1st Use a sharp razor!!!
The rest of these tips are meaningless if you don’t get this right. what ever your flavor, Gillette Fusion, Safety Razor or Straight Edge, opening the gateway to the perfect shave starts with a sharp blade. For those who doubt this, please continue using a butter knife to cut your Porterhouse.
2nd Take a hot shower!
This will help soften your beard and help the razor more easily shave your hydrated stubble. In fact, you can shave time by shaving in the shower using a good non-fog mirror and heavy application of skin moisturizer could be your one stop shopping shaving strategy.
3rd Quality moisturizer or shaving cream:
Immediately after exiting the shower, apply moisturizer or shave cream to your face (if shaving your scalp use moisturizer).
4th Shaving technique:
Regardless of what you may have hear, for smoothest shave possible use short strokes with your razor (approximately 1.0-1.5 inches) frequently cleaning the razor free of debris under warm water after each stroke. Always shave with the grain of your beard, this should provide a close enough shave for most occasions and help against chaffing. However if you want to go closer, apply another application of shave cream or moisturizer and shave again using short strokes against the grain.
5th The finish:
Rinse your face well with cold water and apply a skin toner (not on scalp) or a light application (our preference) of skin moisturizer all over your scalp and face. Consider using a moisturizer containing SPF protection.
Everything you need to know and nothing you don’t!
All the best!
The Band of Gorillas @Gorillakilla.com
]]>Let’s break it down, we are talking essential, meaning not really a matter of opinion, so manscaping, body hair or facial hair will not be included given they all are matter of preference. One more thing, personal hygiene is not included, brushing your teeth, using deodorant and showering, we can agree that it’s a given.
Here are the 4 essentials in this order:
#1 ”Cutting your nails”
Nobody wants anything to do with someone who has not taken care of their fingernails. This is both true in your professional and personal life. Professionally, nothing is more distracting than long unkempt fingernails on a man when giving a presentation or in a meeting, no joke. In addition and as important is having your nails looking near perfect when dating. Women will notice mans nails immediately and decide right then and there if those hands will ever be in contact with her.
#2 “Trimming Nose Hair”
As plain as the nose on your face, nose hair is frequently forgotten especially with men who sport facial hair. Unsightly nose hair can sabotage an entire effort in looking good, great clothes; great hair and great shoes mean little when your nose hair is out of control. Remember to trim your nose hair at roughly the same rate you clip your nails at a minimum.
#3 “Ridding ear hair”
Ear hair falls under the profile category, particularly for those who are getting on in years. Strong chin, dope haircut, ooh noo, salt and pepper hair stemming from your lughole. Starting at around age 35 men start to grow ear hair. Ridding ear hair is crucial when dating younger. Understand, women do not mind dating older, but they don’t want to date their father. Plucking ear hair works best with a good set of tweezers, not nearly as uncomfortable as it sounds, trust us we are regulars here.
#4 “ Grooming eyebrows”
Grooming eyebrows has wide range of severance, from stray hairs to unibrows. In general we suggest you pluck your eyebrows and never use a scissors (again not as uncomfortable a it sounds). You are best off maintaining the natural line of the brow by selectively plucking as opposed to trimming can creating a hedge like effect. In the case of the unibrow, Men’ style expert Aaron Marino has an excellent video (Men’s Eyebrow Grooming) to help you out.
We said this would be simple, not to mention economical. So, stay consistent, stick to the basics and in time it will become hassle free and part of your daily regiment. Best of luck out there!
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Food residues in the mouth are the most common cause of bad breath as they instigate gum cavities and tooth decay. You can easily prevent this by improving your oral health regime. Brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day and floss after every meal. Don’t forget to scrub the tongue with every brush, and replace your toothbrush every 2-3 months.
Dry mouth promotes bacterial growth, so make sure to drink ample water throughout the day. Water cleanses the mouth and increases production of saliva, which contains anti-bacterial enzymes.
Munching on raw crunchy foods also helps keep the mouth fresh and smelling good. Most fruits, nuts, and vegetables contain compounds that kill bacteria and have a deodorizing effect. Apples, carrots, cranberries, walnuts, and celeries are a few good options.
Certain restrictive diets, such as the Keto diet can be unfavorable for oral health. Consuming too much processed/fatty foods creates toxins in the body and contributes to bad breath. Similarly, fruit juice diets may cause sugar buildup in the mouth, which encourages bacterial growth. Opt for a balanced diet that contains all seven essential nutrients, i.e. carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water.
Organic Greek yogurt is rich in probiotics, which eliminate bad bacteria and improve digestion. Eating yogurt everyday helps cleanse the gut and you will notice a drastic decline in bad breath over a few weeks.
Chewing on sugar-free gum flavored with mint, lemon, or orange is an easy way to maintain fresh breath.
Various natural herbs and spices can be chewed to override foul smell. Fennel seeds, cloves, and anise seeds have antiseptic properties. Herbs like parsley, basil, and mint contain chlorophyll that neutralizes bad odor.
Overusing alcohol based mouthwash can be damaging for the gums, and might even trigger a DUI chargewhen you blow into the Breathalyzer. Moreover, alcohol is an organic compound that lingers in the mouth; it is decomposed by bacteria, which releases a strong stench. Choose an alcohol-free mouthwash that contains zinc; zinc eradicates sulfurous compounds in the mouth that emit putrid smell.
Green tea is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer. Drink multiple cups throughout your day to keep the mouth clean and fresh. Mint or lemon flavored green tea is even better; also, you can have it hot or cold.
Certain foods like garlic, onions, canned fish, and dairy cheese are infused with strong odors that persist and become nasty (especially when consumed raw). Try to avoid these foods as much as possible.
Author Bio
John Adams is a lifestyle blogger who concentrates on health, fitness, and self-development. He encourages readers to fight their fears and overcome obstacles holding them back. He believes that every person can improve the quality of his/her life by thinking positive and making better choices. He loves to share his insight on life experiences, and contributes on various online platforms in the same niche.
]]>Please leave a comment if your experience has been different or you want to share a useful travel tip.
Safe travels!
Scissors
Carry On Bags:
“Yes” (Special Instructions)
Checked Bags:
“Yes”
(If packed in carry-on, they must be less than 4 inches from the pivot point. Any sharp objects in checked bags should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.)
The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.
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If you’re a man who puts little to no effort at all into your grooming or self-care routine, it’s definitely time to start putting yourself first. Here are some products you can utilize in your daily routine to encourage your health and happiness, while looking good doing so.
Hair Thickeners
About half of all men will start to see noticeable hair loss by the time they reach age 50, and a 1/4 will experience it by age 30. Being so common, numerous forms hair loss treatments like finasteride have flooded the online market in recent years. These products that thicken hair and slow the rate of hair loss, are available in multiple forms, from gummies and pills to topical solutions. When they make it this simple, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be considering this treatment for thinning hair.
Styling Mousse
It’s no secret that a freshly cut or styled head of hair can boost a guy’s confidence. The right hairstyle that plays on the strengths of your facial shape and bone structure can boost your attractiveness and set you apart from the rest of the pack. The best hair gels or mousses for your hair type and texture can solve hair obstacles like frizziness or stiffness. Check out a guide to men’s hair products and see if styling wax, mousse, paste, or cream will be most appropriate for you.
