CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Clarins and their innovative Laboratories have been at the cutting-edge of skin care for over 60 years. Their unique expertise has resulted in the ClarinsMen range, a groundbreaking range in the field of men’s skin care. To target men’s specific needs – the need for energy, comfort and high-performance skin care – 17 cutting-edge products were developed to provide tailor-made solutions for every need, at every moment of a man’s life.

As we all know men today are as likely to have a beard, as not, but more and more we all have concerns about our physical appearance. To meet these new needs, adapted skin care inspired by the experience of renowned master barbers was required. And so Clarins created a dedicated line of incredibly effective, easy-to-use products.

THE RESULT? Expert, targeted skin products at the cutting-edge of shaving and beard care.At the heart of of the new range’s formulas lies the power of plants. Clarins Research has developed a complex with plant extracts with proven effectiveness, perfectly adapted to the specific nature of men’s skin.

Hero products within the range include the Smooth Shave Foaming Gel. For a close, clean and easy shave, in one stroke. This creamy, comfortable, foaming gel envelops and softens beard hair. It helps prevent uncomfortable, irritated skin after shaving. Thanks to its rich protective and effective foam, you’re shaved in no time every morning, and ready for action. It also makes short work of a 5 o’clock shadow before a night out. Skin is soft, fresh and comfortable after your shave

Another is the After Shave Soothing Gel. For the skin it helps to soothe uncomfortable, red and irritated skin after shaving. The skin is instantly refreshed, moisturized, smooth and matte. But equally for a beard, thanks to mastic extract, it strengthens and softens beard hair. It’s the expert, easy-to-use 2-in-1 gel which grooms your beard in one step !

Now we couldn’t talk about this range without mentioning the Shave + Beard Oil. For a super-comfortable, close shave: It softens beard hair, facilitates razor glide and also helps to soothe uncomfortable, irritated skin after shaving. Non-oily and non-sticky, it leaves no oily film on the skin. For daily beard care: contains mastic extract to strengthen hair and castor oil to soften the beard. The result: your beard is supple, smooth, perfectly groomed and feels soft. This dry oil can be used in 3 different ways: it will be your new essential. For an easy shave: apply alone, preferably on damp skin, or before Smooth Shave Foaming Gel for really smooth razor glide. As daily beard care: rub a few drops between palms and apply to the beard, to soften and revitalize beard hair.

Yes it’s still new year as far as 2023 is considered and if you, yourself are pondering on a lil revamp or refresh, look on further. We caught up with JIM SHAW, DIRECTOR OF TONI&GUY AND MULTI AWARD WINNING MEN’S HAIRDRESSER to gauge his opinion on mens hair trend in 2023.

For 2023 I think we will start to see men’s hair looks becoming a lot more groomed from the messier, textured styles we noticed in previous years. Think slicked back, shiny hair!

Overcombs and undercut styles will be two of the most prominent cuts of 2023, which will be styled with the help of waxes and pomades to give the looks a more ‘polished’ appearance.

Old school and classic wavy hairstyles will also make a comeback this year and look great when paired with a side parting to exude sophistication.

In terms of colour for men in 2023, we will continue to see men experiment by adding blonde into their hair via highlights or onto the top section of their hair if they have a tapered/faded haircut for more of a statement finish.

Ash tones will also remain popular, including ash gray and ash brown. However, for those who are looking for something more vibrant, red and pink hair shades will also be huge in 2023 and are great for adding warmth to your complexion. Shades of raspberry and deep red will be the favoured red tones and can be worn all over the hair or in slices/panels to give any haircut or style an instant trendy finish. We will also see men being more creative with these hair colours, adding them into the front section of their hair for a quirky finish. Pairing these tones with a signature style like the quiff will instantly give it a contemporary update for the New Year

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, our thoughts turn to amore and we all know the pitfalls that come with anything amorous. Dating is not easy, and even when you think you’ve found the right person, trying to organize the perfect first date to sweep them off their feet can be a stressful ordeal.

Relationship expert Valon Asani from dating app Dua.com is well aware of this and has analysed Google searches worldwide for some of the most popular, original and cute activities paired with the keywords “near me” to discover which of them will make for perfect date ideas to spice up your evenings or afternoons!

