New year, new me; wrinkle free….well again being the office guinea pig, I was dispatched to see just what this male vanity thing is all about, and to try to establish just why it is becoming so important to look so well kept and fresh faced in the work place.
On arrival at The Private Clinic in Cheapside my initial fears were allayed by the professional and discreet reception personnel.
The bright and airy reception area has a calming, almost zen like atmosphere. Dr Quinn took me to one of the consultation rooms to ascertain just what I wished to achieve. At no time did I feel pressurised or intimidated, this was all about me.

After chatting at length and realising that I wasn’t about to look 18 again, we let battle commence. Botox around my eye area and forehead was suggested and some filler in the smile lines between my nose and mouth.

What are Botox and Facial Fillers?

Well firstly Botox, this is one of the many trade names for the neurotoxic protein called botulinum toxin.  The protein is used in cosmetic medicine to treat moderate to severe brow furrows/ lines, wrinkles and facial creases. These procedures use a small amount of diluted botulinum toxin which works to relax the contraction of muscles by blocking nerve impulses hence less stress and strain on the skin. Botox will last for approx 3-4 months.

Restylane and Juvederm are facial fillers used to help to reduce the signs of ageing without surgery. These fillers are both brand names of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body, designed for injection under the skin. They help fill hollows in the face which result from ageing, for example lines under the eyes and smile lines. The effects of the treatment fade slowly over time so a top up will be needed approximately every six months.

As this was my first ever Botox treatment Dr Quinn and I decided to take things very slowly, as my trusted Dr friend said ‘we can always add more but once in there it ain’t coming out.’ I had approx ten small injections around eye and forehead area and truly did not feel a thing. Post-treatment it looked as though I’d been bitten by a tiny mosquito. This lasted for approx 30 minutes, then no signs or marks whatsoever, although bruising does happen with some people, hence think twice about going back to the office afterwards. I was told results would be seen in approx 3-4 days.
A couple of days pass by and wow, results or what? I’m incredibly impressed. The creases between my eyebrows have almost gone, and trust me they were deep.
My partner and best pals have all said that the wrinkles and lines have certainly diminished, and though I say it myself, quite significantly.
I’m about to have session number two in a few days, and because of the achieved  results-I’m very much looking forward to my next visit.
Dr .Quinn in my opinion has done a sterling job, honesty, reassurance and reality this is what, as guys, we all respect and need.

08 Dec 2011.

Visit number two. Dr Quinn advised that there was no need for any further Botox injections as the last treatments had worked effectively.
We opted to pop some facial filler into my laughter lines-the arch between nose and mouth area to smooth out the lines. A local anaesthetic cream was applied to the area to numb it a little, then the filler injected. The filler does just that, it plumps out the area slightly to ease and smooth out the lines.
The process was totally pain free and the results almost instantaneous. A marked improvement, but most important of all for me, very natural looking results. The area was a little red for a few hours afterwards so I would not recommended having this particular treatment during a lunch break.

The Private Clinic is based in Cheapside, London and is very close to St.Paul’s and The City, so perfect for a lunch time treatment or two.

The clinic specialise in non-invasive and minimally invasive treatments.
There are 8 Private Clinics nationwide, for more info contact;
The Private Clinic, 107 Cheapside, London. EC2V 6DN. 
0800 599 9911

The bed-head look has developed into a tidier, un-dressed look which, sported with the right confidence, can add finesse to your casual bearing. New York style aficionados, Bumble and Bumble have developed a must-have styling tool which will create your dressed-down look just perfectly. Bb Texture Hair Un-Dressing Creme is the perfect aid to build your untidy look, whilst maintaining hold and style.

Hair Un-Dressing Creme is easily applied, and equally as easy to wash out. To style, you simply stoke the product though towel dried hair, leave it to ‘set’ for a minute or two then style. The formula coats the hair in a hardened, matt, gel-like skin which looks distressed and uber stylish. It’s not sticky or clumpy, it’s the perfect consistency for the runway look.

