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Posts from the ‘Men’ Category

“Pierce Mattie Communications Interview – Men’s Grooming”

Pierce Mattie PR Firm - SerafinoSays.com I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Jenna Rose of Pierce Mattie Communications for their company blog that is highly renowned throughout their industry.  Who’s Pierce Mattie, you ask?  Its just one of the world’s most influential public relations agencies representing leading brands in the area of Beauty, Grooming, Fashion, Health, and Fitness.  “Hey Dude, Have You Seen My Men’s Grooming Kit,” was the title of the blog post that featured my experience and observations with Men’s Grooming.

Below is an excerpt from the article that discusses the grooming practices of celebrities, as well as how everyman should approach grooming.  Thank you so much Pierce Mattie!  Make sure toclick below to read the entire blog post and also see all the other great posts by this prestigious PR firm.

“QUESTION: How much of a collaborative effort is grooming male celebrities?

KRISTAN SERAFINO: A celebrity’s appearance is often a crucial component to their brand. This is true whether they are maintaining a look for a character or their personal appearance. My male celebrities have a keen sense of their brand, so they have considerable input. The celebrity – along with their agent, publicist and manager – utilize my experience to maintain that brand, but also have me advise them on the best ways to keep the appearance fresh and relevant.

QUESTION: Do your clients mind the public knowing they have professional help in the grooming department?

KRISTAN SERAFINO: Most of my male clients don’t mind the public knowing they work with a groomer since it is basically a part of their job. Regardless, I make it a personal policy to maintain strict confidentiality with my clients. Everything stays in the vault!

QUESTION: How important is it to train the guys on how to use the products on their own?

KRISTAN SERAFINO: So important, second only to product selection. Whether we’re talking about hair care or skin care, the way a product is used will ultimately determine its performance. Today’s grooming products have sophisticated formulations that react differently depending on the condition of the hair or skin. I teach my clients the basic principle behind each product, and then we tweak the usage according to their individual hair and skin type.”

Want to read the rest of the Q&A?  Make sure to click here

“True beauty isn’t about perfection. By liberating people to realize this simple fact, we help them see the real beauty within themselves.” Kristan Serafino

“10 Hair & Grooming Products A Man Must Own”

Written by: Kristan Serafino

If you haven’t noticed, men’s grooming products have gone mainstream.  Not in the way the men’s grooming market was fabricated in the late 1990’s, which was little more than a marketing fad under an unflattering label; metro-sexual.  Men from all walks of life and ethnicity are adapting a grooming regimen as part of their daily lifestyle.

The metro-sexual age had a narcissistic air about it.  Not this time around.  Today’s evolving men’s grooming market is driven by neither insecurity nor inadequacy.  It is about accessing the growing categories of technologically advanced health and personal hygiene products.

I am fortunate to share men’s grooming tips and techniques with some of the most rugged male role models such as celebrities I have work with like Matthew McConaughey, Jason Statham, Mikhail Baryshnikov and athletes Henrik Lundqvist,  John McEnroe and more.

PS.  The Covers in this post were styled by me…Boy do I love my job….Giggle-Giggle!

10 Favorite Men’s Grooming Products…….

Read more

“Top 5 Men’s Blogs”

Photographer: Mitchell McCormack/Hair Cut by:Kristan Serafino/ Model: Tyson Ballou

Written by: Kristan Serafino

“Clothes make the man”: Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 3.  While it isn’t everyday SerafinoSays quotes Shakespeare, today is one of those days.  In fact, I’ll elaborate on Billy’s phrase even further to include, what also makes the man are skin care, hairstyle and their toys.

A favorite pastime of  SerafinoSays is wandering aimlessly in the blogosphere researching the latest trends in men’s grooming and fashion.  I shouldn’t say “aimlessly” since I do have an objective; to keep current on men’s trends so I can best serve the grooming and fashion needs of my male clientele.  And where better to access what’s trending than blogs.

