Bald Noggin News

The Merkur Slant Bar - An Old Slant on a Great Shave

2009-12-15T06:10:00.000-08:00

A Few days ago a new addition to my DE Safety razor collection arrived - the Merkur Barber Pole Slant Bar model 39C.

This morning I loaded her up with a new Feather Blade and took her for a test flight on my face and apprehensive noggin’The razor itself is solid and beautifully crafted, it’s odd shaped head has a bit of a twist to it and the edge of the razor is completely exposed at a decreasing angle or slant, which I suppose explains the name “Slant”

The razor feels heavier than my Merkur HD 12C and for safety razor there’s not much that looks particularly safe about it. Up close and personal the open gape of the razor looks like a ferocious set of jaws just waiting to do some damage. But rest assured, handled with respect and care the razor is a pussy cat.

I’ve been happy with my other two Merkur razors except for two issues - the shave is never as close and stubble free as I would like and clogging is a real problem, especially when you’re in a hurry. Neither of these are a problem whatsoever with the slant bar.I had my styptic pencil out, the new Feather blade in and started with my face, neck and then a full head shave. I escaped with one small nick. The best way I can describe the experience of using this razor is - love at first shave.

The razor does all the work, literally. I used zero pressure and short strokes and could feel the hairs being sliced off effortlessly with every small pass. My confidence with the razor grew pretty quickly but I kept in mind the potential for massive blood loss and moved along slow and easy.Without question this is the best shave I’ve ever gotten from a DE razor - period.

It makes mince meat of stubborn hairs and pulverizes stubble. You still need to stretch and pull the skin taught but that has to be part and parcel with getting the best shave out of any razor or shaver you use.As for clogging, it’s pretty much clog free. I used Billy Jealousy's Hydroplane which has silicone in it and a thick viscosity, so thick I don’t use it because it clogs so much with other razors.

I would go 3-4 full passes on each side before having to give the razor a swish in water to clean it out. It’s a great time saver. I referred to this razor in a previous post as looking like a drunk Merkur HD and yes, it’s big and hefty and a little more than odd looking. But it’s quite beautiful in it’s own right and it really does a spectacular job.

Post shave my scalp felt dry and taught but I’ve noticed this happens with the Feather blades because they’re so incredibly sharp - maybe too sharp

As for the Merkur slant, I’m glad I’ve had other razors to practice with so I could build up at least a little technique. As far as excellent, barber shop shaves go you’ll be hard pressed to beat this razor - I’ve read only a straight razor shaves closer.

Like so many things in life the Merkur slant may look a little scary, but in the light of the great shave you’ll get you’ll soon realize it’s anything but.

__________________

Yes Dorothy there really is a perfect electric razor

2009-12-09T08:25:00.000-08:00

Before getting into wet shaving I always used an electric razor usually as a "pre-shave" to my swiping my face with an Atra, Mach 3 or other face shredding cartridge based drug store razor.

I've always been partial to Braun and have been using them since the stone age or in electric shaver speak - before the self cleaning systems. Two months ago I traded up from my old Braun to their new top of the line Series 7 Model 9595.

The Razor:

The Pulsonic 9595 is the only shaver in the Braun line that's still made in Germany - and the craftsmanship shows. Solid build quality, beautifully balanced, smart looking and up scale. The head of the razor pivots twice as much as any other razor in the history of the company.
Braun has long been applauded for their unique micro thin foil that has a random looking array of different size and shaped holes. On this model you get two floating heads each one flexes and moves independently of the other so the razor glides across any bumps or curves and provides a gorgeous sense of conformity.

The blades (made by Gillette) are fastened into a cutting block and cut from side to side right beneath the foil. It's like a tiny pair razor sharp scissors snapping at turbo speed.
In between the two heads is another patented Braun exclusive - the power comb. It's kind of an odd looking zig zag gizmo that runs back forth at very fast speeds, lifting stubborn, hard to reach hairs as well as any that may be trying desperately to hide from their impending fate.
If you have a moustache, beard or goatee you'll really like the pop out trimmer, it's sharp, lightening fast and at an angle that actually lets you see what you're doing.

Brauns Pulsonic Technology

10,000 pulsations per minute. May seem like a gimmick - it did to me. But after two months of use I can assure you it's not. There's a method to the madness in that the vibrations cause the hairs to stand up for easier, closer cutting. The odd thing is there's really no "sensation" on your face or head. But put this puppy on the back of your hand and those pulsations shoot along the bones right to your fingertips - the feeling is kind of like a painless electric shock.