Take note chaps, to dress down, you still have to have style!

bumbleandbumble.com

There are no two must-groom areas more vitally important than your face and hair.

They’re the first places we look when checking out a fitty at the bar (or the last!) so making sure your own mug is rash-free and well-shaved should be a must for any sartorial male. If that wasn’t enough hard work, styling your barnet into something that suits your face and style is also a top priority. So with all that in mind, I took a quick look at two products from Trevor Sorbie’s Male Grooming MG range.

Hair: Mg Moulding Mud – £6.12 for 100ml

I’ve got to admit – I was a little apprehensive as I unscrewed the lid to the MG Moulding Mud pot. As a rule I tend to steer clear of any hair products with a “mud” in its name because I have had some awful moments with them: muds make my hair look greasy and unattractive and they usually don’t do what they’re supposed to, which is to set your hair in an actual style and shape. Instead I’m left panicking before a night out because my hair’s gone all floppy and oily.

Sorbie’s Moulding Mud should be used for (reading from the description here) “rough texture, moulding shapes and definition” and gives a “medium hold and low shine”…

First thing you’ll notice about the product is its smell – it’s one of sweetest-smelling hair creams on my shelf by a mile, and if it smells good in the pot, it’s going to smell great on my head. The makeup of the mud is like a flaky cream – it’s quite resistant and doesn’t drip like a gel or goo; but it’s still quick to spread and does so evenly when you rub it through your hands and fingers.

I usually style my own hair by rubbing in the cream until I feel some stiffening – then I usually sweep it all back to one side or prop it up at the front. Although it’s a ‘medium’ hold – it still doesn’t feel like it’s got the power of a medium-strength product so I’d only recommend it for guys who style their hair flat or swept across. This one is not for spikes!

But for that flat type of style it does do extremely well. It makes the hair look un-greasy and quite natural – it also gives a fair amount of definition between the individual hairs so that you get a bit of texture running throughout.

But because it doesn’t quite live up to its “medium” label and because it won’t be for everyone, I’ll have to drop it to a four out of five…

Face: Mg Shaving Gel - £4.07 for 200ml

Shaving gel is actually something I use more and more now that I shave with disposable razors. Older blades usually pull and I find that a gel works better in soothing and protecting the skin during a shave – it makes me feel like I’m not putting my skin in any danger or a chance of rash by using it.

Sorbie’s Mg Shaving Gel is actually quite a revelation for me because it foams! I’ve been looking for a nice compromise between a shaving gel and a foam and this particular product actually froths but doesn’t go so far that you’re shaving over mountains of white crème.

Instead it sits flatly and firmly on the skin and complements the razor well – one small drop will amazingly be enough for your whole face because if expands and foams so well. It’s extremely economic and at £4.07 for 200ml it’s a fantastic price.

This one will sit very snugly at the top of my shaving accessories list! Absolute dream shave – five out of five…

With the hair loss market worth a colossal £100 million per annum, creative genus Philip Levine, has tackled this newly found ‘space’ head on by launching his head gear collection. We took 5 minutes out of the office to catch up with Philip and discover more about this unique concept.

/Where did the inspiration come from to embrace the follicle-ly challenged population?

Once I decided to shave my head rather than to have a receding hairline, I just looked in the mirror and thought why couldn’t I use my head as a canvas for creativity. There was no direct inspiration of following one person but there have been great images of people such as Klaus Nomi, Max Headroom and David Bowie who just had style.

/Where can we expect to witness your work at large?

I will be hosting my Headism show supported by Gillette from May 3^rd – May 9^th at The NL Gallery, 40/42 Riding House Street, London, W1W 7ET. I will showcase my best head designs at an exhibition in London through photography by Daniel Regan, documentary, a doll by HarlotVonCharlot and bespoke headcasts.

/Your top 5 tips for a smooth head shave?

Shave the hair short before with a Braun electric shaver.

Get into a shower and leave your head under warm/hot water for 5mins.

Use a good foam or shaving gel, like Gillette ProGlide shaving gel.

