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I always find it interesting how cosmetics show trends so much clearer than pretty much anything else on the market.

As you’ll see from Hint Magazine’s selection of cosmetics gift ideas this year, focus has really turned back towards natural products or products that harness natural ingredients and remedies.

From ancient Ayurvedic medicine theory to high-UMF Manuka honey to plant extracts that naturally encourage skin vitality, everything is turning back to nature.

The following brands — all of which are Australian owned and run — are shining a light on the incredible power and benefits of nature.

For even more Christmas inspiration — from gift ideas to recipes and motivation — check out this year’s Hint Magazine:

Click here to download your own PDF version of the magazine for free!

What’s this I’ve heard about a ‘sealed section’ in Hint Mag 2025?

At the end of this guide, you’ll also have access to our exciting new Sealed Section! For a few naughty (but very nice) gift ideas that get a bit more personal than the usual, have a look and see if anything tickles your fancy!

Click here to get down to the Sealed Section straight away, then you can decide whether you want a peep inside!

How To Have A Beauty Full Christmas

Iyvos Skincare Nourish & Glow gift set RRP $383.00 ($425.00 of value)

This cosmetics bundle from Iyvos — an Australian skincare brand focused on nurturing and empowering women’s confidence in their appearance — is the perfect gift set to pamper that special someone this Christmas.

Hydrating Milk Cleanser — individual RRP $89.00

Featuring chamomile water, rosehip oil and jojoba oil, this cleanser replenishes moisture and soothes as it cleans.

Active A Serum — individual RRP $137.00

With Vitamin A, niacinamide and hydrolysed marine collagen at its core, Iyvos’ serum boosts cellular renewal, unclogs pores and plumps your skin.

Collagen Moisturiser — individual RRP $109.00

Packed with marine collagen, epidermal growth factors and CoQ10, this moisturiser is a powerhouse, hydrating and nourishing your skin, and providing antioxidant protection.

BB Cream — individual RRP $90.00

SPF 30+ zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, hyaluronic acid, and Vitamin B3 make this BB cream the perfect final skincare step before you go out (or get your face on). Available in three shades.

Iyvos Skincare Restorative Oil $32.00

Also from this luxe Aussie brand that’s focused on you not only looking but feeling your best, is this Restorative Oil from Iyvos.

Not only does it bring back moisture to your skin, smoothing lines and brightening your complexion, it boosts your skin barrier function, protecting your face from environmental stressers and locking in long-lasting hydration.

Honey Biotics Intense Moisturiser — $39.95

Honey has been used as a natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory for centuries, but this range of products harnesses the natural healing properties of high-grade Manuka honey in all new ways.

The backstory to this Australian beauty brand is extraordinary (it involves the co-founder’s miraculous recovery from a near-deadly staph infection using high-UMF honey), and the result is something special.

Honey Biotics’ Intense Moisturiser is formulated with natural ingredients like jojoba oil, shea nut butter, grapefruit seed extract, bee’s wax and — of course — UMF15+ Manuka honey. The result is a powerful moisturising cream that is perfect for dry skin, but also one that’s helpful for conditions like psoriasis, eczema and acne, not to mention minor scratches and abrasions.

I’m also looking forward to trying this stuff out on annoying mozzie bites this summer.

Mukti Gua Sha Essential Kit RRP $121.00

Harnessing the ancient Chinese technique of Gua Sha, which lifts, sculpts and tones the skin while reducing puffiness, this bundle from celebrated organic Aussie brand Mukti is the ideal gift for that at-home spa experience.

With jojoba oil, chia seed, rosehip, sea buckthorn berries and carrot seed oil, Mukti Antioxidant Facial Oil is packed with nutrients and vitamins that sink deep into your skin while creating a protective barrier against the elements.

This lightweight yet powerful oil creates the perfect base for the Gua Sha, a specially shaped stone sculpting tool, to smooth, lift and massage your face and décolletage, and drain lymph.

See this video to learn how to use the Gua Sha stone.

AyurScience Beauty Clarity Range RRP $170.00 ($214.80 of value)

Closing the gap between Ayurveda, the ancient holistic healing system of India, and modern pharmacology, AyurScience brings powerful plant-based remedies and luxurious spa-inspired beauty.

Brightening Creme Cleanser — individual RRP $39.95

Enriched with Vitamin C, and formulated with amla, tulsi, sandalwood, saffron and gotu kola, this luxurious cream cleanser evens and brightens skin tone leaving skin soft, smooth and supple.

Energising Mask — individual RRP $59.95

Using the amla-tulsi complex — a powerful combination of amla (Indian gooseberry) that’s high in Vit C, and tulsi or Holy Basil, a natural antioxidant — this mask leaves skin looking and feeling brighter and rejuvenated.

Radiance Serum — individual RRP $44.95

Applying this serum after cleansing, but before moisturising day and night gives skin an even tone, helping reduce signs of pigmentation and dark spots with its powerful herb- and plant-based formula.

Even Skin Tone Moisturiser — individual RRP $69.95

Formulated with manjistha, saffron, tulsi and amla, this luxurious moisturiser not only hydrates and smooths skin, it also actively reduces dark marks, pigmentation and age spots.

Sealed Section

The post Give The Glow of Christmas With These Cosmetics Gifts appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

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Far too often, our lives get so busy that we all forget to make sure we’re taking care of ourselves. But part of what makes Christmas so important is that we get to rely on the people around us for that.

We’ve put together a range of beautiful products and kits that provide the kind of treatments that will put a glow in your life.

Here you’ll find everything from home spa treatments to hair dryers to pillowcases of the finest silk. There are skin oils made from Aussie wine grapes, cleansers made from olive oil and moisturisers made using green tea extracts.

There’s even an awesome skincare kit for men here too.

And if you want more ideas for other Christmas presents, check out our free online gift guide and e-mag here:

Hint Magazine 2024

Or click here for your easily downloadable PDF version of Hint Magazine!

Marrok – Hammam at Home

Inspired by her travels around the world but especially to beautiful Morocco, Aussie owner-founder Nicole Brown discovered the skincare wonders that the souqs of Marrakech had to offer.

Her experiences in the hammams led her to bring some of these products and techniques back to Australia. These all-natural sustainable skincare products offer luxurious spa-like treatments in the comfort of your own home.

Marrok Moroccan Black Soap – $45.00

Both cleansing and exfoliating, this traditional soap paste, made with olive oil and water, is high in antioxidants and Vitamin E. Crafted to nourish your skin and leave it feeling fresh and rejuvenated, Marrok Black Soap provides a deep yet gentle treatment on your skin.

Marrok Mitt – $20.00

This gently exfoliating glove removes dead skin and polishes your body while encouraging new skin layers to grow and thrive. This mitt is best used in conjunction with Marrok Black Soap for a deep cleanse and that real hammam experience.

Marrok Argan Oil – $55.00

Well-known for its hydrating and anti-ageing properties, argan oil is the ultimate in spa-style skin treatments. Marrok’s pure 100% Argan Oil is great for using all over your body, from your hair to your face to your toes.

Marrok’s Whole Hammam Bundle – $110.00

For the true hammam experience, Marrok offers the ultimate all-in-one package that gives you all three components — the Black Soap, the Marrok Mitt and the Argan Oil — as a set. What better way to pamper the one you love this Christmas?

Caudalie Cosmetics’ Vinoperfect Range

Borne from a love of wine and inspired by a Bordeaux vintner, this luxurious skincare brand harnesses the antioxidant power of grape seeds and the rejuvenating qualities of grape stem sap, this incredible skincare product shows that there really isn’t anything that wine can’t do!

These two new products from Caudalie are the perfect skincare gift or even an impressive stocking filler for your favourite person.

