Morgan's 3-in-1 Shampoo/Wash/Shave

After a self-imposed exile of just over a year from the place of my birth (Manchester) I returned home a couple of weekends ago for not one party but two. My little sister Lily turned 7 and the old man (dad) turned 60. There were parties galore (read lots of alcohol). Having not packed my best party dress (joke) I had to make sure I looked my best (read not looking like an extra from The Walking Dead). Not wanting to pack too much stuff (I had presents to carry after all) I opted to not pack individual shaving cream, shampoo and face wash and instead took my lovely metallic bottle of Morgan’s 3-in-1 Shampoo/Wash/Shave.

This came some weeks ago as a PR sample but suspecting I may be off on my travels I have been saving it. A 100ml bottle costs just £9.50 and if you fancy a bottle you can buy it here. I’d never heard of Morgan’s, but after a touch of research (I’m a lazy man, so you can be assured that it wasn’t much research) it appears that it has been around since 1873. If it’s being going that long it’s either a) a decent company that makes some good products or b) a family owned company with deep pockets.

So, without further ado and more waffling, this is what the (actually blunbt and to the point) blurb says about the product over at the Morgan’s website:

'The perfect travel essential – shampoo, wash and shave with 

Morgan’s 3-in-1. Invigorating and refreshing. Versatile and 

effective formula that is easy to use.'

So, on with the testing:

What’s it like as a face wash?

I’m starting with my thoughts on this as a face wash as this for me is the best thing about the 3-in-1. This could punch a lethargic hippo awake and keep it awake, making it perfect for me (I’m not a morning person, in fact, afternoons are still too early for me). To suggest (as the bottle does) that this is invigorating is something of an understatement. It has a menthol/minty fragrance that is so strong that it almost assaults the senses (in a good way) and is refreshing on the nose.

Even as it leaves the bottle the strong fragrance is all you can concentrate on, but as you are being blind-sided by the aroma, you nearly miss the fact that this lathers up brilliantly. It’s not a rich thick lather, but actually rather watery which means a little goes a very long way allowing coverage across a face as large as mine (anyone over the age of thirty think of the film Mask starring Cher).

Looking at the colour of the water in the sink after using this it has clearly removed a load of grime and dirt from my face, which is erm, well what it’s supposed to do. It’s great as a face wash and after patting my face dry I don’t find that it dries out my skin excessively. It does dry it out a bit, but nothing just a spot of moisturiser can’t solve.

What’s it like as a shampoo?

Well, it smells the same (no shock there) and again it lathers up really well. Again, this can’t be faulted – it removes all of the product from my hair be it cream, wax or gel leaving it soft and ready for more punishment. Honestly, my hair does feel clean and weirdly, if I leave my hair to dry naturally it becomes really quite fly away. At the moment of writing my hair was the longest that it has been in twenty years (it was Robert Palmer) and it felts so light and fly away.

To summarise in one word: Win!

Shave

This is sadly for me where I have to be slightly negative – while it is probably good for when on the road, for me (an infrequent shaver) I was left feeling a little disappointed. First of all I had to use quite a lot of the gel like formula to get it to stay on my face and lather up to a thickness that made me able to see where I had already shaved and even then it was still a touch too watery. That meant most of it ran down my neck and onto my chest.

Hey, it’s not bad, it’s just not great. Personally I have loads of shaving products that knock the spots off this (in shaving terms) so while slightly miffed it’s not a deal breaker when I consider if I would buy this again when it runs out.  

It would have come highly recommended but personally I think this would be better marketed as a 2-in-1, but that is just my humble opinion. It wasn’t the best shave cream I’ve ever used and it’s not something I will use for these purposes again, but in terms of being a good face wash and shampoo you can’t go wrong. Combine that with:

· A very reasonable purchase price
· It lathers up really well removes hair styling product build up
· It looks cool
· It’s compact (so great for people on the road or train a lot)
· Leaves your face feeling refreshed

With the above in mind, if you are off on your holidays, or a traveller (of the non-caravan variety or even if you are) you should pick a bottle.

RECOMMENDED

Random fact not product related: Morgan’s are based in Whitstable. I reference it here because the best media officer I have ever worked with, Lynn, lives in Whitstable.  

