Karolos

For starters forget about all the hype around multi-blade cartridge razors. The modern razors are made so that after only a couple of uses the blade goes dull to make you buy a new blade cartridge (more profit for the big companies). Another popular trend is the raising price of cartridges as new models appear. Mach3 is more expensive than sensor, fusion is more expensive than all the rest.

So What Is The Best Practical Method To Shave?

The classic double edge safety razors are much better than the modern cartridge razors. A safety razor is one that uses a double edge blade. These blades are much cheaper than their modern counterparts and they also last much more.

Proper wet shaving helps your skin by removing dead cells and keeping it clean, toned and moisturized.

In order to shave right you will need a shaving cream, a brush, a safety razor, (an alum block) and a nice after shave balm (no alcohol).

Some of my recommendations are:

the Taylor’s Shaving cream

the Vulfix Super Badger Shaving Brush #2235

the Merkur 33c safety razor (use with Feather blades for best results)

For after shave you can use an ordinary balm like Nivea and enrich it with 1ml of Tea tree oil and 1ml of Lavender essential oil. These essential oils have mild antiseptic properties and they are very good for your skin health. If you have acne then they are a must have. For more aroma you can also add some sandalwood essential oil.

First wash your face with warm water. Moisten your brush with warm water and remove the excess water. Put some shaving cream on your face, and with the brush work on it to create a nice dense foam.The brush helps to create a better foam and also to raise the beard hair and prepare it for shaving.

Pour some warm water on you razor and start shaving. It is important to follow the grain so that you don’t irritate our skin and you avoid ingrown hair. Use small shaving movements and after each movement rinse your blade with water.

It is also very important to hold the razor so that the blades are kept parallel to your face.

After your are done shaving, clean your face with cold water. Cold water helps to close pores, tone your skin and avoid infections and blemishes.

If your skin gets irritates or you cut yourself then pour some water on an alum block and use it on your skin ares you want.

When your skin gets almost dry use your after shave. Don’t forget to clean your razor and your brush and then let them dry in open air.

Interesting Links:

Leisureguy’s Guide to shaving: http://leisureguy.wordpress.com/2006/07/10/a-guide-to-the-gourmet-shaving-experience/ 

Online Stores:

USA: http://www.classicshaving.com

Europe: http://www.nakedmandshop.com and  http://www.connaughtshaving.com

I have been researching bodybuilding supplements for many years, as a bodybuilding enthusiast.

Two of the best sources for  good exercise advise are hardgainer.com and exercisecertification.com

The only supplements that are worth trying IMHO are protein (whey), creatine and glutamine (for immune system).

If you are into sports and bodybuilding I am sure you’ve heard about creatine.

Creatine is very cheap so the big companies… are trying to find ways to package it in new ways and sell it for higher prices for bigger profits

There are a lot of lies about creatine right now. Every now and then a new miracle creatine product appears. Forget about all the hype.

In order to use creatine you must use the old good way of cycling.

For one week you must take creatine on empty stomach 3-5 times daily. Use 5gr of creatine (Creapure certified micronized creatine monohydrate is a very good choice) with 50gr of a  simple carb like sugar or even better dextrose, diluted in a glass of water.

After the first week use  5gr+50gr dextrose 1 hour before workout and the same amount after workout (if it’s not a workout day just take creatine twice daily).

I found a fantastic page with information about creatine myths at bodybuilding.com

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/tallon8.htm

The tea tree oil is one of the most useful  essential oils in existence.

It is a great antiseptic and it can be used for any skin problem.

Use a blend of lavender and tea tree oil for your skin (blended with a carrier oil or your face cream) and your skin will thank you for it.

I use it every day  with my after shave and it works like charm!

It is fantastic for acne related problems…

If you are not a bass freak and you want studio-quality sound go for the Grado SR-80.

You can search for reviews and awards of these fantastic headphones.

They can play everything with ease and they will satisfy you for sure.

A pocket PC is a mobile phone with a touch screen and an operating system like windows (windows ce).

The first Pocket PC I bought was an HTC Touch. It has nice features but a slow processor.

After a lot of research for the best Pocket PC I came to the conclusion that the O2 Flame is one of the best (February 2008).

It has a fantastic screen with 640×480 resolution, a 520MHz processor (fastest in Pocket PCs) and a 2MP auto-focus camera. It works with every major mobile phone carrier.

If you need GPS you will have to buy an external bluetooth GPS for 50$ (more or less).

The Glofish X800 came second as an option (it has GPS).

The I-Phone is still in beta status for me and I am eagerly awaiting a second version

I was very frustrated because of the cheap quality of modern razors.

You  use a razor like Gillette or Wilkinson (Schick) for one week and then it gets dull and you have to replace it with a new one.

Of course this means a lot of profit for these companies!!!

I made a research for the best razors and the best ways to keep them sharp longer and here is the answer:

The best way to keep a razor sharp much longer is to dry it (thoroughly) after use!!!!!!!!!! Use your towel or some tissue paper.

It is so simple that I couldn’t believe it!

If water remains on the blades it creates metal corrosion which tuns the blades dull.

If you want to keep them sharp even longer then store the razors in a dry place (not your bathroom…)

Gilette are better than Wilkinson IMHO mainly because they clog much less.