(don't ask how I discovered this)

The Clean & Renew system

Braun claims the Pulsonic cleaning system is the most advanced and intelligent in the world. Based on my experience with it, I have to agree. There are two series of "bars" at the base of the shaver, The left is "Hygiene" and the right "Power level" (the razor holds a full charge for about an hour) The level of cleaning i.e.: economy - intense is determined by how many bars have disappeared from the gage. Trust me I've tried to outsmart it.

You can bypass the clean & Renew system by washing the shaver (head only) under running warm water, place it back in the charging stand and get a different reading. But why bother?

Using the Clean & Renew system is like waking up to a brand new razor each and every day. In researching this review I read tons of consumer reviews and was struck at the lengths some people go to trying to save money on the cleaning cartridges which run about $12 for a pack of two.

Taking out the cartridges, wrapping them in plastic wrap, using old caps from used cartridges to seal them up between cleanings - I read one where a guy keeps his in the fridge to slow down evaporation. Lunacay!

I clean my razor after every use, that's at least once a day and sometimes two. My first cartridge lasted five weeks before the indicator light to change it came on. The foil and cutter block are supposed to last 18 months - for head shavers it has to be less than half that. Replacement heads (foil and blades) cost $45 - the razor $269.00 (lower prices can be found) So it makes sense to let the cleaning system do it's thing and shell out the whopping 6 clams a month.
My take on this is like that saying about a Ferrari - if you have to ask about gas mileage you better consider buying another car.

The shave

Absolutely the smoothest , fastest , most effortless, stubble free shave I've ever experienced.

I can spend an hour using my arsenal of pre shaves and creams, my Merkur 12C HD and 23C both loaded with new (you'll cut yourself just by looking at them) Japanese Feather blades and still not get as close and stubble free of a shave as I get in ten minutes with the Braun.

The Braun doesn't replace the sensory experience and indulgence of a proper Wet Shave, But I'll tell you this the results can't be beat - especially for those times when what you don't have is time. In fact, my one complaint about the Braun is it makes it a little too easy to put off the full wet shave and just reach for the Braun even when you do have the time.

What you Get

The shaver, The charging station with the Clean & Renew system, power cord (for razor and station) one cleaning cartridge, a nifty carrying case, cleaning brush and users manual.

* There's a special going on now where they include a decent Dop kit packed with sample sizes of Gillette products like their body wash, Face wash, deodorant and so on. They also include a travel razor, the Braun Pocket-Go P-70. It's a very cool looking little electric that actually does a great job. It runs on two AA batteries which are included and the razor can be cleaned under running water.

The reviews for the P-70 are surprisingly good - a 5 on Amazon, you get it all for free right in the box - whadda deal.

For more info on the Braun Series 7 click here:

http://braun.com/us/series-shavers/series-7.html

__________________

WHAT YOU NEED FOR THE PERFECT WET SHAVE

2009-09-11T10:31:00.000-07:00

The tools you need for wet shaving.

When it comes to the art of Wet Shaving there are only a few essential ingredients. Water of course, as hot as you like and plenty of it.

You'll need a good Saftey Razor to start.

Sure, you can stick with the plastic, cheesy ones you've been buying for years. Or use your head and treat yourself to a gleaming chrome, precision made razor that will last you a life time. You'll find a great many to choose from but the best far are made by Merkur out of Germany. Their razors are gorgeous and offer a shave of unparallel quality.

If you're just starting out you might want to consider the Merkur 23C or the Merkur HD (heavy duty) Barber pole razor prices on the web at countless shopping sites, including eBay run $25 - $50 respectively. You can spend 3 times that but there is in my opinion no reason to shell out that much cash right off the bat.

It's your technique that'll make for a great shave more than buying the most expensive one you can find.

Give yourself the Brush off - The Shaving Brush explained.

Aside from the razor and blade the biggest difference between wet shaving and boring ineffective, over priced shaving is the use of a shaving brush. Badger fur or 'Badger Brushes" being the most popular, followed by Boars Bristle brushes - and if you're like me and make it a point to use cruelty free products whenever you can - today's synthetics are wonderful.

You use the brush to either apply or spread the shaving cream on your skin and you'll be blown away by not only how great it feels but the astonishing shave that will result. The brush forces water and hydrating emollients into the whisker, softening them and making them easy to cut through. A good shaving brush also exfoliates the skin each time you use it, resulting in a noticeably better, healthier looking complexion

As you browse around you'll see the prices for shaving brushes vary from $9.00 to a whopping $1,500 for a top of the line Silver tip Badger fur brush. Do they feel nice and silky soft? of course. Do the exfoliate your skin? no.
Is it worth spending that kind of money on a shaving brush?
Don't get crazy - of course not!

