Louis Vuitton Monogram iPhone Cases (£230.00)

Just say yes. I'll have the orange one.

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Product Review: Korres, Borage Men's Cream (£19.50, 50ml)

Korres used to be a bit of a cult favourite for the grooming insider. With its push into the mainstream this "oh what's that" moment when someone enters your bathroom has sadly disappeared. However, I'm sure the owners are very happy that it's now selling in Waitrose (as are mums everywhere)!

But never mind that, the borage moisturiser for men...

First and foremost, I do dislike this packaging. I'm sure the round, hard, plastic tube wasn't meant to be so phallic but, well, it is. Also, the brown and black combo with green text is on the less desirable side of earthy and natural.

However, it's what's inside that counts (said the grooming blogger)... 

And in that regard I'm very happy that Korres are promoting a men's moisturiser with SPF. Although only factor six, this still gives you six times longer in the sun and, even in winter, it's important to try to counter the ageing and other damaging effects of those rays. Women often wear sun block either as a daily moisturiser or over a moisturiser, and I think men should be doing the same.

I also like that this is designed to be anti-shine. Although I will confess to not having tested the limits of this; I used this product as a post-shave balm only, and didn't test it out on my t-zone. 

This product really may not be for you if you prefer unscented creams. The borage oil, while being hydrating, also has quite a strong fragrance. You'll either love it or hate it. I like it, but don't generally want it on my face. Smell before you buy would be my advice.

The cream itself, however, feels lightweight and is fairly absorbent. It also contains aloe, so has pretty good application as a post-shave moisturiser. There's a lot worse on the market!

Available at The Fragrance Shop.

I'm Wearing: Sunday 27 October 2013

Following on from last week's first "Fashion Tales of the Barbican", the second installation comes straight from the terrace of the Barbican Centre. Before the rain came.

Brogue Boot: A.P.C.

Japanese Raw Denim Jeans: Acne Studios

Jumper: Comme Des Garçons Play

Cashmere Scarf: Jain Textiles, Jodphur

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Fashionspiration - the Acne Studios Autumn Winter 2013 Lookbook

People often ask other people from where they draw their inspiration. All the usual suspects can and should apply when it comes to fashion: magazines; the red carpet; the catwalk; and street style. 

I have therefore decided to bring you the first in my new series of fashionspirations; short posts which will give an indication of where I look for fashion guidance.

And when it comes to seeing cohesive looks put together to best crystallise a fashion concept, there's nothing quite like the "lookbook".

Acne's Autumn Winter 2013 Lookbook

As you all know by now, I love Acne Studios. Oh, do I love Acne Studios!? And their lookbook, with its polaroid photographs pasted onto high grade paper, is a treat. 

Go and check it out at the store (or, like me, take one home)!  

Fantastic Man x Dior Homme, Rotation '100% Everyday'

I'm not sure how I feel about this new collaboration between Fantastic Man and Dior Homme. It looks great, of course, but I wonder whether there's a bit of "realness" missing here?

I also think my boss might have something to say if I did this walking into my building every day...

Sponsored Post: Stuart Is A Modern Man At Christmas

It's only nine weeks until Christmas. And, like everyone else, I've already been overloaded with more catalogues, adverts and "book your Christmas party now" flyers than I care to mention. 

Amongst this deluge of "stuff" there's the obligatory blog and magazine "Christmas Gift Guide". Now, to my mind Christmas gift guides in a vacuum aren't really very useful. Without being able to relate to the person the guide has been put together for, I often find it hard to test whether the gifts might be appropriate for my nearest and dearest.

On that basis, I've decided to put together a guide for me (being the person I know best), made up of gifts available at middle England's favourite department store, John Lewis. You all know me by now, so I'm hoping you can all relate!

1. The Look

Thomas Pink Comfort Stretch Plain Shirt, £69.00

Christmas Party. Christmas Day. New Year's Eve. All occasions where you need a good, crisp, fresh shirt. This plain shirt from Jermyn Street tailor Thomas Pink should do the trick for all three.

And whether in blue, pink or white this is going to look classic and super-sophisto.

2. The Accessory

Mulberry Scotchgrain Simple Clipper Holdall, £550.00

Driving home for Christmas? Perhaps load your presents into this very handsome Scotchgrain Clipper by Mulberry. This bag is durable, beautiful in this mole with cognac trim, and wins humongous man points in my eyes.

It's going to look incredible with that blue Thomas Pink shirt you've just bought, too.

