Product Review: Clinique, Post-Shave Healer (£18.00, 75ml)

I have fairly sensitive skin, especially on my neck, which after shaving is prone to rashiness and soreness, plus the odd ingrown hair. I’m therefore always on the lookout for products that are soothing and generously kind to my skin.

Step in Clinique’s Post-Shave Healer, which, although it has an almost watery lotion consistency, fits the bill quite nicely. The aloe vera is soothing and the tiniest bit tingly, and helps prevent rashes resulting from razor burn.

The product is oil free, so it’s great for all skin types. It also makes a great pair with the aloe shave gel, which I’ve raved about previously.

Unlike Thom over at the incredible ManFace Blog, I think you need a fairly generous (probably about 50p sized) amount on the palm before you have enough to cover the entire shaved area. This is partly because the lotion is very absorbant and designed as a base to add moisturiser or sun block over the top. 

Just smooth over your neck and chin and you're done.

Decembeard: Beating Bowel Cancer

Growing facial hair for a good cause. Sound familiar?

But this is not what you think, silly, that ended a couple of days ago (and we're now free of hairy top lips for another year). However, in place of Movember we have Decembeard, which is the charity Beating Bowel Cancer's fund raising event to support their people in raising awareness about bowel cancer and to help those suffering.

This year Decembeard is being supported by brand King of Shaves, which is a perfect combination given that the company has launched a prostyle beard styler facial stubble groomer (hard to say in one breath...) that will help keep your beard in shape until you go baby-smooth again on 1 January. It even has an adjustable trimmer, so you can keep that (Decem)beard trim when you're standing under the mistletoe at the office Christmas party. 

Plus, if you buy one, 10% of the sale will go to Beating Bowel Cancer, so you can start your good deed before you even need to trim your beard! In fact, the whole King of Shaves eGrooming range has the same offer, so pick up an ear and nose trimmer or Bodystyler while you're on the website.

Interview: James Aubrey Gets Groomed

I've been in contact with the British menswear brand James Aubrey for some time now. It's a brand which is very proud of its heritage, and its image - think Harris Tweed with a contemporary twist - is founded upon its use of local and high quality materials.

Recently I asked the team there to think about the "James Aubrey man”. Not only what he wears, but also how he presents himself to the world.  As a result they have paired some of the highlights of their AW13 collection with key grooming products, to bring you their signature looks for the coming months. 

Take a gander!

1) A walk in the country

Biker Jacket - a transitional piece into
Spring 2014

For any man at this time of year key considerations are comfort, weather resistance and warmth, especially when walking the dog or taking a long afternoon stroll in the country. James Aubrey’s timeless Wax Biker jacket ticks all of these boxes, whilst also serving as the perfect transitional piece from Winter to Spring.

Wear with Baxter of California’s super shape SPF15 moisturiser to defend your skin from the elements.

2) Sunday afternoon in the pub

Texture and layering continues to be a staple of the stylish wardrobe. So, for an effortless and stylish look that allows you to sit comfortably but impeccably with your friends and a pint, team the British wool trellis knit in mocha with the corduroy twin pocket shirt and your favorite jeans or cords.

As your local may not always have soap in the gent's bathroom, choose Taylor of Old Bond’s Street's sandalwood hand wash, which will cleanse and moisturise your skin.

Acqua Di Parma - for the special
evening out

3) A formal evening

The dress shirt is a cog in the well-oiled machine of the stylish man’s wardrobe and is the backbone of British menswear. To channel style and elegance for an evening out without looking too 007, layer the Corduroy jacket over the country check tweed waistcoat and a white Oxford shirt.

Wear with Acqua Di Parma cologne, which is reserved only for the most refined of gentlemen, to enhance your style and character. 

4) At the match

The shawl collar jumper is a key extension to your basic knitwear collection and easy to add as a second or even a third layer if you’re out in the cold watching the match. Throw over one of the luxury cotton check shirts and under a six pocket wax quilted jacket. You might even go with one of the British wool scarves for even greater protection from the draft.

Wear with the geranium and orange hand cream from Neal's Yard, which will keep your hands from getting dry when you’re cheering on your favourite team.

5) Meeting the in-laws

Make the right impression with James Aubrey’s limited edition Covert coat in Harris tweed, which strikes a balance between classic tailoring and contemporary design. Dress it down with jeans or the five pocket moleskin trousers with a plain white tee.

