Happy Black Friday! Looking for stocking stuffer ideas? Pocket Combs make a come back!

 Posted by Melissa Colabella

David Coleman posted a great article in the New York Times about men's hairstyling and the comeback of the pocket comb. Bed-head spikes are becoming a trend of the past as styles focus more on refinement.

"The shorter hairstyles are very in,” he said, “and guys want to look neat.”

To read the full article:
New York Times - Pocket Combs Make A Comeback

No Shave November

Posted By Melissa Colabella

I've been noticing a lot of whiskers, fuzz and fur this month but generally nothing one would classify as a "beard." Apparently 'No Shave November' is growing in popularity. There is a band named after the phrase, an organized Facebook group encouraging the boycott, college students using it to promote prostate cancer awareness, and men from around the nation joining in the trend out of just pure laziness.

Now there's nothing wrong with a great beard. An unknown author quotes, "There are two kinds of people in this world that go around beardless - boys and women - and I am neither one." But a good beard need maintenance. A committed group of manly men created a website for the cause which also includes several types of beard styles you can shape your face fuzz into come December 1st:

No Shave November

Mustaches for Prostate Cancer Awareness:
MoVember


Some trendy beards of note:

Conan O'Brien's unemployment beard

Barber Jim Flacche's special stache:

Why the mustache? "The beard grows gray. Add the chops and you have a fresh retro look," says Jim.

New York Mag Discusses Men's Worst Hair

Posted by Melissa Colabella

I am so greatful for "The Fug Girls Survey Fall's Worst Hair, Men's Division" in the latest October issue of New York Magazine. I personally felt Danny McBride from Eastbound & Down should have been the poster boy for corn-rows but his permed mullet does deserve cult stardom.

Quoting the article, "Actors love to stretch. This fall, they also like to tease, braid, muss, shellac, even perm - some with questionable results." Check out some of their guide:

New York Magazine - The Fug Girls Survey Fall's Worst Hair, Men's Division

I've told clients time and time again - growing out your hair doesn't translate into growing unkempt hair. Zach Galifianakis's "especially lively pubic shrub" says it all.

The Luxury Spot Writes About The Truman's Experience

Truman's held a private scotch tasting event for our members sponsored by The Compass Box. Here is another guy who will never wash his hands again following Aneta's manicure.

To read the full article:
http://www.theluxuryspot.com/2010/10/18/my-first-time/

"How do you evoke a certain feeling without imposing on people in any way?" Spencer Morgan Writes About The New Trend of Scent Branding

Posted by Melissa Colabella

Have you ever wondered if spritzing your cologne while dressing for work impacted anyone but yourself? Did you ever think about the feelings you could provoke in others who got a whiff of you? Spencer Morgan published an article in Business Week explaining how scent branding is sweeping the fragrance industry and delves into why the corporate world should care about the psychological responses to smell.

"From Abercrombie & Fitch to Fiat, companies are using "ambient scenting" in an effort to leave indelible impressions with their customers," says Morgan. "Credit Suisse, De Beers, and Sony have all been experimenting with ambient scenting in their retail spaces." "Salisbury, North Carolina based Bloom grocery stores made history by erecting the first-ever scented billboard, which sprays a charbroiled smell over a highway via a giant fan."

 To read the full article:
Scent Branding Sweeps the Fragrance Industry by Spencer Morgan, Business Week

"A Groom's Gift of Grooming" Featured on 'Style and Sensibility'

By Melissa Colabella


In the Middle Ages, groomsmen stood by the groom to help him snatch back his bride in the event that her family or a jealous knight would rescue her before becoming the groom’s property. Today, groomsmen’s responsibilities are limited, now reduced to just a few responsibilities with a primary focus on planning a wicked bachelor party, and weddings are centered more around the bride than the bride-hunter.

Thankfully, modern day weddings are not violent and archaic, but in some respects we hold onto those old wedding traditions. Most likely, a groom has selected his groomsmen because these special friends and family members have stood by his side up to this point in his life. It’s important for the groom to recognize this brotherhood by showing his gratitude.

A groom’s gift of grooming is a rather selfish, but greatly appreciated and appropriate gesture. This ensures that your groomsmen don’t show up to your wedding looking the same way they did the morning after your bachelor party, presumably keeping the bride happy as well.........

To read the full article, including the seven tips, please visit Style & Sensibility:
http://www.styleandsensibility.com/2010/10/grooms-gift-of-grooming.html

Old School Hair Gets Older

By Melissa Colabella

If there is anything that television has taught me, it's that we as viewers love to visit time periods that we have never lived through, or, depending on  your age, re-visit periods that we were too young to remember. Mad Men attracts more viewers and more awards as it approaches the end of it's third season, we're excited to replace the 1060's with the 1920's as we hang out with gangsters and bootleggers on Sunday nights with HBO's new series, Boardwalk Empire.

I've also read that life imitates art, as proven when car hijacking crimes rose after the premier of "Gone in 60 Seconds" and when merlot sales tanked as pinot noir sales rose after the premier of "Sideways". It only seems natural that we'll see more vintage styles becoming mainstream as Martin Scorsese's Boardwalk Empire gains popularity.

Men's hairstyling trends in 2010 were updates versions of "classic" cuts and if my prediction comes true, they'll become even more veteran. See what you think, and if you find that your new style doesn't suit you, you can always cover it up with your already re-popularized fedora.

Meet a Truman's Client - Alex Fogelson

By Melissa Colabella


'Meet a Truman's Client' is our answer to your question, "What kind of guy comes here?"

Meet New York resident Alex Fogelson, a 21 year old student of Tulane University and creator of Chapfix, the lip balm engineered for men.  This young entrepreneur's product can be found at www.chapfix.com

What drew you to Truman's?  It's in my neighborhood and I liked that it is catered to men. I had walked by a million times and thought I should give it a try. 

Did you enjoy it? What was your favorite part of your Truman's experience? Definitely - the atmosphere. There's a great vibe there and I was taken care of very well. The level of service and quality is very high which makes for a really enjoyable experience. 

Instant Hair Turnoff's by AskMen.Com

Posted by Melissa Colabella

I found this article by Christina Colangelo on AskMen.com which I thought was pretty on point. Her suggestions mimic my own and she's not even a stylist. My only counterpoint is to her suggestion that a man shouldn't fuss with anything more than a comb. If you want your hair to look exactly as it does as it grows out of your head, then fine. But if you're actually trying to look stylish and your desired look doesn't occur naturally, you will need product, and possibly a blow dryer. And as for her opinion on dread-locks, she's right. They're hot on Lenny Kravitz, and can work for even your average rocker or college student. But even so, keep then clean and neat.

Instant Hair Turnoff's by Christina Colangelo