A huge part of a man’s attractiveness comes from his ability to lead.

Will Smith is one of the most respected and loved actors in the entertainment business, and a true leader in his field. The reason why he is so successful is because he has the most important traits that that all great leaders have.

In this article, I’ll talk about three of these most important traits. Let’s get to it.

1. Being a Great Decision Maker

The first and most important trait of a great leader is a high level of decision making skill.

Destiny is not a matter of chance. It’s a matter of choice. Or in other words, our reality is simply a result of the decisions we have made.

“….Just DECIDE, what it’s going to be, who you’re going to be, and how you’re going to do it, just DECIDE, and then from that point, the universe is going to get out of your way, it’s like water…” - Will Smith

Are you someone that is good at making decisions throughout your day? Or do you keep delaying things that need to be settled, worked out, or acted upon?

I see more and more men who settle to just flow with the crowd without taking the time to decide what they want, wondering why they are unhappy most of the time. And when it comes down to making some decisions, they are busier thinking up excuses why they can’t do something, instead of trying to figure out how they can do it.

The man who isn’t constantly making important decisions in his life has no vision, and with no vision there aren’t strong goals, and without goals, there is no progress — only mediocrity at best.

When it comes to making an important decision, you should have no hesitation to get out a piece of paper and a pen, sit down with a cup of coffee, and spend however long it takes to work it out. It should be second nature.

When a man can lead himself in his personal goals, he can be an attractive leader in social situations and in business. When friends don’t know what to do or where to go, a leading man steps up and is the first to suggest something. At work, when everyone is waiting for orders from the boss, he thinks about the company’s most important objectives and takes the necessary steps to get everyone moving.

He shapes his reality by deciding what, why, and how things are going to happen.

“But what if you make the wrong choice or decision?”

Too many people are on the fence for way too long because they are afraid of making a bad decision. But the biggest mistake is always trying so hard not to make any.

It’s important to do as much of your homework before making an important decision, but it’s even more important to just launch and get things moving. Too many people get stuck trying to make sure everything is perfect before they take the first step. And people who never take the first step, never takes the second; getting no where near what they want.

Recently, I learned that a perfectly straight line does not exist in nature. Even if you put a straight line under a microscope, there are jagged edges that go in different directions. It’s only when you zoom out that it looks straight. Just like in nature, a straight line towards our desired destination does not exist either.

For example, when a pilot is flying a plane towards a destination, they never go in a straight line. They are constantly zigzagging onto and off the best course. The most successful leaders make the best choices they can with the information available to them, they LAUNCH AND GET GOING, and appropriately adjust their course as they go.

Is there any situation in your life right now that needs a decision? What have been holding off?

Today, try making all the necessary decisions you can before the day ends. Don’t leave anything to chance or delay any longer. Not only will you realize how many decisions you may be procrastinating on, but you’ll realize how much power is contained in a moment of choice.

2. Taking Full Responsibility

The second greatest trait a successful leader has is being able to take full responsibility for his choices.

A great leader always thinks about what the situation needs, not just his own selfish needs.

Many times our choices not only affect ourselves, but the people around us. When that’s the case we can’t wait for everyone to agree before we act. The best way to create results in this situation is to take full responsibility for whatever happens - especially if it involves lots of risk.

It’s hard to find great leaders today because nobody ever wants to be the one to blame if something goes wrong. The way we were raised by our parents and in school conditioned us to fear making mistakes and being rejected.

During stormy times, you have to be willing to steer the ship when nobody else wants to, or else you all might die.

So many necessary things that need to get done in our homes, businesses, and the world we live in aren’t getting done because people aren’t willing to step up to the plate.

It’s in our nature to want to feel safe and secure, but the only real security exists our ability to take action. One of the reasons why we’re the greatest species on earth is that we have no limit to what we can achieve. No matter what happens to us, we can do something to improve the situation.

It’s mostly the fear of failure that stops us in our track, but all of the most successful people I know have an unending list of “failures” under their belt. They wouldn’t be where they are, living their dream, if it wasn’t for all the “mistakes” and “failures” that happened along the way.

A great leader isn’t afraid to fail or make mistakes. And they don’t take what other people think of them too seriously either. They never act like a victim like most people do, blaming others or some outside condition when they are met with resistance.

They have confidence in the fact that if anything goes wrong - no matter what it is - they can quickly take action to improve the situation. This belief is what enables them to take full responsibility for what needs to get done. They lead themselves into action, take the load on their shoulders, and people inevitably follow.

3. Relentless Action Following Decisions

A lot of men are good at making decisions, and some even take full responsibility for their choices, but most quit at the first few signs of resistance.

