Great skincare secrets for guys…

I found a fab website called Manology which has absolutely everything a man could need to know for looking good and healthy this summer. They have a huge selection of great recommendations. I spoke to founder Wayne Perry, and here’s what he said:

 FACE

Moisturisers

A guy’s skin requirements are going to change with the seasons and so should his products. Most guys will need a lighter moisturiser for the summertime - preferably one with a ‘built-in’ SPF to save the hassle of mixing products and lugging around too many bottles. Also guys that suffer from oily skin would be best to change to an oil free moisturiser as they will find with heat, sweat and humidity that their heavier moisturiser that they were using during the cold winter months will now make their skin oily and give them extra shine. Products such as Baxter of California’s Oil Free Moisturiser and their Super Shape SPF15 Moisturiser are both great products for the summer months.

Cleansers

With the extra heat, humidity and sweat a guy might also find that his t-spot becomes a lot more oilier during the summer months, a good cleaners like men-u’s facial wash would be recommended as it has tea tree oil and witch hazel to help remove dirt and oil and combat any potential blemishes that won’t go down well in the board room!

Toners

Alcohol free toners are also great for combating and controlling excess oil and shine, so definitely something guys with very oily skin may want to consider using during the summer months.

General

Research has shown that looking good at work can give guys a good advantage, so I would also mention treatment products for use on blemishes and ingrown hairs. One such product we about to launch in the next few days is MiN New York Solution2 - a fantastic product for combating shaving rash and ingrown hairs and razor bumps - something that black men in particular are very susceptible to due to the nature of their facial hair growth. Other great products are Baxter of California’s Razor Bump repair and
Nickel’s Smooth Operator ingrown hair gel.

BODY

Sunblock

Most guys already know that UV exposure of any description is a definite way to harm - and age - their skin. What isn’t common knowledge; however, are the basics when it comes to selecting a suitable SPF and using it properly. Most people choose the strength of their SPF based on how deep a tan they want and end up buying the wrong product.

Here are 6 tips for guy’s suncare this summer:

1. To find out how long the sunscreen will last, multiply the time it takes you to burn (with no protection at all) by the product’s SPF to equal the amount of minutes’ protection you’ll get. As a rough guide, it takes a really fair guy about 3-4 minutes to burn whereas a guy with olive or Mediterranean skin can take up to 10 minutes. So for a fair guy an SPF of 15 will last around 45-60mins.

 2. Using last year’s stash of sunblock is not a good idea! Products spoil just like food and chances are the sunblock that got them through last summer isn’t going to be as potent 12 months later. While a normal moisturiser with SPF will suffice for the city, something with water resistance is ideal for the beach.

 3. They should always apply your sunscreen at least half an hour before they go outside - it has to react with the skin first in order for it to work.

 4. Always reapply when using it at the beach and doing other outside activities.

 5. An aftersun is just as essential as a sunscreen. Not only will it help repair damage caused by UV exposure but it will calm any irritated skin and redness.

 6. Consider using a self tanner to give you a healthy base tan to start with before you go out in the sun.

HAIR

Chlorine, salt and sweat can play havoc on a guy’s hair during summer. So using a decent shampoo AND a conditioner is definitely recommended during the summer months - to keep their hair healthy, looking good as well as easy to manage.

 Guys that unfortunately don’t need the use of shampoos and conditioners should still remember to use an SPF moisturiser
on their scalp to protect them from the harsh summer sun.

 

Watch this…

Dunhill’s Car Watch

Nothing gets a gal’s blood racing faster than a well-turned out, well coordinated guy, who takes care of himself down to the subtlest detail while still appearing rugged and effortless. A favourite men’s look? The matching watch-strap. The strap compliments your shoes, or your belt or both. That’s why I was speechless with excitement when I discovered the Dunhill Car Watch at Dunhill in Sandton. Interchangeable straps mean whatever you wear, you’ll always look polished. Includes stainless steel bracelet, black and tan straps.

High-tech and Innovative

The high-tech, two-part case of the Carwatch is made from either steel or an ultra-light combination of titanium and stage 2 ceramic. In profile, it resembles the lines of a futuristic ‘concept car’.

