THEGAYUK

Tag: Grooming Review

The latest Grooming Review from THEGAYUK.

  • The top 5 grooming products you need for May 2019

    The top 5 grooming products you need for May 2019

    With Pride Month looming just around the corner, our grooming expert Thomas Swallow is on hand to help you look and feel your best. Whether you’re gonna be chilling on Hampstead Heath or living your very best life at pride. Here are our top grooming product picks for the month. Prepare for the compliments boys!

     

    1) By Vilain: RUSH Shampoo and Conditioner Duo (£33.30)

    First on our list this month, is Danish haircare brand By Vilain. Founded by twins (Rasmus and Emil), who have pretty great hair. Have to admit, I have a little bit of hair envy here!  I’ve recently been trying out quite a lot of their products and so far I can’t find one, that I don’t like. In particular, their RUSH Shampoo and Conditioner combo have become a quintessential part of my morning routine. Keeping my hair fresh and conditioned, whilst the menthol effect energises me for the day. My hair game has been on point lately guys, so definitely check this duo out.

    Available at: https://www.slikhaarshop.com/

    2) Recovery Room: Protein Body Moisturiser (£14.99)

    Next on the list, is the Protein Body Moisturiser by Recovery Room. Now if any of you follow me on social media (@urbanmaleuk if you don’t), then you’ll know over the last few months I’ve been putting my body through it in the gym. Completing my own personal fitness challenges and putting training methods to the test. So basically, my body has been pushed to its limits quite literally.

    One of the things I’ve noticed from this is my skin has been quite irritated from all the exercise and having eczema, I try to minimise any irritation to my skin. What this moisturiser did, is calm down my skin. Which if you’ve ever had a skin condition like eczema, is pretty phenomenal. More so, it is loaded with plant proteins and amino acids to aid recovery post-workout. So whilst my body was constantly being battered and my skin was quite literally telling me to do one, this moisturiser stepped up. Eczema or not, if you’re hitting the gym this summer definitely pack this into your gym bag. I promise you won’t regret it.

    Available at: https://www.recoveryroombodycare.com/

    3) PROVERB: Oil Balance Pro Moisturiser (£55.00)

    Third on the list this month, is the Oil Balance Pro Moisturiser from PROVERB Skincare. Although a more expensive moisturising option, this product definitely gives you bang for your buck. Having quite an oily T-Zone myself, especially after a journey on the Central Line or the Pits of Hell, as commuters will know it. My skin is often left on the wrong side of shiny and what I noticed when using this moisturiser, is that my skin didn’t get this shine. Don’t get me wrong it was all supple and dewy but it didn’t look oily. So if you suffer from a bit of an oily T-Zone or have oily skin in general, definitely give this one a go. Make the investment and I promise you, you’ll thank me for it.

    Available at: https://proverbskin.com

    4) Bulldog Skincare: Energising Sheet Masks (£12.00 for 8 masks)

    So next on the list, is a brand I hold dear to my heart. Bulldog is just one of those brands, that gets it right. No fuss, affordable male skincare, that’s high quality and these sheet masks are no exception. Like all sheet masks, they are intended to give a short term effect but with instant results. Unlike most sheet masks we see in the UK though, they are made from unbleached bamboo and are dehydrated. Yep that’s right, we add the serum ourselves. Which I personally love. The idea of a sheet mask sitting soaked in serum over a period of days, months or even years before we use it, is not the most comforting of thoughts.

    Simply add enough serum to coat the entire mask and then unfold, to reveal the mask. Leave it on for about 5-10 mins and you’re left with radiant looking skin. Great for those mornings when you’ve not had enough sleep or if you just have a special occasion to go to. The morning of pride for example… Another great addition for our bearded fellas is that the beard line is detachable. So no longer will that pesky face mask fall off your face.

    Available at: https://www.bulldogskincare.com

    5) MAN CAVE: Micellar Cleansing Water (£6.00)

    Last on our list this month, I think is a pretty special find. MAN CAVE has recently brought out a Micellar Cleansing Water targeted at men and I think it’s gonna save my skin during summer. If you don’t know what Micellar Water is, it’s essentially a no-fuss way of refreshing skin. You simply rub the product onto the skin and it helps break down any dirt or residue. No water or harsh scrubbing needed.