The leading man consistently takes actions towards his goals until he achieves them.  He works and works, changing his approach when it’s not working, and works and works at it some more. He does whatever it takes to win.

“… if we get on a treadmill together, either you’re getting off first, or I’m going to DIE trying…” - Will Smith

Countless studies have found that the most successful people are quick to make decisions and slow if ever to change them, where unsuccessful people are always slow to make decisions and quick to change them.

This sounds so simple but just look around and you’ll see so many people making a decision to do something and than quickly change their minds. And not because they found a better route, but because they gave up when it started to get a little uncomfortable or hard.

When successful leaders make choices, they do not RELENT. They’ll do whatever it takes to reach their goals, to live up to their decision.

It’s important to maintain integrity with yourself, and take massive action towards your decisions. For example, if you make a decision to go to the gym three times a week, it’s so important to honor your decision. The more you keep your word to yourself, the more power you will gain. To the point where if you say you’re going to do something, not only do you have complete confidence that you’ll do it, but others will trust you as well. This is monumentally important to becoming a great leader.

The most successful and attractive men out there, are those who can make the hard decisions, take full responsibility for their choices, and take relentless action towards their goals. They are respected in their line of work, are much more desirable by women, and loved by the people around them.

Every man has the choice to be a leading man. If you recognize that you need to work on one of these areas, quickly resolve to begin working on it today.

And don’t stop running. Stay relentless,

What you’ll need to put together a similar look:

1. Blue dress shirt

2. Navy blue blazer

3. Khaki pants

4. Brown buckle belt

5. Purple shoes

First Impression:

A man who isn’t afraid to take risks and shout with his fashion.

Breakdown:

This is for those who are looking for some inspiration on how to be fashionably bold.

One of my favorite ways to be fashionably bold is through what I call “non-sequiturs” (which means “it does not follow” in Latin). The idea is to take something (at first thought) that should NOT work and making it work. It takes some balls to experiment and try different things at first, but you’ll quickly find what you like and even come up with some killer looks that people rarely see on anyone.

If you’re someone who can handle the attention and the looks, then you have what it takes to pull off bold style. You may get some weird stares but you’ll also undoubtedly get admiration from women who respect bold fashion.

A very light example of wearing “non-sequiturs” is mixing formal wear with casual wear such as a blazer with a hoodie. A more advanced example of this might be something like wearing a skinny tie as a belt. However, when done right, i.e., brown skinny knit tie with khaki linen pants, it can look great.

The look above is a perfect example of this because from the top down it looks like a classic outfit, until you get to the shoes. Almost nobody would think that purple shoes would match this outfit, but the fact that the rest of the outfit is kept classic makes the shoes stand out that much more.

In a way, non-sequiturs should not be attempted if you’re just starting out and do not understand the fundamentals of style. It’s really more of an advanced concept that those who want to take some risk with their style.

When playing with non-sequiturs, you will face some resistance from people (mostly who are not fashionable at all). But you’ll also most definitely gets lots of compliments on your “creativity” or “artistry” of the combination by those who take quality care of their own image.

So this month, try a bold color in an unexpected piece of clothing like your shoes. It’s a great way to create a shockingly attractive look.

Rate this look below!

What you’ll need to put together this look:

1. Gray buttoned vest

2. V-neck tee shirt

3. Black dress pants

4. Black Hugo Boss loafers

5. Von Zipper Skitch sunglasses

First impression:

Stand-out summer style.

Breakdown:

Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of questions about how to dress fashionably in the summer heat. One of my answers was this lookbook example.

Wearing a blazer in the blazing heat may be too hot, so swap it out for a dress vest.  This will act as your “jacket” while freeing your arms from all that extra fabric.

Throw this vest on top of a v-neck tee shirt. A v-neck will keep your neck area cool, and I like the long sleeve ones because they look better with a dress vest. Just pull them up during the day and push them down if the nights are chillier.

A slick pair of black dress pants are perfect if you’re going to enjoy the city nightlife. But if you’re going for a more casual look, a pair of jeans pair exceptionally well with the tee and dress vest.

To complete this simple and classic summer outfit, you’re going to need a pair of loafers. Wear them without socks for that summer outfit touch.

Rate this look below!

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40 common fashion mistakes to avoid:

Clothes that don’t fit - Baggy clothes make a person look sloppy, and like they’re wearing hand-me-downs. If your body type makes it hard to find well-fitting off the rack, make your tailor your best friend. Getting the right fit will transform anyone’s image.

Wearing a short sleeve shirt with a tie – Unless you work for a fast-food joint, where sleeves will probably get dirty while making sandwiches, avoid wearing a short sleeve shirt with a tie, as it is generally perceived as lower class apparel. If you want to stay looking professional and confident, stick to long-sleeve shirts.