Random pictures not products related: Here is a picture from the first party – my good self with my uber-cute sister Lily and my slightly older sister Lucy photo-bombing in spectacular style (where is Lucy’s body???) in the background.

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Scaramouche & Fandango 'SW' Sports Wash

I’m a big fan of ‘Hy’ Hydrator, ‘Fs’ Face Scrub and ‘Bw’ Body Wash by Scaramouche & Fandango, so when I was asked if I would like to try their new ‘Sw’ Sports Wash (it really is a little like the intro to Breaking Bad with all of these periodic table like abbreviations) I started with high hopes. 

Now call me a cynic, but first there were two in ones, then three in ones, and now, we have a four in one - the 'Sw' Sports Wash from Scaramouche & Fandango is not just to banish those BO (body odour) blues, oh no readers, this baby is also designed for hair, face, body and for shaving.

Now you are more like to win Euro millions (current odds 1 in 116.5 million) than you are to see me in the gym at the moment so my take on this is purely as a four in one and whether I would recommend it - the 250ml tube I have costs £9 from here.

This is what Scaramouche & Fandango say about the benefits of Sports Wash over at their website here:

‘Energising caffeine extracts pack a punch in this invigorating 4 in 1 sports wash. Taking care of both hair and skin, the Guar Gum moisturises and conditions whilst also allowing for that perfect shave.’    

Texture and consistency wise this is quite runny for a product of this nature, usually when it comes to the all in one kind of products I have found them to be quite thick but this bucks the trend and as soon as it leaves the tube you immediately get a manly fragrance, it’s like a cross between a rugged earthy aroma blended with floral notes. Thankfully, the masculine nature of the fragrance leaves no doubt in my mind that this beast is designed for post workout washing.

As you can see from the picture, it is quite runny! 

I have been using this for a few weeks now, the tube is about half empty and I have to say I have been impressed with three of the four uses it is intended for.

Yes, the fragrance and washing power is exceptional, it really does banish BO and using only a tiny bit of the wash (roughly an amount the size of a fifty pence piece) is enough to wash my hair, face and body. A little goes a long way and the fragrance kind of explodes into life and strength as soon as it connects with the warm water. Personally, I love the smell and it lathers up wonderfully.

No, showering is not like the Olympics!

  
After drying the subtle fragrance remains on the skin for a few hours and the way it leaves my skin feeling leaves me smiling, and for that and the fact that an hour after drying off my skin feels great, my face doesn’t dry out and there is no need for copious amounts of moisturiser (just a touch though). Result! 

Using the Sports Wash has cut a lot of faffing from my daily shower routine which is brilliant if in a rush, making this great for those who do need to cut down on the amount of time spent in the shower. 

While I wouldn’t use this as a shaving aid, the skin around my face is far too sensitive, it is a great body wash and face cleanser. In addition, unlike other all in one products it doesn’t leave my hair feeling like straw (which is a massive plus) and removes the various hair products I use to style my hair.

At just £9 for a tube I think this represents good value for money and is a product that works. The caffeine does pack a punch and acts as an additional wake up call for my body. This would be a perfect addition to a gym bag or like me, just for day to day use.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

You can read my thoughts on other products from Scaramouche & Fandango by clicking on the links below:

Hydrator 'Hy'
Face Scrub 'Fs' 


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Burt‘s Bees Natural Body Wash for Men

The bees, the bees, they’re everywhere……well, my bathroom is packed with things from Burt’s Bees, does that count? 

If you mentioned bees to one of my former colleagues he would slap his head and look as though a little bit of his own life force had been drained, hence why I have warped, yet funny flashbacks every time I use Burt‘s Bees Natural Body Wash for Men. 

This came to me along with a host of other products thanks to the lovely PR people for the company. When they said ‘samples’ I didn’t expect the 350ml bottle of the body wash that arrived. If you want to buy the same bottle you can do for £10 here.

Now £10 for a body wash will probably get Lynx users (Axe for my European readers) fainting in the aisles, but I think £10 for 350ml is actually not a bad price, and if it had that little goes a long way going for it then the initial purchase price shouldn’t turn into a factor when considering whether it represents good value for money. 