    Now although this isn’t a new concept, it is the first product of its kind that I’ve seen targeted to men. Imbued with the refreshing Woodsman scent from the brand, it’s by far the easiest way I’ve found of refreshing my skin on the go. Which during summer in London, will be a godsend. So for any city dwellers out there, pop this in your work bag and reap the benefits all summer long.

    Available at: https://mancaveinc.com/

  • Top 5 Grooming Items for April 2019

    Top 5 Grooming Items for April 2019

    So it’s April and we are now firmly into the Spring season.

    That means the days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer. Time to step up the grooming routine boys, it’s hotting up! Here are our Top 5 Grooming Items for April 2019.

    1. Recipe for Men: Alcohol-Free Antiperspirant Deodorant (£15.00)

    Now I know this seems a little pricey for something you put under your armpits but trust me here boys, this deodorant is worth every penny. This deodorant is not only alcohol-free and as such less damaging/drying to your skin but it’s the only thing that has ever stopped me sweating on the London Underground. In my opinion, anything that can keep you feeling fresh on the tube is worth the money. This product even stood up to our heatwave last year, so invest and trust me you won’t regret it. Also never left deodorant marks on my clothes, so a bonus!

    Available At: www.mankind.co.uk

    2. MAN CAVE: Anti-Pollution Face Serum (£10.00)

    Now I have to admit I wasn’t really buying into the whole anti-pollution skincare bandwagon at first. It all seemed a bit gimmicky to me. Living in London though, the epicentre of UK pollution. I decided to give this anti-pollution serum by MAN CAVE a try. One because it’s affordable and two because I have always heard great things about this brand but never tried any of their products.

    My impressions at first weren’t that great I’ll be honest. It nourished my skin but it didn’t really seem to do anything drastic. Then about 3 weeks into using this serum, I noticed that I wasn’t getting as many breakouts. Now, this was the only product I had added to my skincare regime at the time and so I can only presume, that this was the reason behind this. It has anti-irritation ingredients and is supposed to reduce the amount of stress your skin undergoes from environmental factors on a daily basis.

    Seeing these effects happen on my skin over the course of using this product, I am now sold on the anti-pollution skincare bandwagon. This serum genuinely changed the way my skin was reacting to my environment and the result was much clearer skin. So I would definitely recommend this to any city dwellers out there, especially in London.

    Available At: www.mancaveinc.com

    3. Monu Skin: Vital Eye Gel For Men (£23.94)

    I’ll be honest, I had never heard of Monu Skin before I received this product in a subscription box I was reviewing for you guys (the review will be up soon, so look out!). This product really stood out to me though and so I had to share it with you.

    Essentially this is a lightweight eye gel, that is intended to wake up your eye area and reduce fatigue. What I loved about it, was that it was a product I could use in my morning and night routines but achieve different results. In the morning, the product would instantly reduce any puffiness around my eye area and make it look like I actually had 8 hours. Unlike the more realistic 6 on a good day. Then in the evening after a long day, it instantly soothed my eye area and took any fatigue from the day from my eyes. Over the course of using the product, I had people visibly notice that I looked more awake and that my eye area looked more youthful in general. So I would definitely give this one a go if you seem to be burning the candle at both ends lately like myself.

    Available At: www.monushop.co.uk

    4. Timeless Truth: Hydra-Intense Black Charcoal Mask (£5.25)

    Who doesn’t love a good sheet mask? Quick, simple and instantly visible results. This Hydra-Intense Black Charcoal Mask from Timeless Truth is no exception to the rule. Leave the mask on for 15-20 mins and what you’re left with is a more plump and radiant complexion. The charcoal in the mask also helps to draw out impurities. So I don’t personally think we can go wrong with this one.

    Pro-tip: get the excess serum from the mask and sachet after application and apply to the face and neck. You don’t want to be wasteful after all.

    Available At: www.beautybelle.ie

    5. PETER THOMAS ROTH: 10% Glycolic Solutions Moisturizer (£35.50)

    Last on the list for this month, is an entry from skincare giant PETER THOMAS ROTH. There is no doubt that this brand is known for its high-quality products and these products having a high percentage of active ingredients. This moisturiser is no exception. With 10% Glycolic Acid, this product gently exfoliates away those dead skin cells that lead to a dull complexion. Following using this product for a good 4/5 weeks, what I noticed was that my skin looked more radiant and my complexion was much more even.