Dirty shoes – It’s the area that too many guys overlook in terms of cleaning and proper care. A stylish man keeps his shoes as he does any of his other clothes; clean and free of scratches and dirt.

Warped shoes – Keep at least two pairs of dress shoes in the same color so you can let one pair rest for a day from sweat and stretching. Doing this prevents them from warping. Place a pair of shoetrees in your shoes when you’re not wearing them to maintain their best form.

Improper pants length –Don’t fold up your jeans or your chinos unless it’s some sort of fashion statement that you’re making. Your pants can come down to the bottom of your shoes but make sure they come just above the floor to avoid fraying your pants. Also, you only need a slight break, or crease, in the pants leg. And don’t be the guy who has his feet swimming in all that extra fabric. All it takes is a simple trip to the tailor to get them hemmed.

Wrong socks with a suit – When you’re wearing a suit, match your sock color to your pants, not your shoes. This is the same as mismatching your suit pants to your jacket. If you’re wearing a navy suit with black shoes, reach for navy socks. And when wearing a light suit, make sure the socks are darker than the suit but a shade or so lighter than the shoes.

Wrong belt color – If you’re wearing dress shoes, make sure the color of your belt matches the color of your dress shoes. Also, the finish of the belt and shoes need to match. In other words, if your shoes are shiny, your belt should be shiny as well. If you’re wearing casual shoes or sneakers, make sure you wear a thicker casual belt to match instead of a thin dress belt.

Improper tie length – A man’s tie should always end at the center of his belt buckle. This is such a simple rule, but overlooked by many. Having a tie that’s too short or too long, can make a man look incompetent.

Forgetting the necktie dimple - It’s the telltale sign of a professional who knows how to wear a tie.

Being too “buttoned” up - If a jacket has two buttons, just fasten the top button. If it has three buttons, you can close the top button, the middle button, or middle and top button. The key is to always leave the bottom buttoned undone. This is a tradition that has been used for decades, and will keep your style looking smart.

Socks and sandals – Have you seen anyone ever pull this off, and look sexy? Case closed.

Cartoon clothing - I love Disney characters, but unless you work for Disney, wearing them on your tie or shirts during the week make you look like you’re stuck in fantasy land. Oh and while we’re on the subject, stay away from those cheesy belt buckles as well. Instead, stick to the classic wardrobe pieces that will keep you looking your best for years to come.

Dress socks that aren’t long enough – When wearing a suit, your socks should come up to your calves, and stay there. When you cross your legs, you shouldn’t be showing any part of your legs. Isn’t it lovely when you see a man’s hairy leg peeking over his socks? When dressed casual, I recommend going very short on the socks or go completely sockless. So fully covered for professional wear, and the sockless look if you’re dressed casual.

Wearing the wrong colors - It’s important to match the color of your clothes to your skin tone. You want the focus to be on you, not the overwhelming color of your shirt. If you have dark skin, you can either wear dark colors or bright colors that match the strength of your skin color. If you have very fair skin, lighter colors are most flattering on you – like soft pastels or icy colors.

Wrinkled clothing- Unless you’re going for the “I sleep in these clothes” effect, keep all your clothes pressed and wrinkle-free. It’s a good habit to always hang up all your clothes, never throwing them on the floor of your room after use.

Wrong casual tie - If you’re wearing a tie as part of your casual outfit, go for a slim tie instead of the wider ones; keep those for the office. It looks a thousand times more stylish.

Wearing too many colors – Limit each of your outfits to a maximum of three colors or shades to maintain a coordinated look. If in doubt find a color wheel online and use it to help you choose your colors. Colors opposite each other on the wheel are “complementary colors.” Colors adjacent to each other are called “analogous colors”. When putting together an outfit, stick to complementary and analogous colors and remember less is more.

Wearing a backpack with a suit – Whenever I’m walking around the city, I see a lot of professional people wearing nice suits and carrying backpacks. I understand that a backpack can be more comfortable because you can throw it over your shoulder instead of holding a briefcase, but you can also get a nice messenger bag to maintain a professional look but keep you hands free and comfortable.

Unflattering hairstyles – Hair is one area of your image that you can constantly experiment with and upgrade without paying more than you normally do. Look around and see which hairstyles look flattering to you, and try something new this season.

Excess cologne – If a woman can only smell your cologne when she’s very close, this is good. She’ll have more reason to stay close. If a woman can smell you from across the room, need she come any closer? Depending on the strength of your cologne, use sparingly, if your cologne loses it’s smell throughout the day, simply reapply. A good rule of thumb is to limit it to two sprays – once on your neck and wrists.

