Back in June I wrote about a male beauty box from Selfridges&Co - I was really excited when it arrived with a range of products for me to try. A few impressed me (winking in your direction Scaramouche & Fandango), a few left me feeling cheated (I’m glaring at you Commes des Garcons 2). One that sat around for an absolute age without me trying it was a 100ml bottle of Molton Brown Black Peppercorn Body Wash.
In fact, it sat in the bathroom for two months until it was packed away (size over dedication to the body wash was the deciding factor) for my holidays. I tanned nicely, a bit too nicely around my shoulder and tattoo which meant using harsh or abrasive body washes would have been agony.
As a little background, I’m not committed to the brand, I’ve tried and written about their Seamoss Stress-relieving Hydrosoak in the past so was intrigued as to how this would react. My initial thoughts where why the hell would I want to smell like a peppercorn!
So how do I rate this?
A 300ml bottle of the body wash is available here from the Molton Brown website for £18. This is what the site has to say about the body wash:
‘A luxurious bath and shower gel with Madagascan Black Peppercorn oil.
The fragrance
Top note: Refreshing coriander.
Middle note: Black peppercorns.
Base note: Aromatic vetiver.
Formerly known as Re-charge Black Pepper.’
Not much waffle is there and what is this? Notes, for a body wash. Have I fallen into a different dimension? This is the first body wash or scrub I’ve seen that has notes!
On holiday I found this body wash a godsend. After spending all day in the sun fishing lets just say I smelt, erm,…..ripe. As soon as I unscrewed the lid the most masculine, deep warm amber smell hit me. You can detect hints of coriander but the base notes of vetiver punched straight through to the fore. This has a powerful fragrance, and it matches this in the washing stakes too.
After pouring a little onto my hand I found that it lathered up really well making washing very easy. The rich lather maintained its strong aroma and after a good scrub it worked its magic. Despite being a little tender the body wash seemed to soothe it slightly and didn’t irritate my skin.
The strong aroma dies down really quickly, within around 10 minutes of drying off but it lingers ever so subtly on the skin. Not only did the face leave me feeling refreshed I loved the earthy fragrance notes and the warmth that it produced while showering. Only a small amount was needed and even now with regular use (amongst the other many products I have to try) I have half a bottle left.
Personally I really like this and wish I hadn’t waited for so long to try it.
As an aside, in the lead up to Christmas 2014, Molton Brown have a bauble of the body wash available as a limited edition gift here.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
What is your favourite body wash?
Finally, a random picture of Dexter the cat....he is like a sniffer dog....
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Today’s post is quite possibly the most unmanly thing I could ever use and review - no I’m not talking sanitary towels, I’m talking lip scrub, Lip Service Apricot Lip Scrub to be more precise.
As my reputation for being a bit of a mean, tough spirited git takes a nosedive I will point out right now that I didn’t buy this, I have no idea where it came from but curiosity got the better of me and I had to try it once I had spotted it in the bathroom.
Available from Wilko for £2 for a 10g tub, it is tiny, yes, tiny in my hand. With my big bloke fingers I struggled to get into it and after asking what the hell it was for thought, why not, my boyish smile could do with a lift.
As soon as the lid is removed the faint hints of apricot start to become evident. I can’t say I’m drawn to it but it was completely inoffensive. As a newcomer to lip scrubs I was intrigued by the texture - the scrub looks like sugar, feels like sugar and crumbles like sugar.
Like a man possessed I rubbed some onto my finger and then started to scrub it across my lips - yep, it’s sugar and boy does it have a powerful abrasive action. My lips had been dry and dehydrated thanks to a hefty session on the old demon drink but the scrub removed any dead skin and left my lips feeling soft and smooth.
While it has a strong abrasive action it is actually quite a weird experience (for a bloke, am assuming women are used to this kind of thing) and so gentle after a while you forget that anything is happening as the sugar dissolves.
On the puckering up test they received top marks and I have to say my lips seemed to have colour that wasn’t there before.
