SPONSORED: Men's online shopping catalogues

The sheer amount of merchandise you can purchase off the internet is astounding. 

This avenue has spawned shopping cultures and trends that were simply unimaginable at the turn of the century. Much has been made about the insecurities that come with choosing products online, but the truth is that shopping online is now a reality and has been for over a decade now. While a big number of shopping avenues makes it easier for customers to make choices by looking at varieties, it presents a problem; where do consumers look?

Since there are so many avenues, it is imperative that you as a male shopper have an idea of the things they offer and the places to look. To aid you to make the perfect choice in your shopping endeavours, here is a list of top 5 online men's shopping catalogues in the UK.

Joe Browns

This catalogue has attained somewhat of a cult following among male fashion enthusiasts all over the United Kingdom. The amount and types of clothes available span different ages as well as body sizes. At the website, shoppers can easily browse prices and products until they get what they want. Shopping is easy, as all you have to do is add products to a cart. There are options for making returns if products are not satisfactory. You can make payments by use of MasterCard or maestro.

The Hut

The Hut is another famous destination for men wishing to go out for the latest trends. However, it is much more than just a clothes store. It also offers products like electronics and gaming tools. In addition, men can purchase toys for their children at the hut. Making payments is never a hassle, as the store caters to customers who use MasterCard, Visa, Visa electron as well as maestro.

Next

This shopping store caters for all types of clothes as well as home wares. Apart from the UK, Next is available in over 70 other countries around the world. There is no limit to what a man can buy for himself and his family at Next. Extra products include wines, flowers and gifts. From time to time, the shop offers gifts and bonuses to its clients.

Littlewoods

At Littlewoods, shoppers have the luxury of knowing that they can always make returns if products are defective. However, there are rules for returns. They should occur within the first two weeks of purchase. If there were gift items, they should come back as part of the package. Customers can make credit payments using Visa and Maestro.

Dial a TV

There is a wide range of home wares and electronics that a man could take a pick of on this site. While the electronics are more than the rest of the items on sale, the diversity is simply amazing. At Dial a TV, there are bonuses for shoppers, even though these do not have a regular timing. If clients need clarification, they can always contact support and customer care services, as they are available around the clock.

One of the main benefits of shopping through an online catalogue is the ability to spread the cost of your purchases. Spread the cost usually allows you to pay what you owe in monthly or weekly installments. You can check out a full list of pay monthly catalogues here.

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Rehab London Argan Oil Shaving Gel

When I first started writing this blog, I did have a bit of a look around to see what others wrote about, how they presented their blogs and to get some idea as to how images should look. The one thing which sticks in my memory is the sheer number of posts about the wonder that is Argan Oil. So, when I was asked if I would like to try Rehab London Argan Oil Shaving Gel, my first thoughts where, let’s see what this baby can do.

My second thought was to write a blog post interspersed with lyrics from the Amy Winehouse song Rehab, but strangely after using it the first time I stopped singing it! Anyhow, I digress....

As a sensitive soul (insert ass before soul) with even more sensitive skin around my face, finding the perfect match for a smooth shaving experience has always been a bane. I’ve found some excellent products over the year that I have been writing here but Rehab London has taken the biscuit. Why you ask? Well read on to see what my sensitive skin thought of this shave gel.

While my 125ml tube of the shave gel came as a sample from Rehab London, you can pick up an identical tube for just £9.95 from Boots here. If you shop around online you may find it cheaper still.

This is what Rehab London say about the Argan Oil Shave Gel:

‘Shaving just crossed over the dark side. Say goodbye to those pesky ingrown hairs, sore red skin and that tight feeling you get when shaving.

Step forward Cold Turkey, The Florence Nightingale of the shaving world. Packed with Hero ingredients like the rare and precious Argan oil, with Hazel, and Aloe Vera, your skin will be left so smooth, it should probably come with a warning. The Argan oil works to support regeneration of the skin, restart the vital functions of the cells and neutralise free radicals, all while providing a protective layer to lubricate the razor. Finally, the unique low foam clear formula lets you see exactly where to shave, perfect for sculpting those rock star side burns

For the ultimate shave, team with rehab London scrub up daily detox to remove dead skin cells and prevent ingrown hairs and blackheads.’

