A few weeks ago I blogged about my admiration for well groomed men. Believe me, I’ve had a thing for a man in a suit ever since my first crush. It was Saul Jones, he was in the 5th grade and I was in the 4th. Saul had lived a few houses down from mine, 7 to be exact and I never really noticed him until I saw him on stage, wearing a grey pin-stripped suit, singing the National Anthem in a school play. It was like an instant attraction. There he was standing there in that suit… perfection personified. Saul was popular with the ladies, as for me… just consider me a late bloomer. For weeks I kept my crush secret until the day that I  let my older brother in on it. He and Saul were good friends so he volunteered to put in a good word for me. I was a little skeptical about revealing my crush but my big bro assured me that things would be okay.  After speaking to him in my behalf he told me that the feelings were mutual and Saul wanted to be my boyfriend. I couldn’t believe it Saul liked me just as much as I had liked him. This was a dream come true. A few days later some of the girls were talking about their boyfriends amongst each other and asked me who my mine was.

Before I drop this bomb on you I must let you in on a little secret. I was taunted and teased in middle school for having short “nappy” hair and dark skin.  I was the ugly chick in class that no boy would be caught dead with. Yes Tamara Delbridge aka Glamamara was the ugly ducking turned fab swan.

I’m sure they expected me to say that I was boyfriend-less because their reaction to my answer was something for an after school special. There was a collective gasp and sighs of disbelief. They were stunned. Lisa said “Tamara, you can’t be serious.” I said “No, but I am, as a matter of fact Saul told my brother that he liked me for years and wanted me to be his girlfriend so I said yes.” Lisa was perplexed.  I must admit that I felt a little nervous after claiming this boy to be mine after hearing the reaction of everyone in theclass. After-all he didn’t ask me directly to be his girlfriend.

The guillotine drops:

Later that day during lunch break, Lisa (Miss busy-body) approached me and said ” Saul wants to speak to you.” The look on her face said it all, (it read… girl you’ve got some explaining to do!) I began to scan the courtyard to find Saul, I did, I walked over to him and before I got a chance to say hello he screamed; “TAMARA! YOU BETTER NOT BE TELLING ANYBODY THAT YOU’RE MY GIRL YOU UGLY BITCH!” I was so confused,  “my brother said”… but he cut me off and said “I’VE GOT A GIRL AND SHE AINT YOU!” Embarrassed and humiliated I walked back over to my group friends and sat quietly in  the corner until the school bell rang. 

The truth was that my brother had never spoken to Saul in regards to my crush. He admitted that he wanted to spare my feelings. He never thought that I’d tell anyone that Saul and I were dating because I was told to keep it a secret. My brother knew that the kids thought that I was ugly so he just told me that to make me feel good. ugh.. 

After that painful first crush experience I still have not lost my affinity for well dressed men. By the way 10 years later Saul asked me out, I declined.

Looking and smelling good go hand in hand, Hence the fist shaped bottle of cologne put out by none other than sexy ass Common via Diesel. What does a bold man smell like? Try cedarwoood lemon and amber on for size.  about $65.00 

Here’s a barber shop fit for a king. B Braxton is a male spa located uptown (Harlem USA) that caters to the discerning man’s every whim.

This impressive salon serves up five star amenities that include luxury car service for pick up and drop off, cognac cocktails, and even custom shirt making, (get measured in advance).  Don’t leave without picking up some posh products that I’d use if i were a man.   

You don’t have to make an appointment, but I suggest that you do. 

1400 Fifth Avenue at West 116th Street.

212.369.3094. Or email us at info@BBraxton1400.com.

Shower to shower

What’s hot and sticky and begins with an A?

August! (get your minds out of the gutter) As summer nears an end humid air lingers for it’s last hoorah. For some, the only option is to jump in the shower for relief. If you are one of those guys who takes multiple showers when the temperature rises listen up. According to the the staff at the Mayo Clinic  multiple showers and the use of harsh soaps and detergents both breaks down and strips the lipid barriers in your skin which results in dry ashy skin. So, if you refuse to skip that fourth shower of the day just go in armed with products that will help your skin retain it’s moisture.

Ahava’s Demud Moisturizing Shower Cream is my pick to help restore moisture to parched skin. The scientists’ at Ahava developed a process based on osmosis (Mineral Skin Osmoter) that allows the body to pull fluids from it’s recesses to target tight dry skin in efforts to rejuvenate it from inside out.

Available at Ricky’s NYC (http://knd.ly/api/redirect.php?u=www.rickysnyc.com&a=-kndly&d=&b=Anonymous&rd=knd.ly&t=Knd.ly) $20

Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Cream imparts 24 hour long hydration that locks in moisture, created with shea, cocoa butter and natural colloidal oatmeal, this cream soothes and hydrates skin.

Available at drugstores nationwide $12

Primping aint easy

Dont get caught stealing anymore of your girlfriends toiletries just get your own. If you’re clueless about what to use or what will work for you visit Nivea’s new website dedicated to men’s skin care needs.

Nivea taps into men’s grooming with website launch

Source CosmeticsDesign.com

Beiersdorf, owner of the global Nivea brand, has launched a new website called the Groom Room, aimed at providing an online resource for male personal care needs.

