La Prairie, Cellular Emulsion Matte Pore Minimiser (£150.00 (approx.), 50ml)

Pretty please.

I want some so bad. Would anyone like to donate? Please? Pretty please? 

Product Review: REN Skincare, Guerande Salt Exfoliating Body Balm (£20.00, 330ml)

REN hits the spot.

Body scrubs are pretty confusing (I say so only slightly in jest). Some are hard, grainy and downright offensive, others soft, mild and only good for a tickle. I think that this product may be the best in-betweener I’ve found.

REN has produced this salt based scrub, which does not feel particularly oily, and is leaving my body feeling pretty darn good. Having said that, it does contain basil, olive, peppermint, rosemary leaf, and sweet almond oils, but then this is what makes for that smooth and moisturised finish. It is, as well, free of synthetic ingredients (think parabens or mineral oils), just like the entire REN range.

I fully agree with Sali Hughes that this is a great product and, like she says, it does seem that it will last bloody ages (although I can’t vouch for it, having only made the purchase a wee while ago). Because of that, though, I do tend to be fairly liberal with my usage.

The only thing is, do modern men use body scrubs? I just don’t know the answer to that question and would love comments from readers on this. They certainly have their uses – the REN scrub acts as an exfoliant as well as moisturising and nourishing the skin, which means it does more than the average body wash. I'm not sure about the claim that it will make your skin glow, but other than that I'm fully on board with the advertised effects.

If you are tempted, you only need to use the scrub once a week (maybe twice, especially if you have a day where you want to feel particularly smooth and attractive). I have tried using it both before I shower and during – the exfoliation is obviously more intense in the former, but massaging the scrub onto your body during a hot shower is also pretty wonderful. If you are applying pre-shower, then make sure you're standing somewhere you can wash away any excess salt (I may or may not have stepped out of the shower onto a load of salt crystals...)

If a tub of specifically entitled “body balm” isn’t manly enough for you, then you could try something like the Molton Brown Re-charge Black Pepper Bodyscrub Bar. This is a very mild exfoliant but (a) is in a bar of soap form and (b) is scented with black peppercorn oil, bergamot and oakmoss, making it totally masculine!

My New: Clinique, Face Scrub (£18.00, 100ml)

Scrubber

Okay, okay, I'll admit that this isn't "my new" anything. However, recently another brand got in touch and asked if they could send me their face scrub and, as I've agreed to try it out, I thought it was about time to give props to long-time friend Clinique. I've used this product for so long, and on and off since I was 15, so I feel very used to its ways. Which also means, I suppose, that it has safely made it onto the most coveted shelf of my bathroom cabinet, which is after all what these "my new" reviews are about.

So, Clinique, with its massive product range (and marketing budget), has some great and some not so great products. In the skin supplies for men "3-step system" range (the three steps being cleanse, exfoliate, moisturise), this face scrub in my opinion is one of the winners. 

It's an exfoliant,  and you use it in the shower (well, I do), pre-shave. I also tend to wash my face after using the scrub, though I've always thought this was down to personal preference rather than anything else. 

I think of this as quite a serious product - it's rough and, because the particles are quite fine, it is a very effective scrub. On application, I certainly wouldn't go "at it" very intensively, just enough so that the scrub lathers a little and turns white. But then, it is designed to remove dead skin flakes and excess oil, as well as lifting the beard to make for a cleaner shave and to avoid ingrown hairs, so I wouldn't want it to be too gentle. Once lathered, you then rinse off with warm water after about a minute.

The product is fragrance free, but does have that nice clean "Clinique" smell, which is no bad thing in my book. Also, there's that whiff of menthol, which is quite lovely. Nice and refreshing on the skin too.

The Clinique website says that you should build up to daily use with this product. I've never used it more than three times a week.  So if you are targeting your usage, it's best on mornings when you haven't shaved the day before or where you feel you might be suffering from particularly oily or dirty skin (I won't ask why...). 

