Questroyal fine art. Dining at JoJo. Shopping at Louboutin. Bird watching in Central Park. There’s a lot you can do in the heart of Manhattan. Then there’s the Mark Hotel.

Located at Madison Avenue, 77th street, this iconic institution stirred back to life after lockdown on June the 15th, and has now been ranked #1 City Hotel in the Continental United States and #1 Hotel in New York City by Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards for 2020.

Photos provided by Travel + Leisure show what it takes to achieve this milestone.

The accolade follows a long list of awards. The Mark has received various ~official~ back pats since its reopening 10 years ago after the property, located in one of Manhattan’s most elegant and discreet neighborhoods in the heart of the Upper East Side, was reimagined by a team led by Izak Senbahar.

The place quickly became the hotel of choice for a clientele of global power brokers after a bold renovation by French interior designer Jacques Grange.

Of the latest award Izak Senbahar said, “We are doubly honored to receive two major awards, namely – Best Hotel in New York and Best City Hotel in the US – by Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards for 2020. The Mark Hotel is the product of the continuous effort of many creative people and the daily hard work of our professional, dedicated and most caring staff.”

“A special thanks goes to Jacques Grange and a large team of artists and artisans, curated by Pierre Passebon, who helped us design and create this timeless, iconic hotel. Our management team, staff, creative team, and collaborators, including Michelin star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, beauty entrepreneur Frédéric Fekkai and master perfumer Frédéric Malle, are the very reason for our success. We also thank Travel + Leisure readers for selecting The Mark as the Best Hotel in New York and the United States.”

2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, whose winners are selected every year through a reader’s survey that asks respondents to vote for their favorite travel experiences.

For those keen to live vicariously (especially as international leisure travel will be, for most, off the cards for some time), The Mark Hotel is located in New York’s Upper East Side, a hotdog’s throw from Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Mark combines avant-garde design with the latest technology and old-world comfort, drawing upon the expertise of an extraordinary group of talents. This includes Michelin-star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, beauty entrepreneur Frédéric Fekkai, master perfumer Frédéric Malle, and legendary French designer Jacques Grange, who commissioned an international group of artists and artisans to create bespoke artworks and furniture for the property, including Ron Arad, Mattia Bonetti, Guy de Rougemont, Vladimir Kagan, Eric Schmitt, and Paul Mathieu, to name a few.

Read Next

• Incredible ‘New Normal’ Manhattan Scene Captures America’s Absurdity In 5 Seconds
• Disturbing High-End Hotel Trend ‘Uncovered’ In New York

The post New York Best Hotel: Insane Photos Show What It Takes To Be NY’s Best Hotel appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, better known as the G-Wagen, is one of the most iconic off-roaders ever produced. Boxy, hardy and capable, the SUV has entered service with militaries around the world (including with the ADF), as well as driven by anyone who wants serious off-road performance combined with German engineering excellence.

Yet most people know G-Wagens today as being the vehicle of choice for rappers and drug dealers. If you walk into a Mercedes dealership these days and ask to see a G-Wagen (assuming you’re allowed to leave the house), you’ll be presented with the automotive equivalent of putting lipstick on a pig. Modern G-Wagens are swathed in leather, faux carbon fibre and infotainment screens everywhere – a far cry from the utilitarian beasts it shares its DNA with.

But the beauty of the G-Wagen is that its design has barely changed since its release in 1979, and they’re so well-built that older models are still kicking around. It’s hard to find a late-model Toyota Land Cruiser or Jeep Cherokee that hasn’t been modified to within an inch of its life or driven into the ground, but G-Wagens tend to be looked after by their owners.

Case in point: this Aussie-delivered 1983 230GE Auto on Carsales in Kew East, Melbourne, unearthed by motoring blog Car Rave. With Melbourne feeling a bit like a warzone right now, this mil-spec Merc is the perfect vehicle to keep you safe (and steezy) during These Unprecedented Times.

This 2-door G-Wagen, while certainly cutting an imposing figure, is smaller than you’d think: with a wheelbase of only 2.4m, it’s actually shorter than a modern Jeep Wrangler (and a heck of a lot cooler, and better off-road, and better made…)

This car’s had a few tasteful modifications over the years, but nothing that would detract from the driving experience. It’s clearly been treated with care.

