It was a close call with the recent writer's strike, but it looks like the 80th Annual Academy Awards is all set to stun (and possibly bore) audiences once again this Sunday. Known as much for the caliber of acting and film making being honored as the styles that make their way down the red carpet, the Oscars have always been a time for stars to wow, and possibly appall, their adoring fans. This year, the nominees for Best Actor run the full gamut of men's styles:

• George Clooney for Michael Clayton: This politically-active leading man has been credited with jump-starting a return to cool, Sinatra-like style with tailored suits, well-trimmed haircuts and smooth moves.

• Daniel Day-Lewis for There Will Be Blood: A virtual chameleon, Day-Lewis defines the act of "losing himself in a role", changing his styles and mannerisms (on stage and off) over the span of his career to reflect everything from a rough oil baron to a free-spirited gay man to a homicidal gang leader.

• Johnny Depp for Sweeney Todd: The hip former teen heartthrob once again donned the haunted look for another Tim Burton production, but Depp is well known for relying on a laid-back, bohemian-chic, eccentric style in his every day life.

• Tommy Lee Jones for In the Valley of Elah: Known for his craggy, rugged appearance, Jones has been the epitome of hard-talking, straight-shooting good ole' boy for more than four decades now.

• Viggo Mortensen for Eastern Promises: Although the ladies might have swooned for dreamy Aragorn, Mortensen proved he was much more than a flight of fantasy with tough roles in A History of Violence and Eastern Promises. He went through strenuous physical training for his most recent role, and underwent extensive time in the makeup chair to perfectly recreate his mobster tattoos. Legend has that his steely gaze, quiet style and body art actually had strangers on the street thinking he really was a Russian gangster.

Whether your a man's man or a style pro, MenScience wants to know which leading man you think has the best men's grooming style. And let's see who brings home the coveted award on Sunday night!

Labels: academy awards, daniel day-lewis, george clooney, johnny depp, men's grooming, men's styles, mens grooming, mens style, menscience, oscars

While not quite as catchy as National Condom Week, February is also American Heart Month. This year the focus is on promoting greater awareness of heart disease among women (since heart disease is commonly thought of as a "man's issue"), but there's no question that men can benefit from improved heart health. After all, according to the American Heart Association, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in America. And unfortunately, many men don't even realize they are experiencing a heart attack until it is much too late.

Know what to be aware of and act fast. Signs of a heart attack include:

• Pressure, pain or discomfort in the chest area
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea and dizziness
• Pain in other areas of the body such as arms, back, or neck

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact emergency services right away.

Acting quickly can improve your chances of surviving a heart attack, but the best course of action is to prevent heart disease before it begins. This means eating a diet rich in heart-healthy foods like fish, whole-grains and fruits and vegetables, getting regular medical checkups, exercising and complementing your nutrition with a reliable daily supplement. MenScience Omega 3 Supplement Formula contains a pharmaceutical-grade source of Omega-3 EPA/DHA fatty acids, which may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in men. For more information about Omega 3's benefits, check out the article Heart Protection for Men with Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

February is officially American Heart Month...let's work to make this American Heart Year.

Labels: cardiovascular disease, heart disease, men's health, mens health, menscience, omega 3

The dreaded V-day is only two weeks away. And you haven't got the slightest clue what to get for that special someone. You could risk getting the cold shoulder that day (and in bed for the next week or so), or you can take a hint from MenScience on these last-minute, easy-on-the-wallet gifts that will score points and won't make you vomit from cuteness (believe us, your significant other doesn't want that four- foot-tall teddy bear either).

1. Make a CD of your favorite songs that at least make a passing reference to love. Yes, your partner may hate your taste in music, but there's no way she's going to turn down a mix you lovingly crafted for her with your own little hands.

2. A surprise trip to Barbados. Okay, we had to throw that one in.

3. Waited too long to book an exotic getaway? Turn your house into your own private oasis. All you need is some chic massage oils, candles, low lighting and music (hint hint: clean the place up first).

