ELIMINATE EXCESS NECK BEARD COVERAGE: Having grown what I thought was some well-manicured facial foliage over the past month, got a wake up call from one of our Master Barbers who demanded she trim the whiskers that grew farther down on my neck in order to showcase that “I actually have a jaw.” She also convinced me to allow her to “taper” some of the upper-cheek-area scruff to better blend with the rest of my beard. Final result is that my beard looks cleaner and more appropriate for a guy in this business. Getting it done by a professional or an at-home trimmer is the route to go.

CHECK MY BAGGAGE: A particular sports injury has limited my exercise and effective snoozing over the past months and apparently, also led me to look like a guy who needs rest. Enter a perceptive Men’s Skin Care Expert who stated, “You look tired Mike.” Further discussion lead to agreement that I had some growing under-eye bags and could use a few in-house treatments and solutions to energize my face a bit. Some cold compresses and a few shots of this has me hopefully looking as energized and positive as I feel.

CALL OFF THE NAIL BREAK: “Do you file your nails back and forth?” our Men’s Nail Expert inquired. Indeed I did with my wife’s file a week or so back to trim back some unruly looking fingers — and our forensically inclined staffer called me out on it. She told me that if I’m not going the professional manicure path and using a file at home, I “need to make certain to go in one direction — from corner toward center and not back and forth. Going back and forth makes the nails look rough, rigid and can make them break.” Points taken and proper protocol to be followed in the future.

The day is still young though and many more suggestions could still be coming my way.

As the most powerful grooming establishment in the world’s most powerful city, Grooming Lounge thought it could be beneficial to provide some general tips for politicians – and everyday guys – who are hoping to put their best faces forward in 2012. If you want to see the Today piece, just sit through the JC Penny or GoGurt commercial via Hulu for 30 seconds (we couldn’t get it out of there).

SPOTLIGHT A LOOK OF INTELLIGENCE:
Showcase an attention to detail and a smart, clean-cut nature by sporting even sideburns, clean neck lines, two clearly separated eyebrows and nose and ears free of stray hair. This shows a man who is aware of the importance of image and is willing to take the necessary steps to ensure he makes intelligent business decisions.

CONVEY AN AURA OF YOUTHFULNESS:
Even if you’re more mature, having a lively enthusiastic spirit is still inspiring. Project a youthful energy by blending grey hair, treating tired-looking skin with a rejuvenating face cream and using targeted products to reduce puffiness and fine lines around the eye area. Always avoid the “I’m young goatee” if it’s a stretch– it never portrays a mature, professional image if such doesn’t jibe with a man’s personality.

BROADCAST YOUR APPROACHABILITY/FRIENDLINESS:
People are comfortable with what they are familiar with, so while guys can have their own “style” in terms of grooming, it is always important to keep some touch points everyone can relate to. This means no scary facial hair, maintaining well-manicured hands (no one wants to shake a dry, cracked hand with hangnails) and moisturized lips (nobody wants a kiss on the cheek from dry, cracked lips).

Pretty generic stuff, but we’re always surprised (and you might be too), but what little tips or tweaks can be helpful. Take them for what they’re worth and let us know if you have any different suggestions or think any of ours are ridiculous. We can take it.

• Picture Frame or “Couples” Picture
• Russell Stover Chocolates
• Three-Pack of Socks
• Savings Bond
• Sweater Vest
• Plug-In Air Freshener
• Coupon Book Good For “Hugs”
• Coupon Book Good For “Anything”
• Stress Ball
• Bling
• Back Scratcher
• Tank Top
• Sega Gaming System
• Ice Capades Tickets

What Is Dandruff?
Dandruff is an itching and flaking of the scalp that usually presents itself via visible flakes, redness and irritation. While its exact cause is unknown, current research indicates a yeast-like fungus called malassezia (yum!) may be the culprit.

How Does Dandruff Start?
Normally, skin creates new skin cells and sheds old ones at a proportional rate. Usually the lost cells are small enough to go unnoticed. The challenge happens when the dandruff-responsible fungus irritates skin, causing the scalp to produce extra skin cells, thus accelerating shedding. Blah, blah, blah.

Other dandruff triggers can include: hormonal and seasonal changes, excess styling product buildup and stress.

How Can Dandruff Be Battled?
While there’s currently no fool-proof cure for dandruff, it can be held in check by washing with quality dandruff treatment shampoos. These shampoos eliminate scalp build up and flakes and are generally solid for the scalp. If these shampoos don’t do the trick in tandem with the below, consult a reputable doctor or dermatologist.

• Brushing hair more regularly.

• Washing hair daily.

• Using a light conditioner and rinsing thoroughly.

• Avoiding excessive styling products.

Also, “chilling out” a bit can help reduce pesky flakes. Stress is proven to be a root cause of dandruff. Now scratch away…..

Trim from Petey Boy on Vimeo.

