The swag up for grabs!

This post is a sponsored giveaway courtesy of AXE.

April is National Stress Awareness month and to help you feel a little more refreshed this month, AXE is offering MANE MAN readers an awesome relaxation kit which features the following items:

• Jack Spade Men’s Duffel to chill out in style
• MANdles Ladies’ Man candle to help you set the mood
• Just Chill natural relaxation drinks to help clear the mind
• Psi Bands to help promote relaxation and healthy digestion
• Orbit hand massager for a little de-stress help on the go
• $100 American Express Gift Card!
• New AXE Deep Space Chill Out Shower Gel and Shower Detailer

So how do you enter? Head over to the MANE MAN Facebook page and leave a comment on my post announcing the giveaway…that’s it!  You can say anything you like.  I will be contacting the winner via Facebook on April 22, 2013.  Good luck!

As an added bonus, Shea Moisture will even have an on site barber and stylist offering basic services.  There will be plenty of food,  fun AND the first 10 people will receive a complimentary special gift with their purchase! And don’t forget, Shea Moisture is already running their holiday special of  3 products for $25 (products regularly $9.99 each) and bar soap: 3 for $10 (soaps regularly $4.99 each).  I don’t know about you, but I will definitely be racking up! Check out the flyer below and I’ll see you there!

When I heard that Super Size Me director, Morgan Spurlock decided to tackle the men’s grooming industry I was admittedly pretty excited. Unfortunately, Mansome didn’t really deliver on answering the question, “what does it mean to be a man?”

That’s probably a big question for one film to answer, unfortunately that’s what it seems Spurlock set out to do with Mansome.  Too bad it doesn’t deliver on its promise, in my opinion.  For one, the sketches with Jason Batemen and Will Arnett were, in a word, useless.  I felt their tacky sequences actually added very little to the discussion of the film.  There was, however, some good discussion on gender stereotypes and the like, which I appreciated.  In fact, it wasn’t until recently that I really started to think about how my facial hair really makes a difference in how I see myself as a man.  There will be more to come on that later.

As far as the film goes, Mansome is sort of like the intriguing preface to a classic novel.  You get a sense of who the characters are and where the story might lead you but you have to read the entire book to really have an amazing experience.  The problem is, Mansome doesn’t serve you the main course.  For me, the film only scratches the surface of describing what manhood is.  But, all in all, you’ll be decently entertained. However,  if you’re anything like me, it will only leave you wanting more.

Have you seen the film? What did you think?

Don’t forget to head over to my Movember donation page.  We’ve already hit the $100 mark, so let’s get to $200!

Also, you may want to check out this funny video from Nick Offerman who stars in Parks and Recreation on NBC.  Take a quick peek to learn how to join in on the fun!

Happy Monday everyone!  Remember when I said I hoped the next year of MANE MAN would bring even better things?  Well, today I’m very excited to bring you a new giveaway that blends my love of music and hair.  Today’s giveaway is sponsored by Supercuts and Live Nation. Supercuts is a nationwide chain of salons offering reasonably priced hairstyling and cutting services, while Live Nation is your one stop shop for concert tickets and music merchandise. Today you get the best of both!

This year, Supercuts and Live Nation have banded together to create the perfect harmony between fly hair and music.  Today you have the chance to win either a $20 gift card from Supercuts or 1 of 3 Live Nation Concert Cash $10 gift cards.  The Supercuts gift card can be used at any location and the Live Nation Concert Cash gift cards can be used online for either concert tickets or merchandise at the Live Nation store where you can buy gear to represent for your favorite artists.  Note that the Live Nation gift cards can only be used at either the merchandise store or for tickets. Sorry, but you can’t split it between the two.  Just enter the giveaway below by logging in via your email or Facebook accounts.  There are a variety of ways to enter and the more you use the better your chances of winning.  Winners will be announced on November 15, so you have plenty of time to gain entries!  Buena suerte!

Rock the Cut Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to Derby City Naturals for nominating me for the 2012 Versatile Blogger Award!  As you may have recently read, MANE MAN just turned one year old and I’m incredibly grateful for all your support thus far.  I hope that the next year brings as many cool things as year one.  And hopefully there will be more opportunities for you to win!  OK, enough of that mushy stuff, let’s get down to business.

7 Random Facts About Me

• In high school I was in marching band and you can often tell the tempo of the song on my iPod by how quickly my feet are moving.
• I really love/miss Bojangles.
• I’m addicted to caffeine and coffee is my drink of choice.
• I’m generally not into sports, but man do I love the Yankees!
• I’m a total foodie.
• With that, dessert is my main vice.
• I really enjoy cooler weather.  Who doesn’t like cardigans and boots?!

