Gorgeous grooming kits for men this Christmas

From cool colognes to posh gift sets, Katie Wright rounds-up the season’s best buys for blokes

Sat, 05 Dec, 2015 - 00:00

THOUGH 2015 will undoubtedly be remembered as the Year of the Beard, that’s not to say men have given up on grooming altogether.

In fact, spending on male beauty products continues to increase year-on-year, with the average 30-something now shelling out over €140 a month on looking good.

So, whether he’s a burly, beard-toting bloke, a cultured city dweller or anything in between, you can bet there’s a perfect present waiting in the beauty aisles...

FOR ELEGANT GENTS: For certain discerning fellows, only the finest fragrance will do, so cross that bog-standard cologne and body wash set off your list and treat him to one of the crop of new scents that are as sophisticated as they are seductive.

Those who like a complex scent will be drawn to Chanel’s Bleu de Chanel Eau de Toilette Spray 100ml €76.99 (boots.ie), which offers three layers, refreshing citrus, energising grapefruit and masculine sandalwood among many other notes.

Issey Miyake Nuit D’Issey Eau de Toilette, €57 for 75ml (debenhams.ie), is fresh, peppery and more gutsy than its EDT predecessor, while Aramis Black Eau de Toilette, €57 for 60ml (boots.ie), is woody, deep and unmistakably masculine.

FOR FRAZZLED FELLAS: Haven’t you heard? Staying in is the new going out, and bragging about how many hours of brain-boosting shut-eye you got last night is way cooler than shouting about how many pints you sank.

Ergo, a soporific gift like This Works Dream Believers, €26 (boots. ie),which includes the legendary snooze-inducing pillow spray) is bound to please your sleep-deprived bro or stressed out pal.

And if a visit to the beautician is deemed too ’girly’ Nip+ Fab Man Power Skin Set, €14.99 (sammccauley.com), contains all the ingredients you need for a facial — a wash, moisturiser and flannel.

FOR THE JET-SETTERS: If your gift recipient is the kind who spends more time in airport lounges than in his own bed, a luxe travel kit will go down a treat.

The Grown Alchemist Travel Kit, €81.78 (feelunique.com, free p&p) is a sleek, black seven-piece kit of minis that will suit even the manliest of men, while the Baylis & Harding Citrus Lime Men’s Wash Bag, €26 (boots.ie), is ideal for short trips. It comes with zesty 100ml hair and body wash, face wash, aftershave balm and shower gel — just what’s needed to put a pep in his step.

FOR BEARDED BOYS: For those who are following the follicular trend, a trove of beard-taming treats won’t go amiss.

Wahl Sterling Beard Oil Gift Set, €19.99 (boots.ie), should appeal to the man who takes his beard seriously. It comes with sweet almond oil, which will help him whip those whiskers into shape, while the four scents — Refresh, Revive, Relax, Repair — will help him glide through the day, whatever the pressure.