My Elevated Everyday Items

Skincare, grooming, and other things I use every day.

Grooming

Face Wash: Cetaphil, though lately been trying out Ursa Major.

Lotion + UV: CeraVe Lotion + SPF

For Dry Skin: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast - This stuff is THICK. I’ll sometimes use it before bed. Dermatologist recommended it for my skin. Lotta rave reviews on this.

I started taking skincare a bit more seriously after my last dermatology appt (admittedly, the first I’ve ever had as an adult). The doc said I’m a higher risk for skin cancer, so I’m trying to be more on my game with sun lotion. I wasn’t gifted the sun-loving olive skin of some of my family.

My skincare take: If something like this is too high friction, I’m not gonna do it. So for skincare I keep it super simple - Mostly just a face wash and a lotion + SPF of sorts. I’ll sometimes try out a serum, but jury is out if the juice is worth the squeeze for me. To date, the most noticeable results for me have come from being well-hydrated.

(And keeping a healthy diet, but not too healthy)

p.s. Go to a dermatologist. I had what I thought was sun damage; turns out it was actually minor rosacea. The prescription given started clearing it up within a couple days.

Toothbrush: Suri toothbrush - Feels premium, works great. Aluminum body. Makes Oral-B and Philips feels like clunky toys. I’ve gifted these.

Hand Soap: Aesop Reverence - Happy accident. I bought this thinking it was Resurrection, but this showed up and I like it more! The big thing is that it has finely milled pumice in it, giving it a delightful grit. It’s like GOJO’s rich distant cousin.

Tongue Scraper: MasterMedi - It’s not enough to just brush your tongue, you’ve gotta scrape. It’ll be a lightbulb moment once you start. These are stainless and real good.

Hair Pomade: Baxter Clay Pomade - My go-to for a LONG time. Great hold without looking like you’ve got product in.

SEVENTEEN TIMES

Shampoo & Conditioner: I use basic Pantene Pro-V for both. Tried barber-recommended products but haven’t liked them. I know people say it strips out important oils and stuff from hair, maybe so. I’ll go one further just to really infuriate people - I wash my hair every day. I’ve had people, including barbers comment on my hair being soft, so something’s working. I’m open to suggestions if there is a shampoo and conditioner that are really worth it. Till then, Imma keep melting it with Pro V.

Nail Clippers: Kiya Nail Clippers - PRECISION.

Nose Hair Trimmer: Zorami - Gentlemen, stay fresh. I don’t know if there is a “primo” version of these. They are cheap and do their job for about 2 years.

Tweezers: Tweezerman - PRECISION.

Deodorant: Real Purity Roll-On - I currently switch between this and Malin+Goetz. I don’t know why, but it seems like after several months of using a particular deodorant that once worked great, it becomes ineffective. So I switch back and forth. Goal is to stay fresh AND not ruin shirts with white residue somehow chemically bonding to shirt pits.

Toothpaste: Cocoshine toothpaste - New one I’ve really been liking; was using Sensodyne for years prior. It’s different than other toothpastes. Thinner. But I like the taste and my mouth feels really clean after. Teeth are whiter too. Only thing I don’t like is the lid, which takes too many spins to take off. Cocolab, I’m not here to play games. Lemme do a half-turn and start cocoshinin’.

Floss: Cocofloss floss - Might be a new staple. I really like this stuff. Very effective, strong, and has the friction you need without the nails on a chalkboard feel. And the subtle coconut taste is delightful.

Here is the toothpaste + floss combo on Amazon.

Lip balm: Vaseline - OG.

Razor: I use a Braun electric razor but I don’t want to recommend it. I’m not loving it. I’m sure there are better things out there. Would love recommendations.

Fragrance (summer rotation):

• Le Labo - Santal 33: My year-round go-to. Probably forever. Earthy, rough around the edges, and complex. High-low in a bottle.

• D.S. & Durga Debaser - The opening is so good. This stuff was meant for summer hot HOT HEAT. It’s the fun, playful one. The green notes make me feel nostalgia for some reason.

• MFK Gentle Fluidity Silver - The classy warm weather fragrance. For some reason this reminds me of if a Rolex Explorer was a summer scent.

Creatine: Thorne - Effectively the only supplement I take outside of protein and it’s an absolute essential for me. Noticeable focus and mental energy booster. I dry scoop it in the morning and just gulp it down with water.

🦍

Protein: Kirkland Protein Bars - 21G of protein. I prefer bars over shakes. And my blood sugar crashes hard and fast, so these are a great pick-me-up snack. For the price, they are hard to beat.

Home

Spray Bottle: iK Spray Bottle - An item that will ruin all others in the category.

Turns out, you can bring quality car detailing products into your home. Crushes.

• It’s got a wide base so it doesn’t tip

• It has a weighted ball that it pulls liquid from, so it sprays at any angle.

• The atomizer can put out a CLOUD of mist.

I bought the 3-pack and labeled each for their uses:
1. Counter top disinfectant (recipe below) that’s always ready to go | Red Label
2. Water | Green label
3. A backup for whatever. Mezcal party mister or some shit

Counter Disinfectant Recipe: 2 TBSP Dr. Bronners Castile Soap + 1/4C Isopropyl Alcohol + 2C Water

Dish Soap Dispenser: OXO Foaming Soap Dispenser - This thing is great.

Foaming dish soap Recipe: 1 part Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap to 3 parts Water

Steamer: Jiffy Steamer - A game-changer. I rarely need an iron to press things; I usually just need to casually get wrinkles out. And the Jiffy is what all your high-end clothing stores are using to do the same. Buy once, cry once. So good and I’ve read these last decades.

Clothing Rack: Basics Foldable - Your dryer is destroying your clothes. I don’t know why it took me so long to realize this.

Laundry Detergent: Tide Free & Gentle - Brand doesn’t matter, but what does matter is that it’s scent free. Scented laundry detergent used on clothes is basically the equivalent of wearing a car air freshener. It’s a fucking crime. You need a clean canvas to put a thoughtful fragrance on.

Incense: Maroma Sandalwood - My favorite incense. Introduced to me by Matt Castilleja. These are about twice as expensive on Amazon as they are in person, so see if you can find them locally.

Coffee Maker: Moccamaster - The icon. Beautiful counter art. Metal construction. Up to temp remarkably fast (sounds like a mini space shuttle). I got stainless - A colorful one would have been more fun.

Alarm Clock: Nanu Arc - Modern classic. HEAVY! Case is metal (buttons are too), and the craziest thing about it is that it uses a mechanic chime, which is such a warm way to wake up each morning.

Mug: NotNeutral Lino Mug - The greatest mug ever made. Will ruin all other mugs. Perfectly tapered lip (not a dumb thick diner lip). Perfectly ergonomic handle in all grip positions.

Coffee Canister - OXO POP Container - Been using OXO POPs for years.

Most-Used Home Speaker: B&O Level - I play this at home every day. From a usage standpoint, I actually play this more than my beloved A9. I take it from room to room. I take it outside when I’m working ( to be clear - this is not a rugged speaker like the Move 2). I even take it across the street when I’m having patio hangs with neighbors. It FEELS and sounds premium. Heavier than it looks - almost 1lb heavier than the beastly Sonos Move 2.

Genuinely surprising sound and bass for the depth. 5 drivers in it. If you get it, you MUST get the wood version. Gorgeous.

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p.s. Are you subscribed to my YouTube Channel where I go in depth on all of this kind of stuff??? You should be.

p.p.s. Some of these links may toss me a commission without costing you any extra.

Thanks for the love, Y’all! You know I appreciate it.

- Dominic