First of all, it looks funny, while it has a runny consistency that means you have to balance it on your hand before applying, but the colour, it’s all cloudy and looks a bit weird. However, nothing ventured nothing gained. The fragrance is rather neutral, it’s there, but so subtle it almost has a watery cucumber aroma - think Aloe Vera blended with a cucumber and you get the gist.

The second surprise for me was how well it spread when being applied - I had expected it to lather up but instead it stays as a gel and as you can see from the images before and after applying, you can hardly tell you have put it on before shaving! Fear not, it sticks to the skin and once gently rubbed in and then the cool sensation starts.

After leaving the oil to soak in for just a few minutes my face did start to feel much cooler. Really cool in fact (note to self - smear this on your sunburn later in the year lol). 

The best was saved to last though - the actual process of shaving is an absolute breeze using the oil. The razor glides across the face and slashes away those pesky bristles and even better, the oil doesn’t clog the blade which means less time rinsing and more time actually eliminating the stubble and beard. Just for the time saved, lack of faffing involved in shaving and clearly less build up on the razor I was blown away and incredibly impressed. Better was to come however!

The stubble before any Argan Oil action....

This is with the gel on my stubble, tricky to see isn't it?

After shaving - no redness or blotchy, itchy face

After rinsing off and drying my face I opted not to use moisturiser the first couple of times I used this and there was a complete absence of any tightness. No razor burn, no redness and no ingrown hairs a few days later. Back of the net.

Hours later my skin felt supple, was smooth and had something of a glow about it. I was so impressed I let people touch my face (I don’t like touching), and for me to allow this means I must have been incredibly confident.

As a joke in passing, when I went for lunch with a friend a couple of weeks ago he mentioned that I looked well and was glad to see the beard gone - I responded by saying it was all thanks to rehab - should I be worried that he didn’t ask me to clarify what kind of rehab?

A little goes a long way, it’s affordable and helped to deliver one of the best shaves ever and that is why this sits at the top of the list of my favourite shaving aids. Rehab London Argan Oil Shave Gel is now the yardstick for which others will be tested. It's great stuff. 

FORGET THE REST, TRY THE BEST

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Bvlgari BLV Pour Homme

There is currently only one fragrance in the Bvlgari stable that I haven’t got my grubby hands on yet and I plan to rectify this as soon as my bank send me a new debit card.

While I sit at home watching the cool video for their new fragrance ‘Amara’ on the Bvlgari website drooling at the notes and how I can almost smell how it will be as it leaves the bottle I’ve been looking back over the bottles cluttered away and sadly BLV Pour Homme seems to have been massively overlooked.

This is a gem of an aftershave, an absolute dream for nights out on the town and it never fails to draw compliments.

Readers of the blog will know of my love for all things Bvlgari, it’s not a new thing, since my early twenties I’ve preferred fruity and light Extreme, moving through Black and Pour Homme until eventually Bvlgari BLV.

BLV was originally a fragrance for women that proved so popular that it was adapted and released onto the market for men. A 50ml bottle is virtually the same price as every other Bvlgari aftershave at £30.

The bottle is near identical to the Pour Femme version, although slightly taller with a bigger pinched effect at the top near the atomiser that dispenses the actual fragrance. As it is glass, rather chunky and not the best shape it isn't the easiest thing to hold onto if you have small hands. This is built for men *insert manly grunt*

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Prior to purchase I had an idea of what the fragrance would be like as I was and continue to be a big fan of BLV Pour Femme. I expected something very light on the nose, with hints of citrus bearing down over time to something warm yet long-lasting.

I was to be proved somewhat correct in the first instance with initial sprays being very light on the nose, with the actual fragrance barely noticeable.

What was evident after a few more sprays was a very fruity set of top notes that changed dramatically over a very short period of time as the fragrance notes from the Heart and Base began to blend and stand out.

My analysis of the dry down fragrance was completely wrong. Whilst warm, it had a much more masculine aroma than I expected and once I had identified the notes from the accompanying booklet is all became clear.

The actual notes to BLV are:

• Top Notes: Ginger, galangal and cardamom
• Heart Notes: Tobacco blossom, juniper and gingko
• Base Notes: Teak Sandalwood, cedar wood and musk

Having an idea of what something will smell like after first applying a fragrance is all well and good, but knowing how it will rest, blend and eventually smell on your skin over the course of time is essential.

I quickly wanted to test this and after showering liberally sprayed the fragrance over my face and neck.

