Men’s Grooming Brand & Product Guide
So often the discussion about grooming focuses on women. However, men are becoming increasingly interested in products and routines that leave them looking, feeling, and smelling great. This means that there are a range of products available to help men look after their skin, hair and bodies.
Knowing what to look for and what to concentrate on might be difficult – and of course, your grooming priorities are likely to depend on your age and individual needs.
An effective male grooming routine covers a variety of different areas. Being well-groomed across every area helps you to make a positive impression on others, feel good about yourself, and protect your hair and skin for the years to come.
How to Know What Areas to Focus on
If you’re starting to think more seriously about grooming and self-care, you might struggle to know which areas you should put the most effort into. Every man is different and has different priorities, so it’s important to consider what you need most and what makes you feel good.
If you tend to have dry and problematic skin, focusing on skincare might be important before branching out into other areas. Or, if you’re passionate about your beard and it’s a big part of your look, proper beard care might be the first thing to consider. What’s important is that your grooming routine, however simple or complex, is enjoyable and makes you feel confident.
Skincare
When it comes to skincare, different individuals have different skin types and the things your skin needs can change throughout your life. Because of this, different men require different products and steps to look after their skin in the best way.
Thorough skincare means looking after the whole body, not just the face. You’re likely to need different products for your face and body because facial skin is more delicate.
Exfoliation buffs away dead skin from both the face and body, which helps to remove impurities and decrease the chances of acne breakouts – an exfoliating scrub is ideal for this. Moisturising regularly is important too – this keeps skin hydrated, can prevent premature ageing, and keeps your skin looking fresh and healthy. Soothing skincare after shaving is important too to prevent unsightly bumps or rashes.
Shaving
Virtually every man needs shaving and facial hair care as part of his grooming schedule. A proper shave always looks smart, so you might choose to see a professional now and then to keep your grooming in top shape.
For effective shaving at home, prep your skin by washing it carefully. Take your time when you’re shaving to avoid cutting yourself or making mistakes. Always shave with the grain of your hair and use a post-shave balm to help the skin recover.
If you have a beard or facial hair, keeping it neat and tidy is essential. Beard oil is a great product for keeping the hair looking good. These oils condition the hair so that it looks and feels healthier.
Haircare
Your hairstyle can be a powerful part of your look so getting it right is important. It’s always worth visiting the barber when you need a haircut, whether it’s a light trim or you’re going for a dramatic change in style. Your barber can advise you on the right products and routine for maintaining your style. With a myriad of options out there, the right options for you depend on your hair’s texture, length, and style.
Washing your hair regularly with shampoo and condition keeps it clean and healthy. You can use styling products like gel, hairspray, or sea salt spray to achieve the ideal look day-to-day.
For a relaxed and rugged look, virtually all hair types can benefit from being spritzed with sea salt spray when damp, dried with a hairdryer, and then set using hairspray.
Fragrance
Fragrance is a great way to top off your bathing or shaving routine. It keeps you smelling fresh and the right fragrance can become your signature scent. Deodorant and aftershave are important products to use in your grooming routine, especially after a shower or when you’re getting ready for the day.
Many different aftershaves and male fragrances are out there, from the classic to the contemporary. Before committing, it’s worth doing some research to find the right fragrance. Think about the type of scents you enjoy and look for fragrances that include these.
One great thing about choosing aftershave is that you don’t have to rely on only one option – you might choose something lighter during the day and a more complex scent for evenings.
Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene is pivotal, not just for fresh breath but to ensure the looks, health, and longevity of your teeth. The best way to do this is by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing regularly. Interdental brushes can be a useful tool for getting a thorough clean in between your teeth, similar to flossing. Replacing your toothbrush regularly is also recommended.
Smoking or regularly consuming things like coffee and red wine can cause discolouration of your teeth. If this is a concern for you you might want to cut back on these items, but teeth-whitening products are also good options. It’s advisable to consult your dentist before trying any treatments at home yourself. Your dentist may be able to provide treatment but they can also recommend the best ways for you to care for your teeth.
Professional Grooming Services
From time to time it’s worth getting professional services to keep you well-groomed. For most men, this means a visit to the barber for a haircut or a shave. Depending on your preferences, you might choose to get other types of grooming treatments to enhance your looks.
What you go for is up to you but many men choose to wax, manicure to keep their nails in good condition, or facials to tackle skincare concerns.
It’s always worth keeping up with your grooming routine in between appointments but professional grooming can be a positive way to enhance what you’re doing, have a relaxing experience whilst someone else takes care of you, and get self-care tips from the experts. A treatment like a wet shave or a facial can also be enjoyed as an occasional treat.
Our Favourite Men’s Grooming Brands
Understanding the essentials of male grooming is important but it’s also about choosing the right products. With so many brands out there, knowing what to pick might seem daunting, especially if you’re venturing into using more grooming products for the first time.