3. Morning Time

Bialetti Moka Express Hob Espresso Maker, £26.40

Hangover after the office party? Then, if you haven't already been dragged into the world of Nespresso, this Bialetti Espresso Maker is an iconic way to make your morning brew. Big enough for six cups, it also means you can cater for those colleagues who had to stay at your place because they couldn't be trusted to get home safely.

4. Cocktail Hour

Alessi Juicy Salif Citrus Squeezer, £48.00

If you're having your own Christmas get together, than you can make preparing those cocktails easier with this instantly recognisable design from Italian brand Alessi. Squeezing those lemons has never been so cool.

5. Travel Necessity

Otis Batterbee Prince of Wales Eye Mast, £45.00

If you're a frequent flyer, why not ask for this Prince of Wales chequed eye mask by Otis Batterbee as a stocking filler? Entirely made in England, and scented with lavender, you can feel both patriotic and luxurious as you get some shut-eye on that red-eye.

6. Fresh-Faced

Kiehl's Facial Fuel Transformer, £27.00

Every Christmas means another year gone (#doom, #gloom). So it's never too early to take into account protecting your visage as part of your Christmas wish-list. This age-correcting moisturiser from Kiehl's could be the start of your attack on any signs of ageing, or just to counter the general weariness following the hectic holiday season.

All products are available at John Lewis.

Diptyque x Liberty, Insolite Limited Edition Candle (£45.00)

'Tis the season for a Liberty collaboration it seems. First the high-end department store teamed up with Nike, and now with French fragrance-house Diptyque. 

The latter is perhaps the less surprising combo of the two, given the two founders of Diptyque did first work together designing fabrics and wallpaper for Liberty. 

This limited edition candle, Insolite, has been inspired by the aromas and fragrances of curiosity cabinets and boutiques like Liberty. And with orange, lime and canelle at the top, and laurel leaf, juniper, cardamom and ginger in the heart, this sounds just up my street.

Packaged in an incredibly beautiful box featuring classic Liberty prints interwoven with Diptyque motifs, this is something I would like to get my hands on tout suite.

Paul Smith, Underwear Advert Autumn/Winter 2013

Extreme fashion in the new Paul Smith underwear advert. 

Incredible - check it out!

Product Review: Clarins, Foot Beauty Treatment Cream (£22.00, 125ml)

No one really likes talking about feet. (Unless they REALLY like talking about feet, if you know what I mean!?) Having said that, a nasty looking foot is a real turn-off, so in my view it pays to take good care of those pinkies.

This thick, white treatment cream from Clarins is what I've been using to keep my heels soft this autumn. And it has all the usual suspects in terms of ingredients. Shea butter is deeply moisturising, while arnica is often used in homeopathy to help reduce swelling and bruising.

And this is not just for the foot; it is also a decent option for helping to strengthen your nails. Myrrh works to prevent split nails, as well as moisturising the nail beds and cuticles.

To get good coverage you need to be fairly liberal. Probably a 20p to 50p piece worth of cream per foot should do it. If you're bigfoot then use a little more. Don't be put off by the smell (which is medicinal, but not in a particularly good way), because the immediate feeling post-application is good. To get any long-term benefit though, you need to be using this stuff every day.

It's quite delicate, so if you're the man who has a foot that is in more need of a sander than a scrub, then this might not be for you. If that's the case, maybe think about something intensely exfoliating like the peppermint foot scrub from Body Shop. It's a bargain at £7.00 too. There's also nothing to stop you using a scrub followed by the cream, it just depends on whether you want to spend that long with your feet...

My tip, if you are using a foot cream like this, is to leave it by the bed. It feels best at the end of a long day, and having it on the bedside table just reminds you to use it. Just put it away if you have "guests" - best to keep your secrets to yourself!

I'm Wearing: Sunday 20 October 2013

I had an epiphany this week. I live in the best backdrop for fashion photographs ever. So, rather than continually vary my "I'm Wearing" location, you're instead going to get a weekly dose of fashion and brutalism.

Welcome to "fashion tales of the Barbican".

Oxblood Brogue: Church's

Rolled-up Jeans: Acne Studios

Printed T-Shirt: Acne Studios

Blazer: Cos

Umbrella: Stockholm Design House

Product Review: REN Skincare, Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask (£30.00, 50ml)

The lovely people at REN sent me a sample of this glycolactic radiance renewal mask a while ago. I've now tested it out four or five times, so I finally feel able to say something about it.

I've had limited success with masks in the past. I remember using an awesome matifying mask from Dior Homme Dermo System circa 2008 (it really worked), but other than that I've been underwhelmed on a number of occasions. 

