TrendLife Beauty

For today’s man, grooming has become a requisite of his daily routine. Indeed, modern manhood is about keeping up appearances. Where men of the ‘90s saw a bi or tri-weekly scrub as a pampering session too far, an unkempt barnet, beard and beer belly is a heinous crime to males of 2k11. Keen to explore the rise and rise of the male beauty industry, I enlisted the help of a male model to put to the test those products touted to be the big boys of male beauty.

A wingman is usually brought in by his pal to help woo a lady. A wingman will pull out all the stops to ensure that his buddy bags the gal. A wingman was thus required by my male model who has had his eye on someone for quite some time. The woman in question? My mother.  Thanks to the Wingman Deodorising Wipes, Adrian won his damsel. Removing dirt, bacteria and excess oil, the wipes also get rid of odours that build up during the day. His recent business trip to Dubai meant that Wingman Deodorising Wipes were a must-have in Adrian’s manbag, and as the Queen of Adrian’s heart stood anxiously waiting at arrivals for their Love Actually moment, the wipes helped to leave his skin cool and refreshed when their embrace left him feeling hot and flustered.

Said Queen has her heart set on a heroic hunk. Valiant and strapping, she longed for Adrian to whisk her off her size seven feet and transport her from Terminal 5 at Heathrow airport to the urban jungle of KT19. Definitive of masculinity, the King of Shaves Azor 5 Razor has proven to be Adrian’s key to mummy’s padlocked heart. Designed for sensitive skin, its ‘Bendology Technology’ allows for a close comfortable shave and its slimline cartridge makes shaving hard to reach areas easy. Its ‘beard bumper’ lifts stubble during shaving and reduces the risk of nicks and cuts. Adrian uses the King of Shaves Azor Advanced Sensitive Shave Gel alongside the Razor. Helping to protect, moisturise and lubricate skin, it is also both dermatologically tested and unfragranced.

In our bathroom, the man in the mirror is our own King of Shaves, Adrian. As he emerges looking like one smooth criminal indeed, it’s not long before he burst into song with ‘The Girl is Mine’. Thanks to his Wingman & King of Shaves products, Denise really is all his.

Wingman Deodorising Wipes - £1.22 (2 pack), £3.56 (8 pack)

King Of Shaves Azor 5 Razor - £6.99

King Of Shaves Azor Advanced Sensitive Shave Gel 150ml - £3.69

www.boots.com

At age fifteen, I was hot-footed down to the local pharmacy to buy a concealer for the outbreak of pimples that had kindly decided to take a short vacation ‘pon my visage. Armed with my concealer, I was convinced I had won over the zit monster. Unfortunately, the concealers on the market back in ’04 offered war-paint type coverage. While ‘sunny beige’ sounded like a luxurious coverage to hide my imperfections; it simply drew attention to my skin.

Fast forward to 2011 and L'Oréal Paris True Match Touche Magique Concealer is the answer to my teenage prayers. Unlike its predecessors, one shade does not fit all, six are on offer to suit a host of complexions. Magique this product certainly is; hiding dark circles and fine lines, it matches skin tone and texture perfectly, leaving imperfections under wraps. Its soft brush applicator eases application so that skin looks radiant and smooth and I find it offers flawless coverage. Even when I long for the banish of breakouts, L'Oréal conceals and heals. A great find which lasts for yonks!

£7.19

www.loreal.co.uk

Available from Boots, Superdrug and all good beauty stores.

Ole Henriksen’s Truth range is made up of a collection of ‘super-crèmes’ containing micro algae, vitamin C and omega extracts with SPF 15 for total age-defying results.

Rich texture with a fragrant citrus and berry scent, the Truth Revealed super crème rubs in luxuriously leaving skin feeling plump and soft. 

The eye cream is fairly rich in comparison to others, but has a more delicate scent that the day cream. It leaves eyes feeling soft and replenished without being too heavy.