I’ve used it once and will use it again. I’m happy with the results, it doesn’t taste that bad if you lick your lips and is really affordable. Even with my massive fingers I only used a little. This little £2 pot would last me weeks making it great value for money.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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I have been so impressed with the contents of my Limited Edition Birchbox for Men that there are a few products that have taken a pounding since it arrived just over ten days ago. The Richer Poorer socks were by far the best I’ve ever had on my feet, but the wow factor has been reserved for Mazorin Wash Trade Face Scrub.
A 150ml tube of the face scrub adorned my Birchbox, and once again, to my shame it was a brand I hadn’t had the chance to try……until now.
I have to say, that at £15 for a 150ml tube it sits well and truly above the prices I usually pay for a face scrub. Casting my mind back I think I was slightly stunned by the £8 cost of the Ted Baker Grooming Room equivalent. At nearly double the price this has to do something special to warrant any value for money brownie points.
This is what the Birchbox website has to say about the face scrub:
‘Get that flawless ‘I woke up like this’ complexion thanks to this gentle yet effective face scrub from Mazorin. Specifically designed with men’s needs in mind it lifts away impurities with a blend of bamboo and maracuia powder while white willow extract keeps grime at bay thanks to its antibacterial protection for a crystal clear complexion.’
The Mazorin site goes into a little bit more details as to what the ingredients will do:
‘For flawless skin, free of blemish and impurities:
The Bamboo & Maracuja powder exfoliates dead skin cell and unclogs pores;
The active ingredients help prevent blackheads and ingrown hair;
The gentle formulation leaves your skin hydrated and deeply cleansed;
Suitable for all skin types but fantastic for people with sensitive skin.’
The first time I used this I completely forgot to shake it and I ended up giving the tube a confused look as a watery liquid drained out over my palm. Yes, I can be that simple at times and yes, it took me a few minutes to figure out that I needed to shake the contents.
Second time lucky and after rinsing my face off in the shower I squeezed out a pea sized amount and started to massage it into my face. After shaking the texture was firm and the micro-beads from the bamboo are visible to the eye and really noticeable to the touch. Just rubbing between your fingertips will leave a strange sensation, you can feel it exfoliating and getting warmer. For me I found just how gentle the ingredients and texture were when applying to my face really pleasant.
A breeze to rinse off the results are almost instantaneous and even before drying I could tell that my pores had been opened and my face cleansed really well. My face wasn’t as tight and it had a healthy glow, something of a rare occurrence for me. After drying my face off and before moisturising my face received the prod test - the skin was soft and smooth.
As a bonus, since I started using this I’ve found that shaving is easier - less ingrown hairs and my stubble does seem softer. Result!
Finally, throw in the fact that this smells so fresh and clean, it reminds me of Nivea Cream and you have a winner on your hands!
Despite the price I am delighted with the Mazorin Wash Trade Face Scrub. It is going to last for an absolute age as only a tiny amount is needed, even for a face as large as mine. After using this on my face and being impressed with how gentle it was I used it on my very recent tattoo to clear off the dead skin and ink. Once again, results were impressive.
With no parabens you should take the time to look more closely at Mazorin Wash Trade Face Scrub.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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Fourth in the Christmas Gift Ideas for Him series is an aftershave that has been in my collection since September - Intense He Wood by DSquared2. How I am managing to restrain myself with a product that looks on the bottle to be called Intense Wood I have no idea. It’s licence for double entendres - I‘ll behave though.
A 50ml bottle of Intense He Wood will set you back £50 from the DSquared2 website here.
But at £50 for a 50ml bottle is it any good? Well yes, it’s actually one of my own personal favourites for a few reasons, namely - it’s a strong, delightful fragrance with a range of top notch notes to blend into a deep, warm masculine fragrance. It also lasts for well over ten hours and I am yet to find someone who hasn’t smelt this on me and said “wow, what is that nice aftershave?!?”