Too much jewelry – All the jewelry a man needs are watches that will match different outfits, and a wedding ring if he’s married. Unless you’re a rock star, don’t go around wearing five rings and a bunch of necklaces at the same time. It looks tacky. Limit yourself to no more than three pieces of jewelry.

Comb-overs – Your not fooling anyone by covering up your bald spots – it’s better to accept and shave it all off Bruce Willis style. It makes you look a lot more sharp, and more importantly, healthy.

Sweatpants – Unless you’re going to the gym, you should never be wearing sweats out in the public. Not only do we dress up for ourselves, but mostly for other people. By wearing sweats, it’s easy to disrespect the people you’re meeting - they may feel that they’re not worth you cleaning up for.

Oversized branding – Avoid clothes that make you look like a walking advertisement. Don’t you know that’s what the advertisers want? Unless you’re getting paid, you’re getting the bad end of the deal.

Tucking T-shirts in – Tucking in polo shirts is acceptable, but t-shirts should be kept casual. If your t-shirt is too long then it’s probably too big on you.

Wearing a crew neck tee under a dress shirt – Pick up a v-neck undershirt and you’ll look a million times better.

Clipping your cell phone to your belt – This is as attractive as using a Bluetooth headset as a fashion accessory. It’s a cell phone, not a gun, keep it in your pocket.

Clunky square toe shoes – Popular in the 1990s, fashion has now strayed far away from this non-classic look. They’ll probably never come back into fashion so lose them and get some slimmer shoes.

Too many prints – Whether with casual clothes or dressy, avoid mixing too many patterns or prints together. If you’re wearing a suit, a good rule of thumb is to keep it to a max of two patterns. In other words, if you’re wearing a patterned suit, wear a solid shirt and a patterned tie, or if you’re wearing a solid suit, you can wear a patterned shirt and a patterned tie. But having a patterned tie, a patterned shirt, and a patterned suit can make you look too busy.

Mismatching styles – Don’t wear your sporty Oakley sunglasses with a blazer, or a pair of cargo pants with a dressy shirt. Keep your outfits coherent and matching in style.

Bulky pockets – I see a lot of guys walking around with bulging pockets. If it’s your wallet that’s creating that bulge, spend some time taking out all those old receipts or business cards. If you need to hold on to them, keep them in a safe place and take them out when you need them. Get a slimmer wallet or a money clip to save space.

Dirty nails – Some men have very overworked and nasty hands. They are either really callous, or they have cracked cuticles. If you work outdoors or lift weights, wear gloves, and use hand lotion before you go to bed at night. Keep your fingernails trim, and free of hangnails, cracked cuticles, and dirt.

Keep your facial hair well groomed – The hair on your face should be orderly. Your face is the first thing noticed, and so maintaining your facial hair is important if you want to look sharp. Either keep a cleanly shaved face, or keep your beard trim. They should absolutely should be no hair underneath your chin on your neck area.

Hair in the back of their neck – Hair on the back of your neck is the same thing. If you don’t get haircuts too often, use a small mirror to check the back of your neck against another mirror, and use a razor to shave any hair that’s growing on the back of your neck.

Using too much hair product – Be aware that looking like you have a bottle of hair product on your head never looks good. A woman sometimes wants to be able to run her fingers through your hair, not hurt herself doing it. Use a smaller amount than you think you need.

Wearing sandals outside of the beach or pool – Keep the flip-flops for the pool, and opt for a casual pair of driving moccasins this summer. Driving moccasins are usually made of leather, but really easy to slip into and have flexible rubber soles, which make them the rich man’s slipper. A pair of dark brown ones will work perfectly with almost anything. Wear them without socks and a pair of cotton shorts for a classically stylish appeal. And if you do wear sandals to the beach or the pool, make sure your toenails are trim and healthy looking.

Not tucking in dress shirts - If your dress shirts are long enough to cover your butt, they are meant to be tucked in. The shirts are made longer so that when you sit down, with your shirt under your butt, your shirt doesn’t come out of your pants. If you’re someone who hates tucking in at casual settings, than make sure the dress shirts you wear are tailored shorter to come above the center of your bottom.

Being a fashion victim – Avoid wearing something just because it’s popular, and not because you actually like the way it looks and feels you. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with wearing things that are in fashion, or trying something out of normal comfort zone, but the problem happens when you’re constantly needing to buy that next “fashion piece” that everyone seems to be jumping for. Build a style of your own instead of joining the clones.

Not taking care of that unibrow – Keeping your eyebrows groomed is just as important as the hair on top of your head. Use a tweezer and pluck any hair that is above the nose, it has to go.

Wearing athletic socks, for non athletic occasions – Keep the white athletic socks for the gym or when you’re out playing sports, otherwise, stick to the navy or black socks. They have casual ones in those colors as well. They always look more stylish than white.

