CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

New research from the men’s grooming platform, and dating app, Humanery has identified the intrinsic link between self-care and a potential partners’ attractiveness. First impressions do count, with stats showing women are in favor of those who engage in self-care, and Gen Z are unafraid of telling a date they need to make more of an effort. 

• • Nearly half (48%) the nation think having a self-care routine makes a partner more attractive
  • Over half of UK women judge a potential love interests’ smile (51%) and smell (54%) on a first date
  • A fifth of women and over a quarter of 16-24 year olds would tell a partner to upgrade their personal care routine after just 1 month of dating

 5 ways to give your pre-date grooming routine an upgrade

So if you want to ace your dating game, then make the best possible impression with these grooming upgrades from Humanery‘s beauty and grooming expert, Lee Kynaston.

1. Aim for perfection with the help of a concealer. Worried about spots, shaving rash or under eye dark circles? Then disguise them with the help of a concealer like  Benny Hancock ‘s Concealer/Corrective Pen. Easy to use, it’s the fastest way to cover any confidence-robbing imperfections so you always start your date looking inspection (and Insta) ready.
2. Be a smooth operator. If you’re worried your hairy shoulders might be scary shoulders or just feel more confident in the sack sans fur, forget shaving (which can leave prickly regrowth) and opt for a hair removal cream like Baldape Parlour Charcoal hair Removal Cream. Quick to use (you just slap it on, leave for a few minutes and rinse off) it delivers long lasting results and is gentle enough to use for more intimate,  ‘downstairs’ hair removal too.
3. Make sure it’s all white on the night with the help of a teeth whitening kit. With studies showing a confident smile is seen as one of the sexiest attributes a man can have, ensure your pearlies look perfect with the help of a home whitening kit (SmileTime’s PremiumTeeth Whitening Kit is easy to use). Think of it as your at-home hygienist.  
4. Nail the details. Details matter when dating and no detail matters more than the state of your nails because if your nails, which will be on constant display, look grubby your date will be wondering what the bits that aren’t on display are like. Before leaving the house check they’re clipped and clean using a nail kit like BUG for Men 4-Piece Nail Grooming Kit. Always cut nails straight across and use the file to soften the edges so there’s no risk of scratching skin in the heat of the moment.
5. Arm yourself with pocket helpers. It’s one thing leaving the house looking your best but if you want to maintain your appearance throughout the date you need to be packing a few pocket helpers. HAPPY PAUL Roll On fragrance is a crafty way to ensure you smell great all night long; a small tin of The Brighton Beard Company Beard Balm will keep facial hair smelling fresh throughout; while John Masters Organics Lip Calm will help keep lips kissable. If all this doesn’t make you irresistible, I don’t know what will.

Additionally, Humanery have an exciting Black Friday offer, where customers who spend £150 will receive a free gift box of luxury grooming products worth over £250! 

Sounder is a new golf brand for people who love the game – but not all the nonsense that comes with it. Sounder is the brainchild of Cathal McAteer – founder and creative director of the award-winning fashion label Folk, and James Day – a club-maker, teacher, ex-PGA professional, and founder of Urban Golf, the UK’s original indoor golf venue. The two met when Cathal came to see James to get a set of clubs built. Over many hours in James’s workshop, the pair realised that they were kindred spirits: James has the same relationship with golf equipment that Cathal has with clothes – an appreciation of both style and function, and a love of quality and craftmanship.

The Sounder collection reflects these shared values – a range of clothing that looks great on the course, but is equally at home in the office, on the town or down the pub. Sounder’s essentials collection includes a tour-quality golf ball, a 100% cabretta leather glove, wooden tees and cotton bag towels. Sounder was the brand of golf clubs that the legendary Seve Ballesteros used when he first emerged on the world stage in the late 1970s.

There latest endeavour is a collaboration with Random Golf Club, the golf community founded by film-maker and entrepreneur Erik Anders Lang. Random Golf Club was born out of a love for community – the community all golfers find when you tee it up on the first hole with a complete stranger, and walk down the first hole with a new friend. The business was founded by Erik Anders Lang, who wanted to create a vehicle to share that camaraderie and opportunity with anyone – regardless of their background, experience or history with the game.

