer some kind of guide as to grooming after this period. Luckily, the Art of Manliness has offered this guide to mustache grooming, that is sure to help you maintain your look post Movember, should you decide to maintain the look.

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A Travel Must: Distinguished Travel Kits

Available here.

As a frequent traveler one hurdle to traveling in style is the need to be practical.  In most cases we are unable to take our grip and pack all the lotions and potions a modern man needs to maintain his polished appearance.   The challenges of global terror force us to limit ourselves to less than 100ml per item.  As we are limited in size the next requirement in efficiency and organization.  When it comes to the jet-set lifestyle, there is no better way to stay organized than with a distinguished toiletry bag.

We invest a great deal in proper shaving accoutrements and attractive colognes, as well as other day-to-day toiletries to keep us looking sharp, so it only stands to reason that we should invest in a handsome travel kit as well. Here are several options to complement any gentleman’s lifestyle as he travels the world.

All of these options add style and vary in price and quality.  Whilst you can take a trip to Hermes or Louis Vuitton at the higher end, a good leather high street option is perfectly practical and always durable.

A word of caution, fabric bags do not work well when items leak, leather is a much more durable option.  Although more expensive, it is false economy considering how often items expand and contract during the pressure of the aircraft travel.

Available here.

GQ Reviews: Men’s Hairstyle Trends of 2013

One subject that I always receive questions about is hairstyle. Many men think that in order to pull off a truly elegant ensemble, your hair must be perfectly executed, while this is simply not true. Casual hairstyles have made the jump in fashion from the bedroom to the boardroom, and the juxtaposition is something I find not only acceptable, but preferable.

I am not suggesting that you attend any event with unwashed or unkempt hair, as hygiene is very important, but it is perfectly fine to be more daring with your hairstyle, as long as your apparel is on pointe and relays a professional, stylish message.

To celebrate this, you can find GQ’s review of men’s hairstyle trends from 2013 after the jump:

How to Select the Proper Straight Razor

Harner 7/8 Stainless Steel, Quarter Hollow Ground, Curly Koa Scales w/ Matching Silvertip Badger Brush- $760

It is often said that shaving with a straight razor will not only give you the closest shave possible, but that the experience of the shave is cathartic and rewarding. That being said, using a straight razor for grooming is known amongst many circles as a skilled art form, and not for the impatient man. While there are many online beginner’s shaving guides, such as the one listed here, your first foray into the world of shaving with a straight razor must be purchasing the correct tool.

Dovo is generally regarded as one of the top 3 purveyors of men’s straight razors within the community. One noteworthy feature of the Dovo line is that they deal in everything from custom blades to artisan brush stands, with price-points as low as $30 and as high as $1500. With such a wide range of products you are bound to find