All posts filed under: Grooming

Beast London male beauty store - The Spa Man

BEAST – the new retail store for male beauty in Covent Garden

Published by Mark Smith

BEAST, the new uber-cool store devoted to retailing male beauty products has opened its doors in the heart of Covent Garden. Stand alone male grooming shops have come and gone in the past. But maybe 2017 is the right time for a store like this to finally be a success. It has got the basics right – cool store design, great lighting, excellent location with high footfall. And what impressed me most was the curated range of interesting high-performance brands. You really need to check it out as you won’t find many of these male beauty brands in your typical high street department store. This is a good thing. The brands are eclectic and sourced from around the world from Vitaman in Australia to Verso in Sweden. There are 80 brands in total with newcomers and long-standing classic and cult items. Shopping has never been easier as the store is signposted by concern, skin condition or treatment type. It has the potential to shape up the men’s skincare market. Especially for retail. The products are displayed by category …

Six of the Best Beard Oils

Published by Mark Smith

The Spa Man picks six of the best beard oils. Designed to smooth, nourish and condition the beard, this category in the men’s grooming market really is having a moment. Beards continue to be “on trend” and no, we haven’t reached peak beard yet. That’s just the shaving companies trying to create a story. Adding a fine sheen to the beard whilst conditioning the hair is an essential part of the beard grooming ritual. Oils give less shape and style (balms and much better for that) but they do also work to condition and hydrate the skin if you work them through the hair. With all of these oils you will need to wash your hands afterwards. Some are really stubborn and take a while to remove. So here’s The Spa Man’s tried and tested selection of the Best Beard Oils. Brisk Cedarwood Beard Oil Apparently one Brisk grooming product is sold every minute. This beard oil contains a blend of natural and essential oils harnessing the earthy properties of cedarwood for its spicy, woody notes. …

'Dermot O'Leary for M&S - men's skincare

You heard it right: 24.hr Grooming for Men by Dermot O’Leary launches

Published by Mark Smith

Dermot O’Leary, has created a skincare range exclusively for M&S launching in store and online in time for Father’s Day this June. It’s not the first time a TV celebrity has moved into the male grooming or men’s skincare market. It will be interesting to see how it’s received. the price point is affordable and appeals to the widest possible market. Prices for the 24.hr Grooming for Men by Dermot O’Leary for M&S start at £5 for a Body Wash, £6 for Face Wash up to £15 for a Moisturiser. I’m looking forward to trying the products to see if they live up to the hype. The press info tells me that Dermot has tested a huge variety of products and wanted to apply his learnings to create a hassle-free, affordable grooming collection of his own. Fair enough. 24.hr Grooming for Men by Dermot O’Leary has taken over a year to create and will launch with six products initially, fragrances and gifting packages will also be available pre Christmas. 24.hr Grooming for Men by Dermot O’Leary Dermot explains:“This …

SenSpa launches new Thai Rituals Range

Published by Mark Smith

I was very excited to hear that SenSpa has launched the Thai Rituals Range. I’m a big fan of the brand and have loved each product range they have launched so far. Now you too can treat yourself with an escape to the Far East – at home! The SenSpa Thai Rituals collection combines the best of natural and exotic ingredients and essential oils, including organic hibiscus flower and slang slang. Its more floral than I expected, and lacks the distinctive notes of ginger or lemongrass. What you will find is a blend that is more complex, exploring some more of the lesser known scents of the Far East. With this capsule collection of four bath and body products you can transform your everyday bathing ritual in an instant. Each product has been expertly formulated to deliver an unparalleled at-home-spa experience. SenSpa Thai Rituals Range The SenSpa Thai Rituals range includes four inspiring new products: Float Away Bath Soak (£5.95, 250ml) – Combining bamboo shoot and frangipani extracts with neroli, ylang ylang and jasmine essential oils, this bath soak offers …

Best Christmas Grooming Gift for Men - The Spa Man

Best Grooming Gifts for Men at Christmas

Published by Mark Smith

It’s that time of year when you google: Best Grooming Gifts for Men. Yes, it’s Christmas. The Spa Man has selected a range of the best grooming gifts for men. Mindful of prices, there are just a couple of blow-the-budget choices and some which have much more pocket-friendly prices to suit every budget. A grooming gift set isn’t a lazy option either. Guys like to look good and here’s a chance to refresh their grooming regime. The Gym Kit Collection – Elemis Elemis gift sets are hard to beat in terms of choice and value, and it was difficult to pick just one to include. In fact I would go as far to say, that as a brand they do offer the best grooming gifts for men. I like Gym Kit Collection as it has travel/gym friendly sized products for that sports man in your life. Skincare, body care and even post workout products to sooth tired and aching muscles. Deep Cleanse Facial Wash – 50ml Anti-Fatigue Day Cream – 20ml Revitalise-Me Shower Gel – 200ml Aching Muscle …

