As the cosmetics and skincare industries thrive, the demand for effective men’s grooming products has been on the rise, resulting in a wide range of male-specific and male-friendly product formulations. Men are now spending $3.5 billion annually on plastic surgery procedures and recent studies show that 83% of men are attracted to male-specific packaging. And while new products emerge in the extremely competitive cosmetics arena, many existing brands have become far more conscious of male-specific needs as well as the diverse range of masculine preferences. In this issue of Beauty Guru, we turn our focus to the best and most effective products for men that are sure to please all types of tastes. From shaving needs to skincare, suncare products and more, being a well-groomed man has never been more enjoyable or convenient.
Alchimie Forever
Alchimie Forever has recently redesigned the packaging for its highly effective men’s skincare products. The products are formulated to address male-specific concerns such as shaving irritation and ingrown hairs as well as anti-aging. We are particularly impressed with the Tightening Eye Contour Gel. Eliminating breakable jars for travel convenience, the products have also been packaged in easy to use squeeze tubes. With the brand’s highest standards of quality and efficacy, Alchimie Forever Men receives our highest ratings. For more information about these and other Alchimie Forever products, log onto the website.
Dirty by Lush
Experiential beauty pioneer Lush has now created the Dirty range. This rather straightforward collection of, shall we say, male-centric products was designed as a simple, minimal regime for anyone with an extremely active lifestyle. Each product has its own refreshing and invigorating notes which layer beautifully together. Lush’s Dirty series receives our highest ratings for practicality and experience. Log onto the website for more information.
Evolution Man
One of the newest brands on our radar here at Beauty Guru is Evolution Man. With a highly male-specific philosophy, Evolution Man has tapped into the truly contemporary male aesthetic of beauty. Not only does the brand feature make-up in the form of Conceal (a tinted cream that blends effortlessly to a seamless, undetectable finish), Evolution Man has also recently introduced a delightful yet masculine series of Nail Paints. While maintaining an eco-green brand philosophy and utilizing cutting edge technology with scientifically proven ingredients, Evolution Man receives our top marks for innovation and brand image. For more information about Evolution Man’s selection of products, log onto the website.
J. Paul
Truly the most masculine of the product lines we are featuring, J. Paul simplifies the processes of male grooming. Primarily focused on shaving, each of the products are multi-functional and, as previously mentioned, masculine in every sense of the word. Simple, effective and extremely practical, J. Paul receives our top ratings. For more information about J. Paul products as well as great tips on how to use them, log onto the brand website.
Kyoku
Already mentioned in previous posts, Kyoku is one of the most effective and extensive ranges of grooming products formulated to address the specific needs of men’s skin. The brand continues to evolve and offer new and exciting products such as the new Wind body series, which is part of the brand’s collection of atmospheric scented body products. We love so many products on the range overall, but top favorites include the Pore Reducing Serum and the Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15. To learn more about Kyoku, go to the brand’s website.
Skin Authority Man
Skin Authority is also new on our radar, but is growing quickly. The company produces a complete and rather extensive collection of skincare products. Combining the best of nature and science, the brand recently introduced Skin Authority Man, a daily regimen of anti-aging products that address the unique and often challenging needs of men. The line includes some of the most effective products we have come across and is ideal for active men. Skin Authority Man receives our highest ratings for innovation and efficacy, and we particularly love the Age Defying Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30. Check out the brand website for more products and information.
Jaqueline Kennedy-Onassis and the Duchess of York were among the Erno Laszlo devotees that helped elevate the brand to commercial status in the early 1960’s. Today, Laszlo’s presence in the industry is indeed iconic. Our top foundation selections are the Absolute Finish SPF 15 Air-whipped mousse foundation as well as the regular Normalizer Shake-it, an amazing all-in-one product that minimizes excess shine while providing a sheer coverage. For other products and information, log onto the brand website.
If minerals are your choice of foundation, then no other brand is as superior as Jane Iredale. The brand offers the best mineral formulation and selection of shades available, none of which have the unpleasant ashy-grey pallor that most mineral products can impart. Ideal for sun exposure, great for the body and virtually weightless on the skin, Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics receive our highest ratings. Check out the website for more information.
