So let me introduce my favourite new waxing after care product, the Post-Wax Spray. Both of these products have been developed by waxers, those working in the industry week in week out ripping the hair out of bodies. They have been developed by the people who know the effects of waxing, and they know the problems clients face after a treatment.

There are two great things about this product, most importantly it works. Feedback from those who have used it was overwhelmingly positive, clients have found their skin looks and feels a lot better when using the product.

And the second great thing about this product and it is quite unique for a product of this nature is that it is a spray. Pretty much every other waxing product on the market comes as a cream, gel or lotion. Which is great for applying to chests, arms, legs etc. Not so much for the back!

Post-Wax Spray is a soothing, alcohol-free mist to help prevent and treat irritation, bumps and pimples that occur on the body after waxing or shaving. Aloe vera and cucumber extract have been expertly blended with Australian bush mint and menthol to cool and calm the skin, while the antibacterial effects of lemon myrtle oil and grapefruit pith extract protect the skin against irritation by supporting the skins natural defences.

Back and shoulders is by far the most popular male waxing treatment any salon can offer, and for many the lack of a suitable after care product has been frustrating. Some of the stories of guys trying to spread a moisturising lotion on their back evenly have been quite amusing. But now that is a thing of the past, get out of the shower, dry yourself off and a few squirts of this and your on your way to soft smooth skin.

I think the second product has one of the best names on the market – Bush Balm.

This creamy, intensely moisturising mask quickly reduces redness and calms the skin after hair removal.

Aloe vera, allantoin and frankincense extract soothe sore skin, while shea butter and macadamia oil quench and deeply nourish. Bush Balm can be used straight after waxing and then between appointments to help prevent ingrown hairs and leave the skin soft and hydrated. It is especially suitable for sensitive areas such as the face and underarms and for use after intimate waxing or shaving.

I have been using this product in treatments since the Salon size product launched back in September – and the feedback from my own clients has been awesome. So good infact many keep asking me “when i can buy it to use at home?”

Well the answer to that is now! The Post-Wax Spray is available for £8.95 for 100ml spray bottle, and the Bush Balm is £11.95 for a 100ml pump bottle. The spray is also available in a Post Wax Essentials for Guys kit which consists of the spray, along with a the tea tree skin wash and hand & body lotion. Combining all three products really helps give the best results for longer lasting smooth skin, this kit is available for £19.95.

It will be the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games! I’m not a huge sports fan – don’t get Football at all, Rugby I have a interest if Wales are playing but that’s about it really. The Olympics is something different though – these are athletes doing it for the love of their sport and the dream of owning a medal.

Back in very early 2005 I was reading an article in Massage Magazine about an American Massage Therapist who worked as a volunteer for the 2004 Athens games. It was incredibly inspiring and fascinating – as a volunteer you had no help with travel, accomodation etc. All you got was your training and uniform. Pretty much everyone you see at the Olympics in a uniform is a volunteer – it is a key aspect of the games. It was then I decided if I ever had the opportunity to be able to volunteer at an Olympic games I would.

Move forward just a few short months to the 6th July 2005 and the IOC unexpectedly announced London as the host city to the 2012 Olympic Games. I rememer sitting in my office watching the announcement and being so excited about it, and incredibly proud that our country will host the greatest event in the world!

A few years later and the organisers announced the position of GamesMaker … the 70,000 volunteers that make the games possible. And in whatever capacity I wanted to be involved, as a Massage Therapist would be amazing, as an IT technician would be amazing, as a meeter and greeter would be amazing, as an athlete liason would be amazing, as a Radio Operator would be amazing … just being a part of it would be amazing.

So application submitted, interview to volunteer (conducted by volunteers) completed, and finally role accepted! So in 199 days time I may not be able to watch the opening ceremony … I could be working somewhere instead! There is only group of people who are doing something better, acutally walking into the stadium as an athlete hoping to bring home a medal!

For those four weeks the world will be watching Great Britian, I’ll be cheering on Team GB to lead the medal table and most importantly I’ll be helping to make it the greatest games in the history of the modern Olympiad!

Waxing is usually the most popular beauty treatment any salon offers, it is the the one thing you ladies keep coming back for. A lot of friends and clients have said to me “waxing is waxing” wherever you go they think it is all the same thing. I would argue differently, waxing isn’t just hair removal! It is probably one of the most popular skincare treatments available on the market today. And that is how I view my treatments, as skincare rather then hair removal.

When you go for a facial treatment you are after improving how your face looks and feels … you want it smoother, brighter and usually younger looking. And then between appointments you will (or should be) using suitable products to maintain that look and feel. Waxing is the same, just that most of it isn’t on the face. I want my clients to come for a half leg wax for example and leave feeling that their legs are smoother and softer and that the skin feels like it has been nourished and soothed.

So first day back at the wax pot today, and how did I start? Dragging myself out of bed at 8:00am and onto ‘The Machine’ – that instrument of both terror and torture, our Cross Trainer. For the past year I have been slowly working on loosing weight, and of course like 90% of the population I am starting 2012 with all the good intentions of loosing weight … hopefully I won’t give up by Thursday.

The basics I understand, eat less, exercise more. So today I am starting the exercise, over the years I have tried many things – regular walks, swimming, I’ve even been a member of three Gym’s in my time! But to be honest, non of them really worked for me. My problem is that I am lazy and lack discipline. A few years back inspired by some friends we bought a Cross-Trainer which now lives in my office, it’s easy to use and most importantly it is about 10m walk from the bed.

All the exercise I have done the first minute is the hardest, as soon as I start I enjoy it. My problem is getting there and doing that first minute. We were members of a really nice local gym for a year – Firewalker Health Club in Wolverhampton. It was great, easy to get to, good range of equipment, really good friendly staff and trainers who always came to say hello and see how your doing and to encourage you. In my view so much nicer then the corporate gyms I had tried previously. The problem was that by the time I got there, got changed and started working out I had already lost half an hour, then add the end to shower and get home. A 45minute workout turns into an hour and a half of your day!

And so today I managed 30mins on the machine, low resistance this week to work up – don’t want to kill myself!

And then after a shower … it was time for that dreaded moment at the start of the week, the first official weigh-in of 2012. The scales didn’t break, so that’s a good start, but they did settle on 104.8Kg *sad face*.

So I have set myself an initial target of getting below 100Kg by the end of March – three months to loose 5Kg shouldn’t be that difficult. Well, I say that now. But knowing my history at this kinda thing I need to start off small and see how I go. The next challenge after that will be to maintain my weight below 100Kg for three months – that really will be the harder one.

I’ve also found a great App for use on the iPhone for keeping track of your weight – Target Weight. But what you weigh now, what you want to weight and when by and then you can track your weight to see how it goes.

Will keep you updated. Wish me luck!

The first bit of big news is that I have moved (finally … took over a year of waiting) but I am now working from my new treatment room on the Tettenhall Road in Wolverhampton. The room is on the second floor of the new house, and it took a lot of work to get right. Though the opportunity to start from scratch was amazing, the new treatment room is much larger then the old one and I have put in some nice touches I have wanted to do for a long time. There is a bespoke LED mood lighting system, some unique pieces of furniture, a new Karndean floor and some vintage style light bulbs to finish the effect.

When you book in for a treatment please ask for the new address to ensure you come to the right place!

As part of the move I have also taken the opportunity to rebrand and relaunch the massage treatments side of the business and will be including some exciting new treatments in the coming months. You can find out about the complete range of treatments available on my new website – The Treatment Den.

If you are looking for some ideas for Christmas, you may be interested in our new Gifts Ideas page. As always gift vouchers are of course available.

