Beat the Burn & Recover from your fun in the sun.

You wanted a bit of color, but you left your sunscreen in your other bag. Now you're burned. And it's only going to get worse. "The UV rays in sunlight can have an immediate and a delayed effect on skin," says Ronald Davis, Ph.D., a professor of dermatology at Tulane University.
In other words, get out of the sun and start repairing your raw and battered flesh as soon as possible. Here's what to do:

THE MOMENT YOU NOTICE THE REDNESS

• Put on some protective clothing, and beg/borrow/steal a squirt of sunblock. Even if you're already fried, additional SPF can prevent further damage. For severe burns leading to a blistering, nausea, or extreme shivering, call a doctor immediately. He or she may prescribe one of several oral steroids. "If taken soon enough, they can abort a very serious burn," says David Kriegel, M.D., clinical director of the Manhattan Center for Dermatology.

• Try a compress — a piece of cloth dampened with ice-cold water and held directly to the skin. Try applying one 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off, for the first four hours.

WHEN YOU GET TO YOUR CAR

• Head for the drugstore. You're looking for a topical cortisone spray or cream (hydrocortisone 1% is available without a prescription) or a plain, fragrance-free lotion, which you should then apply liberally to the burn. "Putting them in the fridge so they are cool before applying will help to further reduce soreness, says David McDaniel, M.D., assistant professor of clinical dermatology at Eastern Virginia Medical School.

• Grab your phone and call your primary doctor or dermatologist, especially if the burn is severe. Kriegel recommends asking for a "highly effective" mix of indomethacin, absolute ethanol, and propylene glycol.

ONCE YOU GET HOME

• Plop yourself in front of an air conditioner. Heat accentuates the injury, so getting cooler may lessen the burn's severity. "A cool shower can also help," says McDaniel. Just be sure to dab your skin dry, rather than inflaming it further with a towel.

• Smear on some aloe. This plant extract is not only antibacterial but also contains lubricants that speed up the healing process. Keep applying every few hours for the next few days.

• Drink water like crazy. You're at a higher risk of dehydration, and your body's fluids need replacing. But steer clear of alcohol, which causes vasodilation — opening up blood vessels that may accentuate that burning sensation.

BEFORE BED

• Lessen the pain. "An anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen is ideal," says McDaniel. Regular aspirin or baby aspirin work too."

• Take a bath. Formulated to soothe and heal delicate skin tissue after exposure to the sun, Santa Maria Novella's After Sun Body Milk is a great bath remedy. An at-home alternative is tossing some oatmeal in a bathtub filled with cool water. This high-fiber muscle food has potent anti-itching properties. (The only catch? You need oats ground to a powder — called colloidal oatmeal.) Aveeno makes an oat bath treatment as well.

• Get comfortable. Put on your loosest sleepwear and consider popping a Benadryl. It won't help the sunburn, but McDaniel says it may help you sleep, which can be especially tough when your whole body hurts.

STAY BURN-FREE

• Stock up on protection (obviously). Look for a sunblock with an SPF 15 or higher, making sure it covers both UVA and UVB rays. Put your sunscreen on 30 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours. In addition, you may also want to start taking a few oral antioxidants (or loading up on brightly colored fruits and vegetables), especially in the week or so leading up to a trip top the beach. "Anti-oxidants like lycopene and phloretin — along with vitamins like C and E — appear to help the skin naturally handle more sun," says McDaniel. Think of them not so much as a substitute for sunscreen, he says, but as more tools for keeping burns at bay.

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A cool, low profile...

The Argard M10 ($149) is an ultra-small, in-ear wireless headset with a design that's worthy enough to be paired with even the sexiest of phones. Smaller in diameter than a quarter and weighing only 5 grams, it's no surprise that this sexy piece of gadgetry is the world's smallest Bluetooth headset. And it's no slouch when it comes to performance either — it gets 3 hours of talk time and goes up to 100 hours on standby. The M10 comes with an awesome easel-like stand for charging and three different sized silicone covers for different ear sizes.