“The car has had a full body restoration before I got it and it looks great,” the owner relates.

“The interior is as good as a 1986 car can be with Recaro seats…  I fitted a reversing camera too.”

Other features include air conditioning, a tow bar, side steps and wheels from a later model G-Class (although they’re throwing in the original wheels, tyres and all). The car’s mechanically in good shape and looks stunning in silver.

“This is a proper 4WD with independent diff locks that will get you out of any sticky situations… The mechanicals are the same as any W124 sedan so parts are plentiful and relatively cheap to buy.”

Old Mercs have a reputation for being bulletproof… G-Wagens quite literally. Sure, the interior’s a little worn, but it is an almost 40-year-old car. Besides, that’s character – and you’re hardly buying a G-Wagen to blend in. You buy a G-Wagen to pretend that you’re Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Consider this: a modern G-Class starts at around $260,000 (almost seven times what you’d pay for this 230GE). A new Jeep Wrangler costs $49,000. This is listed for $38,750. Keep in mind you’re getting another set of wheels included in that price, too. You’d be daft not to buy it.

Read Next

• Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Electric G-Wagen Will Crush Your Prius
• Brabus Unleash Their Most Powerful G-Wagen Ever

The post Classic G-Wagen For Sale In Melbourne appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

For those of you not intimately familiar with Australia’s Most Liveable City, Toorak is one of Melbourne’s most affluent suburbs. One could say Toorak is to Melbourne what Mosman is to Sydney (or Beverly Hills is to Los Angeles).

The median property price in Toorak is well above $4.5mil and you can expect to pay almost $1mil for an apartment, proving that Sydney isn’t the only city with crazy house prices (or crazy properties). Indeed, you can expect to pay well over $1mil for this Toorak apartment, which might be the most ‘Toorak’ property you’ll ever lay your eyes on.

1/32 Grange Road, Toorak – also known as “Hemingway” – is an eye-watering art deco-inspired mini-mansion of an apartment. Hemingway stands out as an outrageous offering in a suburb known for its extravagance.

“During my 45-year career selling high-end property, I have [never] seen an apartment to rival the sheer opulence, quality, detail and authentic art deco revival of this [one],” RT Edgar agent Warwick Anderson relates.

“Ideally suited to an extremely successful citizen of the world, [this is] most likely the best-finished apartment ever offered in Toorak.”

“Now surplus to the owner’s requirements, this [is a] magnificent, sumptuous 4 bedroom single level apartment occupying all of the ground floor of a 900sqm allotment with a further 300sqm of what can only be described as a place of worship for car enthusiasts.”

The previous owner clearly liked their motors, although we reckon they’re a cut above the regular Toorak tractor driver. The huge 6-car garage provides plenty of room for one’s car collection – although the owner must also like collecting model cars almost as much as the real things, as Hemingway’s décor reflects.

Every room of the apartment has been lavishly decorated in art deco style, with no expense spared. The parlour room is of particular noteworthiness, furnished with a wine cabinet, humidor and of course, automotive trinkets galore. Other highlights include a huge walk-in wardrobe for the master bedroom; a study with a monolithic desk and padded orange ceiling (very exxy); multiple bars and liquor cabinets in multiple rooms; and a huge balcony, perfect for hosting the Great Gatsby-themed party of your dreams.

Read Next

• Insane New Mount Panorama Property Listing Is A Petrol Head’s Dream
• Rare Beachfront Mansion With ‘Ibiza Twist’ Goes Up For Sale On The Gold Coast

The post Outrageous Toorak Apartment Is The Ultimate Gentleman's Residence appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Chris Hemsworth goes on holiday. Chris Hemsworth gets a haircut. Chris Hemsworth rubs his tummy after lunch. Every time Chris Hemsworth steps outside, Australia’s culture shifts (if the tabloids are to be believed).

But, for once, with the country’s lockdown in various stages of undress, and as the nation’s perception of ~travel~ changes perhaps irreversibly, Chris Hemsworth’s latest jaunt up the coast reveals more than just his abs.

