Should Men Shave Their Legs?
Recently I created a list of men that shave their legs like athlete's and models explaining why they're taking the razor to their them. Then I wrote my take on men having hairless legs in: Should Men Shave Their Legs? But, what's more important is your opinion. You can respond right on that page and read what others think. Don't be shy, I'm sure you have something to say about it.
Tria Laser at Home Slashes Price from $795 to $595
When Tria first came out last year, the cost was $995. Then in February of this year Tria released an updated model with the laser firing two times faster and cut the price to $795. Well as of today, Tria is now $200 cheaper at $595.
For a limited time Tria Beauty is offering a payment plan. $295 down and seven monthly payments of $49.95 gets you Tria the home laser device (buy direct). Yes, it works out to be more like $645. But is still a great option if you can't afford the $595 all at once.
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Eyebrow Waxing Can Lead to Herpes
How clean the salon or spa you go to is a very serious thing. Many times I have wrote about the dangers of double-dipping. This is when the technician takes an applicator, applies it to the client's skin, and then puts in back into the wax pot to get more wax instead of throwing it away. They are supposed to get a clean applicator for each swipe to the skin, otherwise it can become contaminated by touching an area infected with herpes, for instance. The heat of the wax does not kill any viruses.
Unfortunately, there are salons or spas out there that double-dip out of ignorance, to save money or out of pure laziness. For the wax to stay uncontaminated, each employee must not be double-dipping for you to be protected. This segment on bostonchannel.com warns about an increase of cases of eye herpes in Midwest states that have been directly linked to eyebrow waxing and poor sanitary practices.
Double-dipping is just one of the signs to look for to let you know to run the other way and find somewhere else to get waxed. This list: Safe Waxing gives you the full run down.
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Raffi Alexander/IStock Photo
Braun Silk-épil Xpressive Epilators
Epilators work by removing each hair from the follicle for you automatically (think speedy electric tweezer). If the hair is successfully removed instead of broken, you can be hair-free for weeks versus the day or so with shaving. Braun makes a couple different Silk-épil Xpressive Epilators, but their 7281 body system shown on the left (compare prices) is the only one that can be used both in or out of the shower. This is not only convenient for saving time, but the heat from the bath or shower helps to soften the hair follicle so the discomfort is less.
All of their three models are fully washable, have pivoting heads to adjust to the contours of the body and a light so that you can easily see the fine hairs. If you're looking for facial hair removal, their 7781 Easystart model (compare prices) is their only epilator that can be used both on the face and body.
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Image Courtesy PriceGrabber
Using Salon and Spa Gift Certificates and Tipping
Salon and spa gift certificates are really big gift items. A lot of men consider it a no-brainer gift because women are thrilled to get some pampering. (Not that men don't receive these gifts as well, but usually it's the other way around.)
I've noticed a trend working in salons and spas since I was a teenager. For some reason when a person comes in with a gift certificate and receives a service or even an entire spa day, they often "forget" to leave gratuity. Granted, sometimes the gratuity is added by the person who bought the gift certificate, but often, it's not. "Forgetting to tip" has gotten to the point that many spas are adding gratuity into their spa packages to make sure their employees automatically receive it.
Cosmetologists, nail technicians, massage therapists and estheticians don't make the majority of their income on tips like restaurant servers do, but it's still a large part of their income they rely on to support themselves and their families. So if you do bring a gift certificate in, ask the receptionist if the gratuity has been included. If not, don't forget about your technicians. 15% - 20% of the bill before taxes is the typical amount, but of course can be adjusted to the level of your service and satisfaction.
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Men Who Shave Their Legs
More and more guys are shaving, waxing or trimming down their back and chest. But men shaving their legs? No, that isn't the norm. But there are men, especially athletes that keep their legs bare, just like women.
Who are these guys? Michael Phelps shown here on the right is one of them. See the list of male athletes and others who keep hairless legs and why they do so in: Men Who Shave Their Legs.
Photo Al Bello / Getty Images
Have You Met My Hair Removal Product Review Assistant Nicole?
We review a lot of products around here, especially thanks to Nicole. She keeps busy testing out everything hair removal, from waxes to tweezers, hair minimizing deodorants, electric razors to shaving creams and manual razors. You may have heard me mention her before but didn't take a peek at her profile.
She is a licensed esthetician in California and has many talents. Read Nicole's Fierro's bio and get to know her a little better.
Some of Nicole's Latest Reviews:
Image Courtesy Nicole Fierro
Megan Fox Has Great Full Brows
Megan Fox is drop dead gorgeous, I don't think many of you would argue that. I love that she wears her brows full by keeping them close to her natural shape while making them extremely defined. Many women with full brows tend to arch theirs to death, but not Megan. If she would take them too thin they wouldn't be in balance with her other larger features like her lips, or frame her big eyes so well. She's a great example that full eyebrows can look feminine, beautiful and shaped.
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Parissa Reviews
I've often talked about wax strips, these are products that already have the wax attached so you just apply to skin and rip off. Now, I was never crazy about these for tackling large areas of hair because they're room temperature, and I've found that warm wax works better in removing the hair.
My assistant, Nicole, who is an esthetician and expert waxer has never really like wax strips either. But, recently she reviewed many of these strips from Parissa for the eyebrows, face and body who are very well known for their sugaring hair removal products. How did they compare to what's currently on the market? Read what she thought about the ease, mess and pain below.
Parissa Wax Strip Reviews:
Parissa Wax Strips for Underarms, Face & Bikini Sensitive Formula Shown Top Right
Image Courtesy PriceGrabber
Help, Homemade Sugaring Hair Removal Product Too Hard
A couple people emailed me after trying the sugaring hair removal recipe saying it turned out too hard when cooled. First, the sauce pan that you use needs to be heavy, like good-quality stainless steel. Otherwise, the sugar will get too hot when simmering and overcook if you use a thin pan.
But, if it does end up too hard for one reason or another, a reader named Bina sent in a tip. Read what worked for her that softened up the sugar, so you can save what you made and use it as a sugaring paste or sugaring gel instead of throwing it away.
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