When I was about 15 and working my first job at a golf course, an old man named Phil told me if I used hot water while shaving, then cold water while cleaning the razor, then dry my razor afterwards with a towel, I could actually use the same blade for up to a year.  I took his advice as gospel.  My face took it as homicide.  Phil obviously did not know about The Art of Shaving.

Now that you know, here’s where you can find the items in the video…

Step 1: Prepare
The purpose of this step is to protect the skin and soften the beard, helping prevent razor burn.

The Art of Shaving Pre-Shave Oil, $22 

Step 2: Lather Up
The Art of Shaving claims that a badger hair shaving brush is essential to creating a smooth, hydrated, lather between your skin and the razor.

The Art of Shaving Pure Badger Brush, $55

The Art of Shaving Shaving Cream, $22

Step 3: Shave
You want to shave downward on your face and neck in the direction of whisker growth.  Most men’s skin is too sensitive to go against the growth – but if you must, lather up again and shave gently.

The Art of Shaving Fusion Chrome Collection Power Razor, $150

Step 4: Moisturize
Moisturizing is an essential final step to achieving the perfect shave.

The Art of Shaving After Shave Balm, $38

I was a summer baby, born in July.  It must have been the alignment in the stars because I have an innate pull toward the summer months.  As the weather begins to warm and vacations are in the last stages of planning, I am beginning to feel my favorite time of year creeping up.  Here are my Top 5 Summer Staples:

1. I always wear SPF 30 on my face.  Mineral versions like this Peter Thomas Roth powder with SPF 30 are a great alternative to heavy sunblock creams that can cause breakouts.  I used to use these sunblock creams, but after applying makeup it proved too many layers for the summer heat.  Now, I just brush this on in the morning and throw it in my purse for touch-ups as necessary!

Peter Thomas Roth Mineral Powder SPF 30

2. Chlorine can damage your hair, skin, and bathing suit.  Kiehl’s makes the best product — Swimmer’s Cleansing Rinse for your hair and body.  It’s gentle enough to use on your swimsuit, too!  It neutralizes the chemical and keeps your hair from turning green, skin from drying out, and your favorite suit from deteriorating!  If you spend your summers in the swimming pool, this is a must have. 

All-Sport Swimmer's Cleansing Rinse for Hair and Body

3. Everyone is in search for the easiest way to get that tousled, beachy wave look without looking like a sloppy mess.  I use a 1 ½” barrel curling iron and wrap 2” sections (or larger if I am in a rush) to create big, loose waves. Then I flip my head over, shake it out, finger comb, and finish off with this a few sprays Frederic Fekkai’s amazing Beach Waves Spray. It has an amazing smell, seals/protects hair from the sun, and gives you that California surfer girl look all day.

Frederic Fekkai Beach Waves

4. I am dying to get a hot new bathing suit this summer.  I’m really want to get a plunging v-neck like this halter one-piece by Carmen Marc Valvo. While it’s still very sexy and on trend, no need to worry about getting a bunch of funky tan lines across my midsection.  This suit exudes confidence and personal style — I can already envision myself cocktailing by the pool!

Carmen Marc Valvo Halter One-Piece

5. Lastly, I love this silk coverup from Diane von Furstenberg. Maxi-coverups were hot this season on the runways, and make it easy to go straight from lounging to lunch or dinner. This resort piece is hot, and the lioness in me can’t resist the leopard-print and embellishments!  If you’re not as bold, try something more subdued (but still sultry) like this tunic from Calvin Klein.

Diane von Furstenberg Leopard-Print Silk Coverup

If you’ve been planning to step up your skin care routine, try a serum.  These formulas are often superior to creams and lotions because of a greater concentration of active ingredients.  Check out our top picks for solving your skin problem:   

Juice Beauty Anti-Oxidant Serum, $45

Aging Skin
Juice Beauty Anti-Oxidant Serum, $45
This organic serum uses ingredients like Coenzyme Q10, Vitamins C, E and A and grapeseed oil in a base of grape, orange and aloe leaf juices (instead of water) to treat free radicals that break down skin and help to moisturize, plump and exfoliate skin so it looks fresh.  With 2 oz. in the bottle and only a few drops needed per application, this is a great investment for beautiful skin.  Mix four drops with moisturizer (helps with the sticky texture of serums) in the evenings as part of a natural, skin-softening regimen.