This is what Burt’s Bees say about the product over on their website:

‘Wake up with the invigorating buzz of Burt’s Bees Men Body Wash. Get an intense clean with this energizing and purifying body wash, containing lemon, orange and petitgrain oils it washes away dirt and odour, leaving your skin refreshed.

Burt’s Bees Men Body Wash uses natural and refreshing ingredients to invigorate your skin and your senses. Coconut, sunflower and citrus oils cleanse while cypress and fir oils energize for skin that looks, smells, and feels its natural best.’

Normally the first thing that strikes me about a product is the way it smells. It could be me, well hell, I know its me, but before I try anything, drinks, food or beauty products I give them a good sniff first (I say it’s because I can detect all major poisons so my family don’t try a random assassination - this is a joke for the avoidance of doubt). 

In this case it wasn’t the fragrance of the product but the texture that had me having my WTF moment. While in the bottle the liquid looks just that, quite runny, to the point that I made a mental note to be careful not to let too much be dispensed and subsequently flow off my hand. This is where it got a bit strange, as I poured some out it almost has the texture of washing up liquid in that as soon as it hit my hand it seemed to sticky and become a bit thicker. Run off my hand this will not (sorry, random Yoda moment). 

A lovely, light citrus, with lemon being the order of the day is perfect for a body wash, and with slight hints of bergamot this packs a fragrant punch that will not just wake you up in the morning, but it will also leave your skin with a delightful lingering aroma that ensures that body odour is gone, and stays gone. Happy days.

Unlike other body washes where the fragrance explodes into life when it comes into contact with warm water this one remains the same. Understated would be a good way of describing the lovely aroma that comes with the overly rich lather that helps scrub away the dirt and grime that has built up over the course of a day or night. 

It takes a bit to work up the lather, but once the body wash has made its transition from thick liquid (I am yet to find something where so little results in such a large amount of lather) an amount the size of a fifty pence piece is all that is needed to bring on enough of the lather to wash a full grown man from head to toe.  

So, was the dreaded BO (body odour) banished? Hell yeah, it was kicked to the curb, taken out with the trash (insert another generic saying) lol. On a serious note, all that was left after showering and using this body wash was a very, and I mean very subtle hint of lemon.

While washing using this is initially like smearing yourself in honey, and while weird at first I simply couldn’t fault the final results. The subtle aroma, the way my skin was left so smooth I couldn’t help but poke my arm to feel how soft and supple it had become. 

Lush - there you go, this stuff is amazing. I have been using it on and off now since it arrived in December and I’ve used about a quarter of the bottle. On the value for money test it works for me, and is likely to stick around for at least an other six months before the bottle needs replacing. 

While this was a PR sample, the acid test is would I part with my own money for the product. Well yes, yes I would. Taking everything into account, including no a hint of dry skin anywhere on a my body or irritation then this is one that people should take a serious look at, I know I will be searching it out when I need to replace my bottle.

RECOMMENDED  

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Molton Brown Templetree Body Wash

Anyone who casts their eyes over my little blog on a regular basis may have seen me write up my thoughts on Molton Brown Black Peppercorn Body Wash will know that I loved the manly fragrance and the fact that it banished BO (body odour). I was impressed, so when that ran out and a bottle of Molton Brown Templetree Body Wash appeared I couldn’t wait to try it out. 

I was so eager to try it that once again I committed the cardinal sin of beauty blogging by using it before taking photographs from several thousand angles - you would have thought I would learn but…..

Anyway, a small 100ml bottle of Templetree appeared, spookily a day after I had commented on a picture of it on Instagram saying I wanted to try it. Not spooky really, I could probably pick fifty random beauty products and the missus will have it somewhere. Needless to say, you don’t have to fear that my opinion has been influenced in any way. 

If you want to pick this up for yourself you can get a 300ml bottle direct from Molton Brown for £18 here. 

Like my last post, it could be me being tight with money or just because I have no idea how much things cost nowadays but £18 seems a lot to pay for a body wash. Go on, say it, I’m tighter than the rear end of a fish..….

