mens products

Pull your socks up Britain!

Posted on by dansinnott

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New label Drake & Hutch launches plan to bring clothing manufacturing back to the UK.

We recently featured Drake & Hutch in one of our men’s underwear must-have brands. Know the brand have some exciting news that we, here at High Street Gent, fully support…

Lancashire, 1st September 2016: New label Drake & Hutch have launched a campaign to revive the British textile industry and support jobs in the UK. By designing and manufacturing their new range of colourful socks in England they plan to bring back to life an industry that once thrived in the region they are based.

Founded by former buyer Pete McGuinness from Lancashire. The label creates everyday clothing essentials for women and men, designed in the heart of the countryside.

The companies new line of colourful socks are made in England and there are already plans for a future range of made in Scotland hats, gloves and scarves. All with the aim of supporting the British manufacturing.

Pete explains “I loved working in the clothing industry buying and developing for high-street labels, but I was always disappointed that despite an incredible textile history in the UK, so little clothing was made here.”

In the early 1900s UK textile production was in full swing. At one point an estimated 80% of the worlds cotton had passed through Manchester, known at the time as Cottonopolis. By the 1950s production was in rapid decline. In the 1970s the little manufacturing that was still based in the UK moved off-shore, mainly to China.

Pete goes onto say “Most of our suppliers are small family owned 3rd or 4th generation businesses. We work closely with them using our design capabilities and their expertise to create high quality wardrobe staples that are made to last, providing a little bit of affordable luxury you can enjoy everyday.

“Having regular contact with our suppliers means we know the clothing is being made ethically with fair wages supporting local communities.”

“instead of planning by season and predicting customer needs 12 months in advance like most labels, we listen to our customers and constantly develop the range based on feedback. This keeps it exciting for us as everyday we are looking at ways to evolve while our customers feel more like partners”.

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Drake & Hutch have launched a campaign to support their British made socks via indiegogo.com, an online platform for funding creative projects (click here to view).

The future certainly looks bright for this forward thinking British label. Why not check out the campaign online now and support British manufacturing. As an extra incentive, the first 500 pairs of socks ordered will be delivered in time for Christmas making them the perfect gift!

Gruhme continues to grow

Posted on by dansinnott

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Congratulations to our favourite men’s fragrance brand, Gruhme.

We recently featured Gruhme as an already acknowledged brand for it’s fantastic fragrances, in particular the award winning No.14. It therefore came as no surprise earlier this week when the following announcement landed in our inboxes:

British fragrance house Gruhme continue their success as they launch in luxury retailers Flannels, Cruise Fashion and Van Mildert. Thanks to the latest partnerships, the award winning men’s fragrance is now available in over 50 shops across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

“We are thrilled to have established a partnership with Gruhme, and are excited to be able to offer the product to our customers, both through our retail stores and online channels.

The partnership comes as part of our expansion into the fragrance category, which is a new venture for the company”, says Flannels Marketing Manager Jenna Triscott.

Head of Sales at Gruhme, Tom Kollen, says he is excited to be working with these well-established retailers which he describes as being the perfect fit for their brand. He also expects other high end retailers to follow suit and take on their products in the near future.

“This is one of the fastest growing markets right now, and there is a tremendous increase in the demand for niche men’s fragrances, especially if they are made in the UK.”

Gruhme, who won Best Men’s Fragrance in the grooming category at the Beauty Shortlist awards earlier this year, was founded in late 2013 and has experienced a steady growth over the last couple of years as well as an ever increasing interest from magazines and bloggers reviewing and praising their products.

Congratulations once again to Gruhme on securing more stockists, we, here at High Street Gent, look forward to seeing you expand.

What to wear to work?

Posted on by dansinnott

It can sometimes be hard to figure out what to wear to certain occasions, especially to work. How nice are you supposed to dress? What shoes should you wear? Does this even match? Your first job, or even a job interview is one of life’s most significant milestones. As a young person, it may seem as though employers are extra weary of how you carry yourself, which is why dressing your best is important to make a good first impression. It can be hard to figure out exactly what to wear, and it can also be something that puts a rather large dent in your wallet. But, thankfully, there are affordable and stylish clothes out there that will help you land and keep your dream job.

