BillyKnowsBest

The Best Household and Machine Lubricant: Boeshield T-9

As a stockholder in the WD-40 company, it pains me a little to write this, but there's a better household lubricant available: Boeshield T-9.  The formulation was developed by Boeing, and its unique combination of solvents and waxes is designed to pentrate metal pores and dissolve minor corrosion, then leave a resilient waxy coating that lasts for many months, displacing water, and preventing corrosion.  I bought it as a lubricant for my bicycle chain and gears which got super rusty over the winter -- and its superiority to WD-40 was apparent, both instantly in the amount of rust it dissolved, and over the longer term, as it has kept the chain lubricated.  (And the waxy coating repels not only water but dirt and grime too, another superior trait.)

As a houshold lubricant, you'll find a zillion uses for it: Cars, trailers, bikes, hardware, tools, outdoor furniture -- in addition to the more specialized marine and aerospace it was designed for.  Find it locally at REI, West Marine or Sears, or buy Boeshield T-9 at amazon.com.  It is not safe for use on food-preparation equipment, and should not be used as a personal lubricant.  If you're looking for that, check out Liquid Silk.

The Best Bike Lock: Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit

My friend Aaron had his bike stolen today, a common occurance here in New York City.  My bike lock cost 1/3 the price of my bike itself, but it's a necessary investment.  The Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit lock was specifically designed to foil the most agressive bike thieves.  Yes, it's pricey.  Yes, it's heavy. Yes, it's a pain in the ass to shlep around and use.  But yes, it's worth it.  Just ask Aaron.  Starting at about $75 at amazon.com.

The Best Sunscreen: Anew Solar Advance

Having spent most of my last 18 summers at the beach (and by "most", I mean more than 50%), I've used a LOT of sunscreen.  And I've read and written a lot about sunscreen technology.  So I'm super excited about Anew Solar Advance.  It's lightweight, absorbs easily,  isn't sticky or greasy and is barely scented.  From an aesthetics of use point of view, it's among the very best.  From a scientific point of view, it's even better, with patented, breakthrough technology as the first sunscreen designed, tested and proven to REVERSE sun damage - not just protect against it.  And it has been optimized for water and sweat-resistance, and photo-stability (meaning the UVA protection doesn't break down in sunlight).  It's UVA is as effectively as Bemotrizinol, approved in Europe since 2000, but still not approved by the FDA for sale in the US.  Anew Solar Advance is currently available in a face lotion (SPF 45) and a body lotion (SPF 30), with a spray available later this summer.  Save $10 with an introductory price of $24 - including free shipping!  Better still,  choose "Representative Delivery" when you complete your order online, and I'll add a free $12 bonus travel-size night cream from our Anew Anti-aging skin care line.  Click to download a technical PDF on the photo-stability science or sun damage repair technology.

The Best Avon Products

There are three great reasons to shop with Avon: 1. Great Products. 2. Smart Value. 3. Corporate Values.  The products are ultimately what got and keeps me interested in Avon.  Without that, it's hard to care about the other.  I'm often asked which is my favorite product.  It's hard to choose just one, but I'm confident you will be impressed with the quality, efficacy and value of this short list of my very favorites. 

Avon's responsibility to the society and environment in which it functions has been part of its corporate DNA for more than a century. This is the company that puts mascara on lashes and food on tables, that fights wrinkles with one hand and Breast Cancer with the other. That knows the value of a perfect lip, but still opens its mouth and speaks out against Domestic Violence and for women's financial independence.  This is the company that not only brings beauty to doors, but opens them. The company that supports 6 million representatives in over 100 countries. This is Avon. The company, that for 125 years, has stood for beauty, innovation, optimism and above all for women. 

I'm very proud to be in business with Avon, and share with you my favorite Avon Products.  If you're curious about an Avon career of your own, discover the Avon Opportunity here.

