Structure Transform Spray Clay

I have something of a soft spot for hair products from the Structure range, in fact, one of the first I reviewed here on the blog was a sample of Structure Paste Flexible Adhesive which, to be blunt was the bomb so when I was asked if I wanted to try Structure Transform Spray Clay I jumped at the chance.

This is what the company say about themselves here:

'Structure is a salon professional hair care brand, featuring a range of styling products for men and women alike. With edgy packaging, high performance formulas and a full product range, Structure is a must-have for anyone who's passionate about their hair and style! If you want style, you want edge and you want your dreams to be realised; you need Structure.'

With a hold level of three out of five I wasn't expecting a solid and crispy hold, and on further investigation this is recommended for short styles. I have to say, at £9.50 for a 150 ml tube it actually is quite cheap in the great scheme of things when you consider that only a few squirts will have your hair rock solid for hour after hour.

Seriously, three sprays onto slightly damp short hair, a quick run through with the palm of your hand and whack, the spikes are there - and it dries stupidly quickly which means no messing in the mirror holding them in place for ages until you have to leave the house (which is good in my case as I'm always running late).

Even with as I let my hair grow longer about a month ago this was a godsend and after styling into a cross between curtains and a quiff it kept my hair in place, even after a bit of rain and some pretty strong wind (the weather kind, not the type after a night on the curry). 

For me hold is important, how long it lasts and whether it leaves any residue as it starts to wear off. With spray clay it has a vice like hold (despite only being mid-range in their hold ratings), lasts for a good eight hours (even if I run my hands through - which I do a lot) and there are no hints of the dreaded white flakes. In the words of Alan Partridge - "back of the net".

This came as a PR sample some three months ago (they probably think I forgot about them) and I admit, I use it probably three times a week and still now I have over half of the bottle left. I had considered attempting to do a written Peter Kay impression (Clay.......in a spray? It'll never catch on) but hey, this stuff is the bees knees and if you are looking for an easy to apply hair styling product them this is for you. Affordable, great hold and no flakes. Get some, you won't be disappointed! 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Like what you see? You can keep up to date and follow Beautykinguk.co.uk using the various social media below:

Instagram

Pinterest

Google+

Bloglovin

Facebook

View Post

Ted Baker - Ted's Grooming Room

I’ve been writing this blog for over eighteen months and it has seen a wide variety of beauty and grooming products reviewed, which included a large number from Ted Baker’s Grooming Room. So when I was asked if I would like to go and try out one of their legendary salons I couldn’t wait, and asked if there was anything they could do with my hair, eyebrow (I say eyebrow as I’ve had a mono-brow for about thirty five years) and beard.

After being booked in for ‘the works’ it was simply a case of turning up – in my case in particular I opted to go along to the shop tucked away in Holborn on Theobald's Road, it being just a twenty minute walk from my office. You can see a full list of their locations, plus their new premises on Commercial Street here.

Upon arrival I thought I’d got the wrong place – while looking effortlessly cool with a number of barber’s chairs and a hive of activity I wondered where the luxurious experience was going to take place. After giving my name my photographer in chief (aka beautyqueenuk) and I were guided downstairs into a cool, and rather open area.

After being offered a complimentary cocktail (I declined wanting to keep a clear head) the other half jumped at the chance and after trying it I really wished I’d gone for one – it had rich flavour and a kick like a mule! Anyhow, we weren’t there to get sloshed, we were there to sort out my face…..

‘T’, my barber for the evening was given carte blanche to do whatever he wanted to my hair, but the sad fact was that it was actually too short to do anything drastic to the style and as I have quite straight hair we settled on a much shorter style than usual, down to the bone at the back and sides with a very short messy top – a sort of cross between bed head and spikes. What struck me first was that rather than reach for the clippers to shave around the back and sides everything was done using scissors and the look of concentration was intense as the scissors snipped away. Clearly a man with symmetry on his mind, T really knows his craft and within thirty minutes my hair looked perfect – I was delighted, but this was just the start of my happy surprises.

The moment I had been dreading arrived – the treading of the brow (yes, dreading the threading)! Christ it hurt and I could hear a light cackle coming from the direction of the missus (who was filming at this point). It actually wasn’t that bad, the worst part was when T uttered the words “so you did want them looking feminine?” and my heart stopped! He was joking and within a minute my brows has been separated and shaped without completely altering how I looked. Nice, neat and tidy and something I will have done again.

After the brows (it still seems weird talking about them in plural) came the beard – I opted for a trim rather than cut throat shave and this was done without incident, the beard being trimmed and shaped properly (for the first time ever). This followed with the hairs in my ear being burnt away. I admit seeing a flame getting so close to my face had me getting a little bit nervous but it was painless and the inside of my ears are now incredibly smooth (like you needed to know that!)

