July Grooming Guide: Wedding Bell Gels

Thanks to New York's historic same-sex marriage victory, this year's Pride celebrations were off the hook and over the top. Of course you had fun - even if you're looking a little worse for wear. And now you have all those weddings to prepare for - and maybe even your own.

Marriage jitters? What to wear and how to prepare? Be careful what you wish for, right - because it just might come true. You wanted to walk that aisle, cameras flashing all around you. Now it's going to happen - and you'd better be ready for your close-up.

Not to worry. Relax and sink back in the sand. Close your eyes and dream of your white wedding. With a little sun and some good product, your skin will be as flawless as your smile is irrepressible. This is your moment; radiate the love.

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Alchimie Forever : Tightening Eye Contour Gel

Summer nights are long nights and some nights are all-nights - and still you have to get to the office in the morning, even if your eyes look like you took a shiner from a stop sign. We know someone who stores Alchimie Forever's Tightening Eye Contour Gel in the desk - for just that sort of occasion.

As you probably remember from secondary school (or Harry Potter), alchemy is the process of changing base metals into gold - or, metaphorically, transforming that morning-after face into something radiant and glowing.

Thanks to apple extract, Alchimie Forever's oil-free, tightening eye contour gel penetrates instantly to reduce puffiness and other signs of your nocturnal debauchery. There's also the powerful astringent, alchemilla, which minimizes undereye bags, while the addition of jojoba increases your skin's elasticity and firmness.

Founded in Switzerland, Alchimie Forever (named for the French/Persian word "kimie," meaning "alchemy") is a family business comprised of a well-known dermatologist who introduced laser technology to Europe and his biochemist wife, a specialist in anti-aging and antioxidant technology, and their four daughters.

Alchimie Forever's Tightening Eye Contour Gel also contains antioxidants derived from mat�, as well as the vitamin K from basil, and the combination immediately minimizes the look of fatigue - as well as those dark circles left over from your run-in with the stop sign.

Tuck this one into your pocket like a lip-gloss - and look radiant all summer, in spite of your hedonistic behavior.

PRICE: $45.00 / .5 fl. oz.
LINK: Alchimie Forever Tightening Eye Contour Gel

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Organic Male OM4 : Surface Refining Ph Balancer

Summer mornings can be an iffy proposition. Maybe there were car alarms or sirens through the night, and maybe your A/C was acting up, loudly - or maybe you looked in the mirror and thought there was absolutely no hope. The heat can get you down - and fray your nerves. Some mornings your face needs an extra dose of love.

One of the best things about summer is finding something cool. Organic Male OM4's Surface Refining Ph Balancer is exactly that: an anti-inflammatory, regenerative toner that's cool and comfortable as soon as it hits your face.

Listen to this list of ingredients: blueberry, pomegranate, Oregon grapes, wild cherry, red raspberry... Delicious, no? Who wouldn't want to drink that elixir, right? So think about it like this: imagine your skin absorbing all those wine extracts and anthocyanins. Think about how all those polyphenols are fighting inflammation, leaving your skin smooth and toned. Pomegranate protects against free radical damage, while witch hazel reduces inflammation. (And you know how inflamed your face can look in summer, after a restive night of fitful sleep...) As for the blueberries, if you don't know by now, they're a major superfood, high in antioxidants that help fight premature aging.

Organic Male OM4 has a simple philosophy: four steps, four minutes. That's all it takes to find your way to beautiful skin. As simple as brushing your teeth - and equally important. Easy and effective, the Organic Male OM4 system is a complete, organic skin care system, free of harmful chemicals, additives, and parabens - and every product is microblended in small batches in the Pacific Northwest.

Now really, who could resist a man - er, a product - like that?

PRICE: $35.00 / 125 ml / 4.227 fl. oz.
LINK: Organic Male OM4 Surface Refining Ph Balancer

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Caswell-Massey: 1752 Eucalyptus Exfoliating Face Wash

1752 was the year that Benjamin Franklin proved that lightning was electricity, using little more than a kite and a key. And 1752 was also the year that Great Britain changed from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian - thereby, moving from September 2nd to the 14th in the space of one day. Imagine going to sleep one night - and waking to find it was twelve days later. (Sounds like a typical weekend, right?)

With all that change afoot - aging 12 days in 24 hours! - it's no wonder that Messrs. Caswell and Massey of Newport, Rhode Island became purveyors of men's fine grooming products. Recently, the 259-year-old brand launched anew its signature 1752 collection (named after the year of the company's founding) with all-natural, recyclable grooming products.

Included in the 1752 Total Grooming Collection is the new Eucalyptus Exfoliating Face Wash, which contains natural botanicals, vitamins, and antioxidants to clean and clarify your skin with gentle exfoliation. Tea tree oil, yucca extract, and borrage all work together to exfoliate, while jojoba, aloe, chamomile, and cucumber help to condition your skin. As for the eucalyptus, this is the sort of woodsy, fresh scent that reminds you of summer camp - and your camp counselor who was eighteen and intoxicatingly beautiful.

Sold at Limelight Marketplace as well as Gracious Home in New York, and Fred Segal in Los Angeles, Caswell-Massey's 1752 Total Grooming Collection pays homage to the techniques of shaving that have been passed on since Franklin flew his kite.

Made in the USA, Caswell-Massey's brands include Lucky Tiger and Dr. Hunter's Original Remedies - and apart from personal use, these high quality products make for perfect host/ess gifts for a summer weekend.

PRICE: $18.00 / 6 fl. oz.
LINK: Caswell-Massey 1752 Eucalyptus Exfoliating Face Wash

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Every Man Jack: Face Lotion

You don't want to wear much in the summer - not even on your face. You want to roll out of bed and plunge into the surf, every morning from June through September. That's summer: nothing but you and the salty air on your skin.

On the other hand, you're not keen on the lizard look, so what you need is a nice and light summer lotion. Every Man Jack's Face Lotion is exactly what it says it is: a deeply hydrating lotion that's non-greasy - and perfect for sensitive skin.

Founded in San Francisco in 2006, Every Man Jack produces affordable, high-quality men's products that are eco-friendly and free of dyes, parabens, and other unsettling ingredients. Every Man Jack's Face Lotion contains menthyl and chamomile to soothe your slightly-burned skin, along with a healthy dose of shea butter to re-hydrate your pores - without blocking them. There's also aloe and vitamin E to help protect your skin as you linger on the beach with your summer romance.

Come to think of it, Every Man Jack Face Lotion is like one of those summer romances that you hold on to all winter long: easy on the wallet, good for the complexion.

PRICE: $6.00 / 4.2 fl oz / 125 mL
LINK: Every Man Jack Face Lotion

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