The beauty of blogs is they can be an inspirational source of… inspiration.  And what I find stimulating about blogs is that is doesn’t matter much the source of the information; one mouse click and you’re enthralled by a graphic artist student in Stockholm, another click and you’re captivated by an up-and-coming fashion designer in Tokyo, and another click and you’re impassioned by a graffiti artist in Cleveland.  All that matters is that the content is an expression of opinion, which is the birth of trends.  You are free to pick & choose which editor speaks best to you and your style.  Of course, we have a growing archive of our favorite blogs.

Just as the world (well, at least my little corner of it) turns to SerafinoSays as every mans trustworthy resource on grooming products both affordable and aspirational, I want to introduce you to a few of my favorite men’s blogs reporting trends in fashion, etiquette and toys.

Top 5 Men’s Blog: (No Particular Order)

TheArtOfManliness

TheSilentist

GeorgeHahn

UnfinishedMan

StreetEtiquette

“True beauty isn’t about perfection. By liberating people to realize this simple fact, we help them see the real beauty within themselves.” Kristan Serafino

 

“What I learned from the US Military”

Written by Kristan Serafino

SerafinoSays does not make a habit of re-posting old posts, but in honor of tomorrow’s Independence Day, we thought it would be OK to share “What I learned from the US Military” one more time…

Let me just come right out and say; Memorial Day Weekend in NYC is one of my favorite holidays. It is the one weekend a year that the United States Navy dock their ships along the Hudson River….And with the ships come all the sailors & marines…Woo-Hoo!

I spent a couple evenings this long weekend with my sweetheart at an outside cafe, where I could not help but notice how impeccable each and every military personnel was groomed as they confidently walked the sidewalks.  My sweetheart engaged a few in conversation about “military guy stuff,” while I happily sat and stared.  I know, I know, a little on the stalker side, but they are just all so gorgeous in those uniforms….Giggle!

I realize the military has a well enforced dress and grooming code, but it got me thinking.  What if we all took pride in how we looked every single day of our lives.  What if we spent the extra five minutes in the morning making certain our hair was styled to perfection?  What if we took the extra two minutes to apply an extra coat of mascara to enhance our eyelashes?  What if we left the house with chip-less nail polish and pushed back cuticles?  What if our clothes were always ironed and styled as if we stepped out of the pages of a magazine?  What if we polished our shoes so no scuffs were visible?  What if our handbag wasn’t so stuffed that it weighted us down, shrugging our shoulders?

I’m not really sure what the “What if’” would be like in my fantasy world, but I do know that each and every soldier we spoke with beamed with pride as they spoke about their dress preparation, as well as being in the military.  Not one seemed to have a complaint about their daily regimen and conformity to be one unit.  They walked with their heads held high, with an overwhelming sense of pride.

Aside from honoring our heroes that defend the United States of America with this brief post, maybe we can better appreciate the benefit of taking pride in oneself.  The benefit of confidence, pride, and honor…. Just sayin’

“True beauty isn’t about perfection. By liberating people to realize this simple fact, we help them see the real beauty within themselves.” Kristan Serafino

 

 

 

“5 Must Haves In A Man’s Gym Bag”

Ever have one of those days at the gym when you would rather be almost anywhere else… I’m imagining the Diner behind a stack of fluffy pancakes, warm maple syrup cascading over the edges, with just the right dash of powdered sugar for presentation… but I digress.

I wrapped up my workout a little early today and found myself waiting in the lobby for my sweetheart to finish his workout.  To pass the time I began a mental survey of how many men walked out of the locker room carrying a gym bag in addition to their briefcase or messenger bag.  I was surprised to calculate 11 out of 15 men left with a duffel bag along with a briefcase or messenger bag.  Some of these duffel bags seemed big enough to carry a SmartCar.

Somewhat perplexed, I asked my sweetheart what exactly men carry in such an enormous gym bag.  Although he is part of the minority that does not carry a gym bag I assumed he has observed the packing or unpacking while in the men’s locker room.  Was it a clothes iron, complete with ironing board, or did they carry dumbbells for extra reps during the workday?