But this award-winning offering from REN has, I must admit, left me feeling pretty good about face masks of late. With a beeswax-like texture, and a scent of grapefruit and papaya, I almost felt like I was in a spa in Bali rather than my Barbican bathroom when I put this on for the first time.

And the tropical fruits are not just to perfume this product. The natural acids from the lemon, grape and pineapple all detoxify and cleanse, while helping reveal a new layer of fresh epidermis to the world. Because this is REN, there's no chemical peel here, which should make this product fairly safe to use for all except those with incredibly delicate skin. I've certainly not found the mask to cause any irritation.

After leaving the mask on for around 10 minutes (I usually go a little longer because I'm too busy inhaling the tropicana), you wipe off the excess gel-like goodness from your face and then rinse. 

Although not particularly cheap, as you only need to use this weekly (or maybe even just before that night out or special occasion), the £30.00 should take you quite a long way. I've used a 15ml sample and I've had around five applications with still some to spare.

Just one warning: there will be no taking of "face mask selfies" using this. The mask is almost translucent, and is not a mud mask or similar where you get to answer your front door to strangers and scare the sh*t out of them.

Louis Vuitton For Your Mobile. Danger! Danger!

This video popped into my mailbox yesterday. Louis Vuitton's very well designed mobile store has now spread its wings (or bridges - just watch) in Europe. 

My credit card weeps!

Enjoy the ad, and enjoy shopping.

Product Review: Aesop, Bitter Orange Astringent Toner (£37.00, 200ml)

I have sometimes wondered what toners really do. And I'm not alone because, in fact, Phil over at Mirror Reality posed this very question only recently when he wrote about Estee Lauder's Multi-Action Toning Lotion. However, unlike Phil, I'm reviewing a toner I really, really like.

And the product that's causing this good reaction!? Aesop's Bitter Orange Astringent Toner.

So of course I like it. It's Aesop, after all, and they do no wrong. But it's not just because it's from the Australian super-grooming brand, it's also because it has proven to be a dream addition to my morning post-shower face off with the mirror.

Like any toner, this is the last step in your cleansing routine (and, for me, apres-shave). And in answering my question about "why use a toner?" - if you live in the constant grime of the city - this product leaves your skin feeling really fresh and dirt free.

The bitter orange and witch hazel are great for those with oily skin or those who suffer from break outs; so a natural choice if you're blemish-prone or your skin produces excess sebum. Also, witch hazel is fantastic for toning and firming up any bags under the eyes (although don't get this too close to the eye itself, I don't want to be blamed for any accidents...)!

Although not relevant in the UK as we approach winter, if you are lucky enough to be in hotter and more humid climes, then Aesop's toner is going to leave your face cooled and refreshed. A great treat if you tend to go red in the heat too.

Oh, and of course it smells great - citrus, rosemary, eucalyptus all present, correct and fragrant. 

But, using a toner does mean one thing. One thing that might be a "no no" for lots of men. It means buying cotton pads... 

If you are brave enough, then douse your cotton pad (fairly liberally) with the toner and wipe your face down, top to bottom. Now you're fresh and ready for your favourite moisturiser. Enjoy!

I'm Wearing: Sunday 13 October 2013

No photographer this week, so I improvised at home, pre-night out, with a handy full-length mirror and 10 second time delay.

Oh, and I promise that "I'm Wearing" will never be so "posed" again. Promise.

Oxblood Brogue: Church's

Japanese Raw Denim Jeans: Acne Studios

Cashmere Rollneck: Ted Baker

Blazer: Mr Rick Tailor

Suit Pin: Acne Studios

Camera: Canon EOS 700D

Interview: Matthew Hughes, Head Barber at Murdock London in Covent Garden

Matthew Hughes is head honcho at the King Street branch of exceptionally cool London barbershop Murdock. Managing to take some time away from treating the well-sculpted hair and facial hair of our good London gents, Matthew has answered a few questions about his style inspirations, and the need to maintain a healthy beard! Take a look:

Who is the modern man?

To me, the modern man should be purposeful but casual in styling, making sure that the look he is trying to achieve is accomplished without appearing like he has taken hours staring in the mirror. A personal style should also be maintained, not changed with each fad that comes and goes. 

Where do you look for inspiration when it comes to grooming and style? 

Absolutely everywhere. Working in an environment like Murdock means that you see guys everyday who have aspects of style that you can pinch and mould to suit you. Besides here, the streets are a great way to spot gents who have interesting but functional style. I think catwalks throw out styles and haircuts that are potentially great for a brief period, but are not always so realistic. 

And how does this impact on the "Murdock experience"?