Don’t settle for low-grade tees - I see so many guys walking around with their free Pepsi shirts or something they got from their last vacation to Canada. Avoid looking like a walking advertisement this summer, and try a solid-colored v-neck t-shirt instead, or stick to collared short-sleeves for something a bit more dressy.

Wearing pseudo dress shoes with a suit - I see a lot of guys who have an awesome suit, and then ruin it with ugly work-type boots . Or they wear a pair of black shoes that are something like a hybrid between sneakers and dress shoes. These types of footwear ruin the rest of the outfit. The quality of your shoes should match the rest of your outfit quality.

An undershirt is just that - an undershirt - An undershirt’s purpose is to absorb the sweat, dirt, and body oils that we all inevitably secrete, and prevent stains on your dress shirts. The name explains their purpose. It’s not meant to be worn as an actual shirt by itself, so avoid this fashion mistake and call your buddies out on it when you can.

Protect yourself from making these fashion blunders, and keep looking your best!

What you’ll need to put together this look:

1. Blue denim jacket

2. Check shirt

3. White graphic t-shirt

4. Khaki cotton pants

5. Black Converse Chuck Taylors

First impression:

Only a fashion savvy guy could have put this outfit together. That or his girlfriend dressed him up really well.

Breakdown:

I’m currently doing seminars in Korea, and being here has made me want to write about great “casual” style.

The guys here really re-define “casual” style. It’s so funny because you can instantly spot a foreigner just by their lack of fashion. Even if they are Asian, they stand out like a sore thumb.

I think many places truly need to upgrade their standards for dressing. As an American, it’s clear to me that the majority of our nation is more about comfort than fashion. We wear gym clothes in public and the term “casual” is so loosely used that most people equate them to totally bumming out.

Today’s lookbook is a reminder that we can take our standards higher.

So let’s take a look at what makes this outfit so great:

• Perfect fit
• Great use of layering - You can never go wrong with a classic denim jacket. It’s a “casual” outfit staple that every man should own.
• The right use of color - The outfit is tastefully color coordinated. There aren’t more than three major colors, keeping the outfit simple and fluid with the rest of the outfit.
• A graphic tee here - It’s rare that graphic tees with silly humor ever come off as attractive, but this one goes well with this outfit because they put his stylish converse sneakers on display.
• The use of khaki pants here - You want to avoid wearing blue jeans when wearing a denim jacket, because you don’t want to look like you’re wearing a tacky denim suit.

If you want to read more about great casual style, check out the What Asia Taught Me About Casual Style article for more!

Rate this look below! Also, leave any comments and suggestions that you have for our lookbook articles. Thanks!

What you’ll need to put together this look:

1. Short sleeve one-button white blazer

2. Blue deep v-neck tee

3. Blue pants

4. Red converse Chuck Taylors

First impression:

Double-take status. Makes me curious about who he is.

The breakdown:

Parts of this outfit really stand out, but it’s perfectly balanced to be attractive, and not over the top. If you master balancing, you can wear anything in almost any setting.

To key to always looking your best is to think about where you’re going to be, and aim to dress one notch above every other guy there.

Our goal is not to overdress or underdress, yet still look the best, so “one notch above everyone else” is the perfect place to be.

The easiest way to always hit this mark is by mixing dressy pieces with the casual, until you feel like you’re going to be a notch above the rest.

This particular look is perfect for a day spent in a fashionable city. My favorite part of this outfit is the white blazer. When do you ever see a blazer with short sleeves!? Personally, I love to make a blazer more casual by pushing the sleeves up. This blazer already takes care of that for you, making it a perfect summer piece as well.

The blazer is the dressiest piece of this outfit, so you can balance the outfit with a casual deep v-neck tee, like the one shown above. The deep v-neck reveals some more chest with adds some sensuality to the outfit, perfect for an evening date or a night at the bar.

Khaki chinos here would be a bit dressy (we already have the dressy blazer), and jeans would be the obvious choice, so why not try something that will really get noticed? Try a pair of blue chinos – it has the casual look of jeans yet holds a slightly dressy element, making you look super stylish.

Now that we have another semi-dressy piece, you can dress it down with a pair of sneakers. The red converses here really add that final punch and really shows the bold personality of the wearer.

So the key is to keep mixing dressy pieces with the casual until you meet up to the the setting you’re going to be in. Is the look too much for where you’re going? Then switch out the pants for jeans or the red shoes for something more tame.

Share your ratings and thoughts on the outfit below!

