New and very exciting products are heading to market for both skin care (the topic of this edition of Boomer Beauty) and hair restoration (which will be the subject of a future post). These particular products contain proteins derived from the stem cells of the umbilical cord lining of the red deer native to New Zealand. Umbilical cord stem cells are called “neo-natal” and can help replace those which humans lose over time. The aha moment came when Cell Research Corporation, the parent company of Calecim Professional, discovered that this source of protein, which does zero harm to the animal, had the same effect as other stem cell sources, while being non-controversial. In addition, the cord source produces proteins in their purest and therefore most potent form.
I am an observer and not a scientist, so I cannot explain the science behind these products better than the manufacturer. This link provided much greater detail.
The company was founded in 2002 in Singapore and in 2004, their laboratory discovered that the properties of these proteins had unmatched healing powers in various post-surgery applications and with scarring. This made the brand, developed by scientists, move seamlessly into the medical field, as it was obvious, based on before and after photos, that it was effective.
OK, that’s all great, now show me some products and their uses!
Calecim has become well known for skin regeneration (they have been granted and hold numerous patents) but until recently their products were relegated only to medical and med spa channels. Calecim Professional is currently launching via additional channels and globally.
Their skin care falls into several categories; cleanse and tone, correct/multi action and restore/hydrate. My favorite is their fragrance-free Professional Pigment Solution. I’ve been using it for several months now and I’ve seen my worst sunspots lighten, and my less severe dark spots have disappeared to the point where I no longer need to conceal them before a big night out.
Why fragrance-free? Purity, especially in the case of these products, is important. Calecim is all about performance. Fragrance dilutes the purity and therefore the effectiveness of the product.
Here’s how I use the products. My face, like those of most people, has obviously been impacted by the sun to a greater extent on my upper face. Although I’ve worn sunglasses my whole life, I was unaware that some sunglasses reflect the sun and/or concentrate it and sunglasses themselves can cause damage. I use the Professional Pigment Solution for hyperpigmentation and use the Restorative Hydration Cream on my lower face and neck, where there is less damage and where the product targets laxity and facial contours/wrinkles. All of these skin creams are particularly useful after any med spa procedure to speed healing, which was their original use case.
If you plan on being in the sun, a sun block can be applied after the Calecim dries for a few minutes. The packaging is high-end acrylic with well thought out closures and, in some cases, retracting pumps.
I love these products and they are about to explode onto the scene!
If you can recall your mother or grandmother telling you they were off to their appointment at the beauty pallor, then you are of an age where you will find that this site was designed for you! Grandma, of course, went to see her hairdresser/beautician, likely to get a permanent or curlers and bobby pins or perhaps to become a blue haired grandma (something called Fancy Faux I’m told) which was the tradition. Along the way she’d receive healthy dose of gossip which, prior to the internet, she could only get at the beauty parlor or by spending long hours on a rotary phone, which at the time, may have had its own room, nook or phone chair, which additionally held the Yellow and White Pages.
Now of course, we have salons instead of beauty parlors and stylists instead of hairdressers. Yes, and we have flight attendants as opposed to stewardesses. It’s all good. There is nothing wrong with evolving. In fact, such an evolution is important.
Very few things in the beauty industry have evolved at the pace of men’s beauty/grooming, as the increased attention men, and their potential/actual partners pay to grooming. Your evolution may have been slow in coming. Perhaps your journey began with a moisturizer or sun block. Perhaps your journey has yet to commence. Well, men’s grooming is a revolution and it’s time to join in. Here’s why. There are some amazing brands out there which will improve not only your skin and your hair (including regrowing hair – more on that in future blogs posts) but which will improve your outlook, your confidence and impact how others see you.