Vinoperfect Brightening Micropeel Foam – $55.00

Featuring organic grape water, fruit acids and mandelic acid found in almonds, this foaming exfoliant gently removes dead skin cells and deep-cleans the delicate skin on your face and neck.

Perfect for daily use, Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Brightening Micropeel Foam enhances radiance and reduces dark spots — what more can you ask for this Christmas?

Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum – $156.00

This pre-moisturiser serum is both gentle and effective on the skin, correcting dark spots and enhancing bright skin tone.

Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum uses the reparatory power of olive squalane and Caudalie’s patented Vineferine — the precious sap from grapevines that founder Mathilde learned can actively fade dark spots on the skin.

Whether they are from acne, sun, pregnancy or simply age, dark spots are visibly lightened with this magical serum. Who doesn’t love a Christmas miracle?

RoC

Known for its hyaluronic acid and retinoid products, RoC has been a market leader in the cosmetics world since it started in 1957. It’s depth and range of skincare treatments is dazzling, but this trio from the RoC Derm Correxion range, developed in partnership with dermatologists and plastic surgeons, make perfect Christmas gifts for your loved one.

Derm Correxion Fill + Treatment Serum – $59.99

It’s clear from the syringe-like packaging what this Fill + Treatment Serum does. With its advanced Retinol and triple hyaluronic acid formula, this serum reduces the appearance of lines and provides wrinkle-filling solutions with no injections required.

Derm Corrextion Dual Eye Cream – $56.99

RoC’s double-acting Duel Eye Cream is specifically formulated to target the different types of skin around your eye. The upper eye gel lifts and firms while the lower eye cream smooths, ‘depuffs’ and reduces dark circles.

Derm Correxion Contour Cream – $49.99

This moisturiser is also a firming cream to use on the face and neck in conjunction with the other two Derm Correxion products. Using Retinol and anti-inflammatory swertiamarin, Contour Cream visibly firms and lifts the skin on your face, neck and jawline.

Hada Labo Anti-Aging Oval V-Lift Hydro Cream – $44.95

From Japan’s number one rated skincare brand, this unusual jelly moisturiser feels amazing as you put it on.

Both somehow softening and toning the skin at the same time, its combination of super-hyaluronic acid, soy milk and ginseng lifts and smooths, giving a wonderful finish. Definitely a gift for the spa rat in your life!

Innisfree Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Acid Cream – $43.00

From Korea’s first natural skincare brand, Innisfree’s Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Acid Cream contains green tea sourced from Korea’s beautiful Jeju Island, a tropical island 100km south of the mainland.

The cream also has not one but five types of hyaluronic acid in it, making it one of the most hydrating moisturisers on the market.

LTN 25 momme Mulberry Silk Pillowcase – $79.20

There are wide range of health benefits to a silk pillowcase. Pure mulberry silk naturally repels mould, fungus, dust mites and allergens, but much sexier than that, a silk pillowcase lets you wake up with awesome hair!

The naturally smooth, delicate surface of a silk pillowcase reduces static and friction, which allows your hair to glide over the pillow as you sleep. This means no tangles or knots when you wake up, and also that your styling will hold for longer too.

Love Thy Nader by internationally awarded hair styler Anthony Nader have a 25 momme silk count, much higher than the average silk pillowcase.

Valanolia Cleansing and Beauty Products – $14.99-$19.99

Using award-winning olives from some of the oldest trees in Australia, Valanolia have crafted a beautiful range of products that are high in antioxidants, beta-carotene, vitamin E, polyphenols and squalene that occur naturally in olives.

Each of these products contains the essential extracts of at least 360 olives, each one formulated to moisturise, smooth, nourish and clean hair and skin leaving it looking youthful and radiant.

Valanolia’s groves were established in 1972 using olive varieties sourced from Greece, and the land in Markwood, VIC — part of the Alpine Valley region — was specifically chosen for its Mediterranean climate.

This range is the perfect plant-based pamper gift for Christmas.

Cloud Nine Starlight Collection AirShot hairdryer – $299.00

This beautiful, limited edition hairdryer from Cloud Nine not only looks the part with its shimmering matte silver finish and chrome-look details, new upgrades in tech provide incredible styling control while limiting heat damage.

Three levels of heat and air speed, as well as the all-important cool shot button, mean you can adapt this powerful 2000W hairdryer to your hair type quickly and easily. Plus AirShot’s Anti-Static Technology is engineered to reduce negatively charged particles in each hair strand, mitigating frizz and flyaways.

This limited edition hair dryer also comes with two styling nozzles (60mm and 75mm).

Airyday Glow From Head To Toe – Holiday Edition Kit – $99.00

Made in Australia, Airyday products not only keep you safe from dangerous UVA and UVB rays with SPF50+, they’re also formulated to look good on your skin and to make your skin feel good too. They’re also beautifully scented.

For $99.00, the Glow From Head To Toe Holiday Edition Kit contains $154.00 of value:

– Golden Glow Dreamscreen (RRP $51.00) leaves a beautifully luminous satin finish and is luxuriously scented with Champagne and peonies.

– Lip Me Watermelon lip balm (RRP $24.00) gives luscious glossy lips that are hydrated and sun-safe under SPF50+.

– Golden Shimmer Body Dreamscreen (RRP $39.00) vegan collagen, shea butter, hyaluronic acid and vitamins C, E and F all work together in this fast-absorbing, lightweight body cream that hydrates and illuminates, and gives amazing sun protection.

– Special Edition Canvas Tote Bag in chocolate (RRP $40.00)

Explore more of the Airyday range here.

Olaplex In Good Repair hair kit – $90.00

For all you non-believers out there, there is such a thing as a Christmas miracle. Olaplex has saint-like abilities to heal and fix damaged hair, and make it stronger and healthier too. We’re not going into the science details of it here — but if you want to know more, check out Christina’s review on Hair Romance.

This kit from Olaplex has all you need in one easy gift pack that will repair and strengthen hair, and also give it a healthy glow.

Applying the No.3 Hair Perfector in damp hair first, then shampooing and conditioning with the No.4 and No.5 Bond Maintenance products fixes broken hair strands and strengthens. Finally adding the magical No.7 Bonding Oil gives further strength to the hair but also a beautiful shine.

Perfect for split ends, dry or frizzy hair and for hair that’s been damaged by colouring and heat-styling.

Recreation Beauty Lost in Dusk Eau de Parfum 50ml – $119.00

Lost in Dusk is a sumptuous eau de parfum with exquisite layers of deep vanilla, opulent myrrh and an intoxicating bourbon infusion. Notes of saffron, plum, oakmoss, coffee and amber come in to create a rich, centred perfume that builds and lasts.

Environmentally conscious and truly elegant, this luxury scent from Recreation Beauty in Bondi, Australia uses no toxic chemicals, endocrine-disrupting ingredients or synthetic materials. Everything is ethically sourced and vegan, and even the packaging is centred on sustainability.

The perfect gift for the person in your life who is not only focused on low-tox living, but on smelling wonderful too.

Vitis V Skin TonIQ – $140.00

Founded by award-winning South Australian winemaker Susan Mickan, Vitis V Skin TonIQ is a beautiful face oil made from wine grapes that hydrates, repairs and rejuvenates. Seriously, is there nothing that wine can’t do?

Cold-pressing the seeds from unfermented wine grapes (vitis vinifero), Susan harnesses this pristine oil’s natural linoleic acid, beta-carotene, chlorophyll, squalene, y-tocotrienol and Vitamin E complex.

Within two weeks, your skin feels nourished and hydrated, and redness and inflammation is calmed. After 12 weeks, skin cells are regenerating, skin texture has improved, and collagen and elastin are protected leaving you with a youthful glow.