What you’ll need to put together this look:

1. White trimmed shirt

2. Dark blue bootcut jeans

3. Tan leather belt

4. Tan dress shoes or loafers

5. optional pieces:  silver or leather band watch & black stud earrings

First impression:

Wearing designer labels from head to toe – or is he?

The breakdown:

Details are everything when it comes to phenomenal style.

This look is a perfect example of how to look designer for less. The model in the picture above isn’t wearing any expensive designer labels, but you can’t tell from just looking at him.

Here are some details that stand out to create this stylish look:

1. A perfectly tailored fit – It’s rare that anything will fit you perfectly off the rack, so find that best fit that you can, and get the excess fabric tailored. This is one detail that will always make you look a hundred times better.

2. Shirt details – The patterned detailing on his shirt sleeves and pocket take a normal dress shirt and makes it look like a shirt by Gucci.

3. Sharp stitching details – The jeans are taken to another level through the  detailed stitching. The yellow stitching really stands out against the dark jeans, making it seem as if it was hand crafted rather than mass-produced by machines.

4. Matching colors – It’s always a classy detail to match your belt with your shoes. Try opting for a tan belt instead of the standard black. It really adds some sharp flair to this outfit.

Also, take note that his silver watch matches the silver on his belt. A good rule of thumb is to keep all jewelry to one color.

5. Some details alter the impression you make - This guy’s long hair, facial hair, and black stud earrings are all details that add some edge to balance out his very clean-cut, professional look.

Focusing on the details are the key to making your best impression. Whether you’re dressing for business or women, your attention to details will not go unnoticed.

Hope you enjoyed #13! Share your rating below!

Article by Kinowear contributor Jonathan Mead

Let’s face it, everyone wants to be a “badass.” The type of person that is unafraid to live how they want, totally free from restraint.

But is it really possible to learn how to be a badass? That’s supposed to be something you’re born with, right? I don’t think so. I think everyone has an inner, alter-ego badass, waiting to be unleashed.

All you have to do is practice letting it out. And I’m about to show you how to do that.

But first let’s take a look at…

The Validity of the Badass

Here’s what makes the badass trait so desirable:

• A badass has an “I don’t give a damn” attitude. They seem to live on their own terms, free from the social constraints that leave others feeling inhibited. Their careless attitude may seem like they really don’t care about anything, but they realize that by not caring about things that don’t matter, they liberate themselves.
• Badasses are natural leaders. Confidence naturally builds trust in others. If others are uncertain, but you are 100% certain, they’ll gravitate toward you.
• Badasses get what they want. They put themselves first and in doing so, unabashedly seek out and attain what they desire. This is actually a highly positive trait to have, as long as you don’t use or manipulate others to get what you want.
• They don’t tolerate BS. They don’t have low self-esteem. Therefore, they have no need to tolerate bullsh**.
• Excitement. This is, hands down, the most coveted trait of them all. Badasses, renegades, outliers, whatever you want to call them, live on the edge. They’re not afraid to take risks or break the rules. Their fearlessness enables them to ignore the so-called practical requirements for living the masses prescribe to. Badasses realize that most rules are really just agreements. They don’t agree that life needs to be dull, boring, drudgery. Therefore, they take risks and choose endeavors that would make others cringe.

But the most catalytic factor between the badass and the average citizen is this:

Regular People Exist, Badasses Live

Badasses arrive at the grave thoroughly used up. They aren’t afraid to speak their mind or take a risk for something they believe in. The faint at heart think about taking action toward their dreams, but this type of man wastes no time hesitating.

As I said earlier, I think everyone has an inner badass. Whether yours is dormant or stirring, I think we could all be well-served to connect with this side of ourselves.

Below are some strategies for tapping into your inner rebel without a cause. But remember, the most desirable trait is living on your own terms. So follow these rules or break them; they’re your agreements.

