What to Get Your Man for V-Day | The Healthy Beauty Project -by Todra Payne

Alright, Ladies! If you are as dumbfounded as I always am as to what to get for the men in your lives for Valentine’s Day, I’d like to present an idea! I thought of it last year, but didn’t flesh it out, and it ended up a dud of a gift, a bit like a subscription to the Jelly-of-the-Month Club. I lost a bit of credibility with my husband because of it. But this time, I’ve done my homework, tested the results, and I am pleased to share them with you so you can give your man the ultimate V-Day gift.

Let’s call it: The Gift That Keeps On Giving.

Here’s the deal: As a Healthy Beauty, I am always looking for cleaner, more natural solutions for the products we buy and the techniques we use in my home.
As I was sorting through my bathroom cabinets and kitchen pantry last year, I found a can of shaving cream. My husband’s. I went to him and said something like, “Hey, handsome! You’re too strong and masculine to be using something as dull and outdated as aerosol shaving cream…You should shave with our Bath and Body Oil. It’s almost as amazing as you are.”
(ok…I really said that the stuff was crap, and why in the world was it in my cabinet, and how could he betray our company like that?!?!

His reply…you guessed it: “Your oil doesn’t lather. I like lather.”

And that ended the dispute.

So I decided to research shaving techniques, the point of lather, and products that produce the best results. And, as always, the answer was very simple and natural. Lather is a chemical reaction between acids and alkalines. It creates surface tension, causing dirt to suspend, making it easily removable. That’s all. And it’s not necessary. The same results are produced by oil and water alone. Minus the fluffy stuff. And definitely without the fake stuff. And specifically without alcohol, which is what most of those shaving creams use, which TOTALLY dries out the skin… PLUS…you can see where the razor is shaving, which is pretty important when you consider a sharp razor is being dragged across your FACE.
With that information in mind, let’s get on to the gift. You’re going to instruct your men on how to achieve the perfect shave, every time…the natural (BEST!) way. No more bumps or 5 o’clock shadows at noon.

Here’s what you’re gonna do:

• Order your man a really nice razor. Apparently, the double-edge razors are the way to go – almost as clean a shave as a straight razor. Check ‘em out here: http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522941/6460096.htm (don’t forget to order the blades)
• Then, grab a bottle of botanical oil (we sell ours like this: http://savvyboheme.com/shop/bath-and-body-oil-grapefruit-rose-and-lime/) and a REAL facial moisturizer. No fake stuff (we have some of that, too, if you don’t know where to look.)
• If you think your guy needs a “lather transitioning”, add a badger hair brush (those are best…unless you are vegetarian, or an animal rights activist, or a badger), a good lathering bowl, and a natural soap to add to the oil. You can pick up those items here- Jolie rocks it in the soap department. http://soaptopia.com/shaving_products
• Take the following instructions and head over to Pinterest for cool ideas on how to fancy-up your presentation. I got cardstock, some black ribbon, and a stamp, and made it funky. People are doing cool things with chalkboard paint.

Print or copy these directions for your gift recipient:

Steps to the Perfect Shave:

1. Always (ALWAYS), start with warm, wet, softened skin (after shower is best). Always. (Skipping this step is the beginning of trouble.)
2. Apply the oil I gave you to your palms, and rub it onto your face. Get between the hairs REAL good. Be generous with this step…
3. If you MUST have some lather (not necessary, but old habits die hard), soak the brush in warm water for at least 30 seconds, and lather up your soap. Using the brush, apply the lather up and down, ‘round and ‘round on your shaving areas.
4. (*Secret Trick*) Using an awesome razor, place blade at top of jaw line, gently but firmly pressing blade onto skin. Pull skin taut with opposite hand, and *hold handle at 90 degree angle from jaw…not 45 degrees, like you usually do. Shave with the grain of hair growth, passing each section until complete. Rinse face with warm water.
5. Reapply oil, and now go against the grain, starting at same point. Always keep this step second, not first. That is how you guys get bumps.
6. Rinse face with cold water. Apply moisturizer. (NOT aftershave…NOT aftershave. NOT…it’s alcohol.)

And THAT’s how it’s done, handsome!

Now wrap the shaving set with the creatively presented directions, and get ready to be adored this Valentine’s Day. You will get an A +++++++ for such a brilliant idea! Just like Ralphie!