CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Looking good is a godsend, but not everyone has the means to always look dressed to the nines daily, especially if they’re working a nine-to-five. That doesn’t mean that fashion is for those who can afford it. Your clothes can look expensive if you know how to style them right.

Having a fashion sense is not mandatory, but it helps bolster your self-confidence and overall make you feel more in control with daily dealings in your life. Great style is not fixed on a bracket of a certain amount of money.

There are ways you can get around to having a budget. If you happen to have a closet full of clothes that you don’t fully utilize, take some time to go over everything you have. If you have clothes you haven’t worn and don’t plan to, you can eithersell them online for a profit or donate them. Either way, you’re freeing up precious closet space and getting rid of things you don’t need.

Not really convinced that you can look luxe on a budget? Here are styling hacks and tips to help you.

Invest in Classic Pieces

Quality will always trump quantity. Instead of buying the latest trendy clothes, keep it simple by investing in classic pieces that you can keep reusing for longer. Quality items will not wear out as much as the trendy pieces will. If you buy them in neutral colors, they are versatile to be paired with any existing clothing you have.

Repair What You Can

Stains, missing buttons, and stubborn zippers are annoying. If you are thinking of throwing away clothing that has these, consider repairing it yourself. You can extend the shelf life of damaged garments by applying DIY remedies. Spot-cleaning with a sponge or a toothbrush if you see pen marks can do wonders on your clothes.

Learning how to sew is a handy skill to have. Going to the tailor can be expensive, especially if the damage is a little tear or the seam coming undone. Do it yourself by picking up a needle and thread. If you are interested in ruined-cloth hacks, check out thisarticle.

Never Wear Wrinkled Clothes

Carelessly handling or storing clothes can make them wrinkled. It can be an inconvenience to see a garment you anticipate wearing have unsightly wrinkles. It can be unbecoming to don clothes that are rumpled and creased, so you should iron them before putting it on and going out.

Better yet, invest in a steaming iron instead of the traditional one. Most clothes made with synthetic fabrics like polyester are sensitive to heat and run the risk of getting misshapen or burned. A steamer is an alternative way to get wrinkle-free clothes.

Black Always Looks Expensive

There’s a reason black is one of the most favored shades in the color spectrum. There are a lot of things that the shade is credited for, and it can be described in words such as elegant, slimming, and uncomplicated. Black clothes make the wearer look more sophisticated, and while the reasons vary, they are universally understood.

Additionally, dark clothes make the wearer appear visually thinner, and that is why self-conscious men and women prefer to wear black: to make their bodies look sleeker. If you’re new to fashion and don’t have a lot of knowledge or experience in bold prints and patterns, black on black is a safe choice.

There are many perks to wearing black, apart from the aesthetic. It is a versatile shade that pairs perfectly with any color. If you are a messy eater, you can feast with abandon when you wear black because it hides any food stains. Remember that when you’re going to an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Alter Clothes to Fit Better

Not everyone can afford bespoke clothing. Make the best out of clothes you can buy off the rack by making them fit your frame better. This idea also works for pieces you adore but are not available in your size.

It can be a pain to go to a tailor to have your clothing altered and expensive in bulk, but remember that it is a good investment. It is certainly cheaper to alter clothes than to buy expensive ones. If you have the skills and equipment like a sewing machine to do it, then why not do it yourself?

What other styling hacks do you know of that are not listed above? Share your tips in the comments section below.

Did you know that dandruff is an overgrowth of yeast fungus? That’s right, and it often happens as a result of increased sebum production. If you’ve been dealing with dandruff for quite some time now, you know how challenging and frustrating it can be. However, getting rid of it isn’t an impossible mission! Here are five useful tips for men to prevent dandruff, so keep on reading and check them out!

First of all, change up your diet

In case you didn’t know, poor nutrition can cause dandruff, which is exactly why you should change up your diet in the first place. This is particularly true if you eat a lot of high-carb foods, since these can result in the buildup of glycogen – an element yeast feeds on to survive. The same goes for eating too much sugar and dairy, as these stimulate the sebaceous glands which produce more oil on the skin. So, if you want to get rid of dandruff once for good, make sure to stay away from carbs, sugar, and dairy. Instead, introduce fresh fruits and vegetables and foods rich in protein and you’ll see a huge difference!

