Welcome to the Male Origin Blog

This blog covers all hot topics in the mens grooming, mens skincare and mens cosmetics market…

The five basic steps to a clean routine for men can be summed up as follows:

Cleanse: This is pretty self-explanatory. Wash your face 1-2 times daily (usually morning and evening). Not only will it feel good it will keep the imbedded dirt and grime at bay.

Exfoliate: This basically means an eradication of the dead skin on the face. There are various products available for men that will do this. The result is brighter, fresher looking skin. Apply using circular motions and use 1-2 a week depending on the product.

Moisturise: This one is also self explanatory. Depending on your skin tone moisturise morning and evening. Starting at the base of the neck and rubbing upward in circular motions. The type of moisturiser depends on skin tone however; there is a large range available for all and the team at Male Origin are always happy to help!

Eye Care Serum: The skin around the eyes is delicate. It can be easily damaged and deserves that extra bit of TLC. Consider using a separate eye gel or serum for added protection of these delicate areas in the morning and evening. Use a small amount (half a pea) and apply using circular motions around the eye socket.

Lip Balm: Highly recommended for those who suffer from dry or chapped lips to give you kissable, soft, irresistible lips. Use daily when needed and use an SPF for those summer days.

The theme today is natural. Many of our readers ask us for top tips beyond products so here they are…

Get enough sleep: Today’s busy lifestyles are not conducive to men’s appearances. Those extra hours at the office (burning the candle at both ends) all add up and if men don’t get enough sleep it  can have a cumulative effect often referred to as a “haggard appearance.”

Drink plenty of fluids: Give yourself a natural boost by drinking  fresh juices and water. Getting plenty of fluids into your system will help keep, you mentally alert and your skin hydrated against the elements.

Eat plenty of fruit and veg: Our parent’s advice on eating plenty of fruit and vegetables should also be well heeded for the anti oxidants, vitamins and minerals.

Exercise: Yes, we need to keep the blood flowing and the body toned. This doesn’t mean that we all have to suddenly become “marathon men”. It does mean however, that we should get out there and enjoy the fresh air and keep motivated in whatever exercise programme we enjoy doing.

Simple tips that really make a difference.

Stick with me on this one as the results can be a more gorgeous you! Now most men will run a mile when confronted with what follows, but if it’s done properly the benefits can far outweigh the effort. This blog post is designed as a step by step for those guys who are new to Men’s Eye Cosmetics…

Starting with a concealer, use first under the eyes. Apply to the darkest areas under the eye area. Using your finger just blend toward the nose up to the eyebrow until blended into your skin. This is an excellent trick if you have had a late night or have naturally dark deep set eyes.

Using a tiny amount of foundation over the eyelid just to even out the skin tone in the eye socket.

Use translucent powder to set the foundation and keep in place. It is set when you can run your finger over the socket without it feeling “sticky/wet”

Go all the way to the base of the lashes and using a men’s eyeliner. Yes they do exist! Colour depends on your skin colour. Browns of all tones are ideal, draw a line along the base of the lashes. This is great if you have fair lashes as it gives the appearance of more lashes.

Using a blending brush rub or your finger tip,  soften the line so you can barely see it. This look is supposed to be natural but for a more defined look don’t blend as much.

When it comes to men’s mascara you want to go as subtle as possible. Wipe the wand to remove large clumps of product. At the base of lashes use the wand to wiggle upwards on the outer lashes to enhance the eye shape.

The result: stunning eyes and a more gorgeous you but your friends won’t be able to work out why!

Naturally we all age. The speed at which we age depends on various factors including; lifestyle, genetics and sun exposure.  More and more men are concerned with their looks. Wrinkles may only be skin deep but if we can delay them a little longer then I’m all for it!

The sun. It is vital for our wellbeing, but too much can of course be a bad thing and SPF moisturisers are our best allies when it comes to protecting our skin from premature aging.  An SPF moisturizer is essential to avoiding that wrinkled prune look.

If you like a little colour in your skin there are a variety of self tanning moisturisers which are well worth testing for a natural looking tan without the damage.

