Lifestyle and luxury brands don’t tend market their products to the masses or tend to invite customers into their brand experience, but Gucci, along with a couple other luxury brands are pushing new boundaries. These are efforts worthy of applause!

While I do own many authentic Gucci pieces, I cannot buy it regularly until my financial status becomes more elevated. However, in the meantime, Gucci is keeping me engaged with their brand, and that will work wonders long-term on earning new customers and their financial outlook.

So let’s talk a little bit about this application. The application has 4 sections:

• iPhone Exclusive
• Gucci Live
• World of Gucci
• Store Locator

The iPhone Exclusive features the exclusive product marketed only through the iPhone as well as Gucci Beats, a music mixer produced by Mark Ronson with music befitting only of the Gucci brand, and Sneak Peaks, a section dedicated to new information related to the Gucci expereince (product launches, new collections, etc.)

Gucci Live features some awesome music and other rich media/video from various campaigns.

(I really want that bag!)

World of Gucci includes the latest picks from the current collections, news & events, and a little black book functioning as a city guide for all the locations where Gucci has a retail store.

The Store Locator needs no explanation.

The iPhone exclusive product offered with the launch of their iPhone app is the Gucci Ronson, a limited edition lace-up sneaker in dark blue leather and yellow canvas designed in collaboration with Mark Ronson, retailing for $530 USD. You can call 1-877-482-2410 to purchase.

Other production information:

• Gucci recommends sizing down a half size
• Special collectible packaging includes silver collector’s box with New York City map tissue paper, black nylon flannel and interlocking GG charm
• Receive an exclusive gift with purchase
• Monogramming available
• Limited one pair per customer
• All sales are final (no returns or exchanges)

To enjoy the world of Gucci on your iPhone, download from iTunes.

So what is a collar stay you ask? Collar stays are usually made from metal and inserted into the tips of your collar to keep them from bending.

Stayclip makes a patented collar stay with a hole at the top of each stay so they can be organized with the push of a button through their automatic organizer ring.

If you’re not intrigued yet, then allow me to also share that these collar stays have been specifically designed and tested to ensure they do not set off metal detectors. How cool is that?!?

The Stayclip Executive Set includes a Stayclip organizer, wall mount, eight pairs of metal collar stays in lengths of 2, 2.5, 2.75, and 3 inches, and in brush metal costs $27.95 USD.

However, your wardrobe demands finer craftsmanship, you can also order their collar stays in titanium, silver, pearl, and 24K gold with engraving options.

But if you’re like me and like to take it over the top with glimmer and sparkle, then you definitely need to check out their Signature Series with diamond encrusted collar stays.

To learn more or buy, visit Stayclip.

Steve Speirs, author of hundredpushups.com, has published an exercise program aiming to improve your strength, fitness, and general health with 100 push-ups. It’s received quite a bit of viral attention on the web. His plan includes:

• Introduction to push-ups, benefits, and various push-up exercise forms
• Initial test to asses your current fitness level and where to start in the program
• 6-week push-up exercise plan
• Final test

To ensure your success there are a number of other tools and resources available to users through his website:

• Online push-ups logger
• iPhone app
• 100 push-ups book
• 100 push-ups challenge

To learn more or get started, visit hundredpushups.com.

Once you’ve shaved your testicles, you’ll enjoy two really nice benefits. The first will be increased sensitivity and pleasure, followed by a reduction in pubic odor.

Plus, most will also find your significant other would prefer this area to be hairless; makes foreplay a little more enjoyable.

So don’t be scared by all the horror stories on the internet about shaving your balls. It’s easy, but you do need to know how to do it correctly.

What You Will Need

• Schick Quattro Titanium Shaving Razor (with the wire guards)
• Pre-Shave Oil or Jojoba Oil
• Unscented, Alcohol Free Shaving Cream
• Talcum Powder (or Balla Powder)

Step-by-Step Process

After you have gathered all the things you will need, here’s what you will need to do…

Step 1 – Do Some Trimming

Before you begin shaving, you may want to trim the long hairs  a little shorter first with an electric trimmer (I don’t recommend scissors; just don’t even introduce the risk). Cutting the hairs a little shorter will keep your razor from frequent clogging.

