Place the skin sensor firmly against the skin you'll be treating and then press the button. A green light says you're good to go, a red light indicates your skin is too dark in that area. Learn more about how the device works: Tria Profile.
The good news is that you don't have to keep shaving and start over to get your perfect length. Philips Norelco Stubble Trimmer (read review) can get hair down to .04 of an inch.
These instructions are to do a regular bikini wax at home, removing the hair outside your panty line. Unless you are a gymnast, I don’t think you can do a Brazilian bikini wax on yourself. Leave that one to the pros.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: 45 minutes to 1 hour
To help reduce the number of blackheads on your skin, you need to use an exfoliating product, ideally one that contains salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is the most common active ingredient in acne product lines because it helps remove the dead skin cells, renewing your skin faster.
If you're looking for a product to help reduce your blackheads, check out our list of 9 Blackhead Treatment Products.? These products are all effective for not only blackheads, but whiteheads, too!
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Nail polish strips are a fuss-free way to polish your nails without waiting for them to dry. Are they right for you? You won't know until you try.
Nail polish strips get mixed reviews. Some love them, some try them once and never try them again. It's really something that you have to try on your own and judge. On a plus side, if you love nail art, you have many options with nail polish strips.
Here are 6 brands of nail polish strips that are easy to find.
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Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips are around $10 and comes with two sets of 8 strips - one for each hand, with extras in case you mess up, apparently. They're advertised as lasting up to 10 days.
They come in lots of different patterns and colors. Check out this awesome review of Sally Hansen's Nail Polish Strips from blog All Lacquered Up, complete with pictures of multiple colors and patters that she tried.
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If you're thinking about shopping at Origins, check out what we think about some of their products by reading our in-depth product reviews.
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Anti-oxidants play a big part in skin care today, as they protect against signs of aging. Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins: The Way of the Bath Matcha Tea Scrub contains these desired anti-oxidants mixed in with their mineral-rich sea salt. You're left with smooth, soft, protected skin.
Be aware that you need to mix, shake or stir the product before each use due to separation.
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Origins Mint Wash Cooling Gel Facial Cleanser is perfect for extremely oily skin, but if you fall in any other skin type category, you'll want to pass.
I really can't imagine a single person not loving the scent of Origins: Gloomaway Grapefruit Body-Buffing Cleanser. The scent literally lifts your spirits, which makes it perfect for the days where you are dragging.
This product is a daily exfoliator and cleanser combination that will lift dead skin cells and cleanse your skin at the same time.
After over-tweezing or getting a higher than requested arch from a professional, you want to grow out your eyebrows and put them in a new shape. This can be tricky sometimes, like when you're growing out your hair and it's in that in-between stage where you can't do anything with it.
We have some tips to make the transition easier- because you can't put your brows back in ponytail.
Whiteheads and blackheads are very similar with just a very slight difference. They are both called comedones, which are a collection of sebum and skin cells gathered in your hair follicles. They get stuck and plug the hair follicle causing the breakout. The difference in whiteheads and blackheads is simply if the hair follicle is open or closed. When open, the oxygen in the air oxidizes the oils, turning them brown - a blackhead. (Think of how an apple oxidizes when left out.)
Though, contrary to their name, they are not always black. They can be a range of color from yellowish to black. The light reflecting on the hair in your follicle can also make the blackhead appear to be a dark color. A whitehead on the other hand is a closed, or almost closed follicle which prevents the oxygen from oxidizing the oil.
Dirt. If you have blackheads, please do not think that it is because you do not clean your face well enough. The cause of blackheads is all below the skin's surface and if you are cleaning your face daily, you are not responsible for your skin's blackheads.
Blackheads are most common on your face, specifically on your nose and the sides of your nose. But some people get blackheads in other places, such as on their ears, shoulders and on their back, though whiteheads and blackheads can form anywhere there is a hair follicle.
The key to getting rid of your black heads is unplugging the pores and dislodging the buildup. While it might be tempting squeeze it out, it's not something that we recommend. Your fingers have oils and dirt on them which could cause further breakouts. Instead, let's look at product ingredients to look for.
Look for cleansers, exfoliators and acne products that contain salicylic acid, glycolic acid or benzoyl peroxide - or a combination of those. Products that include these ingredients loosen the dead skin cells that can get clogged in your hair follicles. These ingredients can literally help unplug the follicles. These chemical exfoliators are different than the grainy exfoliators. They work evenly and effectively without causing your face any irritation.
You can also carefully use products like Biore strips. (Or make your own pore strips) The key is to be gentle, not use them around the eyes and not use them daily.
In short, no. Everyone has pores. Some people have larger pores than others, specifically people with oily skin, but we all have pores and pores do not open and close. You can, however, do your best to keep good care of your skin so they don't become clogged. Here are some tips to keep in mind when it comes to your face.
As we noted above, using products with chemical exfoliators will help unclog your pores. (See our list of 9 blackhead treatment products.) Used on a regular basis, you will see improvement in your skin. Remember that a Dermatologist is always a good person to visit, especially if your blackhead situation is severe. Dermatologists can prescribe stronger exfoliators than what you can buy over the counter and can provide in-office skin treatments for you, such as facial peels.
Origins GinZing is a refreshing eye cream that brightens immediately, and also has sustained benefits over time. A nice alternative to concealing under-eye circles with makeup and suitable for all skin types.
