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!