Grooming Must-Haves: Essential Products for the Well-Groomed Man

I'm a man that pays a great deal of attention to his reflection. Not in a vain way, I just don't like the idea of leaving the house with bits of salad between my teeth. And to a greater extent, big hairs coming out the ears and nose. I've blogged & vlogged endlessly about my grooming journey over the past ten years, and I believe it's a crucial discipline that bolsters one's inner confidence. But what are the tools of the trade Carlos? What are the instruments that man needs to conduct his grooming opus? 

Essential grooming products for a well-groomed man typically include a good quality razor or trimmer, shaving cream or gel, facial cleanser, moisturiser, deodorant, hair styling products, and possibly a cologne. Additionally, a basic skincare routine involving cleanser, exfoliant, moisturiser, and sunscreen can help maintain healthy skin. The specific products you choose may depend on your personal preferences and skin type.

Razor:  For my routine I recommend the Wilde & Harte razor collections that are manufactured from stainless steel in Sheffield, the city in Northern England synonymous with the mass-production of stainless steel during the Industrial Revolution. You can find an interview with the founder where I ask 'Should one wet shave daily?' on a previous post here. My most important takeaway from that interview was, 'if you rush your shave or purchase inadequate shaving products, you will leave yourself susceptible to a host of unsightly skin irritations such as razor burn, ingrowing hairs, nicks and cuts'. 

Shaving cream or gel: I'm a fan of Clarins Shaving Gel. The smell is the best, an aroma that is unique to Clarins. I'm not sure how they get it just right.The soft, creamy shaving foam assists a close, comfortable shave by softening facial hair whilst protecting against the risk of cuts and nicks. You can check out the full range and my review on a previous post here. 

Facial cleanser: I've tried many during my time. I'll confess the I've made many repeat purchases on the M&S energising face scrub from their men's Formula range. The refreshing cleanser washes away sleepiness and you can always follow-up with the hydrating moisturiser that adds a boost of dewiness. Find out more about the range on a previous post. 

Moisturiser: At the risk of peeing off all my wonderful potential future grooming sponsors, there really is only one game in town when it comes to moisturising brands. That is La Mer. La Mer are an indomitable force in the moisturising market. I fell in love with their Cool Gel Cream back in the day that features La Mer's signature ferment, the Miracle Broth, as well as the powerful antioxidant the Lime Tea Concentrate, which helps defend the skin from environmental stressors such as pollution. 

Deodorant: Oh how can one top Lynx Africa? Come on men, it's time to move on. I've been sticking with the the refillable deodorant by Proverb that was part of their successful 2019 crowdfunding project. Customer reviews have included ‘This is the Tesla of Deodorants’ and ‘This isn’t a run of the mill deodorant; it is something much better.’ Ideal for travel also. I'm fed up of paying extortionate money in airports for some minuscule pumps of aerosol deodorant. 

Hair styling products: Where to begin? Oh baldies you don't know the agony men face flicking through endless magazines in the barbers. Pomades, waxes, gels, you name it. There is an infinite amount of time and money to be wasted on men's hair styling products. Currently I'm sampling some Slick Gorilla available on Amazon for £13. Non-greasy vegan hair paste/clay that is doing the job and then some. 

Cologne: This is the one area you should have multiples of. Different colognes by different brands and designers. Always ask for opinions from people, though your partner should ultimately get the final say. A safe bet right now to get you off and running is the latest offering from Moncler; LES SOMMETS MONCLER. All the eaux de parfums in this new collection are unique creations, developed around a common theme in connection with Moncler’s alpine roots: wood. Be sure to check out my thoughts on this collection.