Father's Day Gift Ideas: Grooming Loot Your Dad Would Actually Use

Still need to go Father's Day shopping?  So do I!  However, my dad already knows what he's getting.  Each year I take him to a Yankee game to spend some quality time.  Plus, if I gave him anything on this list, he would just think he was my guinea pig!  Here are my top men's grooming picks that would make great Father's Day gifts. Kiehl's Facial Fuel Sky Flyin’ Foaming Multi-Gel, $19

I swear every man I talk to is obsessed with Kiehl's shaving cream.  They say it's like no other. Well this Father's Day give your day the ultimate two-in-one, the brand's new gel based shaving cream that also acts as a cleanser.  

Birch Box Man, $20

Yes, there's a Birch Box for Men!  Gift your dad with a yearly subscription to Birch Box and he'll receive trial sized grooming and lifestyle products to test and enjoy monthly.

Babyliss Pro Volare X1 by Ferrari, $199

No matter how much he may deserve one, you obviously can't buy your dad a Ferrari for Father's Day, but you can gift him with these cool clippers from Babyliss Pro.  They have a Ferrari inspired motor!    It's three speeds, cordless and comes with six comb attachments and 5 taper setting controls.

Molton Brown Activate His Grooming, $58

The black pepper line of men's grooming loot by Molton Brown is the only scent your dad should be wearing.  It's fresh, yet spicy.  This kit includes masculine products like a hair and body sports wash and a deodorizing body spray.  Great for his gym bag.

Man of the Moment: Justin

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.

Man of the Moment: Matt

Ladies, allow me to introduce you to Matt, an advertising creative from Williamsburg, Brooklyn who also edits a website called theimpersonals that I now find myself reading daily. Chances are if you're a fan of BeautySweetSpot, you'll enjoy it too.  Until reading Matt's responses, I never really knew why men used cologne.  Read on to find out... What’s in your medicine cabinet? 

I have more Kiehl's than I know what to do with. Every Christmas, my mother gets the guys in the family massive amounts of Kiehl's product, and there’s not enough time in a year to use it all. So it kind of works like rollover minutes. Lately I’ve been giving some to the homeless guys on my way to work.

My favorite brand of the moment is Black Fleece, which is Thom Brown for Brooks Brothers. It’s the perfect collaboration - tradition meets eccentricity. There’s also this great store/brand called Grahame Fowler - fantastic stuff, all made in England of the highest quality. Any man would do well to visit those establishments, both in the west village. I also score a lot of great vintage stuff from my father who now lives in Florida for the winter, so there’s no need for things like a beautiful navy cashmere (!) coat. I just tailored it and can’t wait for the weather to change so I can strut my stuff.

When prepping to go out on a date what are the three things you make sure you do? Good cologne. A friend who works in fragrance told me that a good scent can nullify up to 4 stupid things you say on a date. Things like, “you have the nicest earlobes.”  I blast myself with about 4 sprays, which I estimate affords me 16 dumb comments (for the record, this works 63% of the time.)

If you could have one night with any celebrity who would it be and why?  More importantly, what would you do? I’m less interested in celebrities and more interested in that red head who seems to share the L train home with me everyday. She’s been the hopeful recipient of no less than 100 “Missed Connections”. Fingers crossed.

Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie?  Why? My main problem with hypothetical celebrity sex is I always imagine what would really happen. In my case, I would last two minutes max, then would be humiliated and slink off into the night. So I guess my answer is neither.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure? Style wise, suspenders with buttons, and vintage hats. Also, skinny jeans. My family makes fun of me incessantly for them, but I can’t give ‘em up. I think it’s because they remind of the pants I used to wear in football. Or my old wrestling singlet.

Kiehl's Celebrates 160 Years with Heritage Collection

I'm a huge fan of Kiehl's and I know I'm obviously not alone.  The skin and hair care brand has a cult following and thanks to that, they're now celebrating their 160th anniversary, which any beauty addict would know, is a huge accomplishment for a beauty brand!  With a new line popping up every day, Kiehl's has remained true to their fans and improved over time. To celebrate, they went back to their roots and launched a limited edition heritage collection, which includes four old school products (also customer favorites), but repackaged them for the occasion.  The collection includes their Ultra Facial Cream (one of my faves), Ultra Facial Moisturizer, Calendula Toner and Original Musk Oil and will be available from September through December.

Man of the Moment: Benjamin

Ladies meet Benjamin, a 26 year old New Yorker who works as an editor at a publishing house.  Read on and you'll see he's quite the character!  And every time I feature a new Man of the Moment someone always asks, "Is he single?"  So yes, he is! What’s in your medicine cabinet?

Probably a lock of hair from the girl who last slept over, a picture of my mother, and my emergency stash of Alizé. Actually, though? Looks like some Tom’s of Maine toothpaste and deodorant, some type of hair gel for curly haired people (currently it appears to be made by Garnier Fructis), Kiehl’s face lotion, Vaseline for Men body lotion. Oh, and I hate cologne. It’s for people with crispy hair who use the word “classy.”

What product can’t you live without and why?

Hmmm is whisky a product? Because I’m pretty should that would be hard to live without. Also, I have a miniature Biggie Smalls figure that sits on my bookshelf, and he would be hard to part with. Can’t live without? I don’t know… soap? Toothpaste? Can anyone now live without that?

How would you describe your grooming habits?

“Grooming habits?” Am I cat? That brings me to a more important issue. Cats are awful. I’m a dog person. Particularly lazy, fat, all-white English Bulldogs.

Now be honest, how would a woman describe your grooming habits?

She’d probably say that I’m eerily similar to the Old Spice guy. In both looks and scent.

