Wash & Buff: Men's Health Best Face Scrub, June 2011

Billy Zane on Sustainability

Ecofabulous.com is the online authority for stylish, sustainable living - your inside source for all things both "eco" and fabulous." Founder Zem Joaquin likes to make sure ecofabulous products meet three criteria:  1) The product and process to manufacture it are toxin-free for personal health and the environment   2) When the product has fulfilled its life duties, it biodegrades or has a plan for its next life   3) The product exemplifies superior quality and aesthetic design - basically, does it work as well as look good? 

Ecofabulous was recently able to interview Hollywood actor Billy Zane, in collaboration with the eBay Green Team, to bring you his top ecofabulous picks as part of the Tastemaker Top Ten Series. Naturally, EVMAN made the list. Courtesy of ecofabulous.com, here's a few thoughts on how Billy Zane lives sustainably.

ecofabulous: What makes you feel ecofabulous?

Billy Zane: I feel ecofabulous when I create an art piece many times more valuable than the sum of all its discarded parts.

ecofabulous: At ecofabulous, we often talk about the value (for your pocket book and the planet) of buying pre-owned and vintage. Is there anything you're shopping for that's pre-owned lately?

Billy Zane: I buy vintage clothes often as my style and sensibilities are pretty retro. I prefer vintage boots, watches, ties, and often find vintage and antique items make better gifts. They are well made, often by hand with better ratios of precious metals, and feel like one of a kind. [I buy] vintage frames for shades and specks always – just better looking, better weight, and sense of style. These are my natural inclinations and preferences. I’m so glad they could align with the current logic of environmentalism.

Which EVMAN product made Billy Zane's top picks? 

The EVMAN Recycled Tire Bag - fashioned from recycled innertubes, each bag is handmade in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.The material is durable, stain-proof, and waterproof. Of the bag, Billy Zane says, "I think this item is quite clever. Looks smart too!"


How else does EVOLUTIONMAN live sustainably? We are proud that all of our recyclable tubes are made with post-consumer recycled materials. Our boxes use paper generated from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and bear the SFI logo. We also source and manufacture all of our products locally in the United States. This is proof positive that environmental can be stylish.

About Billy Zane: Best known for his achievements as an actor in over 80 films and television shows including Memphis Belle, Dead calm, Tombstone, Sniper, Zoolander, Orlando, The Phantom, Twin peaks and of course Titanic, Billy Zane has been dedicated to developing and promoting his passion for social activism. A partner in the top convergent media distribution platform Radioactive Giant, Billy enables not only the agendas and initiatives of his fellow artists, politicians, activists, leaders and citizens, but also his personal project due to launch officially this September internationally on all digital platforms; It is, quite simply and refreshingly…A Good News Network.

EVOLUTIONMAN would like to thank ecofabulous for the information in this post. All information provided about Mr. Zane and ecofabulous is property of ecofabulous.com. For the original interview, and to read more of Mr. Zane's Tastemaker Picks, please click here.

Endemic Agenda

The gentlemen at EVMAN came across Los Angeles-based brand the other day called Endemic. The label has a unique oath and gives a portion of profits to social and environmental causes each year. What stood out to us is that these guys make all the pieces in the collection domestically and strive to take a different approach then your average apparel company, which we can really dig. After carousing the recently launched website and browsing the spring/summer collection, we can say that we can expect some good things coming from the crew at Endemic. Be sure to grab yourself some here on the Endemic website or from Los Angeles area stockists carrying Endemic.

Endemic is located at 578 Washington Blvd. #511, Venice, CA 90292.

Gentleman A of The Traveling Gentleman

Meet Male Groomer - Sonia Lee



 "I find beauty in everything," says male groomer Sonia Lee, "If people feel great after I do their makeup, it makes me feel great and happy." Her openness to experiment, coupled with her broad skills to achieve the right effect, allow Lee to explore a variety of projects and achieve the full depth of her skill.

Ms. Lee, who was born and raised in Seoul, believes that to be beautiful is to like one's self and feel confident. In her sixteen years of experience as a professional makeup artist and male groomer, enhanced by a background in studying fashion design and working on films, Ms. Lee has created a diverse world of beautiful people, including male celebrities Neil Patrick Harris, Kevin Bacon, Woody Harrelson, and Chris Rock - just to name a few. EVOLUTIONMAN had an opportunity to chat with Ms. Lee. 

Q: How did you get your start in the makeup and grooming industry?

 A: I studied art and fashion in Korea. One of my teachers suggested I transition into makeup as I had an eye for beauty. I then attended the best makeup school in Korea. Due to my skills, Amore and Judanhak are the two companies that influenced me to come to Los Angeles.