Chris Hemsworth and his family’s latest holiday destination, and their choice to keep it under wraps, besides providing a damning indictment on the Byron paparazzi, demonstrates a lost holiday art every Australian couple (whether you’ve got kids or not) can learn from.

The art of losing touch. Also: the humble road trip.

Forget soaring Amalfi Coast views and Portofino prosecco, a nondescript stretch of east (or west) coast sand could be the key to switching off your brain box; less bills, less flights, less hassle.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chris Hemsworth (@chrishemsworth) on Dec 8, 2019 at 7:33am PST

Once there, your second key to a truly refreshing holiday is as follows: leave your phone alone. As DMARGE reported last year, study after study shows the benefits of disconnecting – especially when travelling.

On top of that, numerous (see here and here) professional backpackers say ‘losing touch’ is a feature – not a bug – of the travel experience.

Put another way: unless you’re someone that can have their Instagram and eat it too, if you stay in the loop while away you’ll find yourself taking photos when you should be inhaling, posing when you should be basking and curating when you should be doing.

It seems Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky have realised this. As news.com.au reports, since racing north for a Queensland getaway once the state border reopened last Friday, “they [Chris, brother Liam and Elsa] haven’t posted a single happy snap to their 60 million-odd combined Instagram following.”

That said, “a couple of their less famous friends have kept fans updated.”

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A post shared by April Munro (@aprilmun) on Jul 12, 2020 at 9:07pm PDT

“Also present on the low-key family trip to Rainbow Beach north of Noosa were Hemsworth family friends April and Luke Munro and their kids,” news.com.au reports.

“April posted pics from the getaway to her Instagram account – with cameos from a few A-list faces.”

But hey: as long as someone else is doing the shutter bugging, the holiday is yours to enjoy.

Read Next

• Chris Hemsworth Reveals The Perils Of Domestic Australian Air Travel
• Every Couple Should Try Chris Hemsworth & Elsa Pataky’s Airport Hack

The post Chris Hemsworth & Elsa Pataky Demonstrate Travel Skill Every Couple Should Know appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We’re calling it. Grown men who are still dragging dull razors across their faces need to stop. It just doesn’t cut it anymore.

A modern man needs to pay attention to the details when it comes to shaving to ensure the desirable final result.

The first step? Choose the right cut for you: Clean shaven, stubble or beard. If you’re not sure at first, give all three a go over a period of time and stick with the look that gets you the most looks and compliments.

Most men today perceive shaving as an easy and hassle-free task so it’s our job to ensure that this is the case with a little help from Renée Baltov of one of Sydney’s finest men’s barbershops, Barberhood. Here are the five shaving tips you’ll ever need in life to get the job done properly.

Preparation

Long before you go out looking for the best tools of the trade, you first need to understand the condition of your face’s skin. This part is imperative and it’s also what professional barbers do as part of their regular service. The great thing is that this check can easily be replicated at home yourself. Don’t rush as this can do some real damage to your face if you begin shaving without checking.

Renée Baltov says that men should be looking at a few things in particular:

• Be aware of any blemishes or moles on your face
• Make sure you don’t have in grown hairs,
• Open or healing cuts or scars

“If you go over them the wrong way you’re going to cut yourself,” explains Baltov.

The next part that’s equally important to men is applying pre-shave oil which helps to loosen up strong stubble or beard hair. Apply and leave this on your face for one-minute before rinsing with warm water.

“Men can get different quality pre-shave oils,” adds Baltov. “They range from cheap (AU$18) to expensive ($89) with the pricier ones having the advantage of added ingredients which helps sensitive skin and leaves a distinct scent.

Moving on towards the shave, take a hot towel to the face as this will open up the pores of the skin making for softer hair to shave. Baltov says that the professionals in the shop also follow this tried method.

Tools Of The Trade

There are three types of razors men can choose from these days. The classic straight razor used by traditional barbers, the double-edged safety razor and the new generation razors which have more blades than you can poke a follicle at. The general rule is to choose the one which works best for you and subsequently won’t draw any blood.