If you haven't tried it before I'd say give it a go. Also, it seems to last forever, so I think it's actually a pretty good deal too. 

Now get exfoliating that visage!

Product Review: Sol De Janeiro, Posto Cool Coconut Water Cooling and Hydrating Mist (£17.00, 150ml)

Sol de Janeiro - straight from the Copacabana

I went to Notting Hill Carnival yesterday. For those who've not had the pleasure, Carnival is a street festival held in west London every August, which celebrates the best of Afro-Caribbean culture and tradition. It gets pretty wild. And yesterday, to top it all off, it was also sunny and HOT.

It therefore could not have been more perfect as the venue to try out my latest product - Brazilian brand Sol de Janeiro's Cool Coconut Water Cooling and Hydrating Mist!

At CARNIVAL

I've never used a cooling mist before, but I won't deny having taken a shine to this before I'd even removed the cap. The Copacabana vibe and predominantly Portuguese branding mean this product just looks like fun. And using it was pretty fun too.

To be clear at the outset, this is not a sun screen, and has no sun protection factor. So make sure you still slap on that lotion before heading outside! What it is designed to do is rehydrate and refresh your skin when it's feeling overheated and irritated from the sun. 

Sol de Janeiro have chosen coconut as their fragrance of choice. For those long days by the pool, on the beach or sipping cocktails in the rooftop bar, the light smell of coconut is instantly atmospheric (please take me to the pool now...). The ingredients are simple and do their job without leaving the skin feeling particularly sticky or shiny after spritz-ing. You're not going to get a perfectly matte finish, but I'm not sure I'd expect that from a product used in this sweaty context.

In terms of application, I was giving myself three to five sprays at a time from around 10cm away. Make sure you spray the product downwind, otherwise you will lose it in the breeze (or spray the person next to you by mistake. It happened).

My only beef is, I'm not sure I would want to pay £17.00 for it. It does feel a little expensive given the content. It sure is fun though!

Sol de Janeiro products are available online from Niven & Joshua if you'd like to check them out for yourself.

Product Review: Wingman, 3-in-1 (£3.49, 250ml)

In Wingman We Trust. Sometimes.

The tagline for this new range, "in Wingman we trust", I think is actually pretty good and hits the target audience well. And, priced at £3.49 for a 3-in-1 shampoo, shower gel and shaving foam and available from Tesco, this should certainly have an audience!

However, unfortunately, that audience doesn't include me. As I've said before, I wouldn't normally recommend a 2-in-1 product, let alone adding a third into the mix, so I was naturally sceptical when trying out Wingman.

It is available in three scents:

• Charge: grapefruit, lemon, mandarin and coconut;
• Boom: spearmint and peppermint; and
• Jetfuel: wood, spice and aviation fuel.

Of the three, I found "Charge" by far the most superior. It smells fresh and clean, and nicely balanced. "Jetfuel", as its name suggests, is perhaps the most interesting concoction.

Using all three products, I found they worked best as a shower gel (I didn't test their shaving foam qualities...). As a shampoo though, I found they left my hair a little tacky, and weren't the easiest to rinse out. However, I think Boom worked slightly better than the others in this regard.

In terms of the (all important) packaging, I believe that the heavy duty plastic bottles could take some beating - great if you're going to be out and about. The shape, I will also grant, is good. Very "grab-able" and non-slippy, which is ultimately very useful in that morning shower!

All that having been said, I think Wingman could be very useful at a festival or in your gym bag, when you (a) don't have much room to carry extra crap and (b) can't be bothered preening and beautifying for any length of time. In the bathroom, though, I'm not sure there's any need for a 3-in-1 product. End of. 

If you want to check out Wingman, go to http://www.worldofwingman.com/wingman/. 

Product Review: Ishana, Sandalwood Moisturising Body Lotion (INR 400.00, 200ml)

The Taj Mahal, Agra

Last year I spent a month in India. The sights, sounds and spectacle of it all was just astounding. Towering old forts, hectic market places, serene palaces and a whole lot of monkeys - I was living my own Kipling short story.