1. Bowling

Old-fashioned bowling is the undisputed number one with 1,640,000 average monthly searches, and we think it’s with good cause. Apart from being fun and laid back, bowling alleys have it all, from great food to a lively atmosphere which, combined with some honest sportsmanship will make a great recipe for a successful night!

2. Mini golf

Another one for the sportsy people out there, mini golfing scored 488,000 average monthly searches, and is another great way to have fun while keeping things real, and the right amount of competitive. Paired with a nice dinner afterwards or aperitivo earlier on, your date is going to feel the effort you put into organizing it.

3. Escape room

This one is for those who are not afraid to be locked in a room with their first date for a while and want their evening to last. Escape rooms gained 483,000 average monthly searches, making it the third most popular activity.

It is not for everyone, but it could be a great way to show off some of your intellectual skills, as well as survival instincts and intuition!

4. Aquarium

With 382,000 average monthly searches, aquariums are fourth and another great first-date idea. Unfortunately, this won’t be accessible to everyone all the time, but if your city (or a nearby one) has an aquarium, it might be the best idea you’ll ever have. The atmosphere, paired with the sense of comfort and tranquillity that water can provide might be the best combination to hope for a second date.

5. Arcade

Another old but gold type of location, arcades have 364,000 average monthly searches and are perfect for whoever is trying to recreate that 90s/2000s vibe.

6. Zoo

Animals are often among people’s favorite things, and if well organized, a trip to the zoo can be a great icebreaker. With 359,000 average monthly searches it is surely one of the favorite activities out there, and it works well as a unique and maybe slightly eccentric first date idea!

7. Museum

A trip to a museum has never not been romantic and even though the 353,000 average monthly searches might not all refer to a date idea, we know that if your date loves art and quiet places, they will be thrilled with the idea of being taken to one.

8. Karaoke

But not everybody likes quiet, and that’s why we do recommend trying to go beyond the shyness or your limits and take your date for a karaoke night if you think it will not make them uncomfortable! For sure, the 291,000 average monthly searches are proof of its popularity!

Of course, this is not all, as while it’s nice to organize fun and unique activities, sometimes simple is best, therefore never forget the opportunity to take your date on a picnic, a nice restaurant or just a long walk!

Interior design is an ever-changing subject, and as trends come and go, it’s sometimes tough to keep up.

This is why interior experts Hovia have written a list of trends which are predicted to increase their popularity in 2023 which can help you spice up your home and keep in touch with all the latest styles.

• Brighter is better

A house is not a home without that cozy feeling, and to reach that goal would be to make the most of the natural light, however not everyone might be blessed with large windows and exposure to the sun. Therefore, in the upcoming season the focus is all on chandeliers and lamps.

There is no wrong way to choose a pendant, however what is predicted to be in trend this winter are oversized and noticeable ones. Choosing a large chandelier might be scary and it is not for everyone, but this might be a right time to take a leap of faith or overcome the fear of not being able to pull off such a piece of furniture.

• The right colors

If repainting walls and furniture is something in your to-do list, you might want to go in one of two directions: choose natural colors to embrace the calm vibe of earth tones or, if you’d like a pop of color, stay within the safe lines of mellow and tranquil blues and greens, with an addition of soft pinks and lavender. To finish off, you’ll find that soft gold trims are what’s missing!

This prediction is backed by Hovia’s latest sales data regarding the most popular colors on their website. This shows how buyers started purchasing these specific colors already during this year, strengthening the idea that greens, blues and natural colors have been and will be on trend.

• Multi-functionality

As we move on with time, we also move on from the notion that a house must simply be a place where to eat, sleep and chill. Having a multifunctional home might be the best trend 2023 is bringing along with additions such as movie and game rooms, gyms and saunas.

Regardless of common belief, to set up such a room might not be as expensive as expected, all you need is a spare room and either a couple of gym equipment, a projector and a sofa, and a gaming console, all things that are easier and easier to find in a family home.

• Curves

Straight lines and geometry out, curves and movement in! One of the most promising trends of this winter are curves and to achieve this style you won’t need to redo your whole house, even though that might be an option for whoever might be able to do so. In fact, just an arched doorway or some fun and lively piece of furniture such as a curved sofa can just do the trick!