Besides the aforementioned pre-shave oil, also pick up a decent badger brush and shaving mug. These two will be used to mix hot water with the shaving cream. Also have on hand liquid Nick Sticks which can be applied over any cuts after shaving is complete.

For more detail, see our wet shave product guide.

The Final Cut

You’re a man now so stop using your fingers to apply shaving cream. Take the badger brush and let it sit in the shaving mug with hot water. As you remove the hot towel, your pores should have opened allowing for a much closer shave. Mix the shaving cream into the hot water mix with the badger brush and give it a gentle stir.

When it’s time to apply the shaving cream, use a light circular motion to lather onto the skin. This will soften it up further and help get deep into the beard crevices where you need it most.

Against Or With The Grain?  

The most pondered question by bearded men the world over is against the grain or with it?

“If someone has very sensitive skin, I would suggest going once over with the grain,” says Baltov.

“For those who have less sensitive skin, go against the grain once and then with the grain a second time.”

Given that shaving practices is unique to every man, if you’re short of time go against the grain for a quicker cut.

End With Care

The deed is done and your beard is now flourishing in all its hairy glory. And then…the itch. One of the most complained about issues of a beard or even longer stubble is the oncoming itch which sits between the stubble and beard stage. Scratch it enough and you could be left with a nasty red rash and dry skin.

How does one minimise the irritation during this phase?

“Basic things like keeping the face clean with a good moisturise or cleanser,” says Baltov.

“Use beard conditioners which can also soften the skin. Australian brands are good but read the label to see if you’re allergic to any of the products used in them.”

Baltov also recommends that men should try something called an Alum Block after shaving.It’s a traditional piece of kit which looks like a large block of opaque soap. It does sting a bit but it’s natural and will get rid of any bacteria and infections.

“You have to close your pores first by splashing cold water on your face before putting the Alum Block on,” says Baltov.

For those who don’t like the sting, a good alternative is a skin sooth or typical aftershave. This is crucial as you have opened up your pores after a shave so the last thing you want is an infection or ingrown hair to stem from this. The aforementioned Nick Stick is also good for covering wounds and killing bacteria.

Understand Your Face

Shaping your beard or stubble is as important as cutting hair itself. It can really make a difference to your face if you get the right look. For those who don’t? Well let’s just say you could be missing some chin definition. To counter this, understand your face features and then shape the beard or moustache accordingly.

This goes for checking if your sideburns are even, the neckline and the corners of your lips which can often be missed.

How About Patchy Beards?

The experts say that there is no real way to prevent this since hair grows in different directions and places, but there are tricks to making it less noticeable.

“If it was really patchy, go clean shaven,” says Baltov. “But if you can do stubble, keep it neat and trimmed. This will mask the patchiness and make it less noticeable.”

The post A Perfect Shave Is Easier Than You Think appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Ocean activities can be risky at the best of time. But while surfers worry about wiping out and swimmers pay close attention to currents, lurking beneath the waves, particularly in places like South Africa, is a litany of dangerous – and incredibly beautiful – fauna that potentially poses a far greater threat.

Much like Australia, South Africa has a reputation for being filled with dangerous creatures – something the following images will not just help make you extra aware of, but (hopefully) also gain an appreciation for.

Enter: One South African teenager’s spectacular drone footage, which shows just how dicey the ocean can be, and may make would-be swimmers reconsider the need for an ocean dip.

This clip from a few weeks ago shows a great white shark swimming incredibly close to surfers, who seem completely unaware of it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CByT2_sn1MK/

Zach B, a 14-year-old photographer from Cape Town, has trended internationally for his amazing aerial ocean photography. Looking for a new hobby during lockdown, Zach took to the skies, his drone footage revealing the aesthetic pleasures – and horrors – of the ocean.

Zach’s also captured evidence of dolphin pods surfing, whales relaxing offshore, and sharks herding shoals of fish. Such amazing filmographic nous at such a young age would suggest there’s a career in photography on the cards for Zach.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Zach B (@crazy__nature2.0) on Jun 23, 2020 at 2:29am PDT

Cape Town is a world-renowned holiday destination. The capital of South Africa is geographically unique: the Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean meet but do not mix in the waters around Cape Town, giving the city two completely different types of beach, divided by a 1,000m high peninsula.