Once upon a time men were seen to look distinguished with wrinkles, but that now seems to be no longer the case.  Men tend to have oilier skin than women and deeper wrinkles to boot. Trying to eradicate age lines is almost impossible without surgery, but they can be reduced using an anti aging skincare routine. Top tip; the best anti-aging moisturisers contain peptides, vitamin A and antioxidants.

So to round up; use an SPF moisturiser during the day, use a self tanner for that healthy glow, drink plenty of water and use an anti aging moisturiser just before bed. Wrinkle prevention: Done.

Most blokes know how to shave or do they?

Well yes and no I suppose. Shaving is indeed an art and the trouble is that nobody actually tells you how to do it. You  often learn by your mistakes, but if you don’t want to look like a character from the movie “Saw” when it’s time for work or play, it may help to apply a few commonsense rules during the exercise.

Always shave after the shower and make sure your skin is cleansed. This will prevent any dirt being trapped underneath your skin and causing irritation. Also, if you shave after a shower your skin is nice and supple. Most men know this already. Your pores are then open allowing for a smoother skin. Apply a lather of pre-shave oil/ cream or gel and rub it in briskly to further soften the bristles. The trick is to use a badger brush.  You know – the ones you see in all of the period movies. If you haven’t got one, get one. Worth their weight in gold. Men have been using these for more than a hundred years. Why? Because they work. By lifting the hairs up for that cleaner shave, the razor can travel smoothly across the face. There is truth in that if something simple works, don’t mess with it and badger brushes definitely fall into that category.  Final tip: leave your neck area till last. The hairs are notoriously thicker so will appreciate the extra soaking.

Once you have finished your shave, cold water should be splashed on to close your pores. To finish use moisturiser for dry skin or a toner for oilier skin.

The bride is without doubt the big photographic draw card in any wedding period. If she looks radiant everything will often turn out just “peachy’ and the wedding photos will be admired and treasured by all asunder for years to come.

Who however, wants to reflect on wedding photos of a stunning bride with her “new other half” letting the whole thing down by not looking his picture postcard best to compliment her? After all, not only is it her big day, but it is his big day.

This is where us blokes have to start looking after ourselves. Too late I hear you say…….

Well, I’m glad to be able to tell you that it is never too late. There are a host of products out there designed to bring out the best in men and if you are like me-we just haven’t bothered finding out about them, let alone use them.

Gone are the days when makeup for men is seen as a sign of “feminist traits.” That kind of thinking went out of the window years ago. The man of the 21st century wants to be noticed too and rightly so.

Back to our wedding couple: You love this woman with all your heart and want to spend the rest of your life with her. The least you can do is make yourself look your very best for her big day. Without sounding too corny, if she has managed to get you down the aisle, the least you can do is look your very best!

Way back in the early 1990’s when I was married, potential grooms showered, bunged on some “Aramis” after shave (popular in the day) dressed up in a penguin suit and generally hoped for the best.  Did I mention a haircut? Well, that usually happened a couple of days before the big event. Don’t laugh-you should see some of the wedding photos I have seen of late! These days we recommend a good quality cut with a professional stylist 2-3 weeks before the big day.

The other major factor is of course your smile. Maybe it’s time for a teeth whitening programme done by a dentist ..It’s not only movie stars that use these products!

There are generally two ways that this can be done. The first is completed in a dentist chair and the second is a bleaching tray taken home and carried out over several weeks.

Both reportedly produce a marked improvement on the teeth and subsequent smile.

The face is the first place everyone will look so take care of it on the run up. The best skincare routine is the most simple; cleanse everyday, exfoliate twice a week and moisturise twice a day (dry skin) or once a day (oily skin). For those who are willing to try anything, a good quality spa facial will really brighten your skin!

The other vitally important thing that men overlook is their hands. Many men work with their hands or chew their nails and these need to be looked at as photographers often tend to zoom in on them when signing the register. Consider a manicure. It’s not that scarey, you will secretly enjoy it and your hands will be picture perfect. A shape and shine nail buffer also works wonders.