Apparently, unlike a woman, men are oblivious to what brand of bag another dude is carrying, let alone what’s in the bag.  The best my sweetheart can guess is men carry five staples in their duffel bags; that day’s wardrobe, a backup tee-shirt & skivvies, extra dress shirt, shoes, deodorant, toothbrush disposable razor and possibly cologne.

Are you as shocked as I am?  Do men really travel with such inadequate products for their skin, hair and overall masculinity?  It is certainly not because they lack the extra room in their bag.

SerafinoSays decided it was our duty to help our men out with a little Go-To-Guide for what men should include in their gym bag.

SerafinoSays Men’s Gym Bag Go To Guide:

1.  Skin Care: Yes, men need to protect their skin from the harmful rays of the sun and take steps to prevent wrinkles. We love Kiehl’s 3 Step To Ultra Moisture

2. Hair: Once your hair is clean and conditioned, make sure to try a styling product like American Crew Forming Cream to add texture and shine to your finished style.

3. Body Lotion, Pitties and Cologne: Philosophy Be Somebody Unscented Body Lotion, Molton Brown Cool Buchu Deodorant Stick, John Varvatos Cologne

4.  Smooth Skin: Taylor of Old Bond Street Almond Shaving Cream & Gillette Razor

5. Flash Us Your Pearly Whites: Tooth Brush, Tooth Paste, Dental floss & Listerine PocketMist.

 

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“True beauty isn’t about perfection. By liberating people to realize this simple fact, we help them see the real beauty within themselves.” Kristan Serafino

 

Daily – “Holiday Blues”

Where has 2011 gone?  I say gone, since whatever is left on the calendar after Halloween is a blur of feasts, travel and shopping.  Along with the fatigue of increased holiday activity and heightened expectations can come a case of the Holiday Blues.

SerafinoSays wants to counteract this common anxiety with its own interpretation of the Blues.  Don’t let the pressures of shopping, coordinating social functions and negotiating family issues overwhelm you.  We say cope by recharging your batteries with this array of Blue-rrific treats.

 

Sephora Brush CollectionLacoste Men’s Cologne

Aquage Up All Night


Laura Mercier Kohl Eye Pencil 

IsClincical Active Serum

Chanel Le Vernis Coco Blue

Philosophy Peace On Earth Body Lotion

Crest 3D White Vivid Fluoride Anti-activity ToothPaste

Thierry Mugler Angel Eau de Toilette

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“True beauty isn’t about perfection. By liberating people to realize this simple fact, we help them see the real beauty within themselves.” Kristan Serafino

 

 

Daily- “Hollywood’s Leading Men”

Who’s to say men don’t look to Celebrities for Inspiration?  SerafinoSays thought it would be fun to look back at some of Hollywood’s Iconic Leading Men who have inspired today’s hair styles.  Dare to pick just one?

Clark Gable – David Beckham

Cary Grant – George Clooney

 

Paul Newman – Matthew McConaughey (hair by yours truly….giggle)

Robert Redford – Justin Bieber

Elvis Presley – Taylor Lautner

James Dean – Robert Pattinson

Montgomery Clift – Tom Cruise

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“True beauty isn’t about perfection. By liberating people to realize this simple fact, we help them see the real beauty within themselves.” Kristan Serafino

Daily – “All About Men”

GQ, Esquire, Details, Cigar Aficionado, Maxim, Sports Illustrated, Men’s Journal, Men’s Fitness & the iconic Playboy are all magazines catering to every man’s reading (and sometimes viewing) desires.  These publications cover wide array topics such as fashion, style and trends, politics, humor and pop culture, technology, games and gadgets, sports, travel and transportation, health, fitness and sex, as well as celebrity interviews.  But, do they have the expertise that SerafinoSays has with men’s haircuts?  Well, it’s quite possibly they have similar credentials, but they certainly don’t surpass the knowledge of SerafinoSays.

After years of cutting and styling men’s hair for films, magazine photo shoots, commercials, Red Carpet and every day, SerafinoSays has picked up a thing-or-two along the way.  It comes as no surprise that the common thread running between nearly all men, whether they are on a cover of a magazine, wearing a championship ring, rescuing a damsel from distress, or fighting the daily grind at the office, is the inevitable and somewhat daunting receding hair line.

