MAN POST: The Things He Steals From Your Vanity Table

I was standing in the shower this morning, singing away while enjoying the piping hot water, and bent down to grab my morning cleanser.  I picked it up and the first thing I noticed was that it was almost empty.  That's odd, I thought to myself, since I'd clearly purchased it not even a month ago.  I thought that maybe it was me just using way too much product.  As it turns out, it wasn't me who was using too much at all!  IN FACT, Allan was the one enjoying my cleanser too. 

Men want to look as good as we do however, they are less inclined to purchase the products themselves.  This means that if a product is in the shower, or in the medicine cabinet and will do what they need the product to do, they will "borrow" it from us.  Here's a list of your products he's most likely to use:

1. Hand Cream - I don't know about your man but Allan gets dry hands all the time.  ( I think it has something to do with his mountain biking...).  Either way, he is CONSTANTLY stealing any, and all, of my unscented hand creams.  Allan's pick is Eucerin Repair Hand Cream 5%.  According to him "it doesn't have a funny smell and you don't have to use too much for that dry feeling to go away."

2. Lip Balm - I have had 10's of tubes disappear without a trace.  Since I always check my pockets before I put my clothes in the washer, I know it's him stealing them.  Allan's pick is Blistex Lip Medex in the pot, not the tube.  He likes how it "tingles his lips and how long lasting the product is.  Oh, and it feels like it's actually doing something while on my lips."

3. Sunscreen - I love that he is as skin-conscious as I am!!  I always wear sunscreen and used to use a non-scented one that Allan would always steal.  However, since I've been wearing a lot of tinted SPF moisturizers lately, he's obviously been leaving them alone.  Allan's pick is Clinique M Protect SPF 21 Moisturizer.  He loves that "you can kill two birds with one stone.  I don't have to put on two products which saves me time in the morning and allows Christina to use the bathroom for longer."  Thanks, Allan!

4. Cleanser - This is a given.  I am going through twice as much product BUT at least he is actively cleansing his face.  Because a man will hardly ever wash his face at night, a good cleanser kept in the shower (for mornings) is an absolute must.  Allan's pick is Clean & Clear Morning Burst Cleanser.  He enjoys this one because "it smells citrusy and is tingly on my skin.  Plus, it comes in a pump, so it's easy to use."

Allan says that "guys want to keep it simple.  So the less products a guy can use, the better.  If a guy has to put on six different products before he shaves, it's a waste of time and energy."  So, I say keep items around the house that he can use easily, or better yet, buy your man some of his own items so he stops using yours!  (By the way, Allan, thanks for your help!!!  Love you)

XO

MAN POST: Hair and What Women Wish You'd Have

As you can see, today is a blog post for my Man Followers.

I've neglected them slightly with all my writings of lipstick, primers and bronzers, so after being yelled at by a good guy friend, Amar, I thought it best to write this then face his wrath again.

Women aren't the only ones that are obsessed with their hair. Yes, men may be concerned about different things then we are (like hair loss) but, all in all, men want to look good and fashionable, just like women. Their issue is how much time it takes to look good. There is absolutely no guy I know that loves spending time in front of a mirror perfecting each and every strand. (Actually, I don't think any women does that either.) Having said this gentlemen, here's how to create a good hair care routine without spending years in front of the mirror.

1. Shampoo and Conditioner. Yes, I said shampoo AND conditioner. Of course, you can use a 2 in 1 but they either contain more shampoo then conditioner or vice versa. For the au-naturel man, try and pick a brand that isn't chalked full of sulfates (such as Organix, Avalon Organics and if, you're prone to dandruff, JASON Tea Trea Oil Shampoo.) Yes, the prices may be a bit higher but you are doing WONDERS for your hair in the long run. Remember, once the conditioner is on your head, let it sit for about three minutes.

2. Grooming and Style Tools. Depending on hair length and texture, you may have to use a comb, (wide-tooth if you have curly hair) brush and/or a blowdrier. I will say that most men are put off the blowdrier idea. If you are wanting to add volume or straighten, a blowdrier will be your best friend. If using one, make sure you put a product in your hair first depending on what you want to achieve. Mousse = volume/shine, Gel = sculpting, Hair Oil = Anti-frizz.

3. Style. Once your hair is dry, you can then begin styling. If you style your hair prior to it being dry, you'll notice (and girls will too) that it becomes crunchy and hard. If you style it dry, you'll use less product and your hair will look and feel better. Find a style that works for you and can be created in under five minutes. (Trust me, you don't want to spend more than this....) Some great products to use are Redken for Men Polish Up Pomade, AG Waxx Gloss Pomade or AG Infrastructure. (The first two are more glossy and the last one is sticky.) Rub a small amount of product between your hands and go to town.

Remember, girls like coiffed hair on guys. We like hair that looks rugged but is still stylish. Oh, and crunchy hair ISN'T your friend....Ha. And, last but not least, don't cheap out on products. Cheap hair stuff either dries out your hair or makes it oily. (Both of which aren't good.) If you aren't sure what's good, your hair stylist can definitely help!

Hair Loss Tip: If you are starting to lose your hair, don't fret. It happens to a lot of people, women included. My girlfriend Renate, a very prominent stylist and guest blogger, recommends the Nioxin Hair Treatment Kit. It comes very highly reviewed and can be purchased discreetly online.

Let me know your thoughts guys. I may have missed something!