    I personally used this moisturiser as part of my nighttime skincare routine, as I didn’t want the acid reacting to any UV exposure but always find what works best for you with skincare. If using this during the daytime though, I would definitely recommend using an SPF. Just to be on the safe side with any sensitivity.

    Also when using this product at first, you may experience a slight tingling sensation. What I learnt, was that my skin was just getting used to the active ingredient (Glycolic Acid) being present on my skin and this tingling went away by the end of week one. If your skin does react badly to this product though or you are prone to sensitive skin, then it may be best skipping this one.

    Available At: www.cultbeauty.co.uk

  • Tom Tries It: Dermalux Facial

    Tom Tries It: Dermalux Facial

    The world of male grooming can be a daunting place.

    With a myriad of product types and treatments available, it’s hard to know what products you need to be using and what treatments are right for you. This is why at THEGAYUK we have sent our beauty expert Thomas Swallow to try them out and decode the enigma of male grooming.

    Carry on reading below, to hear about Tom’s experience trying a Dermalux Facial for the first time. Missed the first instalment of this series? Click here to find out about Tom’s previous adventure, where he tried intimate waxing.

    Check them out on Instagram

    What is a Dermalux Facial?

    Now I have to admit until I first went into 193 Whitecross Street for my previous adventure in intimate waxing, I hadn’t really heard of a Dermalux facial before either but once Elizabeth from London Professional Aesthetics explained the procedure to me, I knew I had to give it a try.

    Essentially the Dermalux Facial is an LED light facial, where the different wavelengths of light penetrate the skin and cause different positive reactions. The treatment can be targeted to specific skin concerns and tailored to fit every client’s needs. All resulting in less-inflamed and more rejuvenated skin. A quick summary of what each of the 3 wavelengths of light do, can be seen below.

    Infrared Light:

    Supercharges cells in the Dermis, enhancing rejuvenating properties within the skin, increasing hydration levels and boosting collagen levels. All resulting in a more youthful and radiant complexion.

    Near-Infrared Light:

    Causes regeneration in the skin’s deepest layers, increasing blood circulation allowing an increased flow of nutrients and oxygen to the skin. Accelerating repair, reducing inflammation and reducing sensitivity for those suffering from skin conditions, such as rosacea.

    Blue Light:

    Targets bacteria in the Epidermis and causes a chemical reaction, whereby spots are reduced and the skin is left blemish free.

    During the Treatment:

    Each Dermalux Facial treatment at London Professional Aesthetics starts with a sit-down consultation with Elizabeth to build a profile of your skin and to record any relevant medical information. Having been a Nurse Practitioner in the NHS for many years, it’s safe to say you’re in good hands here.

    Following the initial consultation, Elizabeth will then go on to cleanse your face with a mild chemical exfoliant. This is to remove any dirt from the skin and leave your skin in the best state, to absorb the LED light.

    She will then take you down to the Dermalux Facial studio where all the magic happens. Once down there Elizabeth will set up the machine for your desired treatment and then ask you to lay down, while she positions the machine and puts goggles over your eyes. The next 20 mins or so of the appointment is quite simple, you lay back and relax. It’s ok to fall asleep here, the light is very soothing and I have to admit, I did have a cat nap.

    After your 20 minutes of bliss, Elizabeth will then finish the treatment by prepping your skin with a vitamin C serum and some SPF. Always important to use following any vitamin C treatment! Basically, you end up leaving with a visibly brighter and clearer complexion.

    Elizabeth would recommend repeating the treatment once every one or two weeks, in order to achieve the long term benefits.

    Pricing:

    Like the waxing, of course, we cannot comment for every aesthetician in the country who does this procedure. In terms of Elizabeth from London Professional Aesthetics though, who by far we would recommend over the rest. The pricing is as follows:

    Single Session: £50.00
    A course of Six: £260.00
    A Course of Twelve: £500.00

    Final Thoughts:

    I have to say from start to finish, I couldn’t fault any aspect of this treatment or the service I received by Elizabeth and the London Professional Aesthetic team at 193 Whitecross Street. In terms of the treatment, I visibly saw a difference in my skin after one treatment and continuously saw this difference in my skin for at least the next two weeks. As a regular aspect of my grooming regime, I would definitely invest in this treatment if my skin concerns were more prevalent. Due to me having very few breakouts and my face being the one area of my skin, that isn’t very sensitive. I personally wouldn’t go every other week to get the treatment but in terms of an instant pick me up for my skin when getting ready for an event, I would definitely do so! To sum up, it’s a pretty amazing treatment and I will be making another appointment very soon.

