May 24, 2012 world of men's style / fashion / grooming RSS
“Grooming”
10/20/11
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High and Tight

How Strong Is Your Beard?

Strong BeardSee it full size.

Your facial hair is a lot of things. Rugged. Warm. Splotchy, yet sexy. But it is nowhere near as strong as Antanas Kontrimas’s beard which, bearing a strong resemblance to 30 packs of steel wool, has lifted ladies, towed Land Rovers and taxied planes.

The Lithuanian has been lengthening and strengthening his facial hair for over 30 years, which explains how it recently lifted a 140-pound female model nearly a foot off the ground for five seconds—a new Guinness World Record for “The Heaviest Weight Lifted by a Beard” (besting his own previous record set in 2007).

We’ve prepared a highlight reel featuring Kontrimas’s beard lifting things on a variety of bizarre, non-English-speaking television programs»
 

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10/18/11
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High and Tight

Granddaddies of Grooming: The Mohawk Indian Tribe

It seems Mr. T, Travis Barker and a whole bunch of 1980s antiestablishment teens have the indigenous people of the Iroquois Confederation to thank for inventing the Mohawk.

As the story goes, in preparation for war, the Mohowaùucks of upstate New York (translation: “Man Eaters”) would shave the sides of their heads, don war paint and create an overall terrifying appearance.

There was indeed reason for terror, according to The Handbook of American Indians North of Mexico, Volume 1, which states that the Mohawks were known to “roast their prisoners dead before a slow fire for some days and then eat them up. The common people ate the arms, buttocks and trunk, but the chiefs ate the head and the heart.”

Here’s a little more to chew on…»
 

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10/13/11
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High and Tight

The Second Annual Beard Team USA National Beard and Moustache Championships

Things got real hairy at the Second Annual Beard Team USA National Beard and Moustache Championships held last Saturday at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. As is the case with most beard and moustache championships, tensions ran high right from the get-go, with many contestants opting out of Friday night’s Meet-the-Amish Dinner and the Whiskerinas Ladies Fake Beard and Moustache Competition.

A total of $5,000 was on the line in Saturday’s main event, comprised of five categories: Moustache, Partial Beard, Full Beard (Groomed), Full Beard (Natural) and the fan-favorite, Freestyle.

We couldn’t be more excited to present you with the champions…»
 

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10/10/11
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High and Tight

Name That Eyebrow

The eyebrow. A curious body part.

Its primary evolutionary purpose is threefold: 1) To prevent moisture from entering the eye. 2) To strengthen expressions of emotion, particularly with regard to confusion and disdain. 3) To assist in the process of facial recognition.

Expounding on #3, a recent MIT study revealed that 50% of participants were unable to identify celebrities whose eyebrows had been digitally removed. As we’re prone to do here at Kempt, we’ve turned MIT’s study on its ass and, below, have provided you with only celebrities’ eyebrows.

While we’re offering neither a prize nor penalty nor compelling reason to participate in our study, we hope you will…»
 

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10/07/11
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High and Tight

What’s in a Musk?

The word “musk” gets thrown around a lot when people talk cologne—kind of like “oaky” with wine—but surprisingly few people know where the fragrance actually comes from.

Hint: it concerns the sexual glands of Asian deer…»
 

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10/06/11
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High and Tight

Failed Experiments: Al Gore’s Beard

A beard should be a triumph, a chinward celebration of masculine virility at its finest. But sadly, it doesn’t always work out that way.

Take, for instance, the case of Al Gore circa 2001…

A critical consideration of Al Gore’s beard…»

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10/06/11
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High and Tight

Grooming on Film: Rounders

A great shave can work wonders.

And if you’re in the middle of a five-day poker binge—with no time for sleep—it might be the best thing to keep you on your feet.

That’s the premise behind one of the more charming moments in Rounders, when Matt Damon and Edward Norton pause in their relentless pursuit of a $15,000 bankroll, and stop by a barbershop for an old-school shave.

Let’s just take a moment to savor it…»
 

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10/06/11
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High and Tight

The Steinbrenner Look

We’re with George Steinbrenner on this one: baseball players should maintain a conservative, athletic appearance on the field.

Just as a physician might second-guess the notion of spray painting his untamed beard with discarded motor oil, so too should the ambassadors of baseball consider their appearance and alter that appearance when it resembles that of an Exxon Valdez-afflicted pelican.

Steinbrenner’s rule was as follows…»
 

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10/06/11
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High and Tight

Great Moments in Grooming: Salvador Dalí

A man with courage and strong follicles can accomplish just about anything. So we’d like to take a moment to honor some of the greatest moments in grooming history. This time, the gentleman in question is Salvador Dalí.

Everyone knows the crazy mustaches of Dalí’s late period, but he was pretty sharp in his younger years, too—as anyone who’s seen Midnight in Paris can attest. This snap finds a young Salvador with two impeccably sculpted mustache-clefs on his upper lip.

