Grooming and Beauty Blog

London Collections Men with Fudge Hair: Monday

Sibling at London Collection Men SS14

West Side Story inspired collection and look from Sibling SS14 at London Collection Men

Me and Tom Gilling at Fudge Fix London Collection Men 2013

Katie Eary Flamingo inspired wigs at London Collection Men SS14

Stylist working on smoothed centre parting for Katie Eary London Collection Men SS14

David Gandy, Tinie Tempah and Reggie Yates at Katie Eary London Collection Men 2013

Right: Stylist Tom Gilling (my regular stylist) styles a look for Katie Eary SS14 London Collection Men

Fudge are the proud sponsors of this Summer's London Collections Men showcasing Spring/Summer 2014. With plenty going on both on stage and throughout the multitude of venues around the city, they're a hair brand ticking all the right boxes.

Today, Monday, is the first day I spent working closely along-side the brand, blogging, tweeting and snapping both backstage and out front.

Before I get onto styles and looks, it is really important to highlight that when I say “sponsor”, I don't mean there are one or two products laid out on the hair stylist's stations laced between other professional brands; I mean that their hair products are being used exclusively. I never expected so much proven performance from Fudge styling!

Sibling

The first show was Sibling; styled around West Side Story with slick-back quiffs (enhanced with fringe extensions) then tightly corseted at the back in what I was told by the style director Sid Hayes, is called a “Duck's Arse”; it really does look like one and never mind how I did my research.

The products for Sibling by Sid Hayes were Pump-Up mousse; Hair Gum to create a slick-back, grease effect and then Skyscraper hair spray to give a solid, impenetrable and unmoving hold. I too had been styled with a similar look that morning but with a matte finished; Skyscraper really does give other sprays a run for their money.

Reggie, Tinie and David

Next was Katie Eary's Flamingo inspired Spring/Summer 2014 collection. Now I can't continue without mentioning my celebrity moment. I'm sat second row with Fudge, minding my own business when a guy gets up in front, turns to the side and I immediately clock “it's Reggie Yates!”. Quite content with this experience, I carry on setting up my camera and faffing around. Reggie (first name terms, obviously) starts talking to a guy sat right next to me who I'd not noticed as it was dark and I was very preoccupied. The guy stands up and who's been sat next to me the whole time but Tinie Tempah! Then if that wasn't enough, as the two were taking, casual as you like, David Gandy strolls up and sits right in front of me. My knee was 30cm away from his back, which by my standards means that we're now best friends for life. Needless to say, I hopped over and all three kindly indulged me by posing for a photo.

Katie Eary

Anyway. I loved The Katie Eary collection and whereas I wouldn't with Sibling, I'd happily wear most of the outfits as they were. Acid pinks, whites, reds and flashes or orange – stunning.

The hair looks came from the mind of Ben Jones and were inspired by the novel Marabou Stork Nights. The concept was a dessert army battalion taking shelter at a rave.

Whereas I'd love to see the hair looks from Sibling ‘as is', Ben Jones's looks would need adapting a little before I'd be happy seeing them on the street; however for the show, they couldn't have been more on point.

Centre-parted, smoothed curtains were blow-dried through with Fudge Hair Gum and Fudge Hir Varnish to give the ultimate slicked down look. This was brushed through to give a combed texture. Tom Gilling [right], award winning stylist, is pictured above with Reece Bullman [left] creating this look. Tom did my hair that morning and actually does my hair regularly; you may recognise him from my Instagram photos.

Fabulous Follicles from Fudge

Great collections and some incredible work coming from not only the Fudge team, but the Fudge products themselves. As well as the back stage work, Fudge also have a few pop-up salons “The Fudge Fix” throughout the venues for press, visitors and the odd model to get a fab cut with full-length appointments and gorgeous styling.

Bionova Acne Treatment + After Shaving

What if I were to tell you that Bionova Acne Treatment + After Shaving is the best at home, skincare acne treatment I've ever come across? Well it is, and I can assure you that my recommendation is completely unbiased. But with any wonder-product, there's always a catch, right?

Bionova Acne Treatment 1 Bionova Acne Treatment + After Shaving

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Unfortunately there is a catch. It honks. It is the smelliest product I've endured. I keep lying to myself thinking “Oh Thom, it can't be that bad!” then re-opening the pot only to be blasted with it again. It's an ultra-medicated scent that's very difficult to get used to. However, the scent doesn't last once on the skin; I assure you.

The reason I'm particularly buzzed about this is that last week you may have read about my visit to Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar where I underwent a HydraFacial with Glysal Peel treatment. As the therapist promised, 3 days later I broke out. Big style. Everything seemed to come to the surface and it wasn't pretty.