Get the Argard M10 Bluetooth Headset here. [$149.00 U.S.]

How to shave with a Classic Straight Razor

1. Wash face thoroughly leaving the face damp before you commence lathering.
   
2. Lather face with a pure badger shaving brush and Taylor's shaving soap or Taylor's shaving cream (The cream will give maximum moisturising of the skin) producing a fine creamy lather which softens the beard.
3. Hang the leather strop on a secure hook or towel rail and pull taut. Use the leather side of the strop first. Apply the razor with the blade side facing downwards and push upwards using firm pressure towards the top end of the strop. Rotate the blade with the sharp side now facing upwards and pull down towards the end of the strop. Always keep the blade flat. Repeat action for approximately 10 times and repeat using the reverse side of the strop.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Place the blade on the face very flat and pull the skin taut at the side of the neck, slide razor down face without pressure: repeat this action on all areas of face. Firstly, in the same direction as the hair grows and then against the direction of the beard growth.
5. Rinse face with cool water, if you should nick your skin use an Alum Block.
6. Towel dry your face and apply an after-shave cream or gel, these Taylor products have a very soothing effect.
7. Dry your razor thoroughly using a towel on the back of the blade to avoid cutting yourself. Lubrication of the blade and between the handle and blade areas will prolong the life of the razor and help to prevent any rust forming.
8. Rinse out your badger shaving brush shake well and place upside down on a stand.

RVCA in the big tent!

Erin Wasson x RVCA is excited to announce that the brand will be showing its Spring/Summer 2010 collection at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tents in New York City’s Bryant Park. The show will take place Friday, September 11th 2009 at 8pm, and marks the debut of Erin Wasson x RVCA on the runway.

 

“Humbled and honored,” are the words Wasson chooses to describe her feelings about being asked to show the new Erin Wasson x RVCA collection at the legendary Bryant Park Tents.

 

“I’ve spent hours at those Tents as a model, working with some of the icons of American fashion,” she notes. “And meanwhile, I’ve only been doing this design thing for a few seasons¾Spring ’10 is season three¾and it’s kind of insane to think that I’m getting to show on that same stage. I am incredibly grateful to IMG, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and Maybelline New York for giving me the opportunity.”

 

In keeping with the out-of-the-box thinking that brought together Wasson and surf & skate brand RVCA in the first place, the Spring ’10 show will see the brand bringing a new energy to the Tents. A multi-media installation is in the works and Wasson has personally engaged a special musical guest to play live on the catwalk¾details are under wraps until closer to the show.

 

“It’s really a thrill, to be able to take a venue everyone in the fashion industry knows so well, and bring in new personalities and a new vibe that spin the experience in a different direction,” says Wasson. “I mean, it’s almost too predictable to do something ‘cool’ in, like, an abandoned warehouse. Cool can happen anywhere. It’s a state of mind. That’s the essence of the Erin Wasson x RVCA brand, and there’s no reason not to follow that logic onto the runway.”  

 

About Erin Wasson x RVCErin Wasson x RVCA is excited to announce that the brand will be showing its Spring/Summer 2010 collection at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tents in New York City’s Bryant Park. The show will take place Friday, September 11th 2009 at 8pm, and marks the debut of Erin Wasson x RVCA on the runway.

 

“Humbled and honored,” are the words Wasson chooses to describe her feelings about being asked to show the new Erin Wasson x RVCA collection at the legendary Bryant Park Tents.

 

“I’ve spent hours at those Tents as a model, working with some of the icons of American fashion,” she notes. “And meanwhile, I’ve only been doing this design thing for a few seasons¾Spring ’10 is season three¾and it’s kind of insane to think that I’m getting to show on that same stage. I am incredibly grateful to IMG, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and Maybelline New York for giving me the opportunity.”

 

In keeping with the out-of-the-box thinking that brought together Wasson and surf & skate brand RVCA in the first place, the Spring ’10 show will see the brand bringing a new energy to the Tents. A multi-media installation is in the works and Wasson has personally engaged a special musical guest to play live on the catwalk¾details are under wraps until closer to the show.