In particular, the aroma of the place, whether good or bad, is always deeply atmospheric (and pungent...). On my way back to Blighty, with my spare Rupee, I picked up a sandalwood moisturising body lotion by Indian brand Ishana. Now, at the time I thought I was never going to be able to buy this product again, but utilising the wonders of the internet it turns out Ishana has an online store.

Ishana - The Conscious One

Before I begin, it might not be the most sophisticated in the world in terms of ingredients, but this product is so evocative of a time and place that it doesn't matter. Not only that, if you want a lotion that will leave you feeling smoothed and (quite heavily) fragranced all day, you can't go wrong.

The lotion is paraben free, which is good for those that worry about such things, and the sandalwood is deeply moisturising and gives this lotion its distinctive scent (just imagine incense burning as you settle down for a healing massage...). Also, sandalwood is quite a manly smell, as far as it goes.

Me being modern in Jaipur

The aloe vera extract is soothing, and the honey and almond oil add to the nourishing effect. Application is easy and although the lotion is a little bit greasy because of the oil content it does absorb pretty well. Importantly for the hairy guy (I raise my hand) this is the case even over a hairy chest or legs. 

The Lake Palace, Udaipur

I don't know many modern men who use a body lotion - it can be a little time consuming - but if you're quite traditional in your tastes (i.e., you like to splash on a bit of the old spice) then you might find you like Ishana, or at least other sandalwood based products. I also happen to think that sandalwood has quite a romantic aroma, but that's for another post.

By the way, INR 400.00 is roughly £4.00, so this product is also a bargain!

Bundi Train Station, Rajasthan 

Product Review: Elemis Time for Men, Time Defence Wrinkle Delay (£54.00, 50ml)‏

Straight up: this is an anti-ageing moisturiser and I'm 26. So, perhaps some of the qualities of this product are a little lost on me. Having said that, I do like Elemis' Time Defence Wrinkle Delay very much.

Elemis - pumped and plumped

And I'll tell you why. First, quite frankly it just feels lovely. Silky smooth and quite fine, Elemis have captured well the way you want an anti-ageing moisturiser to feel on the skin.

Secondly, and importantly for me, the finish is non-shiny. I have mainly been testing this product as a night cream, so I question how well it would cope with a day out in the hot and sweaty city, but then not many products can.

On the anti-ageing piece, the anti-oxidant ingredients are designed to pump and plump the skin. They seem to do just that - my skin is certainly left feeling well hydrated and smooth.

Finally, it's totally fragrance free (unlike many other products claiming similar), leaving you free to scent up of your own accord.

No. 7 - doing a job for £23.00

To preach, it pays to use anti-ageing products before you feel (and, more importantly in this scenario, look) "aged". They tend to be preventative, rather than curative and as such you want to splash out on the right product at the early signs of ageing. I don't think the Elemis product would be any different.

Any anti-ageing moisturiser is going to be priced more highly than the average generic moisturiser. Even the Boots classic No. 7 Protect & Perfect Intense Moisturiser is £23.00. At £54.00, I can't deny that Elemis have priced themselves towards the top end of the market.

However, when my time comes, I may well be tempted by it. 

The Best: Scented Candles

Now, I know some modern men who wouldn’t go near a scented candle. These men aren't as modern as they think. There's something missing from their lives and it's simply quite sad. Not just for the lady at bath time, the array of man-ified candles out there is staggering. Below are five glorious (and very nicely packaged) waxy wonders to convert you to the ways of the scented candle.

1) Penhaligon’s, Blenheim Bouquet Classic Candle (£32.00)

With its advertised “bracing mix of citrus oils, spices and woods”, Blenheim Bouquet is a gem, and a true classic of the Penhaligon’s range. There’s lemon, there’s lime, there’s pine and there’s black pepper. For a fragrance developed over 100 years ago, it smells like it was conceived yesterday.