Beard Oils
If you have the opportunity to grow out your facial hair, beard oil is a product you should have in your medicine cabinet. The natural oils nourish beards of any length, adding shine and moisture to any beard experiencing dryness, itching or flaking. You will also be able to style your fresh, soft beard with beard oil by keeping it intact and preventing it from feeling like sandpaper. Similar to mousse, find the right beard oil for you by considering hair type and texture so you can add that extra charm to your appearance.
Moisturizers
As winter resolves and the warmer seasons are around the corner, our skin is often left dry and irritated. A simple moisturizer for men can bring a little life back to your skin by hydrating your hands, face, or lips to make skin look younger. Another benefit to moisturizers is that many times they serve as a sun protectant, so utilizing moisturizers in the form of lotions, face wash, or lip balm can protect your skin from harmful UV rays that you’ll be seeing much more of this coming spring.
Aftershave
There are plenty of reasons to invest in aftershave; one being that it removes the bacteria from the freshly shaved pores on your face, preventing breakouts. Not only that, but it also protects your susceptible pores from filling in with any additional bacteria that could encourage acne. Of course if you experience pain or sensitivity after shaving, this is a must-have product to incorporate into your grooming routine.
If you’re just discovering the benefits to some of these men’s self-care products, don’t worry. It’s never too late to switch up your grooming routine and invest in new products. This spring, make yourself a priority and strive toward better men’s self-care.
]]>Q: Can the scent of peppermint help women achieve orgasm?
A: It is said that more than any other scent, peppermint can heighten stimulation and increase the possibility of of orgasm and for women who easily reach orgasm, the scent of peppermint can help achieve multiple orgasms. It can also improve a woman’s overall mood; of course this is usually the side effect of orgasms.
Introducing Gorilla Killa Mint Lovin' Orgasmic Soap (Four 4oz. Bars)
Our soap is made with only the finest ingredients and works up to a rich lather leaving no residue on your skin, only leaving a feeling a cleanliness and a very light scent of mint that can only be detected by the ones closest to you.
Ingredients: saponified oils of sunflower*, coconut*, palm*, and safflower* (with retained glycerin); water; essential oil of peppermint; wheat grass*, barley grass*, peppermint leaf*; menthol; rosemary extract
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We are going to review why we choose the materials we use when manufacturing our products enabling us to bring you the finest grooming tools at a price that makes sense while offering a Lifetime Guarantee!
The Competition:
First, let start with the competition; our competitors overwhelmingly use Type 420 Grade Stainless Steel, this stainless steel is commonly used in Cutlery Grade (sometimes referred to Surgical Grade) for it’s ability to polish easily. Very corrosive resistant but does not hold an edge very well. I know you see “surgical grade” used to describe this and assume that must be better since that’s what a surgeon might use, surprise surgeons are on a tighter budget than anyone, sorry.
GorillaKilla.com/ApeX
Ok, to start with we need to review two types of metal we use in most of our tools along with the leather cases included with each of our grooming tools. In summary, we will touch on the manufacturing process that ultimately benefits our end user, you the customer.
With Stainless Steel, what are we looking for the following attributes:
First, our steel of choice is Type 440 Stainless Steel. Specifically, we use Type 440C Stainless Steel in all our grooming tools (also known as razorblade steel). Type 440C uses a higher carbon content for superior edge retaining qualities and only slightly lower corrosion resistance than its siblings Type 440A and 440B.
Why Brass Hardware? We use brass hardware in several of our Nose Hair Trimmers/Scissors for a couple of reasons:
Leather Cases:
Included with all ApeX Grooming Tools is leather case specifically made to best protect and carry our tools. We use top grain leather (same used in Everlast Boxing Heavy Bags and Red Wing Boots).
A brief summary of our manufacturing process:
We use CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) to help guarantee proper tool dimensions and tolerances in forging critical to performance. After our tools leave forging, they are each inspected and finished by hand and packaged.
There you have it, our manufacturing process in “Reader Digest” format. We know this is not rocket science, but it’s our mission and one that we take very seriously. Checkout the GorillaKilla difference, come visit us at www.gorillakilla.com
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A little history on serrated blades:
Syracuse resident Joseph Burns is credited with inventing the serrated knife in 1919. The inspiration came to him while using a scallop-edged glass-cutting tool, a design he thought might prove useful for cutting bread.
So, we decided one of the ways we would break away from the pack was to incorporate serrated blades into several of our nose hair trimmers. During manufacturing we quickly realized a serrated blade would add several steps to our process, hence increasing our costs; however this increased cost paid back in dividends:
1) Superior blade sharpness retention many times over straight blades using similar material.
2) Superior Control over straight blades, the scalloping of a serrated blade better hold course hair in place for easier cutting and saving time.
3) Superior for cutting thicker hair, including beard hair.
4) More reliable.
Why do we do all this? So you can have a quiet, dependable, economical and portable trimmer that’s TSA approved and always ready when you need it, that’s why!
Again, remember; “With women, cleanliness is next to godliness” we can’t say that enough.
]]>Pro’s-Quiet, Portable, Convenient, Economical
Con’s- Not so easy to use and frequently catches hairs, Ouch. It’s also a unitasker, only meant to do one thing, they say good for ear hear, but that’s an afterthought and not a very good one at that.
3) The very popular Electric Rotary Trimmers by Panasonic, Braun etc:
Pro’s- Fast, Economical, and Convenient
Con’s- Noisy, Not portable, Frequently catches hairs, Ouch and relies on electricity, replaceable batteries or charging (really, you need another thing to charge, Phones, Laptops, Tablets, Watches, Nose Hair Trimmer, don’t think so).
4) Nose Hair Trimming Scissors:
Pro’s-Portable, Quiet, Reliable, economical, No Batteries, TSA Approved, superior reach and can do more than just trim your nose hair. Even up your sideburns or trim your beard, cut fishing line, just saying.
Con’s- finding one that does all the above well and carries a Lifetime Guarantee.
Well, as luck would have it, we know exactly where to find the perfect pair that possesses all those great qualities. The ApeX Premium Nose Hair Trimmers and the ApeX Travel Nose Hair Trimmers both with serrated blades, brass hardware, carry a Lifetime Guarantee, easy to carry, quite, TSA Approved and don’t require batteries.
There you have it, a guide that can help you make an informed decision on how best handle the grooming of your nose hair and your next meeting.
And lastly, remember, “With women, cleanliness is next to godliness.”
Let’s have fewer “no, no, never” and more “yes, yes, more.”
]]>We all know when meeting customers or giving a presentation for the first or any time your credibility is being tested, not only with what you say, but, with you. Credibility is conveyed in how you present yourself and everything matters period.
So, we compiled a small list of tips that you can review every lazy Sunday evening. The good news, even if you have to act on every point, it will take you less than ten minutes:
Ok, off to the races and in no particular order:
1) Eyebrows: Big eyebrows are fine if you’re George Clooney. However, if your eyebrows become singular (as in a uni-brow) you've got a problem. Address the eyebrow hair bridge and separate the twins using a quality pair of round tip tweezers to remove the unwanted hair, but don’t over do it (See Video). Remember, plucking is the way to go, it really isn’t painful and when the hair grows back (and it will) it returns with feathered tip as opposed to a blunt hedge.
