lee kynaston

Why it’s worth investing in an overnight treatment

Fans of Lab Series will have noticed that there is a brand new product in the new MAX LS premium skincare range designed to be used at night. The Overnight Renewal Serum is actually one of my favourite products from the new line up and for a number of reasons.

Firstly, I’m a great believer in doing anything to make grooming easier… read the rest of “Why it's worth investing in an overnight treatment”

How stopping smoking can save your skin – and hair!

Wednesday 9th March is No Smoking Day and many of the 66% of smokers who say they’re desperate to quit will be having a go at kicking the habit. As an ex-smoker myself I know how hard it can be but also how rewarding giving up is too, so I wish everyone intending to make that particular Wednesday the… read the rest of “How stopping smoking can save your skin - and hair!”

Three festive skin savers to see you through Christmas

Ah, ‘tis the season to by jolly. But if, like me you have a nasty habit of being a little too jolly once the port is opened I thought I’d offer a few festive-themed remedies as my parting post for 2010…

Skin looking as exhausted as you feel? Then try… Elemis S.O.S Survival Cream. One of my favourite skin saviours, this specially formulated moisturiser is brilliant for revitalizing tired… read the rest of “Three festive skin savers to see you through Christmas”

Men’s Health announces Grooming Award Winners for 2010

Every year Men’s Health magazine asks its readers to vote for their favourite grooming products. Thousands of ordinary blokes vote and so I always think of the winners and ‘highly commendeds’ as being a good gauge of what’s hot out there at the moment, grooming-wise. And this year, a raft of products stocked here on Mankind received prestigious gongs or were… read the rest of “Men’s Health announces Grooming Award Winners for 2010”

Czech these new fragrances out!

As reluctant as I am to blow my own trumpet, I like to think I have impeccable taste when it comes to men’s fragrances. So I was thrilled to learn that Mankind are now stocking scents from one of my all time favourite fragrance houses, Czech & Speake.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with it, the company was… read the rest of “Czech these new fragrances out!”

Calling all men – it’s ‘tache time!

In case you hadn’t realised it it’s Movember again which is a brilliant chance to show off your manly ‘tache-growing prowess for charity (or just grow something perfectly ridiculous so everyone in the office can laugh at you and call you Fu Man Chu). Whatever your reason the important thing is that you take part.

The funds raised from Movember’s… read the rest of “Calling all men – it’s ‘tache time!”

Stealing your grooming products?

It's her epilator ok? The clue is in the colour!

The other day I read a fascinating, but rather alarming, survey that revealed that over three quarters of men admit to stealing tbeir partner’s beauty products, with over a third saying they often pinch their partner’s shampoo and 1 in 10 admitting to using someone else’s razor… read the rest of “Stealing your grooming products? ”

Looking tired?

This last week I have found myself in the unfortunate position of having to do hospital visiting. As anyone who’s ever done it will know, visiting a relative can be a pretty tiring experience especially if the hospital isn’t on your doorstep (the one I’ve been visiting is 15 miles away).

By the time I got back in the evening… read the rest of “Looking tired? ”

Jack your body!

JB's Dry Goods Friction Free powder – good for 'you know what'

The observant amongst you might have noticed that a plethora of new Jack Black products have just appeared on Mankind. Launched in the Texas over a decade ago Jack Black has won countless awards, picked up numerous celebrity fans and has become one of America’s… read the rest of “Jack your body!”

Baldness myths busted

Of all the grooming ‘issues’ I get asked about the subject of baldness is probably surrounded by the most myths. I’ve lost count of the times someone has asked me whether standing upside down can stimulate hair growth (it doesn’t) or whether bald men are more virile (sadly not, and I say that as someone who’s not quite as thick on… read the rest of “Baldness myths busted”

shady business

Protecting your skin from sun damage might be crucial in the summer but no more crucial than protecting your eyes. A good-quality pair of sunglasses won’t just protect your rep, they’ll help protect your retinas too. Personally, I like a Ray Ban aviator as you see but the important thing is to go for a pair that offer proper protection. For… read the rest of “shady business”

Keep your cool!

According to the met office we’re in for a ‘BBQ summer’. So just in case, by any remote chance, they’re actually right, here are few simple strategies for  staying cool, calm and collected.

1. Steer clear of synthetics. Man-made fibres don’t allow the skin to breathe so wear loose fitting cotton clothes instead. Or opt for fabrics which… read the rest of “Keep your cool!”

want to avoid a heart attack? then brush your teeth!

I don’t know if you spotted it in the news last week but a new study has found that those who fail to keep their teeth clean are at greater risk of suffering from heart problems.  Researchers from University College in London analyzed data from more than 11,000 people and found that those who never or rarely brush their teeth are… read the rest of “want to avoid a heart attack? then brush your teeth!”

Hair dye – the latest male grooming must-have?

It never ceases to amaze me how far male grooming has come in the last ten tears. Who’d have thought, for example, that concealers for men, fake tans and a neatly waxed trunklines would become commonplace? But despite all the advances in the art of ‘manscaping’ one taboo has remained. No, not ball shaving (that’s already a common phenomenon) but hair… read the rest of “Hair dye – the latest male grooming must-have? ”

What should you wear in bed? These apparently.