The limited-edition range, which includes shirts, polos, sweats and caps, will be available exclusively to customers via the Sounder and Random Golf Club websites, and will go on sale online

Sounder will also launch the collection at a pop up shop in Shoreditch (9 Club Row, London, E1 6JX) until Saturday 26th November. 11am – 7pm daily, Midday – 5pm Sunday 20th.

The partnership marks the next stage in the relationship between Sounder and Random Golf Club, which began when Anders Lang and his team based themselves at the Sounder Clubhouse in St Andrews for the 150th Open Championship.

The two brands worked together to produce a series of interviews, live events and podcasts, leading to the development of an apparel range that celebrates a more relaxed, contemporary and accessible version of golf.

The Sounder Clubhouse brought a festival feel to the world’s oldest golf major, with DJ sets, live music, art exhibitions, food and drink, and a missed-cut party on the Friday night.

The entrepreneurs from the worlds of sport and fashion are intent on shaking up a golf industry obsessed with distance, data, technology and performance – and have come together to do what many thought was impossible: make golf cool.

Cathal McAteer, co-founder and creative director of Sounder, said: “Erik and the Random Golf Club crew do a great job celebrating all the things that we love about golf – the challenge, the camaraderie, the frustration and the fun. We had a blast working with them on this collaboration, and we’re excited to introduce a product range that captures that passion and commitment to doing things differently.”

Ahead of The 2022 FIFA World Cup kicking off later this month, hair experts at Chris & Sons have ranked the top 10 most iconic world cup hairstyles to date. 

Andrew Vassiliou, Director of Chris & Sons, a leading Independent distributor to the hair and beauty industry, says, “We’ve all seen or heard of elite sports people performing ritual movements before competitions. From the outside looking in it may seem odd and strange; however, in all sports, superstitions and rituals are widespread and very common practice.”

“When it comes to the World Cup, one of the most evident superstitions is the haircuts. Some players refuse to cut their hair until something happens. Other players refuse to let it grow back out until certain events happen. And then others opt for a wild and wacky hairstyle to mark the event.”

The 10 most iconic World Cup hairstyles of all time ranked by hair experts 

10. William Troost-Ekong’s Green Streak of ‘18
Although the superstar defender for Nigeria has had many questionable hairstyles over the years, his dramatic green stripe on top of a low bald fade during the 2018 World Cup was one of his most iconic.

9. Roberto Baggio’s Braided Mullet of ‘94
The attacking midfielder, Roberto Baggio revealed his braided mullet, famously known as ‘the divine ponytail’ during the 1994 FIFA World Cup. His eccentric hairstyle became so popular that half of his fans began to style their hair in the same way.

8. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Buzz Crew Cut of ‘18
The Portuguese striker fashioned his unique haircut during the 2018 World Cup that was a slight cross between a buzz cut and a crew cut and has a high hard part razored in. This set a trend for men all around the world that year and is still pretty popular to this day. In addition to being a little more stylish than a traditional buzz cut, it is a good haircut for men with coarse or frizzy hair.

7. Rodrigo Palacio’s Rat Tail of ‘14
Rodrigo Palacio received a lot of attention at the 2014 FIFA World Cup for his throwback rat tail haircut. Many have speculated that this was the worst haircut in World Cup history, but we think it was iconic

6. Taribo West’s Green Braids of ‘98
Nigerian defender Taribo West was a distinctive feature of his country at the 1998 World Cup, thanks to his distinctive haircut. He appeared with his green braided hair, which matches the colour of his national team shirt, and kept this tradition up by appearing in different hair colours according to the colours of the clubs he played in.

5. David De Gea’s Man Bun of ‘18
One of the more modern iconic World Cup hairstyles comes from Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea and his man bun. Many have tried to recreate this hairstyle, but be warned, it’s not for everyone. Our top tips: Go long! Tie your hair back and up into a bun shape. Keep it low for a more masculine finish.

4. Gerd Müller’s Mullet of ‘74
Gerd Müller’s mullet throughout 1974 was one of the first ever iconic FIFA World Cup hairstyles. Although mullets were quite popular at this time, Müller still had an influence and many began copying his iconic hairdo.

3. David Beckham’s Mohawk of ‘02
David Beckham’s mohawk took England by storm in the summer of ’02.  The hairstyle, which he launched at the FIFA World Cup defined a generation, and the iconic hairstyle was copied by young men all across England that year.