    Want to check out Elizabeth’s website for yourself? To visit the London Professional Aesthetics click here and 193 Whitecross Street sites click here.

  • Tom Tries It: What it’s like to get an Intimate Waxing

    Tom Tries It: What it’s like to get an Intimate Waxing

    The world of male grooming can be a daunting place. With a myriad of product types and treatments available, it’s hard to know what products you need to be using and what treatments are right for you. This is why at THEGAYUK, we have sent our beauty expert Thomas Swallow to try them out and decode the enigma of male grooming.

    CREDIT: Depositphotos ( FILE PHOTO)

    Carry on reading below, to hear about Tom’s experience trying intimate waxing for the first time. Yes, you heard right, he even put his manhood on the line this week!

    So as the intro suggests, this week to kick off this new series I put my manhood on the line and leapt into the world of male intimate waxing. I really don’t do things by halves, could have started with a cheeky chest wax but no, not me. With the help of Jimmy Bodur Male Grooming inside the 193 Whitecross Street clinic in London, we went all out and did the full Hollywood wax experience. Yes, I am now quite literally as smooth as a baby’s butt!

    So if you’ve ever been curious about waxing your meat and two veg, then make sure to carry on reading. As myself and Jimmy take you through the whole procedure from preparation to after-care.

    So what is intimate waxing?

    (C) BIGSTOCK (FILE PHOTO)

    I suppose the best place to start for those of you who don’t know, is to explain just exactly what intimate waxing is.

    The basic premise of waxing is to use warm or hot wax, to physically remove hair from the body. In the case of warm wax, this is often done with the help of waxing strips that adhere to the wax and help the remove the product and hair from the skin. When dealing with hot wax, however, the use of a waxing strip is often not needed. The wax is left to cool on the skin and then removed directly.

    Intimate waxing as the name suggests is the same premise but centred around the removal of hair from the genital area. There are two main types of intimate waxing offered to men:

    1. The Hollywood Wax: The complete removal of all hair from the pubic triangle, balls, penis, scrotum, buttocks and crack.

    2. The Brazilian Wax:The complete removal of all hair from the balls, penis, scrotum, buttocks and crack. While only trimming down the pubic triangle.

    So, of course, we went for the Hollywood option! It was the week of my birthday, we had to go all out!

    How to prepare for intimate waxing?

    (C) BIGSTOCK (FILE PHOTO)

    Now, this is something that I definitely thought was more daunting than it actually was. Personally, I thought there would be a multitude of steps in getting your skin/hair ready for waxing. Whereas Jimmy outlined it all in 3 simple steps:
    1. Don’t moisturise the area on the day of waxing, otherwise, it will be harder for the wax to adhere to the hairs.

    1. Don’t do any sports or gym work for at least 3 hours prior to your appointment. We need to be clean and avoid sweat here guys!

    2. Finally, simply don’t shave or trim the area being waxed. I was personally conscious of this, may have let the bush grow out a bit to make sure it was long enough. Jimmy very simply said though, if it needs trimming I’ll do it. If the hair is too short or too long, the wax can’t adhere.

    Simple right?

    During the treatment:

    Now, this is the bit that I know you’re all the most curious about. We’ve all heard the stories of how much waxing hurts and I’m not going to lie to you and say it’s painless. When being waxed you are physically ripping the hair from your skin and so, of course, it is going to painful. Especially in sensitive areas. <

    What I will say though, is that it is in no way as painful as you think it is going to be. The best way I can describe it is a burning sensation that goes away just as quickly as it comes. Of course, there are certain areas that are more sensitive and naturally feel more painful than others but with a light bit of pressure from Jimmy’s hand on the skin afterwards, the burning sensation quickly disappeared.

    This is why it’s important to have an expert clinician like Jimmy doing a procedure like this though. The pain you experience is directly relational to how good your clinician is. If they can get the wax on and off in a quick and effective motion, the pain will be minimal. If they don’t know what they’re doing and are tugging at the wax, it’s gonna hurt like hell!

     

    So now the pain rumours have been dispelled, let’s get on to going through the procedure:

    1. Jimmy had me get on my elbows and knees to wax my buttocks and crack. This position although a little embarrassing is the best position you can be in for getting waxed in this area. The skin is made taught in the position and ensure the wax can be removed easily and effectively.