2) Nails: Need we say more, fortunately, that’s what we do. Most of us talk with our hands, hence drawing attention to our hands. What can be more distracting to an audience but to see a presenter with unkempt nails? As long as you give anyone a reason not to listen, they’ll take it.
In the case of men, we usually do not set a time aside each week to cut our nails, we tend to cut our nails after realizing they should have been cut a few days ago. Remedy, is to always carry a small Nail Clipper, ALWAYS!
3) Nose-hair & Ear- Hair: Be a mountain man on your own time, this is business and your sole mission is to clearly and concisely convey your message without distractions. Do yourself a favor and get small safety scissors to clip nose hairs. Yes, safety scissors they’re lightweight; silent and never run out of a charge or batteries. You want to be taken seriously, right?
A few more (non-grooming) tips that are worth paying attention to:
This is not only to give a great first impression, but to help build trusting and lasting relationships, gain important strategic referrals and of course to leverage all your hard work.
Work and play at your best!
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Like we’ve mentioned in past posts, women who typically get regular manicures and pedicures will also pay attention to a man’s fingernails and toenails. Remember, with women, cleanliness is next to godliness. So, if keeping your nails unkempt is your style, simply find a woman who feels the same way and you can ignore this post. Of course, before you commit to your match made in heaven, you may want to think about other ramifications that might come with neglecting nail care, let that sink in for a moment.
However, for the rest of you who have grown accustomed to walking upright and who care about their hygiene and the hygiene of others consider carrying the Pocket Nail Ninja by Gorillakilla.com. This ultra low profile TSA approved nail cutter is small enough to fit in your wallet and sharp enough to take care of not only fingernails but toenails as well. Never again get caught with unkempt fingernails, at that 4th of July event or that next corporate presentation.
So, party, present and play with confidence knowing with the Nail Ninja by Gorillakilla.com will always help you keep you looking your best!
]]>Now that we set the world straight on parental equality, let’s get something for Dad this father's day that he will not only appreciate but shows that you appreciate him for all the boring soccer games he attended, dating advice and advice on sex you never asked for, lengthy lectures where you walk away with only one point, he cares or just paying for stuff (and by stuff, I mean everything). Our Essentials Grooming Kit for Men by Gorillakilla.com! It contains three essential men’s grooming tools, Ultra Low Profile Nail Clippers, Nose Hair Trimmer and our classic ApeX Original Round Tip Tweezers all held in a manly leather tool roll for only just $60, that's nearly 40% less than buying these essential grooming tools separately, did we mention they are TSA approved and Shipping is Free Worldwide!
He’s your dad, your father or maybe he’s your best bud, but he’s still a man and he still needs to groom and look his best, help him out, he’s always helped you.
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I’ve been working out for years: running, jogging, hitting the gym, cycling. You name it. I’m in relatively good condition for my age.
Or, so I thought.
As I get older (above 40 that’s where I believe it starts) I’ve got to shake things up every now and then. I was doing a lot of those things (cycling, running, lifting) but each year I felt slightly weaker than I did the year before. It’s sort of a battle against the clock. I watched a kickboxing class and saw people working out unlike any way I’ve ever seen before.
As someone who considers himself decently in shape, I knew it was time to switch things up a bit so I gave kickboxing a try. And I can tell you, without a doubt, it’s the hardest workout I’ve ever done.
Kickboxing is amazing and I’m completely hooked.
The workout incorporates so many different routines and movements making it the perfect workout both physically and mentally. As humans, we should always be striving to push outside of our comfort zones and try new things. This not only helps build confidence and self-esteem for our personal lives, but trickles into our work life and relationships.
Here’s how kickboxing totally kicked my ass outside of my comfort zone.
Kickboxing is strength training and it’s endurance. It’s understanding your body more than ever before. It’s all about active rest at a kickboxing class. Other than a few seconds to sip some water, it’s a lot of constant movement. For instance, when you put your gloves on you don’t stand there. You do it while you run a lap.
Something that’s been said to me for ages is about letting your aggressions out. I remember being told about biking, running, jogging, kayaking: “Hey, it’s a great way to get your aggressions out.” Go hard, go long, get tired. Maybe get angry. The truth is none of those things do that at all. At. All. They’re a great way to expend energy but not aggression.
It just doesn’t happen. You might have a moment here and there but it doesn’t truly exist because we’re not inherently used to that. You know what does get your aggressions out? Punching and kicking.
Most people hear kickboxing and think combat with another person. No need to worry about that - there’s no physical contact with human beings at a kickboxing class. It’s just you and a 120lb heavy bag. You wear shorts (or tights), a shirt, and kickboxing gloves (a lighter duty glove with fingers free). That’s it.
I’m not an aerobics class expert – but I have taken them. With kickboxing you’re focused more on getting the combinations right than how tired you are and it helps you get through the time.
After my first class, at noon, I was so exhausted I thought I’d be insanely hungry. I didn’t eat the rest of the day (not recommended). I was dead. I went home and passed out. My body was in shock.
I thought I was fit. Nope. I was sweating so hard I was creating literal puddles of sweat.
The first five times I just wanted the class to end. Eventually I started to feel like they go by fast. They’re not any easier but you feed off of them. It happens in a relatively short period of time. For me it took a month. If you’re younger it might be a lot quicker.
You can’t believe how you feel after kickboxing. You feel like you’re accomplishing something. You feel the strength and the flexibility like you’re a kid again – especially if you’re above 40. Going to gyms for years or yoga you don’t necessarily feel this accomplishment.
And it’s not just strength but the confidence you gain is tremendous. Didn’t realize I could get so winded, so exhausted and stay on and keep going. The feeling and the confidence you gain is hard to measure. It’s one more arrow in your quiver of confidence builders. Remember, you’re doing it for yourself.
It’s amazing to see someone come in who’s in relatively good shape struggling and looking around like, “How are these older guys doing this?”
It’s the hardest working gym I’ve ever seen. There’s almost no socializing whatsoever. My first time some folks came up to me and said hey great workout man. So now I do that for newbies, too.
Pro Tip on Kickboxing Class
Don’t stop before they finish counting down. They are very strict about that. If anyone stops before 1 – and someone does, every class – they will go back and start the countdown over.
You can get addicted to this. If you’re not feeling reinvigorated from your workout – try kickboxing. Anything you can feel different in one month. That’s a big deal. That’s fast.
You also learn a little self-defense as a bonus.
Pro Tip on Finding a Kickboxing Class
Most places offer the same promo. $20 – three sessions and they give you a pair of gloves.
Go and see the quality of instructors. The best way is to test them out using their trial pricing before you commit to anything. See what the instructors are like and see how the classes are run.
]]>Well, being a well-groomed man is more than just how you look. It’s also how you carry yourself. A tremendous advantage to utilizing an e-bike is getting to places on time. There is no faster way to get around a city than an electric bike. It’s faster than public transit. Subways, trains, light rails, cabs, Ubers, Lyfts. It’s faster than them all. Now, that’s not to say you won’t get somewhere on time (or faster) riding a regular bike. There’s just a pretty big difference between the two bikes.
