The Obtainer - 11/14/22, Monday
↦ Shopping for Athletic People
Monday, November 14th Edition
Rice is a staple. It’s great for cooking and using it as a DIY solution for whenever your iPhone drops in water. But have you ever thought about using it for your face? Neither had I … until now.
- Leon Hedgepeth, Shopping Editor ⋯ @leonhedgepeth
Gifts for Active People
Trying to figure out what to get someone for the holiday season is no small task. Especially if you can't spoil them with sugary sweets or a luxurious sweater. For the athlete in your life who takes their health seriously (or if you're looking to beat the New Year's resolution crowd yourself), we've picked out some solid gift ideas. From a trekking belt to keep you hydrated to a foam roller designed for targeted recovery and some gel to relieve the soreness—we think these options will perform well (no pun intended).
Gift Ideas
Clockwise, from top left:
Redux gym bag, $365 / $335 by Stuart and Lay, Double-walled stainless steel bottle, $49 by Waterdrop and Thermal, $235 by Houdini Sportswear
Clockwise, from top left:
001 sneaker, $295 by Norda, Justice hydration belt, $180 by Satisfy and Vista 2 Bluetooth earbuds, $149.99 by Jaybird
5 Stylish Items to Buy This Week
Who doesn’t want their home to smell like a Tyrolean ski chalet? D.S. & Durga is one of our favorite fragrance houses and for the holiday season, they’ve produced a new “Portable Xmas Tree” candle ($65). Slightly sweet, with a hint of smoke and a tidal wave of freshly-cut evergreen, this candle will fill your room once you light this baby. Once burning, you pick up deeper notes of clove and rich amber. It’s nostalgic, warm and even a little sexy. Like a steaming hot tub out in the snow.
Test Drive
This Rice Cleansing Oil Is a Game Changer
Finding great skincare products is a rarity for me. If a product is too lightweight, it feels ineffectual and my skin gets dry. If it’s scented with unnecessary fragrances, my skin gets irritated. Because of this, I’ve always been mindful of what I’m putting on my face and body—usually directing me to pricier options. One of my latest finds is the rice cleansing oil from the Japanese brand DAMDAM.The brand’s name refers to emotion, feeling and mindfulness. The clean skincare line is derived from Japanese craftsmanship and time-honored plant ingredients. And as any menswear fan will tell you, “Made in Japan” has come to be synonymous with quality made goods—I figured if my jeans are from the country of Japan, why not my skincare products?Inspired by the Japanese beauty ritual of purifying skin with water left over from washing rice before cooking, this rice-based cleanser softens skin without irritating the delicate parts of the face, including around the eyes. The brand uses a gentle vegan formula that features komenuka (a natural rice bran oil)—a pillar in Asian skincare for hundreds of years thanks to its potent moisture-retaining abilities.As the temperatures have been like a seesaw throughout the day, my eyes and eyelids have become dry. And while the company doesn’t recommend putting this over your eyelids, I’ve found the formula to be gentle enough to do so. The cleansing oil soothes the dryness around my eyes and eyelids and rids away any allergens I’ve encountered throughout the day. After rinsing, the skin is noticeably softer and hydrated, too.I also use this every evening before I go to bed. I take one to two pumps of oil and massage it all over my face in an upward motion for about 30 seconds. Once the time is up, I’ll rinse my face off gently with a lukewarm washcloth and pat dry—ensuring that I’m not stripping my face down. This is the first step of my double-cleansing regime, which prevents pore buildup and hydrates without leaving a greasy feel. After I’m done using this cleanser, I’ll follow up with the brand’s exfoliating cleanser to further slough off any irritants and dry skin. After this two step process, my face feels thoroughly cleansed, replenished and has a nice, glow-y sheen. I get that $46 for a bottle can be expensive, but the nice thing about an oil, a little goes a long way. And if you're going to invest in anything, it should be keeping your skin healthy and hydrated."
Silk rice cleansing oil,$46 by DAMDAM
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
Inspired by vintage military officer pants, this indigo-washed chino is made from a hefty 12.5oz. Japanese selvedge denim with a slightly broken-in look and feel.
$268 / $169by Todd Snyder
A classic long-sleeve polo reimagined in an extra-fine wool and nylon blend. The luxe bouclé texture practically guarantees to be the coziest piece in your winter wardrobe.
$219 / $115by Howlin’
Knitted in a wool blend from Italian mill Lanificio Roma and finished with patch pockets, a stretch sleeve lining and a classic three-button closure, this blazer is as versatile as a Swiss Army knife.
$375 / $150by J.Lindeberg
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November 6