Q: What is the most exciting aspect of your job?

 A: It is exciting meeting artists and creative people. It's always a nice surprise when you become someone's makeup artist after working with them for the first time.

Q: What products are you addicted to at the moment, that you use on a daily basis on your clients?

 A: I love lip balms and bronzers to create a healthy glow.

Q: What are some of the most basic (yet really important) skincare tips you have for men?

 A: Good sleep, exercise, and nutrition. Also, it is important to find out what type of skin you have, then use the right products.

Q: Any skincare DON'Ts for men?

A: A common mistake is men thinking skincare is just for women. It is equally important for men to care for their skin. Skin is skin!

Andrew Garfield - Golden Globes

Q: Why do you think men are finally realizing makeup isn't just for women anymore?

A: It's the same as plastic surgery these days, it's more public and popular to use makeup for men. They are wishing to look younger and fresher as well. Smooth fresh skin, shiny eyes, and gorgeous hair have always been desired, and it is now more widely accepted to use products for men to achieve these effects.

Q: Have there been any celebrities gracing the pages of magazines and looking sharp thanks to EVMAN?

A: Neil Patrick Harris, Anthony Hopkins, Geoffrey Rush, Andrew Garfield... I've been using it for red carpet and press.

Q: Lastly, what public figure do you think perfectly exemplifies the modern man?

A: Andrew Garfield exemplifies a true gentleman. He's a successful young man with a great caring manner about him. He happens to be tall and handsome as well. :)

To get Ms. Lee's daily beauty must-haves, read more about Lip Balm SPF 15 and Moisture Protect SPF 20 Bronze.

EVMAN would like to thank Sonia Lee and Executive Artists Management Los Angeles for the interview and biography on Ms. Lee. 

LEMONADE - ABBOT KINNEY

Lemonade, by chef Alan Jackson, is a cafeteria-catering style restaurant spanning four locations in Los Angeles.

Something about Lemonade feels very familiar when you first step in. Stainless steel counter tops and a line-up of customers with trays in hand gives your a senses a hint. It's only until you recognize the cursive typeface and familiar chef outfit that you realize Lemonade's design choice. Lemonade has taken the grade school experience you had growing up and elevated it to a higher level. The staff is helpful and friendly, but more importantly, the ready-made food is a knockout. Going from a catered approach, Lemonade offers sandwiches, salads, side mixtures of culturally diverse portions that happen to be seasonal, and, to top it off, freshly baked sugary desserts.

I happened to go with a series of three portions, the Israeli couscous with wild mushrooms, Parmesan, and lemon truffle, chopped sweet potatoes with pistachios, and chicken salad with grapes, butternut squash, and oregano. My lady friend who accompanied me ordered the turkey pot roast sandwich, and in good fashion, both of us partook in two tall cups of kiwi-strawberry lemonade. The food has a feeling of comfort soul food, with the appearance of health. Lemonade caters to both sides of the spectrum. Want a cup of macaroni and cheese with a red velvet cupcake for dessert? Or perhaps you're making an effort to be light on the waistline by ordering a salad and a portion of winter squash with white truffle and chives. Either way, Lemonade has got you covered.

The price of Lunch at Lemonade isn't cheap, although the price accurately represents the quality and level of craftsmanship you'd expect of an LA establishment of this caliber. Once we packed in our last bites for the evening, my lady friend and I left Lemonade with full stomachs, feeling content and blissfully happy, with an earnest desire to return to an outstanding establishment in the future.

Lemonade is located in four locations in the Los Angeles area. The Lemonade we visited is located at 1661 Abbot Kinney, Venice, CA 90291.


Gentleman A of The Traveling Gentlemen

MALE TREND ALERT: All Saints Demise Boot

All Saints is a British-born brand founded in 1994 that follows one key ingredient: instead of following trends, it goes against them. Their boots are something we have a deep admiration for, military styling with a fashion conscious appeal that cant be ignored. Whether you are going out to your favorite nightclub or you're going to have dinner with your crew, there is nothing better then a pair of boots that will go anywhere with you, without causing issues. The Demise boot is nothing short of what is mentioned above. From the front lace-up and ankle cuff, to the heavily hand-washed and hand-treated leather for the perfect vintage effect, these boots will be ready for whatever you have planned.

