Ben Travato Blog by Marius Troy

The other day, I caught up with the lovely 24 year old art director Marius Troy and founder of the well known blog Ben Trovato.We discussed music, the fact he’s tired of seeing beautiful girls with white backgrounds and some other stuff in between.
https://www.katebackdrop.de/

lolasparks: Alright Mr, I know you’re quite the traveler.So where have you been residing at ??

Marius troy: Right now I’m in Oslo, but I’m always on the move. I just got to Oslo after spending time in New Delhi, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Tokyo, LA, Miami, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro during 2009.

lolasparks: How did you get into the whole blogging malarkey?
Marius troy: I’ve always been interested by visual inspiration, and how photography, graphic design, illustration and art overall can be used to communicate a message, provoke feelings, and/or tell stories. I then started a blog a few years ago where I posted what I found inspiring, may that be a photo or a song. But after running it for a while I found that my posts consisted of pretty much just fashion photography, so I thought, “Hey! Why not just make a concept out of it?” And that’s how Ben Trovato Blog was created.

lolasparks: Everytime I read your blog I’ve always seen it as you promoting fresh new talent…is that your purpose?
Marius troy:BTB was created with the intention of bringing new talent into the limelight, but also inspire those who hadn’t quite made it to a professional
level yet. The posts consists mainly of young promising professionals, but now and again I feature a someone with a lot of experience within the business.

lolasparks: Influences and inspirations?
Marius troy:Personally I get very inspired by photographers that dare to move into unknown territory creatively. Although people might say that the business is evolving all the time, and that you need to stay aware of new trends to keep up, I feel like there’s been a slight stagnation the last two years. The warm vintage tint has been here for a while now, and there was a time where I got sick of seeing beautiful girls with strong make up and wayfarers on a white background shot with camera flash. Juergen Teller and Terry Richardson started that trend years ago, and it’s time to move on.

lolasparks: What music are you currently banging on about?
Marius troy: Right now I’m very excited about B.o.B aka Bobby Ray. Be sure to check out šŸ™‚

lolasparks:Any plans for the future?
Marius troy:I am moving to Milan very soon to get closer to the action! And I am always thinking of new ways to make Ben Trovato Blog better.

Interview by Lola Sparks

The Best a Man Can Get!

I LOVE a ā€˜Smooth Operatorā€™, so I decided to carry out a test to find the best products to get a smooooth man! Being female I couldnā€™t do this by myself so I rounded up the troops and convinced them to change their shave routines for two weeks, and use the shave systems that I gave them. It didnā€™t take much convincing to be honest; boys love a new beauty product just as much as girls do!

Aveda

Aveda for Men Shave Cream Ć” Raser

ā€œVery nice natural smell, easy to apply, slight oil base leaving a friction less shave with great results. A very effective and simple product.ā€ 9/10

Kyoku

Facial Moisturiser SPF 15, Ā£43 for 50ml

ā€œAdds slight colour to tired skin, not oily with a slight toning of the skin. Leaving skin revitalised and healthy in appearance. Effective but the avocado is evident in the smell of it, which is its only down side.ā€ 7/10

KyokuForMen.com

Lush

Shave the Planet, Ā£11.10 for 250g

Prince, Ā£8.60 for 225g

ā€œBoth are good products, with an easy and successful application. An effective clean shave with a slight pasty feel, fragrance is a little feminine especially the Shave the Planet product. The Prince product is better. Both products have a natural feel to them, and are reasonably priced.ā€ 8/10

Lush.co.uk

Origins for Men

Skin Diver Charcoal Body Scrub, Ā£18 for 150ml

ā€œThis is an excellent product, the charcoal body scrub, olive oil and sea salts leave the body feeling fresh, alive and smooth for a substantial period after use, by far the best product, invigorating smell and simple to use.ā€ 10/10

Origins.co.uk

Barefoot Botanicals

ā€œIā€™ve been using these products for 6 weeks and found them to be quite good although a bit expensive in my opinion.

SOS Hydrating Shave Cream, Ā£13.95 for 100ml

The Shave Cream doesnā€™t really foam up as I would prefer using my hands but results in a close shave with not too much irritation.Ā  It could be that by using a classic style badger brush, more foam could be achieved, but Iā€™ve not tried it.

The shaved area is not left as dry as a conventional branded main stream sensitive foam or gel might leave it.Ā  The shave is smooth and I havenā€™t had any soreness from cuts or over zealous scraping.

SOS Post shave Face Balm, Ā£19.95 for 75ml

I like the Post Shave Balm, it doesnā€™t feel greasy and makes my face feel refreshed without the dry cracked feeling I have had with other products.Ā  I also like the fact that you are encouraged to use it all over your face.

The fragrances of either products are subtle and natural and donā€™t overwhelm.Ā  I personally am of the opinion that some fragrance is nice since it contributes to that clean feel but all too often post shave products can be too strong in their perfume.ā€ 10/10

I love this review, and despite ā€˜Mr Tā€™ thinking the product was a little expensive in the beginning, once heā€™d ran out he ordered more online! It must be good.