    2. He started proceedings by checking the temperature of the hot wax against my skin and then dripping some down my crack. By doing this step first, he was allowing the hot wax to cool and adhere to the hair between my cheeks as long as possible.

    3. While cooling he then went on to use warm wax along with waxing strips to remove the exterior hair on my buttocks and lower back. By doing warm waxing in these less sensitive areas, he was able to remove the hair in the most effective and speedy manner.

    4. It was time to wax my crack and honestly, I thought this part was going to be the most painful out of the entire treatment. You know, nerve endings and all that! Surprisingly though, it was the least painful and after expressing my shock to Jimmy, he explained why. Basically, using hot wax is a much more painless method of hair removal than using warm wax and therefore he only ever uses hot wax on sensitive areas.

    5. Jimmy then went on to moisturise the entire area and by the time he was done, I was pain-free and smooth as a baby!

    6. After I had my smooth baby butt, I was asked to lay on my back and think of England. It was time to wax little Tom! Now similarly to waxing my crack, Jimmy used hot wax to remove the hair from my frontal area. This was by no means as pain-free as having my crack waxed but it wasn’t unbearable. Surprisingly though, it was my pubic triangle that actually caused the most pain but as I said earlier, with a light bit of pressure from Jimmy the pain was gone in seconds.

    7. Finally, once all the hair had been removed, Jimmy went on to moisturise the area and once again by the time he was done, I was pain-free. Job’s a good’un, as my dad would say.

    After-care:

    Similarly to the preparation stage, I thought this would be a lot more complicated than it actually was. The basic premise for after-care, was as follows:

    1. Just don’t shower for the first 24 hrs and when you do, make it a cool shower. You need to let your skin recover after hair removal and the best way is to let it rest for the first 24 hrs, while the skin barrier repairs.

    2. Avoid any fragrance for the first 24 hrs and avoid any sporting activity for the next 48 hrs. As with the showering, this is to avoid any unnecessary irritation to the skin.

    3. Following this initial period, the after-care is straightforward. Exfoliate once a week to avoid ingrown hairs and apply moisturiser regularly to avoid irritation.

    How much does it cost?

    Well obviously we can’t speak for every single salon in the UK but in terms of Jimmy, who is by far our recommendation. The pricing is as follows:
    Male Brazilian Waxing: £50.00

    Male Hollywood Waxing: £60.00

    Personally, for the level of service you get, I think the pricing is completely justified. Obviously, this is all subjective but for a treatment that lasts for around 6 weeks, I think the results by far justify the pricing.

    Final thoughts:

    You know I can safely say, that I’m glad I tried the whole Hollywood waxing experience at least once in my life. It’s a strange sensation at first being completely hairless down there but I think aesthetically everything just looks well-groomed and sharper.

    So would I have it done again? You know, I probably would. I would definitely have my ass waxed again, as I don’t feel I could deal with a hairy crack again after this but I would possibly opt for a Brazilian wax next time. Basically, I’d go through it all again but maybe just trim the bush. You know to avoid the most painful part!

    Finally, I just wanted to say a massive thank you again to Jimmy Bodur Male Grooming and the entire 193 Whitecross Street team, for all their help in making this feature. He’s a great guy and they are a great team, so I definitely recommend giving them a visit the next time you are in London!

  • Top 3 Grooming Brands for Spring 19

    Top 3 Grooming Brands for Spring 19

    Here at THEGAYUK we like to highlight to you new products each month to keep you looking and feeling your best. Beauty expert Thomas Swallow takes us through the best products.

    With spring just around the corner though, we thought we’d take this one step further. It’s time to clear out the old, bring in the new and explore some new grooming brands, that are guaranteed to get you strolling into spring as fresh as a daisy.

    1. ALTR for Men:

    ALTR for Men is not a stranger to THEGAYUK. Having featured in our New Year’s grooming feature with their iconic Face Fix, this brand has been going from strength to strength since then. With new products launching on a regular basis, this brand is surely one to look out for as we head into Spring 19. Driven by the notion of simple, no-fuss grooming, that yields exceptional results. This brand is ideal for the city boy who needs to looks his best but not spend hours in the bathroom every morning.