On to the Nominees!

• The More You Know
• Turtle Loves Beauty
• Pampered Prince
• New to New York City

Happy one year kids!  Today, MANE MAN officially hits its one year blogiversary and I couldn’t be happier. Creating and maintaining this blog has been an absolute blast.  Thank you so much for your continued support.  I can’t wait to see what great things the next year brings us. That being said, here are some pretty cool stats that you all helped create:

Most Commented

• My Hairstory

Most Popular Product Reviews:

• Shea Moisture Shave & Groom Set
• Shea Moisture African Black Soap Shea Butter Wash
• Trader Joe’s Spa Natural Facial Cleansing Pads
• Shea Moisture Argan Oil & Raw Shea Body Scrub
• Shea Moisture Raw Shea Reconstructive Elixir
• Shea Radiance
• Dr. Miracle’s Tingling Shampoo and Conditioner
• Shea Moisture Three Butters Wash & Scrub
• Hair Rules Kinky Curling Cream
• Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner

Most Popular Posts (excluding reviews):

• Natural Hairstyles for Black Men
• My Favorite Winter Gear
• Trend Alert? The Man Bun
• Men’s Spring 2012 Fashion Trends
• 5 Steps for the Perfect Wash & Go

Keep the comments and hits coming!

And thank you again for reading!

David writes:  Can you give me some tips on getting waves?

MM:  I use to have crazy waves back in the day! I wore a wave cap (like the stocking kind) religiously every night to bed. Du rags never seemed to stay on my head quite right.  I would prep my hair by using a thick pomade like Sportin Waves.  To be honest, the stuff irritated my scalp a little, so these days I would recommend using a natural hair butter like Shea Radiance Moisture Rich Hair Butter or something similar that won’t cause a lot of product buildup on your scalp.  Then I would brush thoroughly with a soft boar bristle brush and put on the wave cap right before bed.  Hope this helps!

Don’t forget to submit your grooming questions to MANE MAN on Facebook.com/manemanblog or Twitter.com/manemanblog!

What are your tips for maintaining waves?

Let the games begin!  With the XXX Olympiad now in full swing, it goes without saying that all eyes across the world are on London.  With the Queen’s help and a few special guests, Danny Boyle orchestrated a grand opening ceremony to kick off the games.  Now that the games are in full force, here are a few Olympic curlies to watch out for.

Megan Hodge (Volleyball) – Born in St. Thomas and hailing from Durham, NC Megan Hodge makes her Olympic debut in London as part of the women’s volleyball team.  Hodge is expected to have a good showing at London and in years to come.

Reese Hoffa (Track & Field) – Weighing in at 315 pounds, Reese Hoffa is consistently ranked in the top 3 shot put men in the world.  With a relatively low key media presence, I think Hoffa is set to make some noise in this year’s olympics.

Christina Loukas (Diving) – A self described kid at heart, this American diver took time off in 2010 after her performance in Beijing.  Loukas is back for more in London 2012 she hopes to bring out big numbers in the women’s 3 m Springboard.

Maya Lawrence (Fencing) – Training in Paris, France and a native of New Jersey, Maya Lawrence also makes her debut in the 2012 London Olympics.  This 32 year old fencer is looking to make a big impression at this year’s games.

 What events are you most excited about seeing during these Olympics?

“Hey Mane Man,

I am a big fan.  I was wondering if you could answer a question for me. What do you use to wrap your hair at night? I researched online but most of the stuff are for women. My hair is about 2 inches long, so I wear a wave cap; but my hair is matted and frizzy in the morning. (I have 3b and 3c hair) So I was wondering if you could help me. I really appreciate it.

Thanks so much. And continue posting. You are an inspiration for natural guys out everywhere.”

MM:  Hi Larry, thanks for the kind words! Right now I use a Sue Maesta Hood instead of a wave cap because I find it much more comfortable than a wave cap due to the length and density of my hair. You can find them at RickysNYC.com and probably at a local beauty supply store near you. Usually, I apply a light mist of a homemade mix (water, oil, and conditioner from a spray bottle) to my fro and put on the hood before bed. I also sleep on a satin pillowcase. Both combined have helped dramatically with (reducing) matting and tangling of my hair. I hope this helps!

What’s your night time routine like? 

Do you have any other suggestions for Larry?

Weigh in!