And on top of all this, the packaging is stunning. The black glass bottle keeps the oil safe from light strike and the even pipette — reminiscent of a wine thief sampler used for taking wine samples from winery barrels — has a luxury feel. What’s more, the box the bottle comes in is individually dated, batch numbered and signed like a high-end bottle of wine.

Shakeup Cosmetics Face 4ward Deluxe Kit – $150.72 (~$240 of value)

Men’s cosmetics have become such a huge market over the last few years. At its vanguard is Shakeup, who have developed an ever-increasing range of skincare products aimed specifically at men — though ladies, I’m sure it won’t hurt if you choose to use them too!

You can read more of our stories and reviews of men’s cosmetics here.

Of all the products that Shakeup Cosmetics makes, Face 4ward is their flagship range and this Deluxe Kit has the best of them all inside Shakeup’s soft faux leather wash bag ($30.00 RRP) to create the perfect skincare regime: wash, tone, treat, moisturise.

Multi-Action Daily Face Wash ($32.99 RRP)

Cleanses and gently exfoliates leaving the skin clean, soft and moisturised.

Clarifying Toner ($39.99 RRP)

Tones, reduces oil and shine, and minimises pores with glycolic acid and fruit AHA complex.

Pro-Youth Serum ($70.99 RRP)

Nourishes skin, helps reduce lines and calms irritation.

Matte-Effect Gel Moisturiser ($55.99 RRP)

Gives skin a supple, youthful glow while leaving a flawless matte finish.

The post Gifts That Are More Than Skin-Deep – Christmas cosmetics for 2024 appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

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I’ve always been fascinated by the $670-billion juggernaut that is the cosmetics industry. The way trends go in and out of fashion, and what sticks around.

One thing’s for certain, men’s skincare is a trend that’s here to stay.

And what’s encouraging is seeing companies that specifically make men’s cosmetics, rather than big brands that have always been predominantly female-cosmetics, that are now focused on trend-hopping.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with women’s skincare products. I’ve used a lot of them before. I grew up with my mum giving me her moisturisers, sheet masks and pore cleansers to try.

But with men’s skin being slightly thicker, and with our facial hair requiring attention that’s somewhat ‘different’ to women’s, the products need to be different too.

And let’s not forget the issue that this is all fairly new for quite a lot of us. I mean I still don’t really know what toners do or how hyaluronic acid works.

But these products have been created specifically for men’s facial skin and our lack of attention span, and I think they’re pretty awesome.

Rhone Men’s Care

Founded, owned and made in Australia, Rhone has a blissfully compact range of products that not only feel great when you use them, but also do what you want them to as well.

Rhone Face and Beard Cleanser

This non-foamy (sodium lauryl sulfate, the most common foaming agent, tends to dry your skin out), gentle yet effective cleanser is perfect for guys.

It doesn’t need to be as astringent as women’s cleansers as it doesn’t have to take off makeup. However, it still cuts through the grime of the day and things like sunscreen to allow your skin to breathe and take on any of the goodness you want to put on overnight.

Things like aloe vera, willowherb extract, tamanu oil, papaya, organic hemp seed and gotu kola—an extract from an Australian native herb—all sooth, hydrate and cleanse your skin and facial hair so its ready for further treatment.

It also comes in a slick matte black glass bottle that looks good on the shelf.

Rhone Blue Clay Mask

Once a week, it’s good to slap on a mask that takes all the impurities out of your skin. This clay mask is great at that, but also nourishes the skin with ingredients like Davidson plum—another Aussie native, bilberry extract, and jojoba and sandalwood seed oils.

The clay is a lovely navy blue when you apply it, but lightens to an ashy colour as it dries and tightens, which takes about 15 minutes.

Made from Australian kaolinite clay, this is full of minerals and is gentler than bentonite clay, which is what many other face masks are made from. Interestingly, bentonite is usually from volcanic ash whereas kaolinite is a high silicate clay and was once used to make porcelain.

Rhone Beard Oil

Made with 100% natural ingredients and no added fragrance, Rhone’s beard oil is the perfect finish to your skincare process. It leaves your beard feeling nourished and soft, and the active ingredients help promote strong, even hair growth too.

This is made with oils from jojoba, ginger, organic argan, nigella sativa and, of all things, broccoli (does that count towards your five-a-day?). There’s also Kakadu plum here, which is packed with antioxidants and Vitamin C.

Apply a few drops of this oil to your beard once you’ve cleansed. It’s that extra touch of finesse that makes your beard feel and look so much better.

Shakeup Cosmetics

This UK-based brand has a pretty wide range of skincare products available, aimed specifically at men.

My favourites are the stick products they make like the You Do The Mask purifying and pore-cleansing clay mask, and the Hydrate In A Hurry moisturiser.

Because these are both solid-form products, they keep for longer but also travel well. No chance of getting stopped at the airport with these in your hand luggage and they won’t leak in your bag either.

You can read more about Shakeup’s range in our earlier story here.

Manscaped

Hailing from the USA, this brand has an enormous range of gear from moisturisers to clippers for your pubes, and even undies and T-shirts.

They’ve also had the most fun with the names of its products.

The range incudes the Lawn Mower groin and body hair trimmer, the Crop Reviver toner and refresher for your balls, and The Shed toiletry and travel bag.

You can read more about Manscape’s range in our earlier post here.

The post Skincare Products For Men You Need To Try appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

I am a self-confessed spa rat. Even before I met Christina, I loved a massage and all kinds of skin treatment. My sister used to be an aromatherapist and my mum brought me up using moisturisers, face masks, toners and oils.

My dad has always hated any creams or lotions on his face by the way, and would sit and grumble while my mum and I sat next to him with clay covering our faces.

Christina has bee working in the beauty industry for almost 15 years now with her site Hair Romance. It’s meant I’ve been exposed to a whole other level of cosmetics and beauty brands.

So here are our favourite hair and beauty products and tech that we think would make awesome presents for the spa rat in your life!

This is part of our annual Hint Magazine—a guide to Christmas featuring shoppable gift ideas, but also stories on how to make your Christmas even better as well as things like movie recommendations and recipes.

Check out this year’s edition of Hint Magazine here.

Looking Good For Christmas

CurrentBody Skin Light Therapy Mask

CurrentBody Skin’s Special LED Kit is the ultimate Christmas spoil for the person in your life that loves spas and treatments, but who also wants the comfort and convenience of home.

CurrentBody’s research into the efficacy of clinic-grade LED red and infrared light therapy devices on skin rejuvenation has been industry leading.

Designed in the UK, this comfortable silicon mask is fitted with dual light emitters spaced for optimal coverage. It uses precise, high quality wavelengths for cellular rejuvenation to make this the most powerful and effective LED mask on the market, clinically proven to reduce wrinkles in only four weeks.

The kit comes with a set of nourishing hydrogel face masks, which work to enhance the effects of the LED mask, and a bottle of specially formulated Green Tea Serum that calms inflammation and soothes irritated skin.

$679.00 RRP (normally $715)

Shark FlexStyle Air Styling and Drying System

The perfect gift for anyone who wants a whole hair salon in the palm of their hand, the Shark FlexStyle System does everything. It even transforms!

In its initial ‘wand’ formation, the Shark FlexStyle System can be fitted with round or paddle brush attachments, which have a combination of nylon and boar bristles that help detangle and shine at the same time.

There are also two 3.2cm auto-wrap curling barrels that use mind-boggling helix-like coanda technology that draws hair round the barrels to curl without damaging with direct heat.

But then you hit the styler lock switch and the System goes full Optimus Prime. The end turns 90° so that it can be used as a traditional hair dryer, with a style concentrator and curl enhancing diffuser attachments.