British Wool Crew Neck in Natural

To keep your hair in check as well as your outfit, style it with Myrsol revitalising hair waxfrom Cater and Bond London, which is pleasantly fragranced and includes anti-dandruff properties.

6) Weekend away

Going away to visit family or friends is exciting, but sometimes packing to go is not. In reality, you don’t need a lot of options, just the right ones, so be ruthless! Neutral colours can help you create a plethora of stylish looks, so the British wool crew neck jumper in natural is a great option, along with the six pocket wax field jacket in brown, which should also prove very serviceable, especially for a day out.

Take a grooming product you can rely on when you’re away. Try Taylor of Old Bond Street’s aftershave lotions, which are discreetly fragranced to ensure you smell as good as you look.

I'm Wearing: Sunday 1 December 2013

Black and silver like a gothic Christmas tree this week. Fashion from Scandinavia is, naturally for Stuart Is A Modern Man, prevalent, with Danish brand Norse Projects being teamed with Swedish raincoat manufacturer Stutterheim for a brooding winter look. 

Jumper: Norse Projects

Scarf: Sandro

Raincoat: Stutterheim

p.s., If you decide that you want a Stutterheim then definitely order direct from the website - there's free delivery and no retailer mark-up!

Product Review: REN Skincare, Invisible Pores Detox Mask (£18.00, 50ml)

My review of REN’s glycolactic radiance renewal mask was full of positivity. And I can tell you straight off the bat that this isn’t going to be much different.

REN’s invisible pores mask, as the title makes obvious, is designed to reduce pore size and leave the skin purified, smooth and toned. Like other REN masks, I have found that this lives up the blurb and the premium natural content makes this worth the very reasonable price tag of £18.00.

You just smooth just a relatively generous amount over the desired area (likely spots include your t-zone and/or on the cheekbone) after cleansing and leave on for a few minutes. You can then wash the mask off with warm water. Use a pad to remove if you wish but I certainly haven’t found this necessary.

The result is immediately satisfying. The biggest impact is definitely on the smoothness of the skin. My skin feels baby-ish smooth for a (relatively) short time after using the mask. Pores are visibly reduced, and my skin is left feeling toned but not tight. I would still normally follow up with an active serum (perhaps something from Aesop) to keep hydrated, though just see how you go.

As this is a clay-based formula (with fatty acids (from red tea) to get that smoothness) is a good choice for skin that produces excess sebum and is prone to oily shininess. If you have dry skin I’d steer clear and stick to more gentle cleansing.

Use as and when required, but probably not more than once or twice a week – you don’t want to leave the skin devoid of any natural oils (which are frustratingly required).

Enjoy!

Louis Vuitton Trunk in Red Square!

Beautiful and political. 

This two-storey Louis Vuitton suitcase was planted in Moscow's Red Square a few weeks ago, just a few minutes away from Lenin's Mausoleum. 

It looks magnificent to me, but the trunk is causing a bit of a political furore in Russia, where the Communist Party have criticised placing such a capitalist symbol so close to "sacred ground" for Communism. 

People from the United Russia Party have even called into question whether the trunk violates national advertising law in an attempt to try to get it removed.

The super-trunk, based on a design for a trunk owned by Russian Prince Wladimir Orloff, will house an exhibition of Vuitton luggage starting 2 December. What do you think!?

Stuart Is A Modern Man Exclusive: SPOKE Offer

The boys over at SPOKE are offering you £15.00 off your first order! And all you have to do is mention my name.

Just reference "Stuart Ismodern" at the checkout to claim your discount, which, very generously, is almost 20% off the retail value of £79.00.

Now be off with you to choose your new pair of (expertly-fitted) chinos at http://spokefit.com! 

Interview: the brave new world of the SPOKE

Ben Farren has an agenda. His online retailing business, specialising in the chino, is dedicated to creating good quality product and making it available to men everywhere. 

Why? "I'd wanted to do something in menswear for a while. It seems to me that the major fashion labels are so preoccupied with staying on trend and churning through 250 piece collections that they are dropping the ball on the things that matter". 

And the things that really matter to Ben: fit and price. SPOKE, Ben's brand, avoids seasonal trends by sticking to a staple item and making it worthy of your capsule wardrobe. At the moment, that item is the chino.

"We got started earlier this year. I can code (a bit), so I built a simple website while finding the talent I needed to design and make some trousers. With help, I made 50 pairs in a factory in Hoxton, sold through them quickly, and decided I was onto something".

