Boys to Men, or Men to Boys? —Skincare Tips for Looking Young, Fresh, and Healthy

It’s easy to jump out of the shower, throw on some clothes and head quickly out of the door. For many guys, this is the standard “getting ready” routine. However, this rushed regimen can wreak havoc on your body’s largest organ: your skin. Just like your hair needs a regular cut and your nails need periodic trimming, your skin needs some attention, too. Here are some tips for keeping your skin looking fresh and healthy:

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Photo Credit: @danisvlogging

Daily Cleanse

Skip the bar of soap and hot water mix, and instead cleanse your face with a good quality facial scrub every morning. A lot of guys just try to keep it simple, hence the bar of soap, but the combined effect of hot water and soap can dry out your skin, which only serves to increase the wrinkles and age you. Not good!

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Use a Daily Moisturizer

Once your face is nice and clean, apply a daily moisturizer. Ideally, pick one with sun protection factor (SPF) so that not only do you moisturize your skin well but you’ll also protect it from the harsh rays of the sun. Moisturizing every day will help you feel fresher and look younger, and give you softer skin. There are many moisturizers for men out there on the market, so test a few and you’ll quickly see which one is right for you.

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Invest in a Quality Razor

Shaving, a daily event for many men, can leave your skin tight, dry, and, if you’re not using the right equipment, irritated. With the right tools, however, you can lessen the effect. Invest in a good quality razor and you won’t be disappointed. Choose one that suits the condition of your skin and beard, be it sensitive or extremely coarse, and avoid cheap, drugstore razors at all costs. Splash some warm water on your face — maybe even squeeze in a quick facial scrub too — to open up those pores, then apply a moisturizing shaving gel before you get started.

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Drink Water

You’ve heard it so many times before but it really is true. Drinking a healthy amount of water will keep your body, and your skin, well hydrated and looking its best. Winter weather and temperatures go in particularly hard on the skin, as spending more time in the heated, indoor air can cause your skin to lose moisture. Dehydrated skin can look wrinkly and dry, so make sure you find time for those eight glasses of water a day.

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Eat Right

Finally, a healthy diet can also help improve the quality of your skin. Make sure your diet includes the recommended five fruits and vegetables each day. Fruits and veggies are high in antioxidants that will help protect your skin from damage. Carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, spinach and foods high in vitamin C — namely kiwis, blueberries, and papaya—are especially high in these powerful antioxidants so pack them into your meals whenever possible. Then watch how your skin thanks you later on!

 

With the right products and approach you can whip your skin into a fitter, healthier-looking protective layer in no time at all. You’ll look good but feel great! It all starts with a face scrub!

 

 Image by gerlos, used under Creative Commons license.

 

Kikwang Wears ‘Addicted Snob’ Snapback

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Kikwang Wears ‘Addicted Snob’ Snapback| Photo Credit: Coordi Nuna

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[SNOB] Metal Paisley Snap back in Gold – 67,310KRW @ GVG

Might someone over there might get interested to know on what these Kpop idols often wears most of the time especially the idols or celebrities they’d often look up too, right? today, let me share with you this piece of accessory, an cap perhaps that this guy named Kikwang, B2st member, wearing on the photo on top. Actually, I see a bunch of Snapback already of the same thing, design wise, about this Addicted Snob cap but I think the brand name, Snob, was the one most consider and demand today since most celebrities are fond of wearing it. Have you seen your fave idols recently wearing the same cap or anything pieces from the brand Snob already? I think, snob brand is kinda popular today in Korea? what do you think?

Since I was a guy that has a lot of spare time and due to my curiosity about the brand.. LOL I’ve decided to check on the brand’s main site and I’ve found out that the guy kikwang wears on the top photos has an price of 67,310KRW and indeed! SNOB is an local brand in Korea. But no worries. Because you can still buy the same cap or anything pieces within the brand by just checking their online store here: gvg.co.kr . Alright, that is the only information that I can give out here since the brand, Snod, is not yet affiliated on this site. hahaha They must see this write up and consider me as their influencer. ahah just send over some pieces on my way please???