4. Can't get a reservation at that ultra-chic restaurant? Places are notoriously packed on Valentine's Day, so why face the crowds and disgustingly sappy couples there, when you can make a great dinner at your own place? Even you can't cook, tons of restaurants and gourmet markets offer take-out meals. Set the mood with nice dishes, candles, the works and let the chemistry commence.

5. If your sweetheart's got a green thumb, bypass the expensive bouquet that will be at the bottom of the garbage by the end of the week and get her an elegant orchid, or some other type of blooming plant.

6. And finally, when in doubt, go online. Many gift and flower sites like RedEnvelope.com and 1800Flowers.com offer expedited shipping for the big day. You'll be paying the bucks, but we have a feeling if you don't, you'll be paying for it in a lot of other ways later on.

(And what if the sweetie wants to get you something? Kindly direct to her to the many unique Valentine's Day gifts at www.menscience.com. We highly recommend the Travel Kit. You can tell her it'll remind you to book earlier for the trip to Barbados next year!)

Labels: 1800Flowers, airplane travel kit, Barbados, make a cd, men's products, menscience, plants, private oasis, RedEnvelope, unique valentine's day gifts, Valentine's day last minute gifts

It looks like an urban legend might be true...sort of. Everyone's heard the one about how cell phones can give you cancer, but a new study reveals that cell phone usage might actually be affecting the way people sleep.

In a study conducted by Karolinska Institute and Uppsala University in Sweden and Wayne State University in Michigan, USA, scientists have found that participants exposed to the same level of radiation emitted by cell phones an hour before going to sleep caused many of them to take longer to reach a deeper level of sleep and spend less time there. This in turn lead to less satisfying, unhealthier sleep.

One scientist believes this inability to get to sleep faster is caused by radiation activating a part of the brain which causes people to become alert. By activating this area, it takes longer for men to relax and prep for sleep.

While studies are still being conducted on the effect of cell phones on men's health, there's no denying that irregular sleep can cause a multitude of health problems. For guidelines from MenScience on how to get a good night's sleep, read our article here.

And what's a good rule of thumb? Don't talk on your phone an hour before heading off to dreamland.

Labels: cell phones, lack of sleep, men's health, mens health, menscience, sleep, sleep apnea, sleep disorder

Time Magazine recently named Vladmir Putin, president of the Russian Federation, it's 2007 Person of the Year. While this decision is causing a bit of a controversy as American-Russian political relations can stranger every day, who are we to argue over who Time designates the Person of 2007? But why does Time get to be the only ones to shine the spotlight on someone who represents the spectrum of an entire year?

In fact, this whole Person of the Year controversy got us thinking of our own Men of MenScience series we conducted this year. Beginning in January, we highlighted several men from all different walks of life who all had an interest in improving themselves and the world around them. From Vincent Solomeno, a fresh-faced political aficianado, to David Miller, a successful personal trainer and fitness guru in Philadelphia and Miami, we profiled each of these men to represent the kind of guys who are actively pursuing a better life. Because at MenScience, in case you hadn't noticed, we're all about improving men's grooming, men's health and men's lives!

So forget all this Time controversy, and have a look at some of our previous Men of MenScience candidates. And let us know if you think the series should continue into next year!

Labels: men of menscience, men's grooming, men's health, menscience, person of the year, time person of the year, vladmir putin

Acne continues to be a major problem for men, one that reaches well past the teenage years. In a poll conducted by MenScience:

• 61% of men admitted that acne had an effect on their social lives, but a majority of men (42%) prefer to wash their faces twice a day to treat it, instead of using the appropriate skincare product.

• 85% think you should stop using an acne medication if your skin worsens at first. This misconception needs to be cleared up, as many products do tend to make skin look worse before actually providing visible improvements.

In light of these acne problems, MenScience aims to provide some much-needed information and new products to help overcome these skincare setbacks.

