The Best Toners & Essences for Men
Reviews by Thom Watson, qualified beauty therapist, testing men’s grooming since 2011. About Thom
-
Then I Met You: The Giving Essence Review
I recently came across Then I Met You’s The Giving Essence, first spotting it via a mention on LinkedIn, of all places, before Cult Beauty decided I needed to see it again in an ad. It really piqued my interest, initially because of the beautifully photogenic packaging; then further investigation of its ingredients promising hydration,…
-
AesopDry / Dehydrated SkinEye CreamsFace MasksFace ScrubsFace WashesMoisturisersNormal-Combination SkinSerumsToners & EssencesAesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Skin Care
Not a review as such, more than a public service announcement! Aesop’s Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant skin care is a great all rounder regime for normal/dry skin that’s designed to hydrate, re-balance and protect against environmental and oxidation damage. I’ve reviewed a lot of the products in the range over the last year or so but as…
-
Acne, spots & blemishesAesopDry / Dehydrated SkinNormal-Combination SkinOily SkinPhotoageing & FirmnessToners & EssencesTreatment Toners from Aesop
Most toners are a total false economy and are often only useful to make the skin ‘feel nice’. They usually provide very little function and it’s a total myth about them removing excess cleanser; there is never excess cleanser as long as you’re using one with water. So, what makes Aesop toners different? They’re brilliant…
-
The Best Hydrating Face Mists, From £3.95 to £55
Summer is well and truly in full-swing, although you wouldn’t know it from looking out the window this week. However, with many of you packing your cases as we speak and jetting all over the globe from Skegness to South Africa, facial sprays are the key to keeping your skin cool, calm and hydrated in…
-
How To Brighten Skin with VMV Hypoallergenics Illuminants+ Treatment Exfoliating Toner
How to lighten skin I often receive questions asking for my recommendations and tips on how to lighten skin discoloration. Now there’s an almost underground side to skin care focusing on asian (south, east and west) and black skin where lighter and brighter is more desirable (in the same way a tan is more desirable in western…
-
Acne, spots & blemishesDarphinEnlarged & Blocked PoresFace WashesNormal-Combination SkinOily SkinToners & EssencesDarphin Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water
Arriving a little late to the Micellar party, the Micellar offering from Darphin has definitely been worth the wait with Darphin Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water. I’ll be honest, there’s not a huge amount to report here other than it’s a very effective cleansing water that removes impurities, trace makeup/concealer, surface dead skin cells and excess…
-
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Micellar Water
I love reviewing Effaclar products from La Roche-Posay because they’re one of the very few brands that know sensitivity is a skin concern and not a skin type. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Micellar Water is designed to gently cleanse the skin, remove impurities, break-away surface dead skin cells and balance surface oil and water. Sensitive…
-
Acne, spots & blemishesDry / Dehydrated SkinEnlarged & Blocked PoresFace WashesNormal-Combination SkinOily SkinRedness & RosaceaREN SkincareSensitive SkinToners & EssencesREN Rosa Centifolia Micellar Cleansing Water
Right, let me just get this out the way as I find it so pointlessly misleading and confusing; Rosa Centifolia is not a range designed to specifically target Rosacea, redness and other high-colour concerns. It’s a range designed to calm, soften and hydrate all skin types. Rosa Centifolia is actually the name of a Dutch…
-
Crème de la Mer The Treatment Lotion
You may have seen my review a little while ago of L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Lotion where I talked about an impending Korean import trending it’s way into our market over the next year. Crème de la Mer The Treatment Lotion is another product from a big player to bring this technology to market, a lotion that’s not…
-
Enlarged & Blocked PoresEye CreamsFace MasksFace WashesLip CareMoisturisersNormal-Combination SkinOily SkinPhotoageing & FirmnessSerumsTom FordToners & EssencesTom Ford For Men Grooming Collection Review
