Mens Hair

The battle with going bald

Posted on by dansinnott

Going bald, battle with being bald, hair loss, men's hair, man looking in mirror checking hair, high street gent

Grooming do’s and don’t for the “follicly challenged.”

So you’re noticing a bit more hair in your hand when running your fingers through your luscious locks. No need to panic yet. The average person loses around 100 hairs per day – but if you’re suddenly struck with anxiety that you’re going bald, and you’ll inherit the nickname “cue ball” in a few years, listen up.

Step 1: Find a picture of yourself from a few years ago. Make sure your hairline is clearly visible in the picture.

Step 2: Take a current picture of yourself (make sure it’s similar lighting to the other picture) and compare your hairlines. Check around the temples, the most common area men begin to show recession.

If your hairline isn’t retreating, congrats! If you’re not so lucky and your four head turned into more of a “five head”, don’t stress. It’s not a huge deal. Just make sure you’re not committing the common mistakes many balding men make while trying to disguise their thinning hair.

Mistake 1: Growing Your Hair Out to Hide Lack of Volume

Growing your hair too long on the sides may make thinning hair on the top of your head more apparent. Hair on the top almost always succumbs to baldness before the sides, hence the very common “shiny head with hairy sides” look oh so many older gentlemen like to wear. So growing out the mane will most likely create a very uneven hair-do. It’s also important to note that styling your hair in the opposite direction it falls naturally can make hair appear thinner. Aka no comb-overs, dudes. Instead, head to your barber and ask for a short-all over look, like a badass buzz cut.

Mistake 2: Overusing Hair Products

A lot of guys aren’t aware of the different types of products and the varying effects it has on hair. Here’s a quick overview from GQ’s Best Hair Products for men 2017.

Wax: High hold, low to medium shine

Paste: Medium hold, light shine when applied dry High hold, medium shine when applied damp

Pomade: Medium hold, high shine

Styling Cream: Light hold, light shine

Gel: High Hold, High Shine

Salt Spray: Volume, texture, definition

Dry Shampoo: Volume, texture, mattifying

Bonus tip: “Don’t over-product your hair. I see a lot of guys using way too much hair product on their hair, where you can see flakes or white residue. It’s not necessary.” -Carola Gonzalez, celebrity groomer

Salt spray and dry shampoo are the winners for someone looking to incorporate a little product into their thin hair. A lot of the other products can weigh down your hair, which is not ideal for the “follicly challenged” bunch. The salt spray and dry shampoo absorb the excess oils in your hair, adding volume and texture. Speaking of ‘poo, this brings me to mistake number 3.

Mistake 3: Using the wrong shampoo

The number one thing you can do while you still have a head of hair is to start using DHT blocking shampoo. The reality is that hair loss in men is mainly caused by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a male steroid hormone. The powerful sex hormone is great for growing an epic beard or chest afro, but has quite the opposite effect for the hair on your scalp. Your body produces DHT as a byproduct of testosterone through the 5α-Reductase enzyme, an enzyme whose job is to convert a certain percentage of your testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in tissue such as the skin, liver, prostate and hair follicles. So if you’re genetically susceptible to hair loss, the DHT enzyme can bind to receptors in your hair follicles and cause them to shrink, weaken and eventually die. Although DHT shampoo doesn’t regrow hair, it’s a great proactive approach to stop balding in its track.

If your hair is past the point of no return, try out minoxidil – a topical hair regrowth treatment. Minoxidil is a common treatment for male pattern hair loss because it works by creating an ideal growth environment for your existing hair follicles. Just a heads up, if going the minoxidil route, you may encounter hair shedding at first because older hairs as new hair follicles are entering a new growth cycle.

Mistake 4: Not utilising your epic beard growing abilities.

As previously discussed, The powerful sex hormone, DHT can cause disasters on the top of your head. Ironically enough, DHT is also responsible for promoting the growth of hair on your face, chest, back and other areas. So take advantage of your superpowers and rock an epic beard or chest afro. Just make sure to keep your beard groomed by following a few simple steps. Long story short, keep it neat and trimmed with the right tools, shampoo it every now and then, and incorporate some beard oil to give it a nice and majestic look!

Men’s hair and beard trends for 2018

Posted on by dansinnott

Now we’ve taken our first steps into 2018, AND we’ve got January and the skintest month of the year out the way, we can’t help but wonder what it might bring: A smooth and effortless Brexit withdrawal? Don’t hold your breath. How about jetpacks? We hope so. Perhaps a full blown Twitter war will break out? With Trump around, who knows!

Here at The Bluebeards Revenge, the one thing we can accurately predict is the amazing hair and beard trends that the next 12 months will bring. Below, we’ve asked some of Britain’s most influential barbers to embrace their clairvoyant sides and provide the all-important hair and beard insights for 2018.

Is long hair coming back into fashion?

“Recently I’ve had quite a few clients asking to keep their length on both the top and the sides,” says Adam Rossington-Smith of Scissor and Comb UK. “This opens up 2018 to some very versatile styles, with a blend of clean tapered edges and soft, textured waves on top.”