The FlexStyle has four heat settings, including a cold shot button to set your style, and three airflow settings for complete control of the power in your hand.

And when your hair is looking perfect, the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling and Drying System goes back into its stylish and convenient storage case.

$499.00 RRP

Lük Beautifood Holiday Beauty Gift Packs

Aussie owned and made, Lük Beautifood pride themselves on using ingredients that not only look beautiful on, but that are good for you, your skin and the environment.

The perfect stocking stuffer or extra gift this Christmas, Lük Beautifood’s Lip Tint Trees even come in cute festive packaging that you can hang from the tree! These lipsticks come in 14 shades like Pink Juniper, which tastes of orange and juniper berries or Rose Lime that has hints of lime and ginger on your lips.

$24.00 RRP per Tree

These Lash Lip Trio three-in-one packs gift a Lip Nourish hydrating conditioner with a satin finish, a Lipstick Crayon that acts as a lipstick and liner in one, and a Lash Nourish mascara that lifts, separates and defines lashes as it conditions. There are two collections to choose from: Nude Shades or Soft Shades.

$69.00 RRP per Trio

Robe Haircare Youthful Shampoo and Conditioner

From internationally acclaimed Aussie hair colourist, cutter and stylist Lauren Mackellar, Robe Haircare’s Youthful shampoo and conditioner make for wonderful Christmas gifts for anyone with thick, coarse or greying hair.

The shampoo lightens and smooths the hair while the conditioner softens and hydrates, leaving nourished, shiny easy-to-work-with hair.

$59.99 RRP per product

The Beauty Chef Glow F.A.C.E Skin Oil

Rich, nourishing and rejuvenating, this skin oil from The Beauty Chef is a spa treatment in a bottle. The ideal Christmas gift for anyone looking for a glowing radiant finish to their skin, this oil reduces the appearance of fine lines, and tones, firms and feeds.

Developed from the theory that healthy skin begins in the gut, this oil is made from fermented extracts of over 20 different plants as well as vitamin A,C and E, and also contains Bakuchiol, a gentler, plant-based retinoid-like product.

$75.00 RRP

A’Naturel Strawberry Glow Mask

Don’t be fooled by the cute pearly pink colour or the lolly-sweet strawberry smell of this hydrating facial treatment mask from A’Naturel; its extracts of aloe vera, jojoba oil, witch hazel and real strawberries act an a powerful antioxidant.

What better gift for anyone who loves a fresh, revitalised complexion?

$50.00 RRP

Jelly Ko

By creating products that are (almost) good enough to eat*, Jelly Ko (‘Ko’ as in Korea) have made a range of hydrating, rejuvenating skincare that’s not only enjoyable to use but highly effective too.

*Don’t eat these skincare products!

Their delicious Gelato Lip Glaze Mask (it even comes with a little gold ice cream scoop!) hydrates and nourishes your lips with lysine, amino acids and shea butter, while the Dewy Glaze Toner uses ingredients like birch sap, three types of hyaluronic acid, adenosine and panthenol to give your skin a magical, hydrating shine.

Jelly Ko’s Cherry Blossom Sleeping Mask makes the most of your skin’s natural repair cycle so you wake up with brighter, softer, bouncier skin.

$28.00 – $64.00 RRP

RoC

The OG of over-the-counter retinoid skincare, RoC is the ultimate cosmetics gift for anyone who takes skincare seriously.

With a vast suite of products for almost every skin type, time of day and occasion, these clinically proven Retinol and hyaluronic acid skin solutions should be a cornerstone of everyone’s beauty regime.

These two RoC Multi Correxion Hydrate + Plump products for the eyes and face are perfect examples of this icon of the cosmetics industry that’s been helping battle the signs of ageing since 1957.

Eye Cream (15ml) $29.99 RRP
Serum Capsules (x30) $32.99 RRP

ORI Lab by NAK Hair

One of Australia’s hair product icons, NAK Hair has served Aussie locks for over 20 years. Their ORI Lab range provides beautiful organic plant-based haircare is a delicious selection of products designed to cleanse, nourish and restore hair to its natural beauty.

ORI Lab has a number of cute pre-packaged ‘edits’ that make Christmas shopping that bit easier. Their Bon Bon Edits are quads of mini products containing a cleanser, conditioner, treatment and styling product suited to different types of hair. Perfect travel kits or stocking fillers.

There are also Treat & Style Edits with full-size reviving hair treatment and styling product in each, and there are Trio Edits that have three hair products handpicked for different purposes. Their names—Restore, Calm, Blonde, Plump and Curl speak for themselves.

$49.99-$98.95 RRP

The post Looking Good For Christmas—top beauty gifts for the festive season appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

Anyone who thinks men’s cosmetics is just a flash in the pan or only for a small proportion of the male population has their head in the sand (however exfoliating that might be!).

Over the last couple of decades, the men’s cosmetics industry has grown year on year to the point where it’s projected to be worth USD67.2 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.1% annually*.

But just a quick look around drugstores, chemists and at men’s lifestyle sites will tell you just how big this industry has become.

And there’s a reason that the men’s cosmetics market is growing all the time: we’ve started to realise that taking care of our head skin makes us look better. There’s nothing effeminate or silly about it—and even if it were, who cares?

In fact, of the three brands I’m talking about here, only one is specifically made for and marketed at men.

*Figures according to research company GVR.

Shakeup hybrid skincare

The UK’s number one selling men’s hybrid skincare range, Shakeup combines multiple features of modern cosmetics to be more attractive to blokes (we do love a multi-tool) while still delivering high-quality results.

They’re all vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, give SPF protection and use active ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. They’re also subtle, undetectable and give a natural matte finish—in case you’re worried someone might notice!

I love their Hydrate in a Hurry moisturising stick, which is perfect for travel as it’s a solid. It smells fresh thanks to its cucumber extract and goes on really easily.

There’s a lovely coconut and charcoal purifying clay mask, also in travel-friendly stick form (though I’m less likely to use this one on the plane) and super-hydrates your skin in 10 minutes, and goes on and washes off really easily.

Other products like Shakeup’s Let’s Face It tinted BB cream, which also has 25SPF, their Eye Eye Captain under-eye roll-on concealer and moisturiser, and Lip Life To The Full lip gel, which moisturises and adds volume to your gob, are great too.

Mukti Organics

Owned and made here in Australia, Mukti has been around for over 20 years. Mukti products use native Australian actives and other functional plant-based ingredients as well as vitamins and peptides that have anti-ageing benefits, boosting skin health and vitality.

Over the years, Mukti has developed an enormous range of skin and haircare products.

I use their Balancing Cleansing Gel every day. It’s so important to clean off all the sweat and suncream before you go to bed, and it’s way better than using soap or shower gel on your face in the morning too.

Talking of shower gels, the Mukti Botanique Wash is lovely. Scented with native lemon and snowflower, it really gives you that day spa aroma. It is also sodium lauryl sulfate free, so it still foams but doesn’t dry out your skin.

AHC Beauty

Why do women generally have better skin than men as we get older? It’s an open secret—they use really good skincare products.

AHC—the most popular skincare brand in Korea—is fairly well-known in Australia these days (especially since it’s available in Priceline), so most women will have at least heard of it, but it’s an unknown to most fellas.

The brand has been around since 1999, but for a long time was only available in private spas and clinics.

It’s pretty serious stuff using the likes of retinoids, peptides, Adenosine and hyaluronic acid as (very effective) active ingredients as well as hosts of other plant derivatives too.