Step 2 – Pick a Location & Get Warm

Shaving your balls works best when your testicular region is warm and the skin is loose. The warmth will not only makes the hair soften for shaving but will provide some elasticity and flexibility as you glide the razor across your testicles.

Warm up your body by taking a shower, bath, or wrapping a warm towel around you for a few minutes. Most guys shave their balls when they are in the shower or while taking a bath.

Shaving your balls while you take a bath is probably the easiest and safest method because:

1. You can rinse your razor quickly and easily in your bath water
2. You can easily stabilize your your body, back, and hands against the surface of the tub preventing any slippage
3. You can soak in warm water before you begin shaving to help soften the hair and skin followed by draining the water below your pubic region (do not shave below water with a razor; it creates friciton)
4. You can apply your favorite shower gel to moisturize the area when you’re done
5. It’s overall quick clean-up

If your scrotal sack tends to “hang” then you don’t have to worry about getting warm since hanging is your body’s response to an excess of warmth.

Step 3 – Apply Pre-Shave Oil & Shaving Cream

To help the razor glide across the skin, you may want to apply a pre-shave oil. Pre-shave oils help reduce friction and ensure a smoother shave. Jojoba oil makes for a great pre-shave oil if you don’t want to buy any of the existing pre-shave oil products on the market.

Next, the shave cream thoroughly to your balls. It’s important that you use unscented shave cream that is alcohol free. All of the shave creams made for sensitive skin are unscented and alcohol free.

Step 4 – Pull the Skin Tight & Glide Razor Gently Across Your Scrotum

Before you apply the razor to your skin, you will need to pull it tight first to help the razor glide across the skin without any problems. If you do not pull the skin tight, you will risk nicking yourself.

Glide the razor gently across the skin in the direction of the hair growth. I realize that’s not always an easy task because hair can grow in a number of different directions in a very small area, but try your best; this will help avoid razor bumps and burn.

What’s the best razor for shaving your balls? Schick Quattro Titanium with wire guards. The wire guards make this the best razor for shaving your testicles because they help prevent you from shaving too closely to the skin, thus reducing irritation; it truly is the best razor for shaving your scrotum!

Step 5 – Rinse Off

Rinse your scrotum free of shaving cream. Some guys will apply a light moisturizer to the area (especially if it’s your first time). However shave cream by virtue of being a cream already provides some moisture. Plus, if you’re doing this in the shower, and you apply any sort of shower gel or cream when you rinse off, you will get moisture from those products as well.

Step 6 – Apply Talcum Powder

Applying talcum powder to your scrotum will help reduce any sort of itching. After you’ve shaved your balls a few times, the itching will eventually go away.

Recently, I’ve become more turned-on to talcum powder. During the day, your balls may feel a little clammy and collect moisture because of the heat, and talcum powder will also keep the skin smooth and dry. The powder just makes your balls feel overall good. A really good product talcum product designed specifically for men’s testicles is is Balla Powder.

Photo

Three guys have set out to solve this problem by re-fashioning the peer-to-peer/exchange model used in other online ventures and pioneering a completely new paradigm for the used clothing market, valued at roughly $2B today.

They’ve designed an online product known as thredUp, and in short, here’s how it works:

1. Tell thredUp exactly what you like and they search the closets of other members
2. Let thredUp know what other great items your no longer wearing
3. You send and receive your items through pre-paid envelopes

Rather simple and genius I must admit!

Men, by and large, spend far less on clothes than women, so a product like thredUp could completely change how men shop for clothes.

I shell out a small fortune on clothes every year, but most men don’t. Many men still struggle to understand fashion and the value of personal brand.  With a product like thredUp catering to a man’s sense of practicality, it’s fair to say this product will do well among the male market.

However, practicality aside, thredUp is a product that will have mass appeal, keeping more dollars in your pocket, while introducing an element of fun when it comes to seeking out great fashion finds.

Exclusive Invitation

The thredUp website is operating in private beta–meaning it’s not fully open to the public yet. However, readers of Man Glamour are invited to join using this special URL at thredUp.com.

Because all of these men are struggling to keep their hair, they were provided Rogaine Foam to use for 4 months.