Okay, that will be all for now  and I hope you’ll keep on checking me here for more fashion and news updates regarding with some kpop fashion as well brands and labels new in collections. Thank you so much!

 

 

We Can’t Stop – Miley Cyrus (Boyce Avenue feat. Bea Miller cover)

One of the reason why I cant be able to update this site often was this acting hosting server which leads me for transferring the site, istarblog.com, into other hosting account I have. Now, I guess the site is running better than before, right? what do you think guys? it this site loads fast on your end? lemme know please for me to fix the glitch as early as now and to avoid any big troubles I might get soon. Anyway. let’s talk about this video I’ve been stumbled recently which my fave band Boyce Avenue doing an cover of an Miley Cyrus piece entitled ”  We Can’t Stop ” together with the very sweet and talented young lady here named Bea Miller. Actually, I’ve heard a few about Bea Miller but am not totally aware on how she does sings. My goodness, she is really good and I simply liked her range of voice too, so angelic on the ear. Now, I am looking forward to hear more about of these guys and hopefully they’d often do this where they collab for an cover and stuff related. Yes! a fan here waiving his hands.. ahah

What do you think guys about their cover? give them an thumbs up over youtube for us to see more cover from these guys in the future. I hope to, they can have a concert or mini performance stage here where I resides for me to see on how awesome these guys are.. Cant wait.. LOL.. Okay, I think I need to stop taking now and doing some fan boy-ing acts haha by the way, soonest I’ll be having my own youtube channel and I hope you can check it out too beside this site as it’s available soon. I’ll let you know then when would  it be available to see..LOL Thanks so much, peace out ya’ll..

Wedding Bands From Reeds.com

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First and foremost, I am really sorry for not updating this site, istarblog.com, quite often now. Because I was really busy doing some stuff offline which I’ll probably get blog about soon as I settled things out, but no worries, I’ll sharing it pretty soon. Meantime, Let me share with you this wedding brands that I’ve recently checked on from Reeds.com. Actually, I dont really meant to include or post this topic up on this site because am trying not to share as much of wedding related topics in here since I’ve got an site for it for you check on. But as of now, I cant able to share with you the site am talking about because am still fixing it and putting some details to it for you to enjoy as I launched it pretty soon.

If you are planning to propose on your girlfriend this coming days ahead. I suggesting you to heads up to the site given on top for you to see on which kind of ring that might be suits well on your girlfriend’s taste and style. Don’t worry, because reeds.com has this well knowledge about rings and stuff that may surely help you to find the right ring for your better half. Just try to email them or hit them over phone for your concerns and type of inquiries.

How to choose the travel destination?

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If you have extra money and some free days, then you should travel somewhere and relax. But are you wondering where to go? Well if you are, then this article will help you chose the perfect destination for you. How to do that? Follow the next steps.

1. Make sure how much money you can afford to spend. You need this information before you do anything, that’s why It is the first step.

2. Eliminate the places you don’t like, places you don’t like to visit.

3. Make a list of all the places you want to visit. It doesn’t matter if it is your first time or you’re going there for second time. Just write all the places you want to visit.

4. Check the travel agencies around for the prices for all those places you want to visit and update your list.

5. Check which of those travel destinations you can afford and for how long. Remove those you can’t afford.

6. Make your own value of those you can afford. Check which of those that you can afford are worth paying that much money for and which are not. You should remove those that you think are too expensive.

7. Now you have a short list of probably few travel destinations. Now it is up to you to choose which one you will visit.

DIOR HOMME 2014 FALL WINTER COLLECTION

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Dior Homme released it’s 2014 fall/winter collection which consists of unique and high quality wears. These pieces are high quality suits. The suits are available in different styles and designs; there are the two piece suits and the three piece suits. They have also these single breast and double breast ones. They come in different electrifying colors of blue, black, grey and checked. They are made from high quality woolen fabric which makes them look gorgeous.

