louis polo, Author at THE LIFESTYLE MAN

Crescent Canna’s Hemp CBD Oil Experience Into a Cocktail Recipe

Posted on by louis polo

Is CBD part of your wellness routine? Has it ever been? I decided to try it for myself, tailor my daily routine based on the aspects of my life I wanted to improve; rather than what the "norm" of CBD use was. Yeah... let's talk about norms. Originally, I was introduced to CBD under a cloud of misinformation and myths. Where I had to dig the information and spend hours educating myself. I came to understand that one must listen to the body - period! Learn to listen to your body and be prepared and comfortable to identify areas of improvements. Even if you think you don't need any improvements in your routines, and you feel at peace, be clear of the aspects of your wellness journey you value most.

It all started with the intention to improve anxiety and concentration, but my experience carried beyond. After adapting, trial and error, having to wonder what I was consuming, and trying multiple CBD products with different characteristics, I was able to find the right fit. I've been using Crescent Canna for several weeks. I discovered a new stage of my daily routine, where I'm more productive and calm. All thanks to the transparency and honest approach of their production and quality control processes. From my experience, I can agree that Crescent Canna delivers the highest quality CBD drops. Their products are made from hemp-derived CBD that's more than 99% pure and all natural ingredients. A perfect choice when on the go!

Is all about education and being present and aware of your physical body. I want you to have the same outstanding experience, and improve your wellness routine. Visit www.crescentcanna.com and use my code LOUIS30 for 30% off your order. Remember, the many aspects and characteristics of wellness and a healthy lifestyle are not part of a universal check-list.

To break way from the norms of CBD use, and commemorate summer, I've created the strongest CBD cocktail in the world! Cucumber, lime juice, honey, and Crescent Canna's 9000 mg Mandarin Lime CBD Drops, makes the ultimate combination. A tasteful kick of crushed chili peppers along with the strongest CBD Oil on the market, sounds like a classy summer party to me.

This is what you'll need:

Crescent Canna's 9000 mg Mandarin Lime CBD Drops (1 mL = 300 mg CBD)
6 Cucumber Slices
1 Lime (Cut into wedges)
1 tsp Crushed Chili Peppers
2 oz Honey Syrup
3 oz Tequila
Ice Cubes or Crushed
Optional: Blackberries for Garnish

How to make it happen:

In a mixing glass, muddle cucumber slices and 2 lemon wedges
Add 1 mL (one full dropper) of Crescent Canna Mandarin Lime CBD Drops
Add ice cubes
Add Honey syrup and tequila
Shake well
Strain over a chilled glass
Sprinkle crushed chili peppers (to taste)
Squeeze half a lime juice over the served cocktail
Garnish and enjoy responsibly!

For a complete video tutorial on how to make the strongest CBD cocktail in the world, check out my Instagram page. Find your north, find your essential CBD at Crescent Canna.

Cheers,

Deserving My Curly Hair x Native

Posted on by louis polo

Food and language are ritualistic aspects of culture, I was once told, and separating your interests from either one will results in your distancing from that primitive feeling of acceptance. That feeling we'll all experience during our lifespan, from cooking your favorite food with someone you love or having dinner together every day, to speaking your native language at home. These are cultural aspects that connect us to a place where we feel comfortable. The more I experienced integration and felt comfortable in my grounds, the more I started to question things. Why do we want to feel accepted? Who determines acceptance? What are other socio-cultural aspects that mean so much to me? What are their stereotypes? ... And with so many revolving questions came one answer: Hair care!

Without diving too deep - or maybe I've already drowned - as an Afro-Latino man who grew up in the Dominican Republic, my hair type is categorized as "malo" (bad). Ugly and unmanageable are also descriptive words used for my hair. I was taught that my hair was so uninterested and unpleasant to look at that my entire life, I've kept it very short. Now that I look back at my limited hairstyle choices, it was all because I wanted to be culturally accepted. A few years ago, I decided to grow my hair for the first time; I didn't know what texture or volume my hair had, so I was extremely excited to embark on this journey. A few months later - BOOM - my beautiful thick curly hair took a life of its own. Entering a new and exciting phase of learning to take care of it and understand its needs - yes, its needs!