Stop washing your hair every day

Even though everyone thinks that washing their hair every day is an absolute must when they have dandruff, the truth is that this isn’t actually the best idea. Your scalp and hair have a natural balance which is disturbed every time you decide to wash your hair. This happens because many shampoos tend to strip your hair of its natural oils. When those oils are gone due to excessive shampooing, your body will start to create even more sebum to restore the natural balance, which will result in an extremely oily scalp. In order to prevent that, be sure to wash your hair at least every other day and use an organic anti dandruff shampoo that won’t be too harsh on your scalp. That’s the key to success if you ask us!

Exfoliate your scalp

Apart from an anti-dandruff shampoo, which is a true must when you want to get rid of dandruff, you should also rely on a gentle scalp exfoliator. Yes, we know that it may sound silly, but the truth is that exfoliating your scalp can remove the layer of dead skin that accumulates on it and leads to flaking. This step can be very helpful in your battle against dandruff, so don’t skip it and you’ll see what we were talking about. Just make sure to use an exfoliating product that contains salicylic acid or tiny granules that dissolve. These will break down the dead skin cells and successfully cleanse your scalp, which is exactly what you need, right?

Try a hot-oil mask

Even though this may seem a bit contradictory, the fact is that hot-oil masks can reduce excessive oil production of your scalp. We can freely say that this is a classic law of attraction where similar substances attract each other and work in unison. This means that applying oil to the scalp will actually help it get rid of excess oils that can further exacerbate your problem with dandruff. So, heat up coconut oil in a microwave (be careful not to overheat it!) and apply it gently to your hair and scalp. Let it sit for an hour and then wash your hair as you normally would. Repeat this step once a week and you’ll be thrilled to see your hair recovering from dandruff issues!

Give apple cider vinegar a fair shot

We know that it probably sounds too gross, but you know what? Apple cider vinegar is one of the most effective home remedies for dandruff, so why wouldn’t you give it a fair shot? This is simply because this ingredient has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, which is why it can calm inflammation and reduce levels of yeast on the skin. If you want to try it out, combine 1 cup of apple cider vinegar with 3 cups of cool water. Shampoo and rinse your hair as you normally would and then pour the mixture through your hair, making sure to spread it over your scalp as well. You shouldn’t rinse it off, so let your hair air dry and the vinegar smell will gradually evaporate!

Preventing dandruff has been extremely challenging for many men, but it doesn’t have to be like that any longer. There are many useful tips on how to get rid of dandruff or at least reduce it significantly, so stick to our tips if you want to make it happen. Just follow our guidelines and you’ll accomplish amazing results, without a shadow of a doubt!

Ahhhhh Summer almost here, and the time might not be right for dancing in the street,  but we have, at the moment, the perfect weather for a BBQ. After you have wined and dined your guests, the last thing you want to do is clean the BBQ.

So Michelin star chef Steve Smith has provided his tips on how to clean your BBQ as easily and as quickly as possible. It is important to clean your BBQ regularly to prevent food poisoning and to prolong the life of your BBQ. So remember to;

– Preheat the Grill

Clean the grill just after preheating it, this way the grease and food will scrape off easily.

– Grab an Onion

To remove all of the grit, place a half cut onion on the end of a fork and rub onto a hot grill.

– Prevent rusting

Clean your grill with soapy water after cooking, then rinse and dry immediately and rub vegetable oil across the grill to prevent rust.

– Don’t throw water

If you are using a charcoal grill, then do not throw cold water over the coals after cooking as this will create a mess!

– Crack open a Beer

Yes you did read that correctly. Pour half a bottle of beer over a heated BBQ then rub with newspaper for a clean grill. Then you enjoy the rest of the beer for yourself!

– Create a Paste

Mix baking soda and water to make a paste then cover the grill in it with a wire brush. Let it dry for 15 minutes then wipe the grill with a dry cloth and place it over the hot coals for 15 minutes to burn off any remains before cooking the food.

Chef Steve Smith @ Bohemia Bar & Restaurant, Green Street, St. Helier, Jersey JE2 4UH, Channel Islands.