 

“It’s really a thrill, to be able to take a venue everyone in the fashion industry knows so well, and bring in new personalities and a new vibe that spin the experience in a different direction,” says Wasson. “I mean, it’s almost too predictable to do something ‘cool’ in, like, an abandoned warehouse. Cool can happen anywhere. It’s a state of mind. That’s the essence of the Erin Wasson x RVCA brand, and there’s no reason not to follow that logic onto the runway.”  

 

About Erin Wasson x RVCA

 

Erin Wasson x RVCA is a collaboration between blue-chip model Erin Wasson and Costa Mesa, California-based skate & surf brand RVCA, founded by PM Tenore. Launched Spring/Summer 2009, the brand made a stunning impact right off the bat, earning countless magazine credits and selling out at stores such as Opening Ceremony, Selfridges and Colette.A

 

Erin Wasson x RVCA is a collaboration between blue-chip model Erin Wasson and Costa Mesa, California-based skate & surf brand RVCA, founded by PM Tenore. Launched Spring/Summer 2009, the brand made a stunning impact right off the bat, earning countless magazine credits and selling out at stores such as Opening Ceremony, Selfridges and Colette.

Mark Ronson + Gucci

Music producer Mark Ronson is teaming up with Gucci to design an exclusive line of athletic shoes for the Italian fashion label's new pop-up trainer store.

The store, created by Gucci's Frida Giannini, will travel to some of the world's fashionable cities and will stock 18 shoe designs in total, with 16 sneakers for men and 2 for women.

Ronson will design one unisex Gucci pair in every city, with each pair priced at $500 to $600.

The first stop of the pop-up store will be in SoHo New York in October. Cities included in its route include London, Paris, Berlin and Tokyo.

From the RACKED:

Sibling DJs Mark and Sam Ronson are taking a page out of their sis Charlotte's playbook with their respective recent endeavors: each has designed a sneaker for a different fashion brand. According to Elle UK, Mark has designed "one exclusive, unisex trainer for each city" that will house Gucci's new pop-up shop (New York, London, Paris, Berlin and Tokyo included). Purchases will also come with "a custom 12-inch vinyl record with exclusive tracks, produced by Mark Ronson, as a gift with the Gucci Ronson sneaker," adds Dazed Digital.

Sam, on the other hand, lent her name and sneaker expertise to updating Supra’s Indy NS model for fall 2009 (images of which can be seen here). Sam will celebrate the launch of her sneaker with a party this Saturday in Chicago that'll include a performance by Wu-Tang Clang's GZA. And, come October, we're sure Gucci will be celebrating the launch of its NYC pop-up shop and limited edition Mark Ronson kicks with quite a fete as well.

Saks Unveils New Men's Private Collection

For President Obama, it was the beer summit. For Saks Fifth Avenue, it’s the men’s wear summit.

Some 65 department managers from around the country flew to New York for a three-day seminar to be introduced to the Saks Fifth Avenue Men’s Collection. On Monday morning, the retailer staged a fashion show for around 130 executives on the sixth floor of its flagship, steps away from the 800-square-foot shop for the new collection in the store’s atrium.

The private brand, which is trickling into stores now, is arguably the most important launch at the store for the fall season. In the works for nearly two years, SFAMC encompasses all categories of men’s product — everything from ties, shoes and socks to suits, cashmere sweaters and outerwear. It’s also the first sign of a new company initiative to bolster private label and proprietary brands.

Saks has set up a new private label-brand office and hired two people, with two additional openings that are expected to be filled shortly. “There will be more private labels to come down the road,” said Tom Ott, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of men’s, declining to provide further details for now.

Stephen I. Sadove, chairman and chief executive officer, was similarly coy, saying: “You’re going to see more of this across the company. We’re building relationships with our vendor community and [making clear our desire for] exclusive product. There’s no question that is the future direction of where we and other retailers are going.”

But this week, the men’s collection is in the spotlight.

“It’s a fashion collection, not just dumb-dumb basics,” said Eric Jennings, men’s fashion director.