In summary, the groom should also make an effort when it comes to the big day. It is of course one of the most important events in men’s lives and the pictures last forever

Check out the coverage in GQ:

If you want the anti-ageing effects of Botox without the risk factor or embarrassing loss of facial expressions, then 4VOO Ultra Intensive Age-Defying Complex could be, well, for vous. This latest percutaneous miracle-worker comes from Canadian brand 4VOO Distinct Man, whose products can be found on the shelves of such distinguished men as Tom Hanks and Matthew McConaughey. Ultra Intensive Age-Defying Complex claims to be the most luxurious anti-ageing product on the men’s market (read: most expensive, at £101 a pop) and mimics the effects of Botox through a silk protein complex, multi-peptides and other cosmeceutical alchemy. The benefits for your face are three-fold: wrinkles and fine lines are banished, collagen production is stimulated to rejuvenate your visage and new skin is encouraged to grow. GQ.COM’s newly fresh-faced tester reported that, while suspiciously easily absorbed, 4VOO Ultra Intensive Age-Defying Complex did as it said on the tin, thickening the skin under the eyes and removing the less cavernous worry lines. All this and no need for a needle.

Please check out this video of Jason discussing the skincare regime he uses. Jason discusses all the skincare products and how they are applied to the skin. This is a new video for us and we would love to know what you think of it! To watch it simply click on the following link…

Mens Skincare Regime

Here at Male Origin we had the pleasure of talking to Amanda Kingsland today. Amanda is a fully trained and highly experienced Skin Specialist working at Sandon Court Clinic. Based in Plymouth, Devon.

Amanda, thank you for taking time out of your very busy schedule to talk to us today. Often clients ask us really detailed questions regarding their skin and so we thought it was about time we brought you in to answer some of these for them. The following are a selection of the most popular questions we get…

- What is the cause of wrinkles?
Wrinkles are caused by an accumulation of several different elements. These elements include: Sun damage, environmental damage e.g. toxins and air pollution (including cigarette smoke) and genetics. People think wrinkles are purely casused by lifestyle damage but it is important to understand that there is a large element of genetics involved too.

- Which parts of the body are most susceptible to skin aging?
The face is of course one of the first places however, the neck and hands are also susceptible to aging hence the fact it is really important to moisturize you’re your hands and neck as part of your skincare regime.

- What are the most popular skincare treatments for men?
Here at the clinic it is our micro-dermabrasions that are most popular. This treatment reduces ingrowing hairs and removes dead skin cells. It also shocks the skin, encouraging it to produce faster cellular re-growth. We are also seeing the demand of our Botox and hair removal treatments grow versus this time last year.

- Is there a difference between men and women’s skin?
Actually yes there are a few differences. Firstly, mens skin is 20% thicker than womens skin. Secondly, womens skin breaks down collagen quicker than mens, which is why men often naturally age better than women. Finally, men often have larger pores than women which leads to oilier skin making anti shine products a must for many men.

- For those catching a little sun and ski, what changes to their skincare would you recommend?
Moisturise with a high SPF factor. Use a really good quality lip balm and if you are out skiing or on a sun holiday people should really keep applying the moisturizer and sun tan lotions every hour or two.

- What skincare regime would you recommend for men on a daily basis?
I would keep it basic to begin with so cleanse and moisturize in both the morning and evening and exfoliate twice a week. So if you guys are going to invest in any two skincare products they should be a good quality cleanser and good quality moisturiser.

- What are the best ways to reduce sun damage from the skin?
Keep applying a moisturiser with an SPF during sunny periods and those sensitive to the sun should use a full spectrum block moisturiser. I also recommend a moisturizer with an SPF be used throughout the winter months. Often a drop in temperature can lure people into a false sense of security however they still need protection from the sun.

- What top tips do you have for those laughter lines we all get?
Laughter lines are down to muscles and genetics rather than ageing like many people actually think. The best way to deal with them are to use an under eye serum and moisturizer around the eye.

Amanda do you have any final words for our readers…
My final tips are to drink lots of water on a daily basis and invest in good vitamin products for that ever youthful look!

Our very own resident editor and skincare guru was recently interviewed by a top London image consultant and the outcome makes for very interesting reading. You can read the full interview by clicking on this link.