First things first. Get a sense of the atmosphere of where your job will be as much as you can. You can look up the company online, or even ask whoever you will be interviewing with what the workplace dress code is. Then, depending on what the dress code is, you can base your outfits off that. But, a rule of thumb is that you would rather be overdressed than be under-dressed, so try and spruce it up a couple notches above the acceptable look.

With the help of T.M. Lewin, take a look at their very clever info-graphic to give you all the tips your need based on your career choice…

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Check out T.M. Lewin’s variety of formal shirts, their wide range of patterns, colours and fits will keep you looking smart and sharp!

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.

Brother & Gent: Gentleman’s Attire | Timeless Quality

Posted on by dansinnott

Brother & Gent Sample English Garden Tie

Brother & Gent Sample English Garden Tie

Brother & Gent was brought to life in 2015 by founder Daniel Gardner. His vision was to create a brand that would combine true gentleman’s attire with the many aspects of life that inspire him! Ultimately though, a brand that could always be relied upon for timeless quality menswear, and remembered for the message behind it’s name…

Within each product line, Brother & Gent strive to reflect its passion, inspiration and personality whilst giving the greatest attention to detail.

As well as having the opportunity to put founder Daniel Gardner in the High Street Gent hot seat, we were lucky enough to try one of the fantastic ties from the range that Brother & Gent have to offer. Before we reveal the outcome of the question and answer, we’re going to delve into the Brother & Gent stock list…

Brother & Gent have everything you need as a sartorial gent, the colours are vibrant and bold, the patterns are classy-typical of every English gent, and the accessories perfectly refine any outfit for any occasion.

Below we’ve lined up our top picks from the brand, with some brief tips on what to consider if you’re dressing for three very different occasions.

Office

If you’re after bringing a bit of your personality to your suit and awakening you’re inner style for the office, you need to bear in mind you need to remain professional. Subtle patterns and colour pairing when it comes to accessories will exquisitely finish off your look, whilst showing your personality and keeping it suitable for the workplace. No one wants to scare off their clients with an over jazzy tie!

Above:
Brother & Gent’s stags head woven and printed silk tie with stags head tie pin – £32.00
Brother & Gent’s Dark Red Flower Lapel Pin – £6.00
Brother & Gent Classic Gold Cufflinks – £20.00

Wedding

If you’re off to a summer wedding this year, Brother & Gent have exactly what you require to celebrate the forthcoming nuptials. When it comes to weddings, if you have a nice suit, the accessories can really enhance the look and occasion. For example, one of this seasons trends is ‘colour clash’, the Garden of England tie is bright, bold and sophisticated for a wedding, paired with a bright coloured button lapel and clashing pocket square, all the colours are bursting into action to really make a statement…just be sure you don’t upstage the bride! Take a look around at what’s on social media for examples, there’s plenty of hashtags you can search for ideas.

Above:
Brother & Gent’s Garden of England silk tie – £36.00
Brother & Gent’s Golden flower lapel – £6.00
Brother & Gent’s 5 pack paisley pocket squares –  £22.00

Classy

When it comes to wanting a classy look, we’re firm believers in less is more. Brother & Gent offer a range of accessories that can be added to any shirt and blazer combo to give it that personal tweak. The classy items listed on the website can be added as one-offs or mixed & matched to create a sophisticated look no matter what the occasion is. Against tweed, against dark colours, against light, the versatility in materials in the products at Brother & Gent mean texturised plain items seem more dignified and precise. It’s easy to choose a different material in a block colour if you’re not the patterned type. If you have a block colour suit and shirt, you’re pretty open to accessories, be bold and brave.

Above:
Brother & Gent’s Pale pink flower lapel – £6.00
Brother & Gent’s sunset knitted bow-tie – £22.00
Brother & Gent Polka Dot wool scarf – £50.00
Brother & gent burgundy & cream pocket square – £8.00

Q&A

…with Brother & Gent founder Dan Gardner:

  1. How would you describe Brother & Gent? What is it in a nutshell?
    In a nutshell it is a place where you can rely on timeless, quality menswear, and with each product feel connected through the inspired design and message that Brother & Gent are recognised and respected for. A home-grown and honest brand with values of a true gentleman.
  1. How did Brother & Gent start and why?It started in January 2015. Strangely, I experienced quite a sudden burst of inspiration which triggered a long evening of jotting down ideas in my notepad (whilst grinning like a mad man)! I can’t tell you exactly what had inspired me, but I had recently spent some time in London, and one shop in particular had made an impression. It was called ‘Thomas Farthing’, a shop that took you back to menswear attire from the 1920’s. You could see how the shop owners believed in their brand and really loved what they did. This gave me a boost of confidence and it may have been a combination of that stronger mentality and my desire to create something new, something inspiring, that really lead me to create Brother & Gent! Over the months that followed I made many lists, many plans, and had many ideas to how I could create a menswear brand that was something I believed in and would be truly respected by people today.
  1. What goes into deciding what you stock, to ensure it matches the B&G values?Most of the time I just follow my initial instinct. I know the type of products that I like personally, and I know which products that fit and represent the brands core values, so I’m usually quite confident from the outset on whether I want to have a particular product in the store or not. That being said, I do occasionally introduce the odd product that would not generally be expected – for example, a t-shirt.
  1. Do you have any new products in the pipeline?Indeed I do! I’ve recently finished designing the new patterns for my next collection of ties, scarves, pocket squares and cravats!
  1. What are your personal favourite products B&G stock?TOP 3 favourites right now would have to be the Garden of England tie, the handmade wooden tie bar and the pink & pale blue pin-stripe braces.
  1. Brother & Gent has grown really quickly and successfully with hard work, what would you say is key to making your brand successful when you start out?Don’t copycat other brands. Set your brand realistic goals and have a fairly simple plan for your first year. Stick to it. Believe in yourself and the brand. Most of all though – work hard and don’t stop doing what you love!

Brother & Gent have set their mission to reinstall the true meaning behind a gentleman, and to promote in every way possible the brotherly love that should guide every man’s thinking. Become part of the story today. Be Brother & Gent and set the way forward for all to follow.

#SaveTheGent

SavetheGent

The world is changing dramatically every single year – and not often for the better. The term “gentleman” was once considered as one relating to a man of good manner, high morals standards and a respectful nature to all. What ever happened to that?

Not all, but a high percentage of people today are only interested in money, power, pleasure and ultimately out for their own personal gain… this fact is a very sad one indeed!

At Brother & Gent they feel strongly about two things, 1) the importance of quality menswear and design, and  2) the mission of reinstalling real gentleman into a morally degraded world.

In this modern age it seems that so many men feel no obligation to keep up a high standard of moral conduct, or have any natural affection for others, or to just simply be a good and honest individual. Of course the cycle has to start somewhere, so they ask anyone who support or respect what they represent to set the way forward for all to follow and use #SaveTheGent!

Join the revolution and become a Brother & Gent by following them on social media. Find the links to their accounts here: Twitter//Instagram//Facebook

#SaveTheGent!!

Be the best smelling man in the ‘Gruhme’

Posted on by dansinnott

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Gruhme. Pronounced “Groom”.

Here’s an award-winning brand you have got to know more about fellas…we’ve been lucky enough to test run both Gruhme’s Original & No.14 fragrances leading up to this review, but not wanting to feature this grooming company in a linear light, we threw company CEO Robert Hallmark and BD manager  Thomas Kollen into the High Street Gent hot seat, to find out that little bit more about Gruhme.

Gruhme is a fast growing British brand with years of development and incredible attention to detail.

Gruhme’s fragrances are more than sophisticated looking bottles.  Gruhme use the same blend of fine ingredients in the No.14 that they use in their original fragrance but a stronger 14% concentration, rather than 10% in the original. This extra strength improves the longevity but also gives a more concentrated burst of scent. They like to use this as an evening variant and use the original version for the daytime with its more understated tones.

The fragrances are fruity, sophisticated, long lasting and worhty of any gent.The scent is distinctive and classy, without giving passers-by a wiff they’d rather forget

We must admit that everyone who has walked into us, walked past us, whether we know them or not has stopped and said “what are you wearing,” “you smell amazing” or “your aftershave smells incredible!” If it’s a bit of attention you’re after lads, from the ladies or the gents, you’re going to want to bathe in Gruhme’s aftershaves.

The Original fragrance from gruhme is available at £35.00 for 100ml here.

Whilst, Gruhme No.14 is available at £45.00 for 100ml here.

You’ll no doubt see Gruhme popping up in various grooming boxes and home-grown stores near you soon, they’re growing fast, and we smell success!