What does this mean for the super popular fade styles of 2017?

Adam says: “I highly doubt that we will see a massive reduction of fades next year. Part of the reason they became so popular was because they are clean and super easy to maintain, and lots of men still don’t like the thought of having to prune too much.”

Meanwhile, Tom Chapman, award-winning barber and founder of the Lions Barber Collective charity, believes that, “fades will remain fashionable, but more men will start to favour tapers; looking for a finish that is less sharp. More men will start to ask for their edges to be left a little more natural too.”

What hairstyling products will be in popular demand for 2018?

Adam says: “Medium and long hairstyles will give men more opportunities to experiment with products. Personally, sea salt sprays are my absolute favourite right now. They add texture and a light hold to fine hair, and volume to thicker hair. They help to create a natural look as well, which is very fashionable right now and will continue to dominate throughout 2018.

““Volumizing powders have become a big hit for men seeking a natural look too. They’re easy to use and pretty cost effective – a 10 gram container should easily bulk up flat styles for a few months.”

Tom says: “With the right education, I think a lot of men could return to hair gels this year. As a product, modern hair gels are massively undervalued for their styling capabilities: softer gels can be used as pre-styling products to give styles structure all day and barbers often use them while sectioning medium and long hair.”

[The Bluebeards Revenge Sea Salt Spray: https://www.bluebeards-revenge.co.uk/product/the-bluebeards-revenge-sea-salt-spray-200ml/]

Will barbers struggle with any of the new trends?

Adam, who graduated from Toni & Guy before specialising in barbering, says: “Barbers who have joined the industry in the last few years will probably find themselves facing styles that they have never really had to deal with.

“Shorter styles have dominated the barbering scene for so long now that new barbers have likely had little experience with anything longer than a clipper cut on the sides.

“Of course, with longer haircuts comes the chance to learn endless new techniques for adding texture and creating movement. The new fashions will help barbers to develop their scissor skills and will provide practice in handling and sectioning longer hair. They will also show the importance of proper blow drying techniques and require a better understanding of less conventional styling products.”

2018 beard trends

With the trends for the hair on our heads covered, it’s time to concentrate on the stubble and scruff that sprouts from our chins.

Will beards still be popular in 2018?

The masculinity, maturity and respect that beards give to men means they will never completely fall out of fashion, no matter how far into the future we go. Simon ‘Bones’ Bethel, from Sandyman Chop Shop in Exeter, believes we will still continue to see a steady flow of beards throughout 2018. He said: “While there are fewer men sporting big bushy beards these days, we still do a lot of short beard trims in the Chop Shop. I don’t expect this to change for 2018.”

Beard styles for 2018

Over the past few years, rough-cut, lumberjack styles have dominated the look books, but the next 12 months will see changes according to Bones. “Men are starting to wear their beards shorter and with more shape,” he said. “These styles mean that creating strong cheek lines with razors, and tapering these into the sideburns and hair line will be the way forward.”

As beards get shorter, designer stubbles are likely to gain a little more traction too. Ex-serviceman and current Master Barber Liam Hamilton, from Hamilton’s Barbershop in Cornwall, says these looks are “ideal for men who want to add a little masculinity to their look.” They also work particularly well for men who are attempting to achieve a more “rugged” style, without the same timely maintenance of a full beard.

Beard products for 2018

“The men’s grooming market is receiving huge investments at the moment, and products that were previously unknown to men are now becoming essentials,” said Managing Director of The Bluebeards Revenge, David Hildrew. “Now, more than ever, men are taking an invested interest in their appearance and this is causing beard oils, brushes and waxes to boom in popularity.”

Liam, a bearded barber himself, says: “The best beards have a shine and healthiness to them that can only be created with high-quality beard oils. A few drops of oil, combed through from the roots to the tips, will enhance any man’s beard and leave it smelling irresistible.”

[The Bluebeards Revenge Classic Blend Beard Oil: https://www.bluebeards-revenge.co.uk/product/the-bluebeards-revenge-classic-blend-beard-oil-50ml/]

Moustache styles for 2018

2018 might just be the year for full and fuzzy moustaches. Finally, they’re seen less like Charlie Bronson’s and more like Tom Selleck’s.

“The humble moustache can help to add balance to the right man’s face, soften a more dominant jawline, and compliment a man’s eyebrows,” says Liam.

However, lots of men still struggle to confidently wear this facial accessory. “If you’re lacking the confidence to wear a moustache in 2018, why not wait until Movember comes around? Then you can hide in the crowd,” suggests Liam. “Or, if you’re feeling brave, try growing your stubble out around it. This helps to frame your moustache and won’t leave your face feeling so isolated and bare.”

For the most up-to-date hair and beard trends, and for 2018’s most sought after products, visit www.bluebeards-revenge.co.uk.

How to Handle Going Bald

Posted on by dansinnott

Man going bald in the mirror - image from Idle Man
When you have hair it’s easy to choose a hair style and try different things. What do you do if you’re someone who’s beginning to bald or is bald? First of all, don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’re going to look bad bald.

That’s the biggest misconception and we’re going to show you how to handle going bald. You’ll enjoy the many options you have that pairs with balding.

