This is the first post in a series I will be doing for men titled Manly Beauty.The reason I am doing this is because I have a lot of male readers who directly email me questions as they find the blog aimed more at women.
for men went down quite well and I got a lot of encouraging emails from men who found it useful.. I hope this is also some help!
I find the men's cosmetic market to be lacking the same variety as the women's. I am so sick of seeing these limited men's ranges stacked pathetically next to isles worth of women's products. The lack of variety means a lot of men are using the incorrect products for their skin-type. Also.. whats with that horrible after-shave scent most of these 'men's products' smell like? No thanks!!
1.Men's Ranges
In this post you will find a few drugstore and higher end products for men that are actually quite good and that have been tried, tested & used by myself and men I know.
DOVE MEN+CARE
BODY & FACE WASH
(BRAND 1- Drugstore priced)
Dove kindly let me pick out some men+care products to try out. I tried these products myself as well as having a male friend test them (and now he's kept them!) I have quite sensitive skin and he has normal skin and neither of us had any unfavourable reaction. I only used the Daily Purifying on my face one time but it was quite nice. He uses both on his face & body (and as a shampoo.. lazy git) and so far no complaints. Just don't get it in your eyes!
This products lathers much more than the average shower gel product. A little seems to go a very long way which means it is great value. Combing that with the non-offensive, simple packaging I think its a great product.
The gel comes in 3 scents
Clean Comfort,
Daily Purifying and
Extra Fresh.
I really liked
Extra Fresh as it has a bit of a cooling sensation but I think
Daily Purifying smells a bit nicer!
Why this range is good..
Caring- Their products are designed for men but in a more caring way. More nourishing for the skin (as opposed to stripping!) Because we know how men don't often moisturize..they now get that protection from their shower gel!
Scent- No artificial generic after-shave smelling products. The products have a distinctly masculine scent but in a more pleasant, gentle way.
Variety- There is also far more variety.. more scents and ranges to chose from. 3 shower gels to chose from. 3 variety's of deodorants (spray, rollerball & stick) and multiple fragrance choices to chose from.
Multi-use- I also like that their shower gel is gentle enough to be used as a face wash. It shows that they have paid attention to men's needs for more multi-use products. This also makes the product all the more portable. Perfect item for a gym bag!
Affordable- Similarly priced to most women's products. There is now no reason why your man can not have his own set of products in the bathroom cabinet that aren't extortionately priced!
Following feedback from its consumers Dove changed their as they found that 3/4 of men over 30 didn't identify to the stereotypical men's products advert. to view the DOVE MEN+ CARE advert.
Personally I really like it. Its definitely more entertaining to watch than the usual sports start pouting and prancing about. A real man could definitely relate to it!
This line is part of Dove's Campaign For Real Beauty,
to go to the official website.
Another drugstore brand worth checking out for me is Nivea men. Cheap and simple.. sometimes that's an unbeatable combination!
KORRES
(BRAND 2- Higher End Price)
Why this range is good..
Healthy For Skin- All products are mineral-oil free and contain SPF in the men's skincare. Great if you don't want to think about having to apply facial sun cream.
Natural- The products are enriched with natural plant extracts and should really improve the skin as opposed to simply maintaining its condition.
Price- It is more expensive but still not extortionately priced
The majority of the other Korres products have never been directly marketed as 'for women' aside from the make-up. All the moisturizers and body creams have always been packaged in an extremely neat, modern and unisex way. SO.. if the men's range isn't to your liking.. its not like the other products are for women only.
Travel Size- you can find a few travel sized products in a 'Men's kit'. This means you can try before you commit to buying full size as well as being very business trip friendly.
I am always giving this kit as a gift.. I find that its one of the few cosmetic gifts that goes down well with men. In particular the Absinthe shave cream & Borage Cream are big hits. I have converted quite a few men to this line!
Inside the kit..
Juniper & Rum Shower Gel- Personally I adore this shower gel!! Its got a very powerful smell to it.. very masculine and the rum adds
such a sexy, spicy twist to it. Makes me go a little crazy.. literally I want to bite someone when I smell it!! Definitely a gel for a real man and not a little boy!
Absinthe Shaving Cream- Non-foaming so you may need to get used to it.. but I am convinced you will like it. It gives you a very, very close shave. Contains Vitamin E & Jojoba oil to keep skin hydrated and Absinthe and Aloe Vera to keep it from getting irritated. Really good stuff! Your girlfriend will want to use this on her legs so hide it!
Korres Borage Cream- This product I discovered around year ago when I forgot to pack my cosmetics case on a trip and I ended up using my uncles stuff.. this being one of the products. I fell in love with it! I am guessing this may be one of the reasons my 58 year old uncle looks about 45.. that and a lot of rakija ;)
Pros: Dries to a non shiny finish making it a perfect product for oily skin or for summer!Its a product for the younger and older man. An older man will appreciate its toning properties. It keeps your skin very supple and feels comfortable on it. Great hygienic pump design.. no dipping fingers in this!
Cons: Strong scent- Its a natural, herbal, masculine scent but I think it may put of people putting it on their face. AND.. the scent lingers. Which can be really annoying! The pump delivers a too generous amount.. you only really need half a pump to cover the face.
Another higher priced men's range worth checking out is Kiehl's. A huge variety of products.. even 3 men's lip balms. Mindblowingly amazing but a tiny bit expensive!
Hope you enjoyed my men's post!! Even though this post is for men, if you have a boyfriend, brother, father or son.. you may find it helpful when it comes to buying things for them. More to come in the next week. If you have any requests let me know!