It’s still surreal—but in a suave-surreal way instead of a bizarre-surreal way. The stache is all the more impressive since he must have managed the whole thing with a straight razor. He was a painter, after all.

We’ll assume the bedroom eyes were intended for the photographer.

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10/06/11
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High and Tight

Introducing High & Tight

High & Tight

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s finally here.

No, not the iPhone 5. Starting tomorrow, you’ll be seeing something new on Kempt. It’s called High & Tight, and it’s Kempt’s grooming-minded little brother, covering the vital stubble-related topics shaping our world today—with a little help from our friends at Braun.

High & Tight will be taking over the site all day tomorrow—tackling Al Gore’s failure beard and the finest mustaches in baseball, among other things—and you’ll see High & Tight posts popping up three times a week after that. You can find them on the High & Tight homepage, but also on the main page of Kempt. So keep an eye out… and as always, stay sharp.

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08/24/11
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LinkOut

Joi Lansing Cannot Be Contained

Joi Lansingvia WBE

The Go Bag: Valet concocts the perfect grooming first aid kit, in case you don’t have time to stop at home before your after-work date. [Valet]

The Talented Mr. Greenleaf: The Eye dissects the style of Jude Law from The Talented Mr. Ripley. Just watch out for emotionally charged boat rides. [GQ]

The Bass and the Movement: Jeremy Kirkland breaks down the difference between quartz and mechanical movements. In general, you want the latter. [Esquire]

The Big Time: The jackpot for a movie-optioned magazine piece might not be quite as lavish as you thought. [WWD]

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08/03/11
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Dept. of Corrections

In Defense of Eye Cream

Men’s grooming

Men’s grooming guides follow a simple playbook. You stake out the basics (the barber, the nail clipper), the adventurous flourish (beard oil, anyone?) and the forbidden zone where any self-respected heterosexual man dare not venture.

We’re not complaining—or lining up for pedicures, now that you mention it—but we’d like to make the case for a certain oft-maligned product that usually gets short shrift, most notably in Esquire’s latest ode to grooming.

Gentlemen, it’s time to reconsider eye cream.

Wait, wait, just let us explain…»

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08/01/11
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Fanny Francois Has Spilled Chocolate Syrup on her Arm

Fanny Francoisvia Newslicious

Milan Calling: Salivating over the latest dispatch from LBM 1911. [Sartorially Inclined]

A Firm Brow: Esquire’s encyclopedic grooming guide. Warning: Anti-eye-cream prejudice rears its ugly head. [Esquire]

Ad Rock Eats Ramen: Das Racist’s fateful run-in with a Beastie Boy. Legends in the making. [Vulture]

There’s Even a Fire Barrel: If you’ve ever wondered what a hobo-themed wedding would look like… [Etsy]

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07/07/11
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Ad Rock

Sponsored Post: Conair i-Stubble

conair

We’re strong believers in the power of the five o’clock shadow. But if you’re going to do it right, you need a little technical help. That’s why Conair developed the i-Stubble, a hi-tech trimmer designed to keep your bristled chin perfectly groomed. You’ll have 15 precise length settings to choose from—so you’ll be able to calibrate your look to anything from “light shading” to “gentleman lumberjack,” depending on your tastes.

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04/19/11
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Dept. of Corrections

Our Humble Suggestion: Keep Your Feet to Yourself

Michael Bastian

There’s a reason people don’t like flip-flops, but it’s not the reason you think.

Exhibit A is the latest quote from Michael Bastian, in support of his new flip-flop collab:

The main rule is if you’re gonna wear a flip-flop, you’ve gotta keep your feet in good shape. Even if that means a full-on pedicure, you gotta do it. Wearing flip-flops is a privilege, not a right.

That’s all true. If you want to devote your energies to rehabbing your feet, you can do that. And once you’ve tanned, toned and pedicured them into display condition, you’ll be a lot better prepared for flip-flops. But we’ve got a humble suggestion, while there’s still time to change your mind…

Don’t.

Our thoughts on your feet and your flip-flops, before it’s too late»

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10/15/08
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Object

Stashed

mustache_crop.jpg

We love a good mustache, even if it’s in enamel form. Better Living Through Design turned us on to this keychain, a reminder of the most controversial of grooming decisions.

It might be a little unwieldy…but so is the real thing.