The packaging is as citrusy as its scent, with a fairly ‘medicinal’ design – making you feel like it’s going to do wonders!

Total Truth Eye crème £41 for 15g

Truth Revealed Super Crème with SPF 15 £57 for 50g

www.olehenriksen.com

Luxurious scent and light, but intensely moisturising cream, Shiffa’s Rejuvenation Eye Remedy comes in lovely and uber-luxurious packaging.  It combines the best of nature with a scientific background, this eye cream tingles on application and makes you feel like its shrinking those wrinkles away with its potent mixture of natural ingredients:

• Spirulina and seaweed combine to smooth fine lines.
• Moisurising aloe and extra virgin olive oil hydrate skin.
• Vitamin carrot-oil tone and revitalise. 
• Green tea with its anti-oxidant properties cares and protect.
• Soothing seabuckthorn firms.
• Lavender heals with its soft, calming scent.

We think this one is a great investment for smooth eyes.

 $88 (£54)

www.shiffa.com

Bare-Minerals is one of my favourite brands, the original for mineral powder foundation. However, when I heard about the latest offering from them I must admit I was sceptical.

On closer inspection though, it sounds amazing. The new Bare Minerals Pure Transformation Night Treatment is a mineral powder that you can sleep in, while improving the condition of your skin.

It is proven to dramatically reduce the appearance of pores, increase luminosity and delivers faster cell turnover.

Price: £45.00

Available from Selfridges

www.selfridges.com

Not forgetting that boys need to take care of their skin as well, we tested out the newest offering from Henri Lloyd.  Henri Lloyd launches their Ocean Mineral Skin Protection range which has been specially designed to care for the skin whilst giving maximum daily protection.

True to the heritage of the brand, these products contain marine minerals, proven to not only improve skin elasticity and suppleness, but also maintain moisture and protect against free radicals.

With the Ocean Mineral Shower Gel, Performance Deodorant, Moisturiser SPF 15, Hand Protection Cream SPF 6 and Sun Defence Cream SPF30, these mineral-scented grooming essentials are guaranteed to keep skin protected and fresh all day long, with a handy travel kit for men on the move.

Prices from £5.25

Available from Henri Lloyd stores worldwide

Excitingly, Benefit has branched out with their new b.right! Radiant Skincare range.

It includes all those skincare essentials like cleansers, toners and moisturisers all beautifully wrapped up in their trademark pretty packaging.

Prices start from £16.50

Available now from Benefit counters nationwide or online at www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk

Soothe and reduce puffy eyes with the new Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel. Paraben-free, the eye gel contains organic cucumbers, green tea and chamomile which all help to naturally reduce puffiness, brighten dark circles, tighten and cool your skin.

The Yes to Cucumber Eye Gel is part of the new Yes to Cucumber skin and hair care range which is 96% natural and paraben, petroleum and SLS free,  perfect for sensitive skin and delicate hair.

Yes to Cucumber Eye Gel - £12.99 for 30ml

Available from Victoria Health www.victoriahealth.com

Always on the quest for gorgeous and luminous skin, MAC’s new Prep and Prime Skin Brightening Serum instantly caught my attention.

MAC’s original Prep and Prime has gained cult status over the years and I’m sure this new serum will go the same way. It claims to brighten skin over time, minimise skin discolouration and reduce existing dark spots, as well as prevent future damage.

It contains natural antioxidants to prevent UV damage while MAC charged water ensures long lasting hydration.

Price: £28 for 30ML

Available from MAC now www.maccosmetics.co.uk

For those who suffer from open pores and less than perfect skin, Benefit is here to help with their new Porefessional.

I love Benefit products as behind all the pretty fun packaging, their products really do work. The latest Porefessional is a silky, lightweight balm that promises to quickly minimise the appearance of pores.

It’s oil-free so can be used even if you suffer from oily skin and can be applied under your foundation. However best of all, it can be used during the day if any touch-ups are needed.  

Price: £23.50

Available from Benefit www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk