Video Intrigue: Stop Gun Violence

"It's hard to say whether these [videos] will be effective in convincing people who don't already believe in strong gun control to change their minds; accusing people of tacitly contributing to something as horrific as gun violence could either shock them into action or just really piss them off. Check out the videos and decide for yourself."

Effective or Nah

The Bevel Experience

Bevel advertises:

• BEVEL IS CHANGING THE SHAVING GAME: The first and only end to end shaving system specifically designed for men with coarse, curly hair. 

• CLEARER, SMOOTHER SKIN WITHIN 4 WEEKS: Finally. We can shave with a razor again without fear. No irritation. It's a good look.

• HEAL YOUR SKIN WITH NATURAL INGREDIENTS: The Bevel shaving system is made with the finest natural ingredients to soothe, protect and restore your skin.

The Bevel system lives up to the marketing and while the company is focused on men with curly hair, Bevel should be considered by everyone who shaves with a razor, men and women. I ordered Bevel (Bevel supports the troops with a military discount), and promptly received the first installment in a timely fashion. 

The system is packaged for affect, and it works. The product arrives in a well designed custom box that opens to display the safety razor. Underneath are the razor refills, pre-shave oil, shaving cream, aftershave balm, and directions on how to shave.

The safety razor exudes luxury and is comparable to, and surpasses in my opinion, safety razors from +Edwin Jagger Ltd and Merkur. The pre-shave oil, shaving cream, and aftershave balm work as advertised. The novice will perceive and associate the fresh scents and consistency with quality, however, as a formerly licensed by the state of Virginia professional Barber, and I assure you the products are top notch.

Bevel provides insights and instructions about grooming that one would think a young male would get from his father. Ironically enough, I was not taught to shave by my dad. I first shaved while going though boot camp at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes. I basically damaged my face and neck by rushing, it was boot camp, and my shaving ignorance didn't help. I later healed my face once I learned to shave while attending barber/stylist school at the Hampton Roads School of Hair Technology. The advice found on Bevel’s site is sound, and timely as most men wouldn’t admit to never learning how to shave. In addition to timely, the information is accurate. Nevertheless, this is the internet age, and we don't need dad to each us we have +Google, and great male grooming companies. Competitors, e.g. Baxter of California and The Grooming Lounge, also provide grooming tips and instructions. Bottom line, instructions and tips are expected of any company that is serious about grooming and aiming to gain market share amongst men who actually care about their appearance and skin. I must say, Bevel appears to be serious.

I used the +Gillette Fusion before switching to Bevel. I'll admit, I did not have a problem with razor bumps, pulling, or irritation. If a man shaves correctly, he should be able to avoid bumps and irritation regardless of the razor brand and type, as long as the razor is sharp. My reason for switching was cost. The Fusion cartridge four pack costs 16.97, and the pro-glide cartridge four pack costs 19.97 at +Wal Mart! Add shaving gel and after-shave and you’re paying just over $26 for the regular and $29 for the pro-glide. The shaving gel and after-shave didn’t work well on me, my skin felt dry and irritated after use. I eventually stopped using the two products. I continued to use the Fusion razor, but moved on to +Baxter of California shaving cream and aftershave (which are great products), each costs $18 respectively, which resulted in a $52.97 recurring investment on my face. The cost is and was worth it to avoid razor bumps and irritation. However, with #Bevel, I’m now getting a better shave, using quality products, at less cost. It’s a win-win, and #itsagoodlook.

If you shave with a razor, consider trying Bevel.

Stay-at-Home Dads Learn to Love Them

According to the Pew Research Center’s (PRC) polling, the public does not value stay-at-home dads. We need to fix that. Stay-at-home dads are equally valuable as stay-at-home moms. There is nothing emasculating about contributing to the family in the capacity of homemaker.

Data from the PRC indicates the number of fathers who do not work outside the home has risen markedly, up to 2 million in 2012. It reached its highest point—2.2 million—in 2010, just after the recession. Since that time, the number has fallen slightly, driven by declines in unemployment. However, roughly a quarter of stay-at-home dads (23%) report that they are home because they cannot find a job. The largest share of stay-at-home fathers (35%) are at home due to illness or disability. Lastly, nearly a quarter (21%) indicates the reason they are home is to care for their home or family, which I take issue with. 

The rise in fathers stating they are home to care for their family without any further context is vexing and misleading. I’m certain that any man who makes the choice to stay at home and care for his household has a partner that out earns him. In addition, the couple would rather not or can’t afford to outsource the raising of their child or children. These men are respectable and smart. In making this choice are clearly not allowing ego or stereotypes to interfere with the success of their family.

We the people talk about equality in the workforce for women, if we mean it, equality should also transcend the workforce to the household. Men should not seek to avoid the duty of homemaker, yet, most do, and for the men that have assumed the role, a majority of society looks down their noses at them. To be clear, becoming a homemaker is not and should not be the first option for any man or woman, however, becoming a homemaker is a respectable choice for both men and women. Circumstances will force the choice for some men, and others may just want to assume the role. Further, becoming a stay-at-home dad can be a constructive means for men living with the consequences of careless early life decisions to thrive in society. Of the 23 percent of dads that indicate they are staying home as a result of their inability to find a job, one can only guess, but it’s likely a good deal of those men can’t find a job due to criminal records and a low level of education. The life lessons a man who has made ruinous decisions can share with his children are priceless. Regardless of how a man becomes a homemaker, we must not devalue their contribution. 

REF: Livingston, G. (2014, June 5). Public Differs on Importance of Stay-at-Home Moms and Stay-at-Home Dads. Retrieved October 19, 2014, from http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2014/06/05/growing-number-of-dads-home-with-the-kids/