Cape Town’s also notorious for having a large local great white shark population, meaning that there’s a significant risk-reward quotient for catching some waves worth considering.

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The post 14 Year Old's Incredible Instagram Account Captures South Africa Like You've Never Seen Before appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Gianluca Vacchi, the 52-year-old millionaire, DJ and unlikely social media dance star has never been one to dress subtly. His look is distinctive: covered in tatts, steely blue eyes, crisp beard, unashamedly gray hair, and clothes as flamboyant as Tony Montana’s.

The man delights in flaunting his Playboy lifestyle and lavish taste, regularly rocking expensive suits, designer brands and lots of bling. Long ago, Vacchi gave up a successful career in private equity and business management, and decided instead to pursue the finer things in life (that said, he still describes himself as an ‘entrepreneur’ and owns shares in his families’ business, the Italian packaging conglomerate IMA).

Another penchant of Vacchi’s, rather incongruously, is fru-fru slippers. Vacchi’s latest Instagram post shows him posing in a white linen suit, showing off a huge golden armlet and pocket chain, as well as a vintage gold Rolex GMT-Master worth $30,000… All paired with some obnoxiously fluffy slides, naturally.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Have a Nice weekend… #gvlifestyle

A post shared by Gianluca Vacchi (@gianlucavacchi) on Jul 11, 2020 at 12:21pm PDT

Whilst he does like living the stereotypically macho lifestyle of a playboy, Vacchi’s never been afraid to embrace his feminine side, whether it’s through weirdly sultry Latin dancing or showing off his midriff and wearing stilettos (he’s actually pretty good in those).

It’s not the first time he’s rocked fluffy slides, either. He must have multiple pairs, as evidenced by this post he shared of a June teleconference (put some pants on, mate). But we’re less interested in the slides than we are in his watch, truth be told.

The Rolex GMT-Master, first released in 1955, was designed for Pan Am pilots who needed accurate timekeeping between timezones. It instantly became popular among civilians, too. Vacchi’s model appears to be an early 1955-59 “Nipple Dial” (ref. 6542) – nicknamed for its protruding gold house markers filled with lume.

That Vacchi would have a “Nipple Dial” seems highly appropriate… Looks like he’s added his own personal touch with an aftermarket bovine leather strap, too. Nicely played.

Read Next

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The post Gianluca Vacchi Pairs Vintage Rolex With Most Unlikely Footwear Choice appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Some Australians returning home from overseas have been left with little option but to book business class tickets, the ABC reports.

During last night’s 7.30 report, returning Australians claimed The National Cabinet’s decision to cut international arrivals from 6,500 per week to 4,000 per week, which came into effect yesterday, has “caused panic” among those about to come home.

The new limit, designed to ease pressure on hotel quarantine, has allegedly led some airlines to cancel economy passengers’ bookings.

Returning Australians like Jim Collins and his family, who have been trying to get home to Tasmania from the UK since March, have been affected by this.

As Mr Collins told the ABC, “We’ve repeatedly tried to get flights … And every time we’ve been able to do that, the flights have been cancelled.”

Mr Collins said his family were rebooked to fly to Sydney last week but their seats were cancelled.

“We were told that the flight had been cancelled… But the flight actually went ahead.”

“As best as I know, all economy passengers were cleared off the flight to make room, with a 50-person limit [for flights arriving at] Sydney Airport, for premium passengers only — first class and business class,” Mr Collins told the ABC.

Mr Collins flew to the UK with his wife Cathy and their children in early March to visit family.

“We’ve done everything we could within our financial means to get home,” he said.

“Now it appears that it’s only if you can afford a first class ticket or a business class upgrade that you’re being allowed in.”

It’s not just visiting relatives either: Rebecca Halligan, a doctor from Adelaide who has been living in the UK for the past two years (and working in hospitals), told the ABC she had found herself in a similar dilemma.

Dr Halligan told 7.30 she was unable to return any sooner because at the height of the crisis she was redeployed to treat COVID-19 patients in ICU.

“Initially I had booked a trip to Melbourne … however that was cancelled with the increase in cases there.”