Bring Out the Accessories

Going bald boils down to having one less thing to work with in your overall style. You need to find something else to replace what’s missing. Accessories are the easiest and quickest option to make up for a lack of hair.

Glasses – this option can change your style a lot. Even if you don’t need a prescription glass you can use sunglasses and normal glasses just for their looks. It’s easy to get multiple pairs to match your appearance, make you look smart, or sporty glasses.

Hats – another easy option that you can match with many different styles. Pick yourself up a couple different types of hats for different occasions. Just stay away from the fedora, though, please no fedora.

Jewelry – this option isn’t as helpful as the others but does play a helping role. Usually, some light jewelry combined with a hat or glasses. The key is to make it a small additional touch and to not wear a lot of jewelry or something that stands out to much.

Facial Hair

One of the biggest things you can do for the greatest impact to pair with going bald is a beard. A beard will help you look great while going bald.

If you’re unsure what kind of beard will look good on you the best go to is your standard full beard. Give it 2 months of full growth and then trim it with a #3 hair clipper guard will usually give you a nice beard. There are many reasons to be bald with a beard and you must admit the facial hair looks great on other bald men you’ve seen.

Look at the celebrity examples out there. Plenty of examples of men with no hair and facial hair in the celebrity world.

Benefits to Being Bald

Man shaving head going bald in the mirror

Time and Money – Once shaving your head becomes routine you’ll no longer need to see a barber. Think of the amount of time and money you’ll save overall. Comparing the cost to shaving your head compared to trying to regrow hair through products or surgery it starts to not look so bad.

Women Like It – While going bald isn’t the best way to attract females you must admit they do love it. Women like men who are confident and being confident enough to embrace your baldness is attractive.

Masculine – When you’re bald you immediately gain this illusion of dominance. It just comes with the territory and you look more masculine. What guy wouldn’t want to appear even slightly more masculine without putting in much effort?

Before You Go!

I hope this article put a new spin on being bald for you. It’s really nothing to worry about and not something you should try to fight off. If you’ve been dealt the bald card with genetics embrace it.

Let us know what you thought about this article and maybe give some of your own tips for being bald below. Thanks for reading.

Author Bio: Wesley is the owner of iManscape.com. A site for men, beards, and manscaping. To see more from him, like this recent post on beard balm or beard oil, visit his website or like iManscape on Facebook.

How to style a classic side-parted haircut

Posted on by dansinnott

Men's hair style at the barbers

The pompadour is a classic men’s haircut that refuses to go out of fashion. It has been reinvented time and time again and continues to remain amongst the most popular choices in barber shops all over the world.

Originally named after Madame de Pompadour, who was King Louis XV’s mistress, the classic pomp was made most famous in the 1960s by the King of Rock himself, Elvis Presley. Today, the pomp has many modern variations and has been worn by key celebrity influencers such as Brad Pitt, Jon Hamm, Zac Efron, and David Beckham to name but a few.

To celebrate this classic slicked-back look, The Bluebeards Revenge has teamed up with industry-leading barber Tom Chapman. The Devon-based barber owns Tom Chapman Hair Design in Torquay, and is the proud founder of the Lions Barber Collective charity.

Below, Tom has given expert tips on how you can create the perfect pomp in the comfort of your own home. A word of warning; if you combine his tips with our video, you can expect some serious hair envy from those around you!

It all starts at the barbers

Man having hair styled at the barbers

To create the perfect side-parted pomp, you’ll need your hair styled a certain way. A typical pompadour features short sides, a short back, and longer hair on top that’s swept upwards. Ask your barber for a tapered cut with plenty of length on top and you can’t go wrong. For a more comprehensive example of what to ask your barber for, watch this barber to barber video.

At home

Start by washing your hair in warm water to make sure any previous hair products are removed. Then, rough dry your hair with a towel and apply The Bluebeards Revenge Matt Paste as a pre-styling agent.

A side-parted pompadour does require some maintenance, so you will need to invest in a hair dryer if you don’t already have one. Trust me, it’s worth the investment.

Blow-dry your hair and use The Bluebeards Revenge Quiff Roller to add volume to the pomp. Getting the best results from a quiff roller requires some practice, especially if you’re wielding a hair dryer with your other hand. It’s all about gently twizzling the brush through your locks and guiding the hair backwards to give the pompadour its iconic slicked-back look. Don’t forget to use a comb to exaggerate your natural side-parting for a bolder finish too.

Finally, finish the look by applying The Bluebeards Revenge Pomade. Take a small amount of this water-based, high-shine product and rub it between your palms and finger tips, then slick it through your hair from front to back. Use a comb to create a tight and tidy style, or just rough it up a little with your hands for a more rugged look.

And there you have it – a modern take on a classic men’s hairstyle that’s suitable for both the office and a night on the town. Enjoy!

Take a look at our previous article with The Bluebeards Revenge and Tom Chapman where we look at the hottest hair styles for 2017, here.

