Movember 2014: 13 best moustache grooming essentials
Make sure your 'tache is perfectly groomed this month with our round-up of tools and products to keep facial hair in check
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Your support makes all the difference.It’s that time of year again: Movember. It’s an opportunity for blokes to raise some money – and awareness - for men’s health issues, have some healthy competition with their mates, and show off their moustache-growing ability to the world (or at least the office).
If you’re growing a mo this month, how do you make sure your new facial hair is as well-kempt as possible? We asked grooming experts Lee Kynaston from groomingguru.co.uk, Laura Sanchez, founder of beauty information platform Lypsso, and Carmelo Guastella, artistic barber, to give their top picks for a perfect ‘tache. We also put a range of products through their paces to bring you the best.
1. Wahl 79900-801 Clip'n'Trim Clippers: £24.95, johnlewis.com
These clippers have an integrated detail trimmer to allow control around those hard-to-style places such as your sideburns, neckline and around your ears. The blades are narrower, affording an extremely smooth finish beyond that of standard clippers, while the Powerdrive cutting system makes cutting thicker hairs and shaping your new beard an effortless and enjoyable task.
2. Kent Brushes Movember 2014 Moustache Comb: £4.50, kentbrushes.com
“A moustache comb is the perfect tool for keeping your mo’ neat and tidy - not to mention food free,” says Lee. £2 from every sale goes to Movember.
3. Jack Black Beard Lube Conditioning Shave: £18 for 177ml, amazon.co.uk
This compact, lightweight tube is perfect if you’re taking your ‘tache on holiday, acting as a pre-shave oil, shave cream and skin conditioner all in one. It both softens the hairs and retains moisture, making the actual shaving and shaping a smooth and soothing experience.
4. The Cool Fix by ShaveWorks: £25 for 156ml, uk.spacenk.com
This product is good if you’re either shaping your ‘tache or it’s the end of the month and you have had enough of the fuzz. It soothes ingrown hairs and rashes while at the same time exfoliating your skin and staving off future irritations. It is designed with both men and women in mind so could be shared with your partner.
5. Taylor of Old Bond Street Mr Taylor's Moustache Wax: £5.95 for 15ml, tayloroldbondst.co.uk
“Use this to keep your moustache in place,” says Carmello. “This product is great because it is not as greasy as many moustache waxes on the market.” This malleable, good-quality wax, in a convenient tube, is best for taming unruly hairs rather than ambitious styling.
6. Percy Nobleman’s Beard Conditioning Oil: £19.99 for 100ml, percynoble.com
Only a little of this taming oil is needed to see an impressive result and so we thought it was great value for money. It suits all beard types and lengths, so as Movember progresses this product will grow alongside your facial hair.
7. Hudson Made Original White Beard & Shave Soap: £14 for 100g, selfridges.com
This multipurpose soap is an effective beard shampoo and shaving cream in one, meaning that come December you can readily transition back to your clean-shaven self without investing in a whole new range of products. Lathering up quickly, this soap both cleans and conditions your beard and skin at the same time. In its wake it leaves behind taming essential oils and an invigorating, clean scent.
8. Green People Organic Homme Scrub it Exfoliator, £12.95 for 125ml, greenpeople.co.uk
“Bamboo extract and cranberry powder effectively remove dead skin cells, natural clay draws out toxins and any skin impurities,” says Laura. “The shea butter smoothes the skin ready for a close shave.” This is ideal if you’re preparing your skin for the hard-growing month ahead or at the end when it yearns for a deep-cleanse.
9. Beardsley Lotion for Beards: £14.95 for 118ml, henrytibbs.com
This lotion aims to keep your beard looking its shiniest, softest and healthy best - and succeeds. With a subtle yet refreshing scent of Bay Rhum you will barely have a need for aftershave. Crucially, this spray leaves your mo’ and beard looking conditioned without being greasy and, packaged in a compact spray, it works well on the go, ready to whip out for top-ups whenever needed. It is worth noting that this lotion works better on shorter beards as it moisturises the skin at the same time.
10. Beard Brand Beardsman's Spiced Citrus Kit: £137, selfridges.com
This kit is tailor-made with the beardsman in mind. A unique twist, this set shuns razors, choosing instead to solely include luxurious grooming products for maintaining and containing your ‘tache and beard. Speaking directly to the proud bearded man’s market, this is definitely a high-end product with a price-tag to boot. Right down to the fine details of the box, this carefully thought out assortment would also make a stylish, if pricey, gift.
11. Bounder Extra Firm Moustache Wax: £7.50 for 10g, nivenandjoshua.com
“This is the perfect stying aid for mos as it's non-greasy but provides hold and definition and is good for evening out your 'tach,” says Lee, “Thanks to Caribbean Rum and vanilla it smells fantastic too.”
12. Crabtree & Evelyn Moroccan Myrrh After Shave Balm: £22 for 100ml, crabtree-evelyn.co.uk
This exotically scented balm restores your long-suffering skin’s condition after it has tolerantly housed your beard throughout the month. This alcohol-free balm does what it says on the tin, noticeably rectifying your skin’s balance, soothing any irritations and forming a palpable protective layer.
13. Babyliss Pro-V Precision Trimmer: £35.00, salonsupplies.co.uk
“Use mini clippers like BaByliss PRO V-Blade Trimmer to remove and define the hair that crawls on the lips. The small head enables you to have better control and visibility,” says Carmelo. These trimmers made the cut due to their ultra-fine, ultra-precise steel blades that have an extremely sharp V cutting angle making close, controlled trimming quick and easy. Perfect when manscaping your Movember whiskers. They are also relatively compact, making them easier to grip and manoeuvre than some chunkier clippers.
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