Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Interview with F*ck Inner Beauty

Hey Everyone!! So I was approached by a blog titled F*ck Inner Beauty (F.I.B. for short) to be a featured skin care and grooming guru! The feature included a short questionnaire and I wanted to share it with you here as well. My answers contain some product recommendations and might answer questions you've had yourself :) Enjoy!!


Header Ross

Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Ross (if you didn’t already know, ha!) I am a Pennsylvania native and I recently moved out to Los Angeles, California in search of my first job as a Registered Nurse and endless summers. I believe Nursing chose me as a career, as I have always had a natural drive to help others and a passion for education. Combine this with my interest in skin care (and a touch of vanity) and you have the birth of MensSkinCareWithRoss, a YouTube channel devoted to sharing straight-forward and honest skin care advice. I have been creating videos and managing my channel since 2009 and I cannot believe the amount of support and feedback I receive from my viewers. I know I am helping people and that makes it worthwhile.
How important is grooming to your overall style?
I’d be lying if I said my outward appearance was not one of my top priorities. Although I will be the first to admit my grooming practices are far more extensive than the average male, I try not to obsess about it. A person’s style is much more than physical appearance. Which is why I believe grooming habits speak to an individuals level of self-esteem and morale. A well-groomed person is self-motivated, confident, and projects positive energy. Above all, never forget “you are never fully dressed without a smile”.
 
What skincare products do you use every day?
My skin care routine is split into AM & PM (and yours should be too!) Never wash your face more than 2x per day. Here’s the breakdown:

 AM
Cleanser: Clean & Clear Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin
Moisturizer: Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 15 fragrance-free
Set with a sheer powder for a shine-free finish and overall polished look. I like Maybelline Shine-free loose powder.

 PM
Cleanser: Clean & Clear Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin
Toner: Neutrogena Alcohol-free Toner
Serum: Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum Fragrance-free
Moisturizer: CeraVe Moisturizing Face Lotion PM or Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream

What are you favourite brands and why?
Most brands have products that are great and some that should be avoided. However, there are a few brands that I trust in general. For example, the strong majority of products by Olay are either outstanding or better than average. Olay formulates their products with science in mind, ensuring that the most important ingredients are included at levels that will actually benefit your skin. Additionally, they do not use exotic ingredients as a marketing scheme unlike other brands like Kiehl’s. Other brands that I believe in are Paula’s Choice (available online only), Neutrogena, and CeraVe.

What do you think of men becoming more interested in skincare and their appearance?
I think its great! There has been an evolution in the past few years that has allowed men to be more comfortable with the concept of good skin care and grooming. Not only for the sake of their health (i.e. preventing skin cancer) but also to maintain their youth and improve their appearance! I hope my videos were able to help a very small portion of men come to this realization! There is no shame in taking good care of yourself.

What product can you not be without this festive season?
For me, the seasons are not all about changing up your skin care routine, although some individuals might find it more than necessary. I like to switch up the cologne I use every season. Right now I am loving L’Homme by Yves Saint Laurent. It has notes of amber and ginger, and is just plain sexy!

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Happy Halloween!

Well, it IS my favorite holiday of ALL-TIME and it definitely deserves a posting! Every year I feel like I spend endless amounts of time, energy, and money preparing for Halloween and all of its festivities. However, I am never left disappointed!

Last Friday, my friends and I went out in Hollywood, CA as greek gods! It was my idea to take this concept to the next level and apply FULL-BODY gold paint. It was an awesome effect....but it practically destroyed my bathroom! This was theatrical quality gold paint that I applied with a spray gun, not super expensive but quite elaborate.

Here we are on the step and repeat at Halloweenie 2012

Justin and I with the Tan Mom!!
Friday was such a fun night, but the gold paint left my skin REALLY dry. Itchy, dry skin coupled with a wicked headache was not a good experience! We decided to keep Saturday night more low key and went out as little devils. This was a cheap and easy costume, less than $10 for each of us!


You guys will have to stay tuned for tomorrow nights costume. Justin and I are going out as a famous pair Halloween night....just the unconventional version :)

btw...I shot two videos yesterday, they'll be up soon!