    Check out the brand on altrformen.com

    Our Top Picks:

    ALTR for Men: Face Fix: Half & Half (£13.99)

    ALTR for Men: Blemish Balm (£11.99)

    ALTR for Men: Whiskey Infused Moisturiser (£9.99)

     

    2. WAR PAINT. for Men

    Created as a means of combatting the founder’s body dysmorphia, WAR PAINT. for Men has become more than just a grooming brand. It has become a hub of information for men who are curious about makeup but who don’t feel comfortable going to their local Boots. The brand is all about empowering men to look their best and to do so with products specifically tailored to their skin. With all products being vegan, cruelty-free and made in the UK, we think it’s definitely worth giving their products a try.

    Check out the brand on warpaintmensmakeup.com

    Our Top Picks:

    Foundation (£24.00)

    Bronzer (£19.00)

    Powder Brush (£7.99)

    3. skyn ICELAND

    Having lived in a Nordic country myself, I really feel akin to the ethos behind this brand. Founded by Sarah after her time spent in Iceland, following a battle with critical-illness induced by high-stress levels. She noticed the longevity of the Icelandic people and their vibrant healthy skin, realising the pristine and unpolluted nature of the land was a primary factor in this.

    Having lived in Sweden myself, I can completely relate to this. Last summer my skin went crazy in the London summer heat. I had a multitude of factors adding stress to my life and my skin was having none of it. During the gap between my tenancies in London, I went back to the south of Sweden with my family and my skin cleared up within a few days. By the end of my week there, it was glowing and I do genuinely think, that this is due to the lack of pollution in these countries.

    The brand itself centres around skin care, that is designed to treat the daily damages caused by stress and uses the remarkable natural resources of Iceland to do so. It is definitely worth grabbing a few products and checking them out on their website skyniceland.com.

    Our Top Picks:

    skyn ICELAND: Pure Cloud Cream ($55.00)

    skyn ICELAND: Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels ($30.00 for 8 pairs)

    skyn ICELAND: Hydro Cool Firming Face Gels ($35.00 for 8 patches)

  • REVIEW | Hair Replacement Hub, Hair today, gone tomorrow, back again today

    OK let me start off by saying that this is a personal journey I took, and obviously, this may not be for everyone, but for anyone dealing with hair loss, this is a viable option.

    So, what am I talking about? I’ll say it, the dreaded Toupee word. However this is not the sort of thing that looks like an Ikea rug strapped to your head, this is a sophisticated hair replacement system. Now I’ve been dealing with thinning hair for best part of 8 years, and 3 years ago I decided to bite the bullet and shave my head down to grade zero.

    Initially, I tried my damn hardest to rock the shaved head look and on the surface, I tried to portray confidence and not giving a s**t about my rapidly reduced hairline. But secretly I hated it and loathed having to re-shave my head every few days so that my natural 12 hairs, on the top of my head, wouldn’t show through.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BXn-hpkgprj/?hl=en&taken-by=phoenix0982

    I spoke to psychologist Emma Kenny about the psychological effect that hair loss can have on some people. She told me, Losing hair can be unbelievably traumatic and can make the individual feel unattractive and lead to low self-esteem. Hair is a hugely defining part of who we are and losing that aspect of our personality is painful. Being able to maintain and retain our image isn’t about vanity, it is about self-protection and helps to encourage positivity

    Obviously, some people really don’t care about hair loss and kudos to you for rocking that look friends, but to me, it was not a pleasant experience. When I was in my early to mid-20s I’d had every style and colour under the sun, and I loved the process of doing my hair in a morning before I went out. By 26 I noticed that my front hairline was starting to not be in the place it used to be. At first, I didn’t think anything of it, but as the years went on, I was having to spend longer in a morning styling my hair to hide the fact it was thinning. I even tried those hair fibres, but I was constantly worried that I would get caught in the rain and they would all come tumbling out.

    After shaving my head down to a grade zero I resigned myself to the idea that I wasn’t going to get it back, while the idea of a hair replacement system had been on the edge of my mind, I’d heard that these things could be horrendously expensive, with some systems setting one back nearly £2000, so I obviously pushed that idea to the back of my head, secretly hoping that maybe in 10 years, the price wouldn’t be that expensive.

    Every so often I would check some of the companies out, but still, the price made me think twice, but then I spotted a company near where I live that I hadn’t heard of before. I thought, maybe an independent company might be a little less expensive, especially if they didn’t have a bigger business name behind them…and so I met Tom Fish, owner of Hair Replacement Hub based in Telford. After initially emailing him about the price, I was pleasantly surprised to find out he only charged £450, with no hidden charges.

