Storage Tips: So easy, even we can do it Gents.

So you’ve bought the latest designer threads, and accessories and you’re looking the business, but to continue looking that way, you really have to store them properly to keep them, and you looking at your best.

This is an area where a lot of men drastically fail, and with a bit of help, those expensive items can last for years if properly stored away in the off-season.

To start off, there are three important areas to remember when storing clothes: Clean, Protect and Organise.


Clean

Quite a simple thing to remember to do before you store your clothes away eh? Wrong.
So many men forget to do this before they put them into storage, it’s unreal.

Clothes are extremely susceptible to bugs and mites, especially when dirty.
Remember, just because not all stains are visible, doesn’t mean they’re not there to haunt you when you pull your favourite cashmere sweater out of storage a few months later, only to find out its ruined, making it a very costly mistake to make.

Best bet is to wash them, or better still, dry-clean them before storage, even if you think they don’t need it.

Protect

So you’ve taken the first step to making sure your garments are clean as a whistle before storage, but it doesn’t stop there. Even clean garments need protection, and this comes in the form of wood.
Yep, you read it correctly, wood.

The most commonly effective form of wood to use to protect garments during storage is Cedar.

Cedar provides a fresh scent which that not only repels bugs and mites, but also absorbs abrasive odours from your laundry basket or that over-used gym bag.

Cedar products are available in several forms for protecting your clothes, which include hang-ups for closets, blocks for drawers and containers and cedar hangers which can be used for coats and suits.

They’re available from any good department store near you and the rubbish ones too.

Second in the laws of protection is the location of the storage.

Protection is best carried out in dark, cool, dry and well ventilated places.
Without these 4 conditions, clothes can become faded, damaged, mouldy, and musty, much like the smell associated with old people.

So, just be strategic in storing your garments in the proper places and with the proper protection to guarantee their longevity.

Organise

The final key to storing your clothes in the off-season is proper organisation, taking your clean clothes and your protective elements and applying them together.

Organisation doesn’t just mainstream your wardrobe; it also adds extra protection by storing similar garments together.

For example, the storage of hanging items in natural cotton garment bags allows you to store similar items in the same area, but it also blocks light and provides a breathable barrier for clothes to maintain them in a safe, clean and easy to locate environment.

Don’t forget about storage boxes though, as several of these add extra order and flexibility in storing items in locations such as under the bed and can also add structure to your wardrobe.

Just remember, organisation can add simplicity to life, so why not add it to your wardrobe?

Just taking into account the 3 simple steps of clean, protect and organise allows you to play the game of fashion more successfully, especially as you’ll now stand out from the crowd in your well cared for garments, making the little time and effort put into the process a lot more rewarding.

CL

Shaving Advice for Men from Clinique

MFB have listed some of the best shaving strategies, as recommended by Clinique (2007).
General

• Skip shaving days when possible. This gives your skin a chance to rest.


• Alternate between a razor and electric shaver.


• Look for shaving products that are formulated to help make beard hair softer and finer. This makes it easier to cut through the hair when you shave.

Pre-shave

• Apply moistorising lotion several minutes prior to shaving.

Shave

• Use a fresh razor blade thus allowing you to apply minimal pressure.


• Reduce friction on the skin by using a rich lather.


• Avoid foams that are high in surfactants (lathering agents).

Post-shave

• Choose low-alcohol or “buffered” alcohol shaving products containing:
  - anti-irritants;
  - barrier restoratives;
  - antioxidants
  - aloe (to soothe minor nicks and cuts).


• Wait a few minutes before splashing on fragrance.

MFB

Reference: Clinique (2007), “Practive Safe Shaving”, Clinique Skin Supplies for Men – Product Guide, London.

Shoe shine, sir? How to polish leather shoes.

The MFB guide to polishing your shoes to the same level of the armed forces!

