The Truly Affordable Essentials: Grooming Edition Part 2

By Nathan Tran

Here is part 2 of  The Truly Affordable Essentials: Grooming Edition. If you missed part 1, find it here.

Body

1. Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash (drugstore, $8.99): Buy it unscented and you'll be free of any dry skin for the next 24 hours.

2. Body Benefits Body Sponge (drugstore, $3.99): You still use a bar of soap and your hands?! Time to get with the times! Your body sheds every 28 to 45 days, which leaves a lot of gross dead skin that needs to be sloughed off. Use a sponge to gently exfoliate your epidermis, and please replace that sponge every two or three months. Despite Joey Tribbiani's claim that soap is "self-cleaning," sponges definitely are not.

3. Arm and Hammer's Essentials Natural Deodorant (drugstore, $2.99): I suggest this specific brand because it's free of aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex, the ingredient that, when mixed with sweat, stains your white undershirts. Instead, it uses good ol' baking soda to absorb and fight odor.

4. Banana Republic Classic (Banana Republic, $30): Cologne likely will be one of your pricier items in your medicine cabinet, but if you're looking to introduce a more cost-efficient scent, you'll have to look outside designer-branded bottles. Classic is a versatile scent described as "a fresh, clean aroma of citrus, honeysuckle and bergamot." A man's cologne is very personal, so I recommend sampling three or four4 at Sephora or Bloomingdale's for a day (the oils and essences react to your body chemistry, so experience how the scent develops through its top, middle, and bottom notes before purchasing).

Hair

1. OSiS Mess Up Matte Gum (sleekhair.com, $15): Different hair types require equally different products. If you have thick, straight hair, keep reading. If not, I refer you to Valet Mag's comprehensive hair product guide (http://www.valetmag.com/grooming/profiles-features/2011/guide-to-hair-care-products.php). OSiS' product is amazing for what it does at its price. It's a lightweight, medium-hold clay-like wax that works best after a quick blowdry to damp hair. I've used it for a few years, and it consistently molds my stick-straight hair into something reminiscent of Zac Efron's locks circa 2010. Unlike gel, which freezes your follicles, it's flexible and can be restyled throughout the day. The one downside is that it's difficult to wash out of your hair, so expect to shampoo almost daily.

Are there other affordable grooming essentials we left out? Let us know so we can include it on the next installment.

The Truly Affordable Essentials: Grooming Edition

By Nathan Tran

If you've ever read a fashion magazine, even glanced at the cover, you've seen them: "SPRING ESSENTIALS," "GQ'S IT LIST," "TEN ITEMS YOU NEED IN YOUR CLOSET," and other hyperbolic variations. With so many publications hocking high-priced items, it's easy to lose track of what we need rather than what $65 Aesop moisturizer editors deem necessary for our medicine cabinet. And because most of us aren't fashion editors with access to free samples and disposable income earmarked for "THIS FALL'S BROGUE BOOT," we're left with identifying what items are most versatile for our budget and wardrobe.

Not to overlook the foundation of your budget-minded sartorial game, I start with grooming and a few products you'll need to get you from tousle-haired to squeaky clean lothario in the morning.

Oral

1. Colgate Wisps (drugstore.com, $7.49): Brushing in the morning and before bed is obvious, but what about after your chicken salad sandwich from Boudin? Throw a bag of Colgate Wisps into your car or bag, and you'll be sure not to have pecan bits in your teeth and afternoon halitosis.

2. Rembrandt 2 Hour Whitening Kit: (Target, $18.69): If you drink lattés as often as I do, you're familiar with the unfortunate yellow-stained teeth that come with it. Don't jump at the flashy packaging of other, more expensive whitening kits. Rembrandt's the most affordable on the market, and it includes custom-fit applicator trays that'll make the whitening treatment more bearable. Actually, pick a two hour rom-com or action flick on Netflix while you're at it and you have yourself a party.

Facial

1. Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser (drugstore, $6.79): A mainstay among the shelves of facial products, Cetaphil is a mild cleanser that won't leave your skin tight. 

2. Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Triple-Action Toner (CVS, $7.49): If you have oily, acne-prone skin, I enthusiastically present Neutrogena's solution. The 2% salicylic acid is enough to keep your acne in check, and I'm convinced the cucumber extract soothes my otherwise problematic skin.

