How to Reduce Junk Mail

If you're like any of us at EVOLUTIONMAN, we dread checking our mailboxes. It's an endless pile of unsolicited paper that just ends up in the garbage can. Nearly half of the four million tons of paper junk mail is never even opened! Simply recycling our unwanted mail isn't enough to save the environment. Not only will mail keep coming from the same senders, but the toll on the environment adds up. Companies expend valuable resources such as ink, virgin paper from freshly cut trees, and energy used to produce the mailers. Additionally, the paper has to be delivered AND recycled once your hands toss it into the blue bin. Stopping the endless trail of unwanted paper mail is easy, but it does take a few moments of your time.

Stop junk mail before it starts. 

Whenever you complete a business transaction involving your mailing address - setting up a bank account, donating to a charity, or even subscribing to magazines - your information is most likely sold to a third party company. Stop junk mail before it even starts. Any online credit card or bank account has options to prevent your information from being shared. Additionally, you can "opt out" of communications from your banks and credit card companies. By opting out of American Express communications, we stopped receiving an average of 15 mailers per month. Magazines solicitations can also be stopped, but you most likely will need to email the magazine or call their subscription hotline. It is kind of satisying not to receive magazine subscription offers anymore!

Give your mailbox a makeover with DMA.

The Direct Marketing Association is an organization that helps you manage the junk mail you receive. They work with marketers (the people mailing you!) to manage their mailing lists. By filling out your information at dmachoice.org, you will stop junk mail from these markets at your address for up to five years.

Don't be bogged down by credit card offers.

One telephone number stops credit card companies from clogging your mailbox with offers you don't want. 1-888-567-8688 or optoutprescreen.com stops Equifax, Trans Union, and Experian from selling your information to credit card agencies, stopping offers for up to five years. We received about ten offers per month from various companies, now we receive none!

Adios, catalogs.

While these are tempting for bathroom reading, these are the worst for the environment to land on your doorsteps. Most catalogs have instructions for opting out printed right on the label. If there is no website, call the toll free number listed on the catalog and give them your mailing address exactly as it appears on the label. While we miss our CB2 catalog, we don't miss the other ones selling us junk we don't want or need.

Bulk mail is bothersome.

Unfortunately, writing return to sender does little for the post office, especially if it's written on bulk mail. Our business does not need to receive grocery store fliers, and we weren't sure what to do. Did you know that you could opt out of RedPlum, PennysaverUSA, and local publications by calling their toll free number or visiting their website?

Just by following a few of the simple steps above, we've made our EVMAN and personal mailboxes a little less stressful, and we only receive mail we want to. While this list may seem time-consuming and overwhelming, it isn't so bad. It takes about three minutes each day to opt out of the junk mail you receive, and, pretty soon, will take you zero minutes as junk mail comes to a halt.

Ingredient Spotlight: Tea Tree Oil

Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia, is better known around the world as tea tree oil. Thanks to the pungent aroma, the indigenous people of northeast Australia have used this plant for hundreds of years to treat coughs, colds, and skin ailments. It wasn't until last century that the oil extract from the plant was discovered to have medicinal properties related to killing bacteria. Use of the oil as an antibiotic waned mid-century, as new drugs were developed on the market, but production has since rekindled due to an interest in the natural remedy market.

The reasons why tea tree oil has positive benefits was not discovered until much later. It is a great antiseptic because it is a monoterpene alcohol, also known as terpineol. Simply put, that means there's a lot of hydrogens, carbons, and one alcohol. The way the atoms are arranged is what makes these compounds able to penetrate bacteria and other microbes, killing them. Additionally, tea tree oil has been known to fight fungal infections like athlete's foot, staphylococcus bacterias, lice, and dandruff. Just make sure you don't ingest tea tree oil, as it is toxic and should not be taken internally.

What does this mean for you?  By selecting skin care products with tea tree oil, you can kill acne-causing bacteria on your skin. EVOLUTIONMAN's Cleanse & Shave and Wash & Buff are two facial cleansers that have tea tree oil, acting as an antiseptic on the skin. These gentle cleansers are powered with antioxidants and moisturizers to leave skin feeling clean, refreshed, and moisturized.

MEET MALE GROOMER - CHANTAL MOORE

Born and raised in San Francisco, celebrity male groomer Chantal Moore began working in the fashion industry at a young age. "I discovered fashion early on. I wore vintage clothes, false eyelashes, and red lipstick to school. I never expected to become a makeup artist - it just turned out that I had a natural ability."