And that difference? You can get there on time without worrying about being sweaty and smelling foul. I didn’t even think about it until it happened to me when I get on an e-bike – I didn’t sweat! I used to go to business meetings on my regular bicycle and I’d have to take a towel with me to try and make myself presentable. On an electric bike you can show up to meetings (or a date!) and not appear as if you just completed the Tour de’NYC. It’s easily the biggest pro to riding an e-bike.
Wear what you want
Another advantage of being more environmentally responsible with an e-bike is that you can wear nice clothes – even fine clothes – when riding an electric bicycle. That’s not to say you can’t do the same thing on a regular pedal bicycle. However, it’s a lot more difficult because the exertion is completely different (remember how you’re not sweating anymore?). The clothes don’t need to be fitted the same way. You can wear formal clothes that aren’t really conducive to a normal bike.
You’re not going to run in a suit but you can on an e-bike. You can take an e-bike on a date and show up worry-free about being gross by the time you show up. Just the fact that you can get on one of these bikes and wear better clothes is amazing. And not only wear the clothes you want to wear for a date to give that best first impression but you’re also going to be on time, sweat-free.
And all of that is without discussing how you’re reducing your carbon footprint and being greener. You’re not being part of the problem of overcrowded public transit or roads/traffic with cars. You’re being part of the solution.
Ditch the car
We use a cargo bike here at Gorilla Killa. It’s basically a car replacement. In many cases, an e-bike can be an effort to go either car free or car ‘light’ (as in maybe you own a car but only drive it out when you travel outside of the city). For me, anything in the city – shopping, meetings, business, dates – I handle on the e-bike. If I leave the city then I get into a car via one of the many car sharing services or I use some form of public transit.
A pro to the bigger, cargo e-bike? You can show up to pick-up your date with an extra helmet, and bam! It’s a whole added level to your date. Worst case, if she’s not into it, you don’t ride. Remember it’s the thought that counts.
Getting around on a bike says a lot about you. Getting around on an e-bike says even more. You show up looking good, sweat free, and having fun.
Looking forward
Owning an e-bike shows you’re a little more flexible. A little more forward thinking. Now, look, we aren’t trying to be political but it shows you’re a caring person. Anyone who rides an e-bike – no matter which side of the political spectrum they’re on – shows what they care about. It shows that they’re part of the solution. It doesn’t make someone a tree hugger or granola cruncher or any other stereotypical term for someone who cares about the environment.
Quick caveat: An e-bike isn’t as environmentally friendly as a regular bike because you have to charge the battery. Also, it’s about 80 cents per 50 miles. The bottom line though is that it’s been proven that people who ride e-bikes ride their bikes 3-4 times more frequently than normal bike riders. They also go 3-4 times the distance because it’s that much easier to get out.
In the first two months I put 2,000 miles on mine. The frequency with which you use it makes a big impact on the surrounding community when compared to other forms of transit that stress the infrastructure.
Exercise? Yes!
Listen, at this point you’re probably thinking, but Ken, what about the exercise you get from a pedal bike? Well guess what, you can turn off the motor and still get that in without going too over the top. For instance, the places you really burn the calories and get the cardio going are completely free of stress on an e-bike. If you’ve got a hill that’s a quarter of a mile long, you’re pumping hard. On an e-bike there’s no stress because on that hill you’re doing nothing on it. It’s great! AND there are actually health benefits from e-bikes!
There’s no real comparison if your goal is exercise on a regular bicycle but if you’re commuting you might not want to exercise all the time and you might not want the level of intensity that comes with a typical bicycle. However, some say the exercise of an e-bike vs bike is actually comparable.
It’s a game changer the way people talk to you. You do get some haters. One guy said to me, “Oh, you’re cheating.” Cheating? I didn’t know we were racing. He laughed it off and said, “Good point man.”
Sure, you’re not ‘hardcore’ riding an e-bike. You’re putting cream in your coffee. But I don’t have time for that bullshit. I’ve got a meeting to get to and I can’t afford to show up like I came straight from the gym.
]]>The bottom line, no matter what, within the first ten minutes (give or take) you’re going to decide if you have something in common with a person other than just a physical attraction. If they’re not exactly what we were looking for, your personality could change that person’s look entirely.
So, let’s talk a little bit about the four essential tips for that best impression on a first date.
You’re groomed. Fingernails. Nose hairs. Your best clothes? On. Ironed.
BUT did you come with a plan of what you’re doing that evening? Does she care? Oh, and don’t forget to always have a Plan B, too.
You: Let’s get sushi!
Her: I’m allergic to raw fish.
You (Mr. Man with a Plan): Oh, well there’s a great Italian joint down the street. Let’s go!
Bring that A game as you are and be prepared. It’s OK to always give 100% of yourself. Best to give your A game on that first date than to completely not care and wonder what might have been. Don’t tone it back. Give everything you got at this moment just as you would at a job interview. It will help you in all aspects of your life. Other people will pick up on this and is critical if you really work on it.
Part of bringing your A game: making eye contact, smiling, and really listening to what the other person is saying. Those are all components of bringing your A game and that making a great initial first impression. It’s not just in how you look but how you carry yourself.
You can bring it, do everything right, and nail that initial impression with the right clothing, grooming, and the best eye contact. But if you overshare? Woof. It can just kill everything.
“Hey you look just like my ex.”
“My ex and I used to come here all the time.”
“I had the worst hemorrhoids last month.”
“I’m only staying in my parents’ basement for another month or so.”
That shit is a deal breaker all the time.
Ex talk is completely out. If they ask why you’re single keep it very simple and very brief. You don’t need to get into detail whatsoever. It’s not the purpose of this date but you don’t want to completely avoid answering that question. Additionally, when you’re asking questions or directing the conversation avoid prodding too much. Also consider…
Think about your body language when you’re asking a question. Is it an open mind or do you give off the feeling you already have the answer?
“Oh, I bet you don’t like sushi?”
Don’t act like you know a person based on what you’ve read in an online profile or what you’ve heard from mutual friends. Give them a chance to answer. Listen to how they answer and follow up with a question. Be conversational and nice. It doesn’t matter the situation you’re in. An interview. A cocktail party. Let them feel comfortable giving you an answer so you can get to know them.
When you are more honest and give them the comfort of being themselves, you break the ice a little bit.
Allow these sincere, organic conversations to occur. You do want to have fun though so sprinkle it with some laughter. Kid around a little bit – but not too much. A sense of humor is critical but don’t try some sort of stand-up routine.
Not desperate, but interested.
You want to show that you’re putting yourself out there. You’re a guy that’s fun and interesting. You have things to do and you’re going to have fun no matter what but you’re going to have fun with them, too.
“It’d be a lot of fun if we went to ____ Saturday.”
“Sometimes I go check out art exhibits on weekends. Would you like to go with me?”
They might not like the monster truck show you’re going to but, maybe they will!
One time, I suggested ice skating and she said let’s hang at my place and watch ultimate fighting. Uh, OK!