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09/02/08
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LinkOut

Marilyn Monroe, Fred Astaire, and Joe Biden Walk Into a Bar

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The Misfits: Vanity Fair joins Marilyn enthusiasts in rifling through the dead starlet’s papers. [Vanity Fair]

Don’t Astaire: A lesson in grooming from Fred Astaire. [A Suitable Wardrobe]

One Wheel to Rule Them All: The unique appeal of the monowheel. [Random Good Stuff]

Veep Veep: Joe Biden favors the banker’s collar…but not actual bankers. [BlackBook]

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07/08/08
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LinkOut

Testino on the Line, Canceled Flights, and Voting Labor

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Area of Her Expertise: From what we gather, Marissa Miller is famous for putting on swimsuits and nothing else. Who are we to take that away from her? [Egotastic]

Blue Collar: Again, our pal at ACL delves into construction worker chic and comes up with some surprising finds. [A
Continuous Lean]

Molto Mario: Mr. Testino has a lot to say and ain’t no one stopping him from sayin’ it. [NYMag]

Not So Friendly Skies: You have a simple choice—either fly in one of these turkeys or stand in front of a speeding Mac truck. Same diff. [Wired]

Blue-Chip Stocks: The business section of the Times looks into a hands-on denim company. [NYTimes]

What a Catch: Oh Slut Machine, with your looks, wit, charm, approachability, solipsism, egomania, obsessive oversharing, vapid generalizations, and inability to judge each person on their individual merits, it’s a shock you haven’t found the one yet. [Jezebel]

Overnight Bag: Tips on building the perfect dopp kit.
[Art
of Manliness]

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06/19/08
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LinkOut

Tom Cleans Up, Josh Washes Off, and Penelope and Scarlett Make Out

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Cor Blimey!: Our favorite hero, Kristen Bell, livens
up the pages of British FHM. [ href="http://www.hollywoodrag.com/index.php?/forums/viewthread/15506/"target="_blank">Hollywood
Rag]

Out of the Gutter: Tom Ford manages to get through an
interview without talking about penises or shooting an inappropriate
ad. [Wallpaper]

Best of Both Worlds: These kicks are part sneaker,
part boot—all color. [ href="http://pipeline.refinery29.com/the_goods/kick_start_gram_crafts_a_shoeb.php"target="_blank">The
Pipeline]

Dag Nabbit: So the new Penelope Cruz/Scarlett
Johansson Woody Allen film won’t be two hours of lesbian kissing.
We’re still going though. href="http://gawker.com/tag/sex/?i=396550&t=vicky-cristina-barcelona--a-witty-film-about-actresses-making-out"target="_blank">[Gawker]

Scott’s Picks: The Sartorialist’s guide to doing it
right. [Brandish]

What Smells?: Joshua David Stein gets a rubdown
courtesy of Unilever. No evidence of the “Axe Effect” reported. [ href="http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/19/beauty-call-feeling-the-full-axe-effect/"target="_blank">The
Moment]

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06/13/08
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LinkOut

Jay-Z Sued for Style, Mustache Victorious, and Chris Martin Finds New

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Pure Oscar Gold: There’s something about Fridays and
Charilze Theron that just works. [ href="http://egotastic.com/entertainment/celebrities/charlize-theron/charlize-theron-nude-and-grabbing-her-breasts-in-gq-uk-003687"target="_blank">Egotastic]

Bush Warrior: A Scottish pilot get’s top-brass
approval for his handlebar mustache. Good to see there’s some progress
in Afghanistan. [ href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7451939.stm"target="_blank">BBC]

Kick Up Some Dirt: Seeking a leather alternative to
sneakers in these hot times? These boots are perfect for navigating
the sand storms of Manhattan. [ href="http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/12/feeling-for-desert-boots-in-summer/">The
Moment]

We Can’t Fix You: Aww, poor self-deifying mope rocker
Chris Martin didn’t like the questions Radio 4 asked him. Bono never
had to put up with this. [ href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7452341.stm"target="_blank">BBC]

Sweet Leaf: Hicky Freeman reopens, stoner iconography
intact. [NYMag]

Fighting Over the Flow: Some sucka is suing the Jigga
claiming he thieved his style. This may be the worst idea ever. [ href="http://www.newkerala.com/one.php?action=fullnews&id=72525"target="_blank">New
Kerala]

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06/12/08
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LinkOut

Fashion Masters, Confessions of the Damned, and Holding onto the Tie

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Flower Girl: Amanda Seyfried once starred alongside
Lindsay Lohan. That wheelbarrow back there is probably a trade up. [ href="http://www.vanityfair.com/fame/features/2007/05/vanities_portfolio200705?slide=1#globalNav">Vanity
Fair]


Four!: The “Worst Golf Fashions”? Oh, Time, when
will you learn? The worse it gets, the better it is. [ href="http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1813195,00.html?xid=rss-topstories">Time]

Save The Tie!: Hell of a lot easier than saving the
whales, no? [ href="http://stylesalvage.blogspot.com/2008/06/save-tie-campaign.html">Style
Savage]

Man Talk: Shipley and Halmos discuss the finer points
of male grooming—Joey or Van? It’s Van. [ href="http://acontinuouslean.com/2008/06/12/the-interview-shipley-halmos/">A
Continuous Lean]

Mea Culpa: An Italian couple asks forgiveness for
having sex in a church’s confessional booth, which we see as kind of
pointless. We mean, once you’ve crossed that line, there’s really no
reason to even try to go back—hell awaits. [ href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2113503/Couple-apologise-for-sex-in-church.html">Telegraph
UK]

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