I haven’t launched myself into this one yet, but Christina insists that the AHC Youth Focus Toner and Emulsion, and the AHC Luminous Glow ‘real eye cream for face’ products are truly incredible, so I’m looking forward to seeing the results once I get started.

I’m actually quite excited about using the Luminous Glow cream. I’ve never understood why companies don’t just make all skincare the same as the eye cream that you only get a tiny tube of. If it’s that good, I want it for my whole face please!

The post Skincare For Men—3 great brands to have on your radar appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

I have to admit, I’m a bit of a spa rat – even more so than Christina. So skincare for me for Christmas is always well-received.

These gift ideas are all things I’d definitely use – especially the Enbacci scrub, which leaves your skin feeling ridiculously smooth, and the Vatéa gift pack is like a whole skincare routine.

I also love the Solbari moisturising sunscreen, which goes on so smoothly and easily with no ghosting, and the body washes and face creams from Melissa Allen Mood Essentials are so uplifting.

These are all Australian-made products too, which is great.

I’m still getting my head around the RoC Retinol Correxion kit, but Christina’s really excited about this one.

It’s the first time this product has been available in Australia, but it comes here as the most popular retinol brand in the States, so I’m expecting good things.

This list is part of our free Christmas gift guide Hint Magazine, which you can check out and download here:

Click here for your free copy of Hint Magazine 2021

5 Christmas gift ideas for beauty essentials

1. Melissa Allen Mood Essentials fragrances and body washes

Developed from her love of fragrances, Melissa Allen’s Mood Essentials range of scents is designed to give you back the power of being you.

Her four central aromas – I Have Joy, I Have Calm, I Have Focus and I Have Confidence – are formulated into a selection of beautiful products for you to wear every day depending on your mood and motivation.

At the centre of Melissa’s range is the unisex Feel Good Fragrance selection. I Have Joy is fresh and crisp, I Have Calm is is light and floral, I Have Focus is earthy with a mandarine citrus edge, and I Have Confidence is uplifting and herbaceous.

Alongside these fragrances, the I Have Calm hand and face cream soothes dry skin and relaxes the mind, while I Have Confidence and I Have Calm body washes start or end your day with a positive scent and a rich, moisturising cleanse.

Fragrances: $59 RRP 50ml

Hand and Face Cream: $47 RRP 100ml

Body Washes: $34 RRP 500ml

2. Vatéa gift pack – Rejuvenate Collection

Nourishing, gentle, effective and tailored for the Australian climate, Vatéa skincare products harness extracts, oils and spirituality of plants that are not only found in Australia and the South Pacific, but many of which have been used for millennia.

This gift box brings the best of Vatéa’s range:

Soothing Oil Wash with coconut, chamomile & moringa

Cleansing and moisturising at the same time, this oil wash is great for sensitive skin and even babies. Moringa oil has been valued since the Ancient Egyptians and in modern-day Africa it’s known as the Miracle Tree.

Pure Body Oil with coconut, tamanu & moringa

Food for the skin, this moisturising oil improves skin texture and appearance. Oil from the tamanu tree is, native to SE Asia and the South Pacific Islands, was once revered for its spiritual significance and is still recognised for its skin health benefits today.

Beautiful Hand Cream with coconut, shea butter & frankincense

Leaving your hands feeling soft and nourished, this hand cream is a blend of plant butters and scented with essential oils of frankincense and rose geranium that give a fresh, vital aroma.

Love Lip Balm with coconut, chamomile & tamanu

Made with over 99% certified organic ingredients, this natural lip balm moisturises, heals and protects.

Body brush

Specially designed for dry-brushing before your shower, this brush removes dead skin, aids blood circulation and encourages cell production.

$90 RRP – comes in a special presentation box

3. Enbacci Microdermabrasion Exfoliating Scrub

Melbourne-based Enbacci Skincare creates beautiful environmentally friendly solutions for your skin that bring the day spa into your own home.

Ideal as a stand-alone treatment or twice-weekly as part of your full skincare regime, this microdermabrasion scrub uses biodegradable micro-beads, shea butter, glycerin and vitamin E to treat your skin.

Gently yet thoroughly removing dead skin cells, unclogging pores, and leaving your face feeling incredibly smooth and invigorated, this scrub also assists with blood circulation and lymph drainage.

$45 RRP

4. Solbari sunscreen and skincare

From her personal battles with sun-caused skin cancer, co-founder of Solbari Johanna Young has helped create this Melbourne-based SPF company to protect more people from the threat of skin cancer and sun damage.

The Solbari SPF 50+ sunscreen is lightweight, absorbs easily and moisturises the skin beautifully, making it the perfect option for your face and neck.

Soothing and subtly fragranced, the Solbari Calming Cream is the perfect antidote to skin that’s seen a bit of sun or that is irritated.

Rich, moisturising and protecting this sunscreen and body cream duo are the perfect gift for summer.

$40 RRP 50ml moisturising sunscreen

$70 RRP 100ml calming body cream

5. RoC Retinol Correxion

America’s number 1 selling retinol brand RoC, now in Chemist Warehouse for the first time, has also released its Retinol Correxion line. Retinol is a clinically proven derivative of vitamin A, which boosts your skin’s renewal process to help smooth wrinkles, sagging skin and uneven texture.

Line Smoothing Night Serum Capsules

Kingpin of the RoC Retinol Correxion range, these capsules contain the perfect amount of high-concentration retinol and antioxidants. These biodegradable capsules seal in the freshness and stop oxidisation to maintain the retinol’s potency.

$24.99 RRP for 10 capsules

$49.99 RRP for 30 capsules

Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream

Formulated with hyaluronic acid and RoC’s Retinol, this super hydrating cream keeps your skin smooth and moisturised for 24 hours and helps clear fine lines and wrinkles.

$42.99 RRP

Deep Wrinkle Night Cream

Clinically proven to make skin look 10 years younger, this night cream works while you sleep. Retinol, combined with Alpha Hydroxy Acid, allows for super fast cell regeneration for dramatic results.

$39.99 RRP

Line Smoothing Eye Cream

Gentle enough for daily use on delicate skin around the eyes but potent enough to reduce signs of ageing by 50% in 12 weeks, this hard-working eye cream focusses on lines, dark circles and puffiness.

$34.99 RRP

Deep Wrinkle Serum

Light and silky yet potent and effective, this retinol serum works on those hard-to-treat deep wrinkles on your face and neck, engaging RoC’s exclusive mineral complex for fresher, younger-looking skin.

$44.99 RRP

Make sure you have a flick through our other awesome gift ideas for Christmas with our latest edition of Hint Magazine here:

The post Cleaner pores from Santa Claus – 5 Christmas gift ideas for beauty essentials appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

Things have changed so much in recent years. Men have become mates with moisturiser, compadres with cleanser and amici with exfoliant – it’s come a long way from my dad’s era. I can still hear him say “get that sh*t off my face” whenever Mum tried to put a cream on him.

We laughed about it at the time, but really, it’s a strange by-product of toxic masculinity that meant men weren’t allowed to want to take care of their skin.

Thankfully things are a bit different these days, though there’s still so far to go. When you compare how many skincare products are available for women compared to those sold to men, that much is clear.

But the landscape is changing for the better.

Here are a few products I really love and that are not only designed with men’s skin in mind* but with our stupid ‘that stuff’s for girls’ mindset too.

Hopefully this will pave an even clearer way to better skin health for men.

*Men’s skin tends to be thicker, tougher, oilier and hairier than women’s, plus we don’t generally have the additional challenges that makeup presents to overcome.

Manscaped – Performance Package

Manscaped is purely focused on men’s grooming – especially in those ‘special’ places downstairs. They address and deal with what’s traditionally thought of as ‘manly’ but these days is better understood using adjectives like ‘overgrown’, ‘scruffy’, ‘sweaty’ and simply ‘smelly’.