I am fortunate. Due to my wife’s beauty products consulting business, a great number of brands (some which have not yet reached the market) and their associated samples pass through our home each month. I am expected to try each, critique them and to provide feedback. Over the past 15 years, I’ve learned what to look for in a product; performance, price, scent, packaging, all dependent on the anticipated end market (salon, medical, retail, on-line, prestige, etc.). The market is saturated and highly competitive, so differentiation can either drive success or lead to failure. There are hundreds of examples of characteristics affecting success. Let’s just take one, shampoo and conditioner viscosity. If the stuff is too thick to get out of the bottle, no one benefits and the frustrated customer or the stylist will soon move on. Conversely, if it’s so thin that most of the product leaks through your fingers before making to your head, it’s just wasteful.
This is my first publication in quite a while. I took Covid off, but I’ve been wanting to critique many of the products I’ve tested over these past few years and have wanted to share my results. My goal is to educate those out there who with might really benefit from my meager guidance. I plan to continue to publish with my patented side of humor.
So, you’ve had some late nights. You could not possibly drink enough water to compensate for the international flight from which you just escaped. You got a little too much sun. The dry winter has extracted the last bit of moisture from your face. And, of course, there’s the inevitable march of time. But, there is no need for you to look tired, for your face to reflect a road map of your exploits or for it to be representative of your chronological age.
This post will focus on the various products available to improve the appearance of your eyes, which can make you look tired and is one of the first areas to show age for both men and women. Use of these products may be to brighten dark circles under your eyes, to reduce puffiness and to smooth out and blend them in with the areas surrounding your eyes.
The skin around the eyes is delicate and thinner than the skin elsewhere on the face. This is why products have been specially formulated to treat these areas. In all cases, products are applied under and around your eyes and then worked in by kind of patting your under eye with a finger (preferably your own :). You don’t need much. Never apply on your eyelids. Wash your hands afterwards to reduce the possibility of getting the product in your eyes. I’ll also briefly cover a product designed to open eyes by temporarily controlling eyelids droop without surgery. It’s a magic trick.
Performance is paramount and most products work. Due to consistent use of an eye serum, for example, my dark circles are a thing of the past. Then there is price, packaging, active ingredients (amount and strength) and the unique stories and benefits of each.
There are several serums and creams not specifically designed for eyes but which are applied from the center of the face outward and upward (universal face creams and emulsions). If you’ve already decided an eye solution is not for you, then at least consider what I call a “generalist” product like C Serum by Malibu C, which is suitable for all skin type and corrects multiple skin issues. Malibu C is a vegan-based wellness brand and is actually located in Malibu. They also have an incredible manufacturing and training academy in Indianapolis. They are well known for their professional hair and skin care solutions. You may not have heard of them but your professional hair stylist has. C Serum comes in two parts and you add the “C” powder into the liquid, shake it and use it in the following few months. This ensures its freshness and ensures its strength. You can find it for as little as $37.
Perfection C Serum
If you are still with me on the eye thing, let’s discuss the super high end stuff first. You may not be aware of it, but the Koreans have created some amazing skin care products. Some retailers even have specific sections in their outlets dedicated to Korean skin care. DraCell is an incredible Korean skin care brand. Aside from the most incredible packaging on the planet, (see the June Cell line in Figure 1), their claim to fame is that the doctor involved in creating some of the formulas has not only successfully cloned animals and is famous in Korea for doing so, but he owns a stem cell factory! Stem cells have amazing rejuvenating properties and are included in many of their products.
Figure 1: June Cell in its highest end version (gift size). Incredible packaging Figure 2: DraCell’s Men’s Version – Beaute de Cell homme
If you are the Sultan of Oman and wish to impress the visiting ambassador of Burkina Faso or impress you significant other(s), the full size version of June Cell (Figure 1 is the smaller gift size, the full size is astounding) is about $425. It contains the “Defined Cell Culture Media”, which is the stem cell technology. It’s the cost of the technology and to some extent the planet’s best packaging that drives the price. Price aside, I love everything about it; the scent, the product consistency, the results I see. The eye cream has the perfect applicator, so you need not contaminate the product by sticking your finger in the product’s container. Come to think of it, $425 ain’t that bad for what you get. And, if you fly First Class on Emirates, you may be lucky enough to receive a generous selection of June Cell in your in-flight kit!