Gentleman B of The Traveling Gentlemen

Doyle Mueser - NYC

Passionately rational. I can think of no better way to describe the essence of a gentleman. A gentleman does not use his rationale to determine why he should not have that which his passions cry out for. Rather, his rational prowess is used to bring about the fulfillment of these desires in a satisfying manner. This concept is expressed in his cheeky charm, confident stride, thirst for knowledge, and, let us not forget, the adornment of an exquisite Bespoke suit.

I am excited to report a gem I discovered on a recent trip to New York. I was offered an experience that not only ignited my desires, but appealed to my reason. I was left utterly satisfied, yearning for a return visit. I am speaking of an exquisite boutique located in the heart of the West Village, Doyle Mueser. Amber Doyle and Jake Mueser designed the collection, and this shop catered specifically to the needs of the gentleman, providing all he might need for an excursion about town - suits, shirts, ties, cufflinks, other trinkets - as well as some very tasteful travel bags. And yet, what sets this shop a cut above is its emphasis on the individual. 

Attention to detail and an eye for aesthetic excellence await, should you choose to have one of their master craftsmen prepare a suit for you. Customers are encouraged to select fabrics and cuts that express their personal motifs. The process is more than an interaction between client and tailor, according to Jake Mueser, it is a "collaboration." Once your fabric preferences are settled it is time for fitting, which consists of five different measurements taken over the course of six to ten weeks to ensure your suit fits perfectly. To assure quality, all Bespoke suits are hand-sewn in New York City. During assembly, accents can be added to heighten your suit's individuation - decorative pick stitches are always a nice touch. As you can see, the first time you don your suit, and accompanying accessories, it will be a genuine expression of your creative genius. Something beautiful created by your desire to accentuate your excellence. In the suit, something that can be worn to any affair and easily fit the occasion, we find a poignant appeal to the rationale. Jake Mueser and Amber Doyle provide the gentleman a service that not only appeals to his essence, but mirrors it.

Doyle Mueser Bespoke is located at 19 Christopher Street, New York, NY 10014.

Gentleman A of The Traveling Gentlemen

The Venice Ale House - Venice Beach

The wind was blowing harshly from the ocean in Venice Beach. I sat at the table across from a chiseled older gentleman smoking a hand-rolled cigarette. He leaned over in a very relaxed manner. “I eat healthy, and I want my customers to eat healthy. Everyone should ask where his or her food is coming from,” Tom says after taking a sip of his local beer. The Venice Ale House is a place a lot like Cheer’s; everyone truly does know your name. In a place in Venice Beach known as the boardwalk, the alehouse on the corner of Rose is an oasis in a desert, starting a much-needed gentrification process of local restaurant chains. You see, most restaurants on the boardwalk have been there for years and have long ago stopped catering to the local community. The influx of tourists that make their way to the Venice Boardwalk every year has kept them in business, regardless of the fact that they have generic and greasy food, with even worse service. In that respect, The Venice Ale House is nothing like its counterparts.

The food at the Venice Ale House is all organic. The beef is grass fed, as opposed to the generic corn fed variety, and all food is cooked in coconut oil. That's not all - to top it off, the alehouse has an extensive beer and wine list that’s all local and not imported from overseas. “Do we have Budweiser? No, but we do have the best Colorado beer you’ve ever tasted,” Tom says. Needless to say, the food is at the alehouse is incredible. I started off with an appetizer of freshly cooked green beans with garlic and sea salt. I then proceeded to the next course, which was a grass fed beef burger with feta and arugula, and delightful side of sweet potato un-fries. Although I ate a large burger, the food feels surprisingly light on the stomach. In addition to serving burgers, they serve fish, tacos, salads, and a bevy of appetizers. All designed by Tom and Spoon, the founders.

Many locals hang out at the alehouse. You can see a variety of people, from the business woman getting off a long day of work, to a street performer coming in for a nice cold one. Even the waitresses are all local to Venice; it ties in with Tom’s whole philosophy of “Organic” in every sense of the word. “You know every person who works here has walked in through this door," Tom said. "We have to be a part of the community, we’ve said that from the very start.” With great food, great drink, and charming service, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience on a cold night. With only seven months in business, the alehouse has done what most restaurants strive to do in over a year.

The Venice Ale House is located at 2 Rose Avenue, Venice Beach, CA 90291

Gentleman A of The Traveling Gentlemen

Be a Tough Guy Without Being a Rough Guy

For you tough guys out there, exfoliation (the process of removing dead cells from the skin's surface) isn't strictly for those with two X-chromosomes. Both gals and guys can have dry skin, acne, large pores, aging skin, or other dermatological concerns. What makes it a man's sport?  Men typically have thicker skin than women, and thus may experience the most benefit from exfoliation. Think of it like that home-improvement project - you have to use a sander to smooth out rough edges for that perfect finish. Exfoliation is just another tool on your tool belt.