“I was rebooked to Sydney and then a cap was introduced with only 50 passengers allowed per flight.”

“I was called by the airline and told that … they were prioritising business class passengers,” Dr Halligan added.

“I couldn’t afford to upgrade to business class so I was bumped off that flight.”

The airline then, Dr Halligan told the ABC, rebooked her on a flight to Perth, and offered her the chance to upgrade to The Pointy End.

“I had an offer to upgrade to a business class seat… I thought, I’ll just put this on my credit card so I can guarantee a spot … which I know not everyone is in a position to do.”

The ABC did not name the airlines Dr Halligan and Mr Collins booked with.

On Twitter, however, two members of the public – one on the 3rd of July…

Hello, we apologize for the late reply. Allow us to check this further. Please DM your booking code or ticket number.
We’ll be looking forward to your message.

— Qatar Airways Support (@qrsupport) July 5, 2020

… and one from the 9th…

Just heard from a friend en route to Australia from U.S. that with flights limited to Sydney, Qatar Airways is only placing those who upgraded/paid for business class on those flights. Must be nice to be rich! Can you confirm this is your policy @qatarairways?

— Mike Kalenderian (@ItsMikeKay) July 8, 2020

… question Qatar Airways (one of the few carriers still helping travellers get home on a significant international scale) over what appears to be the same phenomenon. DMARGE reached out to Qatar Airways to seek clarification.

Qatar Airways responded: “Due to the limitations on passengers travelling to Australian destinations, Qatar Airways analyses each flight on a case by case basis to ensure we facilitate onward travel to the final destination for as many passengers as possible.”

“The passenger list is continually assessed and based on a range of criteria, including compassionate and medical requests, connecting flights, booking class, party size etc. We continue to work closely with our passengers to find alternative flights if they are unable to travel on their original intended flight.”

The ABC also interviewed Australian filmmaker Katy-May Hudson, who said if her flight later this week from the US to Australia is canned, her only option when getting another flight might be to book business class.

“The last time we checked, those [business class] flights were at $US24,000 ($34,500).”

Of the (overall) situation, Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has reportedly said, “I know that [this] puts people in tough, tough circumstances right now, but equally … the warning has been there for months now encouraging people to come home.”

“If you wanted to come back you should have already come back in most circumstances.”

He also pointed out that the airlines are doing it tough right now.

Some weren’t happy with the Minister’s comments.

Total bullshit from Simon Birmingham @Birmo Anyone that waited to come home did us a favour by not overloading the system in March/April. Journalists need to start challenging this plainly idiotic line pic.twitter.com/vhwEBGSiie

— Ben (@Ben_Mc1) July 13, 2020

Others quibbled over who had a reasonable complaint…

I think those who lived and worked overseas have a reasonable complaint. Far too many people that hopped on a cheap flight in mid March and are now stuck. Those are the whingers.

— Brian Beattie (@wineguybkk) July 13, 2020

… and who didn’t.

Yeah, it’s all a mess.
I can understand imposing the various restrictions, but then to turn around and try to blame it on the people stuck overseas is pretty shitty.

— By Any Other Name (@avalidreason) July 13, 2020

This all comes as the Morrison government is trying to reduce the number of arrivals, as Australia teeters with a potential second wave, by making returnees pay, in some cases $3,000, for their compulsory 14 day hotel quarantine (this will vary state by state).

@JoshFrydenberg
Thanks for nothin’. As an Australian stuck overseas, who has religiously payed tax for 47 years, now faced with possibly losing everything, the government now intends to charge me if I can get home. Never asked for a handout so I don’t qualify even as a veteran.

— piratesoul (@piratesoul3) July 13, 2020

It also comes after the Morrison government has suggested borders may remain closed until May 2021.

News.com.au reports that since Australia’s international borders were closed in mid-March, “more than 357,000 Australian citizens and permanent residents have returned amid the global coronavirus pandemic.”