They approach the very personal subject with good humour, effective products and beautifully engineered trimming devices.

Feel free to use our special code ‘MrAndMrsRomance’ for 20% discount and free shipping!

But here’s what you get in the extensive Performance Package:

The Lawn Mower

Specifically engineered to cut through thick, coarse hair without snagging, the Lawn Mower and its 7,000RPM motor is perfect for cleaning up the mess on the front porch! It also has ceramic blades that stay cool when you’re trimming.

It’s 100% waterproof and cordless, so you can trim in the shower and it comes with an adjustable attachment.

The Weed Whacker

Why we grow so much hair from our ears and nose is beyond me – but not the Weed Whacker. Its precision-engineered circular blade system and cone top allows the Weed Whacker to get right in there and remove hairs easily, quickly and – most importantly – painlessly.

Crop Cleanser

A pH balanced hair and body wash, the Crop Cleanser is the right way to shower. It means this shower gel is cleansing and hydrating at the same time.

The Crop Reviver refreshing ball toner

Spray a bit of Crop Reviver on the twins for a rejuvenating lift. The aloe juice calms and soothes, while witch hazel extract spruces and energises.

The Crop Preserver anti-chafing ball deodorant

A dot of this stuff on the goods and groin post-shower not only wards against nasty niffs that can happen down there, it also soothes the skin and helps with any downstairs rubbing – the unwanted kind of course.

Crop Mop Wipes

These individually packaged ‘refreshing ball wipes’ offer their anti-chafing, moisturising and deodorising services while you’re on the move. Great to have post-gym or while you’re travelling. Way better than the ol’ shower in a can.

Foot Duster cooling foot deodorant

A spritz of Foot Duster on your plates of meat puts a spring in your step. Just wait to air-dry before you put socks and shoes back on. Peppermint oil and menthol get rid of odours and tea tree extract in the spray kills bacteria, keeping your feet smelling sweet for longer.

The Shed

For your convenience, the Shed wash bag is big enough to hold the whole Performance Kit in one handy place.

The Performance Package also comes with a free pair of chafe-proof boxers.

Shop Manscaped products here – and don’t forget to use our special code ‘MrAndMrsRomance’ for 20% discount and free shipping!

E.S.K – Men’s Anti-Ageing Kit

E.S.K Evidence Skincare is an Australian-made skincare range. Aussie doctors, dermatologists and scientists have worked together to create these products that suit a range of skin types – including men’s skin – while also taking into consideration Australia’s unique climate.

Hydroxy Cleanser

A gentle yet effective cleanser that you use morning and night that shifts grime and oils that will stop other skin products working.

It’s surprising how important this step is. Using your shower gel on your face doesn’t do the same thing btw.

C Serum Lite

This vitamin C serum acts as an antioxidant and boosts the skin’s own anti-ageing processes and helps with fine lines and roughness. You use this in the morning after you cleanse.

Zinc Shade

After your C Serum, this zinc-based moisturising cream gives you a light protection from the suns UVA (which causes skin-ageing) and UVB (which is the one that burns) with SPF15.

You can (and should) apply another moisturiser after this and if you’re going in direct sunlight for a prolonged time, you should apply a stronger SPF.

Ultimate A+

This Vitamin A cream goes on after you’ve cleansed in the evening. Vitamin A is a retinoid and acts as a skin resurfacer, promoting production of the all-important collagen.

$288.00 RRP from E.S.K

iS Clinical

iS Clinical’s impressive products have been engineered and tested to the highest standards. Because they’re so concentrated, you don’t need much each time you apply. The products here come in dropper bottles, so it feels more like a science experiment than skincare.

I started using the products from iS Clinical’s New Year Skin Clear kit and after about a week, I noticed significant improvements in my skin. Reduced wrinkles, a healthier glow and generally better complexion. Very impressed.

This is what comes in the kit, but you can buy each element independently.

Cleansing Complex

This is a thorough yet gentle cleanser that you use day and night. It pulls out all the dirt and oils from your pores but doesn’t strip your skin and leave it feeling tight or dry.

Pro-Heal Serum Advance

After you’ve cleansed in the morning, this Vitamin C serum revitalises skin with antioxidants and healing properties.

Active Serum

The most effective part of the kit I have, the Active Serum is (probably) a Vitamin A retinoid that really helps with the production of collagen in the skin. The reduction of lines my skin has experienced is thanks to this stuff.

Hyrda-Cool Serum

This super-hydrating serum goes on morning and evening. Ingredients include Vitamin B5 and Hyaluronic acid, which not only hydrate but make other moisturisers you use more effective too.

What are serums?

Most engineered, scientific prod that stays on your skin longer than any other product. They’re super concentrated and treat everything on your skin. From moisturising and to exfoliating.

They tend to be more expensive than other types of skincare products, but because you don’t use much each time (just three or four drops), the small bottles last quite a while.

iS Clinical products are only available from certified cosmetics clinics and beauticians, but many have online shops.

You can find the list of authorised retailers here. 

What does ‘skincare’ mean?

Skincare is all about the morning-and-evening routine of keeping your skin healthy.

As a very general rule of thumb, you need to treat in the morning and repair in the evening.

So in the morning after your shower: cleanse, treat and moisturise.

At night just before bed: cleanse, vitamin serum, moisturise, oil.

The ‘treat’ part is working on your specific skin type, so you need to know if you’ve got oily, dry or sensitive skin etc. It’s also important to protect your skin with SPF. This preps your skin for the day ahead and protects it.

‘Repair’ is exactly that – replacing depleted vitamins, removing dead or old skin layers and encouraging cell renewal.

Moisturisers act more as a barrier, locking in all the good stuff you’ve applied, and skin oils help with that too. They also smooth out your skin.

Taking care of the skin on your face is just as important as looking after other elements of your general health. It’s worth investing in.

Check out our other stories on men’s grooming, shaving and cosmetics here.

The post Skincare for men – 3 ways of caring for your skin appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

It’s easy to forget the fact that your skin is your body’s biggest organ and it has a multitude of functions. From keeping bacteria out of our bloodstream to helping to maintain our temperature, it does a lot.

When you put it in this perspective, the importance of skincare and health is obvious, isn’t it.

Perfect for Christmas presents, but also year-round solid gift ideas, we’ve put together a list of products and tools for women and men that will help keep our skin healthy and make it look good at the same time.

Skincare for Christmas

These beautiful cosmetics are part of Hint – our gift guide with lots more inspiration for present-buying this Christmas. You can find the whole story here or flick through the virtual magazine below.

Click here for your free copy of Hint 2020

1. E.S.K – Men’s Anti Ageing Kit

Developed by Australian doctors, dermatologists and scientists, E.S.K provides effective skincare products that deal with the harsh climates of this country.

This Anti Ageing Kit’s cleanser, zinc moisturiser, serum, evening cream not only feel like luxury spa treatments, they’re also designed to work on men’s skin, which tends to be thicker and rougher than women’s.

$288.00 RRP

2. Natio gift sets

A family-owned Australian beauty-care brand, Natio is focused using on natural, plant-based products. These two gift sets for him and her are perfect stocking fillers or an extra gift.

Each set has a gentle, nourishing SPF 50+ face moisturiser and elegant proprietary au de toilette fragrance.

Wild Ranges is masculine, rich and earthy, while Wild Flowers is delicate, floral and graceful.

$29.95 RRP per gift set

3. Micro Glow

Melbourne-based and female-owned, Micro Glow is a new brand to watch. This innovative skincare brand pioneered derma rollers at home. These rollers have 540 tiny medical-grade titanium needles which promote circulation and exfoliation.