Another favorite artistry label at Beauty Guru is Make Up Forever. Although the brand offers a fairly extensive range of incredible foundation formulas, our all-time favorite product is the Face and Body foundation. The ultra-light gel texture melts into the skin, can be used to even out legs, décolletage, etc and is therefore the ideal formula for outdoor photographs, etc. Also worth checking out are the HD Primer, HD Concealer and HD Foundation and our favorite for highlighting, Uplight Luminizer Gel. For more products and information, log onto the website.
Re-defining the concept of lingerie from overtly sexual to refined elegance, the recently launched luxury brand Naked Princess features the most sophisticated fabrications, classic silhouettes and exquisite haute-couture details, such as hand-knotted lace. Even more refreshing is the brand’s ultra-chic color palette, which does not include black or red but rather a subtle range of the most chic shades—from subtle nudes to a soft smoky grey—which makes Naked Princess one of our top selections for Valentine’s Day gift-giving. Also included in the brand’s product roster are the most delightful range of lip products (including our current favorites, Naked Shine Lip Gloss and Objet d’Love Lip Treatment). There is also a collection of romantic-inspired products, including the Vanille Blanc Body and Boudoir Spray and the delightful Body Souffle. For more information about Naked Princess, log onto the website.
In our rather extensive research, few brands inspire beauty the way that luxury skincare brand Princess Theodora products do. Made with the finest ingredients, each product promises an unrivaled beauty experience with impressive results—and the scent alone is captivating! Nurturing, anti-aging, hydrating and restorative formulations make Princess Theodora one of our all-time top selections, and it’s absolutely perfect for Valentine’s Day gift-giving. For more information about Princess Theodora’s amazing products, please log onto the brand website.
Ahava makes of our favorite Dry Oil Body Mist, which instantly gives skin a radiant, hydrated glow. The Israeli brand also offers a full range of skincare for the face and body, all of which are enriched with Ahava’s signature Dead Sea minerals. Our top selections for combating dry skin include Ahava’s Essential Day Moisturizer (available in three formulas, including a very dry skin formula), the Essential Reviving Serum and the highly absorbent Dermud Nourishing Body Cream and Caressing Body Sorbet for extra rejuvenation. Ahava’s Dermud Intensive Hand and Foot Cream also receive our highest marks, and are essential for any time of year. Log on to the website for more information.
New on our radar is Alabu. Made from the finest all-natural, unrefined ingredients, the brand’s soaps are made with goat’s milk, an ingredient that has been used for centuries for its soothing and nourishing properties. Alabu also offers a small range of skincare made with other nurturing ingredients, but the Original Body Lotion in particular was formulated for sensitive and dry skin with an exclusive proprietary blend of essential oils and plant extracts that naturally preserve the product for two years. Alabu receives our highest ratings for purity and effectiveness. Check out their website for more great products and information about Alabu.
Dermalogica is a leader in highly effective skincare products and innovative treatments. The brand’s Ultra-Rich Body Cream is ideal for soothing dry skin regardless of the season, while the Super Rich Repair is a highly concentrated “heavyweight” cream that combats even the driest complexion. Dermalogica’s Dry Skin Kit also contains a full dry skin regimen, including our favorite Multi-Active Toner which is ideal for travel (a major contributing factor to dry skin). For more information about Dermalogica products or to experience a treatment at a flagship location, log onto the brand website.
While the name may suggest essential practicality, First Aid Beauty is a full modern day household remedy product range. Based on pure, basic and highly functional principles while blending the best of science and nature, First Aid Beauty was created to address everyday beauty and skincare needs. The Ultra Repair Cream is one of the most effective dry skin remedies that we have encountered, but the brand also offers other amazing products for dry skin, including the Face Cleanser, Gentle Body Wash and one of our favorite lip balms, the Ultra Repair Lip. For more information about First Aid Beauty, log onto the website.
