Grooming: Christmas Gifts For The Guys

With the grooming industry ever growing, there are a huge number of gifts available for the true metrosexual man this Christmas. Here are some of my favourites...

Starting with the Aesop Perseus skincare set (£60.00 aesop.com). Aesop is a brand known for marrying cutting-edge technology with long-established scientific practices to create exceptional skincare products....much like the ones found in the Perseus skincare set. The serviceable tin box contains a trio of some of Aesop's favourite formulations, including the Fabulous Face Cleanser 100ml, Moroccan Neroli Post-Shave Lotion 60ml and Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser 200ml; everyday essentials that any guy would love to be gifted.

Faithful Four: Face Oils

Perricone MD Chia Serum

Promise: “This scientifically formulated serum rapidly transforms dull, dry skin to a visibly vibrant, glowing and healthy complexion”

Price: £62.00 / $75.00 30ml

Purchase: Selfridges / Sephora

First up is the Perricone MD Chia Serum (aka the radiance booster of the group). Although the word 'serum' features in its title, this face oil really is just a face oil.

The Perricone MD Chia Serum is an antioxidant-rich face oil that is packed with - you guessed it - chia oil. Chia oil is extracted from the seeds of a chia plant, which is native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids strengthen the skin cell membrane of the epidermis and improve the texture and quality of the skin.

Review: Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque

The Promise: "A gentle yet thorough deep-cleansing treatment that extracts impurities clogging the pores, to smooth and refresh the skin"

The Price: £27.00 / $39.00 60ml

The Stockist: aesop.com / Barneys

The Skin Type: Suitable for all skin-types

The Key Ingredients: Parsley Seed Oil, Rosehip Oil, Kaolin Clay, Lavender and Evening Primrose

The Application: This face mask applies very easily. It has a medium creamy consistency that spreads easily across the skin. Like with many Aesop products, the Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque has a strong scent - mainly of lavender.

The mask is nude in colour when first applied however, as it dries, it turns light and ashy. The mask absorbs into some areas of the face quicker than others, indicating areas of dryness. Once fully absorbed, the face becomes stiff (as expected with any clay mask), however unlike other clay masks this one isn't uncomfortable to wear and doesn't crack or cause any mess. I leave it on for a minimum of 15 minutes, however if my skin is in need of some serious TLC, I may leave it on for an hour.

The mask can be removed easily, which is one of its many great qualities. When I use a muslin cloth, the mask wipes away quickly and cleanly, leaving no residue behind.

The Results: The Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque makes good on its promise. It cleanses the skin deeply without causing a breakout and, when I am suffering from a breakout, this bad boy calms the skin and reduces any swelling. It also cleanses the skin without drying it out or leaving it tight and uncomfortable, which is a huge benefit. Now, although this mask is designed for all skin-types, it is ideal for those with combination or blemish-prone skin.

It also does wonders for my complexion. When the mask is removed, my skin is noticeably brighter and softer. I love it!

The Pro: This mask is the perfect quick fix for treating tired and/or damaged skin

The Con: The scent is a little too powerful for me

PR sample

Weekly Worship: Aesop Tea Tree Leaf Facial Exfoliant

Price: £27.00 / $40.00 15ml

Stockist: cultbeauty.co.uk / aesop.com

The Aesop Tea Tree Leaf Facial Exfoliant is a beauty add-on that I am a little obsessed with. It contains a dry mix of crushed botanicals, designed to be added to your favourite gel or cream based cleanser to scrub and buff the skin. Alternatively, you can use this product on its own by mixing the crushed botanicals with a tiny amount of water to form an exfoliating paste.

What's amazing about the Aesop Tea Tree Leaf Facial Exfoliant is its ability to scrub and buff the skin without being too abrasive. Also, only a small amount of product is required per use. I use a pea-sized amount which, coupled with the size of the bottle, helps this bad boy last a very long time.

