If the current beauty market is anything to go by, it seems that the men of our time are a lot more willing to slather themselves in lashings of moisturiser and take time sculpting their tresses – without their masculinity coming under threat. Us women have never relied on luck and genes alone, so why shouldn't men follow suit and spend a little time and effort on their appearance too?
If your bloke's a stranger to the world of beauty, we're here to help him make room to groom. So if he's suffering from a world-weary complexion, sandpaper skin or hair that's in need of a helping hand, some sensible investments will soon have him spruced-up, uber-dapper and ready to give Becks a run for his money in the grooming stakes. Read on for a round-up of the best beauty buys for men on the market.
Stubble trouble
If your fella fancies giving himself the ultimate shave – and keeping his skin smooth and supple in the process – there's a lot more to it than a splash of water, a hand mirror and a rusty blade! Before he even reaches for the razor, there are a few things he could do to ensure he's prepared for a close shave, especially if he suffers from sensitive skin. Lancôme Homme's Invigorating Cleansing Gel (£16) deep-cleanses, unclogs pores and banishes nasty impurities leaving the skin hydrated and ready for the razor. Likewise, The Real Shaving Company's Pre-Shave Self Heating Face Mask (£4.99) – a mineral clay mask that acts just like a barber's hot towel - will soften the skin for shaving as well as providing a real treat for the face.
Tell your man to stop settling for ordinary soap when it comes to shaving that face fuzz – it will only dry out his skin. Instead, tell him to try Crabtree & Evelyn's luxurious Nomad Shave Cream (£8.95), formulated with cherry bark, aloe vera and rice bran extracts to calm, soothe and condition the skin for a seriously comfortable shave. Follow up with Lancôme Homme's Ultra-Soothing After-Shave Balm (£22) and you'll both feel the difference.
Smooth talking
Every man's beauty regime, no matter how brief, should include a moisturiser. If he suffers from dry skin, especially during winter, encourage your beloved to soften up with an intensive moisturising cream, like Nivea for Men's moisturiser (£4.99). Maybe his skin's looking a little lacklustre following a long winter? L'Oréal Men Expert recently launched the Hydra Energetic Anti-Dull Skin tanning moisturiser (£7.79). It will not only leave him feeling soft and super-strokeable, but also offer a subtle, natural looking, streak-free tan.
Face facts
We all know the importance of moisturising, but certain areas and issues might need a little extra attention. Why not open your man's eyes up to the possibilities of facial washes, exfoliators, cleansing treatments and even face-masks.
The Clarins Men range includes the fantastic Active Face Scrub (£16.50) exfoliator which is both super-quick and easy to use. A quick scrub once or twice a week will help polish off any dead skin cells and improve texture. Follow up with a deep cleansing face-mask to clear out any environmental toxins, dirt or debris that can get under the skin. Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal face-mask (£15) acts like a magnet to draw out all those nasty pore-cloggers - essential if your man lives or works in the city.
If his face is a little oily, tell him about the fantastic anti-slick trick products for men on the market. Nivea for men has the right solution to deal with a shiny skin surface – their foaming Purifying Face Wash (£4.49) helps control oil balance of the skin, leaving it clean and shine-free. A blast of Clinique's Oil Control Hydrator (£21) morning and night will also help stop that shine and tighten the pores in the process.
Get lippy
We all crave super-soft, kissable lips. Your man's pout can regain it's power with a good, no-nonsense lip balm. Get him to give Carmex's Lip Balm (£2.25) a whirl. It's perfect for dry, cracked and chapped lips, and comes in a handy discreet pot so there's no worry that he'll look like he's applying lipstick! The Caudalie Grape-seed Lip Conditioner (£4.50), also discreetly packaged, is another man-bag essential.
Mr Bright Eyes
Worried his eyes have lost their sparkle, or are his peepers puffy, dull and lugging several dark bags? If so, it's time to invest in a good eye contour cream. The Botanics Look Alert Under Eye Serum (£6.75) is a refreshing, fragrance-free formula will reduce any signs of weariness and help send those bags packing.
Hair-raising
Once he's tackled the skin, it's time to go to work on what's atop his pretty head. He too can achieve edgy, uber-cool tresses like your favourite male celebs with Toni&Guy's ultra-stylish new Men Only range of hair products. Don't miss their Defining Cream Wax (£6.50), perfect for creating today's textured styles.
One of the top beauty concerns for men is a thinning mane. Luckily, everyday use of Clinique's Hair Maximizing Shampoo (£10) and Serum (£13) will promote stronger, healthier hair, and nourish the scalp to encourage growth - it will even gives the appearance of thicker tresses.
Whatever his age or lifestyle, a simple skin routine can really make a difference to a man's face. So don't let him be left behind as his peers all spruce up - print out this article, and give it to him, asap.