The Murdock experience is a classic, smooth experience that doesn’t need to be altered depending on what is going on at the time. I think that is why it is so successful, as regardless of what's going on outside you are guaranteed the same relaxing and satisfying experience from entry to exit.

What is your own favourite product? Has this been influenced by your own customers?

At the moment it has to be the Murdock Beard Moisturiser, paired with the Elastick for the hair. My preferred hair product can change depending on the style I'm creating, but maintaining a healthy beard and looking after your skin is always going to be key. A nice Murdock Tweed wash bag to keep them both in is probably just as essential. 

Anything you avoid?

Product-wise there are plenty of things I would avoid for myself, but every product serves a purpose to an extent. The best way to learn would be to pop into your nearest Murdock branch and have a good chat with the gents in store. You'll get an honest opinion of what would suit you and what wouldn't. It’s the best way to make sure your bathroom cupboard isn't clogged up with products that you’ve opened and used once!

And finally, what's your top tip for the modern man?

Find your look and stick to it. Never try too hard.

Matthew and his team at Murdock King Street are helping you look like you don't have to try too hard every day of the week - go and check them out!

Product Review: Gentlemen's Tonic, Traditional Shave Cream (£19.00, 125g)

You expect a barbershop to look, feel and smell a certain way. You expect a barbershop in Mayfair to look, feel and smell somehow, well, classier than your average barbershop. Especially when that barbershop is also a centre for luxury (and manly) grooming treatments, massage and therapies such as reflexology. 

This is Gentlemen's Tonic. Located in Hong Kong and Dubai as well as London, this upmarket establishment sells a range of grooming products to tempt any man to part with his hard earned cash.

And I have been testing out the traditional shave cream for the past couple of weeks. 

Infused with babassu oil, to stop the skin drying out during your shave, and manuka honey, to moisturise and dampen any shaving irritation, this is a product aimed at the high-end of the market. (It's also paraben free, which I generally look for.)

Although better applied with a badger hair brush, this cream easily worked into my skin when I've attempted using my fingers. As shaving rash can be both unsightly and uncomfortable, I always tend to be on the liberal side with shaving gels, creams and foams. It's no different for me here. Though as this cream is on the viscous side, liberalism does tend to entail a serious wash-off afterwards to remove the product from the skin post-shave.

If you like to have a squeaky clean finish at the end of your shave, you would do well to check Gentlemen's Tonic out. This product leaves my shaven area feeling toned and fresh (and ready to be balmed). That said, I do find it's almost a shame to apply extra products, as I then lose the delicious bergamot fragrance from this cream as I progress through my morning routine. 

If you wanted to keep that fragrance going there is a babassu and bergamot scented candle for £35.00. I'd certainly be interested. And I'm also waiting for the eau de toilette, which I'm sure must be in the pipeline. (If not then I would of course like to be credited with the concept...)

On this basis I can see Gentlemen's Tonic establishing its name amongst the upper echelons of the "traditional" London men's grooming brands (think D. R. Harris and others). Now I'm just holding out for an invite to test the facilities in store!

Diptyque, "Un Air De Diptyque"

Slipping through my letterbox this morning was this beautiful card from French fragrance-experts Diptyque. What it tells me, on suitably embossed card, is that there is a new member of the Diptyque family: "Un Air de diptyque". 

Un Air de diptyque is a home fragrance diffusion system. Though not your average one, naturally. The electric diffuser is designed to discreetly emit your favourite Diptyque fragrance. There are currently five fragrances to choose from: amber; fig; baies; feu de bois; and the signature 34 boulevard St Germain. Each comes in its own capsule.

Un Air de diptyque is available in stores now - yours for just *gulp* £240.00. The capsules, sold separately, are £25.00 each.

How might you use yours!?

I'm Wearing: Sunday 6 October 2013

Highbury Fields provided the location for this week. All I'm missing is a Long Black and a puppy. Or a tennis racket and sweat patches. 

Ankle Boots: Reiss

Jeans: Cheap Monday

Belt: Acne Studios

Statement Sweatshirt: Veronica Maggio Merchandise

Wax Jacket: Rag & Bone

Pocket Square: Etro

Tote Bag: Acne Studios

Sunglasses: Ray-Ban

Product Review: Korres, Saffron, Amber and Cardamom Eau de Toilette (£30.00, 50ml)

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I was first approached with a saffron, amber and cardamom eau de toilette by Greek brand Korres.

Scents of India and the orient normally please me greatly (think about the sandalwood body lotion by Ishana and Penhaligon’s Zizonia, which have both previously made it onto this blog), but it seemed so out of character for Korres that I was somewhat worried. However, doing a bit of research I found that this spicy fragrance made it neatly into the Independent’s list of the fifty best fragrances, so my reservations didn’t last long.