3. Cherry Carmex Stick (Drugstore.com, $4.00 for 3): Unsurprisingly, this tube of cherry and beeswax goodness is often passed over for everyone's favorite: Burt's Bees. I'm not a fan of the thin application, and as I'm a compulsive lip licker, I find Carmex's stickier wax more effective at combatting my chapped lips for hours. A huge plus: the smell is delicious, and ladies just can't get enough. Go ahead, smear it on and enjoy the extra attention.

Stay tuned for part two of The Truly Affordable Essentials: Grooming Edition 

Summer Grooming Essentials: Akin Akman

 ph: Navid

All this time having worked with models I never asked them what grooming products they use. I guess I was to shy and thought it might be a little odd. Luckily, writing for a blog allows for such a subject to be discussed. New York based Wilhelmina model Akin Akman, had no qualms answering my question, what are your summer grooming essentials? There is quite a list and he also shares some of the places he gets them. 

Durante todo este tiempo que he trabajado con modelos nunca les pregunté qué productos de aseo utilizan. Supongo que era tímido y pensé que podría ser un poco extraño. Por suerte, escribir por un blog permite que un tema como este sea discutido. Akin Akman modelo de Wilhelmina en Nueva york, no tuvo reparos en contestar mi pregunta, ¿cuáles son los aseos básicos para el verano? Hay una lista bastante larga y él también comparte algunos de los lugares en los que los compra.

His Summer Must-Haves

To shave I use my Neutrogena Mens Skin Clearing Shave Cream and my Gillette Fusion I've also got a trimmer so sometimes I grow my beard out and just occasionally trim it...

Para afeitar yo uso Neutrogena Mens Skin Clearing Shave Cream y Gillette Fusion Tambien tengo un trimmer que uso de vez en cuando por que algunas veces dejo que mi barba crezca  y ocasionalmente lo uso...

For face wash after workouts: I use a Clarisonic Pro and wash with PanOxyl acne foaming wash

also throughout the day I use Cetaphil to keep my skin from getting dry and to cleanse...
Para la cara después de hacer ejercicios: Uso un Clarisonic Pro y PanOxyl acne foaming wash también durante el día yo uso Cetaphil para ayudar a mi piel no resecarse y mantenerla limpia...

Shampoo: Usually I use whatever is in my shower, lol, but lately my sister has been buying Moroccan Oil shampoo and I love it.
Shampoo: Normalmente uso lo que sea que este en la ducha, lol, pero recientemente mi hermana esta comprando un shampoo de Moroccan Oil me encanta. 

Body wash: Aveeno skin relief body wash

Hair styling: Moroccan oil and texturizing sea salt spray that I buy from Whole Foods. Occasionally I'll use Garnier Fructis Surf Hair Texture paste.
Hair styling: En el supermercado Whole Foods compro Moroccan oil de spray de aceite de texturización de sal mariana. De vez en cuando uso Surf Garnier Fructis Cabello pasta de textura.

Lotion for hands, elbows, and knees lol :) there lotion I bought at Duane Reade called, I love... lemons and limes. also I'll sometimes use vitamin E oil from Trader Joe's for my body.
Crema para las manos, codos y rodillas lol :) hay una crema que compré en Duane Reade que se llama, I love...lemons and limes. También a veces utilizao el aceite de vitamina E de Trader Joe's para mi cuerpo. 

Fragrances I use include: D and G, 6 L'Amoureux or POLO RALH LAUREN BLUE 

Fragancias que uso incluyen D and G, 6 L'Amoreux o POLO RALPH LAUREN BLUE

Here is a link to his facebook page. And you can follow him on http://twitter.com/akin87

Summer Grooming Essentials: Elle German

Recently, I realized I didn't know a lot about skin care and grooming in general so I reached out to some of the people I know in the industry for some advice. This is the first installment of the Summer Grooming Essential series. One of the people I reached out to was Elle, we met while working on set at GILT. "Elle German @ElleGerman , is a hair and makeup artist residing in New York City. With contagious energy and a refreshing southern charm, Elle captures the vision of her clients every time. With a makeup style ranging from clean simplicity to bold bursts of color, Elle’s greatest assets is her versatility and meticulous eye for detail. Elle’s experience includes commercial print, advertising, video, television, and runway."