Wet Shaving "snobs" will tell you Badger is the only way to go. They're mistaken. A decent Boars bristle or better still a new synthetic Saving Brush from a company like Omega that offers a a their new synthetic fiber "Syntex" will knock you out in both feel and performance.

Prices range between $25 and $60 for excellent quality Synthetic Shaving brushes. They do a great job holding the hot water and allowing you to keep dipping into your now favorite and luscious shaving cream. Or use a shaving soap in mug and whip up mounds of dense rich foam just like the "ole' school" barbers do.

Something magical happens between the shaving brush, shave cream, water and razor. The experience is incredibly relaxing and the end result is pretty much shaving nirvana. Now the fun really begins as you find yourself scouring the Web for the ocean of pre-shave balms and oils, after shave moisturizers, rose waters and skin soothing after shaves.

Here are a few links to get you browsing around, these are sites I've had good experiences with, no doubt you will to:

http://www.classicshaving.com/Home.html

http://leesrazors.com/

http://shoeboxshaveshop.com/

You'll also find a ton of online forums, these are great source to read product reviews, get answers to your questions, learn new techniques - and last but not least have fun.

http://headshaveproducts.com/

http://badgerandblade.com

Is the only objective to get that perfect shave?

No, not really. But rather to just relax and savour the uxorious and quite intoxicating art of Wet Shaving from a long gone era. Don't expect the "Perfect Shave" because remember should you find it - you would miss out on your lifetime ahead to practice. The fun of it all my Friend, is in the journey and not the destination.

Next Up - Badger Shaving Brushes - the Dark Underbelly of the Wet Shaving World.

WET SHAVING EXPLAINED.

2009-09-09T13:26:00.000-07:00

Ever since the caveman first scraped a rock across his face shaving has been a part of the male grooming experience.

But even with today’s high-tech razors, lots of men still get nicks, cuts, and razor burn. A return to a more sophisticated and luxurious way to de-whisker your face and for some of us our Noggins too is becoming more popular each and every day. All for good reason, it feels fabulous and saves you a fortune on those replacement cartridges. A proper Wet Shave gives you the closest, most comfortable shave you'll ever have.

The quest for the perfect shave.

The perfect shave is what we strive for every time we bring a razor up to our skin. We chase that elusive, effortless shave that’s baby butt smooth, without skin irritation, redness - or that "yikes! my face is on fire!" feeling most guys feel is par for the course when it comes to shaving.

Why the perfect shave is so hard to achieve.

Getting a Barber shop quality shave has become a lost art. Shaving is one of those glorious traditions that used to be passed down from father to son, but somewhere along the line, when shaving became more about cheap, disposable razors and God awful shame creams, a precious legacy was lost.

Those gleaming chrome plated razors your father and grandfather used, were precision made instruments, built to last a life time. Part of the reason for this sad demise is that much like ink jet printers the profit is entirely in the replacement cartridges - they lose money on the printers
Companies like Gillette , Renton and others realized that with their razors lasting for generations, and the average cost of a DE (Double edged) razor blade being mere pennies. These fabulous razors were phased out and cheap plastic razors were introduced along with expensive cartridges that cost between $1.75 - $4.00 apiece. The rest as they say, is history.

A once glorious retreat into personal luxury was instantly transformed into a brainless, dull and often painful routine where you didn't even have to think about it. We;;, except for those dull disposable razor dragging across a thin layer of chemically drenched "shave cream". We learned to grin, wince, grimace and get it over with as fast as possible

Everything old is new again - really.
Men of all ages are discovering the lost art of Wet Shaving - no wonder it's becoming one of the hottest trends in men's grooming. As the popularity of the traditional Wet shave continues to rise, millions of men are shocked every day to discover that this “old school” method of shaving isn't only down right fun - they're getting the best shave they've had in their lives.

What is “wet shaving” and how is it different from the way most men shave today?

Wet shaving is just what the term implies, keeping your skin wet with plenty of hot water before and during the entire shave. The hot water combined with hydrating rich quality shave soaps and creams - the kind you won't find in any pharmacy or supermarket - makes for a superior shave in every possible way.

The razor glides effortlessly across your skin, instead of dragging. Gone for good is the irritation, redness, rashes, burns, in grown hairs and shaver bumps.
Wet shaving gives you a beautiful close shave day after day and better looking skin to boot.

The hot water relaxes your facial muscles - and dense creamy lather softens your whiskers like butter. Unlike shaving creams, foams, and gels on the mass market, where you're tugging on each and every hair on your face and or head these amazing old school creams and soaps slice through with the greatest of ease, giving you the closest shave imaginable without irritating your skin.