Gruhme No.14 (with box)

Q&A

1. How would you describe Gruhme? What is it in a nutshell?

Gruhme is an up-and-coming fragrance house for the discerning gentleman, and with our products we hope to inspire and engage the male population. We believe in sophistication through simplicity, and this ethos has been the foundation of everything we have created so far. Attention to detail and aesthetics are more important to us than just daily profit and spend.

2. How did Gruhme start and why?

Gruhme is the brainchild of former corporate lawyer, Rob Hallmark. When Gruhme started in 2013 the mission wasn’t to go head to head with the established brands but to offer an alternative. Many of the iconic men’s brands from the 1980’s and 90’s were now in the hands of global conglomerates and these creative superpowers had been turned into safe and obedient subsidiaries. Rob felt their creative, innovative, pioneering pasts were lost, for ever. At Gruhme we have worked hard to bring back that personal drive and passion to male grooming and fragrance.

3. What goes into deciding what your award winning fragrances are?

When we were launching our first fragrance, the Gruhme Original, we knew we had to get it absolutely right as it would be our only product and the business would depend on it being well received by our customers. We did not rush it, but spent a lot of time focusing on research and development, whilst working closely with one of the biggest perfumeries in the country. It was a long process which included countless discarded scents, but when we discovered what is now the Gruhme original, we knew we were on to a winner. The fragrance was launched on the market, and the feedback was great! However, some people were requesting a stronger version, hence we launched Gruhme No.14 which is named for its 14% concentration compared to the Original’s 10%. In March 2016 Gruhme No.14 won Best Men’s Fragrance in the grooming category at the Beauty Shortlist Awards, which we are incredibly proud of.

4. Do you have any new products in the pipeline?

We do! This autumn we plan on launching the Gruhme Shave Cream which is based on the scent of our invigorating fragrances. It smells really nice and citrusy, which is perfect for a morning shave! Both Rob and I have been testing the shave cream for a while and we are very pleased with it, so can’t wait to bring it to market. This too is made right here in the UK, just like our other products.

5. What are yours & Robert’s favourite product Gruhme stocks?

For now it is Gruhme No.14, but ask us again in a few months when the shave cream is out and the answer will probably be different!

6. Gruhme has grown really quickly and successfully, what would you say is key to making your brand successful when you start out?

Attention to detail is what separates a good brand from a great brand, and similarly a good product from a great product. Make sure you are consistent when it comes to the quality of your products and your customer service, always under promise and over deliver. That way your customers will turn into fans and brand ambassadors, and that is the key to building a successful brand.

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The last spritz

To conclude and wrap up, we’d have to say that Gruhme is a great British brand, that has strong values and gentlemanly qualities. The brand has an elegance that comes with being a gent, demonstrated in the clean, smart and classy design of the packaging and marketing. The frangrances and further products highlight the attention to the finer details when creating items for men, that being of any age and background. With a spritz of Gruhme, you’ll have all the heads turning, mainly for another smell of your collar, but if you’re going to turn heads, do it this way.

Excitingly we will be working alongisde Gruhme over the next few months as we prepare for the Gentleman’s Grooming Show taking place on 3rd December 2016, London. For more details and other participants, please click here.

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Best gifts for guys

Posted on by Peter Minkoff

They often say girls are terrible to shop for; will they like it, will they enjoy it, is it modern enough, is it passé, will they be enchanted by that present’s utility as much as with its packaging, etc. Well, guess what – guys are just as hard to please!

Luckily, we’ve managed to brainstorm a list of presents that will make even the biggest demanders happy, and we’re happy to share it with you.

Ready?
Set.
GO!

A quality aftershave

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Like you already didn’t know this… but, truth is – when we start thinking about what to buy for someone, we get wrapped into so many ideas that we often don’t remember the classic, amazing types of presents everyone adores.

If you already know your man’s preferences, choose a perfume like Gruhme that agrees with his charm, energy and oomph, and let him love every second of it! If, however, you aren’t as sure which one to buy, talk to his best friend(s) to see what he may enjoy. Each time that perfume touches his skin, he’s going to think of you. Too cute!

Collar stiffeners

For guys who are into their smart suits, tailored jackets and custom made shirts, high quality collar stiffeners are the present to buy.

