Cleansers
MD Skincare EZ4U 4-in-1 Facial Treatments
What man doesn’t love a good facial? But rarely in this fast-paced modern world does your Outlook Calendar afford you the luxury of lying for an hour with cucumber on your eyes and your BlackBerry turned off. Which is where the MD Skincare EZ4U 4-in-1 Facial Treatments come in. The brainchild of renowned New York dermatologist Dr Dennis Gross, EZ4U 4-in-1 Facial Treatments purport to deliver the same results as a facial in 20 seconds flat by simultaneously hydrating, treating, resurfacing and balancing your skin. The individually wrapped wipes come in Normal/Oily and Normal/Dry varieties, and are ideal for keeping in your desk to freshen up after a hard day before an even harder night on the town. Stash them in your drawer with a clean white shirt à la Mad Men and they’ll come in even handier when you crawl into work the next morning.Deodorant
Sure for Men Quantum
If you can’t stand the heat, then stay out of Al Aziziyah in Libya, officially the hottest place on Earth (yes, hotter even than a crowded Tube train), where spontaneous combustion-causing temperatures of 58 degrees centigrade have been recorded. Unless, of course, you’ve come forearmed with Sure for Men Quantum, the latest innovation in anti-perspiration. A quantum leap in sweat prevention, Quantum has been tested at those record-breaking temperatures and come up smelling of roses – or rather a bland but inoffensively manly fragrance. Quantum also features “future-ready protection”, which means that it responds to increases in adrenaline to provide extra protection against wetness and odour when you need it – handy for ensuring that you inspire rather than perspire when delivering hastily cobbled-together presentations to a stuffy boardroom.
If you can’t stand the heat, then stay out of Al Aziziyah in Libya, officially the hottest place on Earth (yes, hotter even than a crowded Tube train), where spontaneous combustion-causing temperatures of 58 degrees centigrade have been recorded. Unless, of course, you’ve come forearmed with Sure for Men Quantum, the latest innovation in anti-perspiration. A quantum leap in sweat prevention, Quantum has been tested at those record-breaking temperatures and come up smelling of roses – or rather a bland but inoffensively manly fragrance. Quantum also features “future-ready protection”, which means that it responds to increases in adrenaline to provide extra protection against wetness and odour when you need it – handy for ensuring that you inspire rather than perspire when delivering hastily cobbled-together presentations to a stuffy boardroom.Bath and Shower
Bulldog Lemon & Bergamot shower gel
If you're looking for a shower gel with extra value, check this new Bulldog Lemon & Bergamot one. It won't only keep you clean and smelling nice, but its ten essential oils (including vetivert oil which is a great stimulant and tonic, exotic elemi oil from the Phillipines which has a herbal medicine effect and coriander oil, which has great deodorising qualities) will also give you an invigorating experience. And, soothing Aloe Vera will help moisturise your skin. For the eco-conscious, it's important to mention that Bulldog products contain no parabens, sodium laureth sulfate, artificial colours or synthetic fragrances, so you can use them without feeling guilty.Fragrance
Canali Style
Fashionable life would be so much easier if only you could bottle style and sell it. But that’s exactly what the cunning “noses” at Canali have done with their new fragrance. As befits a brand that has dressed the likes of George Clooney, Canali Style is redolent of understated elegance, and the shape of the bottle takes its cue from the Italian fashion house’s famous tailoring. Like Canali’s suiting, the emphasis is firmly on quality materials, with Calabrian bergamot and Florida grapefruit making up the citrus top notes. The spicy body comprises coriander berries, pink pepper and nutmeg, while the woody base includes cedar, teak and thuya wood. Soft and warm, the overall effect is sophisticated yet unassuming – not unlike the Canali man, in fact. And if you do like Canali’s Style, then complementary after-shave balm, body wash and deodorant are also available.Shaving
King of Shaves Azor
For some time, “innovation” in shaving has been a synonym for “adding an extra blade”. But now King of Shaves is looking to take a cut of the UK razor market with a genuinely innovative wishbone-shaped implement. Looking not unlike a tuning fork, and feeling a little unwieldy at first, the Azor strikes the right note by pivoting to ensure that just the right amount of pressure is applied to your face. The elegant, lo-fi aesthetic meanwhile is about more than simply cutting a dash on your bathroom shelf – the Azor has been “ecoptimised” to chop out unnecessary waste in production and packaging, and thereby minimise any damage to the environment. Whether the Azor will see King of Shaves usurp the crowns of Gillette and Wilkinson remains to be seen, but as the first British-made razor in over 100 years, it certainly deserves a patriotic, if not royal, seal of approval.Treatments
Tweezerman
Removing stray hairs from in and around one’s eyebrows is still a bit much for even the most monobrowed of male groomers, who, fearing pain or, worse still, the piss-taking of their peers, elect not to pluck.So it was with some trepidation that plucked up the courage to visit Whole Man on New Bond Street for an appointment with Tweezerman – not the world’s most hairless superhero, as the name might suggest, but rather a maker of a whole host of high-quality, perfectly calibrated grooming implements which have seen the company picked out for Red Dot and IF design awards.