Coming up next - The tools you need for the Perfect Wet Shave

LOSING YOU HAIR DUE TO CHEMO THERAPY. WHAT YOU CAN DO.

2009-09-06T02:21:00.000-07:00

Especially for women the fear over losing her hair can top the fear of losing her life to Cancer” – Jan Ping

There are three things you need to do in a very specific order:

1) Make those cancer cells curse the day they chose you as an adversary. Go ahead, take pleasure in literally kicking their ass.

2) Accept that your hair is going to fall out - quickly and suddenly. Yes, this can be traumatic and depressing. But you have more important things to deal with now. This is not a casualty of the war your fighting. It’s not even a set back. It's one more opportunity for you to spit in the face of cancer.

3) Decide what you want. You have some great options.

For instance a hair replacement can be created to match your existing color and style perfectly. Or you might like to totally transform your look with a new style and color. Hey, this is war and if a pink Mohawk is going to make you feel better. Why the hell not?

Or maybe you just can't be bothered and could care less about being bald. Hey, it worked beautifully for Melissa Ethridge. You have options, good ones. Just pick the one that makes you feel comfortable and empowered - that’s all that matters.

What you can expect.

Hair loss from Chemo therapy isn’t subtle. It falls out in cl
umps, by the handful. It’s this experience that causes the lions share of anguish and pain. Rather than suffer through it ~ think about shaving it off ASAP.

Yes, it’ll be emotionally painful but I promise you it'll only make you feel bad for a nano second. As opposed to the ordeal of letting it drag on for weeks or months.

But prior to taking the clippers to your melon, first things first.

Demand the respect you deserve.

When you make an appointment with a Hair Replacement professional, make sure you’ll be seen in a private consultation room. My guess based on dealing with women going through Chemo related Hair Loss is that all of the better companies that serve them have private rooms.

So relax, it’s not like eating dinner at a table for one in the center of a packed restaurant, where it's a party of 100 and you with a spot gleaming down over your table. I hate that.

Tell the consultant your hair loss is due to Chemo don’t beat around the bush it serves no purpose.

This is important because the creators of your “New Hair” need to know what materials will suit you best for comfort and appearance. Remember ,Hair Salons can do little more than order you a mass produced wig. At best these will look real in a dim room at 500 paces. They’ll also be hot and uncomfortable.

Don’t bother - period.

Find a well respected Hair replacement Studio that’s easy for you to get to and hear what they have to say. To find one you can contact the American Hair loss council, a non profit association I helped to found back in the early 1980's with renowned hair loss expert and friend Michael Mahoney Http://www.ahlc.org/

The American Cancer Society has an excellent resource called the “Look good ~ feel better” program. It's a viable source for you for all kinds of information. You can find them on the web at http://www.cancer.org/ or call then directly at 1-800-395-LOOK (1-800-395-5665).

After the initial consultation is over and the vibe of the studio and people feel right to you. They’ll take plenty of measurements and possibly a template of your head. This for the base material of the replacement and ensures your new hair will fit properly and not look “wiggy”. You’ll also need to leave a deposit - standard is 50% but I’ll get to pricing in a bit.

After you’re finished up, head home and take a nap - or as I said earlier go shopping! You deserve it. Maybe throw in a massage or facial but whatever you do - doesn’t it feel fabulous to be back in control of something!

Timing ~ it really is everything

It’ll take roughly 6-9 weeks to complete your new hair system. Don’t wait until the last minute. Make an appointment and go! You have better things to do with your time now, like shop.

Want that new style and color? Start tearing pictures out of magazines, down load them from the web, or if you don’t plan on any drastic changes just bring a few photos in of yourself and your hair as you’ve always known it.

Again, doing what feels right in your heart and your head is the way to go.

Schedule a time to have a Fit!

Have all the fits you want, whenever you want, wherever you want. This is at least one benefit of having cancer. You can go crazy Mommie Dearest loco any damn time and place you feel. You’ve earned it.

But I’m talking about an appointment for your final fitting with the good people who’ve made your new hair. You’ll get a call that your Hair is ready - please don’t put it off, just go do what you have to do, you’ll thank yourself for being so pro-active yet once again.

During your visit the replacement will be fitted, cut and styled. You’ll be taught how to care for it how to put it on and how to remove it. All in all expect to spend at least two hours - and bring your spouse or a good friend along for feedback and support. Not that you’ll take their advice but it’ll make them feel important and that’s a nice thing.

A Cranial Prosthetic is infinitely better than a wig.

Hair systems created for oncology related hair loss are light, airy and fabulous. Plus it looks like the hairs are growing from your scalp just the way nature intended. The effect is quite impressive.

Wigs on the other hand can end up being loose on your head, hot and itchy and look well, "wiggy" Exceptions to the rule exist and you can search them out with the same people your dealing with for a custom hair system.

Price.

Expect to pay between $1200 - $3,000 for a top quality hand made hair system. Not cheap! But remember, unlike wigs which are machine made. These are literally works of art. Each hair has been matched to your own (or any color you like) and every single hair has been knotted into the base by hand, at the precise angle to re-create a natural growth pattern.

In fact the effect is so incredible you can pull your hair back in a pony tail, slick it back and flat, Dive off the cliffs of Hawaii and never have to worry about it coming off.

I can't stress this enough, the hairline is critical. With a well made replacement system even when pulled back your hairline should look completely natural. These hair systems are usually made with what’s called a lace front - make sure you’ve discuss this before your new hair goes into production.

The secret to getting your new hair for free - or close to it.

A few years ago, a bill was passed through Congress that forced most insurance companies to cover hair replacements when they’re needed for medically related hair loss. Average converge is between 50% and 80% of the cost. But you’ll need to do a few things first, they’re important so wake up!

Call your Insurance provider but remember do NOT use the word “Wig” You’ll need a prescription from your Oncologist for a “Cranial Prosthetic”

If the word wig appears on the prescription your insurance company will deny you - they just love doing that don’t they.

Don’t give them the chance. They view wigs as cosmetic accessories and you’ll spend precious time and energy wading through all the red tape to re submit your claim. When be both know you would rather be spending time at a Spa somewhere being pampered by a gorgeous Spa Boy named Elan who you should keep busy brining you glasses of chilled fruit juice and lemon infused water. And frequent massages in dim lit rooms.

Don’t have health Insurance? Or limited coverage?

Not to worry, if you’re a member of the 60 Million "People without health care team" like me!... I’m the treasurer. You’ll find there are plenty of places that will work with you on a sliding scale and or have interest free financing programs. Many women, like you do the right thing and donate their hair systems once their own hair has started to regrow.

And yes the rumor is true. In over 90% of Oncology related hair loss from Chemo therapy your hair really does grow back - looking infinitely more lush and gorgeous than ever before in their lives. You’ll be no exception.

Years ago I had an amazing client who told me “If I had known how fabulous my hair would have come in...I would have had cancer years ago!”

These replacements are sterilized and refurbished and available for a song - even if you’re tone deaf. Get in touch with Locks of love, they’re wonderful Although they specialize in free hair systems for children with cancer, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better organization to lead you in the right direction.

http://www.locksoflove.org/

At the end of the day.

Surround yourself with love. Seek out people and animals who make you feel better.

Avoid toxic people and situations as best you can.

Find the humor because laughter really is the best medicine so

overdose on it.

Recreate your look if you like or don’t. The choice is yours.

After all it’s never been about what’s on your head ~ but rather what’s inside of it.

Now my Dear, go kick some serious cancer ass.

YOUR VERY OWN HAIR LOSS INTREVENTION

2009-09-04T12:25:00.000-07:00

As a former hair junkie, I know how you feel. Why? you may be asking my follicular challenged friend. Because I've been there, I've walked that same filthy, desolate road that chances are, you've been skipping down yourself for far too long.

Sure, I made the midnight runs To feed my Gel, spray, anti tangle, Cream rinse, shampoo, Hair thickener addiction, I know what it's like to look check out the mane on everyone else and feel myself recoil inside with self pity and shame.

YOUR HAIR ADDITCTION IS HURTNG THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE.

You've changed and the ones who love the most aren't going to enable your addiction forever. Keep it up, with the toupees, come overs and spray on hair. Sooner or later, probably sooner - they're going to stop letting you feed this ugly, self depreciating habit and cut you loose.

You won't end up with just lousy looking hair at best - you'll end up alone.

YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOU THINK .

A part of you knows that shaving your melon is the right step to take towards helping yourself. Coming out of that hair thining closet is sapping the life force out of you - and if there's still one active brain cell kicking around in your noggin' you already know this. It's not complicated, it's the door to eternal, ever lasting Bliss.

Well, that and you'll look hotter than you can ever imagine.

So suck it up buster, grab that razor, learn how to do it right - I'll even teach you to take control of your life and and set yourself Free.

MISERY WILL ALWAYS TAKE YOU BACK.

