Guest Blog: Barry's Grooming Tips

Today, I'm turning over the blog to my husband and Bluemercury co-founder, Barry Beck! -MMB

Here are the life-saving products that keep me going every day. Guys, you can pamper yourself, or tell your special someone to pick them up for you!

1. At night, slather SkinCeuticals Hydra Balm ($22) over face (and scalp, if needed), focusing on irritated/itchy areas. I keep this fully stocked in my bathroom during the fall and winter months.
2. In the morning, apply Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Heavy Lifting Cream ($40). I love Kiehl’s Facial Fuel line, and this rich cream is an effective way to battle day time dryness.
3. If your skin is oily or you prefer a lighter moisturizer, try Kiehl’s Facial Fuel SPF 15 ($25), a great 2-in-1 moisturizer with SPF.

1. It’s so important to prep your skin before shaving. A good scrub like Jack Black’s Face Buff Energizing Scrub ($30) opens the pores for a nice, clean post-shave finish.
2. Kiehl’s Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream - White Eagle ($16) has been my go-to shaving cream for almost 15 years. It gives me the closest, smoothest shave imaginable with a great menthol scent.
3. M-61 Hydraboost ($78) is a serum and moisturizer all in one. Fragrance-free, easy to use, lightweight and fast-absorbing, I use this every morning.

1. Here’s my trick for sore muscles. In a hot bath, take 1 capfull of Molton Brown Bracing Silverbirch Thermal Muscle Soak ($30) and combine with 1 capfull of your Molton Brown Body Wash of choice (my favorites are Black Peppercorn ($30) and Eucalyptus ($30).Black Peppercorn:
2. Bliss’ Hot Salt Scrub ($38) is a great way to warm your muscles and slough off workout grime. Calming eucalyptus scent works great alongside the Molton Brown bath recipe.
3. Apply Jack Black Dragon Ice Relief & Recovery Balm ($22) post-bath to lingering sore muscles.  Finish with Jack Black Cool Moisture Body Lotion ($26), a perfect lightweight daily moisturizer.

1. Morning or night, M-61 Power Glow Peel ($28) is my first line of defense against pimples and oiliness. Perfect when we’re on the road, it fits easily in my bag, and takes just one minute to use.
2. I discovered Darphin Denblan Toothpaste ($22) in Paris one summer. It’s a great teeth whitener, and now I start and end every day with it
3. My hands get so rough and dry in the wintertime, especially around the knuckles. M-61 Vitablast C Hand ($19) is my favorite skin-saver.
4. Every guy needs a good lip balm. My top pick is Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Advanced Therapy ($25). I hardly need to re-apply, it moisturizes like no other, and it’s fragrance-free.

My Desk: Illuminated

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Bobbi Brown. She has outdone herself once again with the new Uber Pinks Collection, which is hitting Bluemercury shelves now (and selling out just as fast!).

These two Illuminating Bronzers from the collection, Pink Peony (Be Bold) and Antigua (Be Pretty) are two of my favorites for spring. I love the pop of color that the Pink Peony provides, right in the apple of your cheek.

When we get a new introduction in store, I love to check in with our experts across the country to see what they're doing. Jennifer Mullins (@jkrygmull), one of our experts at Bluemercury Jacksonville, uses Antigua with a sheer powder brush on the high cheek bones for a quick natural highlight. A quick swipe across the browbone with Antigua creates an eye-opening effect as well.

The forecast here in Washington calls for snow tomorrow--but it's spring in-store!

New and VERY Notable: Dueling Serums

RéVive founder Dr. Greg Brown and me!

Two new anti-aging serums have just arrived on our shelves...and I've been divided right down the middle. Literally.

One of my favorite new product tests at my vanity is the half-face test. I'll often use one product on one half of my face and a different product on the other to understand the differences in texture and results.

For this round, on my right half: the new Moisturizing Renewal Serum by RéVive, part of the ever-amazing Renewal Collection product line. On my left: the new La Mer Lifting Contour Serum. I used each, then a primer, put on my NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer and was out the door.

Here's what I noticed:

1. RéVive's Moisturizing Renewal Serum is incredibly plumping, hydrating and skin smoothing. My skin looked radiant and refreshed – like after a good night’s sleep (Dr. Brown does it again!)

2. La Mer's The Lifting Contour Serum was tightening, firming and also showed a radiant finish. My skin looked tight, like I had just run 5 miles!

Verdict: both are amazing, but completely different – so there's one for your needs (a fact with which both sides of my face would agree!).