Tip: I would recommend keeping this beautiful bottle out of the shower. Trying to use it whilst showering can be a little tricky and you may end up with water in the bottle!

Behind The Brand: Aesop

Date of Birth: 1987

Foundering Father: Dennis Paphitis

History: Dennis Paphitis started out as a hairdresser, running his own salon in Melbourne, Australia. Whilst managing the salon, Paphitis began a quest to create a range of superlative beauty products. The quest started with the development of a small line of products to treat hair follicles. The haircare products were soon followed by handcare, then bodycare and finally skincare. Since then, Aesop has become one of Australia's biggest beauty exports with over 60 stores worldwide.

Aesop's newest store in London's Covent Garden

USP: Aesop use both plant-based and laboratory-made ingredients of the highest quality and proven efficacy to create every product. However great formulations are not the brand's only strength, the 'less is more' ethos is also a big selling point. With Aesop you will not find flashy advertising, endless exaggerated claims, celebrity endorsements or flashy packaging. Instead you get simple, yet effective products that have been formulated with the very best ingredients.

Offerings: Aesop offer everything to meet your skin, hair and body needs - from cleansers and deodorants to shampoos and mouthwash!

Hero Products: B Triple C Balancing Gel, Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque and Fabulous Face Cleanser

Availability: Aesop is available from a huge number of standalone stores and department stores worldwide. If you reside in the US of A, you can find Aesop at Barneys and net-a-porter.com. If you are based in the UK, you can get your Aesop fix at Liberty, cultbeauty.co.uk and Selfridges. You can also find your nearest standalone store on the Aesop website. 

Website: www.aesop.com

Price Points

Face Creams: Up to £81.00/$120.00

Cleansers: Up to £39.00/$55.00

Treatments: Up to £77.00/$115.00

Lip Treatments: Up to £21.00/$31.00

Bodycare: Up to £67.00/$95.00

Haircare: Up to £33.00/$47.00

Understanding...Astringents

An astringent is a type of toner that tightens pores and removes impurities and excess oils that can lead to blemishes and breakouts. Astringents also control oil and remove dead skin cells and dirt. For these reasons they are best used to treat oily and acne prone skin. I would not recommend astringents to any other skin type as they may find them too drying or irritating.

Astringents are the strongest form of toner as they contain a high proportion of alcohol, witch hazel, and acids (like salicylic acid). For these reason it is advised that astringents should only be used a couple of times a week and should be followed up with a cream or serum to ensure the skin is hydrated.

The best way to use an astringent is to put a good amount of it onto a cotton pad and wipe it over the face and neck until you have treated the entire area. It is important to pay attention to the hairline and ears as dirt and excess oil can rest here.

Contrary to popular belief, astringents should not be put on to the skin like a cream, gel or serum. Astringents should only be used to wipe dirt and oil off of the skin like a cleanser.

Recommendations

1. Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent Toner 100ml (£25.00 www.aesop.com / $35.00 www.aesop.com)
2. Clean & Clear Deep Cleaning Astringent Sensitive Skin 8 fl oz ($7.94 Walmart)
3. Kiehl's Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion 250ml (£16.50 John Lewis / $18.00 Kiehl's)
4. Vichy Normaderm Purifying Astringent Toner 200ml (£10.50 Boots / $18.00 www.drugstore.com)

News: Net-A-Pretty

For years fashionistas and beauty junkies alike have been wondering when Net-A-Porter will jump on the beauty bandwagon. So it gives me great pleasure to announce that the answer is right now!!

From March 20th 2013, the luxury online retailer will be offering its customers an array of skincare, make-up and hair care products from carefully selected brands. The tag line is ‘Beauty – the quintessential edit’ and the beauty brands currently on board include Chantecaille, Aesop, Philip B and Sarah Chapman.

“We’re committed to a tight assortment that consists only of star products as a complement to NET-A-PORTER’s existing offering.” Says David Olsen, VP.

This news is music to my ears! Buy what do you think of Net-A-Porter upping their offering? Yay or nay?