Any recovering addict whose spent time in rehab knows this. Speaking of rehab I have to cut this short because I have group in 20 minutes and I have to stop by for med check and a urine test before dinner. But I digress.

The fact is, having a beautiful, worry free chrome dome is reversible.

If you can't stand feeling more confident, looking and feeling infinitely better - you can always go back to hair. And all the misery that comes along with it. But why would you?

Have you ever heard of anyone choosing to get back on that hair train, after they've transformed themselves into a sexual icon, a pillar of masculine confidence, a towering, empowering force of hope and new found personal strength?

Of course not.

HAIR DOESN'T WORK FOR YOU.

It hasn't for a long...long time. Your thining hair is about as attractive on you as a plate in your lower lip. I know that's harsh but like I said, I've been where you are. And I have the droopy, sagging lower lip to prove it.

It's not brain surgery my friend, or even calculus. It's a razor and some decent shave cream. And that gleaming new bald cantaloupe of yours is going to not only work for you - it's going to empower you, your entire "inner self" is going to become electric, confident and down right sensational.

Plus, it's nice to have pretty people come up and rub your head.

2009-09-03T08:37:00.000-07:00

THE SILENCE OF THE TOUPEES

(Bald version)

Hannibal Lecter: Now then, tell me. What did Miggs say to you? Multiple Miggs in the next cell. He hissed at you. What did he say?

Clarice Starling: He said, "I can smell your hair piece adhesive"

Hannibal Lecter: I see. (he sniffs deeply) I myself can not. You use Evian skin cream, and sometimes you wear L'Air du Temps, but not today. Now, After your father’s murder, you were orphaned. You were ten years old. You went to live with cousins on a toupee ranch in Montana. And…?

Clarice Starling: [tears begin forming in her eyes] And one morning, I just ran away.

Hannibal Lecter: Not “just”, Clarice. What set you off? You started at what time?

Clarice Starling: Early, still dark.

Hannibal Lecter: Then something woke you, didn’t it? Was it a dream? What was it?

Clarice Starling: I heard a strange noise.

Hannibal Lecter: What was it?

Clarice Starling: It was… screaming. Some kind of screaming, like the voice of a hair piece salesman!

Hannibal Lecter: What did you do?

Clarice Starling: I went downstairs, outside. I crept up into the barn. I was so scared to look inside, but I had to.

Hannibal Lecter: And what did you see, Clarice? What did you see?

Clarice Starling: Toupees. The Toupees were screaming.

Hannibal Lecter: They were shearing the spring toupees?

Clarice Starling: And they were screaming.

Hannibal Lecter: And you ran away?

Clarice Starling: No. First I tried to free them. I… I opened the gate to their pen, but they wouldn’t run. They were just piled there in a huge heap, confused. They wouldn’t run.

Hannibal Lecter: But you could run and you did, didn’t you?

Clarice Starling: Yes. I took one toupee, and I ran away as fast as I could.

Hannibal Lecter: Where were you going, Clarice?

Clarice Starling: I don’t know. I didn’t have any food, any water and it was very cold, very cold. I thought, I thought if I could save just one little toupee but… it was so heavy. So heavy. I didn’t get more than a few miles when the sheriff’s car picked me up. The rancher was so angry he sent me to live at the Hair Weavers orphanage in Bozeman. I never saw the ranch again.

Hannibal Lecter: What became of your toupee Clarice?

Clarice Starling: They styled him! They glued him down on some mans head.... I don't know...

Hannibal Lecter: You still wake up sometimes, don’t you Clarice? Wake up in the dark and hear the screaming of the hair salesmens voice.

Clarice Starling: Yes!

Hannibale Lecter: And you think if you save poor Katherine, you can make them stop, don’t you? You think if Katherine lives, you won’t wake up in the dark ever again to that awful screaming of the toupees.

Clarice Starling: I don’t know…. I don’t know!

Hannibal Lecter: You've been very frank. Thank you, Clarice.

End Scene

EVERY MAN JACK - GREAT BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

2009-09-01T18:44:00.000-07:00

Back in January when we bought this money pit - I mean house, I started shopping at a Target because there's one close by.

I came across a line of household soaps and cleaners called "Method" catchy packaging design and dirt cheap. To my surprise the products worked and smelled better than most anything else I had bought in the past. My supermarket also carries Method too so usually something from their line gets tossed in my cart.

Method was the brain child of 37 year old Ritch Viola. Founded on the core principle to put really excellent products into smartly designed bottles and containers and sell it at rock bottom, generic brand price points.When Target picked up the line, his cottage industry became big business and the rest is history.

Ok, why this story?

