Bobbi Brown’s beach body oil takes you there

May 7, 2009 by LaMont  
Filed under In the Know

Who doesn’t like a beach? Nothing like strolling, sunning, reading or relaxing under azure skies as gulls cry, a soothing breeze blows and turquoise waves lap at sandy white shores. For those times when you can go only in spirit, just a whiff of the renowned makeup artist’s beach body oil can transport you there faster than you can say “boardwalk bingo.” It’s a light blend of jojoba, olive, avocado and sesame oils infused with vitamins E and C to nourish and moisturize. It’s non-greasy but leaves a sensual sheen, the perfect finishing touch to a woman’s sun-kissed skin. The beach aroma also permeates a suite of items, including a shower gel with sea kelp extract, body scrub with orange peel and shea butter, tan-prolonging body lotion and a 1.7-oz. perfume spray. Click on the photo to get beach and to explore the rest of Bobbi’s  beautiful world.

New styles in Big Skinny ultra-thin wallets

April 24, 2009 by LaMont  
Filed under In the Know

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Bulging wallets in hip pockets can literally be pains in the butt and have been linked to an increasing number of hip and back problems among men. And how many women waste time searching for something stuck somewhere in the middle of an overstuffed wallet held shut with rubber bands? The Big Skinny is changing the game with its flexible, fast-drying nylon microfiber styles that were engineered by award-winning entrepreneur Kiril Stefan Alexandrov to be lighter, thinner and more durable than other wallets. The brand has just introduced trifold styles, colors such as cocktail red and peacock teal, leather hybrids, more extra-wide pockets, slots with rubber that helps cards and cash stay put, and additional waterproof materials. Prices range from $8.95 to $24.95 at www.BigSkinny.net.

Sustainable, affordable beauty tools

April 24, 2009 by LaMont  
Filed under Featured, In the Know

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Since 2007, Paris Presents has used natural, earth-friendly materials such as bamboo and cruelty-free bristles in its Ecotools cosmetic brushes and bath accessories. Now the brand has taken sustainability to the next level with new energy-saving recycled aluminum, stainless steel and washable bamboo products. There’s a recycled stainless steel nailcare set, a recycled aluminum retractable kabuki brush, soybean oil-infused cleansing sponges, a five-piece bamboo makeup brush set, a six-piece bamboo mini-brush set, and nail files and machine-washable powder puffs made of bamboo. Prices range from $1.99 to $12.99. How serious is Ecotools about environmental preservation? Each product package has a “green” tip on the back. News releases are printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with soy-based ink. And the company donates 1% of its annual sales to the nonprofit organization 1% For The Planet. You can buy them at eco-tools.com, walgreens.com, or www.drugstore.com.

How debonair fellows top it all off

April 10, 2009 by LaMont  
Filed under Featured, In the Know

Debonair men of today should be thankful for John Stetson, who took $100 he earned mining gold in Colorado, moved to Philadephia and established a hat company in 1865. The company’s sartorial statements of individuality soon topped men across America, from cowboys to presidents.

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Stetson's Mercer

Eventually hats waned in popularity until, by 1970, they were no longer a staple of every man’s wardrobe. But in one of those recurring mini cycles of fashion, brimmed lids have worked their way back onto the style scene in the last several years and may be the biggest accessory in men’s fashion this season. They jazz up looks from casual to dressy, working well with a T-shirt, vest and high-water Dockers or a custom Canali suit and tie. Stetson pioneered fine men’s millinery, combining comfortable fit with quality materials, with styles such as the Mercer (pictured here, $75 at Stetson.com). So, grab yourself a straw lid this spring, snap down that brim and walk with some swagger. A fine hat demands no less.