I'm not proud to write this, but it took mistreatment and a significant count of chemically based products for me to learn a few pointers about proper hair care. As a result, my hair became dry and severely dull. Thankfully, I was recently given the opportunity to try Native's new hair care products; through my hair educating journey (as I like to call it), I was blown away. Because of my hair's current condition, I decided to use their Coconut & Vanilla Moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. It's been several weeks, and my hair has been literally thanking me for the nutrients and power it's finally receiving. I had no idea simple changes and ingredients were so impactful. Native's Hair Care products are made with 10 ingredients or less, which I didn't see possible considering everything I previously used on my hair. Also, sulfate-free, paragon-free, silicone-free, and even dye-free - SAY WHAT!?

Now, I can proudly say I've developed a healthy hair care routine. I've even included Native's Almond & Shea Strengthening Hair Mask as my hero product. When in the world did I ever thought I'll be using Coconut Shampoo and a Hair Mask? This feels so good! I'm so relieved I don't have to put my hair through any more experimenting phases. Thanks to Native's transparent ingredient directions, I know what to look for and what to stay away from. Ingredients I understand, honestly, simpler than what I thought. You should also develop a clean and healthy hair care routine alongside Native, visit Target (exclusively sold here!), and start nurturing your hair the way it deserves. This might sound silly or even stupid, but I finally feel my hair and I deserve each other 🙂

Cheers,

For When We Travel Again – Dominican Travel Guide

Posted on by louis polo

First and formals, let me just take these next few sentences to wish you all a healthy week. I hope you're remaining safe, and to those who are in a more unfortunate state, I wish you nothing but great health and showers of positive energy. We'll get through this - together!

Since self-isolation, quarantine, and being on mandatory lockdown has become the new norm, I figure some of us may have plenty of time to spare on trying and experimenting new things. If we think of our lives prior to COVID-19, its very possible that our day-to-day routine didn't leave much time for skincare or grooming. Despite all the things happening in the world, this can be an ideal time to reflect and take great care of your skin. Creating and practicing an effective skincare regime doesn't have to consume a significant portion of your day. Is all about knowing and understanding what works for you.

Lucky for you, I've been taking my "grooming blogger" tittle to the extreme. As many of you may know, my blog (thelifestyleman.com) was featured in Journalism UK as one of seven top grooming blogs in the industry. And yes, just like right now, I have too much time on my hands to brag about this. With that being said, and after putting my not-so official credentials on the air, allow me to do the experimenting and share the results with you.

I've been using Rugged & Dapper for the past two years, and after reading the ingredients on some of their products and using them on a regular basis, I've found some great alternative grooming uses that have worked for me. Let me drop this passive disclaimer first: The uses and tips I'm about to share have not been recommended or suggested to me by the brand. Also, yes, all the products in this and any other post featuring Rugged & Dapper, have been generously gifted by the brand. This post is intended to simply share how I use some of their products. Now, let's get to the fun stuff 🙂

Picture this, New York fashion week 2018, is the middle of winter and your skin is super dry. Meanwhile the streets are flooded with photographers waiting to catch all the new fashion trends and styles. You're inside a Starbucks with your sister, scared, knowing you're about to be looking ashy and dusty. But right before you're about to step out to risk it all, you reach inside your pocket and pull out Rugged & Dapper's Moisture Fix Lip Balm, what now? ... CONTOUR! Yes, you read it right. I had my sister contour my face using the lip balm. Since its ingredients are based on Bee Wax and organic oils like Jojoba and Sunflower, I figure it would moisturize and do great by my skin. Well, I wasn't wrong. I've been using it as a contour stick ever since. People always end up asking me what I put on my skin, and when the sun hits, it reflects back like the perfect summer glow - even during snowy winters.

TIP: I tried using other lip balms, from drug stores and other online brands, and they DON'T perform the same. They don't leave that everlasting glow and moist on my face. As countless other men, I don't like to use makeup, but I definitely appreciate a healthy and slightly highlighted-looking skin.

Skincare Boss x OZNaturals

Posted on by louis polo

Creating an effective skincare routine can be extremely intimidating, specially for men. I believe we're not as experimental with skincare products compared to women. I mean, lets be honest, using a 3-in-one product isn't really a routine- sorry fellas. There are certain components and characteristics of products that make their success rate relatively high. Let's break out of the notion of doing and putting something on our skin simply because we feel like we have to do so. Let's take interest in our skin from a deeper sense of care, understanding that the state of our current skin, at a young age, dictates the future path it'll take. Let's take care of our skin now and cultivate a strong foundation for years to come.