    So I spoke to him and immediately felt at ease, because he told me straight away he actually wore one of the systems himself. He was friendly, yet professional, and arranged a face to face meeting with me for a consultation. I wanted to ask him literally everything because this was still an investment to me. How could he charge so much less than some of the other companies? He was kind enough to come and visit me at home, and straight off I had to remind myself that he was himself wearing one of these systems, because I couldn’t clock it at all. It was only when I practically had my nose up against his head did I finally believe him.

    We spoke for over an hour, and I wanted to ask him about his experiences. He told me he’d started losing his hair at the young age of 21, and had paid nearly £2000 for one of these pieces, and he had felt this was way too expensive, so four years ago he started his own business. Determined that other guys who experience hair loss shouldn’t have to pay through the nose. During my own research, I had seen some of the pictures from other companies based around the UK that did kind of give me pause for thought. They looked a little too fake for my liking, almost like it was plonked on the head, and a little unnatural, and in some cases the colour was way off.

    Tom took his time to show me pictures of many of his clients, these systems all looked absolutely amazing and natural. Tom told me he used human hair in the systems and an “ultra-thin skin” base so that it looks as natural as possible. I kept scrolling through. Getting more and more comfortable in the decision I was making, and then I had a shock. A guy I recognised was among the pictures…I’d had no idea he even had one. I was suitably impressed. I asked why Tom worked alone, and his response was great. He wanted it to feel like a more personal approach, because he knew exactly the nerves one could feel walking into a salon when there are other people about, so he works from home, or will visit clients so that it’s just a one on one experience and having been through it all himself, he knows that for the people who choose to have one of these systems, the privacy he affords helps put people at ease.

    At the time of consultation, I still had a shaved head, so Tom asked that I let it grow out a bit first so he could get the best match and style for me.

    In the meantime, I contacted the guy I recognised, Hari and asked him about his experiences with Tom and Hair Replacement Hub. He told me,

    “Tom has literally changed my life, I’d spend about 90mins every morning styling my hair to hide my baldness and now it takes all of 10 minutes max! He’s given me hair confidence that I have always wanted. I know when I leave the house my hair is secure and unnoticeable which has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders after reading all the myths about hair systems and lastly, Tom inspired me not just from his hair systems but for Tom being Tom, To know that a man who actually wants to help people and has so much passion for his job is out there really restores your faith in humanity”.

    Fast forward 3 weeks, after letting my natural hair grow out a bit so that the system could be blended properly, I decided to visit Tom in Telford where he keeps a small home studio. He plopped me in the chair and turned on some music for me. He showed me the system, and it was an exact match to my hair colour, so we were already off to the promising start. I felt at ease as Tom styled the sides of my hair to help create a template for where the system would sit.

    He also trimmed my facial hair, and washed and practically massaged my head, before shaving the centre-right down so that the bond would adhere securely. Once the system was on I looked like a mad professor, but Tom being the professional that he is, expertly started to cut and shape the system to fit in with what I’d asked for. I wanted it longer than usual on top because I’ll be damned if I go three years without hair to then not whip it back and forth once I have it again.

    But this strange feeling came over me, I’d been so long without a full head of hair, I was kind of overcome with not only gratitude to Tom but a sense of relief that I was me again.  Another great service Tom provides besides the re-bonding and restyling of existing hair, which has to be done usually every 3-6 weeks, he also sells the products that are needed to keep the system in tip-top shape. The systems are fairly durable, and won’t need to be replaced often. Most last around 8 to 12 months depending on lifestyle, with even a very active person getting a solid 8 months out of them. But going back to Tom reduces the cost down, by £100 for the replacement

    I cannot express how friendly, and professional Tom is. He knows what he’s talking about, and he knows how it can feel to lose hair, so he wants every person who goes to him to feel 100% better about themselves, and I’ll tell you what, I certainly do.

    You can find the website for Hair Replacement hub here The Facebook page here and the Instagram page here.

    *Emma Kenny does not endorse this company or particular hair loss solution. She merely provided a psychological analysis of the effect hair loss can have on some people.

  • GROOMING: Epic Nourishing Oil – It’s A Miracle!

    GROOMING: Epic Nourishing Oil – It’s A Miracle!