They are matched very well with plain blue shirts, stripped shirts and checked shirts. The suits are also well matched with high quality shoes in black and brown. Each suit comes with a jacket to match. The jackets are available in different colors, styles and designs and are made of high quality woolen and cotton materials.

They are available in the knee-long sizes. Also available are the jeans jackets and trousers. They appear in blue and are matched well with different types of trousers. The jeans trousers are also very well matched with high quality coats and ties. They also keep high quality ties in their collection; the ties are available in different styles and colors.

There are the checked, dotted and plain ones. They match well with the suits, coats and the Jackets. High quality stylish suits are also available in different styles, colors and designs and match well with the suits and ties.

Beautiful Chinese Bridges

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Being one of the world’s oldest cultures, Chinese culture is influential in a large geographical region in Eastern Asia with traditions differing between cities, provinces, and towns. Vital elements of Chinese culture include music, literature, cuisine, religion, visual arts, architecture etc. I am in awe whenever I see pictures of beautiful buildings and other structures in China. The Great Wall of China is one testament to how much of a perfectionist Chinese people are and how they will do everything just to protect their territory against intruders.

Having said that, China has been known to have a long history in bridge construction and recently it has been pushing the frontiers of bridge construction with many record breaking bridges. The long list of bridges is structured by province and includes noteworthy bridges such as the Anji Bridge which also happens to be the oldest existing bridge. Then there is the Danyang Kunshan Grand Bridge which is the world’s longest bridge measuring over 164 kilometers. Another is the Sidu River Bridge, the highest bridge in the world and the Xihoumen Bridge in Zhejiang province, the second longest suspension bridge span. The list of magnificent, well constructed bridges goes on.

The book Chinese Bridges: Living Architecture from China’s Past by Ronald G. Knapp takes us on a more detailed look and gives thorough information about over 50 historically, culturally, and architecturally noteworthy bridges across China that represent the advanced engineering and technological achievements of earlier times. Readers are given an intellectual and enlightening tour of both famous Chinese bridges and those that are just being discovered by people in the west. The author shows how beautiful, grand, spectacular, and unique these bridges are apart from being functional. They are a part of Chinese architecture that may not be given a lot of attention but in this book they are given the importance that they deserve.

Chinese Bridges is an English language book that contains more than 400 magnificent colored pictures, historic images, paintings, and line drawings as well as descriptions, history, and essays of these bridges. The book is an amazing work of architectural history and will surely provide inspiration for years to come. It is thoroughly researched and carefully written and displays how historical architecture can bring to life the living experiences and ancient culture of its people. This coffee table style book truly imparts rich historical and cultural setting for China’s bridge building tradition.

A Worthwhile Read: Oriental Rugs: An Illustrated Lexicon of Motifs, Materials, and Origins

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I like browsing through the pages of Good Housekeeping because I get a lot of home decorating ideas and it keeps me abreast on what is happening in the world of interior design. If you do not want to spend too much money then instead of hiring an interior decorator just flip through the pages of magazines to get inspiration and in the process know the latest trends when it comes to what looks good in a home. But more than contemporary design, I have always been fascinated with old fashioned homes decorated with oriental rugs. Their beautiful and intricate designs and colors make a house, no matter how small or big it is, look so elegant.

A lot of people consider them as pieces of art. They are rugs that were made in the Orient or in Asia namely China, Vietnam, Nepal, Pakistan, Turkey, Cyprus, Iran, India, Egypt, and Morocco. They were brought to the West during the Crusades and are organized by origin such as Arabian rugs, Persian rugs, Central Asian rugs, Chinese rugs, Indian rugs etc. They can last for decades because of their high quality. Antique oriental rugs have been in demand for years. Some even display them as wall decors. Since there are so many different designs and sizes, finding one that will complement your home’s motif might be challenging. It is probably a good idea to start your home decor with the oriental rug first then pick the rest of the furnishing to suit the oriental rug.