Anew Reversalist Day Renewal Cream SPF 25
Anew Reversalist Night Renewal Cream
Anew launched alhpa hydroxy acids in the US mass market back in 1992, with the first Anew night cream. Today, Anew is an arsenal of anti-aging technology in 4 different sub-brands.  Reversalist is designed to fight the wrinkles and discolorations that are most common for people in their forties.  If you have more advanced signs of aging, you might consider Anew Ultimate or Anew Platinum, but I start most clients with Reversalist.
Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel
Superior to a professional dermatologist's peel when used 2-3 times/week for 6 weeks. Just swipe the self-neutralizing glycolic acid pad over clean skin and apply a night cream 5 minutes later.
Anew Clinical ThermaFirm Face Lifting Cream
Although it's designed to firm and lift the skin, this shea-butter based treatment is a great lightweight night cream, especially for oily-dehydrated skin like mine.
Anew Ultimate Night Gold Emulsion
This is Avon's best night cream for very dry skin.
Anew Rejuvenate Flash Facial Revitalizing Concentrate
I use this as an aftershave.  It's cooling and soothing, while helping to reduce the visible look of large pores, uneven skin texture and tone.
Anew Ultimate Contouring Eye System
This is the most popular eye product I sell -- the best for under eye bags.
Moisture Therapy Ultra Skin Renewal Lotion
This body lotion is super hydrating with 15 different moisturizing ingredients, yet non-greasy and quickly absorbed.
Moisture Therapy Intensive Hand Cream
This super-thick hand cream is perfect for really dry, chapped hands.
Moisture Therapy Intensive Moisturizing Lip Treatment SPF 15
This lip balm is smooth, not waxy. Color and taste-free.
Avon Magix Face Perfector
Like airbrushing for real-life, I sell more of this than any other product.  It's a colorless gel that dries down to a matte powder, absorbing oil for up to 8 hours, providing spf 20 protection, and using Avon's light diffusing technology to hide fine wrinkles and imperfections like a sheer foundation, but it's colorless, so no one will know you're wearing it.
Glimmersticks Eye Liners
I don't wear makeup, but my clients who do love  these -- they're a retractable, self-sharpening tug-free gel-based eye liner.
Sensitive Skin Bubble Bath
Photo stylists love Avon bubble bath because the bubbles last so long.
Liiv Botanicals Triple-Phase Bath and Shower Oil
Get it before it's gone, this lightweight shower oil is great for sheer moisturization in the shower - so you don't need to put on body lotion afterwards.
Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard
DEET-free protection against insects.  I like Bug Guard Expedition (the green can/bottle) for mosquitoes, and Bug Guard Plus Picaridin (the silver can/bottle) for biting flies.
Foot Works Anti-fungal Foot Spray
Super effective and super affordable. If you've got the itch, you need this.  (Also a quick spray after the shower at the gym will protect you from getting athlete's foot.)
Anew Solar Advance
Sunscreen that's clinically proven to reverse sun damage at a cellular level, not just prevent it.  It's also super water and sweat resistant, and has clinically-proven photo-Stable UVA protection.
Foot Works Cracked Heel Relief Cream
Avon's most popular foot care product.
On Duty Unscented Roll-on Anti-Perspirant
Effective, fragrance-free protection. I try not to wear anti-perspirant, but when I need to stay dry, this is the bomb.

The Best Barbecue Grill Cleaner: GrillStone

Last summer I discovered Grill Wipes, a great way to clean and grease your grill at the same time.  This summer, I discovered GrillStone.  While Grill Wipes are great for light cleaning, they don't address hard-core caked-on baked-on gunk.  That's where GrillStone excells. GrillStone cleans faster, easier and better than wire brushes and scouring pads, without clogging, on hot or cold grills.  Better still, they are non-toxic and made from 85% recycled glass!  I found mine at Home Depot, but you can order online (and on sale!) at Kmart.com.

The Best Charcoal Lighter: Weber Chimney Starter

I converted to a gas grill years ago, but for most of my grilling youth, I was a charcoal guy, and some of my more foolish moments involved spraying additional lighter fluid on a pile of coals that hadn't quite gotten started. Then I learned about building the charcoal pyramid, and finally, I discovered the chimney.  With just a few crumpled pieces of paper under a vertical stack of briquettes, it's easy to get charcoal burning without the hazards, odors or expense of that nasty fluid.  Buy one online for $18.95 at Amazon.com.

The Best Way to Lift Roasts/Shred Meat: Bear Paws Meat Lifters

Bear Paws Meat Handlers are the answer to that age old question of how to transfer a large piece of meat from roasting pan or grill.  They're also the best tool for shredding of "pulling" meat for sandwiches and salads.  Buy them for $9.99 at Cabelas.com, or $13.99 including shipping at Amazon.com Marketplace.

The Best Yard Clean-up Tool: Black&Decker Alligator Loper

If you're out in the yard doing some spring cleaning, and thinking that you could really use a chain saw, check this out first.  The Black&Decker Alligator is a scissor-handled jaw-like cutting tool that cuts like a chain saw, but is lighter, easier and safer to use -- it even allows you to cut down logs as they lay on the ground, something that is tricky and dangerous with a chain saw.  Buy it for $94.54 at Amazon.com.

The Best Firefly Lights: Firefly Magic

As a kid, I was crazy for fireflies.  And I still am.  So I was intrigued when I discovered that there are firefly lights that simulate the random flashing of these bioluminescent insects.  I researched a few different kinds -- and decided that the ones with the attached fans to create movement was an unnecessary complication.  I settled on the solar-powered set from FireflyMagic.  These are microchip-controlled to flash randomly, and fade slowly, just like a real fire fly.  I have a set of 12 on the far side of my deck, and without fail, when we eat outside at night, anyone who hasn't seen them before is amazed to see a small swarm of fireflies.  I know they're not real, but they still make me smile.  The solar-powered set is $87.95 from FireflyMagic.com.

Teak and Mesh Chaise Lounge Chair

I'd wondered why no one made a wooden lounge chair with a mesh seat.  Wood lounges are classy and durable, but require cushions.  And even with a cushion, I still prefer the comfort of mesh to lie on.  I  saw these today in the Pottery Barn catalog.  When my powder-coated steel lounges finally rust out, I'll replace them with these.  $699 at potterybarn.com.