ESPA Winter Spice Reed Diffuser - The Spa Man

Five of the best: reed diffusers

Published by Mark Smith

Reed diffusers are like a grown up’s version of a scented candle. They infused the air with a gentle scent and aroma that can be calming and soothing or fragrant and uplifting. The old saying that you get what you pay for rings very true in this segment of the beauty industry. I have put my nose to many a reed diffuser only to draw back in horror. Sweet, sickly, cheap and nasty. Gift shops are the worst culprits. Hideous. Reed diffusers in the spa market are definitely worth the investment and give a rounded fragrance for the home that can enhance the mood because they are generally based on a blend of high quality essential oils. They last for weeks and weeks so it’s definitely worth upgrading to quality reed diffusers. Put one on your Christmas gift list now. Five of the best: reed diffusers AromaWorks Serenity Reed Diffuser Uplifting and energising, the citrus, warm fragrance of lemongrass promises to energise the mind and body. Neroli calms and emotions and soothes stress. It’s a fabulous blend and one …

FOREO Luna for Men

Published by Mark Smith

Gadgets and grooming go together. The razor is one of the most lucrative and innovative sectors and now beards as de rigour, there are swathes of tools and electrical items to preen and trim full follicled faces. A few years ago cleansing face gadgets swamped the women’s skincare sector and it was a natural progression for them to eventually target men too. And why not – everyone loves a clean face right? A deep thorough cleanse is fairly high on most men’s wish list, removing grim, dirt and blackheads. Gadgets do help and make the whole process quicker and easier. I’ve tried the quick action brushes and they work like a dream. Especially in the shower. For an even more high tech option, FOREO has launched FOREO LUNA for Men. It’s a cleansing device designed for a man’s skin and typically it comes in black. The press release hails it as the Ultimate Pre-Shaving Skincare Device for a Closer More Comfortable Shave after Just 1-Minute! Well I have to say I’ve used it as a …

The Great British Grooming Co. - The Spa Man

The Great British Grooming Co. reviewed

Published by Mark Smith

It seems that every day there’s another men’s grooming launch focussing on shaving and beards and then along comes one that actually rather good, enter: The Great British Grooming Co. The Great British Grooming Co. has launched a capsule range of four products with a light fragrance that refreshes and revitalises the beard. It’s blended with the hydrating, nourishing and skin boosting properties of Argan Oil. I particularly liked the Beard Wash and Beard Balm. The scent infused into the products is slightly spicy, but not heavily so. Sometimes the fragrance used in men’s products – especially for the beard is way too strong, this is the perfect balance. The Balm helps to style the beard and give it a nice sheen without too much residue or heaviness. The products are priced very competitively and won’t dent your grooming budget too much. and you can gran them in Superdrug. Perfect! The Great British Grooming Co. Wash Beard Wash will help you to cleanse and keep your facial hair smooth, sleek and untangled. It can also …

Voya Lazy Days reviewed

Published by Mark Smith

I’ve been a fan of Voya for some time and was privileged to visit the home of the brand on the West Coast of Ireland a few years back to learn about the benefits of seaweed and the joys of a seaweed bath – which you can now enjoy at home thanks to the spa-at-home seaweed bath in a box – Voya Lazy Days. Voya hand-harvests organic seaweed using traditional methods and combines it with Dead Sea salt to create Lazy Days. The seaweed is dried using a special technique and packaged and sent around the world so that everyone can enjoy the hydrating, skin-caring benefits of a relaxing seaweed bath. Voya Lazy Days Placed in hot water, the seaweed naturally rehydrates and springs back to life in an instant and releases a kind of alginate which is both soothing and moisturising. It feels great on the skin and because the seaweed is in a mesh bag – its not too weird on the skin. For a full experience I ripped the bag open to allow the seaweed to float …

Arabian Beard Ritual reviewed at The Spa at Dolphin Square

Published by Mark Smith

Capitalising on the continuing popularity of the beard trend (which I might note at this point – we have not yet reached peak beard), The Spa at Dolphin Square has added a rather impressive new treatment for men to its spa menu. The Arabian Beard Ritual is all about the beard. It’s not offered in a barbers chair and you won’t get a trim and style, but unlike anything I’ve experienced in a spa to date, your beard is cleansed, massaged and combed to perfection. To start, it begins with a light cleanse and hot towel refresh of the beard and so begins the ritual. Then, in true Moroccan style, the therapist applies thick, unctuous amounts of traditional black soap – Savon Noir. Arabian Beard Ritual Reviewed A potent blend of eucalyptus, it’s a heady cleanser that is used to lather up the follicles and hairs on the face in what can only be described as a good and thoroughly scrub. The muscles on the face are gently massaged which relieves tension in the jaw and was totally …