For years Ms. Moore has studied the faces of beauty icons like Marlena Dietrich, Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe, Brigitte Bardot, Audrey Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor.  Fascinated by the transformations that take place with makeup, Ms. Moore used her experience as a model to segue into the makeup artist industry. Soon she began working with celebrities like Dave Navarro, Adam Goldberg, Kellan Lutz, George Clooney, Jared Leto, and more. EVOLUTIONMAN got to speak to Ms. Moore recently about her career.

Q: You're a celebrity male groomer - what do you love most about your job?

 A: I can't think of an aspect that isn't exciting about my job. Creative collaboration with a passionate team is exciting. Connecting with other artists and developing relationships. There are always surprises when you work with celebrities. You never quite know what you are going to get.

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

 A: Primers that instantly perfect the texture of skin.

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

 A: Exfoliation. It all begins with the canvas and has to be smooth and clean.

Q: Any skincare DON'Ts for men?

A: Don't make the mistake of going out without sunscreen.

Photo Couresy of
Ryan Kwanten

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

A:

-->Societal changes...the media....this is the reality television generation in which the "Average Joe" can become a reality star overnight. Everyone wants their blemishes and imperfections improved or erased, at the end of the day. Everyone is starting to get ready for their 15 minutes...

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

A: I've used EVMAN most recently on Ryan Kwanten from True Blood.

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

A: Tom Ford comes to mind...

To get Ms. Moore's daily beauty must-haves, read more about Moisture Protect SPF 20.

EVMAN would like to thank Chantal Moore and Cloutier Remix for the interview and biography on Ms. Moore.

THE MINI-FACIAL: HOW IT'S DONE

Facials aren't just for women or sissies. Facials are an easy way give your skin a health glow, because they utilize two important skincare steps: exfoliation and moisturizing. Resolve skin problems and brighten skin with three easy steps incorporated into your grooming routine.

Outlier's Minimalist Backpack

Camping this Autumn? Outlier is now entering the bag market with its minimalist backpack. The pack, sporting a white color, features a new kind of fabric that is lightweight, completely waterproof, and stronger than steel. Outlier's website says it's technically called nonwoven Dyneema. Take it hiking or chuck your stuff in it for weekend excursions.  The bag features a roll top closure, tape seams and packs down to fit in a jacket pocket. The bag has been so popular, the first production run has sold out. Outlier is currently pre-ordering the back for Spring 2012 delivery.

And yes, since the Outlier Minimalist Backpack is 20 times stronger than steel, you can carry a bag of bricks (see image).

Gentleman A of The Traveling Gentleman

Photos courtesy of Outlier. 

Urban Sanctuary & The St Bernard Project

EVOLUTIONMAN had the distinct pleasure of taking part in Urban Sanctuary’s Jetsetter Lounge in Beverly Hills. Celebrities, such as Ryan Cabrera, Kathy Hilton, Niecy Nash, and Grant Show, roamed the aisles of this pop-up store that featured luxury brands like EVOLUTIONMAN. Jet Blue sponsored the event, allowing access for to the newest brands that have raised the bar on fashion, technology, leisure, and lifestyle products for the trendy traveler. Participants included The Naked Grape, Kid Dangerous, Vitaforce, ThinkThin, Closets for Causes, and many more.

Several celebrities in attendance met with Marco Berardini and Valerie Patton of EVOLUTIONMAN, including Grant Show, Ryan Cabrera, Estella Warren, Kahu Kahuanui, Garrett Backstrom, Barbara Alyn Woods, Reef Karim, Vincent DePaul, Nester Serrano, Erig La Salle, and Tim Daly. Cedric Martinez was spotted leaving Urban Sanctuary with a bag of EVMAN goodies in tow.

Proceeds from sales benefited the St. Bernard Project, a non-profit organization whose mission is to remove physical, mental, and emotional barriers for people struggling to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill. 

With Urban Sanctuary alone, EVOLUTIONMAN was able to raise enough funds to provide a bathtub for a new home that houses a family still displaced by Hurricane Katrina. To learn how you can help rebuild the homes and lives of families in the New Orleans area, please visit www.thestbernardproject.org today.

SHOULD YOU WEAR EYE CREAM?

The eye area can be one of the first parts of the face to show aging. The skin here is the thinnest on the face, and squinting and sun exposure cause premature wrinkling over time. Needless to say, the use of daily SPF and an eye moisturizer is important. The type of moisturizer you use is your preference, but there are a few things to consider.