Fine grooming is the mark of a modern gentleman. It is the way a man presents the best version of himself to the world. The wise-words of Tom Ford and what an honour. I’m lucky enough to be one of, although I’m pretty certain the I’m actually the first blogger to get my hands on…
-
Dry / Dehydrated SkinL’OccitaneMoisturisersNormal-Combination SkinPhotoageing & FirmnessSerumsToners & EssencesL’Occitane Immortelle Divine Lotion
L’Occitane are at quite an exciting stage as a brand and over the last few years it has been incredible to watch them create hit, after hit, after hit. Since April, I’ve been using the freshly reformulated Immortelle Divine collection with the fabulous addition of the new Immortelle Divine Lotion – a post toner/pre-serum solution,…
-
Acne, spots & blemishesDark Spots & PigmentationEnlarged & Blocked PoresNormal-Combination SkinOily SkinToners & EssencesCosmedica Skincare Vit-C Prep & Tone
Here’s something a bit new and unique that I thought you might like. It’s a toning liquid from American brand, Cosmedica, sold exclusively on Amazon and containing a high concentration of skin brightening, pore tightening and dead skin cell fighting vitamin C. When applied onto the skin, it’s very cooling and fabulously tingly. Strangely, Cosmedica’s…
-
Acne, spots & blemishesEnlarged & Blocked PoresFace ScrubsNormal-Combination SkinOily SkinREN SkincareToners & EssencesREN Clarifying Toning Lotion
A great new product from REN and finally, a great natural and effective alternative to one of my favourite products in the world. It feels completely neutral on the skin but leaves it feeling smooth and ready for moisture. Designed for a combination to combination/oily skin type, this gentle chemical exfoliator uses a natural form…
-
Acne, spots & blemishesDark Spots & PigmentationDry / Dehydrated SkinFace WashesL’OccitaneMoisturisersOily SkinToners & EssencesL’Occitane Immortelle Brightening Collection
Over the last month, I’ve switched my entire skincare regime to the L’Occitane Immortelle Brightening collection. It’s always a big risk to change your skincare regime in one, big wallop as you never quite know how your skin is going to react, therefore I always recommend to gradually change 1 product at a time, but…
-
Bioderma Micelle Solution Micellar Water
I’m rarely one for a beauty trends, although BB Creams are amazing, specifically the Korean Blemish Balms but Micellar Waters are all the rage and I have to admit, I’m on board. The biggest micellar water offering seems to be revolving around Bioderma, a French brand launching here in the UK this April. From my…
-
4711AromaticCliniqueFace ScrubsFace WashesLa MerL’OccitaneMen's FragranceMoisturisersPhotoageing & FirmnessSerumsToners & EssencesMy Favourites for Spring 2013
Versace Eros You can read my full review for Versace Eros here, but this is definitely my favourite for spring. It’s light, sweet and fresh, but with a solid base that lets everyone know you mean business. My favourite notes are the Madagascan vanilla flower and deliciously fresh apple. Versace’s first men’s fragrance launch in…
-
Yon-Ka For Men
“Yon”, the river of living and “Ka”, the eternal part of every being, form a symbol of constant regeneration and newfound harmony. Yon-Ka, established in 1954 in the Multaler Laboratories, are pioneers and leaders in aromatherapy and skincare. I was fortunate to get hold of a their skincare system, Yon-Ka For Men, which I have…
-
CliniqueFace ScrubsFace WashesMoisturisersNormal-Combination SkinPhotoageing & FirmnessToners & EssencesClinique 3 Step Skincare System: 2 Dry Combination for Men
After a fantastic consultation at Manchester’s Selfridges, Exchange Square, I was shocked to learn that for the first time in my life, the perfect Clinique system for me is Number 2 – Dry Combination. Most of my life I’ve used Clinique’s Anti-Blemish solutions, but over the last year my skin seems to have finally vanquished…
-
ClarinsDry / Dehydrated SkinMoisturisersNormal-Combination SkinOily SkinSensitive SkinSkincareSun ProtectionToners & Essences
Clarins Skincare
Clinique and Clarins are two of the UK’s biggest skincare companies in the UK. As you all know, I’m a Clinique accredited consultant, and through my work and this site, continue to be a patron for the company as the products are ridiculously amazing. However, how can I pretend to be any sort of expert…