C-ya!

Saturday, June 30, 2012

4-in-1

Ok guys, I've been studying like a maniac in preparation for the PA state board exam for my RN license that I am taking soon, so I'm going to consolidate all of last week's "would be" posts into one!!

Music Monday

First off, I love Phoenix. Their music is soulful, groovy, and great for a rainy day in or a sunny day on the beach! Whats better than Phoenix is a GREAT cover of their hit song "1901" by Birdy. Check this out and let me know what you think!! 


Product Pick of the Week

This week's product pick is related to my latest video about the efficacy of face brushes compared to washcloths. If you haven't seen it yet here it is:


This video seemed to stir up a tiny bit of controversy!! I NEVER SAID THE CLARISONIC DOESN'T WORK!!! All I'm saying is that a washcloth or microfiber face cloth is an excellent alternative for a fraction of the cost!! ...and yes I have used the Clarisonic before, it was alright.

If you are looking for a great microfiber face cloth here are a couple great options. 

The first option is the exact face cloth that I displayed in my video, I will admit it works but the quality isn't all that great. The second option is much better quality and will get more uses:


Skin Care Tip

After washing your face, NEVER rub your towel on your face. Just pat dry. Rubbing a dry towel over a clean face causes irritation and can spread bacteria and oil from your hair onto your clean skin! 

Photo of Lilo (the most amazing cat in the world)

couldn't help myself.

Soooo everyone have a GREAT weekend!!! 


Ross

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Product Pick of the Week

My product pick this week is bound to get you some you know what! ...and no, its not a kitten...but that helps too!
She loves being in front of the camera!
For much less work, you can get the same amount attention with a great smelling fragrance! I mean who doesn't like to smell AMAZING, and believe me, when you smell great, people notice!

Here are three options that I have personally owned full-size bottles of and would recommend to anybody! Not to mention they are SUPER cheap on Amazon.com!

Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier

To me, this fragrance has strong, powdery scent. To be honest, I didn't even like it at first. HOWEVER, every time I wear this fragrance, I receive compliments, its crazy! Over time the scent really grew on me and it became one of my signature smells. Primarily, I wear it when I'm going out, not typically during the day. The person who bought it for me said it was "sex in a bottle", and he was right!! LOL


L'Homme by Yves Saint Laurent

Now THIS is a fragrance I LOVE! Unlike the one above, I wear L'Homme because it smells SO FREAKING GOOD, and I do get a compliment here and there. It has a crisp, clean fragrance with sweet notes that you are bound to love! Not overwhelming by any means, I wear this one during the day. It does wear well throughout the day and has great packaging too!



Armani Code by Georgio Armani

In terms of sophistication, this cologne hits the nail on the head! With an very subdued scent you will feel like James Bond while wearing this fragrance. Does have a slight powdery note but really its just freaking sexy! Highly recommend, great for day or night!



There you have it! Three GREAT scents that will work for ANYONE! Out of the three, my favorite it L'Homme, but I get the most compliments while wearing Le Male.

Enjoy!

Monday, June 11, 2012

Music Monday

Here's an upbeat track for ya! Dragonette creates dance music that is fun and sends out the right kind of message...a positive one! Dragonette also released a song you may be very familiar with, "Hello" featuring Martin Solveig.



I've had this one on repeat all weekend!


Love Dragonette! Here is the original track and a remix by Laidback Luke:


Ross

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Full Review of Paula's Choice Products

Considering I just posted the last video in my series of reviews on Paula's Choice products, I figured I'd wrap it all up with a blog post ...then hopefully I'll never have to talk about her products ever again! LOL

First off, here are the three videos in the series:




At the end of the day, I reason I hang on to Paula's Choice for dear life, is the concept behind her products. There are other companies that cite science as the driving force behind their products but still use it as a marketing scheme. On the other hand, Paula's Choice refuses to include ingredients that haven't been researched and proven to be beneficial for skin, additionally, the brand willingly provides the citations for each bit of research which is more than any company has ever done!

