Beauty Bets » Greg

Nature Calls . . .

Beauty Bets — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 04:01:38 +0000

While I’m busy swiping lipgloss and getting my hair done for the greater good, my mountaineering husband is giving back the old-fashioned way: as a volunteer with Wilderness Inquiry, a nonprofit that makes outdoor adventure travel accessible to those who might not otherwise get to experience the beauty of, say, backpacking in the BWCA or kayaking Prince William Sound. Having been raised by freakishly active, nature-loving parents, I have a deep and abiding appreciation for the outdoors and its boundless ability to enhance one’s quality of life.

This month, you can help support Wilderness Inquiry’s efforts to turn 40 acres of land in the Apostle Islands into a fully accessible base-camp for disabled individuals and low-income families. Simply visit The Pepsi Refresh Project and vote for Wilderness Inquiry. Mr. Bets and I thank you.

Battle of the Shave Cream: Aveda vs. Kiehl’s

Beauty Bets — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:29:48 +0000

Ever since I worked for Kiehl’s, my husband has been a die-hard fan of the White Eagle Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream. Come to think of if, he’s used it for nearly a decade. (Ugh! this is how I know I’m aging). It’s that good at prepping the skin for shaving, preventing redness, razor burn, and those pesky red bumps, and leaving his face lightly moisturized. Which is why I was SHOCKED when he gave the new Aveda Men Pure-Formance Shave Cream a higher rating. The 99 percent naturally derived formula looks a lot like Kiehl’s—creamy, white lotion—but, according to Mr. Bets, is slightly thinner in consistency so it doesn’t clog his razor (or our sink). Unfortunately, he went through the 5 oz. tube of Aveda much more quickly then the 8 oz tub of Kiehl’s, which usually lasts him 6 months—and costs about the same. What’s a wife to do?

p.s. Greg says skip the Aveda Men Pure-Formance Dual Action Aftershave—it’s a bit too greasy. And what man under the age of 70 uses aftershave anyway?

Mr. Bets-Approved Sunscreens

Beauty Bets — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:24:17 +0000

This is my husband, Greg. He’s a mountaineer.

Greg is NOT a beauty junkie.

I am lucky if I can get him to wash his face.

He is, however, very selective about sunscreen. It can’t smell or sting and it has to work. He has probably tested dozens over the years without even realizing it (I’m good like that). Here are the three that have passed the test and remain staples in our house—and his 70-pound backpack. You don’t have to be a man or a mountaineer to appreciate their benefits.

Ole Henriksen Skin Insulator CremeOle Henriksen Skin Insulator with SPF 15 ($35)
This rich, cushiony cream is calming and nourishing, thanks to linseed extract and grape seed oil. It doesn’t irritate Greg’s skin post-shave, so it’s the perfect daily moisturizer during cooler months when his skin is dry.

Kiehl’s All-Sport Non-Freeze Face Protector SPF 30 ($18.50)
This hockey puck-sized pot is filled with a wax-based, water-resistant balm that creates a physical barrier between your skin and the sun, wind, and water. It’s also perfect for protecting lips. Nothing gets through this stuff!

Coppertone Sport Continuous Spray SFP 70 ($11)
Old school and completely unglamorous, this is hard-core sun protection. The new spray application is hands-free, so it’s ideal when you’re dangling off a cliff at 14,000 feet, or at the beach, covered in sand.