Tested NovAge Men shaving products

A privilege, a meditation, a ritual for real men. Shaving is more than a simple grooming step. Oriflame introduces new technologies for comfortable shaving in the NovAge Men range. Flawlessly smooth skin, stubble or a beard - stay true to yourself or easily change your style with new NovAge Men products.

How did you decide to go the Ironman distance?

At a certain point in my life, I wanted to do the impossible. I had never played a sport before, so I chose Ironman. I couldn't swim, not at all. Hadn't been on a bike in about 20 years - since I was a kid. I tried to run - it was enough only for 2 kilometers around the house. Three years after that run, IronMan happened. 

The hardest thing is learning to swim at 30. It's like flying. The first 30 years of your life, the water would fall under you and pull you to the bottom - but now you're in control of the water. You can hold on to it, move, even swim with your hands tied. Very cool!

How did you manage to combine training for the start and the rest of your life?

No, I didn't; there was no time for the rest of my life. Six trainings a week for a few hours, wetsuits, bikes, measurements. It's a huge strain. I'm very grateful to my wife for putting up with it all: it's not just my Ironman, but hers as well. 

Do you remember the day of the start?

I was very afraid of drowning, because at the last moment we were told to take off our wetsuits because of the heat. It's very hard without a wetsuit in the lake, because fresh water doesn't hold, and I actually only learned to swim three years ago. And when 2000 people started, the water boiled around me: everyone was hitting it with their hands and feet without looking around. I had a panic attack: your eyes widen, you gasp, fear inside. I almost drowned, but I overcame the attack and swam on. These competitions were one of the highlights of my life. That's how it usually is: all the most interesting and impressive lies on the other side of fear. One must not stop and keep going!

When I told my friends that I was planning to do Ironman, they did not believe me, and that motivated me even more than the support. After Ironman I realized that I can do anything. And anyone can if they set a goal. Anything!

What place does shaving occupy in your daily grooming routine?

For every day I use a trimmer to keep a light unshaven look. When I want to be at my best, I opt for a full shave.

I'm replacing my shaving foam with NovAge's new protective shaving gel which feels great! It complements my comprehensive care.

The rules of success from Victor Afonin: how would they sound?

You can do anything. Constantly be in motion and have new experiences. Remember: everything in life is a question of meaning. If you know why, you can overcome any challenge. Life is here and now. Don't put it off and wait for something. Enjoy it, take everything from life. Do what you love, and be thankful for that opportunity every day.

How does your appearance affect how you feel about yourself?

I stopped shaving about eight years ago. I used to do it more often, and then I realized that stubble kind of suited me, and I didn't need to spend as much time shaving. Clothes, on the other hand, have a much stronger effect: when I'm in a suit, even my back straightens automatically. My first promotion was because of the suit. As a student I was working for a catering company in London, as a barman. And one time I put on a suit, bought in a cheap store for three pennies. Just walked into the office and they were like: "Alex, wow, it's you!" A week later I was already an event manager. You can't underestimate what you look like, and the impression it makes!

How do your mornings go?

I get up at 7 and in half an hour I have to go out - take the little one to kindergarten. My morning routine includes brushing my teeth, getting my hair done and getting my NovAge Men complex care - and it's true! Especially the cream for the skin around the eyes, because it is with a cold roller - the effect is generally awesome.

I do not take care of my bristles separately, this is the next phase that I have not come to yet. But now I will start: soothing cream gel NovAge quickly absorbed, smells great, not sticky. 

How has your character helped your career?

I was a poor student in London, sweeping the streets - that was my first job. Then I ended up in some catering company, became an event manager, went from freelancing in event companies to Oriflame, where events are not just one of the marketing channels, but part of the business model. For me, working in the event field, by definition, shouldn't suit me at all, because I'm a typical introvert. In fact, this is a strength - I can remain completely calm when all around is a terrible hell and everyone is running around in a panic. I'm less tired because I always leave some reserve of energy in myself and don't share it with anyone. 

How do you recover? 

After a big project, you get an adrenaline rush, you feel happy and satisfied, but it's only for a couple of days. Then danger comes in the form of what is called PES or post-event syndrome: infernal apathy sets in, you don't want anything at all. After a major event, everything seems insignificant and unnecessary. I used to be turned off for two weeks, but since I got the glob