Although it was recently spotlighted in our Anti-Aging feature, 40 Degrees Younger once again deserves mentioning for its remarkable and instantly visible results—especially for soothing and nurturing parched hands. The brand uses an exclusive and rare custom formulation of ingredients, Q/StanD™, which are extremely effective at restoring the overall texture of the hands and instantly reveals younger, rejuvenated skin. We cannot speak highly enough about the incredible results that these products deliver, which continue to improve with regular use. 40 Degrees Younger receives our highest ratings for efficacy and innovation. Check out the website for more information about these amazing products.
With a family history in the European spa industry and a personal passion for exceptional skincare, Peter Thomas Roth is one of the most effective and specialized product lines. The brand’s Mega Rich™ series includes a rich, vitamin-infused shampoo and conditioner as well as Mega Rich™ Body Lotion, which feels extremely light to the touch but is thoroughly hydrating—a true testament to Roth’s superior standards of efficacy. We also love the Mega Rich™ Body Wash and extremely tactile Moisture Infusion Facial Bars, but the brand deserves further exploration for its issue-specific . Log onto the website for more information.
Celebrating more than 50 years of healing dry skin, Yu-Be offers some of the most effective dry skin remedies available anywhere. Developed in Japan, these highly effective glycerin-based products are extremely emollient, yet absorb quickly into the skin and have been proven to be thoroughly effective even in the most extreme conditions. We particularly love the brand’s iconic Moisturizing Skin Cream, Foaming Skin Polish and the very clever and practical Heal and Elbow Socks. Check out the website for more product information.
If the name alone doesn’t convey the message the amazing results will! Elysee was Originally founded in 1923 by Dr. Elizabeth Blumenthal, a highly sought after skincare specialist, Elysee has since come to be regarded as a pioneer in the industry. Having introduced many of the most effective and commonly used ingredients utilized in anti-aging skincare products—including grapeseed extract, Royal Jelly and AHA’s among several others—the brand continues to explore further research and development. Elysee is also visionary in the introduction of several exclusive and proprietary skincare breakthroughs, such as the Wrinkle Intervention Cream, but overall it is a superb anti-aging range. Check out the website for more products and information.
Surviving breast cancer gave celebrated plastic surgeon Dr. Christine Rodgers M.D. a unique perspective on beauty and the common problems that develop as a result of aging, illness, stress, environment and hormones. The line is based on Dr. Rodger’s understanding that effective skincare goes beyond the surface of the skin and should work with its composition and overall function. Free of questionable ingredients such as parabens, sulfates, phthalates and growth factors, and formulated with natural botanicals, active enzymes and an exclusive proprietary complex (Bio-Energy Complex™), Enpointe is a remarkable line of anti-aging products. We are particularly impressed by the Age Delay Eye Solution Pirouette Bamboo Microderm cream. Check out the website for more information.
A skincare regimen built around the exclusive ingredient Oat Beta Gluca, which stimulates the immune system and is proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, scars and discoloration, Muvazi is based on a simple pledge to renew, restore and deliver results. Utilizing refreshing and invigorating botanical ingredients, these products evoke a beautiful spa-like feeling while delivering optimal results. Muvazi’s simple four-step system of highly effective products is a pleasure to use and an ideal anti-aging daily regimen. Check out the website for more information.
The newest product on our radar is put out by an ideal lifestyle anti-aging brand called vbeauté. Based on a passion for luxurious and highly effective products, vbeaute has turned to the highly respected CRB High Performance Laboratories of Geneva, Switzerland, to create the brand’s exclusive vComplex and Alpine Rose Botanical Technology, which protects and repairs the skin. Consisting of some of the most impressive and aesthetically pleasing anti-aging products we’ve encountered, vbeauté receives our highest marks. Check out the website for product information, including the fabulous It Kit which is ideal for travel.
Targeting specific needs such as stretch marks and crow’s feet while utilizing a unique patented SmartPeptide technology system, Apothederm has developed some of the most effective products we’ve encountered. Apothederm’s Stretch Mark Cream and Firming Serum receive our top ratings, but the brand offers a full range of other advanced, highly effective anti-aging and brightening skincare products. For more product information log onto the brand website.
