So here's what I think. Hey, I'm just sayin'…

  • Hair growing where it shouldn’t be?

    man with excessive ear and nose hairAs a stylist I see this daily, both from clients in my chair or just being out and about. I’m talking about unwanted hair growing out of the nose (and sometimes on it) and ears. Guys, hair growing out of your ears and nose is not manly — it’s, well, gross.

    Yes, hair in the nose has a function. It filters out dust and other unwanted particles from entering the lungs through the nasal cavity. Ear hair, though, is pretty much useless.

    It only takes a few seconds to trim that unwanted nose hair. Your barber should take care of this for you with a small electric clipper. You can also buy a home trimmer that will trim the hair back without the risk of injuring the inside of the nose. There are lots of little blood vessels inside your nose and you’ll bleed for a while if you nick one.

    Or, if you’re brave or masochistic you can pluck them out with a tweezer if you don’t mind the pain, tearing eyes, sneezing, and even bleeding that sometimes occurs. If you choose this route, make sure you use an antiseptic on a cotton swab after — this will help prevent infection or painful ingrown hairs.

    Enough with the nose, let’s talk ears. Guys, hair growing inside or around the outer ear in men is another turn-off to all the women in your life. Take care of it.

    barber singeing ear hairI had an instructor in school that would use a straight razor to shave the hair from the ears. This is known as the “van Gogh method”. Then there is the Turkish barber that uses fire to singe the hair. No, don’t ask me to try this on your next visit.

    Here in the States your hair stylist should take care of ear hair for you either with a small electric clipper or it can be waxed for a longer-lasting result. Again, if you are doing this yourself be very careful not to cut or nick the ear — as any haircutter knows, the tiniest nick on an ear will bleed like crazy (and significantly lower your tips).

    Here’s my advice: don’t be afraid to have your barber help you clean up your act and get rid of that unsightly ear and nose hair. It’s quick and easy. The ladies in your life will appreciate it and who knows… you might just get lucky.

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  • Shave Like a Girl

    woman shavingHave you ever noticed when women shave it’s either in the bath tub or shower? Convenience? Privacy? Maybe.

    But the truth is actually this: women know that the hot water and steam in the shower helps soften up hair before scraping the razor over their body, leaving their skin smooth and soft.

    I get asked a lot about shaving. Guys typically want to know how to get a closer shave and avoid irritation or “razor burn”, ingrown hairs and other annoying and sometimes painful shaving mishaps.

    Here are some tips that will help:

    Before you start: The first thing you’ll want to do is go to a big home improvement store and buy a small mirror with suction cups on the back. You can get one for ten bucks (a “fogless” one is a little more). If your mirror fogs up, use a little soap on your fingers, wipe it across the mirror and splash it with water – you’re good to go.

    While you’re out shopping pick up some 100% Aloe gel. I get the clear stuff but the green works just as well. You can find that in your local drugstore in the skincare aisle. You should also pick out a new razor or at least new blades. Whether you are using a classic straight razor, multi blade system or an old double edge, make sure the blade is sharp. A. Sharp. Blade. Is. Really. Important.

    Get some good quality shave cream or a mild bar soap (I prefer an aloe based soap because it’s pretty much scentless). It doesn’t matter if you use my personal favorite mug and brush or shave cream and, yes, even a mild bar soap – the purpose of the lather is to soften the beard. If you’re on a tight budget, spend what you can on a good razor and use the mild bar soap.

    Hit the shower: after your shower routine, get ready to shave by squeezing a dollop of aloe about the size of a quarter into your hand and work it into your beard. This will help lubricate the skin. Look in the mirror and notice the direction the grain of your beard is growing. You’re going to shave with the grain. Always. If the whiskers are growing down shave in that direction. If they grow up, like on the neck, shave up. Got it?

    The right way to shave: OK, now apply the lather and massage it into your face to get the beard soft. As you pull the razor, stretch your skin opposite the way the beard is growing. So if the whiskers are growing down on your cheeks, pull the skin up. This will help make the whiskers stand up and you’ll get a closer shave. As you shave, use your fingers to feel your face. man shaving and grimacingIf you still aren’t satisfied with the closeness of the shave, you can shave across the grain of the beard for a little closer cut.

    But remember this: to avoid razor burn never shave directly against the natural direction of your whiskers. This is the #1 mistake I see.

    Finish up: Once you’re satisfied with the shave and are out of the shower, pat your face dry. Pat, don’t rub. Then slather your face with more aloe gel, leaving it to dry.

    Follow these simple tips and you’ll notice that your face is more comfortable, your shaves will be closer and you’ll have fewer irritations – at least from shaving.

    1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars ( 6 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5 )
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  • A New Year’s Resolution: Thinning Hair Treatment

    DS Labs Spectral RSOne thing about having so many long-time clients is that we’ve seen some hairlines “advance to the rear” over the years. At Shear Paradise we always adjust our hairstyling to our clients’ natural hair patterns. But if this is the year that you want to investigate a thinning hair treatment, we strongly recommend the Spectral line of hair salon products from DS Laboratories.

    DS Labs devotes painstaking R&D effort in developing their hair salon products and they have some of the most innovative treatments available today. The products combine minoxidil, ion-channel openers, 5-alpha-reductase, amino acids, botanicals, retinol, hair nutrition minerals – in short, probably the most comprehensive treatments you can find.

    Whatever is in them, I know first-hand that they work. The treatments protect against damage, slow the progression of hair loss, improve hair follicle and scalp health, and grow hair longer, thicker, and faster than any other salon product.

    So if this is the year that you want to start with a thinning hair treatment, let’s take some time on your next visit to look at what might be right for you.

    Oh yes, and Happy New Year!

    1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars ( 1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5 )
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