 

The Gentleman’s Grooming Show 2016

Posted on by dansinnott

When it comes to male grooming habits, there’s definitely been a shift in attitude over the years. Gone are the days when guys would just roll out of bed, hop into the shower, and be out the door in 5 minutes. Now, they rock a skin care routine that would probably give the average female a run for her money.

With 52% of male consumers considering their appearance to be either important or very important, the male grooming market is rapidly evolving, with cosmetic sales predicted to reach a staggering £121 million by 2018. Brands have recognised the growing market and the need for male-specific products that allow customers to feel comfortable in the beauty aisle. Despite male grooming being socially accepted, it’s still important for it to be considered a masculine activity, (something companies must remember if they want their products to fly off the shelf).

Well we may have the answer….

The Gentleman’s Grooming Show 2016 is an event celebrating the modern man and male grooming – showcasing the industry’s very best products and services on offer, and hope to guide, inspire and educate you, the modern day gentleman.

“Do you like to look good? Feel good? Smell good?”

Then come along to London’s Tobacco Dock for The Gentleman’s Grooming Show on Saturday 3rd December 2016. You’ll get a complimentary glass of whiskey, and some key advice on how to keep yourself well-groomed all through 2017.

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On the day

The Gentleman’s Grooming Show will showcase some of the best brands and companies in the men’s grooming and lifestyle world. If you are a modern day gentleman and like to look good, feel good and smell good then you wont want to miss out.

A chance to meet the expert teams behind some of the best men’s grooming & lifestyle brands in the world, giving you a great opportunity to gain some key advice and a chance to purchase the products. Treat yourself or pick up some Christmas gifts for loved ones.

Talks & Demos: Pop over to the main stage and enjoy talks and demonstrations from industry leading figures and celebrities including Charles Fencott, Josh Lamonaca and Richard E Grant! Details of our final stage line up will be announced shortly.

Tickets for the Gentleman’s Grooming Show 2016 are now on sale.

Order yours using the link below or call +44 (0)207 267 4843 to speak to a member of the Gentleman’s Grooming Show team.

buy_tickets
High Street Gent will be there on the day, to meet and report on all the goings on over the past year and what we have to look forward to in the male grooming world in 2017. You can expect a raft of articles from us post-event, in the hope we can help you remain looking fly.

Maintaining & taming your beard!

Posted on by dansinnott

Beard Header

A full and well-groomed beard is a point of pride for a lot of guys. Especially in recent times beards have become quite the fashionable trend among modern men. However, achieving a proper beard is not that simple, and just growing out a beard without much grooming is just going to be you looking like a hobo or something! So there are a few tips and tricks you should know if you want to achieve a proper manly beard without looking scruffy!

Getting started with a beard

Don’t let the itch get you

The first little while of growing out a beard can be the hardest for some, due to the itchiness that comes with the short hard hairs of your stubble. Just hang in there, after a while the itchiness goes away as the hairs become longer and softer.

Be patient

Let your beard grow out a little before you start to trim and shape it. Even if you want to wear your beard short and close to your face, it is recommended that you let your beard grow approximately and inch or an inch and a half before you start shaping it.

Be realistic about your beard

Not everyone can grow out an awesome beard. Unfortunately genetics gives some of us scraggly and patchy beards, instead of the full mountain-man type beard. So be realistic about what you can grow and cannot grow.

Image from the Instagram profile of BraidBarbers

Beard trim from @BraidBarbers on Instagram

Beard trimming

Consider getting a pro to do it

If you are a little unsure of how to exactly trim your beard the best way, consider going to a professional barber that can do it for you. Not only will they be able to give you an awesome trim, but they can probably even give you some tips on how to maintain your specific beard (as everyone has different hair types and facial features).

Have the right tools

If you decide to go the DIY route for maintaining your beard, you need to make sure you have the right tools available. Using a rusty old pair of scissors is not going to do it! Consider getting a decent electronic beard trimmer. A beard trimmer’s clippers will allow you to more accurately trim and shape your beard while also cutting your beard to a specific length. I recommend getting the rechargeable cordless beard trimmers. They might be a little pricier than other options, but in the long run you will be glad you made the investment!

You should also consider getting a good comb to comb your beard with. For your beard a wide-toothed comb is best (as your beard hair can be thick and coarse), while if you have a mustache that you want to keep neat, a fine-toothed comb will be the right option.

Careful when wet

When you trim your beard, be careful to do it when the hair is still wet. Wet hair can look a lot longer than when it is dry. So the best would be to rather trim your hair once dried.

Keep in mind the shape of your face

Your beard and your jaw should work in tandem to achieve a nicely graduated, oval shape. If you have a square or round jaw, you’ll want to grow your beard fuller on the bottom to elongate your face. If you have an oblong or rectangular face, you’ll want more hair on the sides while avoiding more length beneath the chin.

To help maintain a balance between the two sides of your face, you may find it useful to start near the ear on one side and trim down to the chin. Then repeat on the other side.

Keeping your beard clean

Shaving & Grooming from ManlyStuff.ie

Grooming & Shaving from ManlyStuff.ie

Beard hair is hair too, so shampoo and condition!