Five small squirts from the atomiser are all that is needed to fill the room with a lovely light fragrance.

Initial attempts to identify the notes were pointless, and I was positive I could detect orange and lemon oil similar to that of the Lush I Should Coco soap. Further research on the top notes has cleared up what I thought was my dodgy sense of smell. Galangal has a very soapy and earthy aroma and when mixed with the spicy aroma of ginger can produce a citrus effect.

Before the heart and base notes started to become stronger the top notes changed very quickly and the citrus faded to a light spicy aroma.

After approximately 30 minutes the top notes could no longer be identified as they mixed with the heart and base notes.

As the other notes became stronger it was clear that this was going to be a long-lasting fragrance as it became heavier and heavier, in the same way that most men's aftershaves do. Immediately Christian Dior Fahrenheit springs to mind (now that is a heavy, manly fragrance), however the blend of tobacco blossom and juniper managed to give the fragrance warmth and when inhaled still was in no way overpowering, as each note blended together was subtle.

The base notes provide the real long lasting fragrance and the earthy woody smells when balanced with the top notes allow the BLV to retain the subtle, warm masculine fragrance that is still very much noticeable some 10-12 hours after first applying.

This would be an ideal fragrance for daywear at the office, for nights out on the town or for those special romantic occasions.

Personally I love fragrances that are very light, have a certain air of fruitiness whilst at the same time asserting a kind of 'I am man' fragrance.

With this in mind I should not really like the BLV as much as I actually do due to the heavy yet warm, spicy and earthy notes. I highly recommend this. It lasts for hours when only a tiny amount is applied, the fragrance is lovely and will get you noticed when up close and personal.

It is different to any other fragrance I have ever owned. It truly is a unique blend of notes and I have to say Bvlgari have done it again and produced another fine fragrance.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Thank you for taking the time to read this far, go on, let me know what your favourite aftershave is in the comments below.

Post note:

On finding this and my previous thoughts on it I've also found Bvlgari Pour Homme Soir. My thoughts on this, and why I think it's the weakest fragrance from the Bvlgari house in due course! 

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Gillette Fusion Proglide Shaving Gel

Every time I pick up Gillette Fusion Proglide I have to say I chuckle to myself in a kind of schoolboy way. Probably a reference to first ever seeing a tube of lube called ultra-glide as a kid.

Anyhow I digress; I’m here to give my thoughts on a shaving gel not my adolescence!

Every since entering the world of shaving (and mainly bleeding as a result) I’ve never been a fan. Maybe I’m a sensitive soul (thousands who know me are now laughing themselves to an early hernia), but no matter what I used in my formative years I always ended up with dry skin after shaving, red blotchy marks and usually a face looking more akin to Freddy Krueger than the soft smooth finish I was looking for.

Gillette back in the day offered a few products that really helped - my skin would always feel dry but the red blotchy marks were less noticeable.

Ever since I’ve been hooked. The products and range on offer has expanded and apart from King of Shaves I’ve rarely ventured further, I’ve never needed to.

My current favourite is the Proglide. The marketing blurb says that it “makes it easy to get the look you want”.

The shaving gel comes in a squeezable tube and is ice blue in colour. While a ‘clear’ shaving gel there is clearly a colour. To cover my beard in the gel a squeeze to release a blob about the same size as a 50 pence piece is needed.

As soon as you start to rub the gel in what strikes you immediately is the lack of lather - it’s actually like rubbing hair gel on your face. A bit weird at first, but it is easier to apply and doesn’t seem to disintegrate on contact with water.

A little goes a long way with this, so no need to be over the top. It might not seem like a lot of gel but really, you don’t need it. As the gel is spread a lovely fresh Aloe Vera fragrance fills the room. It adds a kind of clean and sanitised feel to the shaving experience in my opinion.

Personally I let the gel soak in for a few minutes and start to shave. The hairs on my face seem softer and easier to remove and after rinsing off my face my face is beautifully smooth. The acid test for me is the look and feel after about 30 minutes after drying. With Proglide I’ve never been let down.

My face is always smooth and even the morning after shaving there is an absence of dry skin. For the first time in my shaving life (22 years) I don’t get red blotchy skin after shaving. Rejoice people - rejoice.

£4.49 for a 175 ml tube is in my humble opinion well worth it. It will last for weeks if used daily and months if you like to grow a bit of five o’clock shadow now and again.

