The very best grooming products to gift this Christmas
From time-tested classics to new-wave formulas, here are the first-rate bathroom essentials to wrap up…
Words: Josh Lee
Certain presents, it is tough to deny, will forever be confined to the category of Christmas cliché. Socks, for one; chocolates, another; and discount grooming bundles for an overplayed, overrated, Lynx-Africa-heavy third. But, it doesn’t have to be this way, because, when it comes to gifting, there’s a deeper, more considered approach one can always follow.
Take grooming items, for instance – a new spritz, laced with an almost lust-worthy formula of notes, can help turbocharge the receiver’s everyday mood; a luscious moisturiser will help get them through the worst of the bitter weather; and a silky hair styler will have him looking his best through to the new year and beyond.
Below, we’ve outlined a few of our favourite bathroom essentials you may want to consider wrapping up this year, some of which are time-tested classics; others, new-wave formulas; a few whose packaging is almost better than the product that it contains; and the odd one or two you might even want to hold back for yourself…
In good health: the hardworking slicks
With winter being a season that strips away vibrancy from the skin, we’ll begin with some reparative formulas. Start with Aesop, whose cleanser is thick with white clay and fatty-acid-rich botanicals that work to rid of impurities and also massage the face. Afterwards, apply Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Clarifying Face Cream, which is luscious to the touch and softens and hydrates complexions. For the windows to your soul, let Dr Sebagh and his Supreme Eye Serum take care of any wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness.
Smooth operator: the shaving items
Although we’re big proponents of the effective, time-saving method of electric shaving – and you can view our roundup of such products here – we still have a soft spot for the old charms of the wet shave. Kickstart things with Horace’s Shave Cream, which offers a smooth glide and is laced with a citrus fragrance that adds a jolt of zest. For something traditional in appearance, reach for Truefitt & Hill’s set, a splendid way to display brush and razor (we quite like it in the horn finish). To cool things down, consider Floris’s Elite aftershave balm, which mixes woody notes with bergamot, lemon and orange.
Up top: the hair products
With winter being a season where things can get a little unruly – parties, high stress, awful weather – one of the first areas that strays from the prim and proper is the chop up top. To keep one’s locks in check, try L’Occitane’s Citrus Verbena Shampoo; shine and suppleness are imparted, and the sweet smell is hard to resist. For styling, we have a penchant for lightweight options that are easy to work through strands: Patricks – known for its hair-boosting range – does well with its M1 Matte Finish Paste, a perennially popular go-to as it doesn’t weigh hair down and leaves a natural look. Meanwhile, this sea salt spray, courtesy of Murdock, is for a more tousled finish.
Makes perfect scents: the fragrances
And, finally, perhaps the hero product in any man’s grooming routine, we turn to the best bottles around. Though the fragrance department stretches across myriad options and tastes, we, as a rule of thumb, suggest you play it safe with more classic labels. In this Jo Malone essential, cypress meets grapevine and amber, creating a woody and fresh scent. Bleu de Chanel, by Chanel, is another great reference point, with a winter-appropriate intensity. And Hermès, the storied French house, has the famed Terre d’Hermès, a spritz that has a rich yet sweet character, thanks to touches of cedar, sparkling grapefruit and a streak of shiso.
Want more grooming suggestions? These are the best spa treatments for a reset…
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