After a date, send a text the next day without appearing over eager.
“Hey I had a great time last night. Hope you did too”
You’re taking an initiative to tell them how you feel. And, listen, I don’t care what the rules of dating say over the years. You text the next day. Just keep it short. Don’t seem too eager and don’t overthink it.
DON’T SAY:
“Had a great time last night what are you doing Saturday night?”
That’s entirely too eager.
“Had a great time last night hope you did too” FULL STOP. See the difference?
If they send a text back that only says “thanks” well, that says more than enough. Time to move on.
If it’s “thanks me too!” well, then you have another chance and can ask about a second date.
These are critical points of first impressions. It’s all confidence. Appearance. Asking questions. Level of preparation (the plan, the grooming, the clothes). When you approach a person sometimes you judge them immediately by what they look like but: You. Have. To. Get. To. Know. Them.
If you see them the way they like to be seen, that’s the best. “they don’t really see me for me” - people hate that.
And, look, it’s not always going to work. Sometimes you just strike out on everything and they’re not feeling it. Pick yourself up and try again another day with someone else. Because sometimes, you just can’t get anything right.
]]>However, grooming goes beyond just its name and includes style to fitness to eating. It’s all about your presentation. Are you a well-groomed man in all aspects of life?
We specialize in tools that groom those public touch points: fingernails, nose hair, eyebrows, etc. But that’s not where men’s grooming begins and ends. It’s about being a well put together man. A well-balanced person. What does that mean to you?
When I look at myself and try to become a better, well-groomed me, I think about health. Not just how I appear but how I appear on the inside in terms of my own well-being. Is there any way I can improve that as time goes on?
To answer that question, I chose becoming vegan and understanding the benefits of that choice after having a cancer scare several months ago. (Note: I’m not saying this is the answer for everyone, but going vegan is the choice I recently made and want to share why and how with you. Double note: Luckily my cancer scare was just that but I will now be going for regular checkups and screenings.)
It’s important to mention that I’m a true carnivore. I have a love of meat like crazy.
I love steak.
I love hamburgers.
I love bacon.
I love bacon on hamburgers.
I love bacon on scallops.
I love bacon on asparagus.
I’ve received bacon candy as gifts.
This is not something I did on a whim. One of the ideas Is to help heart health by cutting out animal fats.
Anyway, when I consulted with my general practitioner and urologist about going vegan they both nodded in approval.
Becoming vegan is not something that’s automatic. I immediately thought about the food I can’t eat anymore. In the same instance I also thought: what the hell am I going to eat? What recipes am I going to make? Where can I go out to eat? There’s a lot of initial struggle.
Now, from what I can tell, there’s another thing to consider that wasn’t immediately apparent: will you be a ‘good’ vegan or a ‘healthy’ vegan?
A healthy vegan cuts out all added sugars in addition to meat and dairy. A ‘good’ vegan might do it for animal rights to cut out all animal products but might still consume added sugars and things like that. I should note you can be both a ‘good’ and ‘healthy’ vegan.
I’ve committed to being a healthy vegan and cut out added sugar completely. I don’t eat cookies, don’t put sugar in my coffee, avoid GMOs if I can help it, etc. I didn’t choose to be vegan for animal rights. I did it for my own long-term health.
Now, I say vegan because it’s easier to explain to people but I do have exceptions. I do need certain heart healthy proteins so I eat boneless and skinless sardines (their proteins provide tremendous fatty acids).
Think you have to spend a lot more time in the kitchen? Guess again. There are actually a lot of things to eat out there. Look over websites that have vegan recipes and articles on the best ways to go vegan. It takes a little bit of research on the front end, and most people can’t spend that kind of time, but it’s worth the extra effort early on.
You have to go in to veganism with a reason. You have to remember how it affects other people because it really does impact everyone around you. I wasn’t expecting that.
I recently went out to a birthday dinner with my wife and mother. I was thrilled with my vegan lasagna (with cashew cheese and sliced veggies!) but everyone else had a boring time and didn’t enjoy themselves. It sucked not only for them but for me, too. Once in a while if I have to cheat w/ a little grated cheese because of the restaurant, bar, or dinner party, I’ll just deal with it. I’ve learned that I can’t be too upset by this because there’s a need to embrace those social moments. After all, that’s why I’m doing this to begin with. To have those social moments to keep having those social moments and to have healthy social moments.
Bear in mind, you have to figure out what to make (and what you can make) on a daily basis. You can’t have hummus for every meal (although I do have a hummus recipe that is the best vegan hummus recipe you’ll ever have).
I’m not a preacher on becoming vegan, but it’s one option doctors seem to approve of. Better bloodwork. Lower cholesterol. Lower blood pressure. Belly fat. It affects all of these things.
This lifestyle change may be invisible to other people but the confidence won’t be invisible. Feeling healthier and feeling better are confidence builders that people will see. They’ll know you’re healthier. I know no one wants to hear someone preach to them about becoming vegan but I just wanted to share my story with you.
The thing I was amazed with most is how easy I was able to stop eating meat. I haven’t had this massive desire for bacon. Or steak. They still smell good and look good but I’m not dying to have them. There are some great recipes out there. I’ve fooled my entire Italian family with my completely vegan spaghetti Bolognese.
Whether you become vegan or not you should at least give it a shot to move to a healthier diet. If you decide you don’t like it, simply stop and eat what you normally do. At least you can say you tried (and you might be a little healthier for it).
]]>We believe our manual nose hair trimmers are far superior than popular electric nose hair trimmers for the following reasons: 1. Easier to use, 2. Faster trimming speed, and 3. Less effort. Compare that to a one-speed electric motor that has little to no forgiveness once you go in your nose. OUCH! Let’s also not forget there are no batteries, charging, or outlets needed. The ApeX Nose Hair Trimmers is the best grooming wingman that you can take anywhere, (including planes!). We stand behind all ApeX Grooming Tools with a lifetime guarantee!
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That’s what my father would call them. A time when men, regardless of their socio-economic status, would dress to impress whether headed to a ballgame, a boxing match, or even, yes, the airport. Hard to imagine going to an airport today and not seeing at least half the passengers dressed in a cross between pajamas and sweats while exercising their option for good hygiene.
So, what happened to the days of stepping out in a jacket, crisp shirt, tie, and great fedora? Well, it all changed with the sexual revolution and feminist movement of the sixties. The clean shave, haircut, and manicure, gave way to long hair, long beards, and short showers. You waved your anti-establishment flag in blue jeans, not slacks.
Now, I don’t want to skim over the feminist movement. All it took was for women to burn their bras, wear blue jeans, and protest wearing their mother’s dresses to give men an excuse not to dress up when going out or traveling. Hey, I love women in jeans and tees but let’s face it gentlemen: when women don’t dress to go out it’s a green light for us to throw style and grooming out the window.
So, what’s my point? Ah yes, the best-dressed and groomed man at the airport. After all these years, it’s still the venerable airline pilot. Seeing a commercial pilot at the airport is a little bit like getting in your way-back machine and experiencing the excitement of the golden age of flight. The captain strides through the airport confident, professional, and exuding security that you are in good hands. His image is his brand. Let’s face it, if a pilot showed up on your flight wearing yoga pants and a ripped t-shirt, you would be scoping out the closest exit and heading to the nearest Hertz kiosk.