This is what they say about Templetree over at the Molton Brown website:

‘A blissful bath and shower gel blended with moisturising algae extract and purifying templetree flower extract.

The fragrance
Top note: fragrant jasmine.
Middle note: fruity Rose.
Base note: sandalwood. 

Formerly known as Blissful Templetree’

Well, I now know what it used to be called, and the way my brain works I’ll retain that useless fact until the day I expire! 

Like other Molton Brown body wash this lathers up really well even when using only a little. If you look at the bottle in the pictures you can see how much has been used - that is after I had used Templetree for three days, so a little goes a long way, and in fact this what I consider small 100ml bottle will last for ages.

The fragrance is the clincher for me when I thought about whether I would recommend this. The jasmine and rose give this an incredibly strong aroma that is only magnified by the hot water of a shower. The lather retains it’s rich texture for ages and as it is absorbed into the top layer of skin you really start to just pull out the rose notes. 

While a lovely fragrance not that manly - so I was pleased that like an aftershave, once dried it took on a warmth as the rose was replaced by subtle hints of the sandalwood. For me, once dried off the fragrance is perfect for both sexes, not too feminine and not too masculine. 

But does it banish BO? Yes, yes it does, and even better, once it has helped wash the stink off it does have a positive effect on my skin, it does feel smoother - it’s not groundbreaking but there is an obvious difference.
Like most things I suppose, it depends upon your own personal preference, but if you like subtle floral fragrances with a solid warm base that will help clean away your sins in the shower then this baby is for you. Personally, and considering I’m tight I will buy this when the current body runs out. Hell, a 300ml bottle would probably last me for months! 

Try it, I think you’ll like it.

RECOMMENDED

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Christmas Gift Ideas for Him #5 - Ted Baker On Course Ted Messenger Bag

If I said you could splash out £35 and end up with not only a Ted Baker branded messenger bag that looks the part, but also have the bag empty to unveil a whole host of Ted Baker Tour de Ted products you would probably phone for the men in white coats.

Ted Baker is not a brand I associate normally with ridiculously affordable prices, I put them into the ‘treat’ or ‘luxury’ category but I have to admit I was personally blown away by my gift set. 

I’ve been using the same man bag purchased from Camden Lock Market in the week before I started to work in Camden and quite fitting that it got replaced five years later in the week that I left. To be honest, my bag needed changing, over the years it had warped and was more twisted than a corkscrew.

The messenger bag is really well made and racing green in colour I would say (but don’t trust me, I’m colour blind - check out the pictures). In terms of size, it is perfect and can fit a decent sized laptop, iPad and papers without it bulging or having so much weight in it the shoulder strap cuts through your shoulder. Internally there are a few pockets for chargers, pens etc and that’s about it. It’s a bag, for blokes, we don’t really need anything else.

The internal fabric design

Personally I would have expected to pay over £35 for a Ted Baker bag, so when I opened it to be greeted with the products below I grinned from ear to ear. While not a fan of body sprays I have to say that I like the ones in this bag, they are fresh and provide a level of assured confidence that you would need after a trip to the gym.

So what do you get?

• Ted Baker Orange Body Spray (150ml)
• Ted Baker Orange Hair and Body Wash (200ml)
• Ted Baker Green Body Spray (150ml)
• Ted Baker Green Hair and Body Wash (200ml)
• Wrapped Soap (140g)

The body washes lather up brilliantly and are good at getting off the grime and leaving skin smelling wonderful. The green version is much fresher, while the orange I find a little too synthetic. That aside, it does the job and washes and you can’t grumble at that. For me, my favourite is the wrapped soap - it has been so long since I've used soap it was like a little blast from the past and the fragrance had me reminiscing while staring off into the distance. 

What I found really surprising is that the hair and body wash didn't leave my hair feeling like straw. This is very common for me when using body washes that are allegedly also OK for washing your hair. With the Tour de Ted my hair was left feeling soft, smooth and shiny. 