First, the packaging. The bottle itself is extremely simple (I would perhaps have preferred a black cap, but I’m being picky). The sharp edges remind me of a medicine bottle or a product in a cool Scandinavian apothecary, which I like. This simplicity is also demonstrative of the price, which is extremely reasonable at £30.00 for 50ml.

More importantly, the fragrance itself. I found it quite intense upon application. You get an immediate honey-fied whiff of saffron, though it is the amber and agarwood base notes that last longer for me. There’s cedar and sandalwood in the heart of this fragrance too, so it really does capture the "scents of the East" well.

For those who like something warm and woody, with a little spice on top, I think you will enjoy this one.

My main criticism, however, is that the longevity is pretty average. My advice would therefore be to carry the bottle (or a handy atomiser) around with you for reapplication post-lunch and/or pre-drinks. The lack of longevity is perhaps due to the almost exclusively “natural” content of this fragrance. Chemicals do make things last longer…

Also, there is alcohol in this product, so if you generally stay clear of eau de toilette's with alcohol content then keep this in mind!

Available at www.TheFragranceShop.co.uk. 

In Rotation: October 2013

I've got some excellent products to test out this month, including a couple of face masks to give my skin that extra love and care as the weather gets colder. I've already given my humble opinion on the Kiehl's cleanser and the Clarins Men Fatigue Fighter. But I'll be bringing you views and reviews on the rest of these products in good time, so keep an eye out!

Clockwise from centre top:

Korres: Saffron, Amber & Cardamom Eau de Toilette

Aesop: Bitter Orange Astringent Toner

Clarins: Foot Beauty Treatment Cream

Gentlemen's Tonic: Traditional Shave Cream

Clarins Men: Fatigue Fighter

Elemis: Post Shave Recovery Mask

Kiehl's: Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser

REN Skincare: Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask

My New: Clarins Men, Fatigue Fighter (£30.00, 50ml)

It works. That's my review in a nutshell.

The masculine equivalent of the much lauded Beauty Flash Balm, this energising gel is possibly the best product in the Clarins Men range. And that means a lot, given that the hand cream is one of my essential products!

An absolute must-have and a lifesaver for the gent who travels for work and needs to go straight to that meeting post-flight, or the guy who parties too hard on a school night and has to face his colleagues the next day. The skin looks immediately fresher, brighter and re-vitalised.

This is a non-oily gel, which is great. Otherwise, I'll admit, it's a bit of a weird aquamarine colour and smells ever so slightly of chemicals. Don't let that put you off! In terms of ingredients, the blue alpine thistle combats redness and soothes, while centella is known as "the fountain of youth" in Chinese medicine due to its restorative and healing qualities. There is definitely a mental as well as physical side to the fatigue fighter! Centella also stimulates collagen production, so has great anti-ageing benefits too.

As a result, you could use a very thin layer of this every day as your moisturiser, but if I'm being honest that's a massive waste. You only get 50ml a bottle, so preserve! Instead, just use a little on key areas over your daily moisturiser, balm or gel.

If you are using it like I do, as bonus brightener on days the skin feels dehydrated or tired, you only need to squeeze a small amount of gel straight from the tube along the lower edge of your cheekbone. Then dab in with a couple of light finger taps, moving outwards and upwards along your face. Et voilà. 

I do have one major problem with this product. It's a whole £1 more expensive than Beauty Flash Balm! Now, £1 may not seem a big deal, but it's the principle of the thing and plays out again how brands think they can charge men more for grooming products simply because, well, I don't even know! It makes me so angry I sometimes fear my appendix might burst.

But forget that, take the plunge, and invest. And let me know how it works for you!

MR PORTER Gets Groomed. Finally!

MR PORTER has been bringing us high fashion via its delightfully-packaged deliveries for the last three years. But from today the site is branching out into my favourite field...grooming! And about time, quite frankly.

Imagine all the chic "modern apothecary" brands in one place, from my personal go-to Aesop to Le Labo and Perricone MD, and you've got the vibe they're going for. Perhaps most interestingly, the site will be stocking products from Santa Maria Novella, one of the oldest pharmacies in the world and founded in 1612. This will be the first time these world-famous treats have been available online.

Only eight brands are going on sale, so there's been a definite internal decision to keep this quality over quantity. And luckily, for people outside London, MR PORTER has selected some great lines that are not widely available in the regions.

Go and check it out at www.mrporter.com!