Ladies, I'm bring you a man all the way from China! That's right, "Man of the Moment" just went global. Meet Justin, a Language Learning Director who currently resides in Shanghai. I have to thank my friend Amber of BeautyBloggingJunkie for nominating him, because like her blog, he's entertaining yet informative. Read on – his date prep rant won't disappoint!
What’s in your medicine cabinet?
My supplies are suffering at the moment due to the China relocation, but I have been a big fan of Kiehl’s shaving products, especially their camphor infused brushless shaving cream. Their Eye Alert was a staple for me back when I worked the restaurant circuit in Boston and got few quality sleeping hours. I’m into after-shave balms with SPF because who isn’t wearing sunscreen these days, maybe guys in Seattle, but the rest of us should. Razors are strictly Gillette’s current Fusion Pro Glide. My stock of Aveda’s Pure Performance grooming clay is tapped out until I can hit the Shanghai department store, so I’m surviving on American Crew’s Fiber. St. Ives Apricot Scrub is a fantastic product. I’m a light sleeper, so I definitely dig Valerian root or melatonin before bed in lieu of a third glass of wine. Trader Joe’s chewable melatonin is great. Nobody wants to look tired.
When prepping to go out on a date what are the three things you make sure you do?
Clean your apartment and I’m not talking folding your clothes and throwing them on the bed. I mean get down and dirty. Call me a fan of foreshadowing, but there’s nothing I hate more than getting all the way through the front door to see a disaster. I don’t care how good she looks in the dress, if her place is a mess that speaks volumes. Secondly, read something, listen to something, have some fresh content in your mind so that you can hold a conversation for more than five minutes. If you go as far as David Sedaris and prepare topics on index cards I will laugh at first and then probably congratulate you. I can’t bear people who rely on spontaneity as their only conversational tool. Lastly, scout your spots. Have your preferences and favorites on hand. I’m no fan of aimless wandering unless I’m in some Parisian fantasy novel and it’s 1928. I like plans, with people who know the territory. I like people who know the good menu items, who know an interesting street in their old neighborhood, and who even know some bartender out there that will save a couple seats for us after a film. Plans and preparation. Simple.
If you could have one night with any celebrity who would it be and why? More importantly, what would you do?
If this is a trick question and I’m supposed to choose someone from Esquire’s “Women We Love” column, I’m not falling for it. Celebrities are people with influence and I’d rather spend a night with people who could change my way of thinking, improve my station, or connect me with something extraordinary. This is not a beautiful people question, is it? I’d like to have dinner with Bill Maher or Craig Ferguson and whatever interesting ladies they’re willing to bring along. At least the conversation will be rowdy.
Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie? Why?
Jolie’s got content written all over her. She’s a working mom with political and humanitarian interests along with a husband who also has his hands in some great projects. Acting, whatever, it’s just her trade. I’ve said my piece on this. They’re both very attractive women, but Aniston’s got nothing on tiger mom and her at-home United Nations of a family.
What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Whole Foods or any abundance of fresh produce and cooking materials gives me a buzz. Be it a specialty cheese/chocolate shop or a farmer’s market selling basil plants and honey. I will stop dead in my tracks for ingredients, knives, or a sweet gas range in a shop window.