1. Wipe any dust off your shoes using a damp cloth which has been run under warm water.
2. Take a soft cotton cloth or a fine, tightly packed bristle brush and apply a conservative amount of high quality polish to your shoe in a small circular movement; wrapping the cotton cloth around your finger, or evenly cover shoe with polish using the natural bristle brush.
3. Leave the polish on the shoe for 2 to 3 minutes. This will help the shoe’s leather absorb the polish.
4. Using a sprayer filled with water, spray a fine mist over the entire shoe until it is covered with tiny droplets of water. Then polish the shoe dry with the same bristle brush.
5. It is important to build up the polish in fine layers, therefore repeat process 2 to 4 until you reach desired level of shine.
6. Always keep the polish damp or it will dry out and not take to the shoe.
7. Once finished wipe the shoe with a cotton ball soaked in cold water, or lightly buff with a cotton cloth.
8. Leave shoes in a cold environment. Best to place them in a shoe box with lid.

Happy polishing!

MFB

Clinique for Men – Shaving Products

Clinique is the market leading in skin care. Clinique Skin Supplies for Men is a comprehensive range of shaving and skin care products that utilises the research of Clinique’s experienced dermatologists. MFB regard Clinique Skin Supplies for Men as the premier product range and recommend its use as second to none.


MFB highlights the entire line of Clinique Skin Supplies for Men below, listing the benefits of each product, and when to use them!

Clinique Pre-shave Products

Before you shave, clean your face!

Face Soap – An efficient way to remove oil and dirt. Clinique’s soap is gentle yet thorough and leaves skin feeling fresh but never too tight. Use Regular for normal to dry skin and; Extra-Strength for normal to oily skin.

Liquid Face Wash – This residue-free formula cleans gently and rinses off easily. Use Regular Strength for normal to dry skin; and Extra-Strength for normal to oily skin.

Face Scrub – Uses fine, non-abrasive grains that lift the beard hairs and help reduce ingrown hairs. Also helps unclog pours and dislodge dirt.

If you electric shave…

Electric Shave Primer – Softens the beard for a closer shave. Furthermore it holds moisture near the beard, leaving skin smooth. Apply this after you have used Clinique Face Scrub.

Clinique Shaving Products

Remember to wet shave during or after a shower to allow steam to soften the beard and make for a closer shave.


Soothing Shave Oil – Clinique offer a vitamin-rich oil that lifts the beard and reduces friction on the skin to prevent razor burn and leave skin feeling soft. It is possible to use this Clinique Shave Oil alone but more commonly it is used as an underlay to other shave products to cushion the skin.

M Shave Aloe Gel – An oil free gel that can be built into a rich lather and used to cushion the face from the razor. This product is more suited to normal to oily skin. For drier skins use Clinique’s Cream Shave.

Cream Shave – This product is lubricant-rich an ideal for drier skins. It stays at the beard roots and creates a cushion that ensures a smooth shave.

MFB recommend using M Shave Aloe Gel and Cream Shave with Clinique’s Soothing Shave Oil.

Post-Shave Products

Clinique offer a number of post-shave formulas to soothe razor burn, keeping your face smooth and clear. This ensures your next shave is even easier!

Post-Shave Soother (Beard Control Formula) – This Clinique post-shave product, suitable for all types of skin, promotes healing of small cuts and nicks. Clinique claim that over time it help make the beard’s hair softer for an easier shave. Use this product on the beard area only.

Post-Shave Soother (Anti-Blemish Formula) – Clinique’s skin-clearing product which helps reduce and prevent breakouts, keeping your face looking clear and looking good! Use this product on the beard area only.

Post-Shave Healer – Similar to the above post-shave products; reducing razor burn and repairing cuts and nicks from the shave.

M Lotion – Soothing moisturising cream to help keep skin good working condition. Use on the area of face you haven’t shaved.

Look out for more guides to Clinique skin supplies for men, from MFB...

Click here for the MFB guide to Clinique Men's Basic Skin Care products.

MFB

Men’s guide to bad breath – the causes and cures.

For most men fashion and confidence go hand-in-hand! Your image and the way you present yourself are important to you! Being well groomed, clean shaven and wearing stylish and interesting clothing is paramount. Likewise most fashion conscious men want to avoid bad breath (or halitosis)…as a consequence MFB have listed a few facts to help you…

Causes of bad breath

A man’s breath will ultimately depend on a number of different things, and the main “bad breath” variables are:

1. Oral anaerobic bacteria – or more specifically the waste products of oral bacteria. Generally the bacteria lives on the surface of your tongue, especially the back of your tongue.
2. Food – The most obvious foods are garlic, cabbage and onions (which contain high amounts of sulfur compounds). However high protein foods (such as meat and fish) are especially problematic because the waste from bacteria that causes bad breath is created from the anaerobic bacteria as they digest proteins.
3. Smoking – “Smoker's breath”; need we say more?
4. Having a dry mouth – When you have a dry mouth bacteria become more concentrated in the saliva, and they tend to evaporate more readily into the air. This releases the bad odours (from the bacteria) into your breath!

