September BirchBox Man Review

Today is a review on the September Birchbox Man Box. Now if you take a look at my August BirchBox Man box review you will see that I wasn't that impressed by last month's box. This box was a little better but it wasn't by no means fantastic.

September I Want That LIST

Here is a new kind of post for the blog where I reveal the list of things I have my eye on for the upcoming month. I believe that if you want something you should speak it into existence and this correlates to all aspects of life from love to career and in this particular post RETAIL :). I have decided to keep the list at 10 things that I have my eye on.

1. Clinique Face Soap
Lets start of modest, the Clinique face soap for Men is something I've been eyeing for a few months now the problem is that I have so many full bottles of face wash from The Body Shop, Jack Black, and Benta Berry that I would feel super guilty if I purchased more face soap. I do want to try a bar soap for the face to see if there is any difference, I might just have to add it to the cart if I order anything from Sephora. Plus why is this soap $13.50?

2. New Era Yankees Fitted
This one is a necessity, but I have a difficult time spending $32 dollars on a hat that I already have. I just want a fresh one. My Yankees fitted is still good even though its been sat on, bent up, soaked from the rain, and so many other things its still holding up well its just not fresh and for a fitted that I wear so often I think I should get a new one.

3. New Era 59Fifty Snake Eyes Fitted
Unlike the previous post I don't have this fitted and I need it in my life desperately. You know these limited edition hats are $50 and for that reason I haven't pulled the plug and just bought it. I have so many Fitteds (Fitteds only Snapbacks are the Devil) that I question if I need this one. I wasn't the biggest fan I G.I. Joe as a child but I did like the Snake Eyes character the most. Plus the hat is just dope. Maybe I'll commit if there is a coupon 30% coupon code in the near future.

4. Bond no. 9 New York Wallstreet
Anyone who knows me knows I love Cologne and I have a massive collection. I haven't yet purchases any of the bond fragrances because they are a little pricey as in $230 for the 3.3oz. Even the large bottles of Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, & Versace Colognes are under $100. I really want one though and Wallstreet probably smells like money. I WANT TO SMELL LIKE MONEY!

5. Bond no. 9 New York Brooklyn
I am from Brooklyn so It would only be fitting that I get a cologne that captures the essence of the borough I love, right? There are a few others Bond no. 9 New York Colognes I want but most of those are Summer scents and this season is coming to a close. It costs just as much as Wallstreet which is why I haven't purchases yet, but if I do get one soon I might have to cop Brooklyn First.

6. Nike Fuel Band
I want this for the sheer cool factor, because everyone knows I'm not doing on one's workouts. This wristband allows the user to track their workout progress and calories burned through a corresponding app for their iPhone. This is just an expensive rubber bracelet for me at $149, but maybe with it I'll get the motivation to actually workout. Stranger things have happened.

7. Nixon Emerald Acetate & Gunmental Watch
Isn't she a beauty? If I get her I'm naming her Kelly because she is green and boss. Like I need another watch in my life. Nixon has a stunner right here though and she costs $500. Who wants to buy Kelly for me?

8. Nixon Chrono Acetate & Rose Gold Watch
Like with most things I love I want them in multiple colors. I have wanted a rose gold watch for some time and I never found a style that I truly loved until this one. This watch is different because everyone and their mom has the Michael Kors one and I have to many Michael Kors watches to buy another. There is something about the combo of the white acetate that looks expensive like marble and the rose gold that makes this watch very attractive. Just like "Kelly" this one costs $500 and I might love this one a little more. I'd probably name him "Steve" because he looks rich like Steve Jobs.

9. Glo Brilliant Personal Teeth Whitening Device
I have already sparkling teeth but I am always looking for something that allows me to keep my grill white longer. I use the strips and the whitening toothpaste ever so often and that does the trick, but the reviews on this Glo teeth whitening system are great and I want to try it. Retailing at $275 this system does cost a pretty penny but if the results are as good as the reviews its probably worth the price tag.

10. Macbook Pro w/ Retina Display
Part of me believes I want it because its a new product from Apple, but there is the other part of me that believes I need it because the retina display will allow me to better my work and school assignments. The truth is I just bought an HP laptop in November of 2011 so I probably don't need it. I am team Apple and have a iMac, iPhone, iPad, & iPod so it would be beneficial to have an Apple laptop that would make it easier to manage my work and assignments between all of my devices. I like that the screen is 15 inches because my laptop has a 17 inch screen which makes it almost impossible to fit in any messenger, bookbag, or laptop bag. If I do purchase it will be my Christmas Present to myself since with the Apple Protection Plan I'm looking at dishing out almost 3 thousand dollars.

