The last post where I showed you the contents of my husband’s dopp kit got a very positive response, so today I wanted to share a little update on his latest favorites. Picking skincare and grooming products for a typical guy is always a nightmare, I think most of you can relate to that. It took a lot of trial and error to make Mr. Glamorable stop using just soap and aftershave, but now he loves all of the products he is using, and often gets compliments on his complexion.
Peter Thomas Roth Glycolic Acid 3% Facial Wash* ($38 for 8.5 fl oz) was the first product I got him to use other than soap, and it’s been his favorite cleanser ever since. Most guys are really loyal to products that work and don’t like trying new stuff all the time, so the fact that this is his second bottle speaks volumes. Mr. Glamorable likes this cleanser because it works well with his Clarisonic Mia FIT, and while the sonic device offers physical exfoliation, the cleanser gently resurfaces the skin with 3% Glycolic Acid. The bottle is huge and a little product goes a long way. We received it from Ricky’s, which happens to be one of my favorite shops when I’m in NYC. I love the selection of products they offer: from fun costumes and really ‘out there’ goods, to everyday essentials, k-beauty, and department store products. They even launched their own subscription box! I’ll tell you all about it in another blog post later this week.
Mr. Glamorable uses By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water* ($22 for 4 oz) not as toner, but as a spot treatment, and apparently it works really well for blemishes. The liquid penetrates deep into the pore and helps diminish the size of the breakouts and calms the swelling and redness at the same time. The first time he tried it, he straight up told me “this stuff is amazing!”. I thought he was joking, but he pretty much confiscated the bottle and it’s been living in his bathroom ever since, haha! 🙂
Molton Brown Bath & Shower Gel Russian Leather* ($30 for 10 oz) just hit the shelves, and it’s already my husband’s favorite. You guys know, I am a huge fan of Molton Brown body washes in general, and now I got Mr. Glamorable hooked on them too. Russian Leather is a brand new collection that pays homage to the ancient craft of Russian leather-making that utilizes birch oil for tanning and dying. This sumptuous body wash features elegant notes of elemi, black tea, purple basil, Siberian pine, birch, tobacco, vetiver, leather, and cade. It’s like wearing subtle cologne that you can smell at the handshake level, without being a walking cloud. I think last time I was this obsessed with a man’s body wash was when I got him L’Occitane Cade as a gift when we were still dating.
You probably remember Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream ($6.95 for 1.5 fl oz) from previous features, I have repurchased it dozens of times for myself and my husband. He has a complicated skin type, it’s oily, sensitive, and dehydrated, so his moisturizer can’t be too light or too heavy, and it needs to be gentle. Snail Recovery Cream hits all the check marks, and it’s also inexpensive. Don’t let the “snail” part stop you from getting a tube for yourself or your better half – the consistency is not slimey at all and sinks in soon after the application. This cream helps rebalance the skin and repair the protective barrier, which is especially important for guys who shave every day.
Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream ($22 for 1.7 oz) has been my husband’s go-to corrector for a few years now, and just like the cleanser, he is super loyal to this particular product. The formula wears like second skin and helps conceal small imperfections and blemishes without looking like makeup. It’s one of the brand’s best-sellers in Korea and abroad for a reason!
Axe Antiperspirant Dark Temptation ($4.89 for 2.7 oz) made it on this list because it’s honestly the only Axe product I would ever let him wear. I hope you guys don’t think I am being too oppressive, haha! Thing is, to me most Axe scents smell like a teenager’s locker room, very generic and overpowering. Dark Temptation is not a typical Axe scent. It’s masculine, sophisticated, and more muted than the rest. I think it’s their best one, to be honest.
Last but not least, Mr. Glamorable really loves TIGI Bed Head for Men Matte Separation Workable Wax ($8.35 for 3 oz) to add shine-free definition and texture to his fine hair. Like me, he has fine hair but a lot of it, so we look for weightless volume and texture in our styling products. Each tin lasts a long time [this one is half-empty after about 5 months of use], so you can buy one for all the boys in the house and save some counter space.
And since we’re on the topic of guy things, I thought I’d show you his latest accessory – a soft Montauk Duffel* from Solo New York. This preppy bag easily fits a standard 15″ laptop, documents, a change of clothes, a dopp kit filled with toiletries, and more. Masculine and minimalistic design features tartan blue & tan cloth interiors, removable fully padded laptop compartment, internal tablet pocket, zippered organizer section with key clip, removable shoulder strap, and Solo’s signature gunmetal hardware. The back pocket slides over the luggage handle, which makes it easy to travel with. It’s a duffel bag that doesn’t look like your typical duffel bag, but rather like a soft oversized briefcase.
Solo New York Montauk Duffel from the Hamptons Collection is soft, durable, and perfect for travel.
Packing Montauk Duffel is a breeze: we never have to worry that something won’t fit – just move some things around, et voilĂ . So if any of you are currently in search of a gift for an urban professional or just any guy who travels often, I highly recommend checking out Solo bags. I own two other products from the brand – Bridgehampton Ladies Backpack that I wear on my bike rides, and Impulse Duffel that I’ve been traveling with. Those aren’t the kinds of bags that will fall apart after two seasons, the level of craftsmanship and the overall quality is seriously top notch. I can’t recommend these enough!
I hope you enjoyed another peek at my husband’s grooming favorites. I plan to occasionally introduce you to products he uses religiously, and maybe you can get some grooming gift ideas for your friends, kids, or significant others.
What is one grooming product you wish all guys would use more often? Let me know in the comments below!
*Indicates PR Samples.