Preventing/curing bad breath

The main actions you can take to get rid of bad breath are:

Brush and floss your teeth

Brushing and flossing are crucial elements for dealing with bad breath. Brushing and flossing remove bacteria and the food that bacteria feasts on so that they can no longer create volatile sulfur compounds VSC). Ensure you brush for long enough! It takes 2-3 minutes to brush all tooth surfaces. If you spend less than this brushing your teeth you are not doing it properly.

Clean your tongue

Regular cleaning of your tongue can be the single most beneficial treatment men can undertake to prevent bad breath! In particular it is the back (posterior) portion of your tongue, which holds the most bacteria, that is the most important area to clean. There are a number of ways to clean your tongue:

• Using a toothbrush: From as far back as possible, make brush strokes outward, toward the front of your tongue, applying some pressure.
• Using a tongue scraper: Some people find scraping their tongue with a tongue scraper is more effective and you will be less likely to gag. Practice tongue scraping by using a spoon and if this is successful, you may wish to purchase a specific tongue scraper.

Use a mouthwash

Mouthwash will NOT be an effective cure for bad breath on its own. However when in used in conjunction with the above advice it will certainly help! In particular look for mouthwashes that kill bacteria (antibacterial mouthwashes) or mouthwashes that neutralize volatile sulfur compounds. Chlorine dioxide mouthwashes are particularly recommended!

Other tips to reduce bad breath…

• Drink plenty of water - Drinking water throughout the day can help to control bad breath.
• Stimulate your mouth's flow of saliva – by chewing gum! Chewing helps cleanse the teeth and stimulates the flow of saliva which helps dissolve odorous volatile sulfur compounds. However be sure to choose sugarless gum.
• Drink green tea - Green teas contain polyphenols, which are antioxidants that protect human cells from damage and help fight bacteria by inhibiting their growth. By killing the bacteria that gives off a bad smell, you can reduce bad breath.
• Clean your mouth well and regularly - especially after eating foods high in protein content. Try to clean your mouth out as soon as possible after eating to remove the protein that oral bacteria thrive on!

MFB

Shaving Advice: The most common mistakes men make when wet-shaving.

MFB have listed some of the most common mistakes men commit when shaving. Avoid these blunders at all costs to ensure a clean, close, cut free shave.

Shaving too fast

Take your time! If you shave at speed you will make mistakes and most likely cut yourself. Carefully control the razor across your skin. Give yourself a couple of extra minutes to shave… it will be worth it.

Using normal soap as shaving cream

Normal soap will dry the skin and doesn't soften the hairs on your face. This makes for a more difficult shave. Always opt for a shaving gel, cream or specialist shaving soap.

Shaving before a shower

Most men that do this think that they can clean their face (in the shower) after a shave and thus save time. However these men don’t benefit from the advantages a couple of minutes of pre-shave hot water exposure can give you. Indeed the shower’s steam softens the hair on your face making for an easier shave. Furthermore the heat opens and unclogs pours to clear away impurities. Plus an opened pore is much easier to shave!

Not cleaning the pre-shave face

Again, most men think they should clean their face after the shave. However by cleaning away dirt and grease before a shave, you remove a layer or barrier that would otherwise lie between your skin and the razor. Removing this unwanted layer on your skin gives a much closer shave. If you want to save some time, one tip is to clean your face whilst in the shower before you shave.

MFB

Removing Scuffs from Leather Shoes

It is possible to remove light scuffs on leather shoes by applying a coat of shoe polish. However dark scuffs, especially on lighter coloured shoes requires refinishing. MFB recommends you take your shoes to a shoe repair shop although it is possible to repair your shoes yourself as detailed below.