Dior is at the forefront of research and technology across most categories, but their skincare products are truly innovative. An essential addition to the brand’s extremely successful Capture Totale collection is the One Essential series, which includes the amazing Ultra-Detox Treatment-Mask—perfect for a deep New Year facial detox. Infused with a higher concentration of Dior’s exclusive active ingredient, Detoxynite, the mask is extremely effective at drawing out toxins and impurities from the skin to reveal a radiant, glowing complexion. For more information on Dior’s amazing selection of anti-aging products from the Capture Totale range, log onto the brand website.
Our most recent discovery, Elan Veda, is based on the ancient principles of Ayurveda. Created largely for health and well-being, the brand also offers some very impressive and effective anti-aging products. Elan Skin Renue, for instance, is an anti-aging face oil that can be used daily as well as under make-up, while Elan Triphala works as a potent rejuvenating and detoxifying supplement that’s ideal for a new year detox and Elan Healthy Hair is a supplement that produces impressive results for thinning, damaged hair. For more about Elan Veda, log on to the brand website.
Created in 1999, Rodial is a pioneering brand in the anti-aging movement. It offers perhaps one of the most extensive lines of highly specialized products to address and target specific aging concerns—from wrinkles to cellulite and much more. Based on the principle that proper skincare can be an effective alternative to expensive and invasive cosmetic surgery and procedures, Rodial has invested years in breakthrough research on the most difficult to address issues. Today the brand continues to thrive globally with exceptional products that are highly effective and provide instantly visible results, which improve with continuous usage. Rodial’s most recent addition to its range is the Glamoxy series, including such amazing products as the Snake Serum Pen which plumps the skin, minimizes lines and wrinkles as well as inhibits facial contractions. For more products and information, log onto the website.
While beauty products can be rather costly—particularly so in the specialist anti-aging market—Rodial’s Nip+Fab line is an effective anti-aging skincare line that is available at a mass market level. Nip+Fab by Rodial is conveniently available at national retailers and is extremely affordable. Consisting of unique and highly specialized formulations that address the unpleasantries of anti-aging, Nip+Fab receives our highest ratings for both innovation and affordablity. We love the Dark Circle Fix, Sheer Make-up Fix and Frown Fix i particular. For more information, log on to the Nip+Fab website.
Inspired by the breathtaking aromas of the Amalfi coast as well as a performance by American modern dancer Isadora Duncan in 1927, Creed’s Jardin D’Amalfi is perhaps one of the most beautiful fragrances to have been recently launched. The top note of tangerine is as breathtaking as the beautiful hand-blown Pochet glass bottle that holds it, making this a truly memorable and treasured perfume. Log on to the brand website for more product information.
Great things do come in small packages and Darphin’s Organic Tangerine Oil is perhaps one of the most uplifting and effective facial oils we have come across in our research. Darphin’s Orgainic Tangerine Oils is ideal for an anti-aging regimen: it is both detoxifying and nourishing for the skin, while also highly stimulating to the senses. For more great products and information, go to the Darphin website.
Few brands embrace the use of bold color as successfully as Make Up Forever. The company pays homage to the bright orange hue with one of the widest selections of tangerine-inspired color cosmetics, including Tangerine Matte Eyeshadow, Aqua Cream Eyeshadow in Orange, Rouge Artist Intense Lipcolor in Bright Orange and Lab Shine Lip Gloss in Tangerine—as well as waterproof lipliner in Orange. For more information, go to the brand website.
Nails Inc. London is recognized for creating one of Britain’s most successful manicure chains as well as one of our favorite recent discoveries for nail varnish. The brand offers an amazing selection of whimsical shades, but Porchester Place (a vibrant tangerine orange) is the perfect choice this year. Check out the website for more information.
Pangea’s Argentinean Tangerine and Thyme Facial Toner is as refreshing as it is it is soothing to the skin. It’s particularly ideal for an oily or blemished complexion. For more great products and information, log onto the brand website.
Stila has long been a favorite of Beauty Guru and the brand’s incredible Lip Glaze in Tangerine is both the perfect shade and consistency. For more amazing products from Stila, log on to the website.