Truly, the products are reliable, effective, and live up to their claims! This also gives me, as a skin care guru, confidence in recommending products because I KNOW I am not falling prey to a marketing scheme and recommending crap products!

My ALL-TIME favorites from Paula's Choice are:

  1. Skin Balancing Moisture Gel (bought 4 bottles of it today!! It's on sale for less than $10!)
  2. Skin Balancing Cleanser
  3. 2% BHA Liquid
  4. Shine Stopper Instant Matte Finish
  5. Brighten Up 2-minute teeth whitener
If you have tried her products, I HOPE you have enjoyed them as much as I do!

Ross

Monday, June 4, 2012

Music Monday

OMG, I can't believe I almost forgot about Music Monday! To wrap up today here is an AMAZING track by Ellie Goulding. I don't know what I love about it so much, but if it doesn't string a chord in your soul than I don't know what will!


Enjoy! 

Ross

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Sweating After a Shower: The Remedy!

Isn't it the WORST when you sweat after a hot shower?!? 

You get yourself all fresh and clean, feeling like a million bucks...
Kinda like this right?!?

BUT THEN:

You dry off.....Start to get ready for the day/night......Put on your facial moisturizer.....And then you start sweating!!! 

Ugh! It's the worst! I end up feeling like this:
Not quite so fresh anymore....
This always happens to me when the summertime comes around because I still want to take a hot shower. However, I have learned the trick to prevent this from happening! ...and NO, its not just lowering the temperature of the water altogether.

Here's what you do:

  1. Take a shower as you typically would. 
  2. At the end of your shower, turn down the temp a few notches, nothing drastic, just a little cooler, and stand in the water for 45 seconds. 
  3. Then turn it down even further, again standing in that cooler water for about 45 seconds. 
  4. Finally, turn down the water temperature to COLD! Now you have to stand in the cold water for 1 whole minute! (this is key)

Not only does gradually lowering the temperature help your body cool down after the shower, it really gets the adrenaline flowing! You'll feel refreshed and ready to go after doing this and I promise you, you will not sweat (as long as you stand in the water long enough to actually cool down your body!).

It really works!

If you tried this and liked it tweet me here: http://clicktotweet.com/n88CQ

Enjoy!

Ross

Friday, June 1, 2012

Product Pick: Sunscreens for every skin type!

Considering my little run-in with the sun over Memorial Day weekend, this week's product picks are all about sun protection! The key to sunscreen is simple...you just have to USE IT! Finding a product that suits you well will help you feel more comfortable using it regularly, therefore improving the likelihood that you will actually use it and preventing this:
Super sexy, right?!
Not all sunscreens are made equally. When choosing a sunscreen, you have to consider how the texture will work with your skin type and weigh out the benefits of irritating ingredients verses adequate UV protection. Generally speaking, higher SPF sunscreen (SPF 30+) will cause more irritation without adding significantly more UV protection. Below you can match your skin type with the appropriate product! Additionally, many of the options below contain skin beneficial ingredients like antioxidants to keep your skin healthy while in the sun.

Combination Skin

  • A sunscreen with a lightweight texture will be best for you. These products are AMAZING, you won't even know you are wearing sunscreen (especially the one for your face)!


Oily Skin

  • Oily skin can be really tricky because many sunscreens have an oily texture by nature. I recommend this product by Peter Thomas Roth and follow up with a powder (that also includes SPF) that will keep your skin shine-free throughout the day. This great combination works really well for me:


Dry Skin

  • The most options exist for people with dry skin not prone to breakouts. An emollient moisturizer with sunscreen will be perfect, I recommend these products that also contain antioxidants!


Sensitive Skin

  • If you have rosacea or sensitive skin you should choose a product that uses titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide as the active ingredients. These are excellent recommendations:


Now that you have a better understanding as to why certain types of products are better for each skin type, you will be able to protect your skin from UV rays on a daily basis and feel comfortable doing it!

I hope this helps a lot!