“Well-groomed brows can knock years off a man’s face,” says Jo Morton, UK Beauty Manager for Tweezerman, thereby presenting an alternative to the expensive anti-ageing lotions and potions that have saturated the men’s market. Her tweezing tips? After washing but before moisturising, open pores with a hot towel and then pull in the direction of hair growth. Finish with some After-Tweeze to ease your troubled brow and you won’t be left red-faced – unless your friends find out, of course. Plucky fellows can take home a pair of Tweezerman’s classic slant-tips for £16, including a free lifetime sharpening service. Or they can fork out about the same amount once every three weeks and have a (hopefully glamorous) assistant at somewhere like Whole Man do it for them.
Anti-Ageing
Time Delay For Men
For an affordable, but effective, anti-ageing skincare regime, try the new Time Delay For Men range from Boots. It works as a three-step programme: First up is the Time Delay for Men Anti-Fatigue Face Wash - a refreshing foaming cleanser that washes away dirt and excess oil on your skin without drying it out (150ml for £4.95). Follow it with Time Delay For Men Anti-Fatigue Moisturiser(50ml for £7.45). Its Time Delay Anti-Fatigue System with polyozomes and vitamin C gives an instant energising boost to tired and stressed looking skin. To stop those annoying under-eye wrinkles, finish with Time Delay For Men Anti-Fatigue Eye Cream (15ml for £6.45). The formula contains anti-oxidants and Gingko extract which helps revive tired looking eyes and stimulates circulation to reduce the appearance of fine lines, puffiness and dark circles. This is a perfect skin care routine for those on a limited budget who still want to prevent the signs of ageing.Salon
Martyn Maxey of Mayfair
The London hotspot for top quality male grooming has to be Martyn Maxey's unisex salon in Mayfair. Established over 17 years ago, they use only the best products and offer a role call of treatments longer than a mafia hit list. From the super-sharp resident barber to the intense sports massages that are available, this is a sophisticated place for suits in the know. Mr Maxey has an extensive portfolio of high-profile clients including Tommy Hilfiger and Robbie Williams, and the pop star employs Maxey's services to stay trim on shoots. Let him loose with the clippers on your coiffure and prepare to be impressed. A name to know and a salon to frequent (you'll have to exuse the ladies being waxed in the next room), this grooming haunt was until now a well-kept secret for well-kept gentlemen in the plush part of town.Hair-Care
Aveda Men Pure-Formance Exfoliating Shampoo
An exfoliating shampoo? Whatever next? But while exfoliation is a word more commonly associated with the faces of skincare-aware males (and the bodies of suspiciously well-groomed chaps), Aveda’s Men Pure-Formance Exfoliating Shampoo is not such a strange concept. Aveda’s bonce-scrubbing shampoo is particularly deserving of a place in your shower if you can mentally tick any of the following boxes: flaky/irritated scalp, excess oil or build-up from overuse of styling products. Specially formulated to soothe your scalp and packaged in a sleek tube, the 100% natural exfoliating power of walnut shells and jojoba beads helps rebalance your scalp’s natural oils and restores healthiness. And so rich and spicy is the refreshing aroma, with organic essential oils of spearmint, citrus, vetiver and lavender, that you could even afford to give your usual fragrance a miss.Balms and Moisturizer
Lab Series Skincare for Men