Read Next

• ‘Insensitive’ Italian Riviera Photo Sparks Outrage Among Victorians
• Private Jet Party Learns Hard Way What Counts As ‘Essential’ Travel

The post Why Returning Australians May Be Forced To Fly Home In Luxury appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Unless you’re one of the unfortunate souls who simply can’t produce facial (or body) hair, then you will have certainly asked yourself the question whether or not to grow out your fuzz to create a fully-fledged beard. We’ll admit, beards aren’t for everyone, although in most cases having at least some stubble on your face will make you look that little bit cooler.

But growing a beard isn’t simply a case of letting nature run its course and allowing your hair to just grow, oh no. Growing a beard takes time, patience and above all, maintenance. Not to mention, getting past the itchy phase. However, do so, and you could be rewarded with the best looking version of yourself you’ve ever stared back at in a mirror, and it could even give you an extra dose of confidence when you’re hitting the town.

The very fact you’ve landed on this page tells us you’ve made the decision that yes, a beard is for you (or at least, you’re prepared to find out) but you aren’t quite sure what you actually need to do to grow a decent one. Fret not, for we consider ourselves well-versed in the art of facial hair forming and can now bestow upon to you the knowledge you desire.

Here is everything you need to know about growing a beard.

Accept That You’re Powerless

There’s something that we need to stress, and something that you need to accept. Some people just aren’t made to have beards. This doesn’t mean that you might not have the constitution to go through with it, we mean that some people just aren’t physically capable of growing thick beards.

Regardless of what people will claim, there’s no medical proof that copious shaving or trimming can make your beard grow faster or thicker, and while things like beard oil or beard balm may help tame and condition the hairs that you can grow, they won’t aid you in growing a beard in any way.

Accepting this means to accept that you may have thinner patches, thicker patches, and ultimately, a beard that isn’t ever going to get you on the cover of Lumberjack Weekly.  The only thing that will ever fix any kind of subpar beard, whether it be patchy or uneven, is time and patience. There’s nothing wrong with this though. Choose the beard that suits your face and your capacity for growth, and ultimately, you can’t go wrong.

Be Patient & Persist

This is probably the most important rule to remember. As with any other hair on your body, hair takes its sweet time to grow. So growing a beard the likes of which Abraham Lincoln would consider good, won’t happen overnight. You’ll most likely need to wait around a month before you start seeing any genuine growth, or at least anything that resembles a beard.

The weeks beforehand will be some of the most awkward of your life, especially if your facial hair grows in patches. If anyone asks, tell them what you’re doing and they’ll soon shrug it off. It’s also in these weeks that you’ll have to endure the dreaded itchy phase. For some weak men, this step of beard-growing is unbearable and they’ll have to bust out the beard trimmer and revert back to either a babyface look or very short stubble. Persevere, however, and you’ll be rewarded with a thick, luscious mane.

Once you reach this stage, you’re free to start having some fun.

Nourish From The Inside Out

While there isn’t a lot you can do to force hair to grow if it simply doesn’t want to, if your body does sprout facial fuzz then there are some steps you can take to ensure the hair that grows will be of the best quality possible. How? By eating well. It may sound surprising, but if you consume a good amount of protein (which hair itself is made of), exercise regularly and get sufficient sleep, then you’ll be rewarded with excellent-quality facial hair.

Other steps you can take include drinking plenty of water, keeping stress levels low (we understand if this isn’t possible for some, but at least try), or taking supplements such as Biotin. While you probably consume a fair amount of Biotin already from a healthy diet, taking it as a supplement can help to promote healthy hair, skin and nails.

Tame The Mane

A few weeks in and starting to feel the itch? We feel for you. It’s not nice. Fortunately, there are some things you can do help calm the itchiness,  but one of those things definitely isn’t scratching. Doing so will introduce additional dirt and oil from your hands into the already sensitive skin that’s trying its darndest to push the hair out of follicles that have never been used before, making it way more prone to pimples, rashes, ingrown hairs and ultimately, even more irritation

Keep the skin around your beard clean, and as it begins to grow out, use a light, oil-free moisturiser to help keep both skin and facial hair soft, supple and soothed.