It stores well if you are a more infrequent shaver and if you fancy chancing your hand at a new brand or a different line of the Gillette range then you should look no further.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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Mont Blanc Presence

If you think of Mont Blanc the first thing that would probably spring to mind is overly priced writing instruments. At a push jewellery and other assorted items from a luxury range that has diversified faster than speeding bullet may be conjured within your cranium.

For me, considering buying an aftershave from a company better known for pens than perfume would put me off. Presence was one of the first fragrances released onto the market by Mont Blanc back in 2001 and while I prefer to stick with favourites from the Bvlgari range due to my love of fresh, fruity fragrances Presence has skilfully worked its way into my affections.

The flowery marketing blurb from Mont Blanc tells you that Presence is about the presence of a man in a woman’s life. It embodies the wearer’s personality, charisma, aura and scent. It goes on to claim that the presence of the wearer evokes the emotions of the woman. Clearly while writing this sort of guff is like paying good money for old rope the key to a good fragrance in my books can be judged on a number of factors, most important is obviously whether it smells good to the wearer and those you come into contact with, longevity of the fragrance, price and overall the value for money it provides in comparison to other brands.

My first bottle (and actually like most of my aftershave) was a gift. If you had to part with your hard earned cash you’ll struggle unless you buy direct from Mont Blanc or live close to one of their stores. When I last tried to find a bottle I received a number of blank (I was so tempted to say Blanc looks there) in Boots and the Perfume store. A 75ml bottle will set you back just shy of £40. That to me seems expensive and I could roll out a very long list of cheaper aftershaves.

The notes to Presence are:

• Head: Bergamot, ginger and cardamom.
• Heart: Cinnamon, sage, apple and heliotrope.
• Base: Tonka beans, sandalwood and musk.

The notes suggest a heavy, very spicy fragrance with fruity undertones while the base notes suggest a warm and very masculine aroma. With a personal preference towards light and fruity fragrances I wasn’t sure I would like Presence but the proof of the pudding was to be in the tasting, no not literally but I couldn’t wait to give it a try.

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The difference between the two bottles - old above, new below.

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Two light sprays from the atomiser releases enough of the aftershave to give full coverage, and as a word of advice, close your eyes, it really does spray widely.

After shaving as you would expect there is a very nasty burning sensation which dissipates very quickly leaving just the warm spicy tones from the head notes. The bergamot citrus aroma is most evident and blended with the ginger gives an initial strange warm fragrance that is both fruity and spicy.

The general assault on the senses is pleasant, not too heavy and not so light it could be confused as a perfume. As with all male fragrances, the initial fragrance doesn’t tend to linger for long and with Presence the heart and base notes contain so many heavy duty ingredients that within 5 minutes that initial pleasant fragrance falls away as it becomes heavier and even warmer.

As the bergamot becomes less prominent you would expect the heart notes to come to the fore but alas they do not, the cinnamon and apple are never identifiable within the fragrance and only a hint of sage comes through taking the edge off the fruity aroma which makes the ensuing fragrance even spicier. After 30 minutes of blending and being absorbed by the skin what is left is completely different to the fragrance that left the bottle.

The woody, earthy base notes become the overlaying fragrance and the musk and sandalwood dominate the senses. With the fragrance still being evident on the skin over 10 hours after spraying on the aroma has the same strength from that that formed 30 minutes after application and that is a fragrance that not only is fresh, warm and masculine but also very subtle.

Presence does not sit in with the style of aftershave I like yet I’m strangely drawn to it. The fragrance is completely unique, so subtle so people can pick up on it without overpowering and very hardwearing meaning that it is perfect for romantic nights out, office and casual wear.

With a little of the aftershave going a long way and a reasonable price tag the product has every ingredient of a good aftershave.

The bottle may have been a nightmare to use (it used to be a half-moon shape which was a nightmare but has been re-designed) but thankfully my future purchases haven’t been blighted by this little hiccup. If your own personal preference when it comes to aftershave is like mine I would urge you to branch out and give this a try, you will be surprised by the way in which the ingredients blend together. This is very much a luxury version of Christian Dior Fahrenheit, just not so heavy.

Given that a little really does go a long way a 75ml bottle will last an absolute age making it good value for money.

You could do a lot worse than Presence.

RECOMMENDED

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