Now onto much larger batches, SPOKEs come in a sizeable (forgive the pun) range of waist and leg variations, as well as different builds to fit men of every proportion. There's even a whole section of the website dedicated to "fit", where you can enter your dimensions and be pointed to the perfect pair of chinos for you.

"By tightly editing our range, and cutting out the retail rents and the middlemen, we can offer more sizes, and make clothes with real craftsmanship - and still beat many high street brands on price". Ben is obviously proud of his chinos, and rightly so: made of 100% Larusmiani cotton, with premium zips and buttons, there is some pretty serious work going on here.

The emphasis on quality and style over fashion also plays well with the SPOKE demographic, who Ben describes as "the 30-50-something professional who is aesthetically engaged - interested in design and cares about how he looks - but who approaches the style pages of GQ with a mixture of skepticism and bewilderment". 

And there's a bit of Ben in there too. "I guess there are ties to my own personal style...I tend to keep it pretty simple. I like sharp, modern tailoring with a twist. I think Paul Smith is a genius". And you can certainly see that Paul Smith influence coming through in some of the details such as the cotton pocket linings that are designed to complement each SPOKE shade (currently: taupe; olive; navy; maroon; grey; and black).

When discussing the future, Ben is clear that there is still plenty of room to develop and hone his craft. "We're firmly in the 'do one thing well' camp - so expect more trousers, in more fabrics: some stretch is in the pipeline, and something more technical. And we'll launch a more casual 5-pocket style in the Spring."

It is this drive for perfection (which is mixed with Ben's natural self-deprecation) that makes SPOKE stand out. "Everything is a test...Our designer Adam brings years of experience...and has some great products in the pipeline - but ultimately we'll let our customers pick the winners". 

So get picking! SPOKEs are only available at http://spokefit.com and are priced at £79.00. 

I'm Wearing: Sunday 24 November 2013

I love a half-sleeve jumper. I'm not sure why and I'm not sure they've ever really been fashionable, but nevertheless this half-sleeve navy sweat from Filippa K is always near the front of my wardrobe. Teamed with my university scarf I love it even more. And if you can guess my college colours then you get bonus points!

Jumper: Filippa K

College Scarf: University Colours

Interview: Marina Bolin of Bolin Webb

Spending time with Marina Bolin from men’s grooming design house Bolin Webb you quickly become aware of where the force and drive behind this brand comes from. Utterly professional, Marina has a passion and enthusiasm for her craft that is palpable. This is, perhaps, hardly surprising given the success of her ultra-contemporary razors, which are now on sale across Europe, North America and Asia in some of the most exclusive shopping destinations around (think Harrods, Fortnum & Mason and the Conran Shop in the UK and Nordstrom and the Museum of Modern Art, Chicago in the US, for example).

The concept for Bolin Webb’s original product, the R1 razor, came about on holiday in Switzerland, where Marina’s husband and business partner, Derrick, “looked at his old [Gillette] Mach 3 and realised there must be a better design for a razor”.

But rather than try to enter the market for the full package, which the super-brands such as Gillette really have sewn up through huge economies of scale and worldwide distribution agreements, Marina and Derrick instead decided to focus on the aesthetics and design of the razor handle. “Bolin Webb took on the challenge to bring more design inspiration into the shaving experience”, explains Marina, “our razors show spirit – curve, balance, movement – which look and feel great”.

The Bolin Webb R1

Marina claims that she and Derrick are jointly the creative and business minds behind the brand. However, Marina admits that “we each have different strengths. I am the main contact for new business and customers, while Derrick works with product design and development, and the supply chain”.

It is clear that this works well for the duo. The R1 is sleek and holds beautifully in hand. Made in the UK from automotive paint and lacquered metal with a bacteria-resistant rubber base, this really is the Porsche 911 of the razor-world. And the design is key for Marina, “design is substance. Ergonomics, robust materials and quality finish all add to the enjoyment of seeing and using the product". 

And the reaction to the R1, and its younger brother the X1 (designed to fit a Gillette Fusion Blade), has so far only been positive. Asking if Bolin Webb has had to adapt to different grooming habits across the world, Marina said that “every man has his own preference for grooming: blade, frequency of shave, style etc. We cannot say that one culture has one pattern. There is so much variety and this is what allows Bolin Webb to succeed in so many countries”.