Peter Thomas Roth Hydrating Serum, $65

Dry Skin
Peter Thomas Roth Hydrating Serum, $65
With one of the highest concentrations of hyaluronic acid, this Peter Thomas Roth serum will make sure that your moisturizer is absorbed by your skin.  Using it in conjunction with a good moisturizer (serum applied first) will get rid of any dry patches and leave you with beautiful, dewy skin.  Hyaluronic acid attracts 1,000 times its weight in water, so a thin layer of serum will help your moisturizer go that extra mile.  Definitely a worthwhile buy for fans of La Mer and other pricey skin creams.

DERMAdoctor Ain’t Misbehavin’ Acne Control Serum, $45

Acne-Prone Skin
DERMAdoctor Ain’t Misbehavin’ Acne Control Serum, $45
Treat acne-prone skin with salicylic acid and tea tree oil in this light serum.  The salicylic acid will unclog pores while the tea tree oil fights the bacteria that can sneak into those pores to cause blemishes.  Ain’t Misbehavin’ also contains a botanical ingredient called Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid (NDGA) that fights hormonal breakouts and white tea to calm redness.

Bliss Peeling Groovy Facial Serum, $65

Rough Skin and Scars from Old Blemishes
Bliss Peeling Groovy Facial Serum, $65
Get the effect of microdermabrasion in one step with this Alpha Amino Acid Serum.  This formula is more gentle than glycolic peels and will let you freshen skin at a slower steadier pace (read: no red, raw skin).  Apply in the evening after removing makeup.  It may sting a little and should be kept away from the immediate eye area.  After two to three weeks of application once daily (or every other day for very sensitive skin), your skin should be noticeably brighter (thanks to the vitamin C), old scars from blemishes should be lightened and pores should be smaller.

Always patch test new products, especially if you have very sensitive skin.  Apply a thin layer of product to the inside of your elbow the night before you plan to start using your new serum to ensure you won’t have a bad reaction.

Sunscreen – We all know that prolonged sun exposure can rapidly accelerate the skin’s aging process. One of the best means of defense is a skin system with products that offer great SPF protection. Many sunscreen products now come with the added benefits of anti-aging ingredients or additional coverage.

Anti-Aging Products with Sunscreen

1. Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock SPF 90, $10.99 at Target
Boasts an amazing price tag and a sheer (read: no icky white streaks), fragrance-free moisturizing formula that combats skin-aging free radicals.

2. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20,$42 at Nordstrom
Your makeup can now do double duty! This tinted moisturizer shields skin from harmful UVB and UVA rays and hides flaws with lightweight, natural coverage all in one shot.

3. Shiseido Daytime Protective Cream SPF15, $221.95 at Cosmetic America
If you’ve got a little more change to spare, then try this luxe solution that promises to accentuate the positive (resilience and radiance) while reducing the negative (wrinkles, sagging, cellular damage and dryness).

Eye Cream - Don’t let pesky crows feet, dark circles, or wrinkles add years to your appearance. Fight back with a few key products specially formulated for this delicate area.

Anti-Aging Eye Creams

1. Burt’s Bees Naturally Ageless Eye Cream, $24.97 at Overstock.com
This emulsion is packed with natural ingredients like pomegranate and magnolia extract to aid in de-stressing tired looking eyes.

2. Olay Professional Pro-X Eye Restoration Complex, $41.99 at Dermadoctor.com
The OlayPro-X line has won rave reviews and been proven to soften the skin, diminish the look of fine lines and lighten dark circles.

3. Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lifting Eye Cream, $99 at BeautyEncounter.com
Your “no surgery required” eye lift solution helps strengthen the skin for a more firm appearance.

Face Serum – A little face firming serum now may be the way to prevent a nip/tuck situation later. Preserve your skin’s elasticity and suppleness with potent serums that lift, firm and hydrate.

Anti-Aging Serums

1. Avon Liiv Botanicals Vitalizing Face Serum, $17 at Avon
A budget friendly serum that guarantees visible improvements after just one application!

2. Sea Chi Organics Re-Hydrating Facial Serum, $69 at Nimli.com
Offers an organic solution to combat dryness and wrinkling around the neck, eyes and mouth.

3. La Mer Lifting Face Serum, $440 at Nordstrom
Restore and renew while you sleep! The La Mer brand has been a favorite among the celebrity set for years.