Just like you would do with regular hair, you should shampoo and condition your beard hair. A mild shampoo is usually easier on your skin. After shampooing, go over to the conditioner to get a softer feel on your beard. Be sure to rinse thoroughly in order to avoid flaking.

Don’t blow dry

Avoid blow drying your beard as the warm air will dry out your skin. Instead you should rather use a dry towel to wipe and dry your beard.

Beard oil

If you really want to get your beard soft and shiny, you should invest in some good beard oil. There are a bunch of different beard oil options out there, and you can even get recipes off the Internet to make your own if you really wanted to. So experiment with some beard oils and see what you like best.

Daily combing ritual

You should comb and brush your beard on a daily basis to untangle hairs and to also train them to grow in a specific direction. This will help you to maintain a specific shape for your beard.

Products

Image from BraidBarders on Instagram

Maintaining & grooming image from @BraidBarbers on Instagram

Below we’ve listed our top 4 men’s grooming & shaving desstinations, take a look:

Wrapping Up

A great beard is a thing of beauty! But it takes commitment and discipline to get a truly great beard that looks good and feels good. I hope the above tips helps you in your quest for your ultimate beard!

This article was provided by manomics.com, a blog specifically catering to mens’ lifestyle topics around grooming, health and fitness.

Where’s all your Manly Stuff?

Posted on by dansinnott

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Feeling satisfied after a weekend of the Irish wind blowing through our hair, we’re going to let you know all about Dublin based company Manly Stuff.

Manly Stuff are a growing corner of the web that stock (funnily enough) all the ‘manly stuff’ a lad about town may need to keep him looking fresh, trim and most of all on top form. Stocking a range of masculine accessories and male grooming appliances and products, what they have to offer will take the hassle out of shopping and put the ease into your morning routine.

We’re going to go over a few items that were sent to us by Sean at Manly Stuff to test run, to ensure you guys are fully informed, but also highlight just a flash of what they have to offer. Who doesn’t like a tease…

Also, one for the Dad’s with Father’s Day coming up on 18th June in the UK.

Shaving

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ManlyStuff.ie – reintroducing men to the art of Wet Shaving. At an affordable price.

Feel like a real man again, even if it’s only for 10 minutes of uninterrupted tranquility.

Wet Shaving with a DE Safety Razor is one of life’s simpler pleasures. A Safety Razor provides the best shave known to man (apart from a barber, maybe!). How often these days do we snooze the alarm, get up in a panic, quick shower & a shave, throw on the suit, run for the bus, miss the bus, late for work, miss the meeting, catch up, eat lunch at your desk, leave work late, get home tired, sleep in… rinse and repeat.

Taking the time for a real shave in the morning isn’t just a shave, you’re preparing yourself for the day ahead. Get up earlier, spend the 10 minutes enjoying your morning routine. There is nothing more therapeutic than a good shaving routine.

Manly Stuff buy their razors, brushes, grooming products & accessories in bulk from trusted suppliers in Ireland, the UK, India & China and the USA in some cases.

Manly Stuff’s shaving sets are thoughtfully put together to offer great value and contain everything you’ll need for a fantastic shave.

We tested one of the Men’s Stainless Steel Shaving Set (€34.99) the perfect shaving set for those starting their wet shaving adventure. It consists of a Stainless Steel Safety Razor and a luxury Boar Shaving Brush. This safety razor provides a mild to mid aggressive shave and so is very suited to beginners. The boar shaving brush ensures a thick lather and will exfoliate the skin as you go.

Combine this set with some of the lovely soaps (explained further down) and you’re ready to start enjoying shaving again…we completely upgraded our shave and for once enjoyed shaving!

Grooming

Pre-Shave Oil? Proraso pre shave cream? The perfect post shave balm? The carefully selected array of products are chosen to provide you with the only shaving products you need for the perfect shave. The alum products are perfect for sealing any small nicks, our alum matchsticks for example are great for travel. (These we must say we did not even know about until Manly Stuff sent us them!) They have a great selection of natural shaving products for a price range that includes everyone. The shaving range is perfect for the beginner and wet shaving enthusiast alike. All products are sent in well packaged lovely boxed so rest assured your shaving hoard will arrive safely.

Having Soaps & Shaving creams are a much better alternative than anything that comes from a can. Although the cost may seem higher, in reality and puck of shaving soap will last for months and a cream the same. You’ll need a shaving brush to build a lather but that helps exfoliate your skin anyway so is highly recommended. Manly Stuff try and source their shaving soaps and shaving creams from local artisan producers where possible. They also include a few favourites such as the super Arko and Proraso.

Watches

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Manly Stuff keep their minimalist watches free of branding, why? Because they look better. All of the Minimalist Watches and Wooden Watches are designed in-house and made using the finest materials. The Minimalist Watches are made from a variety of different woods and metals and are incredibly light, extremely stylish and come with a Japanese Quartz Movement.

Accessories

Fine Silk Pocket Squares, Cotton Pocket Squares, Wool Pocket Squares, quality and robust ties, minimalist wallets and card holders, tie clips and considering we’ve just returned from Dublin ourselves…travel grooming essentials are all stocked in Manly Stuff’s pocket of the internet.

