Posted on 12/11/09, filed under Mankind Grooming Editor
Spent last night at the annual Beauty Magazine Awards held, this year, at The London Aquarium. As one of the shortlisting judges (I help narrow down the field a little and then the readers of the magazine vote) I’ve been attending for several years now and it’s always a fun night that often throws up some interesting winners (yes, beauty industry awards are no different from The Oscars and have their own fair share of intrigue, upsets and tantrums).
I must say, though, that this year I fully agreed with the eventual winners in the male grooming categories. Both Gillette and Lynx won prizes in the Mass Market categories and walking away with the Premium Grooming Launch of the year award was Lab Series for its excellent new bodycare range (already hugely popular on Mankind) while Clinique’s M Shave Aloe Gel – another Mankind favourite – collected a much-deserved Classic Product Award to add to its bulging trophy cabinet. So huge congrats to all the brands who won. God only knows what the stingrays, sharks and jellyfish that surrounded us made of proceedings though!
Lee, Mankind Grooming Ed
Posted on 29/10/09, filed under Mankind Grooming Editor
Let’s face it, we all like to be complemented on how well we’ve aged. So 45-year-old actor Clive Owen must be thrilled with the results of a new poll conducted by Trevor Sorbie which names him as the British male celebrity thought to have aged the best (though it’s bizarre that a decidedly craggy Hugh Laurie should come second).
What’s even more bizarre is that poor Simon Le Bon came bottom (I think he’s weathered quite well, given all the make-up and hairspray his skin and hair had to contend with back in the Eighties).
Anyway, the survey also revealed something else interesting – more men than ever are buying anti-ageing products and (even more interestingly) they’re investing in them earlier. In fact, it showed that men aged 24-34 are buying one anti-ageing product a month!
Now, I take my hat of to these men because, although you can still make a difference with the right products once the wrinkles appear, the best course of action is to prevent them from forming in the first place when you’re young (get that SPF moisturiser ordered now!).
Trust me, what they say about you ending up with the face you deserve at 40 is true. I’ve looked after my skin since I was about 17 and when I had it examined by professionals last year it turned out I had the ‘skin age’ of a 35 year old – knocking 7 years of my true age. Don’t get me wrong, I have plenty of, er, ‘expression lines’ shall we say, but fear that without my diligence over the last 20 years I’d probably be like Keith Richards (only better at climbing trees, obviously).
Lee, Mankind Grooming Ed
Posted on 29/09/09, filed under Mankind Grooming Editor
As some of you may have gathered from the post below I spent last week pounding the streets of New York. Mistakenly conceived as a holiday it felt more like a daily half-marathon and, now that I’m past 40, all that walking certainly took its toll on my poor plates (I wish I’d have taken my FitFlops because at least then I’d have been loosing weight and toning up in the process!).
Anyway, my saviour on this trip came in the shape of a few hot baths, Flint Edge’s Foot Refresher and their Sports Rub. You can find the products in Flint’s On The Go Sport’s Pack. I must confess, I’ve had them in my travel bag for yonks but never had the need to use them until the day/eternity I spent traipsing around the Lower East Side (above) and giant snail shell that is the The Guggenheim Museum. I’ve just noticed the pack is on special offer right now too so grab one while you can and put it away for your travels. Trust me, it’s the perfect city break essential.
Lee, Mankind Grooming Ed