Ingredients
4 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons butter or oil
¼ teaspoon vanilla (or peppermint) extract
1 tablespoon choc chips
1 large mug

See you don’t even need scales for this!

Method

1. Put all dry ingredients in mug, mix well
2. Beat eggs, mix into mug and ensure fully mixed
3. Add oil or melted butter and thoroughly mix
4. Blitz in Micro for 3 mins
5. Remove mug, watch its not hot, and eat fresh warm Emergency Chocolate Cake!

It really is that simple!

Don’t they look lovely?

In the coming week we hope to make some exciting announcements about this! Keep an eye on the newest advanced waxing training website.

Fellas Box of 8 - Click to View

Fellas weren’t designed to be a continuous substitute to you having a shower or bath; they are to help you stay clean while “on the move” and throughout the day, or when having a shower isn’t possible. You start by tearing the sachet open and opening up the towel into your hand, then gently rubbing all or part of your Manantomy until you are happy that you are clean. The liquid from the wipe incorporates a very mild orange flavour (amongst its other gentle and natural ingredients); rather than a fragrance, so compared to other wipes, its cleansing liquid is safe for oral contact. You soon dry, leaving you feeling clean, fresh and confident!

Fellas are available in boxes of 8, or bags of 40. The boxes are available at £2.50 while the bags are £8.00, both currently available when you visit or by calling (postage charges will apply).

These are a great little product that has sparked a lot of interest amongst guys, from the young to the old. Whatever your reason for wanting them everyone could do with a Fella in their bag.

The problem appears to be towels being washed at too low a temperature. If they oils are left on towels and sheets there is a possibility that when left in tumble dryers, airing cupboards etc they could actually catch fire! All towels after every treatment must be washed at a temperature of at least 60 degrees. I am sure that this is also the recommended guideline for hygienic cleaning. The problem is that lower temperatures may not be high enough for the water and detergent to fully breakdown oils and other products that could be in the towels.

So remember all towels need to be washed at 60 degree’s to be clean and hygienic and also to make sure you don’t burn your salon down!

Lots of clients ask me about ingrown hair treatments, and there are some excellent products out there but these new ones are amazing. Ingrown hairs, acne / folliculitis, skin irritation – these new products will help with all them.

I will of course let you know when these new products are available to buy at your next appointment or online.

No ideas on colours yet, though I have some really cool lighting planned for the room! So keep an eye on Facebook and I’ll post the occasional update here too.

One of my regular clients is a professional photographer who specialises in weddings. We’ve spoken several times about his work and how he gets the right photographs. He isn’t doing catwalk photography; his subjects are just people getting married – not professional models.

Most people who have been to a wedding have taken their own photographs. Compare these to those of the professional who was their taking pictures too. Notice the difference? I have a nice camera, a Canon S90 compact. It’s very easy to use and has lots of modes that do the adjustments for you to get the best out of the conditions you are shooting in. But I rarely get an image that makes me think wow!

This isn’t usually down to the quality of the camera and lens, though that helps, it is about having an eye for it. It is about knowing when to take the picture, framing and positioning the subject, the stuff that the camera doesn’t help you out with. Yes a £4,000 camera helps, and understanding f-stops, exposure, apertures etc also helps. But that isn’t the key to successful photography, whether doing a model portfolio or taking some snaps while out for a Sunday afternoon walk.

The subject of this post is a quote from Edward Steichen, another excellent quote when thinking about photography is from Ansel Adams:

There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.

While we use digital cameras today, taking pictures isn’t a digital step by step process. You don’t follow a set flow-chart that shows you how to take a picture which results in a good photograph. If there were we would have a portrait photographer on every street corner.

While looking for images and through various portfolios I remembered some good friends had some amazing photos done of their wedding. They were done by the professional London photographer Paul Reiffer. Paul has some images on his blog that are currently entered into a competition to feature on the Bing search engine which were the inspiration for this rather unusual blog post.

Portland Bill lighthouse is famous, and has been photographed millions of times by thousands of photographers I’m sure. In Paul’s landscape portfolio he has photographed it himself, but if you compare it to most of the others … it is something very special. It’s the same building, but the image is fantastic.

Another example of how important the eye of the photographer is can be seen in some of the gig photographs. Here the photographer is given a set amount of time to take the pictures from the front of the stage – where the acts will be ignoring them. They are performing for the crowds, not the professionals. Paul was invited to get some shots of Olly Murs during his latest tour. The great thing I love about the main image here is the lighting and energy; it would take a photographer / designer a lot of time and effort to get that in a studio.

I mentioned my camera earlier, the Canon compact. As an example of how a professional photographer can make the difference, even without all the gear. Paul has submitted a photo to the International Photography Awards 2011 that was taken with a Canon S95 (slightly updated version of mine).

So if you are looking at taking photos to use in your own salon or to promote your salon or treatments really think about the photographs. Take your time and do what the professionals do – take hundreds! Only then will you get the one or two you can use.

The majority of waxes on the market today use Rosin (sometimes referred to as Colophony) as one of the main ingredients. There are some waxes, such as the Perron Rigot Hypoallergenic line, that use a synthetic version of this key ingredient.

Over the past year or so there have been some significant increases into the costs of these products. With China being one of the largest sources of this raw ingredient the increase in oil and fuel prices has only added to this pressure. A lot of the wax manufacturers have tried to maintain their prices, but they can only do that for so long before they need to pass on the increase to us as therapists.

Over the next year it is going to be interesting to see how this affects the professional market and which products therapists use, and then how it affects consumers. As a general rule cheaper products work on tighter margins, and so it is harder for manufacturers when their raw ingredient prices increase. If they haven’t already then the prices of all waxes will be increasing over the coming months.

But how about for clients, are salons going to be putting their prices up? We can’t escape the fact that we are in the midst of a huge downturn in the market, in most markets, and consumers are being much more careful with their money. This doesn’t mean they are being solely driven by price, but that they are being more fussy about where they spend their money. This will only put therapists in the difficult position of deciding whether or not to increase their treatment prices, or risk loosing clients.

For example most salons charge approximately £10 for an Underarm wax, I know of salons that are charging as little as £6! It is hard to make profit on this treatment at the best of times! And these salons that go for the lowest possible prices are the ones who will unfortunately suffer the most.

If you are a Salon, you need to be constantly reviewing your product costs, treatment prices, retail prices and also what you offer your clients. You need to be looking at ensuring they feel they are getting value for money. This is a tough market that is only going to get tougher this year.

They are the first of these events that I have attended and are so brilliant. The afternoon started off with an introduction to the brand and it’s history, and then the range of products available. With the Signature, Aromatherapy, Hypoallergenic and Natural lines there are a lot of products to choose from! Each range has its own strip / warm wax selection and non-strip / hot wax products. You work with them all in the same way, they just have slightly different formulations depending on which line they are in.

And then the real fun starts – playing with the waxes! Plenty of each type of wax to choose from, and the opportunity to try them out on both male waxing and female waxing clients. Ear and nostril demonstrations are always popular at these events.

If you haven’t tried the new generation style of hot non-strip waxes then you should get in touch with Thalgo and book onto the next days course! They charge £20, but this is then a credit against any product you purchase on the day.

These are the products I use everyday in my practice on all clients, and they will travel further and pay more for the experience because it is so much better!

Traditionally, in the days before the Internet clients would rely on word of mouth referrals, local listings such as Yellow Pages, or even newspaper adverts. As technology moved on so did how clients find therapists. For example when was the last time you were looking for a local business and the first place you turned was a telephone directory? It is more likely to be Google or another internet search engine.

