Today is National Men’s Grooming Day, and within The Next Gentleman, that means celebrating all things that make us smell better, appear to look cleaner, and generally make people want to be around us.
Having a clean beard, body, skin, and hair makes a man feel fresh and healthy. Specifics like skin type, hair type, and medical needs undoubtedly vary from person to person, but the need to groom and the desire to look and feel one’s best stays the same.
Over the last year, we’ve had the pleasure of working with numerous brands within the grooming and hygiene universe who produce all kinds of products from facial cleansers to nut-sack creams. If that doesn’t make you want to read this, then I may have to give up blogging.
Having said that, and without further ado, here are The Next Gentleman’s Men’s Grooming Day Picks for 2018.
Cremo
Cremo is a brand I was turned on to this year in a very big way. Now, at The Next Gentleman, we know that price doesn’t dictate performance, but their price point is fantastically affordable! Furthermore, the quality of their entire lineup is competitive with products double, even triple the dollar amount, which makes Cremo arguably the best bang for your buck and be found at most drug stores across America.
My beard has reaped many benefits from Cremo’s beard line. In the shower, I’ll alternate days between the Beard & Face Wash and the Beard & Scruff Softener. Post-shower, I hit it with some Beard Balm to shape and their amazing Boar’s Hair Beard Brush to control the direction of my beard. If I have to rush to get ready and have to skip the shower, the Beard & Scruff Cream is the way to go to hydrate for the day.
Beard & Face Wash, $12
Beard Balm, $12
Beard & Scruff Cream, $13
Oars + Alps
I learned about this great outdoors-inspired company, Oars + Alps a couple of years ago when they were just selling a few products. To my surprise, they’ve developed a strong arsenal of men’s products, but these two have to be my favorite.
Sometimes I wake up and feel pretty dehydrated or have those tired under-eyes. When that happens, I roll on a little of the Eye Stick, which is caffeinated! You can feel it working once it dries and get on with your day.
If after that same day you’re feeling kind of beat from overheating or getting dirty, the Cooling + Cleansing Wipes are a game changer. They’re unlike any other face wipe I’ve used because they have these amazing exfoliant bumps that help remove dead skin and leave you feeling new again.
Cooling + Cleansing Wipes, $16
Wake Up Eye Stick, $21
Anthony
When a company shares your name, you just have to check them out! I had previously heard of Anthony from companies like Nordstrom and Birchbox, but had never actually tested anything.
I have regular/oily skin, so I’m big on cleaning in the shower and at night before bed. I’ve been using the Anthony Facial Scrub and Deep Pore Cleansing Clay about 1-2 times per week in the aforementioned circumstances. The Facial Scrub is actually very gentle compared to some other scrubs, but still uses a very effective Bora Bora White Sand as the grit. Also, it smells like orange Tic Tacs, which are the best.
Usually at night, I’ll use the Deep Pore Cleansing Clay, and holy smokes, this thing is powerful. It’s almost as if microscopic clays and cooling agents infiltrate your pores, killing all of the crap inside them. I get this intense cool feeling as it dries, but when I wash it off, it feels very clean.
Now, the No Sweat Body Defense — this was new for me. Obviously it gets hot here in California, and sometimes the boys and the thighs “argue.” It’s kind of a weird experience, but I love it! Just like this pleasant smelling cream that you lather all over your balls and thighs (lol) and as those hot days commence you’re glad you did! Just do yourself a favor and try it.
Facial Scrub, $36
Grey
Here’s a new brand that’s been making a big splash on social media this year. On days when I need a tamer facial cleanser, something non-abrasive, I’ll use the Grey Daily Face Wash. Lather it up, apply, rinse, pretty straight forward, but it feels really nice before bed!
Daily Face Wash, $39
Brothers Artisan Oil
This is the brand to be on the lookout for in 2019, just trust me. Brothers Artisan Oil has blown up in recent years after starting out as a beard oil company. They now offer all things from oil to charcoal tooth powder and even smudge sticks. They pride themselves on being “truly natural,” and if you’re curious, just take a look at the ingredients of their products!
The Purifying Wash is something I’ve been using for over a year as a gentle face cleanser in the shower — and it’s black! How awesome and weird! The black comes from it’s activated charcoal, which combined with the tea tree, makes it both effective and enjoyable.
I slowed down the amount of beard oil I use, but Owen from BAO was the first person to show me how to use it back in Boston years ago and it was this exact flavor, Sage & Mint Forest. If there’s an important event where I need that extra shine, I’ll turn to this to look like I have a disco beard that smells exactly like lumberjack sweat.
Other days, I bring out The Tamer to do exactly what it’s named for — tame. Throughout the day, shirt collars and playing with the beard can cause it to deform. This stays in my bag for just those occasions when I need a little waxy muscle to reshape my face.
One new product that I’ve been testing this summer is their Purifying Deodorant, which is baking soda free, aluminum free, fragrance oil free, cruelty free. I didn’t know there was so much to think about when trying to keep your pits dry, but it’s good to know! The stick itself is great — keeps me dry and smelling good. It’s a bit on the gritty side, but I kind of like that! They have a nice selection of deodorants, but I recommend this one.
The Purifying Wash, $20
Sage & Mint Forest Beard Oil, $22
The Tamer, $24
WAHL
This is an absolute necessity for multiple reasons… But all you need to know is that it’s precise, it comes with fantastic attachments, and the battery life is a pretty damn impressive four hours. It’s made in the USA and also comes with a 5 year warantee, just incase your hair is made of copper wire.
Lithium Ion+ Personal Trimmer, $70
Chanel Bleu & Travalo
Everyone has their scent — this one happens to be mine. It mixes with the natural oils of my skin quite nicely and arguably smells better once I start to get warm and even sweat a little bit. I know it sounds weird, but it’s a real thing.
Travalo is the traveler’s best friend! This is a great little atomizer I got as a gift bag item about three years ago and it’s been in my travel bag ever since. It has a “bottom deposit,” but don’t be fooled — it’s very convenient! Just remove the press cap of your daily fragrance, in this case, Chanel Blue, to reveal the inner tube, press into the Travalo, and boom! Your fragrance is now ready to go in the atomizer.
Chanel Bleu Eau De Parfum, $95-$155
Classic Atomizer, $15
Baxter of California
Every man needs a dopp kit, and Baxter has a great option for the man without too much room to spare in his carry-on bag! Baxter’s Dopp Kit is easy to fit in small spaces, next to the outfits you packed for a short stay somewhere. It perfectly holds all Baxter’s travel size products, but also their massive Deep Cleansing Bar, which I prefer in the Charcoal Clay!
Dopp Kit, $25
Deep Cleansing Bar — Charcoal Clay, $19
This story contains some sponsored content. Despite that, anything you just read came from my own brain, well, fingertips, as you most likely can’t read minds.
© The Next Gentleman. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the consent of The Next Gentleman.