I promise you that in less than 48 hours, after using the Bionova Acne Treatment + After Shaving treatment only 4 times, they had completely disappeared. I mean scarily so, without a trace.

Bionova Acne Treatment + After Shaving is loaded with glycosoaminoglycans, a molecule our body produces that retains moisture in the skin; UV chromophores absorb and disperse harmful UV rays from the sun; powerful anti-inflammatory ingredients to calm and sooth the skin; moisture barrier building, high density lipoproteins, designed to protect the skin without blocking pores; finally bacteriostatic and keratolitic agents increase skin cell turnover and kill excess p.Acne bacteria.

Using it is simple. Make sure you don't put your fingers directly in the pot, to avoid contamination, as they've used minimal preservatives in its production. Instead, use the provided spatula and take out the tiniest amount. With the skin still slightly damp from washing, apply it all over the face, patting it gentle into the skin and avoiding the eye area. If you've just shaved, pat it over the freshly groomed area and leave it to sink in. I always get at least one little bump from shaving but with this, nothing.

Bionova Acne Treatment + After Shaving really has to be tried and smelt to be believed. Anyone with concerns of shaving rash, blemishes and irritation really needs to give this a try. The only stockist in the UK is the fabulous online store, Mensphere, who were kind enough to send me this to try out. You can find it here for

Filorga Meso C Radiance Treatment

This isn't just your regular daily use serum, oh no, it's a powerful , 21 day, skin transforming treatment that unquestionably brightens dull and lifeless skin. Filorga are purveyors of very high-end cosmeceuticals and this is no exception. If you're truly looking for something to boost your daily groomingn and beauty regime, then Filorga Meso C is definitely worth a look in.

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Filorga Meso C 6 Filorga Meso C Radiance Treatment

How does it brighten? 8% concentrated Vitamin C brightens the skin by firstly working as a chemical exfoliant, breaking down layers of surface dead skin, but also breaking down surface pigmentation. Vitamin C is also linked with collagen production to help boost the skin's natural firmness.

The Filorga Meso C serum then utilises ‘Chronospheres' that encapsulate and slowly release active ingredients into the skin throughout the day; this prevents the skin being instantly and totally overwhelmed, in the same way you would take maybe four antibiotics throughout the day rather than all at once in the morning.

The vitamin C concentration in Filorga Meso C also acts as a hugely powerful anti-oxidant, helping to defend the skin from free-radical, cellular damage. This is vital in keeping skin healthy and preventing later damage.

In the box there's 3 bottles of serum and 1 droplet applicator. Each bottle-lid houses a powdered concentration of vitamin C which when released through firmly pressing on the button, activates the serum. When you've released the powder, remove the lid, throw it away, and screw on the dropper applicator.

Once activated, each bottle will only last for 7 days as by then, the Vitamin C will have become inert. You must store this in the fridge and always give it a good shake before applying. Apply a few drops to your finger ends and gently massage into the whole face. I'd normally avoid the eye area, but with this, I've gently patted it around for good measure as the serum is very lightweight and shouldn't congest the skin.

After the first week, I honestly couldn't tell any difference and almost didn't bother, but I persevered. At the end of the second week, there was a noticeable difference in the evenness of the colour of my skin tone. It wasn't until the end of the third week that I saw the real differences; any blotchiness in my skin, blemishes, you name it, had all disappeared and my skin looked like porcelain. The effect has lasted quite while as long as I keep up to my daily skincare regime.

Make sure that throughout the use of this serum you use a high SPF every day. You should use SPF every day but as this is exfoliating the skin on a very powerful level, skin imevetably becomes more sensitive and will discolour more easily, totally defeating the object of you using this fabulously powerful serum.

Filorga Meso C is available for £61, here at Marks & Spencer. You only need to use something like this once every 6 months and for what you get plus the results you will achieve, it's a fantastic price. Have you used Filorga products before? If so, drop me a comment with your Filorga and skin brightening favourites.

Weleda Hayfever Kit

Whilst hayfever isn't strictly grooming related, it's something that will effect many of you as it does me. Over last 6 years, I've lived with the most terrible hayfever that often leaves me practically paralized with inflamed sinuses, massive susceptibility to respiratory infections and totally unable to do anything; so much so I take a prescription antihistamine called Fexofenadine, it's incredible, but leaves you barely conscious.

I've never paid much credence to homeopathic remedies, I think much of it is a load of old crap, but this, the Weleda Hayfever Kit, really caught my attention as I'm a fan of the brand. With a nose spray and pollen tablets for around £12, is it worth it?