2. Romania’s Bleach Blonde Team of ’98
Why did the Romania FIFA World Cup team die their hair bleached blonde? This was probably one of the most asked questions in 1998! The iconic hairstyle instilled and inspired a sense of team spirit, not only within the team, but throughout the entire country. 

1. Ronaldo’s Shaved Patch of ‘02
The former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid striker sported a shaved head, except for a semi-circle-shaped patch on his forehead ahead of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The iconic hairstyle – if you can call it that – inspired men all over the world to do the same, and the bizarre hairstyle was seen everywhere you went.

: https://www.chrisandsons.co.uk/

As we all know Timberland is a global outdoor and work inspired brand that’s on a mission to inspire and equip a new generation to step outside, work hard together and move the world forward. Best known for its original yellow work boot introduced in 1973 to take on the harsh elements of New England, Timberland today offers a full range of footwear, apparel and accessories.

Their latest collaboration teams them up with the brand of the moment PANGAIA. As a materials science company rooted in purpose and innovation, PANGAIA is known for partnering with like-minded changemakers and disruptors across multiple industries. The synergies between PANGAIA and Timberland reflect a shared mission to inspire and equip a new generation to step outside, work hard together, and move the world forward.

Designed with nature in mind, the Timberland x PANGAIA footwear capsule combines partly natural materials, bold colors and iconic style. The capsule features a reimagined 6-Inch boot and a mule, both offered in men’s and women’s sizes.

 The brands worked closely to create the Timberland x PANGAIA Premium Fabric 6-Inch Boot – an updated version of the icon that leans into a cleaner aesthetic with subtle flaps covering the eyelets and tonal outsoles. The modern take on the classic boot is made in part with renewable materials such as responsibly grown rubber, abaca plant fiber and organically grown cotton.  It is available in signature PANGAIA colors, Galaxy Pink and Palm Green, as well as Timberland’s signature Wheat.

Each product in the Timberland x PANGAIA footwear capsule features a custom textblock explaining the material composition – a design detail synonymous with PANGAIA.

The textblock on the boots reads, “These boots are made in part using responsibly grown rubber, abaca plant fiber and organically grown cotton,” while the textblock on the mule reads, “These shoes are made in part using responsibly grown rubber, abaca plant fiber and organically grown cotton. They are designed for circularity.”

This launch marks the next step in PANGAIA’s commitment to working with communities, artists, and changemakers that share the same values and mission as the brand. It also advances Timberland’s vision for a greener future.

The Timberland x PANGAIA Premium Fabric 6-Inch Boot will be available on PANGAIA.com, timberland.com, and select Timberland stores globally. The Timberland x PANGAIA Fabric Slip-On Mule will be available exclusively on timberland.com and in select Timberland stores.

As ‘Movember’ begins, it’s important to educate ourselves on the various health issues that the event helps to raise awareness for, with some of the more infamous issues being those surrounding the prostate. Because of this, wellness app Evergreen Life would like to share with you their guide to prostate health and the health problems that can arise from it, so this Movember we can all do our bit to raise awareness.

So what is the prostate?

The prostate is a gland. It is usually the size and shape of a walnut and grows bigger as you get older. It sits underneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine out of the body. The prostate’s main job is to help make semen – the fluid that carries sperm.

What makes prostate problems more likely?

There are a number of factors that may make prostate problems more likely. These include:

Strong risk factors

• A family history of prostate problems. Figures show that you are two and a half times more likely to get prostate cancer if your father or brother has had it, compared to a man who has no relatives with prostate cancer. Your risk of getting prostate cancer may also be higher if your mother or sister has had breast cancer.

• Ethnicity. While more research is needed to explain why, figures show that African Caribbean men are 2-3 times more likely to develop prostate cancer than their white counterparts and black men are also more likely to develop prostate cancer at a younger age.

Other risk factors

• High calcium intake. A high calcium intake is linked with a higher risk of prostate cancer in many studies.

• Smoking. Smoking appears to result in worse disease. Stopping smoking is always a good idea.

• High cholesterol. There is ongoing debate around a possible link between cholesterol and prostate cancer. This started when a number of observational studies found that high cholesterol levels were associated with an increased risk of total or advanced prostate cancer. Some studies went on to report that those people taking statins, a drug that lowers your cholesterol, appeared to have a lower risk of having advanced prostate cancer. However, the link is far from proven and will need further research before we know if statins could actually protect against prostate cancer. 