Finally, and this really sealed the deal for me – for months I’ve had a trapped nerve in my elbow which has caused mild numbness in my left hand. Step forward T with the most relaxing massage – a hot towel was placed over my face which nearly sent me off to sleep and then crack! I have no idea what he did to my arm but ever since the numbness has gone and I feel like a new man! Awesome!

The full treatment would have cost £75 and I have to say, just the massage alone and removal of the pain in my elbow makes this worth it. Add in the fact that my hair looked and still does look neat and tidy with a nice twist on my usual style and you have a winner here. It’s strange having two eyebrows, and I’m sure they will take time to maintain but I think the whole package has improved how I look, which ultimately is the point of such obsessive grooming!

I have nothing but praise for T and the folk at Ted’s Grooming Room – it was an experience I’ll never forget and I will be back again in a few weeks when my hair and brows need doing again. This may have been provided gratis but I wouldn’t hesitate to stick my hand in my pocket and pay for this myself.

FORGET THE REST, TRY THE BEST

You can see the full list of treatments available here.

  

You can read more of my reviews of the Ted’s Grooming Room range by following the links below:

• Ted's Grooming Room Face Scrub
• Ted's Grooming Room Shave Gel
• Ted's Grooming Room Post Shave Balm

Like what you see? You can keep up to date and follow Beautykinguk.co.uk using the various social media below:

Instagram

Pinterest

Google+

Bloglovin

Facebook 

View Post

Guide London Shirts + Giveaway

If you saw my TK Maxx Haul earlier in the year you will have seen the lovely flowery shirt from Guide London I managed to pick up well below the recommended retail price. Pleased was an understatement then and still is!

When I was asked if I would to take a look at their Autumn collection and choose a shirt to style I didn't have to think twice, and opted for the slim fit Dark Blue Dobby Shirt at £60.

With free delivery on orders over £45 then you really can't argue, and I have to ask, why aren't you currently checking them out for yourself? There are loads of shirts, tees, blazers and malewear over at the Guide London site here.

And this is what it looks like when worn by yours truly! 

This is, if my memory serves me correctly the fourth shirt I've owned from Guide London and each one has lasted for years and years. The colours don't run, the stitching is rock solid and best of all, the cuffs and collars never fray. Years after purchase they look as good as the day I bought them. 

Personally I'm looking forward to many years of wear out of the new addition to my wardrobe.

Now here is the good part, you have the opportunity to win a Guide London shirt worth up to £80 using the competition widget below. Good luck!

Win a free Guide London Shirt Worth £80 with Beauty King UK 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Like what you see? You can keep up to date and follow Beautykinguk.co.uk using the various social media below:

Instagram

Pinterest

Google+

Bloglovin

Facebook 

View Post

Protect your phone with Lux Box

Let me tell you a sorry tale of 'told you so' that resulted me me gleefully accepting the offer of the Wonderful Things Factory to try one of their luxury iPhone cases, LuxBox.

Until May I had managed to resist the urge to buy an iPhone, hell, my Samsung Galaxy 2 (yes I know it has antique value) is still going strong so why bother splashing out on a new phone? That was until I was handed an IPhone 6 as my new work phone with the wise and sage advice of "you better get a case for that as the screen will crack at the slightest bit of pressure". Fast forward (not so much) two days and carelessly throwing things into my bag resulted in cracked screen! I needed a case!

This is what theWTFactory say about the LuxBox here:

'The Wonderful Things Factory (aka theWTFactory) is working right now (literally) to create cool stuff for you to use, wear, touch, look at and experience.' 

Now, the lovely phone case you can see above was sent to me to test by theWTFactory and I have to say, I'm impressed. While $55 may seem a lot for a phone case, when you consider the cost of replacing a damaged screen it's actually just a drop in the ocean and well worth the initial outlet.

I expected it to take weeks to arrive from the good old USA but no, it took just three days. It arrived, thankfully not via Yodel (that's a rant for another time) in a secure box with minimal packaging but as soon as it was opened it just oozed class and that Christmas morning feeling was upon me. Weird, it is after all just a phone case.

Slipping it onto the phone was a breeze and initially I was surprised by how lightweight the case was. It weighs just grams and once on, you hardly notice it's there - it doesn't weigh down the phone and it doesn't add that much to the dimensions so it slips straight into the pocket with no hassle - result! 

