Fifty-cent Head

What do tattoos smell like?

I guess tattoos probably smell a bit gross, if you want to get down to it, and I certainly don't think most tattoo parlors smell so hot, either. But if you could take traditional tattoo art and bottle it I wonder what it would smell like?

Ed Hardy thinks he knows (or at least his marketing folks do!). Women's tattoos apparently are delectable florals (freesia, linden blossom, muguet) with a virtual fruit basket (apples, mangoes, wild strawberries, and ruby red grapefruit) layered over amber, musk, tonka bean and a splash of vanilla.
Men's tattoos, quite surprisingly, citrusy goodness (bergamot, mandarin) in a pool of cool greens (thuja, clary sage, mint julep accord) that then mellows a bit to airy sensuality (ozone, musk, sequoia forest and amber).

To me, it sounds like they just tossed in a bunch of notes and shook 'em up just to see what happened (especially the men's fragrance). What do you think!?

You can check them out for yourself at most major department stores.

For the record: I have multiple tattoos. I love the culture, so my comments above weren't meant to offend.... but let's face it: there aren't that many tattoo parlors I'd love to bottle!

Dude Review: Burt's Bees Natural Skincare for Men

Awhile ago I got a package in my hot little hands, and I was excited to see it was Burt's Bees Natural Skincare for Men. Naturally (pardon the pun) I gave it to the hubby for testing...

We both try to be as green as possible, and we're really trying to get things as natural as we can in a lot of ways. I thought this would be right up his alley... and I was right! The Natural Skin Care collection for men is a natural-ingredient line, which is awesome, and it contains no parabens, which is really awesome or completely unnecessary, depending on who tells the tale.

My husband, let's call him "Michael" ('cause that's his name) spread his testing over a few days so as to really get a feel for the products. What he tried was the Travel Kit ($13 USD), which is such a great way to test products. The kit had the following items in it:

*  Natural Skin Care for Men Cologne (.03 fl. oz.)       
* Natural Skin Care for Men Aftershave (.5 fl. oz.)       
* Natural Skin Care for Men Shave Cream (.5 fl. oz.)       
* Natural Skin Care for Men Bar Soap (1 oz.)       
* Natural Skin Care for Men Body Wash (1 fl. oz.)       
* Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm (.15 oz.)

Read on for the reviews.

Parfums Givenchy and Justin Timberlake ink fragrance deal

In a move that turns my stomach, Justin Timberlake and Parfums Givenchy make a deal to distribute a fragrance using Timberlake as the face of the product. Why does that distrurb me so? I've mentioned other celeb fragrances before and not felt so heated, and if you know me you know I don't object to Justin Timberlake.

According to Alain Lorenzo, President of Parfums Givenchy, "We're not into just signing yet another celebrity... We wanted someone that would be in tune with the story of the new perfume and also in tune with the timeless values of elegance that the brand stands for."

Well, that sounds nice, huh? The problem? Apparently Mister Timberlake had nothing to do with the creation of the fragrance or the choice of scent. "When he smelled it, his only words were 'It's cool,' Lorenzo recounted to WWD.

That is just depressing. Let's see how it develops, but if he's the "face" of the product I'm displeased. If he's simply the spokesperson then I've no problem with it.

Source

OH MY. Matthew McConaughey for The One for Men - Dolce & Gabbana

No words necessary...

Look for it - the ads and the fragrance - in March...

Tom Ford fragrances review: Black Orchid, Voile de Fleur, and Tom Ford for Men

There's probably some truth to the theory that I wanted to write this piece as an excuse to plaster pictures of Tom Ford all over my computer. OK, I realize he's not into women, and I realize he's very into himself... but all of this means nothing because he's great to look at and he's a fashion genius.

When he dreamt up his new cosmetics line, Tom Ford Beauty, he said he was creating "the first true luxury brand of the 21st century". Not modest, exactly, but exactly something you would expect from the former driving force of Gucci.

Throughout the last few years, Tom Ford Beauty has created three fragrances I want to discuss here: Black Orchid, Black Orchid Voile de Fleur, and Tom Ford for Men. Please read on for descriptions and reviews...