We turned to our friends at American Hair Loss Association to learn that “male pattern baldness (MPB) form of androgenetic alopecia (there is also a female pattern baldness) is the cause for more than 95% of hair loss in men. By age 35, two-thirds of American men will have some degree of appreciable hair loss and by age 50 approximately 85% of men have significantly thinning hair.  About 25% of men who suffer from male pattern baldness frighteningly begin the painful process before they reach the young age of 21 years!”

Before you get your skivvies in a wad, SerafinoSays has practical solutions for helping you ease into the perils of male maturity while keeping your machismo intact.  And you can trust me; it works!  How can I say so with such confidence?  I have styled thinning hair to appear more lustrous and provided alternative solutions to thinning hair for public figures, and quite possibly the guy sitting in the next office.  You might never know who is following SerafinoSays guide tips below.  As the old phrase goes, “Only your hairdresser knows for sure!”

SerafinoSays suggest 6 ways to Keeping your cool:

Optical Illusion: The most common reaction among men with a receding hairline is to overcompensate by keeping, or growing, their hair longer and fuller on the sides and back.

SerafinoSays needs to debunk this urban myth.  Wearing longer hair will accentuate the thinning areas since it draws attention to the harsh transition between hair lengths at the recession line.  Contrary to its good intensions, longer hair can actually create the appearance of even less hair and a greater recession line.  Consider it sort of an optical illusion where the visually perceived images differ from the objective reality.

To review, the very simple rule of thumb is less hair on top, less hair on the back and sides.

The Magic Wand: Or, in this suggestion it is the magic powder that will enable the user to cast a spell against thinning hair.

As a temporary solution, hair powder is commonly used by professionals when styling the hair of “folically challenged” subjects.  I caution you not to confuse this recommendation with the Hair-In-A-Can advertised on late night cable channels that offer a bonus set of Ginsu steak knives with the purchase of every can.  Professional hair powder is a reliable solution providing instant fill for balding or thinning areas.  The micro-fibers in the hair powder attach to each strand of your hair through the natural static electricity of your hair.  In turn, additional fibers stick to those micro-fibers, and this process continues until a natural coverage of the thinning is complete.  My secret to achieving a more natural appearance is to mix a few similar shades of colored hair powder to give a more natural look.  For example, if your hair color is medium brown, mix medium brown with a sprinkle of dark brown.

Hide it under the carpet:  I have nothing against a man using a toupee.  I do have a problem with a man using a cheap toupee.  We have all stood in a line behind the guy wearing an inferior hairpiece…and we probably all thought to ourselves, “Does he really think he’s fooling anyone with that muskrat pelt?”  A quality male wig or hairpieces to cover exposed scalp is a fine solution.  To achieve a natural look I recommend purchasing a toupee with longer hair so you can have your stylist cut and create the style best matching your natural hair.

A pill a day keeps the baldness away…all your Doctor :  “PROPECIA significantly reduces DHT, a key cause of hair loss, by inhibiting the formation of DHT in your scalp.

Reducing DHT appears to inhibit the further shrinking of affected hair follicles.

DHT is a substance in the body that can shrink the hair follicle until it no longer produces visible hair. Scientists believe DHT and family history are key factors in hair loss. Learn more about the causes of male pattern hair loss. “

*Remember, there are possible side effects so make sure to discuss them with your doctor.

If you can’t grow it on your head grow it on your face:  I will defer to my go to Men’s Blog Georgehahn.com

Bald Eagles:  Last, but certainly not least, when all else fails, shave your head.

“True beauty isn’t about perfection.  By liberating people to realize this simple fact, we help them see the real beauty within themselves.”

 

 

 

Daily – “How To Mold Your Man”

This post is dedicated to the men we love.  Whom with a little help from SerafinoSays can be perfect!