    Are you fed up of your unruly beard? Maybe you want to soften dry, flaky skin? Or take the frizz out of your man locks? I am pleased to tell you I have found the answer to all of your predicaments in one simple, essential product!

    Jack Black Epic Moisture MP

    Jack Black Epic Moisture MP 10 Nourishing Oil is a hair frizz tamer, shaving oil, dry skin soother and beard conditioner in one. “A true multi-tasking hydration hero” they say, and I agree! I have yet to test the rest of the Jack Black range but it is deffo on my list!

    Jack Black Epic Moisture Oil has a lightweight texture and a concentrated blend of natural oils like Argan Oil, Olive Fruit Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Jojoba Oil and Rice Brain Oil. No parabens, sulphates or phthalates ensures you know your leaving your hair and skin in good hands. If I had to fault the product the only thing I would say is that I wish the scent were a little zestier. I know first world problems, right?

    I use this every day as part of my beauty regime! I’d rub a couple pumps of this miracle oil into the palms of my hands and massage into my beard down to the skin. Any excess I’m left with in my hands I gently run through my hair for a finished glossy look. I do love to look Hollywood glam, even if I’m just getting ready for a night in with cookies, a cuppa and Big Brother.

    A Final Note

    Jack Black Epic Moisture MP 10 Nourishing Oil is priced at £27.50 for 60ml and is available from www.amazon.co.uk

  • What’s it like getting a Back, Sack and Crack wax by a perfect stranger

    We sent brave Aaron Holloway to get waxed. Firstly we wanted to know how much it hurt and secondly we wanted to know what it was like to have a perfect stranger fiddle about with your junk.

    CREDIT: Dmytro-Sidelnikov-bigstock
    CREDIT: Dmytro-Sidelnikov-bigstock  (FILE PHOTO)

    Looking for that “perfect” no hair look – then a professional wax might just be the ticket.

    It was a surprisingly sunny morning in London when I arrived at the Chelsea office of Wax in the City.

    The front desk assistant was especially friendly, helping me with a place to store my many bags since I had just arrived from the airport. Wax in the City has a drop-in style service, so you don’t need to bother with an appointment, and the wait time was short when I arrived.

    I had just enough time to catch my breath and have a nice cold, albeit super wanky lemonade at a local café (where I was later informed the real housewives of Chelsea – apparently that’s a thing – meet for brunch or whatever) before I was called in to see my expert ‘Depiladora’ (Wax in the City’s own word for their hair removal experts).

    My Depiladora was a very friendly young lady, who made me feel very comfortable before leaving the room so I could undress and lie on the table. I was there to have my back waxed, so I wasn’t expecting it to be too painful. The process used by Wax in the City was different to my previous experience with waxing strips. Here they use a larger patch of hardening wax, which is removed after a few minutes of cooling. This process allows for larger areas to be waxed than cloth strips, and this means less time, and less pain overall. I was informed that they use different waxes for different areas, so if you have a more sensitive region done, you may have another type of wax applied.

    During the process we chatted about what she was doing to me, and how long she’s be working there. I got the feeling that I was the only chatty-Cathy because there seemed to be a lot of silence coming from the other booths in the salon. Perhaps we were alone, or maybe women just don’t like to chat while they’re having hair ripped out of their naughty-bits. Who knows.

    After only about 30 minutes my back was ready to go and I was brushed off and given a few care tips to look after my newly bare back.

    Waxing offers a few benefits over shaving in that the regrowth is much longer coming in, and is also softer than shaving stubble. I did notice a slight amount of itching about 3-4 weeks later as the hair began reappearing on my back, but this soon passed and was not as irritable as shaving stubble. The other obvious benefits are that the waxed area is hairless for much longer than shaving, and never has the feeling of dry sand when running your hand over the regrowth when it does come in. The pain is minimal, and worth the results.

    Wax in the City in London can be found at 370 King’s Road in Chelsea, SW3 5UZ, and is close to transport stops. They are open every day from 10am to 8pm, except Sundays when they are open from 12 – 5pm.

    Not so brave but want to try waxing at home – we’ve got some advice for waxing your bum and your sack.

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    REVIEWED | The Best Roll On Deodorants

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  • GROOMING REVIEW | The Personal Barber

    GROOMING REVIEW | The Personal Barber

    ★★★★ | The Personal Barber

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  • Male Waxing At Wax In The City

    It was a surprisingly sunny morning in London when I arrived at the Chelsea office of Wax in the City.

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