You can actually buy this a little cheaper from the Debenhams website here, and this is what they say about the aftershave:
‘The celebration of a perfume that marked the era in the modern olfactory landscape. WOOD. He WOOD. Made in the element of communication, attraction, design... Strong and determined character. Unique in uniting the ideal of sensuality to the concept of wood. An extraordinary fragrance, timeless, unique, inimitable, today rediscovers its original version in a strong, viril and sensual reminiscence of the genuine sentiment of the Caten twins for their homeland, Canada. The deep love for the natural element that characterised this land: wood. Intense He Wood DSquared2 is born.’
The bottle is actually made from Canadian Red Alder and really reinforces that earthy vibe about the aftershave. It actually drew my eye from across the shop when I first tried this and I was hooked after just one whiff.
Just a few sprays from the atomiser fills the room with a rich and deep spice with hints of violet that dries down to a warm, rugged and woody base that reminds me of walking through a pine forest. It is do warm yet remains fresh. Before hitting the final settled base notes that rank this as one of the most masculine fragrances I own.
I’m not a fan of this kind of thing usually, but it is the perfect fragrance for the dark days of winter. The sandalwood, cedar wood and veviter blend to form a base that lasts, and lasts and then lasts some more. I can apply three sprays from the atomiser first thing in the morning and it will still be noticeable by those around me at bedtime some 16-18 hours later. You can’t argue with that kind of longevity.
£50 may seem like a lot of money but in the value for money stakes this is actually a good deal. A little goes a long way and I am yet to find anyone, either male or female who doesn’t like it.
Perfect for every occasion, if you buy this as a gift you will be noted down in the recipients good books.
FORGET THE REST, TRY THE BEST
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
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Here comes the third installment of my Christmas Gift Ideas for Him series and today I’m focusing on The Refinery Essential Kit**, a male grooming bag from Aromatherapy Associates that comes with not just face wash, but also revitalising moisturiser.
Available from their website here, you can also pick up the kit for £36 from lookfantastic.
This is what Aromatherapy Associates say about the product:
‘Providing you with all you need for your most comfortable and closest shave yet, the Aromatherapy Associates Refinery Shaving Essentials set will set you up for a stubble-free day.’
Included within the lovely grooming bag you will find not just small samplers of their face wash and moisturiser, oh no, you get:
Refinery Face Wash (100ml)
A face wash that gives a great deep cleanse - dirt and impurities on the skin are washed away leaving skin looking and feeling well-balanced. The soothing and refreshing bergamot and spearmint is fresh yet masculine and slaps the senses awake while the soothing lavender helps keep surface blemishes at bay.
I've used this and been really impressed with its ability to strip the grime off the skin and leave a subtle fragrance. The spearmint is really understated while the bergamot provides a depth and longevity.
Refinery Revitalising Moisturiser (125ml)
The moisturiser is designed to help you achieve your closest shave with a smooth and soft finish, the rich moisturiser with anti-ageing properties helps to protect against razor burn and mishaps for a comfortable, clean shave.
Enriched with aloe vera, the formula soothes irritation and sensitive skin whilst keeping the complexion moisturised. Skin is left shaved to perfection, hydrated and with a lingering fresh scent of peppermint.
Personally I found that it did help against razor burn and the formula did soothe my skin.
This would make a great stock filler this Christmas.
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
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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas……yes, and it seems to come around each year quicker and quicker when you get to my age (yes, that is an attempt to garner some pity).
In the second of my Christmas gifts for him series we have the Starbucks Sprinkler & Mug - available from erm…Starbucks. They were available online from Boots but they seem to have disappeared off their website!
Costing just £12.50 the Sprinkler & Mug set looks the business in my opinion and comes with sachets of the House Blend Ground Coffee and much to my delight, Hot Cocoa Double Chocolate.
The ceramic mug is solid and well made (we love you China) a caffeine lovers dream, it is huge and the glass sprinkler is made from chunky glass and would look perfect/make it look like you are a coffee aficionado when your friends and family visit.
Some pictures of my set are below and I wouldn’t be offended if this came into my possession as a Christmas gift and hence why this is my second gift idea of the festive season.
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.JPG "Mazorin Wash Trade Face Scrub")
.JPG "Mazorin Wash Trade Face Scrub")
.JPG "Mazorin Wash Trade Face Scrub")
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