mens grooming Archives - CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Words by Charlie Britton

As we continue to take more and more care of ourselves, both body and appearance, it’s no surprise that retailers are tailoring their products towards this trend. We however here at Clothes Make The Man don’t believe that this is a trend, but a growing example of the modern man and the pride he takes in taking care of himself.

As we’re on the topic of conversation about growing, let’s talk facial hair. There is most definitely a blurred line between looking smart and scruffy with facial hair and often when the occasion requires, it’s time to smarted up and check that neck line.

Braun are a much loved player in the men’s grooming game and we have them to thank for some truly great products that have kept us looking our best. With the recent release of it’s new Beard Trimmer, Braun have taken the time to help us gents smarten up, whether that may be for an interview, business meeting or a date night down your local bar.

The Braun BT3040 is a precise and effective beard styling tool with 39 length settings for ultimate control. It gives you the opportunity to pick and chose the perfect length to suit your requirements, face shape and occasion, so you can always guarantee a smart and well kept mane.

With this release, Braun has shared some great tips for smartening up your stubble, whatever the occasion;

First, allow your stubble to grow a little but longer than you’re aiming for to gauge coverage, then trim back to 5mm using the Braun BT3040 Beard Trimmer.
After trimming your stubble to a uniform length, clean up the edges using the Precision Trimmer attachment. It’s recommended that you use two or three fingers width and extend past the jawline for a more flattering look, then completely clean up the neck line from the Adam’s apple down.

For a short stubble look, create a neat line and cheat the desired cheekbone definition with the Contour Edging blade. Make sure you use your finger and place it against the skin to ensure the line is straight.

Lastly, if your beard connects with your hair behind your ears you should always separate the two. It’s small details like these that separate the men from the boys and keep that stubble looking designer, rather than discount.

If you’re looking to smarten up and keep that facial hair tamed, this might just be the perfect option for you. Braun also produce a really great range of men’s grooming tools and products so if you’re interested, you can see the full range here. Have any tips, tricks or questions you’d like to ask? Get involved and leave us a comment below!

Obsession by Calvin Klein was and still is iconic in every way, shape and form. It was a fragrance that completely summed up a period of time. In 1993, a certain Kate Moss, who was THE Supermodel at that time, became the fragrance’s face. She was 18 years old when her then boyfriend, MARIO SORRENTI, aged 20, shot her for the campaign.

Sorrenti already displayed prodigious talent as a photographer, while Moss was fast becoming not just a model, but a star. CALVIN KLEIN himself, having been shown some of Sorrenti’s informal holiday photography of Moss by the uber-art director Fabien Baron, sent the couple away alone, to the Virgin Islands.
They were asked to replicate the intimacy and informality of the earlier photography for OBSESSION; there was no photographic team, no hair and make-up crew and no art directors present.
The ground-breaking and provocative imagery that ensued reflected the couple’s real love story; besides portraying a mutual flourishing of first love, the images also reveal an obsession with both a subject and a medium by the photographer.

As the legendary campaign approaches its 25th anniversary, the House of Calvin Klein finds itself with a new, Chief Creative Officer, in the shape of Belgian design phenomena, RAF SIMONS.

Who believes now is the right time for the re-invention of an iconic fragrance. OBSESSED plays on the evocation of memory through scent. Mixing memory and desire, masculine and feminine, the past and the present, these compelling fragrances echo the original OBSESSION, yet blur and reformulate scents for both men and women today.

As Simons states, “I suppose you could say we were obsessed by OBSESSION. If one thing summed up CALVIN KLEIN for us visually, it was Mario Sorrenti’s OBSESSION campaign with Kate Moss. It lived in our heads for so many years and became a touchstone of sensuality when we arrived at CALVIN KLEIN. We thought about a scent that could reflect such an idea of memory and desire for today. Of male and female, of the memory of somebody else on your skin.”

As part of the campaign to promote this fragrance OBSESSED utilises never before seen imagery from that time and personal biography to further explore and evoke the idea of memory, past love and present iconography. As the first fragrance formulated and promoted under RAF SIMONS as Chief Creative Officer of CALVIN KLEIN, OBSESSED can be seen as a celebration of CALVIN KLEIN fragrances past, present and future. OBSESSED is about how memory, the sensual and the visual intertwine today.

OBSESSED FOR MEN is an Oriental Woody Amber fragrance with top notes of Oro Blanco Grapefruit Sichuan Pepper Black Cardamom. Leading into Cedar Leaves Labdanum Firnat Blonde Leather and finally dry Patchouli Cœur Black Vanilla Infusion Ambrox Super. A compelling heart of Black Vanilla is sophisticatedly structured with dark, dimensional woods, providing the tension between a feminine melodiousness and masculine strength. Ambrox elegantly cuts through all, lending a sleek and contemporaneous edge.

