BellaSugar

How Do You Feel About Hairy Hunks?

BellaSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0700

This month author Lucy Porter is coming out with what looks like a hilarious look at hirsute members of the opposite sex entitled Hairy Hunks: A Celebration of Shaggy Stallions. I love Mr. Bella's fuzzy-wuzziness, but before I met him I would never have thought I'd be as attracted to a hairy guy. I think this book would make a funny gift for anybody in your life who's got a weakness for Tom Selleck, and an awesome thing to have on your coffee table. But how do you feel about shaggy men? Are they cuddly and warm, or too scratchy for your liking?

The Rise of Male Polish: Nail Lacquer Designed For Men

BellaSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 06:00:00 -0700

It seems like guys are getting an awful lot of their "own" versions of traditional beauty products lately, but unlike the "guyliner" trend, male polish just keeps getting bigger. And it's also not just niche brands like macho rocker Man Glaze polish ($6.66), spa fixture Cuccio Men ($7), or the Euro pop Uslu Airlines ($30) polishes, designed by male DJs. Essie's got Man-e-cure ($15), and even Orly is getting into the act with its Nails For Males ($4). I have to ask: How is any of this at all necessary? There's a whole wold of nail polish out there in every shade imaginable. Do we really need to give it a gender? And do you think your Mr. or guy friends would be more likely to use these just because they have the word "man" on them?

Coming Soon: Banana Republic His and Hers Fragrances

BellaSugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:00:50 -0700

I don't know if I could ever do his and hers bath towels, but his and hers fragrances? I can handle that. This month, Banana Republic is set to launch two new complementary scents: Republic of Women Eau de Parfum ($48) and Republic of Men Eau de Toilette ($47). Both are packaged with the clean lines that we've grown to expect from all things Banana.

Ladies first: If you like florals with a bit of a hazy, lingering finish, Republic of Women might just be for you. Enclosed in a sultry plum-toned bottle, this romantic scent contains subtle top notes of sweet osmanthus, spicy bergamot, and juicy lychee; powerful middle notes of peony, pink jasmine, and Moroccan rose; and bottom notes of precious woods and soft musks to even it out.

As for the guys, Republic of Men, my personal favorite of the duo, is definitely not of the gritty, intense variety. More soft than heady, the juice, which is packaged up in a smoky gray bottle, contains clementine, wet plum, and dewy fig leaf at the top for a bit of sweetness; sambac, rosemary, basil, sage, and crushed hazelnut in the middle for a refined edge; and sandalwood, cedarwood, and creamy skin musk at the bottom for a bit of sexiness. While I prefer the men's scent, both are at least worth a sample spritz.

Do Men Need More Cosmetic Products?

BellaSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 06:00:53 -0700

The JoongAng Daily is reporting today on rapidly expanding cosmetic sales to men in South Korea, and while the Land of the Morning Calm may be seeing rising numbers of men suddenly paranoid about their grooming, it's been a substantial trend in the US for years - remember the rise of metrosexuality? The cosmetics industry's stock and trade has long been the business of making women feel like they need a constant stream of new products, but now it seems they've gotten ahold of some male mindshare as well.

It's also pretty odd that companies feel the need to "gender" their skin care, packaging stuff like anti-aging cream aimed at 50-year-olds in "male" and "female" versions (often at suspiciously different price points, too). I can't say that I'd be sad if more men started paying attention to their grooming habits, but do you think that the deluge of anti-aging and skincare products for men is really necessary?

Cologne: Not Just For Guys

BellaSugar — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 08:00:00 -0700

It's not too often that we see female celebrities creating male colognes, but Kylie Minogue is about to play a little role reversal with the launch of her latest fragrance, Inverse for Men ($42). The cologne, inspired by the "complex, colorful" men in Kylie's life, launches in September in Australia, the Netherlands, the UK, and Germany.

The amber-oriental scent will feature top notes of frozen lavender, blood mandarin, and warm spices; middle notes of benzoin, heliotrope, nutmeg, and tonka beans; and base notes of labdanum resin, skin musk, patchouli leaves, condensed milk, and atlas cedarwood. I must admit: while the scent skews a bit masculine, I wouldn't mind dabbing a bit of this hearty scent on my skin.

