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).
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Terrific idea! Doug is qualified and extremely intuitive to the needs of men’s grooming. Men are especially in need of products for solving problems. Doug is a problem solver with experience and knowledge with resources in the beauty industry to help filter to differentiate between marketing hype and products based on science emphasized on wellness with a holistic approach to beauty. This could be a game changer for men who are also recognizing that the aging process is manageable if we start with a preventive approach to daily routines that can fit well into our lifestyles. We can all learn and share with one another using Doug as a catalyst for engagement. Thanks Doug…..you are the perfect person to reach us guys as you have no agenda except to share information.
You are gracious, generous and “such a good judge of character” 🙂 Kidding about that last part. I am honored by your words and opinion and will try to live up to your faith in me even if I feel I am not worthy.
Great job Dougie!!! We need more men in the world like you. 🙂
xoxo
It is about time!!!! This is a brilliant concept in the digital world space. Men are looking for answers too! Everyone is becoming more health and beauty aware. Doug is the perfect person to try critique and recommend. He approaches the subject with wit AND humor. Fun, funny, easy to understand AND informative – I wish we could get all of our needed information in this way. Looking forward to more content.
Thank you so much for your kind words Leti! ! Will be adding more content as soon as I am sure all of my site setting are correct. And, I need to link to Instagram as well.
Congratulations Doug. So awesome. I look forward to it.
Thanks so much Bob. You may end up as a model!
Great idea my friend! Look out beauty junkies!
So I will try my best not to disappoint such an illustrious industry icon.
I love it! Finally a place to get real honest advice on hair products for men.. thank you for launching this site
Doug
I’m Thrilled for the world. You are an extraordinary man, husband , father and friend
I’m so excited for this to happen share your wisdom
Renee Piane Campanella 💕
I’m excited for you to start this , it’s so frustrating to watch so many commercials for skin and hair for women ! It’s time men step up to the plate !
Thank you for doing this !
Susan Weinstein
This is soooo cool!! That’s what we need!😉
OMG, How great is this! I am so impressed. You will change men’s lives! It must be very hard to men to find a place on line to seek out information on the right products for them. You will be a household name before you know it!
xoxoxox
Thanks so much Margie!
Awesome,Doug! We need an expert to help our men!!!thanks for your help and expertise.. looking forward to it!
Shannon
m
Mr. Walker, this is a wonderful blog and one that is way overdue. I, being an older male, would be very much interested in if there are any products out there that would assist me in coloring my hair w/o losing the vitality and shine that I presently have. Any help regarding this issue would be much appreciated. I am sure there are many men out there that would love to here you speak of this issue. Thank you in advance. Mr. Smith
It is timely that you ask as I am working on my first post related to this very subject. It looks like you comment at 1:01 AM, so youmust be losing sleep over this 🙂 Help is on the way!
Great job Doug. I think it is so cool how you support your wife. Keep your reviews coming. Plus a nice facial might feel good. Never did one.
Wife, Shmife. This is all me. I will be reviewing facial products and masks you can do in the privacy of your own home!
I have over 40 years into the category myself. I look forward to your thoughts and opinions . Humor works. Baked on what I’ve seen on FB anout you I’m really hoping to enjoy this blog ! Good luck Doug !!
DL- this is AWESOME! You’d be surprised at how many men I have coming in for facials on a regular basis.
I think this will be a great educator and platform for men to speak freely about their thoughts and concerns. After all , men age just the same as women.
I expect nothing less then your humor along the way. Are you sure there’s no criminal record?
Excited to read along the way…
J
DL- this is AWESOME! You’d be surprised at how many men I have coming in for facials on a regular basis.
I think this will be a great educator and platform for men to speak freely about their thoughts and concerns. After all , men age just the same as women.
I expect nothing less then your humor along the way. Are you sure there’s no criminal record?
Excited to read along the way…
J
This is AWESOME!!! I will check in often to hear your thoughts and comments! A big fan!
Just you wait!
Doug, Very interesting read here and I look forward to reading more of what you have to offer in the future.