A lot of therapists and salons will set up their own website, and that is great! But it is only a small part of the task – you need to get your website out there. Clients, and most importantly, potential clients need to be able to easily find your website when looking for a treatment.

But before you get onto that you need to spend some time looking at your website. They come in many styles, many layouts, and many colours and as with everything in life – many levels of quality. Your site must reflect your business and what you are trying to portray. If it doesn’t clients will be put off and won’t come to you for an appointment. Never underestimate the importance of a good website. And this is where the workshop starts, looking at your own website and doing a peer review so that you can get some independent feedback on the design and content.

The workshop aims to demystify the world of online advertising and Search Engine Optimisation. It is structured and designed to be taught without jargon and techno-babble, topics covered include:

• Website design – How to ensure a salons website appeals and gives a professional image
• Google Advertising – How to setup and run AdWords campaigns
• Facebook – Setting up a salon business page, how to use it to communicate with clients, including using Google Places
• Facebook Advertising – Paid advertising and how to get the best value for money
• How to use sites such as Groupon and Living Social to your advantage.
• Twitter, Blogs, YouTube Videos and online articles – how to use these to promote your salon

The workshop was developed after hearing too many stories of salon owners who had paid companies to run SEO or advertising campaigns. These companies often charging hundreds of pounds for work that a salon owner could do in a few hours a week at a fraction of the cost.

You can find out more about it within the Training section.

The majority of waxes used in salons are warm strip waxes. Quite a few therapists have been trained in the use of Hot Wax. This is excellent for tough hairs or sensitive area, but in recent years there have been some revolutionary developments in products. And the new style non-strip wax offers the therapist many significant advantages.

Read full article.

Sometimes when a new hair grows it doesn’t quite break through the skin properly for a variety of reasons. So it will usually either curl back on itself or grow sideways under the skin.

Ingrown Hairs can be painful to remove, but usually better being removed. And as with so many things prevention is better then cure! A few days after your waxing appointment gently exfoliate the skin every other day. Using our Tea Tree Skin Wash and Body Lotion is excellent for this with a gently scrubbing mitt or puff.

Also if you do suffer from ingrowing hairs using a product such as IngrownZone can help release them from the skin making them a lot easier and less painful to remove on your next appoinment.

For years I have used and recommended to therapists the Hive 1000cc heater and the many equivalents manufactured by other companies,

Well now they have developed a digital heater! I picked up one of these heaters, again by Hive, at the Professional Beauty show this weekend. The offer on them was too good to miss. And I have to say I love it! First of all it looks good, but most of all it works well. You set the temp and that’s what it stays at!

I would only say two things against it. First of all it doesn’t match my other heaters – so I need to get two more so that my trolley looks all lovely and tidy. And the only other bugbear is that you can’t use it with a timer plug. The power will come on, but until you press the button it doesn’t heat up.

Other then that a lovely heater that is worth investing in.

I was then given the brilliant idea of using Nose waxing as a fundraiser for Comic Relief this year! So for the month of March I am offering a free nose waxing to each client with any other waxing treatment. And if you take up the waxing I will donate 5% of the cost of your treatment to Comic Relief.

So come on guys, why not do something painless for money and raise some cash for Comic Relief!

This is being organised in support of Comic Relief, registered charity 326568 (England/Wales); SC039730 (Scotland).

This weekend the biggest trade show for the Beauty Profession is taking place at ExCeL Exhibition Centre in the London Docklands. This year is bigger and better with the likes of CACI, Sweet Squared / CND (Creative Nail Design), Jessica, Thalgo, Environ and Dermalogica there to name but a few.

And I’m really excited as I will be working on the Perron Rigot stand demonstrating their waxes, and talking about the products to therapists who visit – male and female! It’s really exciting to see that times are changing and I am now starting to notice a few more male therapists around.

So if you are coming to the show then please come by and say hi. I’ll be on stand number 640 with Perron Rigot waxes.

But where does the waxing come in? Well the comic who’s flavour sells the most will be crowned the Winner. The losing three will face waxed in front of their peers and the public. With a “mystery beautician” on hand to ensure the penalty runs as smoothly as possible! This of course all happens on Red Nose Day … 18th March.

If you know of anyone doing some charidy waxing for Comic Relief this year then let me know and we can hopefully help them raise a few extra quid!

How about a traditional cut throat wet shave? If your man has never had one you should definitely treat them! These shaves are the best, and of course it means no scratchy stubble for you. To help you celebrate this year Waxing for Guys is taking a fiver off the cost.

The VAT’s gone up, but the cost of a good shave has gone down! So why not buy a gift voucher for the man in your life, or if you are the man why not treat yourself to a shave and the loved one in your life to some of the smoothest skin to kiss.

Check out the new Razor from Gillette, how many blades can you have in a razor? Never enough apparently … this new razor has ten blades in the head! When will the madness end?

Right about now apparently. Gillette’s latest poster campaign clearly states they aren’t adding any more blades to their razors (at long last). The ad above is a spoof of their own making. So what’s so great about this new razor and why the fuss? Well this is the first major product launch for Gillette since they were acquired by Proctor & Gamble. But let’s have a look at what they are saying about it:

It has been designed to reduce “tugging and pulling” on the skin with 15% thinner blades and a “blade stabiliser” which P&G claims allow the razor’s five blades to adjust to the contours of a man’s face and reduce discomfort.

Other features of the range include an “enhanced” moisturising strip, a precision trimmer, redesigned handle and a microcomb.

P&G says the science behind the ProGlide “addresses every aspect of interaction with hair and skin”.

P&G says that testing involving 30,000 men has already proved the ProGlide range is preferred at a 2-to-1 ratio over the Gillette Fusion range, which sells 100 million razors each year in 75 countries.

So lots of blades, thinner again, more fancy stabilising bits, more swanky advertising and another hike in the blade price. They aren’t adding more blades, but I bet they are adding more pence per shave!

I know lots of people who love their new Gillette razors, but personally I’m sticking to my trusty Mach 3 with good shave products and routine. Works for me every time, and gives a smooth and cheaper shave!

It is for this reason I am now formalising an appointment bookings & cancellation policy as follows:

• A contact phone number is required for all bookings, preferably a mobile.
• Cancellations can be made up to 24hours prior to the appointment.
• Those who miss an appointment without cancellation are required to pre-pay for future appointments.
• Repeated appointment cancellation will require pre-payment for future appointments.
• Pre-payments for appointments are non-refundable.

I understand that it is sometimes necessary to post-pone an appointment, in these circumstances as much notice as possible is appreciated. And again with repeated postponement or subsequent cancellation may require pre-payment for future appointments.

Well here we are in 2011 now! And the weather just seems to be extra grey and miserable to make sure we all feel even more depressed on these cold mornings!

Now that I am back at the wax pot I would like to welcome every into 2011 and hope to see you soon. This year there will see some exciting developments for Waxing for Guys with new training courses and venues coming on. I will also be down at Professional Beauty London checking out the latest products, gadgets and treatments.

So stay tuned and here’s to helping make 2011 smoother year!

Above is a video showing a complete back and shoulder wax using warm wax and roller applicators. Check back for some more video’s over the coming months!

I would like to thank my model, Rob Hall, and photographer Chris Brown for their assistance in making this video. You can also see the video here.

This Movember Waxing for Guys is hoping to help raise some money and awareness for the number one cancer affecting men – prostate cancer.

The Mo, slang for moustache, and November come together each year for Movember.

Movember challenges men to change their appearance and the face of men’s health by growing a moustache. The rules are simple, start Movember 1st clean shaven and then grow a moustache for the entire month. The moustache becomes the ribbon for men’s health, the means by which awareness and funds are raised for cancers that affect men. Much like the commitment to run or walk for charity, the men of Movember commit to growing a moustache for 30 days.

