Moustaches for a Cause - It's Movember!

In October, many of us are focused on raising funds and awareness about Breast Cancer and Children's Charities, but in November there is another opportunity to come together and this time it's all about the men.

Since 2003, November has also been celebrated as Movember! A month during which men change their physical features by growing a moustache and accepting donations for men's health, specifically prostate cancer research. What a fun way not only to raise funds for an important cause, but to also have an opportunity to experiment with your personal image!

What can facial hair do for you? I couldn't agree more with eHow on this one:

1. A moustache can reduce the look of a receding hairline by directing attention toward the lower half of your face

2. A beard or goatee can add strength to a weaker jawline

3. A short beard or nicely trimmed moustache can add definition and shape to a round face

4. Narrower moustaches plus a small patch of hair under the lower lip (aka a soul patch) balances thin lips, high foreheads and/or large noses

5. A narrow, closely trimmed moustache that follows the natural curves of your lips can emphasize a well shaped mouth.

5. A goatee can provide a softening counterpoint to sharp facial features like a sharp nose or small mouth

6. A closely clipped beard or 5 o'clock shadow can make more mature facial shapes look refreshed and current! They add softness and can give the illusion of taughtness to the skin!

Wearing facial hair with style:

1. Make sure that wearing facial hair is ok at work. If it takes you a long time to grow your facial hair, you may with to start with a full beard and shave down to the moustache when you've reached your desired length.

2. Understand that just as in clothing, each face shape can support different shapes of facial hair

3. Research different facial hair designs and plan to groom in that direction for the month

4. Keep your facial hair neat and tidy with the right tools (like your razor of choice, a moustache comb and trimmer)

For more information on how to participate in Movember, visit Movember Canada.

With so many famous attractive moustachioed men out there like Jamie Foxx, Jude Law, and the timeless Tom Selleck, I would certainly suggest having fun with this one.

The August Melt

Well we've been waiting for the summer weather to arrive and just when you thought it wouldn't, here it is in spades!

I've had loads of feedback from my Ladies who have been test-running sweat proof products, and you can bet these are not only effective, but will also suit the glamour needs of the stylishly active.

These are the bare minimum are for a super low-maintenance look. Think pool party, weekends at the cottage, or activities at the beach or harbour. Here are some of the products that came in tops:

Anti-Perspirant
Winner: Arrid Extra-Dry Unscented Roll-On. Takes a bit of time to dry, but when it does you'll be fresh and dry all day long!

Runner-up: Secret Clinical Strength/Waterproof deodorant. While it costs about $10 a pop, it gets rave reviews from my Ladies who run around the park and run around the city.

Facial Sunscreen
Winner: Dermalogica Pure Light SPF 30 contains chemical-free sunscreens, peptides, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid protect from UV rays, moisturize and brighten the skin, reduce fine lines and protect from free radicals.

Runner-up: Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 30. Contains broad spectrum UV protection to protect against free radicals in a non-comedogenic, non-greasy formula. Goes on matte and, while moisturizing, doesn't let make-up slide off.

Daily Sunscreen
Hands-down Winner: Coppertone-Sport Continuous Spray in SPF 15, 30, and 60. You can spray your shoulders and back before heading out on a run. As a bonus: it gives you a nice glowy sheen! Guys, this is also especially great for you - the spray gets right to your skin.

Mascara
Winner: Benefit BADGal Waterproof Mascara. If you love the original you won't get over the waterproof version! It does take some serious make-up remover at the end of the day for this one, but it is so waterproof you will still have lovely lashes after working out and swimming laps.

Runner-up: Imju Fiberwig Mascara. This one's been a bit harder to come by, but thanks to Sephora we can all get the top selling brand in Japan! It coats the lashes building a long and feathery look that stays put, but comes off easily in tubes when you apply remover.

Have you got other favourites? Let us know what they are!

A note on summer fragrances

As the temperature climbs and the flowers bloom, we are compelled towards the bright, fresh scents that mark the entrance of spring and summer!

As the scents of the seasons change, now is a great time to consider a change in the scents we choose for ourselves. I often receive questions about what makes a fragrance suitable for particular events or seasons. Here are a few guidelines for choosing your fragrance for warmer months:

1. Choose a lighter formulation than you would in winter. Warmer weather and warmer body temperatures intensify fragrance. The strength of fragrances are classified by the concentration of perfume oil present in the formulation, compared to the concentration of water and alcohol that are also present. From lightest to heaviest, fragrances are labeled:

Eau de Cologne (EDC): this has 3-5% perfume oils and is the lightest and most inexpensive perfume.

Eau de Toilette (EDT): contains 4-15% perfume oils increasing its price.

Eau de Parfum (EDP): this has 15-22% perfume oils increasing its price.

Parfum: contains 22-50% perfume oils and is the highest concentration. This makes it last a lot longer and it is
the most expensive.

Eau de Cologne and Eau de Toilette are the most appropriate concentrations for the warmer months, helping the fragrance to seem lighter, and fresher. Also, some classic fragrances now come in lighter or summery versions allowing you to enjoy the same fragrance you wear in winter, during the summer. Look for the same fragrance name but with the addition of 'Eau de', 'Eau Fraiche' or 'd'Ete' all of which will suggest a summer version of your favourite scent.

2. Choose simpler fresh or floral fragrances that reflect the fragrances that naturally occur in nature (think spring blooms, the freshness of spring rains or the bright citrus scents of summer). Fragrances are also classified by type or scent category. The basic categories of fragrance include floral, oriental, woody and fresh.

3. Use a light touch: While you might already feel that you can't smell your fragrance because you've chosen a lighter concentration than usual but remember, we often become so accustomed to fragrances and odors that we are surrounded by on a regular basis that we can no longer detect them. Use only 1-2 spritzes of fragrance on your skin so that; as one article delicately states, 'others should perceive the perfume as a continuation of your personality not as an olfactory aggression.'

With these simple guidelines in tow, I wish you happy smelling!

I always love hearing from you, so please keep those emails coming! I can't wait to hear which fragrances become your favourite fragrances for spring/sumer 2008!