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.

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

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.

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!

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. 

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

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.