Words by Charlie Britton

Let’s forget the marketing with this one gents. A good lip balm should hydrate, nourish, soften and prevent lips from chapping. Aside from a enjoyable flavour, theres nothing else a lip balm really needs. We are aware that it can be rather confusing at times to know which one to choose, but the good news is here at Clothes Make The Man, we do know which 6 lip balms work wonders when it comes to getting lippy. Put down that old chap stick fellas.

Carmex

When it comes to lip care, Carmex may very well be the ‘king of the castle’ as it strives to produce the best and most effective lip balms on the market. Medicated balm in a tube is the simplest way to describe Carmex, as this fuss-free lip balm does exactly as it says on the tin. Featuring an analgesic ingredient which helps relieve pain, this cocoa butter and beeswax balm will soothe lips and keep them feeling fresh.

Scaramouche + Fandango

The newest product to come out of London based grooming brand Scaramouche + Fandango is an impressive shea butter and honey flavour lip balm. Encased in a masculine monochrome tube, this lip balm features a shea butter, soy bean oil and cocoa butter fill that promises to hydrate, nourish and prevent chapping. It happens to do exactly that and what’s more, it uses a honey flavour rather than the real deal, so it’s suitable for vegans too!

Baxter of California

If you’re looking for an exciting little lip balm, then the ‘Hydro Salve’ balm from Baxter of California might just be the perfect pick of the bunch. Mojito-flavoured and enriched with vitamins, this perfectly sweet lip balm will leave lips in top condition whilst delivering a subtle and minty tingle. We wouldn’t necessarily say this tastes like a mojito, but the mint and lime combination is a nice touch, if only it was a little stronger!

Jack Black

Next up in out top 6 is this spicy grapefruit and ginger lip balm from Jack Black. Featuring sun protection with an SPF of 25, this lip balm is enriched with antioxidants and skin conditioners to soften and soothe dry and chapped lips. Jack Black offers quite the selection of flavours but the favourite of ours has to be this citrus and ginger flavoured balm as it tastes really great and brings something a little different to the market. The fact that is features an SPF protection is an added bonus, so this a great option if your off on your summer holidays soon.

retaW x Fragment Design

For the style conscious man, we’ve discovered this beautifully designed lip balm by Japanese fragrance brand retaW (water backwards). This collaborative balm with imprint, Fragment Design, aims to keep lips hydrated and fresh with Candelilla wax, rosemary and peppermint oil. Our favourite thing about this lip balm is the design, as it doesn’t look anything like a lip balm and more a work of art, although it tastes and smells great.

Kiehls

Last up on our list is Kiehls lip balm #1. Mint flavoured, enriched with vitamin A and E, featuring sweet almond oil, aloe vera and lanolin, this balm is a great all rounder you’re certain to find on the high street. You can also choose other flavours such as pear, cranberry and even mango, so theres a flavour for any chapped-lip favour.

Words by Charlie Britton

You’re probably curious as to why we’re listing the best body washes for men, but I’ll have you know that we have a perfectly good reason. You’re average Joe shower gel from the local drug store certainly isn’t up to scratch with these body washes, packed full of fantastic ingredients to invigorate, clean and purify you’re skin and set you up for the day ahead, which is exactly what you’re missing out on each morning if you don’t own one of these;

The Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser is a mighty botanically enhanced cleanser that gently removes grime, banishes odour and leaves the skin beautifully scented and fresh, perfect for a morning shower. Geranium has a handful of skin and health benefits too, so it’s sure to leave you feeling refreshed.

Scaramouche + Fandango‘s Body Wash is the perfect shower companion, especially being oil, silicone and paraben-free. This Vitamin E and Papaya body wash leaves the skin hydrated and invigorated, whilst removing all the unwanted grime and residue from the skin. Scented with the S+F signature fragrance, there’s not much more you could ask for.

This Molton Brown Bushukan body wash is a refreshing and indulgent bath and shower gel blended with antioxidant-rich Thai Bushukan fruit, a member of the citrus family. This wash also features hints of black pepper and tolu absolute, sure to leave your skin feeling clean and smelling great.

The Kiehls Body Fuel wash is another great body wash in this line up, functioning as both a body wash and shampoo in one. Formulated with caffeine and menthol, this wash is certain to get you going in the morning, with the added bonus of being paraben and sulfate-free.

Surface, a grooming brand designed for city goers, produce a body wash formulated with active ingredients and softening and emollient properties. Refreshing, delicate and antipollution, this is the perfect body wash for those who are always on the move, especially in town.

Last but not least, Cowshed’s Bullocks Bracing Body Wash purifies and tones the skin with petitgrain and grapefruit, combining a masculine and invigorating scent too. Packed with hemp seed oil, this body wash provides nutrients and vitamins for your skin, leaving you feeling refreshed and recharged.

So there you have it, our top 6 body wash picks to make your day that little bit better. Here at Clothes Make The Man, we insist on keeping clean and looking sharp, so as long as you trust in our top 6 picks you’ll be halfway there.

Boardroom to Bar – Smarten up with Braun

Obsessed with Obsession – Obsessed by Calvin Klein

6 of the Best – Mens Lip Balms