In Rogaine’s clinical testing, 85% of men regrew hair with Rogaine Foam. A 4-month supply of Rogaine Foam runs about $60 and is applied twice daily.

After four months the men were introduced to world-renowned GARREN New York Salon where they each received a makeover from hair stylist Thom Priano and Out.

I viewed all 5 videos and found the men transformed quite nicely into their new looks. Rogaine did a really good job of creating a meaningful connection between the male aesthetic and their product with the videos and content with this initiative.

The men range in age from 25 to 49 years old and are from all of the United States. To view videos of their makeovers and to learn about Rogaine, visit Making The Cut.

Established in 2007 to commemorate GQ’s 50th anniversary,  The Genetlemen’s Fund encourages men to become agents of change by contributing to charities that champion these causes.

Through their website, you can make donations to:

• Hope North
• Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation
• Steve Nash Foundation
• A Better Chance
• DIFFA
• Global Green
• Love146

2009 Better Men Better World Search

GQ is looking to honor a dedicated person who acts as an agent of change striving for the betterment of society through charitable work, volunteerism, and/or community involvement.

You can nominate a friend, a family member, a community activist, or yourself–someone who is working hard to make the world better.

The winner will:

• Be featured in the pages of GQ
• Be honored at The Gentlemen’s Ball in New York City
• Have $10,000 donated toward the accredited charity of his/her choice
• Receive $2,000 cash and $1,000 Nautica gift card

The individual who submits the winning entry will receive a video camera and a trip to The Gentlemen’s Ball.

All entries must be received by August 13, 2009. To make a donation or nomination, visit thegentlemansfund.com.

This phenomenon also occurs in other species of animals. For example, male birds puff and parade their feathers to attract a mate–it’s quite natural.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, procedures for pectoral augmentation rose a whopping 203% in 2008–the largest increase of any other cosmetic procedure performed on men. That’s amazing given the current economic recession.

Definition of Pectoral Augmentation

Pectoral augmentation, also known as pec implants, is a procedure designed to enhance the size and shape of a man’s chest–making him look more manly with a pronounced, proud chest.

This procedure will enhance the bulk and pronouncement of your pectoral muscles, allowing for a natural appearance when your muscles are flexed or relaxed, while also giving you a firm feeling of well-exercised muscles. However, it’s not a replacement for exercise, and the procedure will only increase in mass not improve muscle definition.

Most patients typically see an improvement to their chest area immediately after surgery.

Procedure Overview

Solid, silcone implants (no liquid) are used for this procedure; they are flexible but firm. Some patients choose pre-shaped implants, while others may need to have custom made implants to accommodate an accident or birth defect. Your surgeon will help you select the best implants for your body type.

Pectoral augmentation is considered an outpatient surgery, and you will most likely return home the day of your procedure. It’s performed under general anesthesia or very heavy sedation, so expect to be put to sleep or sedated for the duration of the procedure (usually 1-2 hours).

A plastic surgeon will make a small incision under the armpit and insert the implant under layers of the chest muscles, position them properly, and then suture the incision and apply a small dressing so healing can begin.

In some cases, this procedure may be combined with some liposuction to remove fat around the chest area, especially for those men who suffer from gynecomastia, or man boobs

Before & After Photos

Check out the pectoral augmentation photos at LocateADoc.com.

Surgery Candidates

The most common surgery candidates are:

• Men who’ve not responded well with weight lifting exercises and resistance training
• Men who just don’t have body types to build heavy layers of muscle in their chests
• Men who’ve lost muscle tissue in their chests due to accidents, injuries, or malnourishment
• Men who don’t have time to spend hours routinely at the gym
• Men suffering from congential, genetic, or birth defects (like spina bifida, pectus carinatum, pectus excavatum)

This procedure is also very popular with body builders.

Benefits

• Better-looking, more athletic chest and well-proportioned torso
• Boost self-confidence
• Enhance ability to attract a mate; your sexual desirability
• Unlike female breast implant surgery, there is no risk of breaking/leaking implants

Risks/Cons

• Does not improve muscle definition (you still have to exercise); though it does provided improved appearance with mass
• Risk of implant displacement; possibility they migrate up to collar bone or beneath armpit and surgery would need to be redone
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Asymmetry
• Scarring
• Muscle and/or never dammage
• Accumulation of blood under the skin
• Numbness in upper arm (common side effect and often disappears after a few weeks)

Recovery Time

You can expect to fully recovery from pectoral implant surgery within 4 to 8 weeks. Most patients are able to resume all activities after 4 weeks.