As part of my daily skincare routine, I've welcome a new guest: OZNaturals. Its cold processed components is formulated for all skin types and genders, giving everyone the flexibility and possibility of achieving flawless skin. There is seriously no excuses why you shouldn't have impeccable skin. From their facial cleanser to their vitamin C serum, I've been very lucky to use them on a daily basis. My fascination or rational understanding comes from the desire of making an exceptional first impression. I want to step into every situation with my best-skin-forward. I want others to perceive the best possible visual version of me; and let me clarify, that has nothing to do with the current standards of beauty, it comes from the desire of opening yourself to great first opportunities.

Within countless scenarios, being the first has serious positive annotations. First generation college graduate, first one to follow their travel passion out of your close circle, first one to properly take care of their skin - you get the deal, being the first is awesome. Don't be afraid of trying new things and dedicating yourself to positive results, specially when it comes to your skin. OZNaturals counts with all the essentials you'll need to strongly generate a skincare routine regardless of where you currently stand. I believe they're steps to follow and take, but individually speaking, you have to be sensitive and realistic of the goals you want to achieve. However, don't limit yourself, having a clear and healthy skin should always be the goal. All journeys are different, but positive results can definitely be similar. Let's surpass barriers and not be afraid of being the first to take a great deal of care and importance in ourselves. It matters, we posses the knowledge of #WhatSkincareShouldBe.

Cheers,

Quarantine Essential Cocktails: Three Ingredients

Posted on by louis polo

I would like to take these first sentences to commemorate and thank all essential workers currently risking their lives against this terrible pandemic. It goes without saying, that such heroic and selfless acts are not going unnoticed. Your passion and dedication is deeply appreciate by all of us staying home. I, personally, am very grateful for everything that you do. I hope everyone reading this post is staying healthy and safe. Remember to practice social distance and follow your local authority's guidelines.

We've all been having difficult times during this new normal, whether you're staying home or fighting the pandemic at the front line. I'm sure a significant number of us feel that having a drink, while watching your favorite Netflix series, is the ultimate indulgement. If like myself, you enjoy simple, sweet, fruity, and strong - you're in luck. I've simplified, down to three ingredients, all my favorite cocktails. Due to the limitations on going out, I've been playing around with ingredients around the house and crashing dope cocktails.

Combining classic cocktails, like the mojito and margarita, into one simple boom of enjoyment that I now call the Margajito. To even upgrading the boring gin & tonic into something refreshing. I guarantee, that at least one of the cocktails in this list will bring out a big smile 🙂 Remember to enjoy, drink responsibly (be over 21 years old), and let me know which is your favorite cocktail. I would be thrilled to experiment and try your very own three ingredient creations - Cheers!

PINK GIN & TONIC

INGREDIENTS:

5 oz Aromatic Tonic Water
4 oz of your favorite Gin
2 tbsp organic strawberry puree or freshly cut strawberries (not frozen)

DIRECTIONS:

Pour aromatic tonic water into a tall glass
Add the strawberry puree or strawberry pieces
Gently mix using a tall spoon. Don't mix it too fast or too long, we don't want to flatten the tonic water, a few spins will be just fine.
In a cocktail mixer/shaker, combine the Gin with a generous amount of ice. Shake for about a minute or until the gin feels considerably cold. We want to take the gin to a more refreshing state for when it meets the tonic water.
Drain the gin into the tall glass. Pour gently and slowly, and you'll get the two-color effect in your glass, like the pictures show.
Using a tall spoon, give it a few spins, garnish with some fresh strawberries, and enjoy!

PIÑA CULATA

INGREDIENTS:

3 oz of your favorite piña colada juice blend, I recommend Naked's. If you can't find a pre-made virgin piña colada juice, you can blend your own combination of fruits, based on what you have around the house. Oranges, bananas, passion fruits, pineapples, and even guava, can result in a tasty blend. That's why I'm calling it Piña Culata, it goes beyond the two basic fruits of the original cocktail, so be creative and stay topical!
4 oz of your favorite white rum
3 oz or 2 scoops of lemon or coconut ice cream. Sorbet works great too!

DIRECTIONS:

In a blender, make your fruit blend or add the piña colada juice
Add light ice
Add white rum, and blend for about 20 seconds. Very quick blend.
Add ice cream or sorbet, and blend for another 20 seconds. We don't want the ice cream to fully disintegrate into the mix
Serve and garnish with either 1 extra scoop of ice cream or with fresh fruits. Salud!