This would make a great gift this Christmas - or you could break it down into several gifts for the men in your life. Available from Boots online here for £35 you can do a lot worse than this if struggling for gift ideas this Christmas.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

You can read my other Christmas Gift Ideas for Him by clicking on the links below:

Christmas Gift Ideas for Him #1 - Superdry Varsity Track T-Shirt

Christmas Gift Ideas for Him #2 - Starbucks Sprinkler & Mug Set

Christmas Gift Ideas for Him #3 - Aromatherapy Associates Refinery Shaving Essentials 

Christmas Gift Ideas for Him #4 - Intense He Wood by DSquared2

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Groomed Two in One Wash - Hair & Body Multitask

Shopping for me is a nightmare - there, I’ve done it, I’ve ’fessed up and they do say that admitting that there is a problem is the first step of recovery! 

While I have a few steady brands I use I just can’t help but pick up new ones just to test them out.

In this case I was lucky enough to be sent a sample of the Groomed Two in One Wash Hair and Body Multitask to put through its paces. A 250ml bottle is available from Asda for just £2 so unlikely to break the bank if it is actually any good.

The marketing blurb states:

‘Guys, take the ‘grrrrr’ out of grooming! 

Expertly formulated for me who want no fuss, quality and results…naturally! 

Bursting with natural extracts this invigorating hair and body combo helps to awaken and refresh, whilst moisturising properties help to combat dry, dull hair and skin.’

So, is it any good?

Well, it comes out like any other shower gel but the fragrance punches you in the face - the blend of Tea Tree, Peppermint and Menthol give you that wake up slap around the face. At the moment I find this perfect to banish the lingering thoughts of sleep as I get ready for work in the morning. Invigorating? Yes, and then some.

The gel lathers up brilliantly and if anything the fragrance gets so much stronger as it is released by the warm water. 

While it is marketed as a body and hair wash I’ve had some dodgy experiences in the past where products like this leave my hair feeling like straw once dried - its as though the products drain all of the moisture out of the shaft leaving me unimpressed. For this reason I erred on the side of caution and didn’t apply to my locks, personally choosing to use this as just a body wash, after all I have a bathroom full of high end shampoos and conditioners to use.

In terms of kicking those crusty smells away I haven’t found anything better - after a day in the office, an hour in cattle class of London Underground in tropical heat and a night out using this leaves me confident that I am indeed clean and smelling lovely.

The menthol lingers on the skin which is reassuring and lasts for a few hours. 

At just £2 for a 250ml bottle this is exceptional value for money. Only a little of the gel is needed to product a thick and rich lather which means a bottle being used every day lasts over a month. It’s bloody good and will be a product I return to over and over again.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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Selfridges&Co Male Grooming Box

If you don’t fancy splashing the cash on an expensive gift this Fathers Day well don’t panic, a cheaper option for the dad who takes care of himself is available thanks to Selfridges&Co.

For a limited time only they have pulled together a range of male grooming products in one beauty box that is available for delivery for just £20 (excluding postage and packaging which is just £4.95). 

I’m reliably informed that beauty boxes for men are as rare as rocking horse excrement so I was really pleased when the postman unexpectedly delivered this and I got to root around inside to see what products I already had, and what new products I could test for the blog over the coming weeks.

For just £20 the box contains:

• A 50ml tube of Scaramouche and Fandango Hydrator, with anti-fatigue Chronodyn (that sounds made up to me) cell energiser and vitamin E; 
• A 50ml tube of Scaramouche and Fandango Body Wash, with re-mineralising Brazilian Papaya and vitamin E complex;
• A small 20ml tube of Scaramouche and Fandango Face Scrub with exfoliating prickly pear extract and once again that Chronodyn cell energiser. The combination of micro-beads and prickly pear extract I’m assured will remove grime and residue leaving firm and toned skin.

• A 130g bar of Triumph and Disaster Shearer's Soap. It has such a rich lavender smell, even through the wrapping that I can’t wait to see how it fairs with its claim of using poppy seeds to exfoliate the skin while remaining gentle. As a plus it contains no Parabens which again I’m reliably informed dry out your skin;
• A 57g tub of GO 24/7 Texture Paste for my hair. I can’t wait to try this and it gives off a really clean smell as soon as the lid is removed. It’s like a cross between pledge polish and shake ‘n’ vac. Weird I know but I really like the smell, I just hope it holds hair as well! 
• A 75ml bottle of Kiehl's Facial Fuel Cleanser. With menthol and caffeine this promises to remove dirt, surface oil and impurities with having a drying effect on my skin. We shall see…..