By the way, it's worth noting that Ford has fleshed out his scent collection with new selections that are a bit more exclusive, a bit more pricey. This portion of the line is referred to as Ford's "Private Blend" fragrances.  The collection includes  Amber Absolute, Oud Wood, Bois Rouge and Japon Noir. I've named the ones I'm most intrigued by, but I'd love to sample them all! Hopefully I can get my hands on some- and if I do, you know I'll review them for you!

Stocking Stuffers - for men

 

The men in our lives deserve some holiday love, too. I've done some legwork to come up with some small, stocking stuffer-type gift ideas for the men you know. Have any other cosmetics ideas? Any more clever non-cosmetic gifts you've spotted? Let us know in the comments...

• Demeter fragrances
  
  • To get that holiday feeling: Christmas Tree, Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, Champagne Brut, Cranberry, Fireplace, Frasier Fir, Fruitcake, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Sugar Cookies, Ginger Cookies, Mulled Cider, Myrrh
  
  
  • Because you've banned him from Guy's Nights: Gin and Tonic, Whiskey Tobacco, Cannabis Flower, Dregs, Humidor, Spring Break
  
  
  • To bring back his inner child: Earthworm, Crayon, Play Doh
  
  
  • In hopes he may take the hint and check the To-Do list: Dirt, Dust, Paint, Sawdust, Glue, Clean Windows, Grass, Grass Shears
    
  
  
  • Random scents he may find interesting/funny/attractive: Vinyl, Sushi, Lobster, Thunderstorm, Paperback, Steam Room, Waffles
  
  
  • Things you both may like- but please don't tell us why: Riding Crop, Rubber, Saddle, Leather, Redhead in Bed (it's a drink, people!)
  
  
  • It's not for me, but I won't judge: Funeral Home
  
  
  
  


• Jack Black Core Collection - Not the Jack Black of School of Rock fame. This Jack Black is a product line for men's men. The Core Collection is a 6oz Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser (a toner-cleanser combination product), 60z Beard Lube Conditioning Shave (soft and gentle pre-shave product), 3.3oz Double Duty Face Moisturizer with SPF20. $52 @ Sephora.


• Jack Black Industrial Strength Hand Healer - Non-greasy, hard-working, and rich- just like your man!  $14 @ Sephora.


• GelaSkins iPod skins - Front and back covers made of removable vinyl made by an amazing assortment of artists from Monet to Kandinsky to Munch to Nathan Ota to Escher to Brandt Peters to... well, just go check it out. There are a lot of choices.


• Go Smile Jet Set Kit - AM and PM flouride-treated toothpastes that keep your smile white. In TSA-approved sizes and a neat little case. $12 at Sephora.


• Go Smile Touch-up On The Go Smile Refresher - 5 cool little ampules of tooth whitening goodness, in Peach, Pear or Mint. $8 at Sephora.


• Darth Vader mimobot USB Flash Drive - C'mon- face it: we all know someone who "needs" this! $119.95


• FansEdge mice - Get your sports fan a computer mouse that pays tribute to his favorite pro or college team.


• Cashmere socks - OK, so socks are a cheesy gift, but these are CASHMERE. $35 at Jos A Banks.


• Leatherman tool - For whatever reason, most men love these multi-tools. I don't get it, but I don't have to. They've got all kinds of sizes and functions at various prices.


• Caramel Candy candle - Dudes like candles. At lease, the men I know do. Especially if they are food-y.  $19.50 at Bath & Body Works.



• Condom Cases - Safety first, and this is a cool way to handle things when he's hot and bothered.

  
  

• - Lush's orange- and neroli-scented shaving cream that gives a close shave and fights irritation. $19.95 @ Lush


• - A cinnamon, menthol, bay and clove solid shampoo bar that not only cleans the hair and scalp, but also stimulates hair growth. (you don't have to tell him that part) $8.75 @ Lush


• - This soap is going to wake him up and get him ready for the day with its zesty and minty smell. It's refreshing, but still manly as only anything named "Demon in the Dark" can be. $7.50 @ Lush

Thank you to gifts.com for some of the suggestions.