Prices are about 20 percent higher than opening-price point merchandise and range from $65 for polos and $75 for ties to $1,100 to $1,300 for suits and up to $1,500 for outerwear. Cashmere sweaters are $295 to $345; merino wool sweaters are $130 to $215; dress pants are $195 ,and woven shirts are $135 to $165. The collection fits into “box one and two” of the company’s “nine-box grid” of good, better, best offerings, Sadove said. “It’s modern, classic styling at a very good price point. It won’t displace Brioni or Loro Piana, but it will complement where there are voids.”

“It’s definitely not the cheapest [thing we carry],” Ott added. “Retail price was not the driving force of this collection.”

Jennings believes the collection also will attract a new customer, one that might have been intimidated to shop Saks in the past. “There are guys who see us as too expensive and trendy, but this makes us more approachable.”

Ott said Saks started looking at creating its own collection in 2007. “We saw a void in the marketplace as the better Italian collections kept raising prices, and we also had a call from our customers and sales associates for Saks Fifth Avenue product,” he said. Although Saks had always had private label goods in men’s, they were primarily classification-oriented and “not pulled together,” he continued.

The comprehensive line will be offered in each of the 48 Saks stores (out of 53 total) that carry men’s wear. Fifteen of those will install soft shops for fall, with the remainder coming on board within the next year. “It will be a meaningful collection in all stores,” Ott said.

Store executives would not provide a projection on what percentage the new line would represent in the men’s mix or its volume. Sadove said, “We really don’t know, but we will learn over time how big it can be. We believe it can be very meaningful.”

But at the same time, he stressed: “Saks is always going to be a house of brands. Now, Saks Fifth Avenue Men’s Collection is one of those brands.”

Ott characterized the line as “international classic with fits and styling that are updated yet understandable.”

The collection was a joint effort between Saks’ men’s merchant team and consultant Peter Rizzo, a men’s wear veteran whose career includes stints at Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman Men, Polo Ralph Lauren and I.C. Isaacs.

“Peter provided the insight and oversight for the collection,” said Ott. Working with Ott and Jennings, Rizzo helped create the “look, feel and color of each delivery,” Jennings said. Deliveries will be made every three months.

Rizzo said, “each classification is being brought up to world-class standards” in terms of “quality, attributes and wearability.”

The line is three-tiered. First are the “international classics,” which represent about two-thirds of Saks’ men’s business. These items are targeted to the “stylish, international traveler who appreciates the nuances of quality but is more updated and sophisticated.” Next is the sartorialist component, which is centered on tailored clothing and related business wear. A contemporary element will be launched for spring 2010.

Each piece sports a hangtag touting its attributes. Headlined “Know What You’re Wearing,” it offers the customer information on fabric and production such as the 100 percent Egyptian cotton used in the dress shirts or the cashmere sweaters that boast Todd & Duncan yarns. By the beginning of September, a similar signage program will be installed in stores.

Although the collection can stand on its own, both the fashion show and the shop paired it with designer brands such as Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Theory, Z Zegna and Incotex.

Ott said that, to make room for the line in the mix and on the floors, Saks “pruned some of the unproductive parts of the business.” Although merchandise at the highest price points is still part of the mix, this has been de-emphasized a bit in response to the economic environment. “We’re not vacating it, but we’re rightsizing it,” Ott said.

Saks tested a few pieces of the collection for Father’s Day and was “wildly successful,” according to Ott, who said woven shirts, colorful polos, sweaters and novelty socks were among the bestsellers.

Another advantage of Saks having its own collection, the executives said, is the ability to fulfill the seasonal needs of all the stores. “For Florida, we need to have lighter-weight product in October, while for our northern doors, we will have coats and outerwear in Q3,” Ott said. “Our reaction time for reorders and to chase trend is easier for us with our own collection. That’s been very much of a challenge with the big branded companies.”

The collection will be featured in the store’s Fifth Avenue windows on Aug. 19 and also will be a significant part of Saks’ fall advertising and marketing campaign.

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Why Men’s Skin Care?