Your skin is composed of different layers, the newest, most supple skin being at the bottom and the oldest (and most dead) skin at the top. As we get older, cell-turnover, the body's natural way of bringing fresh cells to the surface, slows down. This means the dead cells hang around longer and skin appears dull, blotchy, and uneven. Sun damage over the years also slows the turnover process because it thickens skin, thus taking longer for new cells to reach the surface. To keep skin looking fresh and younger, you have to speed up the cell turnover cycle - removing the old cells forces the skin to regenerate more quickly. The easiest method of speeding this up is by exfoliating in moderation (with the word moderation being key - there is such a thing as over-exfoliation!).

There are essentially two types of exfoliation, chemical and physical. Chemical exfoliation is the process of using chemicals to remove dead surface cells from the skin. There are a few types of mild to harsh acids used in skincare for this, but between AHA, BHA, PHA, the NFL and the NHL, it can be a little brain-racking. Let's tackle chemical exfoliation later and talk about the easy stuff now.

Physical exfoliation is just that - using particles or rough cloth that scrubs and polishes the skin. This typically consists of using a cleanser that contains a physical exfoliating component, like ground nuts, shells, beads, or anything else that can be crammed into a six ounce bottle. This method of exfoliation is typically less expensive than chemical exfoliation treatments. Most physical exfoliants that you find at the store are full of harsh chemicals, on top of using plastic beads to scrub the face. Your exfoliant should gently clean the skin and remove dead cells - not leave your face squeaky-clean like a stripped hardwood floor. It's all about balance. Look for an exfoliant that utilizes finely ground natural particles or alumina, so it cleanses your face like a microdermabrasion treatment - similar to gentle sandblasting. Not to toot our own horn or anything, but EVMAN's Wash & Buff is a great example of an exfoliant that  utilizes alumina, is gentle, smells great, and leaves your skin smooth. So, you can still be that tough guy. Sounds manly to us.

Oh, and as always after exfoliation, make sure you moisturize with an SPF moisturizer to protect your newly revealed skin from the sun's harmful rays. It saves you from looking like an old tough guy!

Football Showdown - A NY Sports Fanatic's Perspective

The best part about this weekend's Conference Championships? For this vindictive Giants fan, it's the fact that Mike "I spend my spare time impersonating Steve Martin" Smith and Tom "Tawm" Brady will be sitting at home, watching the games. "Hey, Mike! Enjoy filming Pink Panther 3! Hey, Tawm! Enjoy... cuddling in bed with Giselle!" Damn, that didn't work the way I planned it. That guy is better at life in every way, than anyone, ever.

In the NFC, the Green Bay Packers visit the Chicago Bears in the frigid tundra of Soldier Field. Jay Cutler, he of the ever-present "who just farted?" face, won in his first playoff appearance with a total of 4 touchdowns. Nice work, but he won't be playing against the Zombie Seahawks (the worst playoff qualifier, EVER, by the way). The Packers are on a roll, having played with playoff urgency since their Week 15 loss to the Patriots. Aaron Rodgers is playing out of his mind, matching Cutler's 4-touchdown performance against the much better first seed Falcons. Clay Matthews and of the rest of the Packers defense are going to make life Hell for Cutler, who will have to keep his gunslinger tendencies in check for the biggest game of his career. The Bears are a good team, and will put up a fight, but they won't be able to cut the Cheeseheads. Packers 31, Bears 21. 

In the AFC, the Pittsburgh Steelers play host to the New York Jets. Jets coach Rex Ryan says it's not personal this time, but the Jets will come in playing angry. It seems that's the only way they can play - although it's better than playing lazy, like another New York football team I know of. The Steelers play an efficient game of football on both sides of the ball, with Ben Roethlisberger leading a potent offense, and Troy Polamalu and James Harrison keeping that Steel City defense scarier than Linda Blair. The Jets have a brilliant running game comprised of Shonn Green and LaDasinian Tomlinson, with a terrific bull-rushing defense. This game will probably come down to who makes the right coaching moves - the bombastic Ryan or the stoic Mike Tomlin (who has an uncanny resemblance to Dr. Foreman on the FOX Network's show House). The smart money is on the Steelers, who are looking to make their biannual trip to the Super Bowl, but I'm not smart and I have no money. I'm going to go out on a long, close to the ground limb, and say Jets 21, Steelers 17.

Enjoy the games!

Chris B.

Intern