Lab Series Skincare has the three products you need for a future-proof face. Start your regime with the Daily Moisture Defence Lotion SPF15, a two-in-one hydrator and protector from the sun's harmful UVA/UVB rays. The lightweight texture will sink into your skin with ease and won't leave an uncomfortable greasy film. Next up is the Instant Moisture Mask: it's easy to apply, offers long-lasting results and it comes in five handy sachets, ideal for travelling or business trips where you need an in-flight moisture fix. Lastly, not to neglect your eyes, the Age Rescue Eye Therapy is a heavy duty moisturiser packed with proteins that prevent dark circles, puffiness and dehydration.Tanning
Gradual Tan by No7 For Men
It isn’t just the ladies that benefit from a little help on the tan front and, thanks to the new Gradual Tan range from No7 For Men, pasty faces on chaps are tipped to be a thing of the past. Pitched as more of a tinted moisturiser than a fake tan, this cream will give men a little colour while they moisturise every morning (you do moisturise every morning, right?). The Gradual Tan range has a body and face cream (both £9.50) that top up colour day-by-day and, more importantly, discreetly, so you needn't worry about getting it wrong. And, thanks to the SPF 15 also included, you can benefit from added protection from the elements while your natural tan develops.Masks
Laidback Facial Clay
British company Laidback specialises in all-natural grooming products. The latest addition to their range, available at Fortnum & Mason, is this facial clay made with red clover and extract of frankincense, which was one of the gifts carried by the Three Wise Men. If only the infant Jesus had received this clay instead, he might have been spared a pimple-blighted adolescence. An aromatic blend of spices and essential oils, apply and leave on for ten minutes before washing off to be left thoroughly cleansed and moisturised, if a little emasculated (especially if someone sees you with it on).Exfoliator
KOS.PRO Face Exfoliator
Not content with dominating the men’s shaving market, King Of Shaves has branched out further with its new KOS.PRO range. Featuring everything from shampoo to a face wash, the mid-priced products have been exclusively used in salons before being made available to buy nationwide. KOS.PRO Face Exfoliator is designed to remove grease and unclog pores without causing irritation, making it an excellent choice for a twice-weekly face scrub. However, rubbing a little into your beard before a shave is the perfect prep for a close shave, freeing any in-growing hairs from becoming trapped.Travel Kits
Elemis Universal Traveller Kit
Being greeted at the airport looking tired and dishevelled is never a good look. That’s why Elemis has created a stylish leather-effect wash bag that contains everything you need to look your best whether you’re going for a quick weekend getaway or something a bit more long-haul. The Universal Traveller is packed full of Elemis Time For Men grooming essentials such as the Energising Skin Scrub and Ice Cool Foaming Shave Gel. What’s more, to prevent travel from taking its toll on your skin, Elemis has also thrown in the best of the rest from its wider range of spa-inspired products. Enter Bright Eyes Recovery Gel, which gives relief to tired eyes, and Instant Refreshing Gel, an invaluable aid that helps to relieve muscle tension, especially across the neck, shoulders and temples.Spas
Solent Hotel & Spa
Beginning to look a little too much like your battered passport photo? You don’t have to leave the country to restore optimum energy levels. Less than an hour and a half from London, the Solent Hotel & Spa in Fareham, Hampshire, offers the chance to reverse the visible signs of late-night office hours in a tranquil costal setting. If you want to get active, there are tennis courts, a pool and a gym; but if you want to truly wind down, go for one of the VitaMan treatments at the hotel’s ESPA spa.Toners
Baxter Of California Herbal Mint Toner
This alcohol-free astringent removes dirt and oil from deep within pores, leaving skin toned with a shine-free matte finish.p/s: Good luck for your grooming...