They might seem like a bit of an anachronism but according to a new survey by Jockey, pyjamas are back – and big style. Seemingly, we Brits are turning into a nation of early-to-bedders, with the average weekly bedtime coming being 10.30 – a whole hour earlier than it was two years ago!

What’s more pyjama sales have gone up… read the rest of “What should you wear in bed? These apparently. ”

Biotherm’s Force Supreme Re-Builder – first look!

Back in January I mentioned in one of my Mankind blogs that Biotherm Homme would be releasing a really exciting product this year – the Force Supreme Re-Builder. And here’s a sneak preview of it in all its rollerball glory! Yes, capitalising on the current trend in male grooming for rollerball delivery systems (a trend the company started off with their… read the rest of “Biotherm's Force Supreme Re-Builder - first look!”

picture perfect?

Do you have a Facebook profile? Or are you on Twitter, Bebo or LinkedIn? If you are, chances are you also have a profile pic up there too. But be honest – how old is that pic?

According to a new survey by Lab Series For Men,  the average male profile pic is actually over 18 months old! I must… read the rest of “picture perfect? ”

In the ‘Moob’ for a better body?

I don’t know if you saw the news this week but Moobs (a.k.a man boobs) have been everwhere. And when I say everywhere I mean everywhere. In fact, according to one survey up to 60% of men are affected by the condition, which is about as everywhere as you can get.

And, here’s a

Male grooming’s next big thing…

If you’re one of those skincare aficionados who likes to keep right up to date with what’s going on in male grooming then look out for a raft of products focussing on special ‘delivery methods’ this year.

By this I mean products using things like rollerballs to help cream, gels or serums access the skin. It’s already… read the rest of “Male grooming's next big thing...”

New Year’s resolutions?

At this time of year we’re all tempted to make a few New Year’s Resolutions but whilst it’s all very well vowing to join that gym or never touch a Ginsters pasty again, I find a few grooming resolutions don’t go amiss either. But just in case you’re struggling for ideas, here are a few promises definitely worth… read the rest of “New Year's resolutions? ”

Finally! It’s here!

Now, this week brought joy to my heart in the shape of a new addition to the Mankind family – my all-time favourite fragrance Geoffrey Beene’s Grey Flannel.

I’ve been lobbing for us to stock it for nearly a year now and finally my cajoling and arm-twisting has paid off.

For those of you unfamiliar with the designer, Geoffrey… read the rest of “Finally! It's here! ”

Mankind favourites pick up even more awards

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

Guybrows – the latest male grooming trend?

News reaches me today that men now make up 40% of visitors to Debenhams ‘Brow Bars’ (i.e places where you get your eyebrows professionally ‘shaped’). Seemingly, this is double the amount compared to a year ago. Clearly the release of Bruno has had more of an impact on the male psyche than anyone could have thought.

Fancy growing a ‘tache for cash?

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been banging on (to just about anyone who’ll listen) about this the current Tacheback campaign, organised by the Everyman charity. In case you’re not familiar with the initiative, the charity – which raises much-needed money for research into testicular and prostate cancer – is asking men to grow a ‘tache in order to… read the rest of “Fancy growing a 'tache for cash?”

Always look on the bright side….

Since I always have my (admittedly rather jug-like) ear firmly to ground when it comes to the latest trends in male grooming I thought I’d report that the latest buzz centres around ‘skin brightening’. Already a well known beauty treatment with women it looks like men are getting in on the act too and more than one large skincare company is looking… read the rest of “Always look on the bright side....”

A funny thing happened on the way to the….

Without a doubt, one of the real joys of the Internet is the way that it allows people – usually complete strangers – to communicate, swap ideas and to exchange tips. And whilst I’m here to answer some of your questions there’s a wealth of useful information available from Mankind customers on our Forums. What’s especially good is that

Bluff your way to better skin!

For the last few weeks I’ve been road  testing a superb new product from Nickel and wanted to share my thoughts on it whilst I’m still staring at myself in wonder! The French skincare company’s Le Grand Bluff Protector is one of those grooming products that once you start using you’ll have to have on repeat order. A bit like a Photoshop… read the rest of “Bluff your way to better skin!”

It’s a Biotherm future!

Biotherm Homme fans take note: the company has some really exciting products heading your way. July sees the official launch of their High Recharge Energy Cleanser (a daily cleanser designed to optimise your skin’s energy levels and reduce the signs of fatigue) and Force Supreme Total Reactivator Anti-Age Gel – a high-tech wrinkle-buster with a superbly light finish. I had a… read the rest of “It's a Biotherm future!”

Foot for thought

Argh! What is it with us Brits? As soon as the sun pops out so do the flamin’ flip-flops. And with the flip-flops come truly manky male trotters. Now, I hate to come across like an old curmudgeon but these, collectively, are two of my all-time pet hates.

Firstly, flip-flops should never be seen gracing the feet of a man on the street. Unless he’s Australian, in which… read the rest of “Foot for thought”

Are you aware?

You might not know it but this week is Sun Awareness Week, the annual drive by the British Association of Dermatologists to reduce the 200 cases of skin cancers diagnosed ever day in this country. What’s even scarier is that cases of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, are rising faster than any other type of cancer in the UK… read the rest of “Are you aware?”