If you want to know more about oriental rugs, then Peter F. Stone’s book Oriental Rugs: An Illustrated Lexicon of Motifs, Materials, and Origins is a great reference. It contains over 1,000 vivid drawings and pictures of different types, designs, and sizes of oriental rugs. The book gives ample information about rugs being a part of art history and how tribal weavings, particularly oriental rugs, make us more knowledgeable about some traditions that were not given much attention before. Examples of which are the weavings of southwest Persia, Baluchistan and Kurdistan.

This book likewise gives information about oriental rugs that have not been previously written. It provides straightforward and exact definitions for the rug and fabric terms used in each country where it is made. The book also touches on museum-quality rug traditions and the modern ways of manufacturing or producing them as well as on the rich hand-knotting and hand-weaving traditions of the Near East and Central Asia and some examples of Scandinavian and Native American weavings. This brief but comprehensive book is a must-have for beginners, serious collectors, scholars, and dealers. It is easy to read and any rug afficionado can read this to expand their knowledge of textiles.

Vogue Hommes International Fall Winter 2013-14 by Jeff Burton

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Vogue Hommes international is a French popular magazine. In its features collections of Fall-Winter 2013-14, French model clement chebernoud is photographed by Jeff Burton. The fashion editorial which features various high quality collections includes clothes with a mixture of luxury fabric and which are styled by fashion.

In these collections are very high quality vogue branded clothes. They stock very high quality woolen suites made from very smooth woolen fabric. One example is the black one-button hole suit. It comes with a black polo neck sweater to match and high quality black strapped shoes. It comes in many styles and colors and looks very formal, smart and stylish. In their collection is also a long three-button hole jacket long to the knee. It is made of high quality smooth woolen fabric and comes with a red scarf to match. It also matches well with a dark blue trouser and brown shoes.

Another high quality clothing in their collection is a grey woolen two-button hole suit. It is made to measure with a blue shirt and a woolen overcoat to match. The suit is casual but looks elegant. They also have many other high quality clothes such as jackets and woolen sweaters in different styles both rounded and v-shaped neck. They also stock high quality shoes, socks, trousers, belts, shirts, and various Calvin Klein collections.

 

The Best Way To Invest, Coins and Jewelry

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In uncertain economic times, jewelry and coins always retain their value. Coins and jewelry pieces are very liquid as they can be sold at anytime for fair prices. It’s important to understand the various factors involved in determining the market value of jewelry, coins and other forms of currency. First and foremost, the precious metal content of a gold is a very important factor in the final sale price. The purity of gold coins is usually rated in 12K, 14K, 18K, 20K and 22K denominations. Naturally, a high purity rating yields a higher market value for a gold coin. By knowing the purity and weight of a gold coin, the value can be calculated at any instant. The only factor that fluctuates is the market price of gold, which changes slightly on a daily basis. However, the price of gold per ounce has been been reaching record highs during the recent U.S. economic recession.

Another factor that plays an important role in the value of a gold coin is age. The older the coin is, the more rare and valuable it is considered to be. For example, a gold coin from the 16th century is more valuable than a coin of the same purity and weight from the 20th century. Gold coins have been minted since ancient times. Most coins from early civilizations are now on display in museums and private collections as historic relics and not currency. For example, it would be impossible to estimate the market value of a gold coin that was minted during Ancient Roman times. In general, foreign gold coins tend to be more expensive than American gold coins when dealing on the American market. Trying to visit a numismatic dealer is an example of searching for a great purchase or sale deal on gold coins that are minted in the United States.

Paper currency can also be very valuable depending on several factors. For example, the United States has released different dollar denominations for brief periods throughout the country’s history. A 5 dollar bill minted during the Civil War in the United States has tremendous historic value in today’s market. Experienced numismatic dealers usually know the history behind all of the currency circulation of the United States dating back to the earliest federal reserves and mints. Rare American coins that are not made of precious metals can still have high value in today’s market.