Nike Hyperposite "Statue of Liberty"

Oh My Goooooooodness. Are you salivating like I am? These are serious aren't they? Okay that's enough I lost my composure there for a minute, I bring you the "Statue of Libery" Hyperposite. Here is a sneak at peek of the new Lady Liberty Nike that will be making its debut at Sunday’s Battle of the Boroughs Championship game at Rivington Court (scheduled for 5:00 p.m.). The green ‘Statue of Liberty’ colorway will become available in November at select retailers. 

ITS ALL ABOUT THE SOCKS

One article of clothing that barely gets any love is the sock. Why is that? I personally love socks in bright colors and patterns with unique prints. White socks are the devil they never appear as white as the first time you wear them and there is nothing worst then a pair of dingy socks. Plus if you hate doing laundry as much as I do you know it is so much easier to match a pair of socks that are unique then to try to match dingy white socks or faded black socks together. Typically I buy my socks from H&M because they offer cool colors in multi-packs for reasonable prices, but I have stepped up to the big leagues of sock "swag". Probably my favorite website to purchase socks off of is Happy Socks, as you can see from the picture their socks are the bomb.com and I have ordered quite a few pair when I haven't picked them up off of deal sites like Hautelook and Jackthreads. I think its dope when you are sitting and your Khaki's or Chino's raise a little bit to reveal the hidden gem that is the graphic sock. You too can be cool like me, but first go cop you some socks from Happy Socks.

Reebok Pump Fury HLS Wolverine

Do you hear that? Yeah its the sound of hell freezing over since I am posting about a Reebok shoe. I am not a fan of Reebok or what I have called them since adolescence "The Bok". The only reason I am typing this post is because this shoe is a Marvel collaboration and I love comic books. The first book I ever read was a comic book. Reebok has drawn inspiration from everyone's favorite adamantium clawed mutant Wolverine. 

A Bathing Ape + Marvel Comics - Baby Milo Superheroes Collection

Your eyes are not deceiving you those are really superhero monkeys (Is monkey politically correct or should we call them primates?). A Bathing Ape has teamed up with Marvel Comics again following the success of their Amazing Spider-Man Collection (google it) to release their new The Avengers limited edition collection. 

Jack Black Pure Clean Daily Cleanser Review

This is a review on the Jack Black Pure Clean Cleanser. The two in one cleanser features a cleanser as well as a toner to remove oil and dirt and keep the skin fresh and clean. First I have to say I really like Jack Black products mainly because of lot of them are free of the "Bad Stuff" sulfates, parabens, alcohol you know all the junk that drys you out and makes you look like you have crocodile skin. When I judge a character I use the following criteria; how it feels, how it works, how much it costs, and is it easily accessible.

Monster Diamond Tears Edge Headphones

Air Jordan 6/7 "Golden Moments" Pack

Air Jordans 6/7 "Golden Moments" Pack

LEVI’S X NIKE SB DUNK LOW PRO QS ]DARK OBSIDIAN COLORWAY

LEVI’S X NIKE SB DUNK LOW PRO QS – DARK OBSIDIAN

In the previous post to this we introduced you to the Levi's and Nike SB collaboration well here is another gem from the collection that is going to drop very soon. The Dark Obsidian colorway of the Nike SB Dunk Low, which is draped in a royal blue denim with a matching mesh tongue and leather Swoosh bordered in Levi’s-inspired copper stitching. A contrasting red rubber outsole with a white midsole complete the look, with matching Nike embroidery on the heel. The stars and stripes make their way onto the graphic insoles, making this a truly special limited edition quickstrike release. This must have drops on August 11th at select retailers. So set aside some of that Jordan Retro budget you have and cop these bad boys. 

 

Levi's X Nike Dunk SB Collaboration

LEVI'S X Nike Dunk SB 

Did you hear the news? There is an epic collaboration happening  between Levis and Dunk SB. The Collab brings together the world’s best denim company and world’s best performance company. There’s a double-branded Denim Trucker Jacket in rigid indigo, plus 511 Skateboarding Jeans in unique washes, each built on Levi’s storied heritage and crafted specifically for skateboarding. The jeans feature Levi’s patented water-less technology and feature Levi’s Vectran — “five times stronger than steel” with high-abrasion resistance — combined with Nike’s sweat-wicking Dri-Fit material (all this basically means your jeans won't stick to you when you sweat, cause we all know there isn't anything worst then stuck sticky denim). The release is completed with a Levi’s x Nike SB Dunk Low, featuring a tonal black upper and contrast red outsole. Pieces of the collection have already dropped at select Nike SB retailers so be on the look out.

