The male grooming company Bulldog recently launched its line of Fairtrade products. The first products in the line are the company’s Eco-System Shave Gel and Eco-System Moisturiser. Fairtrade ingredients from throughout the world, including green tea from Sri Lanka, organic shea butter from Ghana, and Brazil nut oil from Peru, are used to make these products.
The Fairtrade Foundation was established to address the traditional injustices inherent in conventional trade. Conventional trade practices historically discriminated against producers of the poorest and weakest varieties. The Foundation aims to provide fair terms of trade, better prices, decent working conditions, and local sustainability to these farmers and workers.
As part of this movement, companies are required to pay sustainable prices, which may never fall below the market price, to farmers and workers within developing countries. Over seven million people from 58 developing countries around the world currently benefit from Fairtrade. The Fairtrade community provides a much-welcomed benefit to those who suffered years of injustice under conventional rules of trade.
In addition to containing a blend of eight essential oils, the ingredients in Eco-System Shave Gel include Fairtrade green tea from Sri Lanka and organic sugar from Paraguay. These combine to form a product that soothes a man’s freshly-shaven skin. The 175 ml bottle retails for £3.69. The Eco-System Moisturiser comes in a 100 ml container and sells for £6.49. It contains Fairtrade ingredients of organic shea butter from Ghana, sesame seed oil from Nicaragua and Brazil nut oil from Peru, along with eight essential oils designed to improve the skin’s hydration.
The effort to go organic and reduce reliance on manufactured chemicals is made possible with Bulldog’s line of Fairtrade products. The Eco-System Shave Gel and Moisturiser do not rely on commercially created ingredients in their production, making them a welcome addition to the culturally aware male’s bathroom cabinet. The well-groomed man will find that these products quickly become an essential component of his daily routine.
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Men should consider five items prior to purchasing a new fragrance. Taking these into account will yield the appropriate scent for every season and reason. It will prevent the purchase of a fragrance that will be opened and then discarded into the back of the closet or immediately thrown away.
First, men should consider the season during which the fragrance will be worn. There are four men’s fragrance families: fresh, floral, woody, and oriental. Fresh and floral scents should be worn during spring and summer months. The woody and oriental scents should be worn during fall and winter because the fragrance needs to be heavier to be noticeable underneath layers of clothing.
After taking the seasons into account, conduct online research to find the ingredients contained in the desired fragrances. High-quality fragrances use ingredients like musk, vanilla, herbs, spices, amber, leather, and wood. These adhere well to the skin, making the scent last throughout the day.
Test the selected fragrance on the skin rather than a strip of paper. Testing on the skin will reveal how the scent smells on your body when it is warmed and mixed with your own natural scent. Testing on paper will not produce this effect. Spray the scent on the bicep area, not the wrist. The bicep is a highly exercised muscle during daily activities so it will quickly warm and mix the fragrance with your body’s scent.
Finally yet importantly, know the concentration of the fragrance. When researching concentration, the answer will be found in the name of the category of fragrance. An eau de parfum lasts about five hours, an eau de toilette will be effective for about four hours, while cologne will last only about two hours. The eau de parfum may cost more but could actually be a better value because it lasts longer so not as much will be needed.
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The style that came to the forefront in the 1960s has returned. One has only to look as far as the media to see that. Sixties-inspired television such as Mad Men and movies such as A Serious Man, Nine, and An Education made their presence known this year. Recently released movies Youth In Revolt and A Single Man continue to prove that the slick and suave style of the 1960s is back to make its mark again.
The movie A Single Man, based on the book by Christopher Isherwood, stars Colin Firth as the main character, George. Throughout the film, Firth is decked in costumes designed by the famous Tom Ford. Firth’s wardrobe includes the characteristic suit, pressed white shirt, and skinny tie so reminiscent of the sixties’ style. Firth’s character even comments on his choice of clothing, stating that it is a type of “armour” that he puts on one piece at a time as he prepares to do battle with the world.
At first glance, Youth In Revolt seems to present a stark contrast to the detail captured within A Single Man. A closer look reveals the parallels between these two films. In Youth, the Michael Cera’s gawky character creates the suave alter ego Francois Dillenger, in order to win over the female object of his affection. Dillinger is clad in a casual but suave sixties’ look throughout the movie.
The sixties represented the sharp and put-together style that is making a comeback. This wardrobe lends an air of credibility and debonair appeal to any man who dons it. The sixties’ look does not need to cost a fortune because, with some creative shopping, the designer styles can be recreated at bargain prices.
Take a look at the J+ range by Uniglo for affordable separates. This line is a result of the company’s collaboration with designer Jil Sander. For the added designer touch, accessories will make any man’s outfit appear priceless. Skinny ties may be found at Top Man, pocket squares at Aspinal of London, and Anglo American glasses at Retrospecs. Shopping at these venues, every man can carry the sleek sixties’ look with pride.
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Outerwear can occasionally be the most difficult item to find when it comes to wardrobe. Heavy jackets or overcoats serve their purpose but some days can be a bit too much should the weather shift. The right blazer can be multi-functional in that it can look good enough for a day of business and yet can still come in under the casual heading for a night out at the pub.
When searching out a blazer, one should lean towards a style that actually fits the body of the wearer. An over sized blazer, even one to two sizes, can make the wearer look more like the dressed by luck rather than choice and one that is too small, simply looks wrong. Go for a comfortable fit that is a little big to accommodate a sweater should a chill permeate the air but still looks fitting when worn with a shirt.
Single-breasted blazers are a great choice in that they may be worn buttoned for that more business-like look and unbuttoned to go for a more casual appearance. The double-breasted ones simply do not pull off the casual look in the slightest. One other point to consider is the buttons that come with the blazer, as many of these simply look, for lack of a better word, cheesy.
If a blazer is found the standard garish buttons but fits like a dream, a quick trip to the local tailors can handle this in short order. They normally stock a wide variety of sizes and style and one will be found that matches the wearer’s personality. This allows an individual to personalize their blazer in an oh so subtle way.
By choosing the correct blazer, one can get twice the use out of it for all day or eveningwear. By rolling the sleeves up after work, you can convey a very casual appearance with literally any blazer, whether out with friends at the club or a causal dinner with your mates. Remember that the fit is the most important part of the right blazer and the rest can be worked out later.
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