• “Mid-century chic”

It’s the return of the 60s and 70s in our living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens! This means wallpapers, and Hovia knows one thing or two about those, and statement objects.

Try buying a statement sofa, or an adorned cupboard which will be the star of your room, and pair it with soft colors and sleek curves for a house in perfect 2023 trend style.

• Add some texture

Adding character to any room without making it tacky might be tricky, and that’s where marble comes to rescue. An unexpected texture which is still elegant and smooth, it will catch the eye without being too loud. You can also try and add some pieces that mix different textures and materials!

• Nature… in!

Your home can definitely be whatever you would like it to be, so why not a garden? Indoor gardening, plants and more earthy pieces can make your living room feel just like a resort and it’s a 2023 trend that we’ve seen before but that will only grow more and more popular.

If you use these insights, we would appreciate a link to https://www.hovia.com who commissioned the data. A link credit allows us to keep supplying you with future content that you may find useful.

January is the perfect time to reset and clear out your wardrobes, ready for any fresh purchases in 2023. With searches for re-selling sites such as Vinted up by 308% in the last 12 months and interest spiking since Christmas, rather than simply throw clothes away, many people look to give their garments a second lease of life and sell on.

So, the experts at Suit Direct have put together some top tips for getting your items’ picture perfect’ ready for uploading and selling on sites such as Depop, Vinted and eBay.

Spot clean stains ASAP

No matter how hard you try and prevent it, from chosen tipples to sit-down meals, clothes will eventually pick up stains. When the inevitable occurs, don’t leave it to your dry cleaner – spot clean as soon as possible. Unless stated otherwise on the care label, blot with water using a clean paper towel.

Suppose this method doesn’t remove the stain; once you have the means, use a microfiber cloth to dab a stain remover, or a drop of neutral pH detergent, on the fabric. If your clothing is a more delicate material such as wool or cashmere, always use a fabric-specific detergent which will have a tailored pH level.

Always check the labelling on your clothing

Different fabrics require different methods of care. So, when caring for your clothes, you should always check the care label before getting started.

As a rule of thumb, cotton shirts can be thrown in the washing machine on a cold, gentle cycle. To protect the fabric, turn your garments inside out and use a mesh laundry bag so that buttons and zippers don’t get damaged or snag. Unbutton everything, including the cuffs, and remove any collar stays before washing.

On the other hand, particular wool and silk garments often need to be hand-washed to preserve their construction. To hand-wash, fill a basin with cold water and a mild detergent, soak your items, swish them around and rinse well. Afterwards, lay the clothing on a clean towel, roll it up with them inside and squeeze out the excess water – but don’t twist or wring; this could misshape your tailoring. Repeat this step until damp, then lay the garments flat to dry.

Air dry in a cool, dry place

Although most clothing can be tumble-dried, the best method to protect your clothes is to air dry them in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight.

Use a wide, sturdy wooden hanger with rounded edges to hold the shape of your garments. Trousers should be placed on a clipped wooden hanger. When air-drying, never cram clothes together as they won’t ventilate properly and may leave a musty smell.

Swap the iron for a steamer

Ironing poses a greater risk of your garments becoming heat damaged. This is especially true for heat-sensitive materials such as cashmere, velvet, corduroy, and structured jackets.

If you have access to a steamer, take care of your garment by running the steamer in downward strokes along the fabric. You don’t need to press hard or push the material against anything; the steam will gently remove the wrinkles on its own and deodorise the garment. If you don’t have a steamer, use the steam setting on an iron to gently run over any creases.

Store more precious garments in a cloth cover

Some garments may be more precious than others, so before you sell them, keep them protected from moths, mildew and dust, and store them in a breathable cloth cover. Always avoid plastic covers as they can trap moisture and leave your clothes smelling damp

Hang the clothing in a cool, dry, clean, and dark wardrobe. If you have several outfits, ensure that you space them evenly inside the closet to prevent creasing. For extra moth and mould prevention, place a few cedar blocks or sachets of lavender in your wardrobe.

Images;

 Tutu

Waldemar Brandt

Nathan Dumlao