Continued growth and international exposure are certainly top of the Bolin Webb agenda going forward. Marina cites the launch of the X1 and its striking stand in 2013 as just a taste of things to come. “We are to launch a range of grooming care products in 2014, which will provide our customers with a complete shaving experience from Bolin Webb".

I’m certainly looking forward to testing those out in the near future!

Bolin Webb razors are available online from http://www.bolinwebb.com/ as well as in stores now! Prices start at £40.00.

Product Review: Byredo, Rose Noir Bath Soap (£17.00, 100g)

Now rose is not traditionally associated with masculinity. You have a few brands trying to bring it back (Le Labo for one), but generally it’s a scent best left for the women in your life.

However, Swedish perfumer Byredo does a purely hedonistic rose scent called Rose Noir. The eau de toilette is magic, and the scent has now been captured in a bar of soap.

There’s a great, natural, nose to this product. Of course there’s a very traditional rose at its heart, but the moss and musk provide an earthy quality which is delightful. And on a Sunday evening in the bath this is fantastic to help you to unwind.

The scent left on the skin is quite mild but definitely present. For a man this is perhaps for the best. At £17.00 for 100g you're really paying at the top end of the scale. But there again you are paying for the Byredo genius, which is worth its weight.

Available at Liberty.co.uk. 

The Best: Christmas Gift Sets

We all do it. We start out with the best intentions of getting everyone on that festive shopping list the best, most unique present ever. But falling back on the good old gift set is both inevitable and, often, a very sensible idea. However, while there’s a staggering array of options out there for women, for the men in your life there’s sometimes a bit of a void in the gift set space.

On that note, below is a list of some of my favourite sets out there this year to please the different men in your life.

1. Dad

Kiehl’s, Ultimate Man Refuelling Kit (£60.00)

He’s your dad and therefore the ultimate man. So it only seems fair that the set you buy for him is called the same. And this Kiehl’s "Ultimate Man Refuelling Kit" is great. It has all the old favourite facial fuel products, plus a few samples, and comes in very manly blue and white packaging. Clearly not to get confused with the stuff in mum's cabinet!

Available at Kiehls.co.uk. 

2. Brother

Aesop x MR PORTER (£80.00)

Is bro a gym-bod? If so, then the Aesop x MR PORTER collaboration, imaginatively titled “The Athlete” and including Aesop’s Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser and Classic Shampoo, as well as the Parsley Seed Antioxidant Hydrator, might be perfect. Wrapped in a beautiful and hard-wearing case to off-handedly throw into his gym bag, this is a ideal gift for a vain sibling! 

Plus, the case is designed to take standard sized bottles of these Aesop products, so he can refill to his heart's content.

Available at MrPorter.com.

3. Boyfriend

Penhaligon’s Sartorial Fragrance Collection (£65.00)

This is for if you want him to smell like a real man(...). Cedar, black pepper, amber and neroli, and the distinctive whiff of a Saville Row tailors, then look no further than Sartorial by Penhaligon's. This year the gift set comes with a 50ml eau de toilette, 100ml Shower Gel and 75ml Deodorant stick. For £65.00 that's not half bad.

Available at Penhaligons.com. 

4. Grandfather

The Bluebeards Revenge ‘Deluxe’ Kit (£34.99)

For the cheeky grandfather who’s traditional but enjoys Pirates of the Caribbean. This set is packed full of stuff for the £34.99 price tag: a pre-shave oil; shave cream; post-shave balm; a shaving brush; and a deodorant!

Available at Tesco.

5. Nephew

Dermalogica, Breakout Clearing Kit (£23.50)

Last but not least is this set from Dermalogica, which includes products from their new Clear Start range for young skin. It includes a foaming cleanser, toner, daytime treatment oil, SPF 15 moisturiser and an overnight treatment. Travel sized, so that they can test each product out, this is great for the teen who has persistent acne and is looking for gentle treatment.

Maybe don't buy this if they're sensitive about the spots though...

Available at Dermalogica.co.uk.

In Rotation: November 2013

Changes in my routine as autumn ends and winter begins. Deeper scents for the ever-lengthening night-time - including winter rose, black pepper and frankincense - to soothe and add spice for some manly grooming.

From left to right:

Clinique: Post-Shave Soother

Byredo: Rose Noir Bath Soap

REN Skincare: Invisible Pores Detox Mask

Kiehl's: Facial Fuel Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Molton Brown: Re-Charge Black Pepper Bodyscrub Bar

Diptyque: Frankincense Scented Candle

Bluebeards Revenge: Ultimate Pre-Shave Oil

I'm Wearing: Sunday 17 November 2013

All measures to keep warm must now be taken. Including busting out the fur collar. Especially when that collar is by the legendary Dolce & Gabbana. My it's warm!