What you can do to try to keep your prostate healthy

There are a number of lifestyle changes or habits you can adopt to try to look after your prostate. These include:

• Eat tomatoes as part of a Mediterranean diet. Studies suggest that eating a lot of tomatoes is associated with a reduction in risk of prostate cancer. Tomatoes cooked in oil seem to have a more protective effect, so the Mediterranean diet seems to be most suitable.

• Eat fish. Studies show a 63% reduction in prostate cancer–specific mortality associated with higher total fish intake.

• Do exercise. Among men over 65 years of age, those who did vigorous activity had a 77% lower risk of advanced prostate cancer. Among men diagnosed with prostate cancer, physical activity has been linked to improved survival and decreased prostate cancer progression. Both vigorous and milder exercise appears to be protective and improves quality of life.

• Lose weight if you are obese. Being very overweight appears to make prostate problems more likely and to result in worse outcomes.

• Drink Coffee. Some studies suggest that men who drink many cups of coffee a day are less likely to develop prostate cancer regardless of whether it contains caffeine or not. It’s thought this may be down to the chemicals found in coffee: cafestol and kahweol. However, more research is needed.

• Vitamin D. There is early evidence that Vit D may be protective against prostate cancer. More research is needed but getting the right amount of vitamin D to support your overall health is important regardless.

Prostate related problems

There are a number of problems and diseases that might affect your prostate. These include:

Benign prostate enlargement: Prostate enlargement is a very common condition associated with ageing. More than 1 in 3 of all men over 50 will have some symptoms of prostate enlargement. It’s not known why the prostate gets bigger as you get older, but it is not caused by cancer and does not increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. An enlarged prostate can put pressure on the urethra, which can affect how you urinate.

Prostate cancer: In the UK, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men, with more than 40,000 new cases diagnosed every year. It’s not clear why it occurs, but your chances of developing prostate cancer increase as you get older. The condition mainly affects men over 65, although men over 50 are also at risk. 

Prostatitis: Prostatitis is inflammation (swelling) of the prostate gland. It can be very painful and distressing, but will often get better eventually. Prostatitis can come on at any age, but usually between 30 and 50.

Signs and symptoms of prostate problems

There are a range of symptoms that may indicate prostate problems. These can include:

• Difficulty starting or stopping urinating

• A weak flow of urine

• Straining when peeing

• Feeling like you’re not able to fully empty your bladder

• Prolonged dribbling after you’ve finished peeing

• Needing to pee more frequently or more suddenly

• Waking up frequently during the night to pee 

• Blood in semen

• Blood in urine

What do my symptoms mean?

If you do experience any of the symptoms listed above, you must talk to your GP. It may be a minor issue, but it is not possible to distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous (benign) enlargement of the prostate by symptoms alone. So, you need to see your GP if you notice any problems with, or changes to, your usual pattern of weeing. It’s also very important to talk to your doctor if you see any blood in your urine or semen.

Going to the GP for prostate problems

If you do go to the GP for any of the symptoms mentioned above, here’s what you may experience:

Questions

• Your GP may ask you about your medical history, including emotional, physical, psychological, sexual, social issues.

• Your GP may ask you a series of questions about any symptoms to better understand your International prostate symptom score (IPSS). This questionnaire can help your GP in determining which treatment option is best for you and then monitoring any improvement.

• You may be asked to fill in a urine frequency volume chart over a number of days.

Review

• Your GP may also review all current medication, including herbal or medicine you can buy at the chemist.

Physical examination

• Your GP may carry out an examination of your tummy, external genitals and examination of your rectum with a finger in order to feel the size and denseness of the prostate.

Tests

• You may be offered a urine test for possible infection.

• You may also be offered blood tests to check your kidneys are working properly.

• You may be offered a prostate Specific Antigen Test (PSA test), a test to check for cancer of the prostate (read more about this below in the next section).

Further investigation

• You can expect to be referred to a team specialising in the management of urological cancer within 2 weeks if the GP finds:

– A hard, irregular prostate on rectal examination

– A high (or rising) PSA after blood tests

– Significant blood in the urine

You may be offered an MRI scan of the prostate to help doctors decide if you need further tests and treatment. You may need other tests, such as a biopsy. This involves taking small samples of your prostate and checking them for cancer.

Support 

• Your GP should offer you reassurance and lifestyle advice and provide access to support for relevant physical, emotional, psychological, sexual and social issues.