The idea for Movember was sparked in 2003 over a few beers in Melbourne, Australia. The plan was simple – to bring the moustache back as a bit of a joke and do something for men’s health. No money was raised in 2003, but the guys behind the Mo realized the potential a moustache had in generating conversations about men’s health. Inspired by the women around them and all they had done for breast cancer, the Mo Bros set themselves on a course to create a global men’s health movement.

So if you book a wet shave for December we will donate £5 to Movember for each appointment! Or if your not sure about growing your own Mo then why not use the Cut Out and Cheat one above!

To join the page click here or sign into Facebook and search for Waxing for Guys.

Several of my clients and friends use their American Express card to collect Airmiles for their chosen airline.

So now at Waxing for Guys you can collect Air Miles as well as Hair Miles!

For any waxing treatments it is important that the client is given complete Aftercare advice. This helps them enjoy their new found smooth skin and ensures long lasting results without irritation. This article outlines how to give aftercare advice to your clients.

View article here.

First of all a quick look at the 75% of calls. These generally follow the same patter, starts off from a call centre with the line “I’m phoning on behalf of [Name] Doctors Surgery”, or it could be a dentist, medical practice or something. The company then claims they are responsible for the advertising on the surgeries appointment cards and they have one of their sales team “in the area tomorrow” and would I like a meeting with them.

I have not had an appointment card from my local dentist, doctor or hospital for about ten years now, and why do I want to waste my time with a sales guy? I always do one of two things – tell them I’m not interested, or say I am but can they first post me details and examples of the appointment cards and I’ll call back. After ten years in this business I am still waiting to receive a single example! I have heard horror stories of salons paying hundreds of pounds and never seeing anything.

If you get one of these calls, and if you are in the industry long enough you will! Before you sign anything always do several things. Ask to see samples of the products and previous campaigns that other companies have run, ask for the name of the Practice Manager who as authorised them to sort out these cards and call them directly (check the phone number on Yell or in the Yellow Pages) to verify they will be used and how many are given to patients / clients.

There are many different versions of this, calendars, wall planners, diaries … I’ve had them all over the years. Never have I seen an actual example of the final product.

A new advertising / promotion has surfaced in the UK in recent months and they intrigued me enough to fall into the final 5%. Groupon / MyCityDeal offer upto 90% discounts on restaurants, spas, wellness and fitness.

Isn’t it interesting how these companies always target small independent restaurants and salons / beauty therapists?

The process is simple, you put together a deal or package for potential clients and agree to sell a given number of them. They then feature them on their website, the client buys a voucher through the website and then Groupon pay you the cost of the voucher taking off their charge as a percentage. Great – nice and easy, sounds quite good … until you realise that they won’t accept anything less then a 60% discount! They actually try to get you down by 70 – 90% where they can. And they like bundle packages, for example a treatment or two with a retail product maybe, or discount on products purchased at the same time as the treatment.

It’s great in theory, you don’t pay for any advertising fee’s, you only pay for what you sell and then you get loads of new clients.

It’s less great when you think about the numbers. For example a Salon on the site at the moment is currently offering a Massage, Indian Head Massage and Deluxe Facial for just £18, and in addition to that you get 20% off any retail products you buy! The treatments usually cost £90 so an absolute bargain for the client. They have currently sold 8, not a bad way of getting 8 new clients is it?

Or is it? Those 8 packages would normally cost £720, instead the salon is taking £144 (before fee’s). This means they have lost out on a potential £540 of income! But it’s not a problem, those clients will surely come back regularly won’t they? How many times would you accept a 500% increase in price for a product or service? Because that is what you are asking these people to do. Most people who use these vouchers will be driven purely by price, and so if they can’t get the same price again they won’t come back.

When looking at advertising or promotions don’t undersell yourself, and don’t just give money to companies promising the world. Think about the costs, talk to everyone associated with it, ask for references from previous advertisers.

The Back and Beyond are just starting a fantastic new advertising campaign! Over the next three months for about 18 hours a day the above image will be driving around the Plymouth area on the back of a bus – now if that doesn’t get the attention of the passers by not much will.

I think this is going to be a really interesting campaign, the image itself is brilliant, but what it has is originality. How many bus adverts usually just have films on the side of them? Most of them so they all look a bit boring, but a huge WAX sign like that with will definitely catch the eye as it passes. And as I posted yesterday, a lot of women prefer their guys to be smooth so this works in letting the men know there is male therapist around who specialises in waxing. Also visually it appears to the ladies who will probably have a giggle and talk about it, but then mention it to their fellas.

I look forward to hearing how it goes. So if you are in the Plymouth area looking for a waxing give Jason at The Back and Beyond a call.

There seems to be a growing trend of partners encouraging their men to go ‘under the spatula’ for some hair removal. And the trend seems that once they realise that it really isn’t that painful and how much better it can look they often continue to come back. In my practice I have definitely seen trends that are mentioned in a recent article published by the Mackay Daily Mercury in Australia.

Read the full article here.

Male waxing is becoming much more acceptable and popular now with more salons offering it, and more clients requesting it. A lot of waxing training concentrates on areas of the body for women, who are still by a big majority the highest proportion of waxing clients. Back and shoulders is probably the most commonly requested male waxing treatment and if you have never waxed one before it can be quite daunting. This article will guide you through a basic procedure for waxing a guys back and shoulders.

View article here.

This article isn’t to be used instead of professional hands-on training, but as a reminder and guide to the relevant procedure.

And they have built up a great reputation and loyal following, but why am I talking about a spa for pregnant and new mums on a blog dedicated to male waxing and other forms of hair removal for guys? Well it turns out that the mums wanted it for their husbands and boyfriends.

“We introduced back waxing because one mum came to our monthly focus group and pleaded with us to introduce it so her husband could have it. I asked the therapists if they could do it and they could so that was easy,” says Karen Hastings, owner and founder of Cupcake.

And so, after a change meeting with Gentlemen’s Tonic owner, Olivier Bonnefoy, the two companies are now getting together to offer a range of male treatments with Gentlemen’s Tonic training the Cupcake therapists in their range of signature treatments.

Here is my quick guide to using a Shaving Brush:

1. Rinse or wash your face to begin with, using water as hot as you can comfortably bare – or shave right out of the shower
2. Dip your brush into the hot water – just a second or two is fine, gently shake off any excess
3. Add a pump or squirt of your chosen Shave Creme into a small plastic bowl
4. Then with brisk circular motions build up a lather in the bowl
5. Now using circular motions apply the foam all over the face, scoop the foam out of the bowl using the brush and apply

If needed you can add a little extra water (usually just a few drops does the trick) to build a fresh lather for any touching up work. I usually use a plastic bowl to mix the foam up as its easier and cleaner then getting foam all over your hands – and it is super quick to rinse out.

Once you have finished shaving you must wash the brush out thoroughly with hot water to remove all shave cream and then place it in its stand with the bristles facing down so that the water can drain away. Don’t boil or put your brush in the dishwasher, treat it with love it will be your shave friend for a long time.

Well now you can come along and spend a day with Mathew O’Marah, owner and therapist at Waxing for Guys, and learn from his years experience in waxing the male of the species. The training is very hands on, you will spend as much time as possible during the day waxing a male model while discussing tips and tricks to make it as positive experience for your clients as possible. The course covers A&P recap, trimming hair for those clients who don’t want to go all the way, and waxing. It includes using the latest types of hot non-strip wax for areas such as the Speedo line.