Over the past five years a significant amount of interest has been shown in Men’s skin care, and men's skin care products, more so than any other time in history. Prior to an emphasis in men’s skin care, men were left to shop for Women’s skin care products, and pretend to be purchasing them for the woman in their life, to avoid embarrassment. Or, worse, avoid any skin care regimen at all.

With this former lack in specialty men’s skin care products, some may wonder how important a daily male skin care regimen actually is. And the answer to that - very important.

Men have major advantage over women when it comes to caring for their skin: exfoliation. While women are left to use harsh exfoliants to remove dull, dead skin cells from the epidermis of their face, men receive a very thorough exfoliation on a daily basis when they shave their face.

However, that is where the advantages end. The facial skin of a Male’s face contains not many similarities to that of a woman. How does a man’s facial skin differ from that of a woman?

* The layers of the skin are thicker
* Pores are larger
* Oil glands are larger and produce much more oil.

Now, let’s discuss a few things that men should NEVER do to their face:

1. Never use the same bar of soap to cleans your face that you use to cleanse your body. The ingredients in bath soap are very harsh and drying. They will strip your face of natural, necessary oils that keep the face soft, and it will leave an invisible film behind to keep the face looking dull and lack-luster.

2. Never use hot water to shave or cleanse the face. Hot water will stimulate oil glands to produce more oil than necessary and can damage sensitive blood vessels lying near the skin’s surface creating blotchy, red skin.

3. Never shave too close to the skin. Although we all want a smooth face free of the slightest bit of stubble, close shaving is the number 1 cause of razor bumps.

4. Never finish a shave by using an after shave product with a high alcohol content [unless it's a fatty alcohol]. In addition to drying the face, the alcohol may cause an allergic reaction. Not to mention that it is very painful should you have a small cut or skin irritation.

Every man should include the following in a skin care regimen:

1. Find out what type of skin you have: dry, oily, normal, combination, and use skin care products tailored to your particular needs. This question is vital when considering your choice of skin care products. As the climate and environment changes, it is possible that you may go through phases of different skin types.

• Normal: Neither exceedingly oily, nor dry, without discolorations or variations in pigment, generally blemish free. To keep your skin looking good follow a skincare routine that includes washing with a good quality facial wash twice a day and a scrub once or twice a week. Use a lightweight moisturizer morning and night.

• Oily: Shiny or slick appearance, with enlarged pores, and possible patches of flakiness around the nose area where oil collects and dries. Keep your face as clean as possible by using a good quality, all- natural facial wash twice a day and a mild alcohol-free and oil-free moisturizer. Use only natural, gentle products and stay away from soap. A gentle astringent and deep cleaning masque will also help tighten pores and soak up extra oil.

• Dry: Flaky and lackluster, sometimes ashen in appearance, and tight with a lack of elasticity. Obviously, dry skin needs a good moisturizer. Use it in the morning and before bedtime. Around your eyes, make sure to use moisturizers specifically for that area. Avoid products that contain alcohol and don’t use soap on your face. Soap strips the face of its moisture.

• Combination: Oily on the chin, forehead and cheeks, dry near the hair and jaw lines with patches of flakiness. Keep your skin clean by washing with a mild cleanser twice a day. Moisturize the dry area with a rich moisturizer; and control oily areas with large pores by applying a toners or mask after cleaning. Because combination skin is so sensitive, use skin products that are light formula with no fragrances.

• Sensitive: Blotchy, irritated, and prone to rashes and redness, with broken capillaries. You should use mild, natural products for your skin care regimen. Avoid anything containing harsh chemicals, alcohol, or fragrance. Don't use soap and always select products designed for sensitive skin. Never use low-quality shaving products that don't create an adequate barrier between the blades and your face.

2. Use warm water, or even better, cold water to shave and rinse your face. The lower temperature will save your face from broken capillaries and your oil glands will not go crazy with their oil production. Cold water also helps to close open pores to keep irritation cause by shaving to a minimum.

3. Consider using a pre-shave product to moisten the skin and soften the beard. It will make shaving easier and will prepare the skin to help avoid razor burn, ingrown hairs, and small cuts and nicks.

