When I was growing up in the 90’s, grooming was pretty simple. Unless you were making a statement by being a punk rocker or hip by being androgynous (usually that was left to the more urban folks in big cities and Europe), most guys had the same routine.
You shaved like your dad showed you, you made sure your hands were clean, you had about the same haircut as everyone else, and if you were cool – you probably used some mousse or gel. Life was simpler then.
But, we’ve seen the male grooming landscape shift in broad swings over the past 30 years or so.
After the simplicity and clean cut groove of the 80’s, we experienced the grunge look of the 90’s, long hair, dishevelled – the antithesis of grooming.
As a counter-reaction to the grunge look, the metrosexual look took a foothold in the new millennia; men had chic haircuts, used styling products, started “manscaping” and male skincare products were on the rise.
Which brings us to the past five years and the counter-reaction to the metrosexual trend. Gone were the short haircuts with styling products and clean-shaven men that we once knew. Suddenly, top-knots appeared and accompanying them: beards.
Now is the time for men to embrace any look they want, as nothing is out, as long as they keep themselves well groomed. Male grooming companies can offer new products to groom and cultivate beard growth and healthy skin for men.
It’s taken the Western world a bit of time to get there, but male grooming is in. Eyebrow waxing, facials for men, manicures and anti-ageing products will all take a more dominant role in men’s grooming routines.
Men – you’ve been warned!
Here are some grooming essentials to get you heading in the right direction:
Herbivore Bamboo Charcoal Detoxifying Soap Bar. Bamboo Charcoal has been used for centuries in the East. The Japanese use it regularly for everything from filtering and purifying drinking water to brushing their teeth. When used in skincare, Activated Bamboo Charcoal does wonders to deeply cleanse and detoxify. Drawing impurities and toxins from deep within your pores with its powerful absorption properties, it gives an amazing deep clean while also naturally exfoliating. Bamboo Charcoal is gentle yet effective and works especially well to clean and care for oily, combination, and blemish-prone skin types.
Other notable ingredients in the Bamboo Charcoal Detoxifying Soap Bar: Tea Tree Essential Oil helps fight infections such as acne and fungal infections of the nail (onychomycosis). The chemicals in tea tree oil kill bacteria and fungus, and reduce allergic skin reactions; Bergamot Essential Oil helps to balance the skin’s oil production, making it very beneficial for combination/oily skin types.
Dr.Jart+ Water Fuse Ultimate Hydro Gel. A gel-cream that creates a water cushion to keep skin hydrated and energised all day long. Water Fuse Ultimate Hydro Gel is an ultra-lightweight gel-cream that instantly cools and refreshes the skin while providing a boost of hydration. This formula contains a blend of AquaMinerals that help direct the water flow to maintain balanced moisture levels while improving water absorption to boost visible firmness and elasticity. Belgium hot spring water and natural barrier complex aids in expelling impurities from pores and provides both soothing and antibacterial benefits. The energising cream keeps skin looking and feeling fresh and healthy.
This product is formulated without parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. It is good for normal, oily, combination, dry, and sensitive skin types.
BelleWave GF+ REVIVAL AMPOULE. These tiny little ampoules are densely packed with potent efficacious actives and natural buffing agents, this purifying concentrate aims to purge blemish-prone skin of dirt and impurities. Undergoing a cleansing treatment to fight blemishes, skin becomes more adept at regulating sebaceous secretion. Skin goes through a gentle exfoliation process for a refined and minimised appearance of pores. Promoting fresh skin renewal, a clear and revitalized complexion emerges looking healthfully bright.
LIERAC Anti-irritation Shaving Foam. This moisturising and creamy, this anti-irritation shaving foam provides unparalleled gliding of the blade and optimal protection of the skin. Moisturising, non-alcoholic formula with cellular energising complex consisting of 5 minerals and trace elements – Calcium, Zinc, Magnesium, Copper, Manganese – which boosts the effectiveness of the active ingredients present in the product.
LIERAC Anti-irritation Soothing After-Shave. This fresh, alcohol-free balm contains a peppermint leaf extract boosted by a calendula extract with softening properties to help stop razor burn and helps to calm sensations of skin tightness and soothe feelings of irritation. This unique after-shave balm soothes irritated skin and provides instant relief! It gently treats the skin and helps seal micro-cuts. Effectively reduces burning sensation and itchiness of the skin. It inhibits redness and other unpleasant consequences of shaving. Supplies the skin with vital moisture and intensively hydrates. The unique formula perfectly soothes and refreshes your skin. It provides vital regeneration, rich nourishment and hydration.
JYUNKA Blanc Whitening Essence Mist. A daily whitening treatment mist that can be used/applied throughout the day. This essence mist utilises a revolutionary whitening complex that lightens the skin by breaking down the formation of melanin pigmentation at the skin’s deeper layers. The texture of this mist is very fine and slightly sticky, so the serum and moisturiser you apply afterwards adheres to it better.
JYUNKA Absolute Mask Collagen & Hyaluronic Acid. The superfine fibre structure of the biocellulose mask (obtained by natural fermentation of coconut water) allows it to fit like a second skin and to maintain dermal contact. I have never seen a mask like this before. It hugs the face perfectly and looks really sci-fi, and left my skin very hydrated and brighter the next day.
This mask soothes and hydrates the skin, giving it a radiant and supple appearance after just 20 minutes of use. When applied, it forms a protective membrane that efficiently carries the beneficial ingredients contained in powerful serums. It deeply hydrates and softens the skin.
JYUNKA Ageless Eyes. Fortified with Algae Extract, this is an ultra-effective treatment that lifts the eyes’ contours, softens wrinkles and fine lines, and reduces eye puffiness and dark eye circles. The special nourishment also targets the growth and density of eyelashes. The light texture is quickly absorbed.
I was already noticing significant changes after a couple of weeks of use – my eyes were definitely less puffy, even despite lack of adequate sleep, and I was also noticing far less shedding of my eyelashes!
SkinMTX Absolute Potent C. This Vitamin C concentrate promotes an intensive brightening action to target areas of discolouration. The inclusion of potent active ingredients provides targeted action to help lighten the appearance of unsightly marks, dark spots and freckles while building up the skin’s defences against the formation of future pigmentation. This has been perfect for the few stubborn old acne and chicken pox scars that have lingered on my face for years!
THE LIFESTYLE COLLECTIVE 