It occurred to me this weekend as I was cleaning out my sweetheart’s closet, or as he lovingly refers to as my “search & destroy missions,” nearly every single garment in his closet I either purchased or influenced the purchase.  While standing at the doorway of his closet I had the epiphany that women can be marginally manipulative.  I’m not suggesting we are maniacal, or that we act maliciously, or that we are even Machiavellian with our man’s feelings.  But ladies… the bottom line is we really do know what’s best for them.

Please, allow me explain.  While we want our men to believe everything in our life is based on a concerted effort to make you feel special and included, we actually have an ulterior motive.  I charmingly refer to it as; what we say vs. what we mean.

As an example, my sweetheart and I go shopping for a few new shirts for him.  After rummaging through countless racks of shirts I will turn to him sincerely and say “sweetie, what is your preference between these two shirts.”  Little does he know this is a trick question.  What I mean is that it is irrelevant which you choose since I have already eliminated the unacceptable choices so both are acceptable.  I love you sweetheart, but a 50/50 chance of you making the wrong decision is too great a risk.

When we decide to repaint the living room and I kindly offer for you pick out favorite paint swatches, the swatches you are given have already been discussed, sourced and ordered with the approval of our painter.

When I surprise you with a new pair of fuzzy slippers, it’s not because you need an alternative slipper to complete your wardrobe, it’s because I already threw out your abominable pair left over from college.

When I generously agree that the basement is best converted into a man cave for you, it’s because I have to have somewhere short of a pit in the backyard to place your belongings since no guest in our house can ever be subjected to them.

I don’t mean to appear manipulative, controlling, or lacking sympathy.  I can honestly promise my intentions are of the highest, and come out of my love for your well being.

SerafinoSays does not want to overwhelm you.  Therefor, we decided to start you off with baby steps.

Which house do you prefer?

Manscaping:  Yes, I said it.  Please refer to the houses above.  Clearly no guest wants to visit the disheveled house.  Don’t get us wrong, we are not asking to sculpt the gardens of Versailles, but please make it friendly for your visitors.

Wolfman is only to be seen on the big screen. 

Nose & Hair Ears:  Sorry boys, it comes with age. Here are your 4 ways to resolve the problem.

1.  Razor: Shave closely around your hear but make sure to be careful as the skin is very delicate.2.  Electric Razor: To remove hair on the inner ear, use an ear/nasal hair electric razor.

3.  Nair: Before applying it to your skin make sure to read the manufactures directions.  SerafinoSays suggest a patch test before applying to the entire skin. This way if there is a reaction it will only be on a very small part of your skin.  Remember to apply cream ONLY to the hair you want removed.

4.  Waxing:  Since the skin on your ear can be extremely sensitive to heat, waxing is not highly recommended.  But, if you still want to have your ears waxed, make sure to make an appointment with a professional waxing specialist.

* Tweezer:  Due to the fact that tweezing your ear hair can be dangerous and may damage the eardrum or ear canal, it’s not recommended use one.

Keep Your Gym Bag at the Gym

Keep the smell of your gym bag at the gym.  Make sure to shower, apply deodorant a spritz of cologne before visiting with your lady.  If you choose to go “Ala Natural” just make sure to take showers regularly.  No one wants to smell stinky Pities.

Mechanics, Oil Riggers, Plumbers, & Construction Workers We Understand.

Although we find you incredibly sexy in your overalls and suspenders and we fully understand the importance of using your masculine hands on your job, it would be so very appreciated if you would occasionally, if not regularly care for your hands.  Nothing freaks us out more then dirty hands all over our bodies.  YUCK!

Here are a few SerafinoSays tips for letting the ladies love your hands:

1.  Use a nail brush every time you take a shower.

2.  Clip your nails weekly.

3.  After your shower and before you go to bed generously apply Jack Black Hand Healer.

4.  Occasionally treat yourself to a professional manicure.

 SerafinoSays believes in baby steps.  Begin with these four tips and stay tuned for more secret men’s grooming tips.

“True beauty isn’t about perfection. By liberating people to realize this simple fact, we help them to see the real beauty within themselves.” Kristan Serafino

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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