Use a Gillette ProGlide to shave your head. Checking for any missed patches with your hand.

If you aren’t creating a head design after the shower then moisturise.

/5 steps to dealing with hair loss?

Just one

DONT PANIC AND CARRY ON!

/Where do you see your brand going forward?

I would like to team up with a hair salon to create a head salon department for bald people. Over £100 million gets made off the bald market each year so it is an underestimated market. I would also love to create my own head wear range and put a bespoke design on someone like Kanye West or Lady Gaga in the future.

Washing your hair daily not only dehydrates it, it strips it of its natural protective oils. Now, you may think that your hair is too short to worry about its condition – think again – research has shown that what you do to you hair can influence the health of future growth so take heed! I don’t know about you but I’ll do anything that helps me keep my locks from falling bald. Read more →

Celebrity hair stylist, Michael Douglas, talks us through this season’s hottest looks for your barnet.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDUbJkWDMI0[/youtube]

One of the main complaints from you chaps who don’t live in one of the apparent ‘major’ cities in terms of fashion, is that simply without an impersonal peruse through the web, the quality products are just not around for you to choose from.

As a man who is in this exact scenario (Wolverhampton is not the epicentre of coolness), I have a very limited pool of shopping outlets to fish from myself. The major high-street stores and House of Fraser is pretty much it for me, and although you do see the odd high-end brand around, my town centre is much more big on sausage rolls than it is on Sartorial selection.

Although the major male fashion outlets can be a little lacking in the charm department, there is always one store that is both a staple figure in most department stores and does not bare the risk of selecting an item that you are likely to see placed on a fellow shopper later that day. Republic is never far from a WHSmiths or a Gregg s, and I for one am very glad of it.

What I like about Republic is that it is able to adapt it’s own personality through the offerings of many designer labels, and no matter how many more they add to their own catalogue, their stylish, ridiculously trendy persona will not be altered. I can admit, as well as Republic themselves probably, that a few of their items (and their wearer’s) can be described as a ‘little-bit chavy’, but I think that’s a little unfair. For every bopping arse who don’s G-Star jeans that ride around their thighs, there is a surfer-esque approachable model-type with Soul Cal jeans and a chequered Levis shirt. Like most outlets who stock a wide range, the consumers are a mixed bag.

Republic offer some absolute gems in their stores, and although such a comment needs no proof, we have plucked out our top three offerings. So where ever you are, rest assured that even in the most reclusive town centres, your fashion needs are being catered for.

KMS have had their hands on almost all the hair care awards worth having. The Californian range is hit with celebrities and stylists worldwide. But what’s all the hype about? Our grooming editor, Steven O’Neill, decided to take KMS Clay Creme for a test drive and see how it performed. Read more →

As an institution that always supports any moves to showcase upcoming talent, how on earth could the Sartorial Male ignore the opening of a  new store that looks to channel the latest offerings of the British fashion world.

The new concept store will be the hub of the forward thinking, as the space will be crammed with various lines and collections catering to all the needs of the various specifications that we, as consumers, are accustomed to.

British Designers Emma Cook, Felder Felder, Jean-Pierre Braganza amongst others will now have their own specific location where they are not only able to influence their customers in their garments, but also lead the example for the various new talents that will also be using the floor space.

In a business that thrives on numerous breakthroughs on prettty much a weekly basis, the store will operate a rotation policy, so the store represents the industry as an ever-changing, ever-enhancing world.

Rubbing shoulders with the best will only enhance the quality of emerging talent in the capital, and as London is pretty much the epicentre of this universe, you could say that this new move offers an exact insight into what the future holds for British fashion.

You can find British Designers @ Fashion Capital at 2 Seymour Place, W1

Great Britain is at the centre of the fashion world, Hairbond can claim rich customs and heritage that are connected with this. An essential piece of the British fashion phenomenon is the well-styled man; detached and almost egotistical self-confident and cockily assured. He is the archetype of civilization and fashion. Read more →