A few days ago while looking around the shaving section in Target I came across a brand called "Every man shave Gel" for $5.00 I thought two things, it's a cheap knock off of Jack Black products and it's going to be lousy. But for 5 bucks and a free chapstick style lip conditioner attached to the can - I'll try it.

Every Man Jack is a clear gel that transforms into a thick, hydrating , dense cream in seconds. I love it. The shave was hands down as good or better than anything else I've tried and the list of ingredients from what I can tell is top quality.

I Googled the brand and found it's made by the same guy who came up with "Method" and uses the same formula of first rate ingredients and simple, elegantly designed packaging that looks far more expensive then you would expect.It knocked the Caswell - Massey, Billy Jealousy Hydroplane and KOS (a favorite and great bang for your buck too) products out of the ring with exceptional performance resulting in an equally exceptional shave.

If you can't find their products locally you can order online from amazon.com, drugstore.com or their own web site everymanjack.com just to name a few. As far as I can tell all their products are a flat $5.00.Every Man Jack is priced so cheap and works so well you can't afford not to pick up and try it. I can't wait to sample the rest of their shaving line.

List of Ingredients:

Water, Palmitic Acid, Sorbitol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Sorbitan Stearate, Isopentane, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Sunflower Seed Oil Glyceride, Chamomilla Recutitat (Matricaria) Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isobutane, Dimethicone PEG-8 Benzoate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Panthenol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Triethanolamine, Hydrozy Propyl Methylcellulose, Methylisothiazolinone Phenoxyethanol.

"Never be bullied into silence.Never allow yourself to be made a victim.Accept no one's definition of your life. define yourself." ~ Harvey Fierstien

HAIR REPLACEMENT - LIES BEHIND THE HYPE.

2009-08-25T03:40:00.000-07:00

It's real human hair just like your very own!

Consider what has to be done to human hair to make it suitable for use in a hair replacement. Every hair is covered by a cuticle, this cuticle has thousands of tiny barbs that must be stripped off in an acid bath. If not the replacement hair will tangle and become completely unmanageable when wet. The acidic bath weakens the hair shaft, making it brittle with no ability to reflect light. This is why daily use of gels and shine sprays are a necessity to avoid bone dry hair - or what's known in the industry as "corpse hair".

We'll match your color and highlights perfectly!

After the cuticle is removed the hair is bleached white, weakening it even more. From this point the hair is batch dyed in popular primary colors. Using samples of your own hair the new replacement hair is matched - lighter color strands for high lites are added in a process known as "Ventilation" ( 1-6 hairs at a time are knotted by hand into the base).

The color will only coat the outside of the hair shaft. This means your new hair will begin to oxidize and fade. Expect to need your "Hair system" dyed an average of every 4-6 weeks. Once dyed say goodbye to those highlites you loved so much. Dye will color every strand the in the piece one uniform color.

Want those highlights back?

Then you'll need to have new high lites vented in. This process runs about $70 -$125 per hour(usual repairs are 2-3 hours).

We'll match the curl of your remaining hair and recreate your natural growth pattern!

Nonsense. Hair is bought by the bale and is only sorted by dominant color and length. As far as growth pattern - pieces can be vented with either a back or forward slant - period.

You can swim, sleep and shower in it!

You can also swim and shower in your best suit but that additional wear and tear is going to cost you, in appearance and repairs. Much effort goes into the selling of attachment methods. These are adhesives that come in water or solvent based liquids or tapes. Attachment is the weakest link in chain and although the advent of Bonding (gluing) the piece to the scalp is infinitely more comfortable than the old method of weaving.

Be warned, adhesives have their own problems. Perspiration and body oils will cause the adhesive to break down. As for claims that some companies make of using "Surgical Grade" adhesives this is once again nonsense.

Adhesives use potentially toxic chemicals like Ethyl Acetate and Heptane as well as Toluene which is a well known carcinogenic. If you feel you must buy a hair piece, make sure you demand 24 hour patch test to make sure you don't have an adverse reaction to the adhesive before you go ahead and have your scalp shaved slick bald and then slathered with adhesive.

Hot water, sweat, and heat can cause the bond to pull away from your scalp and the piece will need to be removed and re-bonded

* To my knowledge there isn't a single hairpiece adhesive that's been cleared by the FDA for safe, prolonged use on human tissue.

Synthetic hair!

Synthetic fibers have advantages over processed human hair. The color of the fiber extends through the entire shaft which means you won't have to worry about oxidation. Synthetics also have great memory which means the hair will hold it's wave or curl pattern for a very long time. Eliminating the frequent need for perms and body waves as with processed human hair.