In fact, Sarah Jessica Parker once told The New York Times that her special blend of fragrances includes Bonne Bell Skin Musk ($14), an Egyptian oil, and "a fairly costly male scent." That scent? It's Comme des Garçons Incense Avignon ($78), an intense, heavy blend. What about you? Are you a fan of wearing men's cologne, or do you tend to stay away from male-inspired scents?

What Do You Prefer When It Comes to Manscaping?

BellaSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:00:28 -0700

Whereas the 20th century led women to remove much of their body hair, it wasn't until recently that dudes got into deep depilating. (If you missed it, check out this back waxer.) Now, razor companies aim to persuade guys to shave most of it off - pits, chest, pubes. Brands such as Gillette and Nivea are targeting guys by posting videos of how to shave their bodies, not-so-subtly implying that the less hair they have, the more action they'll get from ladies.

But will they? While I appreciate a well-groomed man, I don't love the idea of a nearly hairless one. Years ago, I dated a guy who shaved all of his body hair. His arms and legs were always prickly, which I found uncomfortable and unpleasant. And I know hairy guys who feel unnecessarily embarrassed for having a little (or a lot of) fur on their chests and backs. Overall, I'd be happier if body hair weren't treated like the worst thing evah - for both men and women. Would you rather see men look natural, completely shaved, or somewhere in between?

Photo by thefuturistics

A Mad, Mortifying Manscaping Video

BellaSugar — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:00:24 -0700

The metrosexual trend blossomed in the early part of the decade, and though the male-grooming pendulum has swung from that highly coiffed extreme, some guys are still looking into new ways of preening. Chuck Darrow, a highly hairy reporter, decided that it was time to remove his man-fur. And so he went to a Philadelphia spa for a torso wax. He jokes waxing is more torturous than waterboarding - a tacky and inaccurate comparison, to say the least - but winds up highly pleased with the results. There's a video, of course, and I can't decide whether it's hilarious or horrifying. To check out the footage of ol' Chuck's depilatory debut, walk this way.

What Do You Know About Barbershop History?

BellaSugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:00:00 -0700

Yesterday, the New York Times featured an article regarding the differences in customer loyalty when it comes to men and women. It probably comes as no surprise that men show their devotion to groups and companies, such as barbershops, while women are more loyal to the stylist than the salon. But, we already knew that anyway, right?

In some sort of roundabout way, this got me thinking about good old barbershops. Did you ever wonder why the distinctive rotating sign is the way it is, or what tools were used in early barbering? Take my quiz to find out.

Take the quiz

More Men May Be Opening Their Eyes to Makeup

BellaSugar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:59:23 -0700

As the saying goes, put your best face forward - but does a best face always include makeup . . . even for men? Well, the findings of a recent survey show that more than 80 percent of Korean men think that looking "tidy" gives their performance an extra boost in the workplace.

We've heard of women encountering not-so-pretty beauty issues with employers, but there's still a difference between a fresh face, and one full of makeup. The study goes on to say that, while the majority of the men purchased lotion and toner most frequently, guys are becoming more beauty-conscious by picking up items like shine-reduction powders and blemish correctors.

It seems to be a growing trend in several countries that many males are taking a less macho approach to beauty. Have you noticed grooming changes with the men in your life?

Getty

Put Your Guy on a Pocket Rocket

BellaSugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:59:32 -0700

If you recall, Urban Decay recently launched its Pocket Rocket lip glosses ($19 each), which feature hunky men that are clothed, and then not-so-clothed, with a tip of the, uh, packaging. The majority of you were loving the idea, and now, in celebration of next year's launch of two new shades, Urban Decay is asking you to help choose two new guys to feature in the collection.

You can nominate your boyfriend, husband, brother, or anyone you deem appropriate from now until July 17 by heading to the contest website. Don't have anyone to suggest? No worries. The winners will be chosen based on votes, and there are plenty handsome fellows from which to choose. Bonus? If the guy you nominate wins, you're off to the photo shoot in southern California, too.