4. After shaving, be sure to rinse the skin thoroughly. Leaving behind small traces of shaving cream and pre-shave products can dry the face.

5. After shaving, use a soothing cream or gel to help cut down on skin irritation, ingrown hairs, and repair the skin from shaving damage.

6. Apply a daily moisturizer with an SPF, even if it is only minimal. Any sun exposure during the day opens the skin to damaging UVA and UVB rays which will age the skin and leave you susceptible to melanoma, the most common form of skin cancer. If you use a topical medication for acne or other skin problems, use an even higher SPF as your risk of sun damage is higher. You should use a sunscreen with at least SPF 15 everyday, even in the winter!

7. Experts recommend that drinking water equal to half of your body’s weight (in ounces) is a healthy way to promote great skin.

8. If you experience skin problems such as acne, bitchiness, frequent breakouts, sunburn, etc. address them with additional products and treatments, in addition to your daily skin care. If you see a mole or freckle emerge, contact your dermatologist immediately to have it inspected to ensure it is not something more than a mole or freckle.

Menswear grows in Brooklyn

The folks behind Hollander & Lexer have been helping beef up Boerum Hill fashionistos' wardrobes (as well as those willing to to make the trek to South Brooklyn) for years. But, now comes word that the boutique is now stocking its wares, which include Rag & Bone and Robert Geller, further north in Williamsburg.

Refinery29 got a first look at the "aging, castle-like space" that sits just off of Wythe Street and is neatly punctuated by freestanding clothing racks and antique furniture. The store's Williamsburg debut definitely marks the upping of Williamsburg's men's wear ante. While the hood houses a number of great men's clothing stockists this is one of its first shopping destinations that's solely for guys.

... So if you are ever in Brooklyn.

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Quiksilver +The Standard Hotel

Quiksilver has partnered with André Balazs’ The Standard Hotels to market cobranded men’s and women’s swimsuits. The boardshorts and bikini will be distributed via poolside vending machines in the hotel’s four properties, in their boutiques and online at shopthestandard.com.

“The Standard came to Quiksilver because they were looking to extend their brand and work with like-minded brands,” said Joshua Katz, director of marketing and communications at Huntington Beach, Calif.-based Quiksilver Inc. “We decided to collaborate and make something cool as well as useful for Standard guests. Our core product is boardshorts, and The Standard hotels have pretty notorious pool scenes, so swimsuits made a lot of sense.”

There are four men’s designs in the first batch of boardshorts, which harken back to the fits and looks of Seventies and Eighties styles. Each one is inspired by The Standard’s four locations in downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, Miami and New York. The $75 boardshorts are made in Quiksilver’s ultralightweight, “diamond dobby” stretch material, which prevents rashes, with a retro scalloped leg and packaged in a waterproof travel bag.

Each design features a “Quik City Guide” on the inside waistband, with addresses of local places of interest. The Downtown L.A. trunk features alternative art spaces in that city, the Hollywood trunk highlights independent music venues, the New York trunk lists other swimming pools to visit there and Miami features hip restaurants and cafes. The inside label on each reads “The Standard Boardshorts by Quiksilver.”

The men’s swimsuits are available in even waist sizes from 30 to 36, and the black women’s bikini is available in three sizes. Quiksilver has developed an innovative vending machine as part of the partnership, so that hotel guests can purchase a swimsuit any time of the day or night.

“This is a 24-hour customer, and a lot of times they might not have a swimsuit but want to take a late-night swim, after the hotel’s boutique is closed,” noted Katz. “We are very much interested in new and progressive ways of reaching our customers.”

In addition to the swimsuits, the vending machines will offer zines and $10 works of art from local artists. “The idea is to link the vending machine to the local community,” explained Katz.

Sales of the cobranded swimsuits will begin in The Standard Hotels boutiques and online Aug. 8, with a kickoff party on the roof of the Los Angeles property that day. The first vending machine will be installed in the Los Angeles hotel, with the three other locations receiving their vending machines in the coming months.

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