Their post-roll Skin Elixir will leave your skin glowing – it’s actually the best skin oil I’ve ever used.

$50.00 RRP

4. Manscaped

Addressed with good humour, Manscaped impresses the importance for men to maintain their skin health… especially ‘downstairs’.

The Performance Package Kit covers trimming, skincare and storage needs while also maintaining a reassuring perspective and seeing the funny side in it all.

The kit contains:
– The Lawn Mower – a clipper for the short n curlies with a purpose-built ceramic head which doesn’t heat up
– The Weed Whacker – the cure for those too-painful-to-tweeze nose hairs
– The Crop Reviver and Crop Preserver – ‘ball toner’ and ‘ball deodorant’ respectively
– A pair of chafe-proof boxers
And The Shed – a convenient washbag where you can stash all these goodies.

Other products from Manscaped include Crop Mop wipes – refreshing ball wipes ($14.95), the Foot Duster cooling foot deodorant ($17.99) and the Crop Cleanser shower gel ($14.95), which make up more of this excellent, manly range.

$169.99 RRP for the Performance Package

Use code ‘MRANDMRSROMANCE’ for 20% off plus free shipping!

5. Enbacci – Rejuvenate at-home spa kit

Giving you the feeling of a full day spa treatment, Enbacci’s Rejuvenate kit comes with a microdermabrasion exfoliating scrub, a detoxifying clay mask 5 revitalising wearable masks and an Australian-designed 24k rose quartz crystal face roller.

It’s the perfect destress pack to pamper yourself with.

$199.00 RRP

6. Biologi

The pure plant serum extracts used in Biologi means each product targets exactly the outcome you want in your skin.

From rosehip oil – 100% organic rosa canina oil – that rejuvenates the skin to fingerlime lip serum (citrus australasica extract) that nourishes, repairs and soothes, these products work in perfect harmony together to bring on that glow we all want for the start of a new year.

Biologi rosehip oil: $28.00 RRP – Biologi lip serum: $24.00 RRP

7. Silvi hypoallergenic silk & silver pillowcases

Combining the softness of silk – the gentlest natural fibres – and the antibacterial properties of silver ions, Silvi pillowcases prevent bacteria from finding a foothold on the delicate skin on your face.

This reduces blocked pores, acne and breakouts… and I don’t know if you’ve heard but silk pillowcases also help with hair frizz! Thank you, Hair Romance for the tip!

$109.00 RRP

8. iS Clinical – New Year Skin Clear Pack

This impressive set comes with a powerful yet sensitive cleanser, a Pro-Heal Serum, an Active Serum and a Hydra-Cool Serum – and with a carefully designed day-to-night skincare regime to follow – that will undo all the indulging of Christmas and the New Year to bring back your skin’s lustre.

$325.00 – only available from clinics or online from authorised iS Clinical retailers here.

9. Dyson Hair

Get salon-quality styling at home with the Dyson Airwrap. This wet-to-dry styler is a masterpiece of engineering.

It saves time and leaves your hair healthier with its lower heat controls, and uses crazy physics that blows out warm air but simultaneously sucking your hair around the barrel. I don’t understand how it works, but work it certainly does.

Christina’s got a lot of hair, so drying it all usually takes forever. Not with the Airwrap.

She can’t live without it – even when we’re travelling. She’s even been known to leave shoes out of her suitcase to fit her Airwrap in her luggage.

$799.00 RRP 

And for anyone with curly hair, a good hairdryer is a need not a want. The Dyson Supersonic is Christina’s best friend – mostly because it comes with the best diffuser Christina has ever used and she swears by it.

$549.00 RRP

10. L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil

From this beautiful French skincare brand, the L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil gently cleans the body while keeping the skin moisturised and soft.

Oil from Provençal almonds, bergamot fruit, sunflowers and rosemary leave a delicate, sweet aroma on the skin post-shower.

$39.00 RRP

The post 10 skincare products to keep you looking fresh and healthy appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

Gone are the days when skincare was seen as a ladies-only pursuit. Men no longer want that craggy cowboy look, and ‘old leather’ has been replaced with ‘youthful glow’ for our preferred skin types.

And men around the world are now realising what they’ve been missing out on this whole time: putting moisturisers and stuff like that on your face actually feels awesome!

There are some who don’t like it though. My dad is of the generation where men didn’t do things like that. He still hates having creams and lotions put on him – even sun cream.

Thankfully my mum encouraged me to and shared her expensive skincare regime with me. I often wonder how old I’d look now if she hadn’t.

Since then, the range of men’s skincare tips and products has really expanded. These days, you can find lots of skincare products for men that don’t smell too perfumed and come in more masculine packaging.

Here are 10 skincare products for men and how to use them. They smell manly, they’re easy to put on and best of all, they feel awesome!

Easy skincare tips for blokes – 10 products that work for us

1. Skin by Ecostore Multi-Nutrient Facial Oil

Good for: softening and replenishing skin. Makes your face feel like it’s 20 years younger.
Use it: every morning or before you go to bed after a shower.

Thick, luxurious oil that has a wholesome, slightly savoury almost musky smell. Made with naturally replenishing oils like avocado, apricot and kiwifruit seed, and is packed with collagen-stimulating omega oils, vitamins and CoQ10. Soaks into the skin, and smooths and revitalises instantly. Not a travel resource though as the bottle leaks a bit when not upright.

Find it here.

2. Glow Lab eye serum

Good for: crow’s feet and lines around the eyes. makes your eyes almost feel wider open somehow.
Use it: every morning after your shower.

Gentle and light yet moisturising. Feels lovely and the packaging reminds me of a professional beauty salon… or what I think a beauty salon would have! 1 pump is more than 2 eyes’ worth but used the rest on my forehead. I need all the help I can get.

Find it here.

3. Glow Lab moisturiser

Good for: soothing, strengthening, protecting and enriching skin.
Use it: every morning after serums and oils.

I like the different natural extracts in this: rosehip, macadamia and shea butter. It somehow feels about 3°C cooler than anything else. Soothing, enriching and softening. Glow Lab products are all free from a long list of usual nasties, which is reassuring.

Find it here.

4. Glow Lab gel cleanser

Good for: avoiding blemishes and build-up of oils and dirt on skin and in pores.
Use it: every day in the evening before you moisturise.

Apply to dry skin then activate with a splash of water. Gently foams and cleanses, and leaves face feeling fresh without drying it out or feeling stripped. Uses fruit acids and Vitamin C to clean and balance skin. Smells lovely and herby.

Find it here.

5. Handsome facial moisturiser

Good for: help with anti-aging, cell regeneration and softening skin.
Use it: every day, morning and night.

A velvety, smooth and rich cream. Absorbs easily and makes skin feel instantly more elastic. It’s made with lots of different herb, flower and oil extracts including cedarwood and bergamot – which could explain the masculine yet perfumed fragrance. Many of those extracts are labelled organic. Top 3 ingredients are water, aloe vera juice and sesame oil, which make it a soothing, hydrating product.

Their tagline “Not tested on animals, only the handsomest of men” makes me like brand even more.

Find it here.

6. Modrn Man 2-in-1 anti-aging face wash and shaving cream

Good for: deep pore cleansing and skin renewal, plus softens stubble to help a clean shave.
Use it: every time you wash your face and every time you shave.

A quality product that has a 2-in-1 feature. Why not wash your face at the same time as shaving? Provides deep-cleansing foaming wash that is refreshing and feels like every pore is clean. Smells great – very manly and sporty. Don’t know how well the shaving cream part of this product does, but it does leave my beard feeling great.

Find it here.