All in all just wonderful. And manly, god dammit. And very, very British. 

2) Molton Brown, Re-Charge Black Pepper Single Wick (£36.00)

I go on about this range again and again (see my review of The Best: Body Washes), so please forgive me. But this is a champion of masculinity in a candle. With top notes of bergamot and ginger, and base notes including musk and vetiver, this is the perfect fragrance to accompany a winter’s evening trapped indoors with a special someone.

3) Diptyque, Menthe Verte (£20.00/£40.00)

If you want to bring some fresh country air to your city pad, then you cannot go wrong with Diptyque’s Menthe Verte scented candle. First, these candles scream left bank chic. An ode to nature – open the windows and let the cool summer breeze waft this scent through your warehouse conversion.

4) Neom, Pine, Cedarwood and Eucalyptus (£15.00/£39.50)

Layers of green hibiscus notes combine with deeper woody undertones to create a balsamic, unisex blend. So says the Neom website. The Neom travel sized candles, at £15.00, are a bit of a bargain, and being stocked at John Lewis ensures they're widely available.

5) Muji, Green Fig (£10.95)

The smell of figs makes for a great scented candle. Diptyque do a wonderful one. But meeting your fig-y needs at the other end of the market is Japanese wonder brand Muji. Still made with high quality ingredients, this offers you a fruity way in to the world of the scented candle without breaking the bank.

Product Review: Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser (£18.00, 150ml)‏

Kiehl's - some mud for your face?

I bought the Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleanser some time ago in New York, but have never got round to using it until quite recently. The reviewers on the Kiehl's website really rave about this product, so I won't deny I was expecting big things.

Formulated for normal to oily skin types (I raise my hand), it contains amazonian white clay to remove surface debris and oils from the skin, which can both enlarge the appearance of pores. 

Now, I'm not sure that this "deep" cleanser has reduced my pore size, but it does leave my skin feeling clean and blemish free (and maybe a little bit mattified). The clay acts as a mild exfoliant, so you get a bit of 2-in-1 value here too, although I would still use a specific face scrub or other exfoliant a couple of times a week, particularly to loosen facial hair pre-shave if I've gone unkempt. On those days, I wouldn't also use this product but rather a more gentle cleanser.

Straight out of the tube this both looks and smells a little bit like mud, there's no denying it. But applied to damp skin it starts to froth up slightly, and provides quite a pleasant feeling when being massaged into the face and neck. If you don't like a gritty face scrub but still want some exfoliation, then you might really like this product.

One thing I don't love about it is that occasionally it makes my skin tingle upon application. Generally I don't like or trust products that do that. Also, the tube says to apply morning and/or night, but I have only been using this once a day and I think to use it more might leave the skin a bit dry. 

This cleanser is part of the Kiehl's "Rare Earth" range. As the entire range is designed for oily skin types, I may be bringing you reviews of other Rare Earth products soon!

The Best: Body Washes

We all do it (I hope). So it therefore seems obvious to spend a little bit of time selecting your body wash of choice (unless you're Matthew Parris, when any old bar of soap will do). They come in every possible variety, but below are five that would help modernise your manhood and impress any secret night-time visitors to your shower!

1) Molton Brown’s Re-Charge Black Pepper Body Wash (£18.00, 300ml)

A spicy bad-boy classic, which I have used on many an occasion. Ingredients such as fiery black peppercorn oil, with bergamot and oakmoss (smelling a bit like earl grey tea), make for a rousing morning shower. Manly and fragrant. 

2) Aveda Caribbean Therapy Body Cleanser (£20.00, 200ml)

This is a creamy one. Part of Aveda’s Caribbean Therapy range, the natural oils in this product (think mango and passion fruit) help moisturise the skin and bring the scent of the Caribbean to your morning shower. A pricey option, for the modern man who wants to bring the spa to the shower room. 