To help you find options that really fit in with your grooming needs and routine, let’s take a look at some of our favourites that are certainly worth knowing about. Many of these brands are used by professionals, and each was founded with the aim of delivering unique and high quality products that really perform. These are top names from around the world offering products that can be an essential part of any modern man’s self-care routine.
Uppercut Deluxe
Contemporary brand Uppercut Deluxe has established itself as a modern favourite for men’s hair care. Originating from Australia, this is cruelty-free hair styling, inspired by the timeless 1950s barbershop.
The brand is known in particular for its pomade that gives hair a strong and reliable hold, with different formulas available for different hair needs. These are unique formulas developed by the brand for results you can’t get anywhere else.
This brand also makes shampoo and conditioner for washing your hair, plus other styling products like sprays. Men with beards can also get great quality oils and care products from Uppercut Deluxe, offering the same strength and longevity.
Products from this brand are designed to help you get the look you want to achieve and have it last, no matter what life throws at you. What makes it unique is that professional barbers use these products on their clients too.
Bjork & Berries
With Bjork And Berries you can incorporate Scandinavian traditions into your grooming routine. The brand started life in northern Sweden, using hand picked berries and leaves to create natural perfume.
The scents that the Bjork and Berries now offers are inspired by the Swedish seasons – these fragrances are vegan, cruelty-free, and unisex. The brand’s philosophy is focused on embracing nature but also protecting it. Ingredients are locally-sourced and the eau de parfum products are vegan-friendly.
In addition to signature scents made with all-natural ingredients, the brand offers a range of other self-care products. Hand lotions and scrubs are available, plus haircare and bathing products. Scents are evocative and use fresh herbs, handpicked flowers, and rich musk fragrances. The diverse options have clear themes and Nordic inspirations, with something to express every personality and mood. You can bring the aromas into your home too with scented candles.
Cra-Yon
For a contemporary fragrance experience, Cra-Yon offers a vibrant approach to scent that’s both sustainable and bold. This Scandinavian brand crafts versatile, unisex perfumes that are ideal for anyone who enjoys fresh, memorable fragrances.
Each Cra-Yon scent is designed to evoke a specific feeling or mood, making it easy to switch up your fragrance based on the occasion. With eco-friendly packaging and a focus on high-quality, cruelty-free ingredients, Cra-Yon brings a modern, mindful approach to your grooming routine.
From citrusy freshness to deeper, more complex aromas, Cra-Yon’s high quality products are a perfect addition to the collection of anyone who values creative, adaptable scents.
Haeckels
British skincare brand Haeckels was set up in Margate in 2012. What sets this brand apart is that seaweed is used as a base for all of its products – when the company started out the seaweed and other botanicals were sourced by hand from the Margate coast.
Seaweed is rich in amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, which give it restorative and anti-inflammatory properties. These are simple and handcrafted grooming products that celebrate coastal living. The brand also makes contributions to conservation and beach clean-ups.
Whatever your skin type is, Haeckels has a solution for it, from dull and dry to skin that’s prone to acne. A varied collection of style-conscious unisex products are available from eye creams and cleansers to fragrances and shampoo and conditioners. As well as the seaweed, you’ll find beneficial botanicals in these formulas like nettle, fennel, and bladderwrack, plus effective ingredients like hyaluronic acid. You can also bring the benefits of Haeckels’ natural ingredients into your home with the brand’s range of candles and incense.
Triumph & Disaster
Inspired by the timeless wisdom of natural ingredients, Triumph & Disaster combines the best of science and nature to offer products that support skin health and daily grooming routines. Founded in New Zealand, this brand takes a thoughtful approach to skincare, with each product crafted to respect the skin’s natural integrity.
From cleansers and moisturisers to hair styling, shaving supplies and body washes, Triumph & Disaster products are rich in botanical extracts like jojoba, tamanu oil, and kawakawa to nourish, cleanse, and protect.
With sleek, heritage inspired packaging, premium ingredients, and a commitment to sustainability, Triumph & Disaster has become a go-to for anyone seeking effective, natural skincare and grooming products without compromising on style.
Marvis
If you need a go-to product for oral hygiene, Marvis is worth looking out for. This brand has a unique product range that is packed with character, that it’s been perfecting since 1958.
The goal of Marvis is to rethink and reinvent toothpaste into something that’s an everyday pleasure. With striking vintage packaging and a bold sense of style, this toothpaste looks smart in your bathroom too.
Seven different toothpaste varieties are available. Choose a strong or aquatic mint for a classic experience, pick the whitening formula, or choose one of the brand’s original toothpaste with intriguing flavours – jasmine, ginger, cinnamon mint, or amarelli liquorice.