7. Modrn Man anti-aging 2-in-1 moisturiser and SPF30

Good for: moisturising, anti-aging and protection from UV-based skin cancer.
Use it: every day 10 minutes before going out in the sun.

At last a moisturiser with sunscreen for men. And this one is mostly zinc-based (3.5% zinc oxide, 2.8% titanium dioxide), which is even better. As a moisturiser, it’s a bit heavy and can pull a bit on delicate eye areas, but still leaves your skin feeling hydrated. As a zinc-based sunscreen, it’s excellent. Physical barrier sunscreens (as opposed to chemical ones) tend to ‘ghost’ your skin and refuse to absorb or dissipate in colour. This one goes in quite easily and feels soft and protective on your skin.

Find it here.

8. The Ordinary retinoids

Good for: removing surface layer of skin and encouraging new cell growth, so leaving skin fresher and cleaner.
Use it: after serums and before moisturisers up to 3 times a week. Better used at night as UV sensitivity is heightened after use.

This chemical exfoliant comes in a little dropper bottle, so it feels like you’re conducting some kind of chemistry experiment on yourself! It’s a strange liquid that’s slightly chalky – thick yet runny at the same time. A small amount on your face in the evening before bed strips your skin down so you wake up with a surprisingly bright complexion.

Find it here.

9. Skin Doctors Eyetox anti wrinkle eye treatment

Good for: reducing appearance of wrinkles, smoothing and firming skin, and improving its texture.
Use it: morning and night on clean skin.

This serum reduces crows’ feet and under-eye wrinkles. Enhances synthesis of hyaluronic acid, which is heavily involved with repairing skin. A single pump (which ends in a satisfying ‘click’) from the little bottle produces more than enough of the serum to cover both eye areas with some left over for any other wrinkles you want to have a crack at! The formula’s very light and has a faint citrusy, flowery fragrance, but it’s not overpowering.

Find it here.

10. Algenist Perfect Clarifying Pore Corrector Mask

Good for: reducing pores, absorbing excess oils and smoothing the skin.
Use it: on clean skin 1-2 times per week.

This stuff is incredible. And a lot of fun. The deep reddy-brown clay mask gets its colour from the red algae extract Algenist is known for. After you’ve cleaned your face, a thick layer of this stuff – left for 10 minutes – leaves your skin feeling so soft, smooth and firm it kind of blows the mind.

Your face honestly feels so much younger. Plus it’s a lot of fun smothering your face in something between war paint and mud, and things can get a bit messy. Can’t recommend this product enough.

Find it here.

If you enjoyed this post and are looking for more skincare tips for men that I’ve put together, you should check these out:

17 shaving tips for men

Pre-shaving skincare products for men

Men’s skincare products – the ultimate conundrum

What treatments and potions do you use to keep your manly yet youthful looks? Do you have any skincare tips that could help me? Tell us in the comments!

Products received as samples but thoroughly tested on me!

The post Easy skincare tips for blokes – 10 products that work for us appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

She loves it when I’m not all scratchy, and I suppose I look a bit cleaner too!

To go out on limb, I’d say even with the advent of beard resurgence, most women still prefer to kiss a clean-shaven face. The problem is a lot of guys find is that shaving is a chore and can cause more discomfort than having a bit of stubble.

That’s because shaving truly is an art form. It’s not like in a Schwarzenegger movie where the baddy hacks his beard stubble off with a Bowie knife.

There’s a reason so many companies (none of them owned by Bowie) are pumping out so many shaving options and products. Not all of them will work for you, but it’s important to get into a good shaving regime that includes more than just a razor and water. It doesn’t take much longer than a ‘quick shave’ and you’ll be happier with the results.

Here are our 17 top tips for a good shave. By the way, tips 3 to 9 are practical shaving instructions. The rest are about product advice.

1. Don’t settle for one shaving product type – experiment. Here’s our post on comparing 4 shaving product types. I like the traditional shaving stick or the Oscar Shaving Gel. There is another one I use: Bulldog produces skincare just for men and their shaving gel’s good stuff. They’ve also got a sense of humour. On the back of the shaving gel bottle, they explain: “Unless you’re a geography teacher or a communist revolutionary, you’ll need to shave sometime.”
2. Try different razors. Different razors will suit different hair and skin types. My brother can’t use anything more than 3-blade razor because his beard’s too thick.
3. Shave after a shower. Warm water & steam soften beard and make it easier to shave. Some shave during but I like shaving in front of mirror.
4. Use an exfoliant or facial scrub in the shower before shaving. It removes dead skin and reduces the chance of ingrown hairs. Here’s our review of two different types of man scrub. Bulldog also do a good Face Scrub product I’ve just discovered.
5. Shave sides of face first (skin here is toughest) then mo, then sides of neck, then chin then throat last, where skin is softest and the shaving product has had the maximum time to work and soften hair.
6. Always shave with the hair – i.e. your hair from your sideburns usually grows down towards your chin, so shave down towards your chin. Everyone’s hair grows in different patterns – get to know yours.
7. Never shave against the grain of your beard – this really irritates your skin and can cause infections. You get a closer shave but that luxury only lasts a few hours. It’s not worth it.
8. If you want a closer shave, shave across the grain i.e. if your beard grows down towards your chin, shave towards your nose or towards your jawline. This won’t irritate your skin and will get closer than just shaving with the hair.
9. Always wash off excess soap/gel/oil with cold water – this closes pores and makes sure your skin doesn’t get infected.
10. Don’t try and shave every day – especially if you get shaving rash. It’ll only make it worse. These days – unless you’re in the army or work for Don Draper – your boss won’t mind a day’s stubble. It’s better than coming to work with a bloody pulp for a face!
11. Invest in a good quality razor or electric shaver. They’re expensive but worth it. Don’t – DO NOT – use disposable razors. These are for making extra thin slices of parmesan or for people who think shaving pets is fun. Disposable razors do not hold an edge for a whole shave and will rip your face off like Hannibal Lector.
12. Allegedly, putting your spare razor blades in the freezer makes them last a million times longer. I’m not convinced but if you want to try it, please let me know how you go!
13. Change your blades regularly. Blades are not made to last forever and using a blunt blade will do you no favours. On the other hand, sometimes the blade just needs a clean. Check out this razor cleaner and sharpener here.
14. Stick to wet shaves – they take longer but you get a better finish. I can’t use electric shavers. They burn my skin and don’t give a very close shave. I haven’t tried one that has won me over yet.
15. Moisturise after shaving. Your skin will be in shock after you’ve cut all the hair off it. Give your face a break. You’ll look younger for it too! I’ve stolen Mrs Romance’s Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15. I also like the Bulldog moisturiser though – it smells good but not in a girly way!
16. If your favourite time after shaving is the next day, the Gillette Fusion Proglide 3-in-1 Styler is excellent. Even if you want to keep a short beard in check, the interchangeable heads make it easy. It also transforms into a wet-shave razor and is completely waterproof so you can groom in the shower. I love this gadget – it even makes me want a beard a little bit!
17. Go easy on the aftershave – people don’t like it when you stink even if said stink’s expensive! I often just use an aftershave balm then put on a bit of aftershave before I go out. three or four sprays is plenty.

L’Oreal’s aftershave gel isn’t bad and I like the Biotherm Homme range, but the Bulldog Aftershave Balm is the best. As Bulldog so rightly says: “Isn’t it time you took a long hard look in the mirror and said, ‘I need some after shave balm’? Of course it is.”

I know this seems like a long list, but once you’re set up, it won’t take you more than 10 minutes to shave. Once you’ve got the basics in there, you can tweak the details until you’ve got all you favourite products at each stage of your shave.

Do you have any favourite shaving products you like to use? Tell us about them in the comments.

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