This all begs the question: in these modern times can we overdress? Perhaps (although my mother would say no), but one thing is for sure, we can certainly underdress and worse, under-groom. Let’s make the decision not to. Let’s be that guy who separates himself from the herd. Let’s make an effort in every aspect of style and grooming to exude that same confidence and security of our captain and pilot. Let your image be your brand.
Lastly, remember, some things haven’t changed, women still love a well-groomed man in uniform.
]]>Eyebrows with issues.
Let’s jump right into this gentlemen.
When it comes to eyebrows, there are three primary issues: bushy eyebrows, unibrows, and over-plucked eyebrows. That last one may be the worst of all three!
Similar to other hair-infested problem areas you can have, there are several ways to rid unruly brow hair. However, unlike all the other problem areas (nose hair, ear hair, back hair), eyebrows might be the one exception where less is more. Meaning, you want to manage your eyebrows very carefully because they (yes, you should have two of them) are a significant part of your facial expressions.
Whether you’re happy, sad, or angry your eyebrows help emphasize these emotions so tread lightly on the grooming.
Our weapon of choice is the ApeX Original Round Tip Tweezers. They are uniquely designed for management and not giving you that “I just came from the salon, over-plucked look.”
For bushy eyebrows only pluck, extract, or remove those rogue or overgrown hairs. Doing this will result in a natural but well-groomed look. This is a technique that works really well so don’t over think it.
When addressing the unibrow, just remove enough hair to separate your brow into brows. Use the width of the top of your nose as a guide and don’t create a space wider than that. And, just like any other grooming time, clean off the hair from the tweezers tips between each pluck. You got this, Groucho!
]]>You’re a full-grown man.
A man with life experience. A man with wisdom. A man who’s comfortable in his own skin.
A man who has ear hair.
What? That’s right, when you start approaching forty years of age Mother Nature plays a little trick on you by liberating some of the hair on your head and freeing it to live on, or in, other parts of your body. One of those new locations is your ear.
Why does this happen? The same male hormone that causes male pattern baldness, DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), causes hair to increase growth in places like your nose, eyebrows, and you guessed it, your ear.
Excessive ear hair is just as distracting and frowned upon as having excessive nose hair or owning bushy brows. And like those afflictions, we don’t notice it until it’s too late.
First tip? Like I’ve mentioned in other “How To Men’s Grooming” pieces, dedicate a time each week to grooming. This will certainly reduce or eliminate embarrassing moments. Personally, I like Sunday night.
So, how do you get rid of unwanted ear hair? You can pluck, wax, or trim. Let’s look at each of these techniques.
Waxing
Waxing is very painful. It’s difficult to get to most of the ear hair and it leaves a less than desirable result.
Trimming
Trimming is better than waxing but it leaves a ‘cut hedge’ look. Trimming ear hair takes away the fine, natural taper of ear hair and gives the appearance of shorter, darker, and thicker hair in your ear.
Plucking
Our go-to choice is plucking. Now, before you say “not for me” I can tell you from first-hand experience that it is not painful and it’s just one of those things that sounds much worse than it really is. A major factor in pain-free plucking is the type of tweezers you use. You want to use rounded tip tweezers as opposed to normal slant nose tweezers so when you start feeling around for hairs, you are not being pinched or poked by the helpful grooming instrument itself.
With the aid of a mirror and good lighting, start gently feeling around the entrance of your ear for hairs with the tips of the tweezers. When you locate one or more hairs with the tweezers tips (you can pluck more than one hair at a time), gently but firmly squeeze the tips together and pull the hair straight out. Clean the tweezers of the newly plucked hair and repeat as needed. That’s it! Simple, not painful, and very effective!
Alright, I’ll stop bending your ear now.
]]>Like when you go home early after a hot date and wonder why something seemed off all evening. The conversation didn’t flow. Eye contact was off. Then you look in the mirror and can’t seem to tell where your nose hair stops and your mustache begins?
How do you get rid of nose hair? Simple.
The first thing you need to know about trimming nose hair is what NOT to do. You should never pluck or wax your nose hair (check it out, Dr. Oz will confirm). Your nose hair serves a purpose to help filter dirt and debris so we actually want it to still be there. We just don’t want it visible to those around us.
Now let’s begin. Using a mirror under good lighting, work the nose hair scissors tips in and around the opening of your nostrils. Carefully open the scissors blades a quarter of an inch at most and trim away all those longer, stray hairs. Next, carefully trim in and under the tip of your nose, as well as the back, and you’re done! Clean excess hair in your nose with rolled tissue (don’t roll the tissue too thick and don’t push the tissue deep into your nose). Finally, wipe down your scissors with a little rubbing alcohol and be on your way with confidence brimming from your trimming!
When should you take care of it?
Chances are you will only know when it’s too late which is why it’s best to dedicate a consistent time each week to grooming. This will certainly help reduce or eliminate embarrassing moments. I like Sunday night so I can wake up Monday morning ready to take on the world.
What should you use?
We like nose hair trimmers of the scissors variety with rounded safety tips for comfort and maneuvering in and around your nose. An electric nose hair trimmer isn’t as portable, they’re difficult to control, you can get pinched by a blade driven by an electric motor (ouch), and they can be really difficult to clean (think about that one for a moment – and you thought sharing a toothbrush was gross!). They can also run out of batteries or a charge when you need them most.
]]>Clip your nails, cut your nails. It sounds simple, right? Because it is!
Women take a proactive approach and do their nails like clockwork. Men only pay attention to their nails when they notice how shoddy they look. It’s typically right before a meeting or a date when it’s too late. That’s what you call reactive. It’s no good.
So, why do so many men go out in public with unkempt fingernails and toenails?
Well, the reason is that they don’t get an immediate gratification after cutting their nails. In fact, usually men cut their nails too short leaving them feeling uncomfortable. When you couple that with a cheap, $3.00 clipper that works like a guillotine men are left with nails feeling irritated like sore gums after a harsh cleaning at the dentist.
How do you trim your nails? Let's break it down.
Tweezers are perhaps the oldest, most popular, and most reliable grooming device still used today.
We all know the important role tweezers play when managing eyebrows, ear hair, and other areas (some you may not be as familiar with, such as plucking hair under your arms). However, our relationship with tweezers has typically been based on how well it performed the last time we enlisted its help. A sort of “what have you done for me lately?” relationship.
Today we are going to reverse that “one way street” mentality and take on what is rarely if ever addressed: best practices for using, maintaining, and caring for tweezers.
Think of it this way: It’s kind of like using a chef’s knife. If it’s not sharpened or maintained the performance diminishes greatly over a relatively short period of time depending on how often you use them.
Occasionally we receive feedback from professionals (barber shops, spas, salons, etc.) who use our tweezers all day long, seven days a week that their tweezers no longer easily grab hairs or that they cut hairs in half as opposed to plucking them from the root. Each time we look into these situations and, outside of blunt trauma like the tweezers getting stepped on, we arrive at the same conclusion: improper use of the tweezers and, more specifically, improper cleaning during and after use. Like we always say, cleanliness is next to godliness when it comes to women – the same goes for tweezers.
