My husband is a man of very basic grooming essentials. As a matter of fact, we’re constantly on the verge of a nuclear meltdown over his lack of any willingness to go and get a real haircut. Most couples fight over infidelity or money issues, but not in this house. We have words over haircuts people, and the lack thereof. And what kills me is that I KNOW people who can do this for him…and still…no go. (Believe me, I realize how lucky I am to be his wife, but still—can you play your violin in the background for me for just a few seconds?) But I swear to God, if he lets it get any longer than it is right now—I’m going to start calling him Steff, and tell him that James Spader called and wants his hair back.
Don’t get me wrong, the hubs is NOT a slob. But he suffers from mind wanderlust (as do many of the male persuasion), and there are so many other things he’d rather be doing on the weekend—than sitting in a salon chair for an entire 14 minutes having his hair cut into a reasonable style that’s not hanging in his eyes. You have no idea how NUTS this drives me—I’m a former hairstylist for crying out loud. But no, he tortures me instead (yet I love him for it).
Which brings me to his short list of essentials:
- Any $16 Philosophy 3-in-1 body wash that smells like baked goods, fruit, or candy
- Clarins MEN Shaving Cream (for you know, whenever he feels like shaving is necessary)
- Speed Stick Deodorant in the “Fresh Rush” fragrance
- Garnier Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
So when the St. Ives Triple Butters Creamy Coconut Body Wash came into the house, I almost fell out of my chair when his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree as I handed it to him to try out. He immediately reported that the coconut fragrance reminds him of when he surfed in high school. After, he’d come home from the beach and head for the shower, and wash his hair with a coconut-scented shampoo. As cheesy as this sounds, it made me SO happy to see him reminisce about something that literally made him smile as he spoke about it, that I almost forgot about his hair bugging me. Being that we’re 35 now (which isn’t that old, but just old enough to make you miss your glory days), it touched me to see that little giddy look in his eyes from the good memories he has of surfing, then washing his hair with coconut-scented shampoo. As a result, he absolutely LOVES this stuff, and I’ve tried it several times too—it’s excellent—and for the price, even better! It feels very indulgent, and builds easily into a creamy lather without making the skin feel tight or stripped. If this is what it takes to make him happy by remembering the “good ‘ol days”, then I’ll buy him all the St. Ives Triple Butters Creamy Coconut Body Wash he wants—FOREVER. His youthful smile is EVERYTHING to me, and my blessings are constantly being counted.
But believe me, I’ll still keep bugging him about that hair.
Price & Availability: $4.49 for 24 fl. oz, drugstores and drugstore.com