 

The front of the watch is highlighted by an engraved ‘number plate.’ This is interchangeable with a supplied blank designed to take the inscription of your choice, such as the registration of your favourite sports car.

Fitted with a Swiss self-winding mechanical movement, the ‘Carwatch’ has a six o’clock date aperture and comes with a calf strap with deployant clasp and a ‘tool kit’ similar to that supplied with vintage cars comprising a stainless steel bracelet and a stud-fastening, calf ‘driver’s strap.’

dunhill Carwatch tool kit

Each ‘Carwatch’ is also supplied with spare screws for the number plate and a custom-made screwdriver.

Inspired by those that traditionally accompanied vintage cars, the dunhill tool kit comes in an aluminium piston head casing, which opens to reveal a canvas and leather roll. Complete with glass vials containing an additional blank number plate, interchangeable stainless steel bracelet or stud-fastening, calf ‘driver’s strap’, screws and a custom made screwdriver, this is the perfect compliment for every aspiring mechanic or petrol head.

A driver´s watch

dunhill´s Carwatch takes a cue from the Edwardian driver´s watches which were designed to be worn on the side of the wrist rather than on the top. That way they could be seen without the wearer having to release his bucking steering wheel.

dunhill´s 21st century take on this idea is to create an innovative, shaped sapphire crystal glass with individually-sized numbers. This means the watch can be worn in the conventional way yet is still easy to read at a glance whether gripping a steering wheel or riding a motorcycle.

 

An Hour with the Boss

In preparation for my 2nd interview on CNBC’s Business AM, I headed off to my shopping Mecca in Sandton and decided to browse some of the finer men’s stores for some ideas. An hour spent with Sumesh at Hugo Boss provided tons of great tips for a cool, stylish summer office wardrobe.

Suits

The super fine Virgin Wool suits range from plain fabrics to self-stripe, pinstripes to chalk stripes. Some of my favourites were the Cotton-Silk “Shark skin” suits, which have a beautiful sheen and seem to glide like liquid with every movement. After work you can take off your tie or throw on a T-shirt underneath to remain effortlessly stylish for social events.

 

Brad Pitt in Shark Skin - Cotton/Silk Blend

Single breasted, lapel low-on-the-chest, 2-button jackets are in this season, keeping just the top button fastened.

Shirts

Most Hugo Boss shirts are easy iron and all double-cuff shirts come with wearable presentation cufflinks included. While the Herringbone fabric is slightly heavier, the Oxford Weave is lightweight as are the 100% Egyptian Cotton (Super Fine) shirts, which make these preferable for hot South African summers. My favourites were the self-stripe as they have a handy crease-hiding effect, which means you’ll look just as polished at the end
of a long work day as when you first set out.

Trends are leaning more towards the slimfit rather than the traditional regular cut. Influences from Europe, still catching on in South Africa, streamlines the body and gives a more defined shape for the torso. Always wear a slimfit shirt under a slimfit jacket, as your suit shouldn’t “just hang”.

New shirt colours coming in to South Africa are beautiful pale nectarine and pastel salmon, which work very well with khaki, fawn and beige.

 

In his shoes…

Shoes

South African men tend to avoid brown shoes at all costs. Understandably, there are some dodgy shades of brown out there, but chocolate brown should not be disqualified as a shoe colour. Beautiful suede fabrics with matching belts can go a long way to making an ordinary outfit become something extra stylish.  

Remember, never pair a brown belt with black shoes, and vice versa. An extra chic touch is to make sure your watch strap matches your belt and your shoes.

 

PS: unless playing sport, never wear white socks. Ever.

The Shopping Sensei Recommends….

Tumi - Canyon Leather Collection

Elegant, stylish, but also extremely funky! My laptop’s been salivating over this beautiful, quality leather in black and brown.  

Tumi Echo Vertical Messenger

 

Tumi Laurel Slim Messenger

 

Metallic rage…

Help! Help!

It’s the tin woman… hide your oil!

 Although I think this bag is kind of cute:

 

Love them or hate them, metallics are clearly here to stay for at least another season.