MARGAJITO

INGREDIENTS:

5 oz lemonade
3 oz favorite tequila or mezcal
Crushed mint leaves to taste
Optional: 1.5 oz simple syrup or agave syrup, salt to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Gently, rub or submerge the rim of a tall glass or mason jar with/into tequila
With salt generously dispersed on a small plate, now submerge the rim of the glass into the salt. This step is optional, if choosing to do it, I recommend using Himalayan Pink Salt.
Drop a hand full of mint leaves and crush using a muddler
In a cocktail shaker, add a generous amount of ice.
This cocktail can also be prepared blended, instead of adding ingredients into a cocktail shaker, add them to a blender. Blend on "Frappe" setting if available.
Combine lemonade, tequila/mezcal, and the optional syrup
Shake for about a minute or until drink is considerably cold
Pour into tall glass. Don't drain, transfer everything in the shaker.
Mix using a tall spoon until mint leaves are separated and dispersed
Optional to garnish with extra mint leaves or lemon wedges - Now, cheers!

RASP BUBBLYBERRY

INGREDIENTS:

About 10-15 Raspberries
4 oz of your favorite champagne
1 oz of your favorite vodka

DIRECTIONS:

Crush a generous amount of raspberries, until made puree
In a champagne glass, combine freshly squeezed raspberries and champagne
Add vodka and gently mix using a tall spoon
For best results, vodka and champagne should both be chilled
Enjoy and drink responsibly 🙂

Essential + Classic: Spring Shoes Edition

Posted on by louis polo

With the hope that times of quarantine and self-isolation will soon be over, I wanted to share my favorite shoe options for the spring season, with great emphasis on functionality and priority. We're often very quick to discard a shoe option because of its classic style before considering how essential and durable they can be. I wanted to challenge myself, with the help of some of my favorite brands, to style and include those classics into my routine. And to be frank, the challenge was a total breeze.

I came to understand that certain shoe styles have transcended to be as essentials as the mandatory formal white shirt, or the "must have" dark pair of jeans. Following these simple unspoken rules will make your wardrobe less intimidating to navigate and will expand the use of your existing pieces. In addition to the wearable flexibilities, owning essential pieces will certainly sharpen your very own sense of style and will drive you to try new things within your own closet inventory.

From rainy days to spring transitioning weather, owning a pair of comfortable leather chelsea boots is crucial. You can easily make them part of your office attire, or dress them down to a more casual jeans-like gathering. Same can be done with Diego Sneakers (from NISOLO), paired well with chinos or with ripped jeans like I did. From there, the style possibilities can really be endless. Keeping one or two casual classic sneakers is also a must.

Getting a visual idea might be a lot more refreshing for you, that is why I've selected my favorite looks, styled with my now favorite classic shoes. I've taken some of these very distant from my day-today routine. I traveled with my Wolverine Plain Toe Boots, everywhere while living and exploring the Dominican Republic for over a month. Whenever it was time for me to move to another city, I knew I had to wear those. From taking buses in remote and rural areas to flying from one country to another, these came in very handy at last. I want to know which styles have become essentials to your routine. Don't forget to share your tips and tricks when it comes to shoes and if you haven't already, check out how I styled mine 🙂 Until next time!

Cheers,

Skincare Secrets with Rugged & Dapper

Posted on by louis polo

Up next, Hair + Beard Oil. All of the ingredients in this small product have been extremely powerful and effective to me. I use this mix of oils to prep my skin at least twenty minutes prior to shaving. I find it to hydrate my skin to very healthy extremes, prep my pores, and provide a more organic alternative to other pre-shaving products. Right after rinsing the oils, I do a hot towel treatment for about ten minutes, and proceed to apply Rugged & Dapper Shaving Cream. Another use for this Hair + Bear Oil will be for passive hair grow. Whenever I need sections of my eyebrows to grow, I apply a small portion overnight until the desire growth.

Slightly shifting from skin to hair, the Hydration Remedy Conditioner has been a sweet ally. Again, because of the positive ingredients, I've been suing it as a deep conditioner and as an (almost) everyday gel-like product. I've found that my extremely curly and dry hair have been responding amazingly to this conditioner. It has been a great tool for untangling my hair in the shower and for styling my hair out of the shower.

If you haven't discovered these secrets and tips yet, I hope you can include them into your new improved and developed grooming lifestyle. Don't forget to share your very own grooming secrets on the comment section bellow and be part of the conversation 🙂

Cheers,

Finding a Piece of Home x AIRIA

Posted on by louis polo

Finding the right place to live and be emotionally comfortable can be very challenging, and at some point in our adulthood, we've all experienced this frustration. For me, the real challenge is in being comfortable enough as to call a space "home." Is about gathering and including all the little aspects of a living space that makes your heart happy. Ensuring that everything around you radiates joy, positiveness, and tranquility.