1. Say what you mean. Don’t beat around the bush. Use strong, powerful language. Avoid words like “try,” “maybe,” and “someday.” Replace them with “will,” “of course,” and “absolutely.” Also avoid using politically correct language. Don’t dumb down your words. If you want to say “shell shock”, say it! Don’t say “post traumatic stress disorder.”
2. Question authority. One of the oldest living renegades, Siddhartha Gautama (also known as the Buddha) once said “Do not believe anything that you’ve been told, unless it agrees with your own common sense.” The same advice applies 2,000 years later. Listen to yourself first, before you listen to the experts.
3. Be independent. Don’t rely on anyone else to tell you that something is possible, and don’t seek anyone else’s permission to do what you want. You may work synergistically within your tribe, but your sense of self does not depend on it. Your independence means that you are firmly rooted enough in your self that you don’t seek validation externally.
4. Don’t tolerate BS. A renegade may be a showman and occasionally embellish circumstances, but keeping it real always comes first. The more you give into pretense and duplicity, the more you become fake. A badass may have a flare for the dramatic, but he is by no means counterfeit.
5. Push your threshold of uncertainty. A true badass is not afraid of taking risks. Though he may have fears, he acts in spite of them. He knows that giving into fear is the mind killer. The more you give into fear, the more you give away ownership of your mind. To cultivate the renegade mindset, you must accustom yourself to act in spite of uncertainty. You’re not afraid to steer off the highway and engage in unexplored terrain.
6. Face reality head on. You don’t shirk away from responsibility. While most people are whining about their problems, you see challenges as opportunities to improve and grow.
7. Do what you want. This is crucial and really ties into the other six points. When you’ve fully embraced and in tune with your inner bad-ass, you develop a life that is incredibly awesome. You know that most rules are social agreements, so you have no problem pursuing your passions while everyone else is complaining that it’s not practical. You know that you create your own reality, so you decide what’s practical and what isn’t. You realize that doing what you want is mostly a matter of discovering an intersection of your deep passion and the world’s deep need. You find out how to use your unique gifts (strengths) and brain malfunctions (flaws) as opportunities to market yourself. You figure out ways to get paid to exist.

These are just a few of the major traits I’ve discovered of the quintessential bad-ass. Remember, even if you think you’re shy or you’re not made out for the prolific life, that’s just your ego talking.

Your inner renegade is in there, waiting to be unleashed.

This article was written by Jonathan Mead; revolutionary, raw foodist, dream coach, and prolific blogger. He is interested in unconventional paths to personal growth and advocates strange things like killing your goals. In his spare time he studies Jeet Kune Do and other ass-kicking strategies. He also wrote a pretty cool book, called Reclaim Your Dreams - An Uncommon Guide to Living on Your Own Terms.

Your hairstyle says loads about your sense of fashion and personality. And unlike clothing, you can try as many styles as you want, even the trendy ones, without creating a huge dent in your bank account.

You don’t have to go to a high-end salon to have a stylish hairstyle - a great way to take your hair to new heights is through experimentation with some quality hair products.

Forget the memories of overusing gel and making your hair hard as nails, the goal is to work with your natural hair type and adding some touches to bring out it’s best.

This article will be your simple guide to what different hair products can do for you. Experiment and find a hair styling product that gives you the style you’ve always wanted.

Hairspray

Hairspray is usually used as a finishing product, but it works great as a styling product too. It’s one of the best ways to make your hair look thicker. It also adds a nice shine to your hair - which if you use sparingly, will make your hair look healthier. If you spray it on wet hair, you can mold your hair in whatever way you like. It can also be used on styled or dry hair for a super maximum hold.

Pros: Super easy to apply, and keeps your hands free of sticky hair product.

Cons: Lots of hairsprays have a strong scent that can even overpower your cologne. Avoid these type of hairsprays. Also, if you use too much, it can make your hair very dry and crunchy - which may even flake if it’s a cheaper product.

How to apply it: Simple and easiest hair product to use – just spray it evenly across your hair (4-5 sprays max)

recommended brands:

• Sebastain Shaper Hair Spray
• Nexxus Headress Spray 4
• Paul Mitchell Fast Drying Sculpting Spray
• Folicure HairSpray (body &fullness)
• Grande finale UltraHolding Spray (Holds for weeks)

Pliable Hair Products

Pomade: Pomade works great for a flexible hold without any stiffness to it. It works best for short to medium length hair. Pomade also allows you to have a natural look while adding texture to your flat hair. It’s a great product for more stylish haircuts and for that “messy” look. Just apply a small amount to slightly damp or dry hair and style.

Waxes: Similar to pomade, but normally more aggressive and petroleum based. This product is great for lending shine and control to short cuts. Waxes are also great for those who want to manage thick hair. This product must be applied to hair that is completely dry because oil and wax don’t mix.

Muds, Fibers: A less familiar product - mud (or fiber) is used when maximum control is needed. Many muds and fibers will give a more matte finish, so they are it’s definitely worth trying for those who want that “bed head” type style. This product type is great for giving texture to short, disheveled styles and for adding separation to long styles.

Creams: Styling creams are a lot lighter and are great for controlling flyaway hair. It’s great because it gives you some control over your hair you while making you look like you have no product in your hair. If you have very fine hair, use a tiny amount to avoid a greasy look. If your hair is curly, a cream is a great option to add a healthy looking shine and keep your curls together.

Pros: Only small quantities are needed and it really gives your hair great texture. The pliable product lets you restyle your hair throughout the day.

Cons: When too much is applied, it might give your hair a greasy look.