When prepping to go out on a date what are the three things you make sure you do?

Brush my teeth, shower, and make sure I’ve queued up enough Taio Cruz, Waka Flocka Flame, and Usher feat. Pitbull for a late night DP at my apartment, which I try to always keep stocked with a variety of drinks…you never know. [Note: DP = DanceParty.]

If you could have one night with any celebrity who would it be and why? More importantly, what would you do?

Myself. Next question. No, but this is so tricky because who knows how shallow and awful they’d actually be. I’m basing my choice of Mila Kunis off of how down to earth she seems in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. But then what if she turns out to drug me and drive me to kill myself like poor Natalie Portman. Okay, so scratch that. Let’s do a dead celebrity. I’m thinking Teddy Roosevelt. That guy took a bullet straight to his chest, didn’t flinch, then stood up and gave an hour long speech. Plus I heard he could do a sick Dougie.

What’s the first thing you notice about a woman?

It may sound crazy, but I always notice girls shoes. A sweet pair goes a long way. Doesn’t have to be heels, but just make sure they’re dope. Old Uggs in public make it look like you have two broken ankles. I get it, I know they’re super comfortable. But I don’t wear my old ass slippers out of the house. You shouldn’t either.

When it comes to a woman’s beauty what’s your sweet spot?

I don’t really have a type, but ambition (both intellectually and physically), humor, and adaptation are key. The last one may seem strange, but here’s what I mean: you should be able to schmooze at some cocktail party with me, and, say, Mike Bloomberg, one second, then be in high-top sneaks, rocking out to Lil Weezy the next.

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Help Kiehl's Ensure No Kid Goes Hungry in the USA

This weekend Kiehl's stores across America have partnered with Share Our Strength, a national nonprofit that is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting children with nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives, to launch an event called "Erase Lines, Fill Needs and Ensure that No Kid Goes Hungry in America." You can get involved by visiting a Kiehl's free standing store in your area and donating $1 at the register.  Believe it or not, $1 can feed up to 10 children!  As a thank you, you'll receive a 10.5 day supply of their Powerful Strength Line Reducing Concentrate.

Unable to visit the store?  You can still participate by donating through the end of the year at Kiehls.com.

The Beauty Gal's Guide to Fashion's Night Out

Fashion's Night Out is this Friday and I don't even know where to begin!  Last year I ran around the Meatpacking District and visited Scoop, Diane Von Furstenberg, Theory and Tory Burch (who had an old school bar-b-que outside her store!).  This year, it's time to explore something new.  Here's a guide of some of New York's hottest beauty brands and what their plans are for FNO. In case you're not located in NYC, check out the special on prime time on Tuesday, September 14th hosted by Oscar de la Renta, Diane Von Furstenberg, Justin Timberlake, and Anna Wintour.

Fashion's Night Out 2010 PSA from Fashion's Night Out on Vimeo.

VuBar, Votre Vu customized airstream

• Meatpacking District
• photos on a red carpet, skincare samples, pastry chef, ice luge

Co Bigelow Apothecary

• 414 6th Ave., 6-10pm
• Vinny Guadagnino of MTV's hit show The Jersey Shore will be at the store from 7pm to 8pm, touch ups by jane iredale makeup artists, manicures by Barielle, Mamma Mio mocktails

Rimmel London

• Reiss Store, 387 West Broadway
• 10% discount on Reiss merchandise, Reiss makeup bag full of Rimmel makeup, Rimmel makeup artists offering touch ups, photo booth, Face of Rimmel - Coco Rocha – making an appearance

Kiehl's

• 109 3rd Ave @ 13th St., 6:30-11pm
• karaoke, performances by Jordan Sparks, Adrienne Bailon and Caridee English, prizes, cotton candy and cocktails

The Plaza Beauty

• The Plaza Hotel
• complimentary mini-facials, hand treatments and makeup touch ups

Maria Bonita Salon & Spa

• 12 Prince St., 7-11pm
• complimentary mini facials, updo's, aromatherapy, DJ

Rita Hazan

• Intermix at 210 Columbus Ave., 5 - 8pm
• complimentary blow outs and champagne

Lancome

• Bloomingdales on 59th St.
• meet Spokesmodels, watch tango dancers, check out the fall color collection - French Coquettes

Natori Fragrance

• Saks Fifth Ave, 6-10pm
• receive a free Natori candle (worth $75) with a purchase of $130 or more, lingerie raffles

Phyto Universe

• 715 Lexington @ 58th St., 6-8pm
• free hair and scalp analyses, 20% off haircare, skincare and services, enter to win complimentary treatments, champaign

Laura Geller

• Lulu Guinness 394 Bleecker St., 7-10pm
• Laura Geller makeup artists on hand for free lip painting, free product samples

Caudalie

• Vera Wang Bridal Salon 991 Madison Ave, 6-7:30pm
• brides will be greeted and pampered by Vera herself, music, mini spa services and giveaways

Sue Devitt

• Barneys New York, 660 Madison Ave., 6-10pm
• meet Sue Devitt, receive freebies, makeup touchups

Maybelline

• Meatpacking District, 9th and 13th St.
• free mini-makeovers, Spokesmodels, freebies, DJ, strut your stuff contest

Sally Hershberger Downtown & Teen Vogue

• 425 W. 14th St.
• blockparty for the ASOS fashion show, performance by VV Brown

Redken

• 565 Fifth Ave btw. 46th and 47th Sts, 6-10pm
• first 100 shoppers receive a free tote with hair products, 20% off all items
• Betsey Johnson 138 Wooster St.
• free hair touch ups by Redken fashion week stylists, first 100 shoppers receive freebies