All the gorgeous, dashing gentleman deserve only the best and our favorite option to go with is StiffiesTM. Why? They feature super strong magnetic buttons which will allow for collar placement into any position your man may like. Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to unbutton it very quickly. 😉

A tie

Is your man a business mogul who likes his outfits and accessories that fit like a glove? Well, if so – you can’t go wrong with buying him a Brother & Gent tie. No, not just any tie; make sure your present is of enviable quality with a pattern not many gentlemen can rock. Throw in a golden pin to follow, and you’re running for making this his favorite present.

High quality underwear

No man ever has shrugged his shoulders in indifference when he was presented with a pair (or an entire pack) of Jacksy underwear that emphasizes his assets (or simply gives his assets the right support)! Buying a present like this one is easy – you already know his size (oh, come on, like we didn’t know that!) and you know what his favorite brand is, so – it really shouldn’t be hard.  

Grooming kit

No beard should ever suffer (Was this pun intended? Oh well…)! For all the boys and men out there who like their beards properly attended to and groomed well, a Manly Stuff grooming kit is the thing to get them. It’s highly likely your man’s got one of those awesome hipster beards going on, and we guarantee he’ll be over the moon when you buy him this. Add a few beard products, too – like beard oils, gels, beard comb and such stuff and you’ll capture his heart.

A modern watch

Perfect for men of all profiles, a modern watch will make even those hard to please totally melt. Depending on your man’s style, pick a Detomaso watch that will agree with his wrist size and his overall accessorize preferences. If he’s into vintage accessorize, find a watch he’ll go crazy over and inscribe it. Adorable!

Fitness Gear

No wonder your man’s got that body! With so many hours in the gym under his belt, he better be smokin’! If fitness is his thing, make sure you buy him something he will actually use – great workout gear, proteins, golden gym membership card and such gym necessities. Additionally, if he’s into outdoor sports like riding a bike, jogging or riding a motorcycle, buy him the latest fitness hit – reflective tapes. They are made in various colors, are super easy to wear with virtually any type of clothes and will make him safe during his late night runs. The best models can be bought at Brilliant Reflective page, for sure.

Whichever of the presents you opt for, make sure you present them with a huge smile and an embrace that will make your man feel loved, desired and oh-so-special!

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.

 

 

#StyleIt – Office Tips

Posted on by dansinnott


A quick article today chaps, featuring a few short pointers on key wardrobe favourites for every guy in the office.

I work in an office, Monday through Friday, 0900-1700. I always want to look my best but  want that edge of difference to make me stand out. Fundamentally, with all my posts, I can’t afford the expensive new suits and accessories of your everyday typical ‘baller’, so instead I choose to re-wear, mix up and match different outfits with those of others that I think will work.

Here is today’s outfit for the office, not overly expensive, but I received several compliments already…and it’s only lunchtime!

The Topman grey skinny tailored Blazer gives the smart look, with added black cotton trim to really smarten up this outfit. With its fitted approach under the arms and around the shoulders, it formalizes what would’ve been a white shirt and black jean combo. The Black edging and fine lapel offer the tailored look opportunity for a tie.


As I’ve gone for black, white and grey, it really didn’t limit me to tie style, colour or material – I’ve therefore gone for a bold red silk tie to bring the outfit to life. This tie was £2.00 from Primark. Whilst we’re on accessories, I’ve worn my red smart socks courtesy of The London Sock Co. to tie the outfit together. They really set off the tan brogues from Burton Menswear (these I got free when i purchased a three piece suit for £99.00).

The black skinny jeans I’m wearing from Topman have a wax look to them, they therefore don’t give the impression of a jean, but do have the comfort for the office, leaving everyone non-wiser. The not-overly-obvious skinny tailoring smarten up your leg-wear perfect for meetings and rest lightly on the top of my brogues. (In turn this shows I’ve thought about my outfit twinning my tie and socks in to finalise the look). Sale- £20.00

The shirt is a crisp white smart cotton shirt from H&M‘s easy-iron range. There’s nothing worst than a creased shirt for the office, but with the easy iron, a quick skim over in the morning doesn’t waste time, but keeps your looking pressed. The white shirt lifts the dark blazer and jeans allowing options for colour in your accessories to show off your personality. Easy-Iron Shit £7.99


To top off the outfit I’ve worn my Links of London black rope bracelet and Gold & Black Cog-exposed Watch from Sekonda.

Not only would this outfit suit the office, it would be perfect for a smasual party, a night in a fancy club or when you’re passing round the over sized Grey Goose bottle for a selfie to impress. (I joke).