Benta Berry Cleansing Gel Face Wash Review

This review is on the Benta Berry Cleansing Gel Face Wash For Men. I was first introduced to this brand through BirchBox Man. Now for those who are not familiar with BirchBox it is a monthly subscription service that features luxury sized samples of men's grooming products such as body wash, shaving products, shampoo etc. also the box typically features lifestyle extras like food, headphones, playing cards and other misc. items. Birchbox costs $20 a month and you are able to cancel at any time, I will do a longer post about Birchbox when my next box arrives in a few days. I received a sample of the Benta Berry moisturizing face cream in my last BirchBox and I used the sample and liked that the product didn't make my skin feel greasy since I already have oily skin. I decided to look into the Birchbox store(I will talk more about this in an upcoming post) to see what other products they had from this brand and place a order. I purchased the Benta Berry Cleansing Face Wash for $10 just to see if I liked something else from the brand before I decided to purchase multiple items. 

Birchbox Man August Box Review

This post is on the August BirchBox Man Box. Now for those who are not familiar with BirchBox Man, it is a monthly subscription service that delivers a box of grooming and lifestyle products for $20 per month to a customer’s doorstep. It typically includes four to five picks per month with samples like high-end shave gel, deodorant and skincare products from brands like Billy Jealousy, Costume National, Kérastase and Kiehl’s. Then there are lifestyle products that might include headphones or socks. This is actually my fourth box and let me just give you a quick run down of my experiences with the first three. The first box was the bomb.com it featured a pair of bright colored mens dress socks from the Brand Richer Poorer Socks which retail at $12 a pair, a nice sized sample of the Kiehl's exfoliating soap bar, a nice sized sample of Bill Jealousy liquid sand exfoliating face cleanser, and some other things I have already forgotten about. Boxes 2 and 3 fell very short compared to my first box I received playing cards, bacon popcorn (I am a vegetarian so this was a big fat FAIL), and some headphone wrap things which I would have never purchased with my own money. I don't believe boxes 2 and 3 were worth $5 let alone $20. Box 4 which is this August Box was going to be my determining factor on whether or not I would cancel the service or continue with the monthly subscription. Without further rambling lets go ahead and get into the box. 

Gucci Pour Homme II Review

This review is on my all time favorite cologne Gucci Pour Homme II. This cologne is my signature scent and one that I would want people to associate with me (That says alot since I have so many fragrances). Gucci Pour Homme II opens with  with fresh notes of violet leaf and bergamot followed by green-fruity notes with a conclusion of spicy notes of  red hot chili pepper, pimento, cinnamon and black tea. I consider this fragrance a tea based scent which is interesting since my favorite fragrances are those fresh scents like Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue and Ralph Lauren Big Pony #1. This scent is spicy but fresh at the same time which is ideal for the audience of young men in their 20's early 30's. The scent came out in 2007 and just appeared on my radar in 2011 and since that first whiff I have been in love. The scent is not very strong one has to be quite close to smell it on you, but with that said it does last a decent amount of time on the skin I would say about 4 to 5 hours. I have a huge fear that one day this scent will be discontinued since I haven't seen it anywhere other than Sephora and Ulta. The large bottle is $73 for the 3.3 oz and I highly recommend this one to all because it is a lady killer. 

ECKO Unltd Exhibit Fragrance Review

This review is off the new ECKO Unltd Exhibit Fragrance. The fragrance is a successor to last year's edition Ecko UNLTD that was in the green bottle shaped like a spray paint can. The fragrance debuted Spring of this year and I purchased mine a few weeks ago from the ecko site when they were having their 40% off promotion.The Exhibit is a fragrance for men, that has the primary note of orange, this fragrance goes heavy on the citrus so if you don't like orange or fruity based scents this one is certainly not for you.The fragrance is described as having other notes including dewy melon, cardamom and lavender, amberwood, vetiver and leather musk, but it all seriousness I only get orange dreamsicle. 

Probably the coolest thing about the fragrance is that there are different style bottles created by different well known graffiti artists

I received the blue bottle which I actually am very happy with being that blue is my favorite color. The design is very geometric and features snakes on the blue bottle. I probably should look up who designed this particular one, but I am feeling completely lazy so if you want to know google it. All in all I think the fragrance is decent the scent lasts a good 6 hours on my skin and has a decent throw. I am partial to fresh scents and this one definitely is that. I have a few other orange based colognes like Ralph Lauren Big Pony #4 which I prefer and Apparition Wild Orange which drys down with a woody smell (NO Bueno) so I will take the Exhibit over that one. I don't regret the purchase which is always a good thing and I will get some decent usage this summer from this fresh citrus fragrance. 

Sidenote: The cologne is no longer on the Ecko site but it is still available at department stores like Macys and on the Perfumania web site.