The Refinery launches at M&S

Published by Mark Smith

Established in 2000, The Refinery has over 15 years’ experience in crafting great skincare products and perfecting the art of shaving and beard maintenance at its Mayfair HQ. From 1 September 2016, The Refinery launches at M&S. this premium men’s grooming brand will be available at selected M&S counters showcasing an iconic selection of products. It’s an interesting move that takes a world-renowned men’s spa and grooming brand to the masses. Partnering with some of the world’s best Mandarin Oriental Hotels and Spas, The Refinery has gained an international reputation for quality products that delivery great results. Power-packed with essential oils, The Refinery range is a pioneering skin care collection specifically formulated for men combining cutting edge technology with all the force of the finest quality highly concentrated essential oils. I’ve always been impressed with the product formulations. they are smartly packaged, with effective ingredients and a heady blend of essential oils that make the grooming regime an experience, not a chore. The Refinery products launching into M&S: The Refinery Face Wash – £20.00 The Refinery Shave Foam …

nügg Face Masks

Published by Mark Smith

nügg Face Masks are rather dinky little travel-friendly face masks that are not only a great price (£3.29) they are an ideal pick-me-up for the face when its been a bit neglected. I decided to put them to the test on a break in Ibiza, knowing I would be out in the sun and swimming in the sea everyday. I knew my face would need an added boost of nourishing and hydrating ingredients and each mask in the range addresses a different concern – be it soothing, hydrating, cleansing, exfoliating, revitalizing and anti-ageing. nügg’s innovative facemasks are manufactured with what is said to be an innovative Natural Oil Dispersion Technology that uses physics instead of chemistry to blend oil and water which avoids the use of chemical emulsifiers that can impair the natural skin barrier function. Did they live up to the hype? So I tried out nügg Hydrating Face Mask and it does what it says on the tin. It felt cool on the skin, but not a menthol-style cool. It was probably just …

Thai Square Spa launches new Men’s Time Reviver

Published by Mark Smith

Thai Square Spa launches new Men’s Time Reviver at its new location on Northumberland Avenue, near Trafalgar Square. Offering gentlemen the perfect escape from their busy schedules they can unwind with the Men’s Time Out Reviver package. Choose from a blissful one hour Traditional Thai Massage, or a soothing one hour Gentlemen Hot Towel Facial or stress-busting Back, Neck, Shoulder Massage (with or without Andaman Aroma Soul oil) as well as a 45 minute haircut in the Thai Square Salon. This time saving package offers men the chance to relax and get all their grooming needs taken care of in a one-stop shop. Thai Square Spa launches new Men’s Time Reviver Thai Square Spa brings the traditional Thai Spa experience to the heart of London with an eclectic mix of Thai, Roman and Turkish influences. There are five Thai Massage treatment rooms, six Ritual Massage rooms and one vast VIP Suite treatment room! Also relax and part take in a session in the day spa’s ‘Sen Space’ before treatments. A Vichy Shower Treatment Room, a Jacuzzi, …

Bombay Sapphire The Art of Contemplation with Murdock London

Gin inspired grooming at Murdock London

Published by Mark Smith

There’s some gin inspired grooming at Murdock London during August and September as part of the promotion – The Art of Contemplation which sees Murdock partner with Star of Bombay, the newly launched super premium gin. From 1st August – 16th September 2016, visitors to the Murdock London stores in Soho, Covent Garden and Shoreditch will be able to enjoy a moment of contemplation with complimentary Star & Tonics during their grooming experience. Inspired by the slow vapour infusion distillation process used to create the newly launched Star of Bombay, The Art of Contemplation with Murdock London provides each and every client with the opportunity to upgrade their treatment with a Star & Tonic. The six-week long partnership will also feature private ‘How-To’ masterclasses, co-hosted by Bombay Sapphire’s brand ambassador Renaud de Bosredon as guests learn how to make the perfect Star of Bombay martini whilst absorbing grooming trips from Murdock London’s expert barbers. Gin inspired grooming at Murdock London So – how about the gin? Slowly distilled with the addition of two new botanicals, …

On National Men’s Grooming Day I’m increasingly frustrated by the lack of innovation in spa

Published by Mark Smith

National Men’s Grooming Day is a great way for what? For men to go out and celebrate grooming? I don’t think we will see the streets filled with blokes parading around holding their favourite shave gel or moisturiser up high. I’m increasingly frustrated by the lack of innovation in men’s spa treatments I visit about 30 spas a year and try lots of treatments, experiencing some of the very best the industry has to offer. I find it very frustrating that there’s a real lack of innovation in the market for men. Invariably the treatments will be repackaged generic beauty treatments that have been given a title “Energising facial for men” or “Sports massage for men” when in reality, its just the same old, same old. Repackaged, renamed and lacks thought or inspiration. Men are interested in visiting spas and numbers are increasing around the world. I have seen various figures about the number of men who visit spas – but its hard to get an accurate figure. According to Conde Nast Traveler magazine, 35% of spa …