3) Korres Mint Tea Shower Gel (£8.00, 250ml)

Made with 90.8% natural ingredients, the Korres body wash is both well balanced and well priced! Dermatologically tested (of course), this product contains wheat proteins, which form a protective film on the skin to maintain its regular hydration level. It also contains aloe vera, to help soothe. Smells like a dream, and looks cool on your shelf if you’re trying to impress house guests. Also, comes in a vast number of fragrances (Mint Tea was just my own preference).

4) C.O. Bigelow Bay Rum Body Wash (£18.00, 295ml)

I wouldn’t normally recommend a 2-in-1 hair and body wash, but this C.O. Bigelow concoction is super-cool. Smelling like original bay rum, this couldn’t get much more masculine. Cheaper to stock up while you’re on a trip to the US of A though!

5) Cowshed Horny Cow Seductive Bath & Shower Gel (£16.00, 300ml)

This is perhaps less manly (think a very concentrated rose and patchouli scent), but this product is specifically intended to evoke sensuality and passion. Whatever that means, it's surely worth giving it a try...? The Bullocks Cowshed range for men has some more manly aromas, if this isn’t up your street.

Interview: Lee Kynaston, the Grooming Guru

Lee Kynaston

Described by the Financial Times as "possibly your ideal grooming editor", Lee Kynaston is one of the UK's best-known and most experienced male grooming experts, having spent eight years at Men's Health as Grooming Editor and having written for a huge variety of other publications. 

A 2013 winner of Beauty/Grooming Blogger of the Year at the Fashion Monitor Journalism Awards, Lee is a true grooming icon.

I managed to catch Lee between assignments to get an insight into his simple grooming regime, and the fact that sometimes he just needs to rest his face!

What are your modern man credentials?

Although I'm ancient in human years I'm still quite youthful in Modern Man ones! I've been a journalist for over 23 years (with a few of them editing magazines) but I began writing about male grooming in earnest around 2000 and started blogging just over four and half years ago when there were virtually no blogs dedicated to the subject. Keeping in touch with all the latest trends and developments in male grooming also keeps me thoroughly 'modern'! 

What do you look for when introducing something into your grooming regime?

I like my skincare products to be simple, effective and fragrance-free, or minimally fragranced. I'm absolutely no snob about products either. I use ones that are ridiculously expensive but also ones that are cheap as chips. People often say "oh you shouldn't use such-and-such a product because it doesn't agree with my skin", but that's their skin. If you find something that suits you, stick with it. If stuff works it works. 

So, what's the one product you couldn't live without?

Grey Flannel by Geoffrey Beene

That's such a tough question. Ultimately, I'd have to say my favourite fragrance, Grey Flannel by Geoffrey Beene. I say this because I've been wearing it, on and off, since I was about 18 and every spray comes with 28 years of memories. No other fragrance has the quite the same effect on me because no other fragrance has those memories built into its formulation. 

And the one that's most overrated? 

Well, the beauty industry is one that snacks almost exclusively on hyperbole so there are lots! I've written elsewhere that I found the James Bond 007 fragrance underwhelming. Mind you, it has still sold shedloads!

What's your dirty little grooming secret?

That occasionally I don't groom at all! I like to think of it as "resting my face", lol!

And finally, your top tip for the modern man?

That there's nothing wrong with being old fashioned occasionally! As any man will discover once he explores brands like Geo. F. Trumper, Taylor of Old Bond Street and D R Harris. 

Amen to that. Lee's wonderful blog, the Grooming Guru, can be found at: http://groomingguru.co.uk.  

My New: Aesop Oil Free Facial Hydrating Serum (£43.00, 100ml)

Aesop Oil Free Facial Hydrating Serum - my new best friend

This is the very first "My New" review feature. Showcasing products that I'm using, have come to love, and will be continuing to treasure, "My New" is different from the average product review. These products have managed to find their way to the glorified special shelf in the ol' bathroom cabinet.

To me, it was obvious that the first product should be Aesop's Oil Free Facial Hydrating Serum (pictured above). What an absolute delight of a product this is for those with combination or oily skin. 