WASHINGTON POST — EXPANSION PLANNED AS LUXURY MARKET FLOURISHES

By Michael Gilman, Friday, December 23, 2:06 PM

Opening a new Grooming Lounge location in Bethesda is a top priority for us in 2012. We think it’s a good time to expand for several reasons: Business has been good at our other two Washington-area locations. This region’s economy has proven to be resilient. And “affordable luxuries” — upscale products and services — in many cases have weathered the downturn better than discount brands.

The hair, and to a parallel extent, spa industries, have been very consistent even when the economy is faltering. Hair always grows (for the lucky ones) and having a modern haircut and irritation-free face is increasingly important for a man’s confidence and personal brand. Add the idea that people pamper themselves via spa-like services when times are good — and want to escape via such relaxing luxuries when times are tough — and the strength of our segment is apparent.

I got into this industry after serving as the unofficial grooming supplier to my friends. We opened our first storefront location in D.C. in 2002. But two years before that, we launched our Web site where men could order hair and facial products. Our second goal this year is to increase our online presence.

The last few years have seen a proliferation of successful Web sites catering to men’s style, clothing and accessories. The online men’s grooming product business has mirrored this trend with more males (and the people who want them to look good) heading to the Internet to research and purchase the products required to improve their shaves and skin.

Having recently installed a new back end online platform, we plan to better harvest this software to improve customer personalization, merchandising and ensure smoother transactional experiences. Partnering with online marketing agents, hiring more customer service agents and adding fresh partner brands should help grow our stateside and international Web business.

Growing the distribution channels for our barber-created Grooming Lounge shaving and hair products is a third primary goal for the year ahead. Currently available through our stores, Web site and a handful of select retailers, we intend to expand awareness of our house brand and company by putting the product in more people’s hands (and on their faces and heads).

We’re already off to a good start, having secured a partnership with ULTA Beauty stores to roll Grooming Lounge products out to all 400+ of their stores. The hope is to spread the word about these formulations en route to increased sales and overall company recognition.

We know that success in 2012, as in every other year, mostly relies on creating positive experiences for our guests online and in our storefronts.

Consistently getting a great haircut, receiving a shipment quicker than anticipated or using a product that exceeds expectations are the types of things that will make this business special and successful.

Nothing conjures more on-target images of one of the most important eras in men’s fashion and grooming than Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack. And although maybe not an official member of the crew (more their court jester), there’s something about Don Rickles that makes him a hero to us (and many others). Taking it a step further… nothing is more heroic, clever and laugh-out-loud funny than the prank he pulled on Frank Sinatra as outlined below in both a Vanity Fair clip and a Carson show video (first 60 seconds). Enjoy this legend and always-well-groomed “gentleman.” A perfect holiday prank.

As Told To Vanity Fair By Don Rickles

It’s a true story, so help me God,” he began obligingly. “Sinatra was headlining at the Sands, and I was with this girl having dinner in the lounge. She wasn’t anybody I would bring home to my mother, but I really wanted to score big. Frank was in the lounge at his table with Lena Horne and some other celebrities and all his security guards. And my date says, ‘My God, there’s Frank Sinatra! Do you know him?’

“I said, ‘Sure, he’s a friend of mine.’ Which he was. But I made it sound like my whole life. ‘We’re like brothers!’ She didn’t believe me. So I said, ‘Wait here, sweetheart,’ and I went over to Frank’s table. ‘What do you want, Bullethead?’ he said. That was his nickname for me. I told him I was trying to impress this girl and would he do me a very big favor and come over and just say hello. He said, ‘For you, Bullethead, I’ll do it.’”

Five minutes later, Sinatra strolled over and said, “Don, how the hell are you?”

And Don Rickles looked up and replied, “Not now, Frank. Can’t you see I’m with somebody?”

I obviously haven’t, wouldn’t and don’t need to (not from a handsomeness perspective — more of a “I already get a good deal” perspective) “register” for any grooming-related items this holiday season. But, if I did, here are the Top 10 single-item solutions I’d request.

10. RazorPit Razor Blade Sharpener: Sounds like B.S., but actually works really well.
9.  Eyre Triple-Action Face Scrub: One of the top pre-shave treatments around.
8. Molton Brown Cool Buchu Body Wash: It’s cool. It’s Buchu. Awesome way to start any day.
7. Jack Spade Anything: Everything they make looks great and is super functional.
6. Grooming Lounge The Best Shampoo: In my biased opinion, the name says it all.
5. ACE Dual Action Trimmer: Miracle product can clean out schnozes, sideburns and necks.
4. (Malin+Goetz) Eucalyptus Deodorant: Not sure how it does it, but best pit protector ever.
3. 3-Piece Chrome Shaving Set: The ultimate shaving set is real pricey.
2. Grooming Lounge Greatest Shave Ever Kit: My shave was not stellar until we created these.
1. Wayne Gretzky Hockey Fantasy Camp: OK… we don’t carry this and my skating is shaky… but if you’re feeling generous?