Patchouli: From Head Shops to High Demand
If you recognize the word “patchouli” it may conjure up visions of Grateful Dead concerts, hacky sack-playing hippies, drum circles, or perhaps a line from Al Stewart’s song, “The Year of the Cat.” This essential oil, derived from a perennial herb native to Southeast Asia, was embraced by 1960s counter-culture—whether for its reputed aphrodisiac qualities...
Modern Day Chivalry
With a generation of “selfies” and social media implosion, some may believe that the art of chivalry may be on the verge of extinction as we become increasingly obsessed with our own placement in the world. Is pulling out a chair, holding a door or offering your seat to a senior when riding public transportation...
Getting Groomed: The Hazards of Becoming a Man
Whether you’re expressing your individuality or simply practicing good hygiene, there’s one thing most men can agree on—personal grooming never goes out of style. When it was my turn to begin shaving, it took years of enduring nicks and crooked sideburns to develop a signature regimen. Although I earned a badge of honor in razor...
E“scent”ial Oils and the Craft of Handmade Soaps
Whenever a serendipitous whiff of cedar wood floats in my direction, I’m instantly taken down memory lane to a place I’ve loved ever since childhood—my family cabin in the Santa Cruz Mountains. From our favorite colognes and perfumes to trusted grooming products and soaps we use every day—aromas can play a powerful role in one’s...
A Bearded Renaissance
With approximately 25,000 hairs as hard and thick as copper wire, the almighty beard has separated men from boys throughout history. Some of the greatest leaders of all time have adorned their faces with this iconic symbol of masculinity, but where one generation perceived it as a sign of virility, dignity and higher status, the...
The Resurgence of a “Barbaric” Tradition
I’ll never forget the first time I picked up my mom’s disposable razor blade in a pathetic attempt to rid three or four pieces of fuzz above my upper lip. I was eager to join the bearded tribe and embark on the shaving rite of passage—a tradition that has been passed down since the dawn...
Reclaiming Men’s Vanity
The ebb and flow of men’s grooming is as old as the ocean’s tide. From the full beards sported in depictions from ancient Egypt to the shaving rituals of Kenya’s Masai tribe, a vast range of social symbolism and status ripples through cultures around the world. And it’s become a big business. According to a...