These are the essentials required for every gentleman and all in one place.

To Sum Up…

Did you know they skip all the expensive branding and marketing and let word of mouth do our work. By selling the products without the brand, they can make it cheaper for you – the customer.

You’d be amazed at how many “luxury” (expensive!) brands buy their products from the same factories Manly Stuff do, but they hike the price by 1000% because they know people will buy them.

Manlystuff.ie is laid out perfectly for a novice shaver to a trained professional it’s easily categorised and allows you to learn whats best for you, develop your shaving knowledge and progress through each stage. The sections and subsections make it a pleasurable visit and easy to navigate for what you want.

With that in mind, the best part about Manly Stuff is that they develop and grow on the customer feedback, in fact they thrive on it. It’s nice to hear that the consumer is thought about from start to finish, don’t you think chaps?

Ask yourself this…picture the scene: you’ve got up a bit blurry eyed, you need to shave before work, you grab your new shaving foam and you start to closely cut the hair back. You then realise you hate the smell and consistency of the foam, its too oily and the razor is blunt as hell! How annoyed are you, leaving the house with toilet paper dots over your face? Not very! ….but that doesn’t matter, because it wouldn’t happen if everything was bought via Manly Stuff.

They want their products to be the best. They spend a lot of time sourcing them from countries far and wide and spend a lot of money in ensuring what you have in your hands is a fantastic product. How do they know what you’re getting is the best? They use them! Everyday. You’re onto a winner chaps!

Here’s how our Manly Stuff pack looked like when it arrived, check it out…

 

 

TOPPBOX – It’s Time to Rock a Great Routine

Posted on by dansinnott

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Bargain hunter? Strapped for cash? Saving up for that expensive suit? Contrary to popular belief, you can still look after your skin and hair without having to spend a fortune.

Over the years I’ve been fortunate enough to try thousands of male grooming products, from the ridiculously cheap to the ludicrously expensive. And, truth be told, in many cases inexpensive products are just as good as (and sometimes even better than) those that cost ten times as much.

Time was, a man who spent too long in the bathroom was met with a level of scorn and suspicion. Thankfully times have changed, but even now its easy to feel bemused by the overwhelming amount of advice, opinion and small pots filled with expensive goop on the market.

The trick isn’t to spend a fortune on a thousand different products, or to lock yourself in the bathroom for hours at a time. Rather, you should develop a daily routine that is quick and simple.

At TOPPBOX, they’re here to simply introduce you to great products from top brands at the comfort of your own home. A review may help you make your mind for a purchase, but a personalised TOPPBOX will give you the opportunity to discover products you love.

It’s time to rock a great routine with male-specific products, keeping the masculinity in your grooming activity.

Their mission is simple. To find the right products for your routine so you can look good, feel great and smell even better!

With TOPPBOX it’s easy. Receive a personalised assortment of travel and full sized products covering all aspects of your grooming and skincare routine. You can expect to be introduced to hair styling, skincare, beard care, anti-ageing, fragrances and many more products, all selected specifically to match your profile.

They use Royal Mail and dispatch your first box in 2/3 days of dispatch and renewal boxes will be dispatched on the 15th of each month. The box is really neatly designed and looks great, it even slides through every standard letterbox, so you don’t have to trek to the sorting office on a Saturday!

So what’s inside?

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Your 1st box will feature a travel sized assortment of four top-shelf grooming and skincare products, ranging from masculine skincare to woodsy cologne.

Your 2nd box will feature an assortment of three travel sized and one full sized product, covering all aspects of your grooming and skincare routine.

Your 3rd and final box will feature an assortment of three travel sized products and one full sized product, helping you discover products you love.

No two guys are alike, so your box will be tailored to suit your personal style. By filling out your Grooming Profile upon subscription, you’ll enable us to pick the products that are right for you.

The process: Firstly you choose whether you want a monthly subscription or a three monthly subscription:

toppbox

You’ll then be taken to the next page, where the fun really begins. Each box is personalised for YOU. Each and every detail is thought about, so if you have a certain skin type, any irritations or even dry hair, it’s being tailored for you, so you’ll have no problems. TOPPBOX will literally become your best mate in the bathroom.

You’ll be asked:

Age:
18-22
23-28
29-35
36-45

Style:
Smart
Casual
Trendy
Sporty

Skin Type:
Normal
Dry
Oily
Dry and Oily

Skin Concerns:
Acne
Ageing
Sensitivity
None

Shave:
Clean Shaven
Have a Stubble
Have a Beard
Have a Moustache

Shave Concerns:
Razor Burn
Razor Bumps
Ingrown Hairs
None

Hair Length:
Long
Medium
Short
None

Hair Type:
Normal
Thick
Thin
None

Hair Texture:
Straight
Curly
Afro
None

Hair Concerns
Dry
Oily
Thinning
None

It really does make you consider whether what you’ve been using for all this time has been worthwhile! Some of the above we’d never even thought their was an option for…I guess it’s why TOPPBOX are a sensible choice.