You can even treat your face to a hot oil treatment once a week. What’s one of those? We hear you ask. A hot oil treatment is similar to using a beard oil but ramped up to 11. It’s designed to intensely nourish your facial hair and promote healthy growth thanks to a range of ingredients such as glycerin, eucalyptus oil and aloe. The best part is, you can apply a hot oil treatment to facial hair of practically any length, although the minimum amount we’d recommend is what can only be described as ‘scruff’. If you have short stubble, we’d advise against using it. For each length, simply adjust the amount of hot oil you use.

Brush Those Bad Boys

Like a pack of unattended children, your facial hair will run amok if you don’t keep the hairs at bay. Once you’ve progressed from questionable-looking fuzz to something that can actually be classed as a beard, you’ll want to find yourself a decent comb or a boar bristle brush, to keep your beard in tip-top condition. Choosing a brush isn’t as simple as just choosing a brush, however, as you’ll be faced with different handles and bristle types.

Handles are usually either going to be wood or plastic. Wood is better for the environment and more robust but doesn’t always do well when placed under running water. As for bristles, again, they’ll either be natural (boar hair or horse hair) or synthetic. Going down the natural route will be more beneficial for your facial hair, as both boar and horsehair bristles secrete sebum, which will help to condition your hair. Boar hair would be our overall choice, however, as it offers the best of both worlds in terms of stiffness and flexibility.

Bristles can come in various lengths too, and the length you need will depend on the length of your beard. Longer bristles for longer hair and so on. Using a brush daily will remove loose hairs as well as rejigging unruly ones so that they all grow in the same direction. One with boar hair will also help to remove impurities in your skin, without pulling on your face too much.

As for a beard comb, you’ll most likely only need to call upon this tool when your beard is of real length, around three months minimum growth. While a beard brush is great for conditioning a beard, a beard comb is your best friend when it comes to styling and detangling longer hairs. This is especially the case when your beard is wet, as using a brush on wet facial hair is a big no-no.

If you do have a big of significant length, then you’ll want to use both a comb and a brush, and in that order. Comb to detangle and remove loose hairs and a brush to nourish and condition.

Wash, Rinse, Repeat

While brushing and combing can take care of the daily maintenance of your new mane, you’ll still need to think about washing it, it is just hair after all. Washing your beard can help to remove any build-up of dead skin cells, as well as other nitty-gritty bits that can become entangled, such as pieces of food or dirt.

But stop, don’t simply reach for your regular hair shampoo to cleanse your beard, it will usually be of a high acidity that will dry your beard out to a point where it will resemble some wire wool. Instead, you’ll need to use a dedicated beard shampoo which will be much kinder to your facial follicles. You can also apply a beard conditioner, which, in a similar vein to conditioner you’d use on your head, will help to prevent your beard hair from suffering breakages, while also giving it a glistening shine. Because you’re worth it.

Trim The Hedges

So, you’ve followed our advice up until now and you’ve got yourself a damn fine beard. Now you’ll want to think about trimming it. Before you cry, “isn’t that counterproductive”, hear us out. Trimming your beard and keeping it tidy is an essential step to getting the best looking and healthiest hair you can. To trim your beard effectively, you’ll need an array of tools to help you get the job done.

Firstly, as we mentioned earlier, you’ll want to have yourself a good comb to bring the hair into one direction and to remove any loose or tangled hairs. If it’s a one-length look you’re going for, then you’ll also need a good quality set of clippers – the same as you would use on your head – with a range of guards that you can run through your beard to keep it looking tidy. To accentuate your beard (and why would you not want to, you’ve spent months growing it) use a lower guard setting to trim the neckline and the cheeks to fade them. It’s always the subtle tricks that have the greatest effect.

If there are any stragglers left behind, whip out a quality pair of scissors to finish the job off. You can also use scissors around your lips and moustache. You wouldn’t want to cut them with the clippers, after all.

Complement Your Face

The importance of proportions cannot be overstated. Your facial hair must complement, and should ideally enhance, your face shape. In most cases, the goal is to make your face look as close to oval as possible. If your face is naturally long and narrow, your beard should be a bit bushier on the sides to create the illusion of a rounder shape. If you were born with a basketball head, keep the sides cropped closer and let more length grow at the chin to elongate your face. A more square shape can also help define a weaker jawline.

If in doubt about the most flattering style for your face, see a pro for the initial shaping and follow their template from then on.

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