Even if you've been paying attention to MenScience's new acne treatment line for men, you still might not know about the newest addition: Advanced Acne Pads. These convenient pads contain Glycolic and Salicylic Acids to clear and prevent acne breakouts, while deep-cleaning pores. And MenScience has also been releasing tons of new articles focusing on different aspects of the acne problem, so men can educate themselves on the best ways to treat it.

So if acne effects you, as it does the majority of men, take a moment to get educated and find out what you can do to diminish the problem.

Labels: acne, acne-prone skin, advanced acne pads, back acne, bacne, damaged skin, men's health, men's products, men's skin care, men's skincare, menscience, oily skin

When it comes to men's skin care and grooming, nothing's scarier than dark under-eye circles, fine lines and damaged skin. So in honor of this ghoulish season, MenScience provides some tips on how to avoid looking like a monster...for the other 364 days of the year!

Reducing scars / damaged skin

Even if they are a natural part of your body's healing process, you don't have to look like Frankenstein's monster. Diminish scars by exfoliating your skin on a regular basis with a product that gently buffs away dead skin cells. This will soften the scar's edges, creating a smoother appearance. Whether your scars are from previous injuries or old acne, make sure to use a sunscreen so marks won't re-darken when exposed to sunlight. Although moisturizing is not proven to reduce scars, keeping skin well-hydrated can promote a smoother, more supple surface and a healthier appearance overall.

Fine Lines / Wrinkles

Count Dracula isn't the only one that can pull off that "ageless" look. Keep fine lines to a minimum by protecting skin early on from sun and environmental damage with a solid sunscreen, and regularly using a product formulated with antioxidant ingredients like GABA, Peptides and Retinol. Cutting out bad habits (such as smoking and excessive drinking) and following an exercise plan can also help in the long run, and keep you looking great for an (unsettlingly) long time.

Dark Under-Eye Circles

In addition to imparting a very "undead" look, dark under-eye circles can add years to your appearance. To reduce them, apply a warm cloth or eye mask for several minutes to your eye area and follow with an application of moisturizer specifically formulated to hydrate the sensitive skin around the eyes. And quit stomping around the cemetery at all hours---get at least 8 hours a sleep a night to further reduce circles.

For more help with these "monstrous" problems and more, read the MenScience newsletter Seriously Scary Skincare.

Labels: anti-aging, damaged skin, fine lines, men's health, men's skin care, men's skincare, menscience, raccoon eyes, scar, under eye circles, wrinkles

If you've visited the MenScience company website, you know that we're constantly researching new areas of men's health every day to provide effective products and information. And while a lot of that is done in labs and clinical environments by health professionals, we're also gathering information from all sorts of men in more informal ways....like through our monthly MenScience contest.

Every month, we reveal a new set of questions focusing on a specific aspect of men's skincare, grooming, nutrition or health, and we always get an overwhelming response. We use these results in a variety of ways: everything from providing you with interesting statistics, to creating monthly newsletters, to choosing what types of products to release next. And every month, we choose one lucky winner to receive a free Advanced Shave Kit!

It's a win-win situation. Check out this month's contest at www.menscience.com for your chance to provide us with opinions on what guys really want...and win a sweet prize!

Labels: advanced shave kit, free prize, men's fitness, men's health, men's nutrition, men's opinions, men's skincare, menscience, monthly contest

MenScience was pleased to be a part of the 18th Annual Pre-Daytime Emmy Awards party held June 6, 2007 at Nikki Beach Midtown in NYC.

Co-sponsored by Nikki Style Magazine, the event brought together the top stars of daytime television, including All My Children, Guiding Light, One Life to Live and Days of Our Lives. MenScience included samples of the popular Post-Shave Repair for the event's gift bags.

We're thankful to be a part of such a great event, and look forward to many more to come!

Labels: daytime emmy awards, events, men's health, menscience, nikki style magazine, parties