The training is also accredited by the Beauty Guild so you will qualify for CPD points, and will be fully insurable. For more information about our training please get in touch.

One of the most interesting facts for me was the type of business people are running:

• 33% Home Based
• 31% Mobile
• 22% High Street Salon
• 7% Hairdressing and Beauty Salon
• 7% Other

Nearly two thirds of our industry doesn’t have a high-street presence, so while there is demand for the full salon experience this shows that a lot of clients like the privacy of a home based private practice or treatment within their own home.

The three most popular treatments continue to be waxing, facials and massage closely followed by manicures. Waxing also remains the most commonly available treatment with up to 70% of Salons offering some form waxing service, while 66% offer facials and 81% offering manicures. Waxing is still highly sort after, but only just over half that have waxing (36%) also provide Brazilian / intimate waxing services.

Within the survey male waxing and male intimate waxing are two separate treatment categories, and this really shows how the demand for this is growing the figures below show the 2010 availability with the 2009 ones in brackets:

• Male Waxing: 33% (36%)
• Male Intimate Waxing: 6% (7%)

The number of salons offering this as a percentage has decreased over the past year, but this may because their are more beauty businesses so the market share as dropped but the number of businesses offering these services may well have increased.

But this does go to show, that even with the press coverage on male grooming etc waxing services for men still remains a very niche market, particularly intimate male waxing. So if you own a beauty business should you be offering male waxing? Absolutely – there are many men who want to get rid of their hairy backs, and many clients who are actively looking for a salon to treat them. And to treat them with respect and offer and professional high standard of service. Male intimate waxing is a very specialised treatment, and those salons offering it are building up a very loyal customer base.

So yes, Male Waxing is definitely worth it and with price a increase of 8% from 2009 to 2010, and 11% for intimate waxing it is a very lucrative service to offer in the salon.

With each new razor comes more blades. With each one the claims of a smoother, closer shave with less irritation make it better then anything we’ve had before. Surely more is better? Personally I don’t think so, the closest, smoothest and best shaves I’ve had and seen have all be done with a single straight-edge razor. Just to check I picked up the razor earlier to count the blades: One.

There is going to become a time when ShaveMate, Gillette, Schick / Wilkinson Sword won’t be able to fit anymore blades into a disposable head. What will they do then? They’ve spent millions on telling us with each additional blade comes a better shave … can they really turn around and say “oops, sorry guys turns out we were wrong … this new razor with less blades is even better!”

There are some interesting quotes from Mark Sproston of Shave Doctor in this post in the Seattle Times and this one in the Washington Post. Mark has surveyed approximately 14,000 men on their shaving habits so has learnt a thing or two along the way.

In the article he says that multi blade razors peaked at three, and I agree – personally I only use a three blade disposable for everyday shaving. The only difference I notice about those with more blades … they cost more.

The chest can be one of the most painful areas to be waxed … more so then the infamous back, sack & crack in a lot of cases, though many think it won’t be as bad as nose hair.

To get it done well, with the least discomfort and for the best result you should get all waxing done by a professional! Too many of my own clients have tried home waxing and tell tales of horror. Stories of two hours of agony for a back wax is not uncommon. For reference it takes me less them half an hour to do a back and shoulders.

One of the big influences in client comfort when it comes to male waxing is hair length. If the hairs are too long the wax won’t grip properly, it will just tug at the hairs and then break them rather then remove them. For a first time wax check that the therapist trims the hair down first if it needs it – I always trim to a grade 2 clipper length (6mm) before waxing. And recommend clients return when their hair reaches that length.

When looking for a waxing Salon, ask them which wax they use. There are so many on the market with big differences in price and quality, the better the wax the better the experience. I now use Perron Rigot waxes exclusively (often called Ceripil in the USA) which I believe are the best waxes you can get. Another excellent brand I recommend is Berins (see the UK and USA sites). The cheaper waxes sometimes aren’t as effective as removing the hairs, and often do have the new styles of hot / non-strip wax that make a real difference to waxing sensitive / tough hair areas.

For a first time waxing don’t be surprised if you get acne afterwards, this is quite common on a chest wax. With repeat waxing it will get less and after two or three most don’t get it. But it is better than shaving – no stubble or itching.

Post waxing highly recommend a good Tea Tree based skin wash and lotion to keep the area clean and free of bacteria etc which can cause acne.

Finally, you can see my full aftercare advice on my website here: www.waxingforguys.co.uk/aftercare

A creamy non-strip wax that delivers outstanding results on all skin and hair types. The natural colophony (rosin) found in most other waxes has been replaced with a synthetic resin, offering exceptional tolerance for even the most reactive of skins. Non-fragranced and colorant-free, this new wax melts at a low temperature for increased client comfort on all parts of the face and body. Cirépil Pure’s fast-setting formula makes it an ideal choice for hot and humid summer weather, and where speed is of the essence.

Features & Benefits

1. Rosin-free, hypoallergenic formula.
2. Non-fragranced and colorant-free.
3. Melts at a low temperature for increased client comfort.
4. Fast-setting – ideal for hot and humid summer weather.
5. Easy to use – applied in economical single layers, in the direction of hair growth.
6. Contains elastomers – wax stays flexible as it dries and will not break during removal.
7. Ideal for fragile and reactive skins, and for sensitive areas such as the face, underarms and bikini line.

Recommended Use

1. Cleanse the area to be waxed with Blue Lotion or Eau de Cristal Lotion.
2. Apply a few drops of Jasmine, Pearlescent or Natural Moistursing Oil.
3. Apply wax in fine, single layers in the direction of hair growth and allow to dry.
4. Once fully set (30-60 seconds), lift a corner of wax and remove in the opposite direction to application.
5. Follow with Blue Lotion or Eau de Cristal to cleanse and cool.
6. Finish with a gentle massage using Refreshing Gel or Moisturising Milk to calm and nourish the skin.

For more information about Perron Rigot waxes, see their website or request a product catalogue from Thalgo on 020 7512 0872.

I now use the range every day in all my waxing treatments, and the Hand & Body lotion is the perfect after wax lotion. It is a a gentle non-greasy water based lotion that is suitable for all skin types. Used every day it works as a great fast and effective hygienic skincare lotion to help maintain soft supple skin. It has a fantastic cooling effect on the skin which makes it very popular when used in treatments. The antibacterial effect of the tea tree helps to prevent acne, keep pores clear and aids the prevention of ingrown hairs.

Tea Tree Oil is a natural essential oil steam extracted from the Melaleuca alternifolia tree grown in Australia. It is well known for its natural antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. Hand & Body Lotion contains 5% tea tree oil which gives it a light fresh & clean aroma.

Australian Bodycare only use Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree Oil) which out of the 110 different varieties of Tea Tree Oil has been proven to contain the most beneficial natural properties for healthy skin and hair.

Wax on!

My apologies for the inconvenience this may cause you.
Mat

Using the Alexandria Professional™ painlessly extracts hair in its natural direction of growth and does so when the hair is still in the early growth stage, eliminating breakage, unnecessary discomfort, irritation and ingrown hairs while exfoliating dry skin cells. The result is smooth, beautiful skin without the discomforts of other hair removal techniques.

I am now using these products in all waxing treatments, starting off using the wet wipes as a pre-cleanser for treatments, then using the Hand & Body Lotion as my afterwax of choice. This is great for cooling and soothing the skin immediately after waxing, ongoing it helps keep the skin nourished and soft and can help prevent ingrown hairs.

After each treatment I also offer clients a small sachet of Skin Wash to use as a shower gel for their first shower. This helps to continue soothing the skin, and the antiseptic properties can help to prevent acne and any infection of the hair folicles. For chest and intimate waxing I also include a sachet of the Hand & Body Lotion to use the following day.