Start by selecting a lightweight eye moisturizer, like an eye gel. A heavy, rich moisturizer can contain oils to make up for the lack of oil glands around the eye. The heaviness of the oils weighs down your thin eye tissue, weakening the cellular fibers that keeps the area firm and elastic. Additionally, these heavy creams contain mineral oil or petroleum-based products as their main moisturizing ingredient. Mineral oil not only can run into the eyes, causing irritation and puffiness, but it coats your skin like clingy plastic wrap, inhibiting its ability to breathe. Try to seek moisturizers that provide anti-aging benefits, such as those infused with antioxidants and plant extracts. 

Revitalize Eye Gel is the best choice. It's a lightweight eye gel that leaves skin supple while taking care of the three major under eye issues: dark circles, puffiness, and aging. 

Licorice root extract, and linoleic acid diminish puffiness and dark circles, while glycolic acid and salicylic acid gently exfoliate skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Sodium hyaluronate, seaweed, and algae extracts balance the skin's moisture content, leaving it supple. Traditional antioxidants like vitamins C and E rejuvenate the skin. 

For a full list of beneficial ingredients and their function, click on the "key ingredients" tab on the Revitalize Eye Gel product page.

How to apply eye gel may be obvious, but following a few tips will help achieve the best results. 

• Always apply eye gel with your ring finger; it's the weakest because it shares a muscle with both the middle finger and pinky, and won't apply too much pressure or tug at the delicate skin. 
• Apply a small portion to your ring finger and, from the outside going in, pat the gel in a dabbing motion around the eye bone (the top part of your cheek bone around the eye). Never rub.
• Avoid putting the eye gel too close to the lash line, or on your upper lid. The lashes pick up tiny amounts of product and it eventually gets into the eyes, causing irritation and puffiness.

EVOLUTIONMAN's Revitalize Eye Gel retails online in the US and Canada at a suggested retail price of $24 for .5oz.

EVOLUTIONMAN HAS YOU COVERED FOR BACK TO SCHOOL

Nobody's perfect, everyone knows that - yet imperfections remain a huge source of embarrassment, even for the manliest man. EVOLUTIONMAN'S Conceal and Conceal & Treat take the shame out of the game with discreetly packaged products. 

Formulated for peak performance, Conceal is a user-friendly tinted cream that blends seamlessly - whether the goal is to erase signs of sun damage, dark circles, blemishes or redness. Simply squeeze a tiny amount on the back of your hand then use your finger tip to dot Conceal on the imperfection. If you want more coverage, you should tap the product on desired area, whereas rubbing will blend a little bit more and give you lighter coverage. If you feel like you've applied too much, don't worry - the super smooth formula will blend away with rubbing.

Similar in function, Conceal & Treat has the added benefit of salicylic acid to treat blemishes and razor burn. This cover-up stick is not the usual suspect, but instead packs a punch - diminishing the appearance of imperfections, while attacking the source of the problem. Directly apply a thin layer to imperfections, then use your finger to either tap or rub for desired effect and coverage.

UP NEXT FOR EVMAN? SEE WHAT DEBUTED AT ELEMENTS SHOWCASE.

EVOLUTIONMAN has once again flexed its product development muscles with the introduction of their revolutionary nail care line for men at Elements Showcase in New York. Elements focuses on exceptional skincare, fragrance, and home ambiance for both emerging and established designers, allowing beauty enthusiasts, buyers, and press to engage in dialogue with the designers themselves. EVMAN unveiled the complete collection at this two-day long show August 15th and 16th.

On the roster? Three bold shades to bring out your inner-rockstar and two protective top coats to round out the line. Whether you're scratching Pavement, a light grey lacquer with a gloss finish, looking to Stand Out with a matte metallic slate, or finding your Alter Ego in matte metallic purple, EVMAN has you covered. If you prefer to be in the nude, EVMAN has developed two protective top coats to suite your needs - Pure Bling for the gent who loves to flash a buff nail, or Pure Matte for the guy seeking protection without the shine.

Also, the nail lacquers don't just look cool, they're made to be cool. All five shades are vegan and cruelty-free - never tested on animals - and formulated without the Big 3: toluene, dibutylphalate (DBP), and formaldehyde. EVOLUTIONMAN's nail collection will be available online and at retailers nationwide in November.

C. CHAUCHAT & THE BLIND BARBER NECKTIE

The New York based based shop, “Blind Barber” in conjunction with men’s accessory brand “C. Chauchat” linked up to create a limited edition necktie for the gentlemen of this generation. The collaboration features a necktie in a gray colorway with a slight hit of texture and color. A perfect accessory for this season, pick yours up at Blind Barber or select stockists.