Jumper: Hartford

Rabbit: Dolce & Gabbana

Coat: Filippa K

My New: Aesop, Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm (£19.00, 75ml)

I was loathe to move away from the Clarins Men hand cream but, when my tube was thoroughly squeezed and drained, I thought I'd try something new for the purposes of this fair blog. So I turned to my favourite Australians, Aesop, and their classic product: the Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm.

And oh my it is good. 

And the reason I love it so much: nails. My nails feel smoother, stronger and generally more healthy, and they felt this way within around one week of using this product. 

The scent is also great. Mandarin, lavender, and rosemary all come through really strongly. I've had people coming into my office, following their nose, to ask why it smells so good around me all the time. The answer: it's Aesop. 

Readily absorbant from quite a thick cream, I have been all-round thoroughly impressed by this product. The sister hand balm, reverence, is also delicious. The scent, bergamot and vetiver, perhaps even make this a more natural choice for winter. 

And at £19.00 for 75ml, it's not badly priced either. If you have some spare cash, you could always go for the 500ml monster tub. It's £69.00...

Fashionspiration: Bryan Ferry

I'll admit that I'm hardly breaking barriers here. Bryan Ferry's classic tailored and fantastically British style has endured throughout the decades since Roxy Music formed in 1971.

Dance Away, More Than This and Ferry's version of Jealous Guy (following John Lennon's death in 1980) are just a few credits to a lasting and quite fantastic music career. But from the 70's to 2013, Ferry's style has caught the attention of fashion magazines and retailers alike.

And if you're onto a good thing, why change it!? GQ paid testament to Ferry's enduring style only earlier this year, pointing to his understated looks and the power to make the traditional appear modern. Too right.

And, by the way, I couldn't be more on board with the wayfarer sunglasses.

Sharp & Dapper presents: the Shirt Stay

I don’t generally seek out anything that makes dressing more time consuming or inconvenient. There's just so much more to do in the morning. Like pressing snooze on your alarm, for example. You might therefore think that I would dislike Sharp and Dapper’s Shirt Stays more than a little bit. Foremost, to wear them you have to remember to put your clothes on in a particular order (shirt first, trousers second – which is quite counter-intuitive for me) and you have to fasten four elasticated strips to your shirt and to your socks too.

 

But I actually don’t dislike them at all. In fact, apart from the odd interesting moment in the bathroom (you know, where you are in there an uncomfortably long period of time post-toilet flush), the Shirt Stays have proved very welcome in my wardrobe.

Mr Ekelund in his
Shirt Stays

I wear a shirt every day for work and I often like a collar at the weekend too. As a result, like many, I encounter that perennial problem that begins about three to five minutes after dressing. The problem of my shirt becoming untucked or riding up incessantly over my very smart wool trousers or, an even more heinous crime, over skinny jeans. When there’s no jacket to hide it you at best look like someone who just doesn't care about their appearance. At worst you look like Piers Morgan on the way home from the gym.

Shirt Stays, which the co-founder of Sharp and Dapper Johan Ekelund tells me date back to around the 1870s, attach to your shirt and socks and gently pull your shirt down to give you a clean, creaseless silhouette. They work, too. My only problem is that, like Johan, I now have the constant desire to either pull my trousers up or down to show everyone around me what this hidden accessory is doing. You’ll be pleased to hear that I’ve managed to control myself thus far.

On the intricacies of the product itself, I was a little concerned that the rubber fastenings might damage my rather expensive fine cotton shirts. However, so far this has not been the case. They are entirely comfortable to wear, although, if you don’t already, maybe go to a yoga class to give you the extra twist in your torso you need to fasten the Stays to your shirt tails (or, alternatively, attach them before you put your shirt on (it took me one wear to realise this...).

One point I would make: ensure you wear trousers that fit when you wear your Shirt Stays. As your shirt is pulled down any extra room in your trouser waistband becomes readily apparent. If you’ve lost weight recently, it might be time to take those suit trousers to the tailor! To look "Sharp and Dapper" you need the entire look, not just the Shirt Stays.

But at £15.00 my instinct is to say go buy them; they’ll come in handy for you one day!

Available from sharpanddapper.com