And finally just to ensure everything is covered, for underarm waxing I have small sachets of Tea Tree based deodorant that is available that can be applied immediately after waxing. Particularly useful if you are off out or to a meeting later that day.

I also recommend that to get the best, longest lasting results from a waxing that clients continue to use the products at home. The Hand & Body Lotion is available in 150ml and 250ml bottles, and the Skin Wash in 250ml pump bottles. The Deodorant comes in a tube with roller applicator so it is always ready when you are and is very easy to apply. Click here out more about the Australian Bodycare range.

And of course my wax non-strip of choice is also available – Cirepil Homme from the French manufacturer Perron Rigot, along with a roller version … not sure why they don’t do it as a warm wax.

But until now no other companies have really specifically targeted the male waxing market. This week I took delivery of the latest edition of the Ellisons Beauty Buyers Guide. And they have launched this year “Wax Master Wax for Men”, or (and I love the abbreviation) “Man Wax”. They describe it as:

A high grade premium wax specifically formulated for use on male clients. Distinctively Masculine in appearance ‘Man Wax’ is specially formulated with an increased viscosity for greater adherence enabling wax to grip the hair at its base to deliver optimum waxing performance. Suitable for all parts of the body.

I’ve not used it, infact I’ve not used any of the Wax Master waxes so really can’t comment on their quality but it is good to see one of the largest suppliers in the market taking male clients seriously. Hopefully they have also reviewed how they treat male therapists looking for training in basic waxing in their Training Academy.

If you have used it I’d love to hear your comments about it Man Wax.

At the end of my treatment I was discussing some suitable products for my skin with my therapist and she gave me a small brochure outlining the full product range. One of the products was the Skin Balancer: 24 Hour Balancing Complex which has the description below:

A light and non-greasy cream/gel moisturiser which helps to calm and purify oily, congested or combination skin. White thyme, sage and lemon actively work to soothe, cool and correct the effects of skin imbalance leaving your skin feeling clean, smooth and hydrated. Even skin prone to oiliness can become dehydrated, so it is important to use a balancing complex in order to regulate oil production and keep the skin healthy and supple.

Having had this used in my treatment the description really did sound wonderful, and I considered buying it … but at €53 I decided against it. I was looking through the brochure, and in the general (ie for women) section there was another product that looked interesting, a 24 Hour Balancing Complex:

A light moisturising blend of natural skin balancers and antioxidants which calm irritation and rebalance congested skin. Lavendar oil helps to regenerate and repair skin cells, whilst sage oil stimulates blood circulation and tones the skin. Essential oils of chamomile and Vitamin C-rich lemon soothe, purify, nourish and reduce stress. The perfect treatment for purifying oily, combination or slightly dehydrated skin.

Both of these products are a 24 Hour Balancing Complex, but they have just been described very differently to appeal to the different markets. The first would immediately appeal to guys, those with razor burn / irritation would be interested. They may not think so much about toning or reducing skin stress, whereas for women more detail about the individual ingredient benefits. It is a really good example of how to describe products and treatments to appeal to guys.

Another example of this comes from The Shave Doctor products, unlike most shave ranges this doesn’t include a Moisturiser product. Instead it has a product named as a “Moisturazor” as a lot of guys may not like the idea of moisturising but using a product as part of their shaving routine wouldn’t be a problem.

I have always used Hive Options waxes, lately using their Green Tea product. And I’ve always been happy with the wax and the result, but recently I’ve been thinking should I look to change. And so I ordered a tin of Perron Rigot Escential Green Tea. And today I got to try it out for the first time.

This isn’t the first time I’ve tried a Perron Rigot strip wax, I do have a tin of Cristal Ocean available that I use for clients who are allergic to the rosin in most waxes. But I’m not a big fan of I must say, I’ve just never got on with the texture of it for some reason. So was very interested to try a different product from the range.

The first thing to note about this is the cost, it is about 230% more expensive then the Hive wax, so to justify that cost it has to be good … very good!

The wax has a very distinctive fresh grass type of smell to it, and that is no bad thing. There is also a slight glittery shimmer to it that looks very nice, but how it looks and smells aren’t what a wax should be judged on. How does it perform in a treatment.

The first thing you notice about the wax is how thin you can spread it. Not just thin, but really really thin! I was able to cover an entire side of the back with wax before I had to remove it, it doesn’t dry out on the skin … great for speed waxing! Also when it comes off it not only takes every hair with it but it also all comes off so the skin isn’t left feeling sticky. And any little bits left over you can just dab with a strip and they come off easily enough.

So, about that 230% price increase … is it worth it? Definately! When you do a treatment you can see just how much wax you have used from the pot as it goes down. Using this it felt like using a tiny amount of wax to what I am used to, so it lasts longer and goes further! And it is more comfortable for the client.

The 800g tin it comes in can be inserted directly into the heater or it can be warmed slightly and poured into the heater bucket. For my trial I’ve just used it in the tin, I would probably use it in the bucket on a daily basis as it is a bit easier with the scraper bar and its easier to control the temperature.

I’m quite excited about this, sometimes its good to do stuff that’s a bit crazy in the name of a good cause! Waxing for Guys is a Primary Sponsor for the Birmingham Twestival that is taking place at the end of this month!!

On Thursday 25 March 2010, people in hundreds of cities around the world will come together offline to rally around the important cause of Education by hosting local events to have fun and create awareness. Twestival™ (or Twitter Festival) uses social media for social good. All of the local events are organized 100% by volunteers and 100% of all ticket sales and donations go direct to projects.

The event this month is to raise money for the charity Concern.

Concern Worldwide was founded in 1968 to meet the needs of people living in extreme poverty, for whom every day is a fight for survival. Concern is a non-governmental, international, humanitarian organization dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of poverty. Their mission is to help people living in extreme poverty achieve major improvements in their lives – improvements they can sustain without ongoing support. Concern meets the needs of these people in a caring and personalized manner, respecting their human and cultural dignity. They are committed to reaching the most vulnerable, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Concern’s work is informed by a vision for change and their education programs target the poorest people in the poorest countries in the world, with particular emphasis on reaching out-of-school children such as girls, orphans, street children, working children, children affected by conflict, children affected by HIV and AIDS, and children with disabilities. Concern’s education programs currently reach over 700,000 people in 25 countries across the regions of Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Please follow @concern on Twitter to get a glimpse of their staff tweeting from around the world; including their efforts on the ground in Haiti.

I’ll post some more details in the coming days. But in the mean time, check out the event website and come along! You could even win a free wax and shave!!

A complete reinvention of the razor, the Schick Hydro results from years of testing and consumer collaboration, making it the most thoroughly researched product in the brand’s 87 year history.

Over this extensive development period, thousands of consumers provided their insights into the shaving experience and their feedback on prototypes, models and technologies. Consumer testers included men and women of all ages, from all walks of life, and with a wide range of sensitivity to adjustments in razor technologies.

“We had conversations with thousands of men, and what we heard, in short, was the shaving experience needed to be refreshed. They told us the potential for irritation kept them from feeling good during their shaves and that they wanted something that would refresh and rejuvenate them,” said Dan Kinton, senior brand manager for Schick. “With Schick Hydro, we knew that if we could create a shaving line that actually made men feel better, we’d be able to return shaving to its rightful place as a refreshing daily ritual. Our goal was to create a razor that gives back the hydration other razors take away.”

Read the full press release or checkout the new website.

It is launching the US in April, and I’m not sure of a UK date yet – but they sell under the Wilkinson Sword brand.