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Pollen capsules are actually excellent and I've taken them before. They immunise your body by flooding it with pollen, causing your body to become less responsive to it; this is known as a form of immunotherapy. The problem is, these capsules actually need to be taken leading up the hayfever season rather than during it, so they're preventative rather than a cure. Pollen capsules should be taken as two/three every two hours.

Rhinodoron, the Weleda Hayfever Kit's nasal spray, is fabulous in dealing with the side-effects of hayfever by hydrating and calming the lining of the nasal passages with a 5% aloe vera gel. Sodium Chloride (5%) and Potassium Chloride (5%) cleanse the passage lining, helping to dislodge trapped pollen. As well as for hayfever, Rhinodoron can be used in the winter when the air is deathly dry which can again lead to sore throats and scratchiness. This product is not a treatment or nasal antihistamine.

What else can you do for hayfever? Buy yourself a HEPA filter. I have one by Vicks (the vapour rub people) and from 6pm every evening, I leave it on in my bedroom with the window and door closed. When it's time to go to bed, the air is cleansed of pollen and you will notice that you sleep so much better. I've not seen the Vicks filter in a while, but John Lewis have the Bionaire HEPA filter at just £50 that's had some really good feedback.

Secondly, I've been using and getting great results from a portable red-light allergy reliever which is weird, but it really works. I picked mine up here from Argos for £20. Finally, local honey; this has been proven to deliver effective immunotherapy as it's made of all your local pollen strains.

Molton Brown Sport

I usually disregard most grooming and beauty products labelled ‘sport' but this new collection from Molton Brown London really pricked my attention, plus in testing it's a trio of excellent products. The Molton Brown Sport range has only 3 products but they've been designed in mind for the on-the-go, sporty gentleman with a muscle relief gel, a trillion-in-one cleanser and a deodorant stick.

If you've used the Cassia collection from Molton Brown, you'll recognise the same fragrance as a blend of cassia bark with nutmeg and lime. It's quintessentially Molton Brown and I absolutely love it.

Molton Brown 4 in 1 Sportswash Molton Brown Sport

Molton Brown Sport Body Warming Sportbalm Molton Brown Sport

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Now, I'm not hugely happy with the advertising for the range that features the English Rugby star, Ugo Monye; a man so muscular and veiny he looks like he's about to burst at any moment (ok so maybe I'm a little envious). However, it simply doesn't tow the line of the Molton Brown brand, using mass-market tactics to promote what's essentially a luxury line. Anyway.

The trillion-in-one cleanser is actually a 4-in-1 and even though I love it, I'd only ever recommend it as a body wash… for hair at an absolute push. It also says it's good as a shaving foam and face wash as they've clearly tried to create one, universal product that you can throw in your gym bag; a great idea, but never good in practice. It's loaded with plenty (delicious) fragrance and is bright blue; do not put this on your face. Especially when used with a shower scrunchy (those balls, also called lilies) you get more foam than is safe, it's incredible. With only the smallest amount you feel crisply clean, fabulously fresh and citrus scented. I suppose it's not beyond the realms of possibility to use this as a shaving foam, but I just wouldn't, particularly if you're prone to sensitivity and other skin concerns. But as a body wash, absolutely gorgeous.

I love the ‘Sportsbalm' but I have to be honest, I didn't get a warming sensation at all and I tried it absolutely everywhere (except there). It's both very rich and ultra-absorbant at the same time which is very rare in a body moisturiser. With shea butter and macadamia nut oil, it hydrates the skin without leaving it feeling at all greasy or layered with product. I have been using this after every post-exercise shower and it's the perfect companion.

I used to use deodorant sticks religiously, being a big fan of the Kiehl’s Cross Terrain Deodorant, but over the last year, I've fallen back in love with sprays. The Molton Brown Sport ‘Sportstick' however has really swayed me back to sticks.

Now if you're prone to a good sweat, there's no way this will last for the claimed 24-hours; maybe if you just stood there and didn't move? But it definitely has been keeping me fresh and dry throughout the day, even in this hot spell of weather we've been having. With Andiroba oil, skin is also left soft and calm. Do you want my best tip for fresh underarms? Trim your hair. Underarm hair is the biggest contributor to ‘body fragrance issues' and keeping it tight and short will make a big difference.

If you're looking for a gym-bag range, then you've definitely found it. Not only does the packaging look gorgeous when you pull it out in the locker room (always important) it's in easy to handle packaging with really firm lids and just makes for a more luxury shower experience. You can pick the range up direct from Molton Brown here, go have a look and I promise you, these three will last an absolute age.