Unintentionally, I began the year hunting for a new sense of home. I was emotionally forced to transcend from one physical space to another, I was forced to explore new boundaries and face new challenges. I work and study from home, which makes it crucial for me to have a sanctuary-like space. I want to feel fully open, creative, and wanting to spend all my time at home. My partner and I went out, searched, and finally found the right apartment.

The next step was to find the appropriate elements to transform the space and, in all aspects, make it look and feel like we've always wanted. With that, came the responsibility of finding our new home's signature scent. While experiencing the transformation process, I was blessed to be introduced to a Smart Home Fragrance Device named AIRIA. A sophisticated, fragrance device that helps it travel throughout your home.

Currently, we have AIRIA set up in our bedroom, adding a flare of sophistication to the decor, while the rest of our home is also being scented. Having the ability to control the device from anywhere, using the AIRIA app, has been such a smart and convenient characteristic for us. Setting up timers, so that whenever we get home, it smells like home. Having AIRIA in our home is the kind of personalized experience I would like you to have. Play with the different scents, their intensities, the light colors; and create your sense of home. Use my code LOUIS20 for $20 off your device and share your home's signature scent using #AiriaSmartScent. Always make sure it's not just a roof over your head, be thankful for everything you have, enjoy it, and make yourself comfortable.

Now, that's the feeling of being home.

Cheers,

Morning Paper x SAS

Posted on by louis polo

It has become very hard to simulate the feeling of being in New York City. So much culture and remarkable people corner after corner. The world at your fingertips, an immense feeling of opportunities and great progress. I feel so inspired and joyful whenever I'm the big apple.

I remember walking to school, grabbing the Spanish free paper, and stopping for some empanadas. Doing these tittle things, a few times a week, made me feel a bit closer to home. Until slowly, New York became home. It has given me the opportunity to expose and open myself to so many different scenarios. I've been blessed with the life education acquired from my time living in the city. Slowly becoming more vulnerable and understanding of others.

I'm forever grateful for the memories and the adversities New York threw at me. Every time I go back home, I make sure to be fully prepare to face all the city has to offer. On this particular occasion, I partnered with SAS (San Antonio Shoemakers) to tackle my day from a very comfortable perspective - wearing their Journey Mesh Lux Lace Up Sneaker. Starting with grabbing the Spanish morning paper - like the old days, having breakfast with my sister before getting some work done, followed by scheduled meetings and hows, then dinner at my moms, and finally going for Friday night drinks with some old friends. Since I'm always on the go, these shoes paired effortlessly with any of my look! I decided to share the look with which I started the day, right before having breakfast with my sister.

This is the feeling of being home.

Cheers,

Different Shades of Black – Dominican Republic

Posted on by louis polo

Today, February 19th, the Dominican Republic once again dominates world-wide media with terrible headlines. This occasion, the sight and the power to exercise democracy is in limbo and at stake of being swiped. This is in no way a politically based blog post and I'm not about to vomit my opinions or views on you. I want to take a moment to show, in crumbs, another side to the Dominican people and the country that shaped my moral compass. I want all of you to be a little more aware and informed of some of the oppression taking place in the Dominican Republic.

I spent December to January in the beautiful caribbean island. Surrounded by palm tress, white sandy beaches, and amazing people. During this time, I went from coast to coast, from historical and local places to the most touristy and secluded areas of the country. During my internal travels, I was able to quickly photograph some pretty remarkable people. Some of them with whom I grew up and others whom I had the honor to meet while passing through.

This previous week, the national electoral assembly of the country suspended elections due to a technical glitch. All votes where due to be collected by electronic means in numerous poll sites around the country. The day of, only a hand full of locations where open to the public and voting machines were giving citizens the option of one candidate from only one political party - YES! only one of the candidates was included in the ballot. After millions spread their concerns, the assembly decided to cancel the elections, with no concrete communication as to when will they be postponed.

Dominicans living in the country have always been extremely united and supportive of each other. The one major problem is poverty, making people more vulnerable to accepting bribes and potentially not considering the consequences of the future. I was born in this beautiful island, and although I no longer consider it home or call it "my country," I deeply care about MY people.

This series of portraits are just a glance of the unique characteristics of my people. Pictures I took as part of beautiful memories, while sharing very beautiful moments. People from all walks of life and different social structures. In the Dominican Republic, everyone is a friend, a welcoming force of energy, everyone radiates a big smile. This is the truth of us, human kind, loving creatures, dominicans.

Hasta pronto,