Whichever formula you opt for, these kinds of toothpaste promise effective cleaning and lasting fresh breath. For dental care that expresses your individuality, these products are certain to tempt you and become a key part of your grooming routine.
Muhle
German shaving brand Muhle reinvents wet shaving into an exciting and contemporary culture. If you want to put some major effort into caring for your facial hair, this brand has got the goods that can help.
Muhle Products feature smart and sustainable design as well as respect for wet shaving tradition and heritage. These are exclusive designs and caring formulas you won’t get elsewhere.
Whatever your style goals are for your facial hair, the comprehensive products from this legendary shaving brand are sure to help. Whether you’re looking for a reliable razor, classic shaving brushes made from premium Silvertip Badger hair, or a traditional set containing all the kit you need, Muhle has it all and comes with a luxury feel.
You’ll also find introductory kits if you’re starting out with wet shaving for the first time and want to keep things simple. Muhle also produces shaving care products, including beard wax and organic formulations.
D.R. Harris
A true icon of British grooming, D.R. Harris has been a staple of men’s self-care since 1790, proudly holding the Royal Warrant for its esteemed products. Based in London, this brand offers a luxurious range that blends tradition with modern functionality, including shaving soaps, aftershaves, and skincare essentials.
D.R. Harris products are formulated to deliver a classic grooming experience, often featuring refreshing, heritage scents like Arlington and Windsor. With traditional shaving sets, hard soaps, and lotions crafted to the highest standards, D.R. Harris stands out as a brand for those who appreciate refined and enduring quality in their grooming routine.
Hierbas De Mallorca
First launched in 1999, using ingredients that have been proven over centuries, Hierbas De Mallorca is a classic men’s fragrance that channels the uplifting feel of Mallorca. The fragrance is light, citrusy, and refreshing, making it a go-to option to wear throughout the day. This scent is made with plant-based alcohol and natural essences including orange, sage, salvia, lavender, coriander, jasmine, and bergamot.
The bottle itself makes a statement too. The distinctive design is inspired by old-fashioned glass medicine bottles, creating a striking impression on your dressing table or in your bathroom.
If you’re starting to experiment with fragrance or you’re seeking out a new signature scent, this one is worth considering. It’s a timeless fragrance that’s affordable and accessible, making it an ideal initial foray into men’s fragrance or a reliable staple that you can always fall back on.
Heath
Established in 2017, British skincare brand Heath offers daily protection to help skin cope with busy urban lifestyles. Products from this brand are specially formulated for men and are designed to cater to the needs of the modern man.
Heath delivers fuss-free artisan products that are made to protect your skin as well as enhance your mood, and make skincare a vital part of your self-care habits. Every product in the range is made in England and comes with smart and stylish packaging.
The brand offers products for the face, body, and for shaving, including formulas designed for oily skin types. You can stock up on the essentials like face wash and a post-shave repair formula, or treat yourself to some skincare extras like rejuvenating eye serum or beard oil to enhance the health and shine of your facial hair. Heath is a modern and conscientious brand that understands the needs of men.
Proraso
Founded in 1948 by Piero Martelli, Proraso is somewhat of a legendary shaving brand. For Italian barbers, this is the product of choice, making it a fantastic way to enhance your shaving routine at home.
The popularity of Proraso spread from professionals to consumers across Italy, and now men throughout the world rely on these essentials. These are specialist care products that blend tradition with innovation. The goal is to deliver the best possible shaving experience, whether you’re at the barbershop or doing it yourself at home.
Proraso’s range takes care of every element of your shave. You can choose preparatory creams for different skin types and needs, shaving soaps and foams, and a variety of aftershave balms and lotions to finish the routine. The brand also makes reliable products for beard and moustache care like oils, waxes, washes, and special treatments to enhance the hair.
Laboratory Perfumes
Laboratory Perfumes creates fine scents with botanicals from Britain and around the world. These are carefully crafted fragrances designed to be inclusive of every age and gender. Products are supplied in minimalist packaging that’s fully recyclable.
If you’re looking for a sustainable signature scent to add to your collection, these perfumes and grooming products work well. Every product is cruelty-free, free from parabens, and environmentally friendly. These scents are intended to be powerful and lasting but still kind to your skin.
In the collection from Laboratory Perfumes there are eau de toilette fragrances, restorative creams with natural ingredients like gorse and amber to revitalise your skin, and olive oil and coconut soap bars infused with heady fragrances. If you’re a big fan of botanical fragrances then these are certainly worth exploring.
Essential male grooming
Grooming helps men to look and feel good and to convey the right image to others. Knowing what you can do to take care of your looks, and which products and brands can help you to do this, really starts to demystify the art of male grooming.
Once you have decided on the products and steps that you want and require in your self-care routine, you can start to build a collection of everything you need for a grooming schedule that makes you feel fantastic.