We’ve been using the personalised products sent to us from TOPPBOX for over a month now (with a cheeky appearance from our friends at Zeos for Men) and we have noticed a difference. We got these bits in our box and here’s a little overview:

  • The Scottish Fine Soaps Company – Exfoliating Body Wash: this revitalising and refreshing body wash exfoliates using micro-scrub granules to clear the skin, leaving it feeling cleansed and uplifted. Dan from High Street Gent has normal skin type so has no concerns using this product. [RRP: 200ml – £8.50. Use code soaps20 at the check out to get 20% off. Code expires 31st May 2016]
  • Dr Bronner’s Magic Soaps – All-One Hemp Peppermint Soap: this smelt amazing! If your after a minty, fresh, tingly product, you’re in for a treat if you have no skin concerns. [Full Size: 140g – £3.99. Use code TOPP30 at the checkout to get 30% off.]
  • The Blue Beards-Revenge – Matt Paste: A quirky little pot, perfect for taking on holiday of hair paste. The consistency of the paste style my hair well and help relatively well all day. [Full size: £9.99, 100ml].
  • We also got a small 5ml bottle of GRUHME No.14 aftershave: it’s perfect to have in your work bag to spritz yourself before a meeting. It’s a perfect scent as well. It would be described as aromatic wood accord with top notes of juniper berry, organic black peppervorn, bergamot, lemon and cedar…how fancy! [RRP: Full Size 100ml £45.00. Use code TOPPBOX at the checkout to get free shipping].

TOPPBOX is great if you’re buying for yourself or even as a gift. We’re sure every man need people, like those at TOPPBOX, making up packs for us to look our best. For more details on pricing, delivery and brands that are used, head over to toppbox.co.uk.

Drop TOPPBOX a follow on Twitter & Instagram.

Here’s what happened when our personalised TOPPBOX arrived….

The Bearded Truth – Grizzly Adam Beard Care

Posted on by dansinnott

 

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Spring brings warmer temperatures, causing increased sebum production, meaning its more important than ever to keep your facial hair clean and deodorized. With this in mind, we’ve test run a quaint little bard care company called Grizzly Adam Beard Care that will be right up all of you beardy-bastards’ street. We’ve tests 3 of the products so you can avoid synthetic shampoos that strip your beard of natural oils, and opting instead for an all natural soap or a cleansing oil. These alternatives to store bought shampoos will keep your beard clean and deodorized without stripping it of necessary nutrients.

For the past three weeks Matt has had the pleasure of reviewing the Grizzly Adam Beard Care bundle. The kit contains products would cost £44.95 (but a lot more if all purchased separately). Included in the bundle is:

  • BEARD WASH 200ml – A Gentle Beard Shampoo and Wash by Grizzly Adam – Formulated Specifically For Your Beard and Moustache
  • PREMIUM BEARD OIL for Men – Keep Your Beard Healthy, Groomed and Tamed Naturally. Moisturizes Beard Hair and Skin, Eliminates Itching and Dandruff (Beard-druff) for a kissable and respectable beard. Use daily for the best beard effect
  • GRIZZLY ADAM BEARD BALM is the top gentlemans leave-in beard conditioner and thickener with natural oils to help with brittle beards, beard-druff, itching and split ends on the market. Fight patchiness! Use daily for the best beard effect

Upon opening the package, I was immediately impressed by the design and construct of the items. From the simple, yet elegant, cut logo and text, to the polished branded bottle, I was swept off my feet from the get go! If that wasn’t enough to get you excited about this product, the products have a clean and appealing scent! As soon as you open the package, you will smell the amazing goodness!

Firstly, we begin with the Beard Wash, it foams nicely with warm water and is easy to work into the beard. If you take a while to wake up in the morning then you’ll find this gives a much-needed zesty slap around the face!

Simple to apply and work into your morning shower routine adding no time to wait you would normally do. Lather it up whilst you wait for your shower gel to settle in elsewhere.

Secondly, the Beard oil. Other than the scent, which sets this item apart from its competitors is it helps to hydrate your skin and also to look after your beard at the same time. It works to provide essential oil to your skin and this penetrates the follicles of your hair. When your hair follicles are well moisturised this helps to ensure that your hair does not dry out or become brittle. Moisturised skin will be soft and smooth and using beard oil helps to avoid itchy or flaky skin which can cause discomfort.

To use, simply pour a dime-sized amount of product into the palm of your hand, rub your hands together, and lightly rub into your beard (use a nickel-sized amount for longer beards). And remember, when putting new products in your beard, it is best to do so after a shower. This allows your hair to fully absorb the product and its nutrients.

NOTE: When placing oily products into your beard, it is important to know that you should always start mid-shaft and rub down to the tips of the hair. Oily products should not be applied to the root of the hair since that will be the healthiest part of the hair. If desired you may want to blow dry your beard to dry out some of the excess oil.

This product can be used every day, or every few days (depending on your bearded needs). It is also important to understand this is an oil-based liquid and will not aid in keeping fly-aways and curly-q’s down as it doesn’t have enough weight to make your hair lay flat. After three weeks of use, my beard feels softer and in better quality, it has aided in keeping my hair untangled.