1. Obtain a refinishing spray at a shoe repair shop. Remember to take your shoes with you so that you can match them to a colour chart.
2. Cover the shoe so that only the leather upper is exposed. Mask off the sole and heel of the shoes using masking tape.
3. Use a light-coloured shoe cleaning cloth and leather preparer to wash the leather. Let the shoes dry. If necessary repeat the process until the leather has a dull, even finish. Note – work within a well-ventilated area.
4. Apply shoe refinishing spray evenly and lightly across the leather. Allow to dry. Repeat the application of refinishing spray until the leather has an even colour.
5. Remove the masking tape. Polish the shoes with cream polish and a clean, soft cloth.

In some cases toothpaste can be used to remove scuffs from shoes. Simply squirt a very small amount on the scuffed area of the shoe and rub with a clean, soft cloth. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Warning: MFB recommend you test a small area of your show to text colour fastness of the leather before using toothpaste on fine shoes.

MFB

The Badger Hair Shaving Brush

Using a fine badger hair brush to brush quality shaving cream onto your face is a necessity in obtaining that perfect shave! MFB investigate the use of badger hair brushes for men…

Why use badger hair brushes?

Although shaving cream may be applied with the fingers, MFB recommends the use of a good quality shaving brush for three reasons.

1. A good shaving brush absorbs hot water then releases and mixes the hot water with the shaving cream as you apply the cream to your face. The combination of hot water mixing with the cream and getting beaten by the brush during application, delivers a thicker, richer, more emollient lather that’s you would not be able to achieve with your fingers.

2. A shaving brush also gently exfoliates the dead skin from your face before shaving. This eradicates an unwanted layer between the blade and your hair, assisting in a closer shave.

3. The brushing lifts your beard and suspends the hair upright in the thick lather, which exposes the maximum hair length to your razor blade to ensure you remove as much hair as possible, thus obtaining a closer shave.

How to use a badger hair brush

It's simple! Skim the brush back and forth across your face and neck in and up and down motion.

Choosing a badger hair brush

The choice of badger hair is dependent to where on the body the hair was harvested from. There are three grades of badger hair in general use:

1. Pure brushes - which have dark hair of medium to short length.


2. Best brushes - which have long to medium length, with a creamy tip and softer feel.


3. Super brushes - which have longer length hair with a very soft creamy white tip. Super badger is chosen by many for its' soft yet luxurious and effective performance however super badger hair is rare commodity making, making it very expensive.

Makers of badger hair brushes

Leading makers of shaving brushes include English companies Cyril R Salter, A. Simpson & Co., and G.B. Kent & Sons. The aforementioned makers are acknowledged by many as creating the best quality and most refined shaving brushes in the world and MFB recommends no others. Indeed G.B. Kent has been making the world's finest brushes since 1777 and is internationally renowned for selecting the best materials, applying advanced manufacturing methods, and finishing with impecable attention to detail that creates a shaving brush that is as close to perfect as is possible.

To browse through a collection of men's shaving brushes by the very best shaving brush makers; including Simpsons and G.B. Kent, click here.

MFB

Men's Face Cleansing

Because of the size of men’s pores, your skin needs to be cleaned both in the morning and at night. Cleansing your face in the evening removes the dirt and grime from a hard day, and cleansing in the morning removes toxins that have been released from your skin overnight! Below is a 5-step process to cleansing your face:

1. Wash your hands with soap. Don’t apply a face cleanser with dirty hands.
2. Moisten a clean facecloth in warm (not hot) water. Wipe the cloth over your face to remove the surface oil, dirt and grime, and also moisten the skin.
3. With moist hands, put some cleanser on the tips of your fingers and create a foam.
4. Using both hands, swirl your cleanser on your face in small circular motions, with on your neck, cheeks, nose, and forehead.
5. Moisten a new facecloth with lukewarm water and rinse off all the cleanser.

For more advice about men's skin care, click here.

MFB

The ultimate men’s skin care routine!

Men’s Fashion Blog have listed some simple-yet-effective skincare steps for men that will keep you looking your best.

Step 1: Cleanse

Compared to women, men have oilier skin and larger pores. This makes men’s skin dirtier quicker, making it necessary to cleanse regularly. Twice daily cleansing (morning and night) is key to keeping your pores clean and clear. This is especially true for men who live or work in a major city.Use gentle, but effective, cleansing products. Cleansers are available to buy in a myriad of forms, such as: foaming gels, creams, milky cleansers and ready-to-go cleansing pads.

