Whisper Mag's Man Makeover

This month I set myself a challenge. Something along the lines of a makeover for my man. I’ve always been aware that, while my half of the bathroom cupboard contains a somewhat impressive arsenal of skincare products, my boyfriend is more than happy with his bar of soap and rusty Bic. What would it take to bring my boyfriend’s personal grooming routine of the dark ages? I decided to see if I could bring my boyfriend’s skin routine up to speed and find the perfect products for women wanting to subject their men to some fine tuning.

When it comes to hair, my boyfriend is the epitome of wash and go, while I happily spend huge chunks of my pay packet on conditioner. However, one whiff of Tigi B for Men Clean Up Peppermint Conditioner for £5 was all it took to convert him (pictured left). Ginseng root extract ensures a healthy scalp while natural peppermint promotes hair growth, which, considering most men’s primal fear of baldness, will have your man reaching for the bottle in no time.

Flint Edge skincare products are perfect for men on the go. The addition of vitamins and botanicals make this range perfect for restoring neglected skin. Flint Edge After Shave Balm £12.00 went down especially well, with top marks for fresh smell and orange colour. Admittedly, the colour of my moisturiser has never been a concern, but in this age of metrosexuality it seems appearances are just as important to our men.

My boyfriend and I both have oily skin, so we appreciate a good cleanser. Korres Thyme and Sage Facial Gel for £12.75 is a great unisex product that leaves oily skin squeaky clean and blemish free - I can honestly say this is the best facial wash I’ve ever used.

For deep down cleaning, there’s nothing like a facial scrub to slough off dead skin cells. Lab Series is one of the top names in men’s skin care, and their Skin Refinisher for £26.45 works wonders on tired skin. Marketed as an at-home micro-dermabrasion product, this warming scrub cleans out pores and leaves skin toned and clear.

While I have no desire to see the contents of my pores, Paul loves a treatment which allows him to examine his facial impurities in all their glory, and this is partly what made Montagne Jeunesse’s Peel Off Deep Pore Cleansing Masque, 97p each, such a hit. Spearmint oil make this product perfect for oily skin while the healing properties of dead sea salt leaves skin firmer and brighter.

For a zesty treat, Suki’s Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser for £10.22 contains lemongrass extract to cleanse and natural sugar to leave skin silky soft.

Clarins Beauty Flash is one product no makeup bag should be without and now there’s a solution for men, too. Clarins Fatigue Fighter £26.43 is great for men needing a quick fix after a heavy night on the town. This energising gel uses Chinese ginger and bison grass to leave skin brighter and clearer, while sunflower extract tones and smoothes. Their Clarins Shine-Free Gel £23.49, is also great for controlling oiliness.

While I love reading about the latest moisturiser, men love the simplicity of a product that does precisely what it says on the tin, and this is what makes Clinique Skin Supplies for Men range such a winner. Their Clinique Oil Control Hydrator, £20.55, is great for mopping up excess moisture without drying out skin while Clinique Clear Blemish Gel, for, £11.26, is perfect for zapping trouble spots before they escalate into full blown war zones (pictured left). My other half particularly loved the light texture and cooling sensation of this product.

Finally, while some girls like a bit of rough, when it comes to male skincare a smooth finish is essential and the Azor razor from King of Shaves £4.88, certainly impressed Paul, who described this as the best razor he’d ever used. He particularly loved the lightweight design and close shave, adding that sleek contours allowed him to give the razor a thorough clean – a factor which considerably extended the razor’s lifespan. Finish off with a splash of their great smelling Ultra Hybrid Shave Oil £3.91, and your man’s good to go. What can I say? It appears a certain leading brand isn’t “the best a man can get”, after all….