You see each time you pluck a hair with your tweezers, you should also remove that hair to create a clean surface on the pads for the next round of plucking. When a tip is “clogged” with hairs and hair residue (dirt, oil, etc.), you need to apply more pressure on the tip. When this happens that build up will cause an uneven balance of pressure on the tweezers tips or pads and the tips will cut the hair instead of plucking it from the root. The longer you neglect cleaning your tweezers, the harder you will need to squeeze the forceps together. The harder you squeeze the forceps over a length of time will lead to misalignment of the pads and cause permanent damage.
So, there you have it. Everything you never wanted to know (but needed to know) about tweezers best practices. The whole truth and nothing PLUCK the truth.
]]>I am offering my apologies upfront for the number of expletives.
Well, maybe, at least for this year. Listen, we’re guilty of the cliché and well-intentioned list of New Year’s resolutions just like everyone else (lose weight, learn a language, quit smoking, run a marathon). Every year we look at basically the same fucking list. But this year we want all of us to do something different.
No, we NEED to do something different.
This year let’s stop blowing smoke up each other’s asses or going the opposite route being completely belligerent. Let’s take a minute to focus on just one thing. Warning: this one thing takes a tremendous amount of effort, patience, and comes with a learning curve attached. However, you won’t sweat doing it, study hard, need to travel or have to quit smoking (although we would like you to quit) but it does take the shape of an exercise and it takes making an investment.
I know what you might be thinking, get to the fucking point. So, without further ado, here’s that one thing to do in 2017: please take a minute to listen. No, really. Listen. That’s it.
Yes, listening. An art form we seem to have lost in 2016. A year where conversations turned into debates, debates turned into arguments, and arguments turned into fights with family, friends, work associates, and strangers.
Now, let’s be honest for one goddamn minute. We all carry a quiver full of objection-handling arrows ready to fire that support our way of thinking. How many of us enter a conversation without spending a moment actually listening to the words someone is speaking and just waiting for the sound to stop coming out of that hole in the middle of their face so we can draw back our bow and take aim?
Enough is enough. Each one of us only needs one asshole in our lives.
So, let’s enter each conversation in 2017 by actually listening to the words others are saying, as opposed to only thinking about a response or retort. Let’s exercise our empathy muscle and when we listen we do so with the intent of understanding so well we might be able to explain that person’s point of view to a child.
Always keep in the back of your mind the mighty and meaningful words of Maya Angelou: “We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.”
Happy New Year!
]]>Ok, the title has some truth to it but don’t take it too far. Our ambition is to create the total package – don’t just focus on one or the other. Now that we got that out of way, know this: a confident, funny guy who is a little out of shape is getting laid far more often than the Adonis who lives at the gym and takes himself way too seriously.
That’s right, women like guys who can touch their feelings. Very similar to musicians, artists, and writers who express themselves in music, paintings, and books to win over a woman’s heart, a good sense of humor can do the same. Why?
Studies have shown the more men try to be funny and the more women respond favorably to those attempts, the more likely they are interested in dating you.
So, gentlemen, replace those soggy old pickup lines with some fresh new punch lines.
Lacking a bit of a sense of humor you say? Give your sense of humor a jumpstart by watching standup comedians and comedy movies on YouTube, Netflix, etc. Go old school by watching movies and standup starring Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy or Richard Pryor or the more contemporary movies and standup from Louis CK, Jim Gaffigan or Seth Rogen. Ere on the side of caution though and don’t start out with lewd or racy jokes. Also, understand that what you say is not nearly as critical your timing and delivery.
More importantly, remember, few girls can resist a guy with confidence and a good sense of humor who enjoys laughing and having fun!
And most importantly, make sure you are well groomed as not to distract away from your delivery.
]]>Hopefully it’s one day you won’t be celebrating if you practice the tips below!
The dreaded Friend Zone. You know the drill: it’s when you’re romantically attracted to someone while they only view you as a “friend” or “nice guy.” (Which is code for never fucking you.) This leaves you planning the great escape out of the Friend Zone and into a romance, the “boyfriend zone,” or completely moving on to greener pastures.
Don’t worry - everyone has been there at one time or another. It’s a bad place to be and difficult to escape. The best thing to do is avoid getting there in the first place.
Enter a recent GorillaKilla customer. This gentleman initially called in with a question concerning the ApeX Precision Nail Cutter included in his First Date Kit and jokingly said, “I am counting on your grooming instruments to help me stay out of the Friend Zone.”
He told us that he constantly finds himself in the Friend Zone when dating or meeting women he is interested in having a sexual relationship with. He went on to tell us that he has read several articles about staying out of the Friend Zone. These articles advised making yourself not as available or walking away and talking to other women. This shows the woman of interest that you have other options who look at you as a sexual male of boyfriend proportions.
We were flabbergasted and after some brief research we found a plethora of that advice out there.
Not making yourself available is just a trick. It’s essentially the same trick as playing hard to get. Different strategy for a different reason altogether. People are attracted to other people who are busy and have a lot going on. In other words, playing hard to get or not being too available should be because you are actually busy and you are enjoying your life and not waiting for anyone.
And as far as showing her other women find you sexually attractive, sure that is an effective way for her to maybe see you in a different light. However, let’s be honest. If you can skillfully show other women find you sexually attractive on demand, it’s most likely you would not be in the Friend Zone to begin with. So before you give up and lead a life of fapping or being the master of your domain, here are some other ways to “handle your business.”
Tackling the Friend Zone and how to stay out of it.
First, lets go over what most likely got us in the Friend Zone to begin with and what you should do to avoid it. It all starts with setting the right tone from the beginning. You see, many guys rush into asking personal questions, like where she’s from, where did she go to school or what does she do for a living, etc. Building rapport might be good for the office where you are trying to build trust, but that’s where you should leave it. Remember, you are looking for chemistry and her feeling safe but not being the trusted friend and how her birth order gave her less self worth. Start out much lighter, flirting, joking and being playful with each other. In fact, at this stage names are not even important but being cute and fun is.
Second: sexual tension, build it! You can do this with casual or playful touching (NOT GROPING). For example: lightly brushing her shoulders when taking her coat in a restaurant, lightly touching her hand when helping her in or out of a car or taxi, or when elbows lightly touch when sharing an armrest in a movie theatre. All this touching has one thing in common: lightly. Also, if she is casually touching you, don’t miss that signal. Women do not touch men they are not attracted to on some level. Touching is something you should do relatively quickly. This is key to building sexual tension and letting her know you are interested in her, romantically. You will be surprised how quickly this touching can advance things.
Next, show her how interested you are in her. Now is not the time to be shy about expressing your interest. Moving too slowly is taking one step towards the “Friend Zone.” We want to run with any chemistry you might have with her, not get comfortable, relaxing into a platonic friendship.
Finally, show her the real you, not the “you” who is trying to be liked by everyone by being silly. A sense of humor is of course important but women are looking for confidence and strength in their sexual partners, don’t forget that.
Follow these tips, don’t over think it, and most of all, be yourself and have fun!