Next comes the Wax.  There are a few ways of applying this product to your mustache. The first way is to use the back of your nail to scrape away small layers of wax and ball them up (about the size of a skittle). Rub the skittle-sized wax between your two index fingers until it becomes fibrous when separating your fingers. Once this is done, slowly spread the wax on one side of the mustache, starting from the center of the lip and moving out to the tip.

The wax holds fairly well. Inevitably you will have to monitor your mustache, as the wax may degrade throughout the day (especially when you eat and drink a lot, or if your body generates a good amount of heat). Still, this wax holds up better than any other that I have tried to date.

This all-natural, leave-in conditioner is perfectly formulated to prevent split ends, control frizz and tangles, soften whiskers for those intimate encounters, relieve dry, itchy skin, reduce patchiness, and make you and your awesome beard much more attractive. Beard Balm works for all varieties and lengths of facial hair.

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So the question is, would we recommend this product? Based on the scent alone, yes! However, at a price point of £44.95 for the set, it definitely ranges on the more expensive side of things. But as the saying goes, you get what you pay for, and in this case you get a good quality product that smells good and lasts relatively long. The delivery of the product was quick and pain-free, costing £3.99 the product arrived in 2 days! Easy to work into the routine, not time consuming at all and sizes are bang on for value for money – a lot of others in the market are very expensive for lower quantity.  Either way you can’t go wrong with Grizzly Adam Beard Care.

Would we use it again? YES!

Thanks to Grizzly Adam for the free products, to provide this review.

 

 

Face the facts

Posted on by dansinnott

Taking care of your skin is the single most important thing you can do for your appearance. Sure, a sense of style helps, but the best clothing in the world can’t cover up unsightly bumps and blemishes. Even if you think you’re a skin care expert — and chances are you don’t — this refresher course from the basic to the advanced will remind you of what you should be including in your skin care arsenal.

As a man, your skin is unique and using female or unisex products just won’t cut it. The reason for the differences is due to testosterone. The biggest differences are:

Your skin is 25% thicker than a woman’s, primarily due to having higher collagen density than a woman, providing a stronger structural base for the skin. This means less creasing and folding of the skin, also known as wrinkles.

This is also a big reason why men’s faces hold up better over time, if taken care of.

Zeos for Men

So here we go again, we’ve found a great company called Zeos for Men, and we’ve tested their brand new QU3 skin care range with resistem.

Modern city life is very tough on the skin, bombarded daily by waves of pollution and stress and attacked from the inside by convenience foods and fast living, all taking a heavy toll.

This is why Zeos for Men have developed our QU3 Skin Care Range, a 21st century defence system unifying the latest technologies to create a layered resistance to keep the skin’s enemies at bay!

Fielding three primary defences: face & body moisturiser, face scrub & face wash, hair & body shower gel all effectively combine to protect your skin throughout the day.

We’ve tested the products and we’re going to review them below along with some top tips to look after yourselves chaps:

Face wash


Twenty years ago, it was a miracle if men’s grooming including anything more than washing the face with a bar of soap. Unfortunately, using a simple soap is about as bad as doing nothing at all: It can leave your skin taut and thirsty. Instead, use a cleanser that strikes a delicate balance between tough and tender. Look  no further that Zeos…for a natural fragrance gel face wash that’s suitable for all skin types that is strong enough to cut through those overactive male sebaceous glands yet gentle enough to be used every day. This gel smells good, not too potent for first thing in the morning, but leaves your face feeling fresh.

Face scrub


A face wash is just the opening act for facial cleansing. Men’s skin is naturally thicker than women’s, with larger pores that roll out the red carpet for nasty debris. A granular scrub should be used two to three times a week to exfoliate and dislodge dirt deep down. No one likes to look at bumps and blackheads, and scrubbing will help smooth your complexion for a clearer, cleaner appearance. It also softens the skin as a first step toward a less gruesome shaving experience. With Zeos the combination in the little bottle means you don’t have to scrub away, scratching your skin, it softly cleanses with a cracking scent too. It feels natural and clean, it also washes away simply leaving you feeling fresh.

Moisturiser


Even the mildest facial cleansers can leave your skin feeling just plain parched. And don’t think you can cheat the system by using one fortified with a laundry list of special moisturising agents. The truth is that every guy, even those with oily skin, needs to replenish the moisture content of their skin. Something as routine as showering or washing your face with hot water can open pores and allow valuable water to escape. A moisturiser like Zeos is light and breathy, minutes after putting it on it felt as though nothing was there, it wasn’t oily, thick or gloopy, it was a pleasure to use.

This whole process was pretty simple in and out the shower too, so it won’t add time to your routine, even though they’re few products.

Finally, here are the figures gents, no need to hold your breath, they’re so reasonable:

Zeos for Men QU3 Face Wash 150ml – £7.95

Zeos for Men QU3 Face Scrub 150ml – £7.95

Zeos for Men QU3 Face & Body Moisturiser  150ml – £8.95

Zeos for Men QU3 Hair & Body Shower Gel 150ml – £4.95


In the words of Zeos for Men we were ready to “take on the city. Urban defence for urban skin.”