Ross

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

How to Soothe a Sunburnt Face

I hope everyone had an AMAZING Memorial Day weekend! This was the first year I was actually able to go away for a mini vacation in Rehoboth Beach, Deleware. That beach town is absolutely pristine and I really appreciate the pride and hard work the residents put in to make it such a wonderful place.

We had such beautiful weather all weekend but I have to admit, I got a little toasted...in more ways than one! LOL  With all the sunless tanning products I use, I sometimes fool myself and forget that I have absolutely no natural protection from the sun and fail to reapply sunscreen throughout the day! This can be pretty disastrous, especially if you use retinol and retinoids that make your skin more sensitive to UV rays. This is what I woke up to this morning :(


SO I immediately prepared a great soothing face mask to help calm my sun kissed burnt skin! Here is the recipe:

Yogurt Face Mask for Sensitive & Sunburnt Skin

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Natural Yogurt (out-of-the-fridge cold)
  • I like "Fage Total" because of its rich and creamy texture.
  • 1/2 cup Oatmeal (any basic type will work)
  • Optional Ingredients
    • 2 Tablespoons Honey
    • Blended cucumber

Directions:

  1. Mix ingredients together. I like to keep the mixture cool up until the moment I use it.
  2. Rinse face with cool water, use a gentle cleanser if needed. Be sure not to scrub your skin.
  3. Apply mixture to skin for 15-20 minutes, can be used anywhere on your body!
  4. Remove mixture with a washcloth soaked in cool water, again be sure not to scrub your skin.
  5. Apply your favorite moisturizer or pure aloe vera to keep skin hydrated!
Let me know what you think! I know you will be very happy with the results! 

Enjoy!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Ross' Product Pick of the Week!

This week's product pick is a cult favorite among the skin care gurus! This peel-off facial mask by Boscia literally looks and feels like tar BUT works wonders!! The formula includes potent Vitamin C to brighten and even out skin tone, some interesting but beneficial plant extracts, and the astringent witch hazel water. Witch hazel contains great antioxidants but it can have irritating properties...that being said, a product like this is only used weekly so the witch hazel is not a concern of mine.

What makes this mask special is the clay it contains. It is based with Calcium Montmorillonite Clay which contains 67 minerals and helps remove excess dirt and oil from your skin. Ignore the "detox" claims, thats just a gimmick!

Oh, Hey!
It really does come off in one sheet! Just pull slowly.

How to use it: I apply this mask to a clean, freshly shaved face. When spreading the product, a thick layer is not need but it IS important to apply the product evenly! This way the product peels off in one whole piece. Also, avoid hair such as your eyebrows and hairline, any hair that gets stuck in the mask will be pulled on during the peel-off process, that can be painful! Allow the product to dry on your skin for about 20-30 minutes then peel away! It may feel like pulling off a band-aid at times, but that helps remove all the dead skin cells to reveal a brighter complexion! Any piece of the mask that doesn't peel off can be easily removed with a damp washcloth. I do not recommend using this mask more than once a week!

Enjoy!

Here it is on Amazon.com:


Some other products in the Boscia Black line:

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Vitamins for Great Skin: The Details

When it comes to skin care, this topic is right up my alley! Of course you can improve your skin with products applied topically, but there is a whole other side to the story: nutrition! With a healthy diet and vitamin supplementation you can make amazing impacts on your skin from the inside out! Watch this video first, then I will further discuss the benefits of each vitamin and other concepts behind my vitamin regimen:


Benefits of each vitamin supplement

  • Vitamin A
    • Sources: Fish and liver oils, milk, eggs, orange and yellow vegetables (sweet potato, carrots, etc.)
    • Benefits: Involved in cellular communication and reproduction, reduces oil production, impacts pore shape and pore lining.
    • Note: This is a fat-soluble vitamin. That means it can be stored in your body's fat cells and may build up to toxic levels. Although this is unlikely with OTC vitamins, it is still an important consideration.
  • Vitamin C
    • Sources: Citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwifruit, red & green peppers.
    • Benefits: Antioxidant, protects cells from damage from free radicals, especially UV radiation. Aids in collagen production, an important protein for wound healing and skin health.
    • Note: Water-soluble vitamin, proven to enhance immune function.
  • Vitamin E
    • Sources: Vegetable oils (sunflower, safflower oils, etc.), nuts (especially almonds!), green vegetables.
    • Benefits: Super antioxidant! Has potent antioxidant properties that protect your skin from free-radical damage. Promotes all-over skin health!
    • Note: Fat-soluble vitamin, take with meals.
  • Fish Oil
    • Sources: Fish (salmon, tuna, anchovies).
    • Benefits: Fish oil is an amazing source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids. These healthy fats allow cells to maintain a healthy shape and consistency. Fish oil also hydrates skin and reduces inflammation by promoting the production of anti-inflammatory hormones.
    • Note: Fish oil is a great supplement for overall health, it promotes a healthy heart and healthy blood vessels! An all-around winner!
  • B-Complex
    • Biotin (Vitamin B7): Helps fatty acids and also instrumental in releasing carbs. Important for healthy hair and skin.
    • Cobalamin (Vitamin B12): Assists nervous system function, formation of red blood cells.
    • Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Improves circulation. Helps body metabolise fats, carbs and proteins. Deficiency can cause acne.
    • Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6): Helps your immune system to function. Deficiency can cause acne.
    • Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): Maintains mucous membranes in the digestive tract, along with Vitamin A. Vital for healthy skin, hair and nails. Acne is one sign you are deficient in Riboflavin. 
    • Source: http://www.safesupplements.co.uk/how-can-vitaminb-complex-help-skin.html
This is a great option for Hair, Skin, & Nails. Inside the box, the bottle is transparent dark green which is OK for protecting the integrity of the vitamins, especially since the bottle is packaged and shipped inside a box.

Synergy

  • It is important to understand the concept of synergy! These vitamins will work better when taken together, than taken individually. Look at it this way: Vitamins A & E are fat-soluble, in order for your body to use them appropriately, a fat source MUST be taken at the same time. Fish oil is a great source of healthy fat and additional vitamin A. This means that taking fish oil with your other vitamins will allow them to have maximum efficacy! I typically take my vitamins with a meal but when you combine them properly, taking your supplements with food isn't always necessary. 

Product Recommendations

Monday, May 21, 2012

Back on track with Music Monday & a new video!

There's no better way to kick off the week than with a productive Monday! A sense of accomplishment is always good for the soul and keeps you motivated and focused on your goals. As today settles down, here is a jam to help you unwind. I really like the message this song is putting out there :)

John Mayer - "3x5"

Also! Check out my latest YouTube video: "Vitamins for Great Skin!" Tomorrow, I will post it here with additional discussion. 

Have a great night!

Ross

Saturday, May 5, 2012

A Quick Update!

Hey guys!!

Just want to let you all know that I haven't forgotten about you! I'm finishing up my nursing program at Thomas Jefferson University and graduating on May 14. Things are really getting down to the wire and I MUST stay focused on school for the next two weeks if I want to finish!

I am very excited for this summer, I'll be free of schoolwork and spending much more time creating videos and connecting with all of you! I have some lofty goals for MensSkinCareWithRoss including posting ~40-50 videos, I have A LOT that I want to share!

Bare with me as I wrap up school and enter the realm of eternal school loan debt. LOL I guess its my own damn fault for getting a degree, realizing that it wasn't what I really wanted, then going back to school a second time. Oh well.

Have a great weekend, its supposed to be a beautiful day here in Philadelphia tomorrow.

Ross

Monday, April 16, 2012

Music Monday :)

I really like Karmin! If you haven't heard of them, Karmin is a cover band that made it big by posting their videos on YouTube! They are incredibly talented and have an amazing way of making songs their own. Just check out this cover of a Chris Brown song, I like Karmin's version WAYYY better!


Amazing right!?!

Here's another one that is more of a "production".


Aren't they great?

I hope I was able to introduce you to something new today :)

Have a great week!

Ross