You can now follow Waxing for Guys on Twitter! You’ll automatically get to see when a new item is posted here to the Blog, and we will also post news, stories, and maybe even some giveaways! So if your on Twitter please feel free to follow us. And you can of course become a Fan of Waxing for Guys on Facebook too!

Designed and manufactured in the UK and tipping the scales at 47g, compared to the 17g Azor, the Azor M is perfectly balanced and ideally weighted for maximum control and comfort whilst shaving. The Azor M utilises King of Shaves’ internationally patented “Bendology Technology” flexible hinges which allows the Azor’s head to bend and follow every contour of your face whilst pressing the blades progressively closer onto the skin for a superbly comfortable yet close shave. The unique wishbone shaped head design provides greater visibility when shaving.

The latest addition to the award winning Azor line-up also introduces the new v2 slim blade cartridge, that makes shaving under the nose and other hard to reach places even easier. The tactile handle features side creases for improved dexterity and grip, trim guides for shaping and styling facial hair, a larger skin pre-tensioner (reducing the risk of unwanted nicks and cuts whilst helping to prevent in-growing hairs) and an improved soft-touch cartridge ejection mechanism making it even easier to change blades – not that you will be doing that very often as our Endurium coated blades last longer!

The razor has a RRP of £6.99 with blades costing between £0.81p and £1.25 depending on the pack size. Very competitively priced, and a very different design … so how does it compare? Well this will naturally be a part of the Big Razor Test to compare.

The new range is a collection of three new hypoallergenic products suited to the most sensitive skins, especially formulated to minimize allergy risks.

1. Cirépil Pure non-strip wax; velvety texture, easy to work, exceptionally gentle removal;
2. Alcohol-free Eau de Cristal lotion;
3. Pearlescent Oil; light, fluid texture.

Cirépil Pure, a non-strip wax is rosin free and formulated to minimize allergy risk. A pure white colour without fragrance, this wax is suited to all hair and skin types. Being one of the new generation non-strip waxes it is particularly suited to intimate waxing, underarms etc.

Eau de Cristal Lotion is derived from sea water, cleans and remineralizes fragile and reactive skins. Enriched with aloe vera and olive oil, its soothing and healing action is ideal for dry and sensitive skin. Suitable for use on all parts of the body, and in particular the most sensitive places, it can be used before and after waxing.

The Pearlescent Oil, with its light, fluid texture and formula based on calendula extract (with its healing and softening properties) and coconut oil (which moisturizes and regenerates), is ideal for after-care modelage. Its floral, powdery fragrance, allergen-free, associated with mother-of-pearl, leaves the skin soft and gently fragrant. Use before waxing on cold or dehydrated skins, and after waxing for the finishing touch.

And for those looking for a hypoallergenic strip-wax there is the existing Cirépil Cristal Océan. This wax has a special formula using synthetic resin so it is rosin-free. And for the most sensitive of skin types it is also fragrance-free. This is a very fluid wax that lets you spread a very thin layer very close to the hair root, making removal more gentle and more effective.

The pack of 8 razors cost £3.19, with each razor therefore being a nice 40p each. I must just make a comment about the packaging as I really liked this, they pack is a small plastic bag and to open it you tear a strip off the side. This then reveals a zip-loc style sealer so you can keep all the remaining razors safe and clean inside the packaging. A nice touch I thought.

You start to notice a difference with disposable razors immediately, they are a complete plastic body so feel a lot lighter in the hand. The grip is comfortable, and nice to hold, doesn’t slip around between your fingers and you can still keep a good grip with went hands.

The head on the Blue II Plus consiss of two blades and a very well lubricated strip and is a fixed position. So it doesn’t tilt and move according to the contours of your face … you have to do that yourself. And this is one of the big differences, I found I just nicked the skin a couple of times and felt the blades just scraped the skin in a few areas leading to a little bit of irritation.

The result was quite a close shave, but only because of extra awareness on the second shave. I found that it wasn’t as close as I would like for the first shave, you wouldn’t be able to get away with a single shave with this … and if I did this would have lost a point on the closeness.

Overall, a good enough razor but one that you’d need to stick with to practice a little and get familiar with. I’m not sure it would be too good for those with thicker beards – or how it would cope with a few days more growth.

Scores
Grip: 3
Glide: 3
Closeness: 3
Comfort: 2
Ease of Use: 2
Value for Money: 3

Total Score: 16 / 30

As is the way now for Gillette this will come in the standard and “powered” varieties.

So there you have it, the best a man can get just got better! This new razor is launching in the US in June 2010 and around the world at some point after that, yet to be announced. But as soon as I can get hold of one I’ll bring you a full review and my own opinion of it.

One thing that I think we can be sure of … it is going to be expensive, the current Fusion Power blades cost upto £2.51 a head!!

For the corporate view here are some bits from the press release.

Building on the breakthrough technology in Gillette Fusion, Gillette Fusion ProGlide incorporates a series of unique technologies that address critical areas for a better shave and deliver incredible comfort and performance:

• Re-engineered Low Cutting Force Blades with 15% thinner, finer edges and our advanced low-resistance coating enabling the blades to cut effortlessly through hair with less tug and pull.
• A Blade Stabilizer to maintain optimal blade spacing for comfort while allowing the blades to adjust to the contours of a man’s face.
• A streamlined Snowplow Comfort Guard which channels excess shave prep to help maintain optimal blade contact, stretching the skin for a close, comfortable shave.
• An Enhanced Lubrastrip™ , 25% larger than before, infused with mineral oil and lubricating polymers, enabling the razor to move smoothly over skin even on repeat strokes.
• An improved Precision Trimmer including an enhanced blade, a comb guard to better align long hairs, and new rinse-through slots.
• A Redesigned Handle with bigger, more ergonomic grips for better control, enhanced weight and balancing and improved transition between front and back shaving surfaces.
• An innovative Microcomb, exclusively on Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power, that helps guide hair to the blade.

Gillette’s deep understanding of men and shaving combined with P&G’s expertise in skin science has resulted in Gillette Fusion ProSeries, an advanced line of skin care products that drive incredible comfort before, during, and after the shave. This new skin care line features the first mass market men’s thermal facial scrub, as well as a skin care lotion and moisturizer to deliver comfort throughout the shaving process.

Gillette Fusion ProSeries Thermal Scrub warms, deep cleans and helps soften facial hair before shaving. In this innovative formula, heating technology is activated on contact with water to provide warming comfort. A mild soap-free system cleans skin by removing oils (sebum) and dirt while helping to soften the hair, making it easier to cut. Small particles then help exfoliate dead, dry skin cells – providing an even, clear path for the razor.

• Gillette Fusion ProSeries Sensitive Face Wash is designed for sensitive skin and uses a mild soap-free system with aloe vera to effectively clean without over-drying.
• Gillette Fusion ProSeries Intense Cooling Lotion instantly cools and hydrates just shaved skin for extra comfort. The lightweight formula helps reduce the feel of irritation by delivering instant cooling comfort while actively delivering moisture to skin.
• Gillette Fusion ProSeries Instant Hydration UV Moisturizer + SPF15 is a non-greasy formula with Vitamin E and SPF 15 UV Protection that immediately restores moisture and provides all-day hydration to help reduce dryness and tightness.

There are quite a few guys who like the look and feel of a smoothly shaved head, but its one of those shaves that isn’t really that easy to do yourself. So why not let us do it for you!

So why not get along to the Shave Shop and check them out for yourself.

1. Grip – How is it to handle?
2. Glide – Is it a smooth shave, or does the blade feel like its dragging?
3. Closeness – How smooth a shave does it feel, was it a good shave?
4. Comfort – Was it comfortable to use, did it cause lots of nicks and cuts?
5. Ease – Is it easy to use or does it require a bit of skill and practoce
6. Value for Money – Is it worth it?