Now, first and foremost I must admit to being a big Aesop fan en générale. The unisex product range means that men aren't cheated out of half the line, nor do we have to put up with some vaguely patronising "specially formulated for men" bull. Some products are gender specific, most are not.

This serum is to be used like a moisturiser, after cleansing (washing) and toning the face and neck. If you're shaving, it would be used post-shave (although I wouldn't necessarily recommend this as your post-shave moisturiser - see below). 

Application is hygienic, economical and, best of all, actually quite fun. You use the handy pipette to draw up only exactly as much serum as you need, and then dump it into your palms. No need for anything to touch and contaminate the pipette before you slip it back into the bottle. For anyone with a bacteria phobia, this is magic.

You can then smooth the serum onto your face and neck however you're choosing to use it. I only apply the product to my t-zone (forehead and nasal strip) where my skin is most oily and prone to shininess, but it could be used over the entire face. On days when I'm shaving, I use  Kiehl's Ultimate Men's After-Shave Balm and Moisturiser (reviewed on 11 August 2013) for my shaven area. On other days, I use a different cream-based moisturiser for my lower face and neck.

The ingredients in this Aesop product are nourishing and reassuringly high-end (for the price tag I'd expect nothing less). Aloe Vera for soothing, Vitamins B and C for hydration and stimulation of collagen formation respectively, and Ylang Ylang for that zen feeling. 

Finally, the best thing is this product feels incredibly light, and absorbs immediately. So you can always layer on top of it with a sun block (read my Clinique Sun Protection SPF 30 review, from 8 August 2013) on those summer days.

If you're looking for something super hydrating then this might not be the product for you. If that's what you need and you want to stick with Aesop, you might try their Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Hydrator (pictured below, and £43.00 for 60ml), which is aimed at those with normal to dry skin. 

Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Hydrator

New. But is it really Dramatically Different? Clinique's New DDML+

Clinique - dramatically different?

Have any modern men tried the new Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion +? 

The revised formula, the first to replace the original (from 1968!) and launched little over a month ago, is designed specifically to help strengthen the skin's own moisture barrier. The result being that the skin retains moisture all day and feels soft and springy.

Now, that’s the Clinique website talking, but I’d be very interested to hear the initial thoughts of anyone who has begun to use this product. With glycerine to absorb hydration, and hyaluronic acid to retain moisture, the formula ingredients sound to me like this product would be better for a lady or gent with a pretty (read: very) dry skin type. Is this what people are finding? Perhaps the Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel remains the choice for those with oilier skin. No "+" version of the gel as yet...

One point that I note immediately, and find slightly vexing, is that you are required to pay extra for the pump dispenser - £28.00 for 125ml or £29.50 with the pump. Let’s face it, to (a) get the right amount of lotion per use, and (b) make the most of the 125ml bottle, you need the pump. This should come as standard.

Anyone with thoughts please comment below - modern men of the world need your wisdom! Thom Watson of the fantastic ManFace wrote an excellent blog about using DDML+ - what are others thinking? 

Kiehl's, The Ultimate Men's After-Shave Balm and Moisturiser (£17.50, 125ml)

I am typically sceptical of products that are designed specifically for part of the face. I am inclined to agree with Sali Hughes' assessment of eye creams, and would generally have similar views about post-shaving moisturisers. They're all just moisturisers, no?

But having said that, I do very much enjoy Kiehl's Ultimate Men's After-Shave Balm and Moisturiser. And this is because, despite being formulated especially for the shaven area, it can be used to soothe and moisturise both after shaving or anytime your skin needs a boost.

Kiehl's - after shaving
or anytime

It has all the features of a balm, and should be used as such. For example, the avocado oil is super moisturising, and the allantoin (as a bacteria inhibitor) can reduce and soothe inflammation of the skin. Both fantastic for alleviating the nasty effects of the razor blade.