How to apply it: Skim a small quantity onto fingers. Rub your fingers together and apply to your hair. Distribute evenly where molding is needed.

recommended brands:

• Physique Precision Pomade (excellent overall for molding and defining)
• Jack Black Pomade (Beeswax and sunflower oil give your hair shine and hold, while mango and shea butter keep your scalp clean, smooth, and moist)
• Bumble and Bumble Sumotech Styling Wax (This wax has medium grip, making it great for most styles)
• Kiehl’s Creme with Silk Groom (It provides great control but not too much hold, making it perfect for long, straight hair)
• Sebastian Crude (It’s perfect for fine-haired folks who want that disheveled look)
• Magic Move (control your frizz and great natural look)
• Gatsby Moving Rubber (Japanese hair product - great for all styles)

Mousse

Mousse is great for any hairstyle and it can create practically any desired look. When used with wet hair, it will give your hair a sleek shine. When used on dry hair, it will help shape, mold and hold your hair in place with a more natural look. Mousse can also provide volume for men with thinner or fine hair. Wear mousse on a daily basis to create a natural and easy to manipulate hairstyle.

Pros: Mousse allows you to re-style your hair throughout the day without the stickiness factor.

Cons: Quality hair mousse doesn’t come cheap and it might lack holding strength for those who need more grip.

How to use it: Shake the bottle. Dispense a small amount in one hand and apply to your hair with both hands. Style your hair to your liking and blow dry for maximum hold.

recommended brands:

• Quantum Sequence (Weightless styling foam)
• Vigorol (Super hold styling mousse)
• Jason All Natural Mousse (High performance nutrients for your hair)
• COUVRe Gel Mousse (More control and adding volume)

Gel

Gel is the most efficient product for holding your hair in place. These are normally water based and good for those who want that wet, sleek look. Gels usually come in light, firm, or strong holds. Get a lighter hold for fine hair, so that it doesn’t weight your hair down. If you have thick, course hair, then get a stronger hold because the light hold won’t hold your hair up.

Pros: It will cement your hairstyle for many hours, even in the course of heavy winds. Great for thick hair - a firm holding styling gel will give strong hold to thick hair.

Cons: A large quantity of gel is needed for many looks and you will get your hands sticky if re-styling is needed throughout the day.

How to use it: Dispense the necessary amount of gel in one hand and use both hands to rub it into your towel-dried hair. Style the hair to your liking. Blow-dry if you want maximum hold or dry naturally for a shiny look.

recommended brands:

• Paul Mitchell Extra Body Gel (flexible)
  
• Jason Hi-shine Styling gel
• Goldwell Definition Style & Shine Gel
• Hairgum Hair Dressing (Styling that protects)
• NU-U tm Freeze Gel (moisturizes and styles for days)

Go out and experiment with some new hair products until you achieve your best hairstyle. You’ll be amazed at how much a little product can make a difference!

Do you use any hair products? What’s your favorite? Share with us in the comments!

What you’ll need to put together this look:

1. Black low v-neck cardigan

2. Grey hooded v-neck sweater

3. White t-shirt

4. Grey dress pants

5. Black dress shoes

6. optional: Newsboy cap

First Impression:

Layering master.

Breakdown:

After being in New York for way too long, Jae and I are touring Asia again for some fresh fashion inspiration. Our first stop is the stylish city of Seoul in South Korea for several months, followed by the ever eccentric Tokyo in Japan.

While in Seoul, the first thing we noticed is that the street fashion here is on another level. Nearly every businessman is dressed in tailor-fit suits, and the casual style here is simply inspiring.

One of the things that differentiates the guys here is just how well they layer their outfits. So for look #12, we decided to choose a look that exhibits just that.

A lot of guys in the States tend to write off layering to heavy, winter wear. However, #12 is the perfect example of how you can layer for warmer weather with thinner pieces.

With effective layering there are a few things you want to remember:

• Think about what will create a “complete” outfit - some guys will look for each individual piece to be fancy by itself, and put it all together in a overwhelming mess. If you’re going to wear something stylish or interesting, keep the rest of the layers simple, e.g., a white undershirt, a thin hoodie, etc.
• As a rule of thumb, try not to layer with more than three colors. Otherwise, it may look too busy
• Wear your color on your outermost layer for an attractively bold look, and wear color on the inside as a chic way to add some accents to your outfit
• In the spring/summer time, use accessories like hats, scarves, a skinny tie, necklace, or even sunglasses to create a more “layered” look without getting too warm

If you want to build your layering skills, keep coming back for our style inspiration articles

Once you get the hang of it, you’ll really begin to set yourself apart from everyone else. The times when I get the most compliments is when I’ve put together a complete outfit through layering pieces together such as the example above.

Hope you enjoyed #12! Share your rating and comments below!