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!

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.

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...

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!

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

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!

In Rotation: September 2013

Sharing the contents of one's bathroom might under any normal circumstances be considered, well, inappropriate. But as I review this stuff all the time I thought it might be fun to share some of what is currently in my grooming rotation for September.*

If there hasn't already been a review of each of these products then there soon will be, so bear with me!

On that note, here you have it (clockwise from top):

Redken: intra-force daily stimulating treatment

Dermalogica: invigorating shave gel

Elemis: deep cleanse facial wash

Aesop: oil free facial hydrating serum

Kiehl's: men's aftershave balm and moisturiser

Baxter of California: night cream AHA

Murdock London: hair doh

Korres: vanilla plum body milk

Diptyque: tam dao eau de toilette

Molton Brown: revitalising eye treatment

PS, you can ignore the olive green tiled background, I happen to like my bathroom so there!

* of course, this is only a snapshot - I'm using new, different and extra products all the time.

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