This is a luxury phone case - it looks great, and personally I love the walnut finish on the rear of the case, it just looks so much different to the clip on cases you can pick up for a couple of pounds down on Camden Market and I for one am a very happy bunny. I would probably baulk at paying so much, but actually after dropping my phone twice since installing this (and no damage to either phone or case) I would probably pay double! 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Like what you see? You can keep up to date and follow Beautykinguk.co.uk using the various social media below:

Instagram

Pinterest

Google+

Bloglovin

Facebook 

View Post

Why is there a lack of plus size male models?

The topic of plus size models has long been a hot one in fashion and retail circles. But while plus size female models are becoming increasingly respected and marketed – indeed, UK Plus Size Fashion Week took place over three days in London during September – what about the men?

Image Credit

Where are all the plus-size male models? It’s a question the Guardianasked recently. The article’s writer, Morwenna Ferrier, commented: ‘I asked three major agencies in the UK, all of whom have plus-sized female models on their books, and they all said they have no plans to sign plus-size male models.’ However, in Germany there’s a different attitude, with three agencies that specialise in plus-size male models.

In model terms, plus size for women starts at 14; in retail clothing terms it’s more commonly 18. But for men, what is considered plus size? Clearly, that opens up a wide field. Recent research from Mintel shows that 20% of males in the UK – so almost a quarter of the population – have a waist size of 38 inches or more. That’s a lot of bigger guys who are never going to look like the muscular perfection that is David Beckham in his boxers.

But also, men’s clothing is available in far bigger sizes – from 1XL all the way up to 8XL. These size ranges are typically available from specialist suppliers dedicated to the larger man though generally many mainstream retailers have a wide range. Dobell suit trousers go up to 48 inch waist, and jackets to a 54 inch chest.

So – it’s certainly not the case that bigger or plus sizes men aren’t being catered for. The clothes are out there. What’s the problem? At this year’s New York men’s fashion week the subject was raised and the message from modelling agencies was that there is no demand for plus-sized models. ‘As an agency we don’t dictate demand, we respond to it,’ DNA model management’s Gene Kogan told YahooStyle. ‘Demand has to originate from designers, brands or retailers. If there was a strong demand for plus-size male models, believe we would be scouting for them.’

There’s also a train of thought that the majority of male clothing is not bought by men at all, but by their wives and partners - so the marketing and advertising of men’s fashion is aimed at women.

These days, even the non-human models are far removed from large physiques.

Thisreport suggested the standard male mannequin size has shrunk from a 42 inch chest and a 33 inch waist – some might consider those ‘average’ dimensions – to a 35 inch chest and a 27 waist over the last 40 years. Those measurements actually make for a very slender, almost waif-like figure. The type of figure seen almost exclusively on the catwalk and inside high-end lifestyle magazines.

While there is pressure on brands and retailers to feature plus-size female models – and applause and appreciation when they do – it seems the plus-size male model doesn’t actually exist. Not yet, at least. Until there is a breakthrough, the DadBod will stay firmly in the background, outside the public glare.

Like what you see? You can keep up to date and follow Beautykinguk.co.uk using the various social media below:

Instagram

Pinterest

Google+

Bloglovin

Facebook 

*collaboration

View Post

Jord 94A Wooden Watch

Every so often a product comes into your possession that captivates you, whether it is the scent, the style, how it is made, the colour or even it's packaging, sitting and looking at something thinking 'wow'. This happened to me, but the Jord 94A Wooden Watch was actually sent to my other half, but as soon as I saw it I knew it would be mine, all mine! 

JORD watches are made out of sustainably sourced wood from across the globe. Each watch is then lovingly crafted and are unique. I now have the 94A Series which is Jord's first mixed material watch, presented with a squared dial and metallic face, it really does look cool and is perfect when topped off with a few wooden bracelets. 

The watch itself is even more stunning than it looks online. It is so much lighter than I had expected it to be but it is the craftsmanship of the watch which is truly amazing. Being made of wood, there are no rough edges and whilst it is chunky, it looks amazing whilst being worn, it is so unique to have a wooden watch. It is also light as a feather so no feeling like you have a dead weight attached to your arm.

I personally think the 94A Series is more suited to a man than a woman (I would say that, and actually did to convince the other half to let me have it). That said, we both absolutely love it, so it will be a race in the morning to see who can wear it first.

If you want to take a look at JORD watches, you can see the range here. They are amazingly priced, this one is $159 which is around £100 and then delivery is $20 (so just under £10) which is couriered.

RECOMMENDED

Like what you see? You can keep up to date and follow Beautykinguk.co.uk using the various social media below:

Instagram

Pinterest

Google+

Bloglovin

Facebook 

View Post