Snagging the Smart Hookup by Genevieve M. Blaber

Check out today's "much-needed" tip



Whether you’re looking to snag “the one” or simply looking for some fun (hey, we won’t judge) having a little bit of brains can go a long way. As soon as you increase your I.Q., you can go on to…

Use Your Tongue -- The Right Way
Put away those Will Ferrell quotes (yes, we know they’re hilarious) because you’re going to have to talk about more than just your pals and pop culture. Believe us, a girl can only stand to hear your so-called hilarious story about the time your friend Nick did that thing in Rio for so long and hearing your sound-effect driven summary of an action film is a quick way to make us turn around and leave. As soon as you increase your smarts, you increase your knowledge of the world outside of the mainstream media and your circle of friends, giving you plenty to talk about -- and girls do like to listen as long as what you have to say is interesting. It doesn’t have to be deep stuff like philosophy either, it can be random facts or insight, you just have to be passionate about it.

Expand Your Interests
This one builds on using your brains to talk. You see, girls like knowing that a guy has interests and hobbies that lay outside of the mainstream. It (pretty much) doesn’t matter what it is as long as it’s something you’re interested and well-versed in, and not something that any other guy can capitalize on. Have a secret passion for photography? Bring up how you’d love to take photos of wherever you are (not her, that’s a bit creepy for a first meeting). Improving your smarts gives you the opportunity to gain new hobbies and interests. And don’t try to hide your quirky interests, chances are you could meet a girl who’s just as into Converse or Christopher Walken as you are.

Find New Haunts
Sure, you have your beloved bar/club/restaurant, but hanging out there hasn’t exactly netted you the best girls -- and if it has you probably have the misfortune of running into your exes all the time there. Either way, boosting your intellect can broaden your horizons literally. Often overlooked singles spots, where women will actually talk to you and not pull out pepper spray, include libraries, bookstores, cafes, and anywhere there’s free wifi access. All you have to do is casually strike up a convo about whether a certain book is good or when that too-full-of-himself-office-guy is going to stop hogging the last free power outlet. The key is to get out there and go to places where people with things to do go. This shows a girl that you have a life outside the bar circuit and are well worth knowing.

Be the Total Package
Notice something about smart guys, and even guys who just think they’re smart? They exude confidence like no one’s business and never seem to falter -- and why should they? They have plenty going on in their lives besides their dating pool, which means they never reek of desperation: that scent that turns so many women off. Guys who are smart are too busy thinking about the next way of improving themselves, or the latest news in their area of interest, to start introspective nitpicking. It’s a fool-proof strategy: be interested in other things and other people, and people will be interested in you.

There you have it. Be smart, have something to talk about outside of your sexual exploits, and be confident in new surroundings and you’re sure to find yourself meeting new women. Boosting your brains, even by a little, can do wonders for your love life and late-nights

RAZOR BUMPS

Salicylic acid is the one active substance that can visibly improve razor bumps. It is a dermatological-grade ingredient that exfoliates, moisturizes, clears pores and can help prevent infection.

• Use a post-shave product with salicylic acid so it remains on your skin the whole day Use only a non-acnegenic shaving cream specially formulated for sensitive skin, with lots of lubricating agents (foam-based shaving creams can dry and irritate your skin).


• Do not use any product that has alcohol, it will CAUSE ingrown hairs by drying the skin and closing the pores.


• Improve your skin's surface Exfoliating is essential to manage ingrown hairs.
  Daily use of a gentle face scrub with glycolic and salicylic acid is particularly effective. Use a soft-bristle face brush and liquid cleanser in a circular motion on your beard to dislodge the tips of ingrown hairs, eliminate dead skin cells and clear follicles to allow hairs to surface unimpeded.


• Adjust your shaving technique Shaving too closely is one of the triggers for razor bumps. Hair stubs cut too closely will get trapped inside the hair follicle and dig inward or sideways. To avoid this don't pull the skin when you shave; don't put too much pressure on the blades; shave with the grain and use a single-blade razor.

You will need to maintain this approach over time, as one extra-close shave will be enough to cause a recurrence of ingrown hairs that will take weeks to heal.

How do I get rid of Blackheads?

• Use a mild scrub or skin defoliant to remove any dead cells and expose the blackhead.


• Pat your face dry.


• Place a slightly warm compress on your face for approximately 10-15 minutes in order to soften the blackhead, making it easier to remove.


• Pat your face dry again.


• Place a piece of tissue on the tip of each finger to avoid slipping, which ould tear the skin and cause further damage.


• Gently apply even pressure to both sides of the blackhead by pushing down, then up around the blemish. You're trying to apply the pressure from *underneath* the blackhead.


• Only attempt this once or twice. If it does not "pop", you may bruise the skin, make the blackhead worse, and could cause scarring.

BEWARE OF PORE STRIPS!!

Repeated use of pore strips can cause irritation and future breakouts.
The adhesive on the strips can tear or injure the skin, especially if you are using an acne medication , or if you naturally have thin skin due to psoriasis, rosacea or seborrhea.

How do I get the best shave?

Shave in the shower. Shaving should be the last thing done before getting out of the shower, warm water makes the hair soft and easier to shave. Lubricate. An quality shaving formula should form a slick lubricating cushion allowing blades to guide easily without scraping. Leave shaving formulas on face for 1 minute before shaving. Use facial scrubs. A gentle scrubbing massage will help open pores, prime follicles and raise stubs for a more even and close shave. Use a sharp blade. Discard shaving blades after 3 uses and use only gentle strokes, avoid applying to much pressure on the blade. Avoid irritants. Stay away from anything that stings, tingles, burns or numbs after shaving, this includes plant extracts such as menthol,peppermint, or citrus. These irritants can damage your skin and cause microscopic swelling. Post trauma swelling. Its important to calm irritation to prevent ingrown hairs or clogged pores. Use anti-inflammatory and pore-cleansing ingredients to balance skin's moisture.

Which form of eyeliner is best for me?

The type of line you want determines the type of eyeliner to use. Pencil liners provide soft or sharp lines which is perfect for beginners. For those of you equipped with a steady hand, liquid liners provide a more precise line while felt-tip liners offer the sharpness of a liquid liner with the ease of a pencil. Another option woud be to use a powder which can be used to create soft, smoky lines.