The men’s version (figure 2) is more accessible, at around $125 for the travel bag and contents. It is also pretty amazing and includes skin essence, skin emulsion and skin recovery serum, all in glass bottles. You even get a great mask, sun block and a cleanser.
There is another DraCell eye product that is unique. It’s part of their Beaute de Cell line and is their Advanced Microsome’ Eye Patch. The directions are in Korean, but the package also contains illustrations and instructions in English are on line (or just keep reading). After washing and drying your face, you peel the patch off its plastic backing and place it under your eyes. OK, so there are lots of products like this, but this one asks that you press the patch against your under eyes for 10 seconds, as the patch contains very tiny needles-like things which open the pores enough to let the active ingredients to do their job. It feels a little weird but the idea makes a lot of sense. And the active ingredients are DraCell’s famous Defined Cell Culture Media (the stem cell stuff) so you will pay about $100 for eight pairs. You leave the patches on for 30 minutes, peel off the patch and gently work any residual into your under eyes.
Peel and Stick Eye Patches
Beaute’ de Cell Eye Patch pouch
Alright, what if you aren’t stocking your yacht for a cruise to Monaco. What’s out there for us mere mortals? All of the following are of good quality and perform. There is a lot to like about Pharamagel. They have Eye Firme (about $21 on-line for 1 ounce) to hydrate delicate eyes and reduce the appearance of aging. It has a very mild pleasant scent. They also produce Eye Prote (.5 ounces for around $24 – shop around) which is good for dark circles. It has no scent and is soothing. I like the packaging too. Hard to go wrong.
Two Pharmagel Eye Products
GlowBiotics MD is, as the name suggests, a medical strength product. Their A-Team product contains Retinol, pro-biotics and botanicals. They also produce an eye Hydrator AM/PM, that soothes and hydrates. Because of their ingredients and strength, they do cost a bit more, but the company is well respected. If you are trying to correct versus maintain, give them a shot.
A-TEAM Medical GlowBiotics
RMD DNA Eye Balm and Regeneration Serum (they are supposed to be used together) contain plant based, non-bacterial growth factor. It’s about $145. It has clinical proof and is not supposed to break down in UV light. The Eye Balm is $80. The container has a retracting collar which prevents inadvertent leakage when travelling and was developed by a Beverly Hills Doctor. Anyway, as it’s $225 when purchased together, it depends on how often you plan to take advantage of it’s unique UV resistant and other properties.
RMD DNA Eye Balm
So, do you want to look ten years younger in about three minutes? Do you have extra eye lid skin? Let’s discuss a temporary solution perfect for a night out, that important speaking engagement or conference, a hot date (or your dating profile photo). The product is called Contour Rx – Lids by Design. They come in various sizes (typically 5mm to 8mm). The concept sounds odd, but they work! These are basically made of that self-adhesive contact paper shelf liner stuff cut into eye shaped half moons. A bunch of them costs about $30. It takes a surprisingly large amount of practice to get these things placed properly on your upper eye lid. But, if you luck out, they will immediately change your looks for the better. If improperly placed, you will look like a mental patient (nothing against mental patients). If you consider the alternative, which is surgery, then they are worth a try. I love them!
Contours Rx – Lids by Design – Various Sizes
So, that gives you some ideas on what’s out there at all price points, how to use them and my general opinions. I’m thinking my next post will be called Block and Tackle, about sun block and tackling skin problems. If you have a subject you’d like covered, please leave me a comment.
Men have evolved! No longer must you over-compensate for a discussion of hair or skin care by then discussing truck transmissions! Men really do care how they look and taking care of themselves has become a healthy and accepted lifestyle. Gone is the stigma. I understand it may be easier to discuss the topic with women as they are naturally open to it. Actually, if you do, women will view you as confident, advanced and maybe even a little sexy. But men are far more likely now to recommend a product they like to other men.