Recientemente, me di cuenta que no sabía mucho sobre el cuidado de la piel y el aseo en general, así que me puse en contacto con algunas de las personas que conozco en la industria para que me aconsejen. Este es el primer post en la serie Summer Grooming Essentials. Una de las personas a las que contacte fue a Elle, nos conocimos mientras trabajábamos en el set de GILT. Elle German, es una artista de maquillaje y peinado que reside en Nueva York. Con una energía contagiosa y un encanto sureño refrescante, Elle captura la visión de sus clientes en todo momento. Con un estilo de maquillaje que van desde la sencillez limpia a explosiones de colorer audaces, los mayores atributos de Elle es su versatilidad y precisión meticulosa en los detalles. La experiencia de Elle incluye impresión comercial, publicidad, video, televisión, y las pasarelas.

Her Summer Must-Haves

"Morning After Gel by Nickel great morning product after a long night! Leaves you looking and feeling fresh and rejuvenated. The caffeine and menthol really stimulates the skin. When I work with men, this product is a must-have!"


"Morning After Gel de Nickel es un producto magnifico para usar después de una larga noche. Te deja luciendo y sintiendo fresco y recuperado. La cafeina y el mentol realmente estimulan la piel. Cuando he trabajado con hombres este producto es uno que de los que hay que tener."

"Men's Expert Power Clean Anit-Dullness Face Wash by L'Oreal Less expensive option and still delivers great results. Deep cleanses without leaving the skin feeling tight. Preps the skin for shaving.


"Men's Expert Power Clean Antti-Dullness Face Wash de L'Oreal es una opcion mas economica y aun asi produce grandes resultados. Limpia a profundidad sin dejar la piel estirada. Prepara la piel para la afeitada."

"Kiehl's Facial Fuel Eye De-Puffer A great eye moisturizer is very important and this is a regimen that should not be ignored. Kiehl'e De-Puffer has caffeine and hibiscus tea which stimulates the area around the eye and works miracles fast."


"Kiehl's Facial Fuel Eye De-Puffer Una excelente crema hidritante para los ojos es muy importante y es un régimen que no se debe ignorar. El De-Puffer de Kiehl's contiene cafeína y te de hibisco que estimula el área alrededor del ojo, y hace maravillas rápidas."  

"Castle Forbes Lime Oil Shaving Cream My favorite shaving cream! Leaves skin feeling smooth and vibrant. Great lather and allows you to get a close shave, smells amazing. A little bit goes a long way."


"Castle Forbes Lime Oil Shaving Cream Mi crema de afeitar favorita! Deja la piel suave y radiante. Crear mucha espuma y permite afeitarse profundamente, huele increible."   

"Neutrogena Triple Protect Face Lotion SPF 20 This is an amazing product for summer at an affordable price. Its lightweight, reduces the appearance of fine lines. It has an SPF 20 and defends the skin against signs of aging. It protects and heals dry skin."


"Neutrogena Triple Protect Face Lotion SPF 20 Este es un increible producto para el verano a un precio econommico. Su peso ligero, reduce la apariencia de líneas finas. Tiene un SPF 20 y defiende la pielcontra los signos del envejecimiento. Se protege y cura la piel seca."


Great Summer Skincare Tips for African American Men
"Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! Dead skin cells accumulate on the skin and a great exfoliator or facial scrub will keep your skin looking smooth and create an even tone. There are so many effective and inexpensive scrubs. Select a scrub based on your skin type (dry, oily, or combination) Use a gentle exfoliating scrub with glycolic or citrus acid twice a week and your skin will thank you!"


Consejos Para Cuidado De La Piel Durante El Verano Para Los Hombres Afroamericanos
"Exfoliar, exfoliar, exfoliar! Las células muertas de la piel se acumulan en la piel y un buen exfoliador  o exfoliante facial mantendrá su piel suave y creara un tono uniforme. Hay tantos exfoliadores eficaces y de bajo costo. Seleccione un exfoliante dependiendo su tipo de piel (seca, grasosa, o una combinación) Usa un exfoliante suave con ácido glicólico o ácido cítrico dos veces a la semana y tu piel te lo agradecerá!" 


Next, we'll learn what grooming products Akin Akman a top male model in NYC uses during the hot summer months.