Groom is not a four-letter word

It wasn’t so long ago that talking enthusiastically about Men’s Grooming was seen as a sure indication that one was limp-wristed or ready to raise one’s pinky finger. Back then, to confer about grooming with "real men" was to elicit cursing, and even spitting of the word in disgust. The then accepted skincare spiel was to insist one just did a bit of dabbing here and there, and was ready to go the Robert Redford route of accepting nature, and to grow old looking as weathered as your great-grandfather’s battered leather briefcase. Back in the ‘60s and ‘70s, hair care was green gunk masquerading as pomade, and baby shampoo (if not soap). For shaving, it would be the ubiquitous soap, or some highly toxic, messy foam that just wouldn’t stop coming out of the badly pressurized can. That was the end-all for what these "real men" would be ready to admit to in public; never mind if in the privacy of their bathrooms, something more intensive and reeking of vanity was afoot.

Fast forward to the present day, and we can be thankful things are much more in the open. In fact, given the wealth of technological advancements, the harnessing of natural and botanical products to blend with effective vitamin extracts and compounds, it’s practically a sin of ignorance or omission not to take advantage of what is there in the market. The concern is still there and genuine; what man would not want to extend his youthful looks, protect his skin against the harsh urban environment, and not have to take his "hair off" every night? No matter the degree or extent of male vanity you possess, the fact remains that that vanity still exists – and can we please stop using the term metrosexual.

RCC (Rustan’s Commercial Corporation) and Essenses have long been champions for seeking out those men’s skincare, haircare and bodycare brands that have dynamically evolved, and are now recognized as the niche market’s leaders. So it’s always worth the time to drop by for a visit and really peruse the literature, to find out what’s new, and make educated decisions regarding which products are worth a try and should be taken home – to become integral parts of your fuss-free, masculine regimen.

Clarins from France has long been a trusted name when it comes to skincare, regardless of gender. With typical Gallic aplomb, they describe their travelling kit of Grooming Basics as "Les Indispensables." In it, one finds their Active Face Wash and Active Face Scrub, a Moisture Gel, and a Total Shampoo. Recommended for daily use, the Face Wash deep cleanses and purifies; ideal for pre-shaving in the mornings, it can be used for regular cleaning at night. The Scrub has active microbeads for polishing and exfoliating, and should be used only once or twice a week depending on how oily one’s skin gets and the kind of environment one works in. The Moisture Gel is a great after-shaving tool; it soothes razor-burn and tightness, energizing while smoothing. The Shampoo has a water-softening agent and Provitamin B5; its’ gentle formula means it can be used every day, and it works on the body as well.

The TACT 100% Pure Olive Oil Skincare Line from Greece is one of my personal favorites. My late mother was a great believer in the moisturizing and skin elasticity properties of olive oil – even going to the extent of using table virgin olive oil after her showers. And if one is talking olive oil, Greece is its homebase, having played a prominent role in the folklore of the ancient Greeks and Greek civilization. With antioxidant properties, the benefits of olive oil are now firmly established, and with their range of body care, hair care, and soap products, TACT is one of the prime players extolling the virtues of the oil. I also love the clean, fresh, very natural scent of the products – the Shower Gel is tops! TACT also has a French line, with lavender as the main ingredient; and Plants of the Earth line.

Not being very hirsute, and knowing that shaving is an essential part of most men’s skincare regimen, I had a friend ‘road test’ the Mario Badescu line. Originating from the United States, Badescu is well known for his salons and spas, and has a strong celebrity following (Sarah Jessica Parker, Adam Sandler, Liv Tyler, Antonio Banderas, and Heidi Klum are among the line’s strong enthusiasts). The Pre-Shave Conditioner uses azulene and lavender extract to reduce redness while soothing the skin. It softens the facial hair, allowing for less irritation to the hair follicles, and prevents razor bumps. The Peppermint Shaving Cream has a marked cooling effect, and it’s an effective lightweight formulation that’s perfect for our tropical climes. The After-Shave mositurizer is formulated with carnation oil, lavender and algae extracts, put together in the service of hydrating and nourishing the skin. It’s a non-greasy formula that restores moisture. My consultant earnestly gave the thumbs up to the three products, and said that while the concept of that "smoother shave" sounds like a cliche, it really is the only way to describe how these products worked!

Phyto is another brand that was first brought to my attention by my mother. On her trips to Paris over a decade ago, she’d drop by the Faubourg Saint-Honore home of Laboratoires Phytosolba and bring back products that she’d rave about. Phyto’s specialty is hair care and using the most potent active ingredients from the botanical world, they have ready solutions for most haircare worries. At my advanced age, mine now has to do with thinning and fear of baldness... extreme fear! So I readily brought home the Energizing Shampoo and the Botanical Scalp Stimulant. The Shampoo contains Phytoaxil (a patented Phyto ingredient that contains grapeseed, shiitake, cananga and serenoa), ginseng extract, Vitamin PP and zinc, to prevent cellular oxidization in the areas surrounding our hair bulbs, and to strengthen the scalp, and give added vitality to the hair. The Scalp Stimulant is used about twice a week, formulated with rosemary, cypress, eucalyptus, lemon and corn germ oil. It deeply cleanses all types of scalps, and carries the bragging right that 1,750 grams of fresh plants are used to make 25 ml. of the concentrated elixir. The smell of the elixir is quite potent, but I definitely felt a tingling in the scalp, and while oily in texture, it was easy to wash out. The claim is that we should experience results after two months of use, and am only in my second week, but it does feel good – like giving my scalp and hair a booster shot of vitamins.

One really should invest the time to identify what problems or concerns one may have in the areas of skincare, haircare, shaving and general hygiene. A host of product lines are out there, begging to be tried and tested. Certain givens are already there – like the hyrdating/moisturizing properties of olive oil, shea butter and collagen – so it’s just a matter of deciding which scent one is partial to, or most comfortable with. Certain brands have also established themselves as having raised the ante in terms of quality standards and continuous R&D, so stick to the lines found within those brands. Thankfully, establishments like Essenses have put a host of viable options under one roof.