BarefootBotanicals.com

Organic Homme (Click here for full range)

1 Scrub It Exfoliator , Ā£8.95 for 125ml

ā€œAn effective exfoliator that works extremely well without feeling too much abrasion on the skin, (some can feel like scouring pads on the face) with a subtle dose of friction and a fresh citrus smell. This product is very effective with limited impact or irritation on the skin. With a moisturised cool feeling after rinsing, a very good product.ā€

2 Shave Now Wash & Shave, Ā£11.95 for 125ml

ā€œA reasonable good product but too fruity for a man to feel comfortable using. Nicer to wash your face with then use to shave with, making your skin feel fresh and vibrant.ā€

3 Cool Down Moisturiser, Ā£11.95 for 125ml

ā€œTo reduce razor burn etc. A small amount goes along way and good for cooling for men with sensitive skin. Smells like the filling in an After Eight mint, not overly masculine in scent but very organic in feel.ā€

7 Active Fix Repair Serum, Ā£15.95 for 50ml

ā€œFirms the face and adds a bit of vitality and life to tired skin. Quite a neutral invigorating scent which is fresh and clean, the product can be used sparingly so will last a long time.ā€

“To summarize: Organic Homme products feel and react to skin naturally, fulfil their product expectation with exceptional minimal impact to the skin, if only the scent were as masculine as its packaging.ā€ 8/10

OrganicHomme.co.uk

Personally I like a good smelling man with good skin, if that smell is slightly feminine, even better!

Oxy Shave

Oxy Shave Gel

“A thick gel like texture which protects inflamed areas around spots, it made shaving slightly difficult, but works effectively in preventing more irritation.”

Oxy After Shave Balm


“A reasonably OK product. Smooth feeling, not very oily balm. A small amount goes a long way with just a little needed. Slightly strange smell, but very it is a very effective product.

Oxy are all effective products and are value for money due to small amounts required for all the products.” 7/10

Oxy.co.uk

Xanthe Men

Meteorite Facial scrub, Ā£30 for 200ml

“This scrub contains meteorite powder for a microdermabrasion effect to aid the removal of deep impurities and strengthen the skin. Itā€™s worth the money, the scrub is a very effective and an overall good product that smelled slightly wheaty and organic. I liked the presentation, clinical and professional.”

Duo Face Foamer ā€“ Wash & Shave, Ā£12 for 200ml

“All in one cleanser and shaving gel has a great shaving feel and smell. Allows effective shaving with a refreshing feel at only Ā£12.” 9/10

The Beauty Lab

Festival Chic

Festivals give us all the chance to go crazy with make up and do things we would never do at home such as sticking crystals on, and drawing on our faces with face paints! (more…)

Festival Chic

So we are into Festival Season now, not entirely sure what the weather will be saying for us all but I do know that there are some great headline acts for this Festival Season such as Jay Z at the Wireless Festival in Hyde Park, Gorillaz at Glastonbury, and Scissor Sisters at iTunes. (more…)

Urban Kings – Luxury Mixed Martial Arts Gym

This June sees the launch of Londonā€™s ultimate luxury space dedicated to mixed martial arts, conditioning and fitness (see the diary). Aimed at members who want uncompromising athleticism but donā€™t want to compromise on their surroundings, Urban Kings hosts state-of-the-art equipment, as well as beautiful changing areas and relaxation facilities.

Jade Jagger at Urban Kings Launch

Located in Kingā€™s Cross and spread across two floors, Urban Kings will provide its members with a bespoke and elegant exercise area, catering for classes and one-to-one training in Thai Boxing, MMA, K1, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing and Wrestling.

David Hayes & Tolula Adeyemi at Urban Kings Launch

Take advantage of the fantastic level of training available to master your art, improve your fitness or gain an edge for competition combat.

A full-size (19ā€™) boxing ring features in the main work-out area, as well as 12 punch bags hanging at varying levels from the ceiling, a cage wall and two large dojo areas.

Members are encouraged to fine-tune their physique with challenging equipment including:

  • Kettlebells
  • Monkey Bars
  • Ropes
  • Cable Machines
  • Olympic Lifting Area
  • Sandbags
  • Tyres

As well as the specialised training sessions, classes are offered in Abs, Body Conditioning and a Ladies Work-Fit Class.

A tailored audio system means members can listen to the latest tracks while they exercise and a full size projector fills one of the walls, screening fights, films and music videos.

Tolula & Jade pose in front of the dumb bells

And after their work-out, guests can head to the Sauna and let the heat relax their muscles for the perfect post-exercise reward. Separate male and female saunas are accessed from the exclusive changing areas. Both menā€™s and womenā€™s are more luxury than locker room with soft towels, monsoon showers and spa products.

Finally, head upstairs to the ground floor Juice Bar and revitalise your system with a menu of juices designed to rehydrate, nourish and restore. From vitamin and mineral boosts, to protein rich smoothies, our team will recommend the perfect post work-out replenishment.

Dan Williams & Jade Jagger

Membership at Urban Kings includes use of all facilities, including the sauna, and unlimited access to all classes. It also allows access to one-to-one training with high-profile trainers (additional fee applies).

Membership costs Ā£95 per month for a 12 month period with an initial joining fee of Ā£150.

www.urbankingsgym.com

Opening Times:

Monday ā€“ Saturday: 6.30am ā€“ 10pm

Sunday and bank holidays: 8am ā€“ 8pm

Members must leave the gym floor 30 minutes before closing time.

Address:

Urban Kings

4 Bravingtons Walk

Kings Cross N1 9GA

020 7837 7774