MFB recommend you avoid using deodorant bar soaps on your face, which are harsh; striping and irritating your skin.

Click here for more information on men's skin cleansing.

Step 2: Tone Your Skin

Toner should be applied between cleansing and moisturising. A skin toner will clean and diminish the look of large pores. It will also help tighten your face, reducing wrinkles and fine lines. Furthermore it will restore your skin's pH balance.

Step 3: Exfoliate

Men have hair over their face, and hair traps oil, dirt and grime. Exfoliating helps to remove dirt, dead skin and smooth the surface of the skin. Use a scrub, exfoliating gloves, abrasive sponge, or loofa to exfoliate.

Daily exfoliation may not be needed, but a regular exfoliation to clean up the dead skin cells is certainly essential. Try to exfoliate at least 2 to 3 times per week for adequate coverage.

Take care when exfoliating as it can dry out skin. Use a moisturiser to help stabilise your skin and feed the new skin.

Step 4: Moisturise Your Skin

Moisturising is the most important part to men's daily skin care routine, especially due to increased risk of dry skin from shaving. A good moisturiser will restore the skin's lost moisture and prevent the moisture from evaporating further.

It is important to select a moisturiser suitable for your skin type. For instance, if you have combination or dry skin, use a non-greasy oil-free moisturiser. MFB also recommends you buy a moisturiser that contains SPF 15 or higher to prevent your skin being damaged by the suns harmful rays.

To reduce under eye wrinkles, puffiness or lines, use a separate eye gel treatment for men. The same applies for your lips. Try a soothing balm or an anti-chapping stick. Again try to buy one with SPF 15 or above.

MFB

Shaving Tips for Men

A good shave will keep you looking your best! A poor shave will not only make you look untidy; it will also make your skin feel harsh. Avoid rashes and cuts when shaving with some tips from MFB...

Pre-shaving advice

1. Don’t shave directly after waking up in the morning. Leaving it 10 to 15 minutes will allow the puffiness in your skin (caused by fluid collection) to fade away, helping you to get a close shave.
2. Before you shave, exfoliate! Use a facial cleanser or scrub to eradicate dead skin cells. This helps avoid ingrown hair. It also opens the pores of the skin in preparation for the shave.
3. Shave under good conditions! Good lighting and a decent mirror (preferably a three-mirror setup).
4. Wet your stubble with warm/hot water before shaving. This opens the pores and swells the hair shaft allowing the blade to cut the hair easier. Just after you have had a shower is the perfect time to shave.
5. Thoroughly massage shave cream into stubble before you start your shave - this helps soften the stubble. Choose a vitamin E or aloe vera based shaving product that will help protect against razor rashes and burns.
6. Use a brush to apply cream. The brush ensures a even spread and also lifts your hairs.
7. For best results, use a pre-shave oil. This is not essential, but oil is a time-honored treatment for men with heavier beards or sensitive skin. Apply oil before shaving cream.
8. Use sharp blades. Dull blades are responsible for most shaving cuts. Men end up dragging the razor over their face and catch skin with the rest of the beard. Keep razor blades sharp to avoid this...change blades after every two or three shaves.
9. In addition, using a razor with multliple blades will assist in a closer shave.

Tips for during shaving

1. Keep rinsing your razor blade in hot water whilst shaving. Rinse after each stroke.
2. Use slow, short strokes during your shave. To get best results you should take your time as you shave.
3. Shave with the grain (in the direction the hair grows) on your face! This is a key piece of shaving advice. Shaving against the grain of hair growth can cause redness, rashes, razor burn, cuts and ingrown hairs.
4. Using a razor with a pivoting head allows you to shave better and smoother over and around bony places, curves, bumps and other angles of the face & body.
5. Use one hand to hold the razor. Use the second hand to hold your skin taut.

Post-shaving advice

1. When you’ve finished your shave, apply an oil-free moisturiser to soothe and protect your face. If you’re using an after-shave, check the label for alcohol. Alcohol based aftershave will sting and make your skin dry.
2. Be careful of mentholated shaving products. Whilst they give a nice 'cool' sensation at first they can be irritating to the skin.

MFB