Buying gifts for a man is a tricky business. You dont want to give him another computer game (hes probably on that thing more than is humanly possible anyway), and going down the clothes route can lead you into mothering territory. Instead buy him something he never thought he needed (but actually does). We have compiled a list of grooming products and treatments that (we have on good authority) they would love to receive
A daily face cream is a must, but ‘it should not smell girly or leave any trace of shimmer’ explained one of EBT’s other halves. Malin + Goetz are the leaders when it comes to functional products, with man-friendly fragrances (rum and cannabis, for example). The Vitamin E Face Cream is a moisturising must for any man with super dry skin; he’ll never know how he lived without it. Vitamin E Face Cream, £36
This is for the man who has everything and is already a fully-fledged grooming aficionado. As us ladies know a serum targets skin problems (wrinkles, pigmentation, dullness) and reaches deeper than a moisturiser can. With an energising menthol scent and cooling feel, Sisleyum’s Anti-Age Global Revitalizer, £150 (available from March), gives a matte finish to the skin. It works on two levels – as an anti-ageing serum to protect the skin from daily aggressors like pollution and stress, but as post-shave soother. For a cheaper alternative try Boots No7 Mens Protect & Perfect Intense Serum, £21. If you can get them to use a moisturiser with SPF on top, your work there is done.
Men need a face scrub to slough away those dead skin cells just like we do. A weekly buff will keep the complexion fresh and clear. Containing crushed apricot kernels and polyethylene beads this offers a strong scrubbing effect (men’s skin is 16% thicker on average than women’s). Used before shaving it will soften the skin and hair for a smoother, closer shave. Vitamin E will leave skin moisturised, while caffeine, menthol and citrus refresh the skin.Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energizing Scrub, £16.50
For some men, eye cream is taking the grooming thing a tad too far. Hit them with a gimmick to make the transition from man’s man to expert groomer that bit easier. Lab Series Instant Moisture Eye Gel, £16.50, comes with a cooling roller ball that will distract them from the fact they are tending to their delicate eye area, while the gel gets to work on dark circles and fine lines.
Whether your man wears fragrance or not you’ll want him to wear Fougere Royale, all the time. At first whiff we dismissed this as an old man’s scent, but after a male ELLE member road tested it (and got more compliments than ever) we took notice. The scent is masculine and super sexy; oh and it has quite a history too. ‘Fougere Royale is without question the most important fragrance ever to have been created (back in 1882) … it established an entire category of masculine perfumery – the Fougere, which today is the most successful, important, popular family in masculine perfumery (including Green Irish Tweed Creed, Brut and Lynx, among others)’ explains Roja Dove, who was tasked with recreating the iconic, discontinued fragrance for the modern man. Fougere Royale, £105 by Houbigant. Out March.
If you can get your man to try YSL Touche Eclat for Men, £24.50, we know he’ll be hooked. Unlike our version this isn’t illuminating; instead it’s a matte, lightweight concealer. It works like an undercover superhero, secretly battling with the enemies, otherwise known as dark circles, forcing them into submission (or at least that’s what you can tell him).
Murdock London is a one stop shop for male grooming products and treatments. There are four salons in the capital all inspired by old-school barbers with traditional offerings - hair cuts, beard trims and wet shaves, as well as more modern-man treatments – facials and manicures. We recommend you book your men in for a good quality haircut; maybe it will make them understand why we spend a small fortune on ours...
Shampoo & Haircut, £42.50 at Murdock London
Shaving everyday can cause irritation, thanks to daily friction, poor technique or sub-standard tools. Book a shaving class, plenty of barbers around the country offer them and he will definitely thank you for it. In London our top picks would be Melogy, owned by Carmelo Guastella. Carmelo taught Sacha Baron Cohen how to shave for his role of Italian barber Signor Pirelli in Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd. Or head to Truefitt & Hill the world’s oldest barbershop (established in 1805), they offer a 60 minute class for £80. truefittandhill.co.ukA shaving lesson with Carmelo costs £50 for one lesson and demonstration only, or £120 for three classes including demonstration and supervised practice sessions. melogy.com
If your boyfriend has the feet of a troll (most do) then it’s worth treating him to a pedicure. If he plays sport this could take some persuading – one EBT other half likes his calloused feet because he doesn’t get blisters playing football (baby soft tootsies wouldn’t stand up to the battering, apparently). If he is more of a spectator of sport, get him booked in at Urban Retreat where all the pedicures use products made by a man – Leighton Denny. The Pint & Pedi, £40 for 45 minutes, involves a foot soak, toenail shaping, hard skin removal and exfoliation- the nails are then buffed to finish, all while he enjoys a pint.
We’ve left this one to last because waxing should be a discreet thing that you do and don’t share. If your man has a hairy back then it’s something that needs fixing, pronto. Ministry of Waxing’s salons are almost industrial-looking so ideal for a man, plus they will happily wax off everything so you can leave your blushes at the door. They offer Boyzilians, £77, and then everything else including back, toes, sideburns and even nostrils.
If he doesn’t think he needs a facial, send him along to Gentlemen’s Tonic and he’ll soon change his mind. Book him in for the detox facial– involving a double cleanse, exfoliation, steam and extraction, it’s deep cleansing and purifying treatment so he’ll see real results and finally ‘get’ the point of facials. Plus it’s perfect for skin that’s been subject to city pollution, gym-centred sweating and a general lack of love. Think of this as a care package for his skin.Detox facial, £75 for 55 minutes, at Gentleman’s Tonic
If frequent exercise has left multiple muscles in his back and shoulders knotted, contracted and tense, a massage at Gentlemen’s Tonic works fantastically well. Using a combination of Chinese and Western techniques, the masseuse left our tester in a little pain – but after that intensity, he was left upright, straightened, less tense, and felt like a literal load had been lifted. What gift could be better than that?Sports Massage, from £90, for 60 minutes at The Refinery
Blue Make-Up Is Having A Revival
ELLE Edit: 15 Matte Lipsticks That Won’t Flake
ELLE Edit: 11 Of The Best Contour Products
ELLE Edit: The Best Make-Up Mirrors With Lights