Nails that take no prisoners

April 10, 2009 by LaMont  
Filed under In the Know

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Naturally Clean by Essie

Expect your nail polish to last as long as a New York minute if you apply it to brittle nails surrounded by dry cuticles at the tips of weatherbeaten hands. The new Naturally Clean nail care system by Essie gets your mitts ready to showcase the latest, hottest lacquers with cleansing and moisturizing products that contain glycerine, eucalyptus and other essential oils and botanicals. There’s coconut oil in the wash ($14), rice bran oil in the sanitizer ($24), aloe vera in the cleanser ($24), fruit acids in the soak tablets ($24) and vitamins in the polish remover ($6). Together, the spa-quality products get hands primed for new spring colors in classic hues, including Essie’s medium-pink Status Symbol, red-hot crimson Lacquered Up and royal-blue Mesmerize. The 27-year-old brand’s new North Fork collection pays homage to blue — the new black — with aquamarine Greenport, blue-silver Sag Harbor and sky-blue Shelter Island. Polishes are $9 and, along with Naturally Clean, available at essie.com and various salons, spas and beauty stores.

Conditioning for healthy summer hair

March 29, 2009 by LaMont  
Filed under In the Know

postpic_intheknow_ecruWinter weather can be brutal to hair, but summer is full of factors that conspire to jack up your locks, ranging from scorching heat and humidity to chlorine and salt. To keep hair hydrated, silky, strong and untangled, Ecru New York has launched a new product called Silk Nourishing Spray. The leave-in conditioner, a lightweight mist formulated for all hair types, has silk proteins and other agents that can help prevent split ends and damage from blow dryers, curling irons and flatirons. There’s also aloe vera to promote a healthy scalp. It’s $24 at ecrunewyork.com.

The timeless tee goes 80’s-retro

March 29, 2009 by LaMont  
Filed under In the Know

postpic_intheknow_80steeTimeless and universal, the tee shirt is one of the cheapest fashion statements one can make. The wide variety of Eighties-inspired novelty tees by Pennsylvania-based 80s Tees are smart, hip wardrobe additions for both men and women. They can be layered under a jacket or over a long-sleeve henley, or just paired with shorts, slacks, jeans, capris or a skirt. The tees are inspired by movies, musicians, video games, children’s books, cartoons and TV shows. They’re cotton or a cotton-poly blend; sizes run up to XL for women and 3XL for men. They start at a mere $20 at 80sTees.com.

Stamp your lips for the perfect pucker

March 29, 2009 by LaMont  
Filed under Featured, In the Know

postpic_intheknow_lipstampWomen who like the perfect pucker might want to try LipStamp. The new beauty tool does just what its name suggests. All you do is pick your desired lip shape from among 10 options (such as “bow-dacious” and “pouty”), stick a pre-shaped sponge onto the mirrored applicator, add your favorite lipstick shade to the sponge and press it against your lips. It’s $24.95 at AlconeCo.com.

Hip guys grooming on the road

February 28, 2009 by LaMont  
Filed under In the Know

Travel Kit

Travel Kit

Zirh’s Travel Basics Kit is a sleek gray nylon bag housing convenient, carry-on-compliant sizes of alpha-hydroxy face wash, conditioning shampoo, aloe-based shave gel and post-shave healing elixir, all for $34. The brand is home to the Zirh Platinum luxury skincare line, Warrior shower gels - the citrusy Julius Caesar and spicy wood Alexander are our favorites - and some other creative, high-quality men’s grooming products. Shop at zirh.com and get free skincare and fragrance samples every time you order.

An “it” handbag for spring

February 28, 2009 by LaMont  
Filed under Featured, In the Know

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The new Parker satchel is one for the ages. Reflecting Coach’s impeccable design and craftsmanship, the lightweight leather bag has ring-attached double straps and a fabric-lined interior that features pen holders, slip pockets, zip pockets and a PDA pocket. Hidden magnets snap it securely shut. Take your pick of yellow, black, sand or a comely pinkish violet. It’s $458 at Coach stores, coach.com, Macy’s, Lord & Taylor and elsewhere.

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