• A 100ml bottle of Molton Brown Black Pepper Body Wash. Wow, you really can feel the spice as soon as you give this a whiff. It’s strong, but that isn’t a bad thing. Personally I like my body washes to be strong and masculine and I can take a good guess that this will hit the spot;
• A 50 ml canister of Clarins Smooth Shave foaming gel. A quick squirt of this onto my hand and a pea sized amount lathers up really well. It’s rich without the thickness of most gels;
• A 9ml bottle of unisex fragrance Comme Des Garςons 2, which I confess to never of hearing of. A dash to Google and it appears to be one hell of an expensive fragrance that promises to be rich and exotic (hmmmm, where have I heard that before).  A blend of Sumi ink, incense, patchouli, cedarwood, angelic root, vetiver, labdanum, amber, magnolia, new aldehydes, cumin and cade oil I have no clue how this is going to smell until I cut it out of it‘s lovely packaging. 

Looking at the overall retail price of the contents this strikes me as a bargain and I’d give it two thumbs up. 

It contains enough of each product to give a thorough try before you buy, particularly with the really expensive stuff and would make the perfect gift in the presentation box.

If you are interested you can buy the boxes for a limited time only here.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post, please do let me know if you decide to buy a box as I'd love to know what you think.

What products would you put in a male grooming box?

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Fish Sportfish Revitalising Hair, Face and Body Wash

I’m kind of going through a Fish love-in at the moment so when I was asked if I would like to try Sportfish, their new three in one body wash I jumped at the chance.

While I love the hair care range, with Fishshape Hair and Superfish Fishpaste Hardcore Hold Matt Effect Putty I wasn’t overly keen on their sculpting wax.

I hadn’t known that they had branched out from hair care products, so to receive a 250ml bottle that retails at Boots for £3.99 I couldn’t wait to put it through its paces.

Sportfish, revitalising hair, face and body wash. It sold as:

"Cleanse and revive your entire body post workout with the 3 in 1 Sportfish Revitalising Hair, Face and Body Wash.

Developed by cutting edge Fish Hairdressing Salon in Soho, London, this is the ultimate sports bag essential for men who like to play hard, yet look great, with minimum fuss.”

First things first, I had a flashback to my youth and the dawning of the “take two bottles in the shower, not me I take 2 in 1” adverts. It made me giggle slightly but anyway, I digress.

As this claims to be a three in one I’m going to rate the product based upon the effect of:

• Cleansing and removing body odour;
• Fragrance;
• Effect on face;
• Effect on hair;
• Value for money.

The cleansing ability of this wash is not to be underestimated - it lathers up brilliantly into a lovely rich foam. It covers easily and not much is required which means that this 250ml bottle will last for a few weeks. In the words of Mr Burns from The Simpsons “Excellent“!

What is surprising with the body wash is that the fragrance is quite subtle. Normally with a body wash for men it tends to be really strong to try and wash/mask the manly body odour we build up generally just being men.

After using the product even after a night crammed into a sweaty bar there are no hints of stink - and that ladies and gentlemen is key here.

As the body wash starts to lather up the fragrance does become more pronounced. It has top notes of coconut but actually then becomes slightly chemical - it doesn’t feel organic so to speak. It isn’t bad, it just isn’t fantastic. However, in terms of something for the bag I’d say its completely inoffensive.

Using this on my face I found that it really did leave my face feeling smooth and fresh. The only drawback was that prolonged use did see my forehead starting to dry out more. I combated this by reverting to a double dose of my L’Oreal Men Expert moisturiser.

I don’t know about sports bag essential for me, I’ve broken out into a sweat thinking about reaching for my tea but it certainly is a very nice product that would suit someone on the go - the bottle is compact, a little goes a long way, it has good results in the three key areas it claims to and does smell that bad.

In my books that means that it’s recommended, however if you have a certain need such as dry skin and are looking for something to moisturise your skin I would say you would need any additional product to go with this.

RECOMMENDED 

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