The international website features blog posts, grooming tips, as well as articles on popular topics that include subjects such as sport, entertainment, career advice and fashion as well as tips on dating and relationships to promote the Nivea for Men range.

The website combines articles from a team of journalists as well as syndicated articles from a number of leading international men’s interest titles.

Aiming at greater consumer involvement

The move taps into growing trend to involve consumers more with brand names and products by creating an interactive presence online and focusing not only on the products, but also lifestyle issues.

On top of tapping into social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter, the big personal care players are increasingly aiming to woo consumers with dedicated internet sites that promote the brand while engaging the consumer by encouraging greater product awareness, and ultimately, greater loyalty.

Gillette, Nivea’s major rival in the men’s grooming category, recently unveiled its first new global marketing campaign in five years, which will build on the brand’s expansion into men’s hair styling and personal care products.

P&G goes for emotional bond

With the aim of expanding beyond shaving, brand owner Procter & Gamble says it also wants to establish ‘an emotional bond among men’, hoping to engage and broaden consumer loyalty.

The new campaign will use the tag line ‘The Moment’, which was developed following extensive global research that took into account the opinions of men who use shaving products worldwide, the company claims.

Despite the big players having high hopes for the men’s grooming segment, a recent study by Bernstein Research shows that the segment has been struggling under the weight of the economic downturn.

The company said that, according to its research, sales of men’s grooming products fell by an estimated 20 per cent in June, compared to a fall in sales of 2.3 percent for the US personal care and cosmetics market as a whole.

Smooth to the touch

The only thing better than nestling up with your honey while caressing each other cheek to cheek is doing it with a clean-shaven face. Annemarie Boerlind for Men can help you achieve the smooth skin that you crave with a combination of organic botanicals and essential vitamins delivered directly to your skin.  Need more proof of why you should try? Read below…

Annemarie Börlind, the For Men Series is:

beautypress.com

Gillette and the Art of Shaving

If you haven’t noticed from previous post I LOVE WELL GROOMED MEN! I just do. So when doing my research for great gifts for men for the holidays I stumbled up a few items that will be well suited for the man who actually cares about his appearance.

 I stock my makeup kit with this line of grooming aids because of it’s clean packaging, light yet masculine scent and most importantly, the results. I am often called to get men makeup ready for TV appearances and photoshoots. Working in tandem with on set barbers I use LAB Series products to prep their skin before they shave and to remove makeup and antishine products when the day is wrapped.  The Multi-Action Face Wash penetrates the pores for a deep clean.  LAB Series Multi-Action Face Wash $16.00 http://knd.ly/api/redirect.php?u=www.bloomindales.com&a=-kndly&d=&b=Anonymous&rd=knd.ly&t=Knd.ly

For those guys out there whose t-zone have a bit of a glare just dab this oil control lotion on the shiny spots.  LAB Series Oil Control Lotion $12.00 http://knd.ly/api/redirect.php?u=www.sephora.com&a=-kndly&d=&b=Anonymous&rd=knd.ly&t=Knd.ly

 Keep your lips kissably soft with this soothing long lasting lip balm. (my homegirl Daniella put me onto this, yes chicks can use this too!)  Malin+Goetz Lip moisurizer $12.00 http://knd.ly/api/redirect.php?u=www.bloomingdales.com&a=-kndly&d=&b=Anonymous&rd=knd.ly&t=Knd.ly

 This chrome razor stand created by The Art of Shaving to cradle the new Gillette Power Razor is a stylish and functional. It keeps the razor in an upright postion which allows for proper water drainage. The Art of Shaving & Gillette Fusion Chrome razor stand. $100.00 http://knd.ly/api/redirect.php?u=www.gillette.com&a=-kndly&d=&b=Anonymous&rd=knd.ly&t=Knd.ly

 For a good clean shave call Gillette Fusion Chrome. It’s equipped with a light for accuracy, muliple blades for precison and power to insure that you dont miss a hair.  Gillette Power Razor $150.00 http://knd.ly/api/redirect.php?u=www.theartofshaving.com&a=-kndly&d=&b=Anonymous&rd=knd.ly&t=Knd.ly

 This luxurious aftershave infused with licorice, aloe vera, and skin saving vitamins not only soothes freshly shaved skin it’s creamy texture moisturizes the skin. Acqua di Parma Colonia After Shave. $79.00 http://knd.ly/api/redirect.php?u=www.bloomingdales.com&a=-kndly&d=&b=Anonymous&rd=knd.ly&t=Knd.ly

You’ve seen them in US Weekly, GQ, even People magazines most eligible bachelor edition. You know what I’m talking about… The six pack. I’m not talking Budweiser here people, I’m talking about  men with perfectly sculpted abs. Fellas if you’ve ever visited a woman’s home and she had a GQ mag sitting on her coffee table, believe me, she’s not  just “reading the articles“. She admiring the eye candy gracing those pages. If you’re looking at his washboard than looking at your um not so washboard belly this product may be right up your alley.

Abs in a Box. With a few strokes of a brush and strategic placement of the waterproof, non transferable, sweat-proof shades you’ll have the look that you’ve always desired and she admires.

Available at http://knd.ly/api/redirect.php?u=www.itcosmetics.com&a=-kndly&d=&b=Anonymous&rd=knd.ly&t=Knd.ly $69.00