Did you know that today, the men’s beauty category is experiencing the fastest growth in the beauty industry? Every day, more men are discovering the health benefits some of these products provide. It has taken a long time for men to reach this tipping point. Let me tell you about my journey. It started in the late 1800. Kidding. It started when my in-flight amenities kit included samples of LaPrairie (a Swiss skin care brand) on a business flight to Zurich. I loved the stuff and I hoarder and rationed it.
Now, I’m not suggesting the subject would make a good ice breaker at your local biker bar, but walls have come down. And, I suppose the coasts have progressed the most. I have a nephew rural Pennsylvania, who is the poster child for Farmers Only.com. He’s a hunter and his idea of advanced hair care is likely Head and Shoulders, but he’s a ginger and even he is open to suggestions regarding the right sun block. Hey, call it men’s health if you are still uneasy.
So, try broaching the subject when the opportunity arises and I think you’ll be surprised the positive reaction you get, as I have to starting this blog.
I’ve been thinking about creating a blog for some time now. Why? Because there is a desperate need out there. There are a ton of sites for females, both young and old, but who helps the beleaguered male, especially the boomer male. Plus, there is so much to know. When I was growing up you could choose from Head and Shoulders, Lemon-up (remember that?) Johnson and Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, Prell and my absolute favorite, Herbal Essence and maybe a few others. Some guys just shampooed their hair with a soap on a rope! Not anymore. Now there are tens of thousands of products vying for your hard earned dollar and many are both effective and worth your money.
So, why me and how am I qualified? And yes, I know expertise does not appear to be a prerequisite for starting a blog :). Call me crazy, but I believe some experience should be a qualifying factor when advising others. I am not from the beauty industry. I’m actually from the aircraft leasing industry!?!? My wife has been in the industry for decades and for the past decade she has owned her own company, which specializes in obtaining distribution for brands which want to go global and she now has employees throughout the world.
My role for the past decade has been as a critic or sounding board for my wife’s company. On a weekly basis she receives boxes of samples and/or complete lines of products from brands which want her to represent them. There are WAY more brands seeking her expertise than she could possibly represent. I help her curate, narrow down and ultimately decide on which brands to select (salon, medical, retail, mass market, prestige or a category my wife made up called “Masstige”). I review and assess products from a male perspective, which is uncommon, but I also can apply the experience I’ve gained from many years of assessing hundreds of products.
In addition, I have traveled the world and, as a significant contributor to Trip Advisor, I have garnered 225,000 readers while developing my writing skills and critical eye.
What types of products will I be presenting? Hair care (coloring, straightening, primers, leave-ins, shampooing, conditioning, etc.) skin care (moisturizing, age reducing, maintenance, cover up, cleansing, tanning, exfoliating, sun block, Korea skin brands, you name it) tools (hair dryers, brushes and to a lesser extent flat irons and such), spa related items (facial masks, mani/pedi stuff) all designed to keep you looking your youngest and keep you from throwing your money away.
What do I look for? Number 1 is performance. If it doesn’t perform it’s really not worth a second look. Scent. Is it pleasant, does it last/ do you just love it? Packaging. Can you get it out of the bottle (you’d be amazed how some brands don’t appear to have ever tried out their own product, in the shower, for example). Ingredients (natural, organic, clean, wellness enhancing). Viscosity. Is it so thick that it is painful to extract the product? Is it so thin it ends up running through your hands and onto the floor? Does it absorb into your skin or hair? Is it greasy or does it dry you out? Is it too aggressive and irritates your skin or makes you break out. Does it solve a problem or prevent a problem? All these findings I will pass on to my readers.
As this blog expands, I’ll be interviewing industry experts and adding photos and videos to enhance the experience, as well adding as a bit of humor, as there is no need to take the subject matter too seriously. I am planning for this to be a public service. Hey I wonder if I can get the Judge to give me community service credit? Kidding, I don’t expect the Judge to do that. Still Kidding. I have no criminal record 🙂 There is no plan to sell anything even if I ultimately add product links. BTW, I’m not shy and I am comfortable with my manhood, so if you see me in a facial mask……
Although the site is designed for men, I hope that “Ladies Like It Too” (from the old Irish Spring soap commercial).