On the down side, the fibers have an unnatural sheen and will frizz quickly if you sleep in your hair system. The frizz will show a sharp line of demarkation between your own hair and the replacement hair.Most Hair Replacement Studios don't like to use synthetics because they lose the revenue from coloring, perms and body waves ~ Hair club refuses to sell Synthetic for this very reason.

Aesthetically synthetics look better than processed human hair. Knowing the right synthetic to use is important too and your Hair Replacement professional should be able to explain to you say, the difference between Kanekalon and Futura - if he or she can't that should be a red flag that you might not be in the most capable of hands.

We offer the best Hollywood Lace in the Business !

Decades ago Max Factor introduced a way to vent hair into bases for the movies that were made of actual silk worm lace and the look was sensational. However the lace disintegrated quickly and many back up pieces were needed through the course of filming a single scene. Even today when a bald actor wears a piece for a film dozens of hairpieces are used. Each made for particular scenes, the getting out of the shower piece, the morning after piece,....well, you get the idea.

Today the most popular base is Polymer lace. They're extremely light and virtually disappear on your scalp. The down side is they're extremely fragile. Good lace systems are expensive the median price being $1800 on the low end and up to $5,000.

And don't forget, you'll need two pieces so you have a backup for emergencies.

Why not upgrade to Remy hair it's as close to un processed European hair as you can get!

What they're really saying is why don't you fork over another $500.

Remy hair is simply a buzz word for hair that's bundled and tied with the tips all at one end and the root end at the other. Because of this the hair is vented into the base in the proper direction - root end first. This isn't the case with standard replacement hair.

European un processed hair - is the Hope diamond of hair replacement. This hair isn't dyed nor is the cuticle removed. It looks and feels great. But it can NOT get wet or the tangles will be impossible to remove. Un processed European hair must be washed in dry cleaning solution only. European hair has it's place on the stage and screen and as you might imagine it's extremely expensive -$12,000 and up.

FAST FACTS ABOUT HAIR PIECES

Steer clear of clubs and service contracts! * Drive a hard bargain - the wholesale cost of a hairpiece is around $150.00 for custom and $85.00 for stock.

I'ts smart to Consider a stock piece. Over 90% of men with MPB ( Male Pattern Baldness) can wear a 7 X 9. That's 7" across the scalp and 9" from hairline to back. They can be tweaked at the studio to match your hair color as close as a custom piece.

99% of all hairpieces are made in china in factories that are little more than sweat shops. Hair Replacement Studios are resellers, they take a template of your head and after you leave fill out an order form. The order is sent to their vendor (middleman) who will process the order and send the specs over seas for production.

Out of the 6-8 weeks it takes to receive your custom piece, one week is dedicated to actual production.

Stock pieces on the other hand have a 24-48 hour turn around Plus, more often than not stock units have greater consistency and better quality hair. When I was creative director for Aderans (the Japanese 300 Million hair replacement giant) I wore some of the finest hair systems made in the world. Yet I still found stock systems to be of superior quality.

* Make sure you have some sort of guarantee in writing.

* Remember that ALL hair systems shed so consider the costs of repairs, hair adds and the supplies you'll need to buy.

* Check the studio out with the BBB and Google the name of the Studio followed by the word "Complaints" If the information you uncover makes you uneasy do business elsewhere.

* The average life of a hairpiece is one year providing you don't sleep in it. If you choose extended wear 2-4 weeks at a time the piece will last you a maximum of 1 - 2 months before it begins to look God awful. These systems are too delicate to repair and you'll need to replace your hair piece with a new one.

* Request to see a dry sample of the replacement hair. It's standard operating procedure to bring the sample in wet. Why? because even the worst quality hair looks great when wet. The hair plumps up, has a good sheen and feels silky. It's only a sales technique don't fall for it.

* Do yourself a favor and go for daily wear. This allows you to remove the piece at night and clean your scalp properly.

FINAL THOUGHTS.

Despite their shortfalls a well made hair piece can work well for many people. It's a matter of personal choice. If this wasn't true I wouldn't have worn one, let alone work in the industry for 20 years. But for most hair wearers the distress of losing their hair is only replaced with the distress of wearing a piece. The Hair replacement industry takes great strides to hide these less than desirable aspects of wearing a hairpiece.

That said, do your research and make an informed decision. That's the best advice I can give you. Well, that and shave your head!

And if you do shave your head, you'll never go back ~ ever. Free at last my friend, free at last.

BTW, Check out HeadBlade, INCREDIBLE products, you'll laugh reading about their stuff and should you decide to buy something put in the code 32909 and you'll get a hefty discount to boot.

__________________