Tag Archives: Health

September 22, 2011

Cologne

By Sheree L. Ross

When it comes to personal fragrance I don’t follow trends or change very much at all.  I have to admit that I have only worn maybe a handful of different ones in my lifetime.  I think my first one was Charlie, because that was a very popular brand for girls coming of age in my day.  But it wasn’t soon after that that I ran to the popular fragrance for boys and wore Polo until even I couldn’t stand to be in the same room with myself anymore.  I wore Halston for a very long time until finally CK One came into my life and I get so many compliments I just can’t bring myself to try something new.

I like light fragrances because I don’t want to overpower people that are in the same room with me.  There is nothing I hate more than hugging someone and then smelling like them for the rest of the day.  Some colognes are so strong you smell them and they leave an after taste in your mouth.

Before you buy test it.  Do not buy cologne you have never smelled on you like on the internet, even if it is the latest greatest scent.  We all have different body chemistry.  I have smelt something I loved on someone only to spray it on myself and dislike it.  Start by putting a little bit from a tester on the inside small of your wrist, let it sit for a second, then smell it.  If you like it great, if not use the other wrist then you’ll have to wash them off before trying again or you won’t get a true test.  I’d advise taking a friend and if you have one, definitely your partner.  They have to live with you and they should definitely get a vote.

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September 15, 2011

Who Wears Short-Short!?!

By Sheree L. Ross

Writer's shaved head

Tools of the Trade

I have been wearing my hair short for over a decade now.  Before I went bold, bald and free my curly locks fell way beyond my shoulders.  It started off getting shorter and shorter over time and then before I knew it it was a little over an inch.  Now a days I keep it as short as I can get it and what I love most about it is the process of doing it myself.  This is one of the rituals that a Dandi gets to do that is equivalent to actually shaving the face, which most Dandi’s do not need.  It is a wonderful and loving ritual that can be shared with a loved one, by letting them cut your hair for you, or a part of your daily grooming routine.

All clippers come with different size guards, so you don’t have to go as short as I do.  I sometimes use them but since I don’t cut my hair everyday I usually leave it without a guard and begin by shaving my head front to back, then the sides and then I trim up the back and get rid of the clipper tracks by going perpendicular, around my head, to even it all out.

I use a razor for my side burns and to cut definition around my hairline.  I don’t find that the clippers ever get close enough.  I used a Braun for years until it finally broke.  To hold my over while I got it repaired a got the Norelco 3-in-1 shaver and I love it!  I skipped getting my Braun repaired, this Norelco is so much easier to use.  It is cordless and it has the same 10 hour charge I gave it 4 months ago and I cut my hair at least once a week.  Amazing.


Always start with clean hair and if you want to keep lyour hair on the longer side, use the different guards to create a layered look.  You will need a mirror to look into your bathroom mirror from behind to make sure the back of your hair is even and your neck trimmed.  Use scissors to even out longer hair around your ears and follow the directions specific to your clippers on cleaning and keeping the blades oiled.  If you’ve never done this before it can take a bit of getting used to.  Don’t freak out, the good news is hair grows back and even if you cut a patch in your hair it will become less noticeable in less than a week.  If you do cut off more than you intended, leave your baseball cap in the closet and cover it up with your favorite fedora.  If nothing else you’ll still carry yourself with a bit of swagger.

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , | posted in Accessories, Grooming

August 31, 2011

Khiel’s

By Sheree L. Ross

Beauty begins on the inside but once you get to the surface you need to start considering the best products to take care of your  skin to keep all parts of your body feeling, looking and smelling clean and fresh.

Khiel’s is my personal favorite for all of those reasons.  They are a company that has been around since 1851 so they know a thing or two about the philosophy of skin and hair care.  They use the finest unique natural ingredients found in the world and have an outstanding variety of products to choose from for all types of needs for your face, body and hair.

I fell in love with this brand in the mid-nineties because of the packaging.  I am drawn to a lot of things in the marketplace because of their more masculine or neutral packaging design and had not found this at all in facial products.  Khiel’s products don’t use perfumes that can be overwhelming and feel a bit too girlie for the average Dandi.  That said, facial products are the one place where a Dandi can’t buy what is formulated for a man’s skin.  It is important for the health of you skin to stick to products designed for the skin on our faces.  If you must you may be able to buy body washes and lip care that is marketed to men but don’t do this to your face.

Khiel’s has also gotten celebrities involved this season for the limited addition design on their 2011 Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque as a part of the company’s Friends of Khiel’s Earth Day 2011 initiative.  100% of the profits go to Waterkeeper Alliance, a grassroots organization that helps communities protect and preserve waterways.

http://www.khiels.com

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June 23, 2011

Sunglasses

By Sheree L. Ross

Sunglasses are the top accessory for any summer wardrobe.  They are Style for you eyes!  The first thing that you should consider when buying sunglasses is what you are wearing them for.  If you are into sports, especially sports on the water, you should definitely be more concerned with UV protection than with style.  Protect your eyes first and then go for fashion.

If however you are just going to lunch or riding with the top down then you can go with the standard UV protection most designer sunglasses afford and choose the shades you love that also love the shape of your face.  And if you’re like me and need prescriptive sunglasses there are some great, fashionable frames out there.  To save money and not have to replace your prescriptive sunglasses every season stick to the more classics styles like aviator and Rayban designs.

Bigger sunglasses are very fashionable this season but if you have smaller features be sure to get frames that compliment and don’t overpower them.  Metal frames are for daily activities, driving or hanging out with friends.  They are also considered to have a dressier style and can be worn with business attire.  Plastic frames are for more active sports and casual outdoor activites.  They look great with jeans, chino’s and t’s.

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June 9, 2011

Work It Out

By Sheree L. Ross

The summer heat encourages more fun in the sun activity and why not look good while strolling along the beach?  There are dozens of ways to get in shape, from yoga to lifting weights, it is up to you to choose something you love to do, sometimes that means a variety of workouts to keep it fresh and keep you coming back.

Because of the heat be sure and stay hydrated with 6 to 8 glasses of water a day, more if you work up a sweat while at play or working out.  Diet is part of the deal so keep a journal of what you eat and how you feel about the food you intake.  Eat several small meals throughout the day rather than three large ones, it keeps your metabolism  fires burning and you’ll end up eating fewer calories in the long run.  Try to keep each meal between 250 and 300 calories of lean meats and vegetables.

Also keep notes on your workout, the amount your lifting per each exercise and the reps.  Encourage yourself along the way and don’t give up, being in good shape is being in good health, it’s not just about creating the hot-body, though that’s certainly a great benefit!

Photo courtesy of Austin Fit Magazine

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