Buying for Baby

Thanks to the 50 Shades of Gray phenomenon that has swept the globe, we are set to experience the biggest baby boom in over 40 years!

If you’re expecting a little bundle of joy yourself, the prospect of baby shopping can be one filled with excitement but also apprehension. After the initial thrill of a positive pregnancy test, the reality of having a baby sets in. With so much to buy, it can be difficult to know where to start, especially if it’s for your first baby. How many types of pacifiers should I buy? Should I get a milk expresser? And will I really need a heated wipe warmer?!

If panic is setting in, don’t worry – it all starts with a list! It might seem to be terrifyingly long at first, but if you pace yourself and start early it won’t be that bad – we promise! Start off by purchasing one or two items a week and before you know it, you’ll have your whole list checked off! This is also a great way to help spread the cost and take advantage of special offers throughout the year.

So, what are the essentials? Well, unless you’ll be using the reusable cloth type, diapers are a must. If there’s anything worth buying in bulk, it’s definitely diapers – you’ll be amazed at just how many you get through! Even if you’re using cloth diapers, it’s advisable to buy some disposable ones as a back-up for emergencies. Most babies will experience a bout of diaper rash at some point, so it’s best to have some absorbent cotton and cream in stock for when it happens.

Where babies are involved, there will always be a need for baby wipes – and plenty of them! Wipes are useful for so many things, not just when changing diapers. You’ll find they will become one of the most useful accessories in your bag – whether it’s for cleaning high-chairs, wiping sticky fingers or cleaning up spillages. With such a long shelf-life, you might as well buy in bulk!

Babies have sensitive and delicate skin, so at bath time it’s important to use mild products. Johnson’s classic baby shampoo has a ‘No More Tears’ formula that is as gentle as pure water. Afterwards, treat your baby’s skin with a gentle baby powder to leave it feeling soft, smooth and smelling deliciously baby-fresh! Baby oil is a great way to keep the skin moisturized and protects against dryness and itching.

Although it might seem a long time off, your baby will start cutting teeth before you know it – those months really fly by! So be prepared with teething pain relief gel.

Anyone who has experience with babies knows that a good bedtime routine is the key to a restful night’s sleep. Using a baby bedtime lotion can help to soothe your little one with calming scents. There will be plenty of sleepless nights ahead, so stock up on the eye drops and coffee and enjoy the ride!

Even better, you can BUY BABY STUFF BY THE CASE at Stockn’Go!

For most people (both men and women), shaving is a part of our daily or weekly regime.  It can be time consuming and accident prone.  We all want a soft, smooth, painless shave, free of nicks, bumps and ingrown hairs… but don’t always get it.  Below is an article on how to get the best shave possible by howstuffworks.com.  With the right products (recommendations included by Stockngo.com) and a few quick and easy steps, you can get the silky smooth shave that you always wanted.

Preparing to Shave

The first step to getting the best shave is to start with a clean face. Cleansing your skin opens pores and softens hair and stubble, which are important steps to make hair removal easier. It also removes dirt, bacteria and anything else you may be harboring in that beard. Instead of reaching for a bar of standard-issue soap, though, choose a moisturizing face wash (BeFine Gentile Skin Care Cleanser) or an exfoliating face wash (BeFine Exfoliating Cleanser). Shaving is irritating to the skin, and every time you shave, you remove the skin’s natural protective oils. A moisturizing face wash will help to hydrate your skin and reduce that moisture loss.  Exfoliation is nothing more than scrubbing the dead skin cells off, as process that keeps your skin healthy and looking great.

It’s best to shave after or at the end of your shower to take advantage of how the steam has opened your pores, but applying a hot towel to your face for three to five minutes works, too.

Choosing Shaving Creams

When you choose a shaving cream or gel, look for a product that’s thick and hydrating. The purpose of these gels (American Crew Precision Shave Gel), and creams is to create a protective layer between your skin and the razor, which helps to reduce irritation and razor burn. It creates a slippery surface for your razor blade to glide over, which equals less drag and irritation.

Aftershaves, the last step in the product line, offer more than a pretty smell — they help to close your pores, and the best ones also moisturize your skin. Choose an aftershave that’s a lotion or balm and that contains hydrating ingredients such as shea butter, glycerin, jojoba, coconut or other oils (American Crew Post-Shave Cooling Lotion).

Choosing Electric Shavers and Razors

The closest shaves are generally going to be the ones you get from a straight razor at your barber. If you’re not practiced in the art of shaving with a straight razor, you may find you get the closest at-home shave with a multiblade, cartridge-style razor (Gillette Fusion Razor), the sharper the better.

If you’re hoping to avoid skin irritation, an electric razor may help. But be careful which setting you choose — as the razor heats up with use, it can irritate skin if it’s on the setting closest to your skin. There are two types of electric razors: foil and rotary. Foil shavers cut hair with blades that move from side to side. Rotary shavers cut hair with circular blades that spin and bend. Rotary shavers are generally considered to be easier to use than foil shavers because they can reach all the angles of your face, but foil shavers generally give the closer shave of the two [source: Consumer Search].

Shaving Techniques

Everyone has his individual shaving style and technique, and what works for you is usually what’s best for you. To get a clean, close, wet shave, start with a sharp razor and shave with gentle strokes. The razor blade should be sharp enough to slice hairs easily with one stroke, and you shouldn’t have to push it against your skin. To get even closer, tightly stretch areas of your skin as you shave them. It’s easier to glide your razor over a flat, smooth area than over skin that’s slack or uneven.

Also, pay attention to how your hair grows and use it to your advantage. Shave first in the direction of your hair growth (this is usually downward) and then again in the other direction (against the grain). Rinse the blade in hot water often, preferably after every stroke, and rinse your face with cool water to close your pores when you’re done.

If your skin is prone to developing shaving bumps, you may need to shave differently or use a bump treatment (Bump Patrol Aftershave).  To minimize the likelihood of ingrown hairs, shave after you shower — the steam from the hot water will help to open your pores and soften your hair. While shaving, use as few strokes as possible, don’t pull your skin taut as you shave and always shave in the same direction as the hair growth. You won’t get as close a shave this way, but you’ll exchange a five o’clock shadow for fewer red, inflamed bumps.

Alternatively, if you’re prone to ingrown hairs or shaving nicks, consider an electric razor. Electric razors and shavers won’t give you the same close shave as a multiblade disposable or a straight razor, but you don’t need shaving creams or water to get the job done. There are some electric shavers that are made to be wet- and dry-shave friendly — be sure to read the manual for your specific shaver.

Maintaining Shaving Tools

Whether you prefer to use manual or electric razors, you’ll need to do a bit of maintenance to keep them sharp and ready to go. When it comes to maintaining blades, remember the two R’s: rinse and replace!

For the full article on by Trimarchi, Maria on “How can a man get the best shave possible?” please go to:  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/men/shaving-tips/best-shave-possible.htm>  11 June 2012.

CHECK OUT THE MEN’S SHAVING PRODUCTS AND OTHER GREAT DEALS IN THE STOCKN’GO FATHER’S DAY GIFT CENTER!