And then the results from both shaves will be averaged out to give an overall result. So how are the shaves being conducted? Here is the procedure for each one:

Quick Shave

1. Use Men-U facial wash in the shower to prepare
2. Rinse and dry
3. Apply Men-U Shaving Cream with Men-U Premier shaving brush
4. First shave with the grain
5. Rinse and re-apply Men-U Shaving Cream with Men-U Premier shaving brush
6. Second shave across the grain, checking skin and shaving to give a close finish
7. Rinse, cool skin with cold flannel
8. Smooth over with Men-U Facial Moisturiser

Full Shave

1. Use Shave Doctor facial wash in the shower to prepare
2. Rinse and dry
3. Apply Shave Doctor Shaving Oil
4. Apply Shave Doctor Shaving Cream with Men-U Premier shaving brush
5. First shave with the grain
6. Rinse and re-apply Shave Doctor Shaving Cream with Men-U Premier shaving brush
7. Second shave across the grain, checking skin and shaving to give a close finish
8. Rinse, cool skin with cold flannel
9. Smooth over with Shave Doctor Moisturazor

For those starting off with waxing guys there can be one big problem, which way is all the hair going. Where should I apply the wax etc, and how do I tidy it all up. Well he has put together two great guides, one showing hair growth directions on the back and one talking about managing chest hair. Not everyone wants the Magnum look.

So if your a waxing professional facing a challenge of a back waxing check these out!

This year’s Professional Beauty London is offering salon owners, managers, therapists and technicians the opportunity to discover the secrets of intimate male waxing.

Attend the unmissable intimate male waxing masterclasses on Sunday 7th March and learn how you can introduce one of the hottest trends of the moment into your treatment menu.

For one day only male waxing guru, Andy Rouillard from Axiom Bodyworks, will be hosting two exciting sessions, showing you just how painless male waxing really is! Discover the benefits of introducing this treatment into your business, how it will boost your profits, how it will attract a new client base, how it will grow your skill set and just how popular it is.

Also, don’t forget to join Andy on Monday 8th March for his free masterclass ‘How the male waxer becomes a man’s (and a woman’s) best friend’.

Number 9 … the brazilian wax! The article is talking about the female Brazilian wax, but it raises a few interesting points that relate to male waxing too. One of the reasons for the sudden interest in the Brazilian was down to TV, the Channel 4 series The Salon. Andy Rouillard comments that guys are also keen to get in on the fuzz-free look with the Back, Sack & Crack (or Boyzilian) being one of the fastest growing areas of male grooming. So much so infact that Andy hosted a demonstration on intimate male waxing at the Professional Beauty trade show in 2009!

And this brings us onto the final trend in the list, yes at number ten is Male Grooming! The last ten years has seen a big shift and change in this, there was a time when it was all about Beckham. Now it is very different, and not the preserve of the gays.

Male grooming has long been associated with the pink pound, but now my experiences of the industry, particularly for male waxing, reflect the comment in the article – 90% straight!

You can’t go into a high street store that has makeup or skincare ranges without being hit with a huge array of men’s products.

You can also expect to see the first result of the Big Razor Test published over the weekend … the Gillette Blue II Plus single use disposable.

Click here to complete the Survey.

While in a local chemist buying some products I was looking at all the razors you can buy. There is a huge number of types available, from single use disposable to battery powered vibrating multiple-use razors.

This got me thinking about my choice of razor. I currently use a Gillette Mach 3 for regular shaving. Why? It is one of the most popular brands. How many of us pick our razor based on what our fathers and mates use? What about the advertising, we know the brand / name so it must be good. Well advertised may not equate good value for money though.

And so I have decided to embark on a comparison of razors. From the cheapest disposable single use razors, up to the latest and newest powered disposable head razors.

For the best comparison possible I will use the same routine for each test, the same products etc. And then I’ll write a review of each razor here, and when complete a full comparison and some recommendations. Which razor gives the best shave, the worst, and which is the best value for money.

And here is a picture from my phone of the first batch if razors I’ll looking at.

As recognised leaders in the field, Axiom Bodyworks are the first providers in the UK to offer certificated training in this advanced technique under Habia’s National Occupational Standards for intimate waxing.

This one-day course includes both theory and practical modules, equipping delegates with the necessary skills to perform male Brazilian waxing safely and efficiently.

Training Dates
15th February 2010 – London

For more information please contact Axiom Bodyworks.

So to celebrate I thought I’d introduce you to a range of products from down under, namely Australian Bodycare (ABC). The range of products all share one key ingredient – Tea Tree Oil. The ABC range of products is very extensive, it covers facial, body care, hair and of course waxing.

Tea Tree has long been known for its healing properties. Particularly as a potent antiseptic, for example a shampoo with 5% Tea Tree has been shown to be effective against dandruff. It is known for having a broad spectrum as a bactericide and fungicide, and also can be a very mild anaesthetic.

The ABC range has some excellent products that are great for use by professionals in the salon, but also by consumers for after care. Particular products of interest are:

• Hand and Body Lotion: 5% Tea Tree Oil, nourishing and calming, cools skin, easily absorbed ,leaves skin soft and supple, helps prevent ingrown hairs
• Deodorant: To protect and prevent odour, aluminium and alcohol free. Gentle enough to use after underarm waxing.
• Wet Wipes: At home, in the car, on holiday, at work or indeed anywhere always have Australian Bodycare Hygienic Wet Wipes to hand. Keep work surfaces bacteria free, or use as an emergency wipe when out and about.
• Waxing Products: Australian Bodycare has been used in professional salons for over 15 years.
• Hy-Wax System: Whether you are a dedicated ABC user or a new customer you have now taken the first step to using the most hygienic, effective and easy waxing system available to the beauty industry.

Wax on!

1. Shave Cream
2. Facial Wash
3. Moisturiser

The shave cream contains enough product for 20 shaves! So even on a two week holiday this is all you need to take for your shaving needs! And at £5.95 it is quite a bargain!

The article goes through the procedure for home waxing as opposed to having it done professionally. I know many people prefer to DIY rather then pay the extra to have it done professionally, and of course my preference is for people to pay us Pro’s to do it.

My experience? I’ve had a lot of clients who have told me the horrors of home waxing, and before long I’m sure I will hear stories from their neighbours about the screams.

They then get in touch with me about having a professional wax. They come along, and the difference is staggering … they don’t scream. They leave with smooth skin and not blood and bruises!

So why not find yourself a good place that offers professional waxing for men and see the difference!

Colin had been growing his beard during the month of “Movember”. Movember is a movement where men grow a moustache for charity. In 2008′s Movember more than 173,000 people took part raising more than 14 million.

Colin said “I decided to grow a beard and have it cut-throat razored off for charity after a discussion with friends on my birthday at the end of October, it is a fun, and silly, way of raising some money for charities. The money I raise will be split between a number of organisations including the Albert Kennedy Trust and Self Help Africa which are two charities close to my heart.”

The Albert Kennedy Trust work to ensure that all lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans young people are able to live in accepting, supportive and caring homes, by providing a range of services to meet the individual needs of those who would otherwise be homeless or living in a hostile environment. It was set up after the sad death of Albert Kennedy twenty years ago. More details are available on their website.

Self Help Africa works to helping rural communities become self-reliant; encouraging participation of the poor at every stage of the development process. More details are available on their website.

At the time of writing Colin has raised over £280 for these very worthwhile causes.

As the blog grows I also hope to invite some guest authors to make contributions – if you would like to make a post please get in touch!