Costs

Pectoral augmentation surgery in the U.S. ranges between $5000 and $7000.

Additional fees usually apply if liposuction is needed to remove fat from around the chest area.

Pec Implant Surgeons

While pec implant surgery is on the rise among men, not all plastic surgeons are highly skilled with this procedure.

It’s very important to select a surgeon skilled in pectoral augmentation to ensure the appropriate size and shape will meet your postoperative expectations.

Here are some plastic surgeons who offer pectoral augmentation:

• Dr. John. A Rusca (Atlanta)
• Dr. Lawrence M. Korpeck (Boca Raton)
• Dr. Sam Gershenbaum (Aventura)
• Dr. Barry Eppley (Indianapolis)
• Dr. M. Mark Mofid (San Diego)
• Dr. Tom Pousti (San Diego)

This is not an endorsement or recommendation for these doctors.

Implant Alternatives

If surgery is not an option, then weight lifting and resistance training are the most effective techniques to enhance the size and definition of your chest, though there are some body types who don’t respond well muscle training.

Here are some programs that may help:

• One Hundred Push Ups
• Top 10 Chest Exercises by Ask Men
• Chest Exercises and Muscle Building by Men’s Health
• The Complete Chest Workout by Men’s Fitness

Disclaimer

This content is for consumer educational use only. Nothing contained in this content is or should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is here to educate consumers on health care and medical issues that may affect their daily lives. This content does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other professional health care advice, diagnosis or treatment.

I did exercise a few times during the week and my body mass and weight stayed the same. I even comfortably worked up to the recommended 4 pills per dose, twice daily, and still nothing.

While I initially thought this supplement demonstrated promise, again this is just another lesson that the only way to stay fit is with proper diet and exercise.

I started back to running this weekend on my Life Fitness elliptical, and I feel great and look forward to keeping to a schedule (and will keep you posted on my progress).

Laser hair removal provides the most permanent and lasting results for removing hair from your butt and around the anus.

Studies show that you can permanently remove anywhere from 20% to 90% of your hair through multiple treatments.

How it Works

Laser therapy destroys hair follicles and impairs hair regrowth by emitting high-intensity light deep into the skin tissue resulting in targeted therapeutic heat to the hair follicles.

Many of the professional laser hair removal devices today feature cooling technology to protect the upper layers of your skin during treatment and to minimize any discomfort. The discomfort commonly reported with laser hair removal is a sensation similar to a rubber band popping on the skin.

Laser hair removal is effective on dark hair and light skin color combinations only. Blond, gray, red hair can not be treated with laser hair removal.

After your treatment, hair will begin to fall out over the following 10 to 14 days. Follow-up treatments will be needed approximately every 6 weeks, and usually no more than 4 to 6 treatments are needed for satisfactory results.

Pros

• Fairly quick to treat areas
• Better feeling skin
• Less shaving
• Hair is less noticable
• Permanent reduction
• FDA approved
• Less pain compared to electrolysis and waxing
• Reduces thickness of hair over long-term

Cons

• Some hair may grow back
• Expensive
• Scarring, blisters, and burns can occur
• Hyperpigmentation can occur
• Multiple treatments are needed, usually at least 5 sessions
• Not everyone is a candidate
• Treatments not completely pain free

Costs

$1,000 to $2,200 USD for 5 treatments. So about $200 to $450 per session on average (depending on where you live).

Alternatives

There are two at-home laser hair removal products on the market today that are FDA-approved and a little more cost-effective, especially you want to remove hair from other areas of your body.

1. Silk’n (I own this one and will be writing a review later)
2. Tria

These devices run between $500 and $800.

Where to Go

There’s no shortage of spas and doctor’s office offering laser hair removal–a simple search in Google will yield hundreds of results. American Laser Centers and Laser Perfect are some of the largest networks across the United States.