]]>Great quote, simple, concise, and profound! If you really take those words to heart, we can almost start and finish our subject with that single thought, but we’re not. With the summer season under way, this is a perfect time to broach the subject of confidence.
Let’s dive into this by first saying as far as the general male population is concerned; most of us are walking around feeling less than confident about ourselves. Could that be possible? It’s not only possible; it’s understated. The majority of us are living our lives not feeling confident about ourselves because we fell into a slump, had a bad breakup, our boss is an ass or we are benchmarking ourselves against individuals who possess qualities that we feel we lack in ourselves.
Here are 5 Tips that you can start today and feel the results immediately:
Tip #1 - Smile!
This is going to be HUUGE! Let’s make the assumption you already know to not walk out of the house without being well groomed, practicing good hygiene, and putting some thought into what you wear (if you didn’t, you know now).
Start smiling. The physical act of smiling is scientifically proven to elevate your mood, but that’s only the start.
The big stuff comes in when you smile at strangers during routine interactions. Next time you are speaking to a stranger at the grocery store, the bank, or the coffee shop, simply smile at them while making eye contact and speaking with them (note: no shit eating creepy grins). 9 out of 10 times they will smile back at you. When they do, know you were responsible for making that person’s day a little better and trust us, it’s a great feeling and a huge confidence builder! If you are not used to smiling and making eye contact, it’s much easier to start with strangers as opposed to people you already know.
Tip #2 – Posture.
Once again, scientifically proven to boost confidence is maintaining good posture. Stand straight, shoulders back and hold your head up high when you walk or talk. Catch yourself each time you find yourself looking down at the ground. Again, this tip is simple to execute but you will feel the effects immediately! Also try to maintain good posture while sitting at your desk or while eating a meal.
Tip #3 - Speaking.
What you say matters and is worth hearing, but if you don’t believe it is neither will anyone else who’s listening. So, speak slowly, clearly, and (very important) at a volume loud enough to be heard. Mumbling gets you nowhere.
Tip #4 - Exercise and Goals.
We combined these two because they go hand in hand. Setting and achieving goals gives you a sense of accomplishment and increases your self worth. Exercising not only pumps up your muscles but also pumps up your confidence. When you exercise your body releases endorphins helping relieve stress and taking your mind off life’s everyday issues. This happens because you are taking charge and that’s a great feeling. These great feelings coupled with accomplishment boosts confidence (not to mention you’ll start to look better, too).
Tip#5 - Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone.
By trying new things you prove to yourself that you are adaptive and can take on new challenges. Having something new and engaging to share with people is exciting and admirable. And being admired builds (you guessed it) confidence. So, take a Mixology class, start Taekwondo, or learn to play the guitar. Just change it up. Oh, one more thing, only mention it to your social circle after you have started. Own making the decision to do something new!
All these tips are suggested in order to help build your confidence and ultimately become more comfortable in your own skin. That’s when you start realizing your true potential.
"Always be yourself and have faith in yourself. Do not go out and look for a successful personality and try to duplicate it." -Bruce Lee
]]>New York, NY — May 24, 2016 — Helen Keller International (HKI) is pleased to announce its partnership with quality men's grooming product manufacturer GorillaKilla to provide urgently needed tools and education for safe at home epilation practices for hundreds in Cameroon and Ethiopia suffering from blinding trachoma.
Trachoma is a chronic eye infection and the leading cause of preventable blindness in the world; an estimated 84 million people globally are in need of treatment. Repeated infection can lead to scarring of the eyelid, causing lashes to turn inward, scratch the eyeball and eventually scrape the cornea. This stage, known as trichiasis, leaves individuals to slowly and painfully blink themselves blind. Most commonly found in poverty-stricken communities with limited access to clean water and sanitation, women are 2-3 times more likely to develop trichiasis due to their role as primary caregivers of children.
While Helen Keller International is working with governments throughout Africa to increase access to affordable corrective surgeries for the condition, the backlog in many countries numbers in the thousands, leaving many forced to wait months or even years for treatment. In the meantime, some choose to manage the condition with epilation, a process in which they pluck their eyelashes to prevent scratching. While the practice is common, those in the poorest communities often cannot afford safe, sanitary instruments needed to prevent further infection and harm.
HKI has partnered with GorillaKilla in providing handcrafted, high-quality tweezers with rounded tips and instructions to targeted communities in Cameroon so that those who choose to manage the condition with epilation can do so safely.
Taking the partnership beyond typical vendor-client relationships, GorillaKilla CEO Ken Adams has been personally involved in this pilot project and become a champion of raising more awareness about trachoma.
“Once I learned about this disease—how it afflicted millions of people yet was something I’d never heard of, and how painful it was, and how many people were dealing with it every day—I had to do more than just supply the product and say good luck,” Adams recently explained. “For me, personally, as a product developer, it became about thinking ‘humanity’ as opposed to ‘vanity.’”
As part of this journey to a deeper understanding, Adams met and discussed the practice of epilation with HKI staff members and even performed epilation on himself. With this new knowledge he worked closely with HKI on everything from product testing to packaging and quality assessment.
“Everyone at GorillaKilla is involved and really dedicated to this particular product, knowing what it is for and the people who need it,” Adams said. “Our lead times have been cut in half, staff are volunteering hours, morale is increasing and we’re now working on a master craftsman program.”
One hundred fifty pairs of the round-tip tweezers are currently being tested with target communities and, based on feedback from users and program staff, GorillaKilla will continue to work with HKI to further develop the product to meet the needs of those living with trachoma in Burkina Faso, Cameroon and other countries.
“Partners with this extraordinary level of engagement are extremely valuable and align well with our mission and values,” said Dan Fiedler, HKI’s Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations. “We admire Ken’s commitment to this work, having gone from someone who knew nothing about trachoma and neglected tropical diseases to emerging as a great champion for those less fortunate who are afflicted with this terrible condition.”
About Helen Keller International
Founded in 1915, Helen Keller International’s mission is to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. HKI combats the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition by establishing programs based on evidence and research in vision, health, and nutrition. Visit www.hki.orgfor more information.
We love gorillas.
We really do. Both the kind you see on NatGeo or in a zoo and the kind you see in the wild walking around the beach without a shirt.
You see, we’re in the business of “killing” that latter gorilla. Not the animal comically depicted in King Kong.
And even though we’re trying to “kill” these beach-going gorillas or poolside gorillas, we love them! Why? Because they’re the guys we’re trying to help. They’re the ones who email us at 3 a.m. on a Saturday night after getting rejected at the bar for being “too hairy” or get rejected in the bedroom when a girl makes a dash for the door.
Now, we’re not experts in what should or should not have happened at the Cincinnati Zoo. That’s not our realm of expertise. At all. We feel terrible about the whole situation from every angle.
Unfortunately, our name is a bit touchy after the incident in Ohio. However, we’ve been around for a few years now trying to help men put their best foot forward. That’s what we know.
With that said, we most certainly are NOT behind a petition calling for the killing of all captive gorillas. That’s not us and it will never be us (unless, of course, we find ourselves in a different dimension of time a la Planet of the Apes).
RIP Harambe.
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