After my youngest child was born, I took my face to the nearest upscale makeup counter for an overhaul, especially for my puffy, dark under eye circles. Ten minutes later, my fatigue was expertly concealed via a 3-step process with award-winning products and an $80 price tag. And we hadn’t even discussed eye creams yet.
In addition to tired eyes, there’s something else you should know about me: I’m lazy. And cheap. I have the best of intentions, but the reality is that 2-in-1 products were made for me. The higher the performance, the more I’m willing to pay so I can have the satisfaction of looking great without undergoing a “process” to get there.
Origins GinZing Eye Cream gives me the brightness I used to achieve via applying concealer (the 3-step process mentioned above), and also depuffs and nourishes the under-eye area. Applying the cream is quick, easy and fool-proof. A dab of the cream goes a long way, so I don’t mind the almost $30 price tag.
And, unlike some eye creams, it feels great on! No irritation or redness. No minty tingle. Just refreshing.
One downside to this product is that it doesn’t look the best on a bare face. The Silica and Mica leave a shimmer on the skin which does help brighten the eye area, but it looks more natural with a little powder on the rest of the face.
Also worth mentioning: This cream isn't meant to substitute a more-intensive anti-aging eye cream, like the kind you might apply at night. So, if you're looking for those benefits, you'll have to add a night cream to your skin care regimen as well. But it’s great in the morning. And it works as advertised!
Just for the record, I don't think it's for everyone. I like the more feminine look of sculptured brows, but I'm also in my mid-30's and don't always pay attention or care about the trends.? And my advice to you is to skip the trends that don't play up your beauty. (I'm skipping this trend!)
But if you want to give this look a try, grab a brow pencil, skip the wax appointment and go for it.? But first, take my poll.
Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images
Place Sugaring Paste in?Hand
Photo c Naomi Torres
The sugaring paste will be like a big blob in your hand, but don't apply it to your skin just yet.
If the idea of picking out a skin care regime overwhelms you, I've picked out the basic items you need to get started. Once you're used to taking proper care of your skin, you can add more items if you'd like, but just by starting with the basics, you'll notice your skin feels and looks better.
I've chosen Zirh Skin Care for Men to focus on. Readily available, you'll find this line is effective, affordable and has a great scent. Zirh has a fantastic line of treatment products that you can explore as needed, as well a high-end Platinum line if cost is not your top concern.
Image provided by Zirh
Before you purchase a cleanser, you'll have to decide which one of the two cleansers is right for your skin type. If your skin is oily, you deal with acne on a regular basis, or you have large pores, you'd want to stick with Zirh: Clean.
Clean is a thick gel cleanser, which contains ingredients that will zap your acne without leaving your skin extra-dry. But these ingredients can also be a bit harsh for those with sensitive skin, so if you have sensitive skin, you'll want to read on.
Simply apply to wet skin to create a lather. Use twice a day.
Image provided by Zirh
Unlike Zirh: Wash, Zirh: Clean is meant for those with dry to normal skin, as well as those with sensitive skin. It's a gentle gel cleanser that you would use to clean your face twice a day.
Clean is also fragrance-free, which works well for those of you who prefer to have a your fragrance come from a favorite cologne or after-shave.
As directed above, apply to a wet face and work into a lather by rubbing in circular movements before rinsing well.
Image provided by Zirh
Zirh: Refresh is an option product meant specifically for those men who deal with oily skin. If you feel into the Zirh: Wash category, you'd probably like to consider using Refresh
Refresh is an astringent, and astringents help control oil, combat acne and temporarily reduce the appearance of your pores. It's easy to use, and will make a difference if you deal with early shine. Simply soak a cotton ball with Refresh and swipe over your entire face, paying particular attention to the areas you battle with most. This is often the t-zone, or your forehead, nose and chin.
You may feel a slight tingle, but you'll also notice that it dries very fast. Once dry you're free to move on to your moisturizer.
Image provided by Zirh
Zirh offers two moisturizers, Defend and Protect. Protect is a great anti-aging product that will fend off free-radicals which are responsible for many of your skin's aging symptoms. (compare prices), however Defend contains SPF 15, which, to me is more important when we're starting with the basics.
Often times men fore-go sun protection because they are not informed on the importance of sun screen, but sunscreen will help block your skin from the sun's aging rays. Be aware that you will need to reapply sunscreen thought the day. Every 2 hours while in the sun is mandatory.
If you're already a pro at sunscreen and use it daily, Protect might be the next step up in your skin care regime.
Even though you'll hardly see any guys with chest hair if you open a magazine, it's still generally considered attractive. However, a carpet of back hair...Well, not so much.
You may have heard of the neat tools like ManGroomer and Razorba that allow you guys to shave your own back. But many men are choosing waxing appointments over shaving, because for one, they don't have to do the work. And two, it lasts so much longer than shaving, especially when it's done regularly.
That opens up some questions like: What are the costs? Should I see a professional? Is it painful? Are there any precautions? Good thing my assistant, Nicole answers this and more in: Men's Back Waxing.
And for a complete resource on gender-specific waxing with advice and tips for the entire face and body, we have: Waxing for Men.
In our article, we describe what blackheads really are, (and what they're not!) how they form and how you can get rid of them.? We also talk about what you can do to keep them from coming back.? We also talk about pores and answer my husband's question - Can you actually close them?
Blackheads - What are They and How Can I Get Rid of Them?
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