I have a naturally oily t-zone, so given its ingredients I wouldn't be applying the Kiehl's anywhere other than the shaven area, where my skin can be dry. However, I do find that my neck especially can become a little sore or inflamed during the day (particularly where a starchy shirt might rub), and having this around to reapply provides some effective relief.

I don't use this product on days I don't shave. On those mornings I generally use an oil-free "balancing" moisturiser (which have no doubt I will blog about another time!) over the entire face. I always use an oil-free product for my t-zone.

For those men who have dry skin and suffer from the daily shave - give this product a go!

A tip: if you're planning a trip to the USA soon (or know someone who is), stock up on your Kiehl's then. It is just plain cheaper when paying in Benjamins.

Clarins Men, Active Hand Care (£15.00, 75ml)

Clarins Men, Primary Colours

Hand cream is not just for women. I’ve said it to anyone who cares to listen, I’ll say it again, and I’ll argue with anyone that disagrees with me.

Men should absolutely be taking advantage of the plethora of options, often in fetching and masculine packaging, on offer across the high street when it comes to hand care. Particularly those men that work outdoors, are in physically demanding roles or, like me, are shuffling so much paper that their hands take a bit of a beating and are prone to soreness (or just receive the odd paper cut).

I’ve settled on Clarins Men Active Hand Care. And not only because I enjoy its primary colour scheme. The 75ml tube fits perfectly in my bag, and because I find you don’t need to use very much to get effective coverage, it seems to last forever.

It’s suitable for all skin types, and I’ve found it particularly effective at combatting small areas of dryness. For me, this is on my palms, around the base of my fingers. Unlike some creams it does not take long to absorb, and the neutral but cleanly scent I find totally appropriate. If your wife or girlfriend uses the Clarins hand and nail cream – the scent and texture of this cream are not dissimilar, but we are talking about something slightly thicker (and just a bit more manly all round).

One caveat: this is not a heavy duty cream. Like many Clarins products, this is smooth, light and delicious. I have used Khiel’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve (£14.00, 75ml), but I found this excellent product to be a little “too protective” for my needs. This would be a great option for healing really dry skin though! The olive oil based oils and wax in the Khiel’s product do make it feel very protective, even if the result is a bit of lag time between application and absorption.

I urge everyone to modernise their man-dom today and go and purchase a handcream. Get in touch if you want more advice!

Kiehl's - really offering ultimate protection

Clinique Face Cream SPF 30 (£17.00, 50ml)

This product both looks and smells like summer to me. A burst of joyous yellow in my otherwise suitably muted and sophisticated Mulberry.

Clinique Sun Protection, the look and
smell of summer

I use a number of Clinique products, but the sun protection range is by far my favourite. Unlike many lotions out there, the Clinique face cream (and other Clinique sun protection products) is totally oil free. The result: a matt look on the skin and no shiny forehead moments. It also absorbs like a dream.

It’s not a cheap product, especially as it only comes in a 50ml bottle (the matching body cream, which I also use, costs about £19.50 for 150ml). So, if I were going to be lying poolside for seven days and slapping this stuff on every two hours all day every day, I might (carefully, mind you) choose a more cost-effective option. But, the SolarSmart technology in the Clinique range ensures that you are protected from the aging and burning effects of UVA and UVB rays respectively, and being sweat resistant it is perfect for those hot days out in the city.

Also, if you’re not a man with a man-bag, this product is pretty much pocket sized – ideal for carrying round to allow for regular reapplication.

As this is all about sun protection, I tend to be fairly liberal with my usage. I’d rather not be (a) the lobster, or (b) prematurely aged for my love of basking. I therefore make sure that I apply cream before I am exposed to the sun, and I am particularly careful to apply to all the usual burning hotspots. For me, this is around the hairline and behind the ears!

In other sun protection related news, I’m super-keen to try Korres’ face cream yoghurt SPF 30 (picutred below), which just sounds quite literally delicious. I may make time to review this, or other Korres products, soon!  

Korres - bringing you natural Greek flavour