You're a man right? Right. So why do you smell like a bunch of old socks and sweaty gym gear? Time to up your grooming game with a few of JOE's grooming essentials
Now, we're not saying that you need to use all these products every day and have yourself scrubbed raw, but once or twice a week, after a heavy session in the gym (we like to do it after leg day), why not take ten minutes instead of two to have a longer shower, give yourself a proper clean, and take some care of your skin. It's definitely worth the time as you'll feel much better for it and look much better as a result. Sure don't you scrub up well, eh?
Shower Gel: Wash With JOE
We had to choose this product based almost on the name alone, but it's also got a great and really invigorating smell that will wake you up in the morning. That's thanks to the fact that it contains peppermint and, strangely enough, coffee. However, while that might seem odd, it makes sense because coffee is a natural deodorizer and has both anti-inflammatory and tightening and firming qualities. Besides, starting your day with a cup of JOE is a good idea.
Available from 4men.ie: €28.99
Shampoo: Men-u daily Refresh Shampoo
Hair care is pretty important for us men, seeing as we're never too sure how long we'll have it, it can't hurt to treat it well. This conainer is small but really concentrated and packs a punch so you get plenty of washes out of it, but it's still one you can throw in your bag if you're on the move a lot.
Moisture is as important to your hair, as it is to your skin, that’s why men-u Daily Refresh Shampoo was formulated to keep it soft and resilient. The first step to well conditioned hair, this super-charged shampoo leaves you feeling fresh and invigorated and your hair with the optimum amount of moisture, preparing it for your conditioner.
Available from 4men.ie: €9.95
Conditioner: Kiehl's Amino Acid conditioner
We normally take Amino Acids in a shake before we head off to the gym, but apparently we can put them in our hair too. This conditioner is suitable for all hair types, and isn't overly greasy. It's nice and light and strengthens hair, which is something we could all do with, no matter what age we are.
Available from Kiehl's stores in Dundrum, Wicklow Street or Arnotts, or online
at their website: Around €10
Body moisturiser: Nivea In-Shower Body Moisturiser
This is a handy product for a quick moisturising in the shower and keeping your skin from drying out, especially as the bad weather of winter only around the corner, bringing with it some chilling winds and the dryness of central heating doing us no favours on that front. You use this just like a hair conditioner, slap it on after you've used your shower gel, then wash it off. Sorted.
Available from Boots, Tesco, and a host of other retailers for around €4.50
Body scrub: Clarins exfoliating body scrub
Scrubbing the face is a good idea, but between what we put under our arms from deodorants to anti-perspirant sticks that leave a harsh residue, and the sweat we get going during a good work out, it's worth the time to scrub off a bit all that's left behind. This Clarins body scrub is a handy one for giving you a good all round feeling of freshness, trust us, you'll feel the difference.
Available from Boots nationwide or House of Fraser, amongst others: €26.50
Face scrub: Nivea Men exfoliating face scrub
If you've got greasy skin or you workout and sweat a lot from your forehead (who doesn't, really) you would be doing your skin a favour by cleaning off some of that build up the odd time. The Nivea men face scrub will take care of that, while being pretty easy on the pocket too.
Available from Boots, Tesco and other retailers for around €5
Moisturiser: Palmers for Men Cocoa butter
Once you're out of the shower, there are still a few things left to be done to have you feeling your absolute best. One of them is to moisturise those dry elbows, a tip we learned from Zap Branigan. Palmers is a brand that have a great, cheap moisturiser that also makes you smell a bit like coconut. What? That's a nice smell.
Available from Boots and other retailers for around €6
Eye cream: Maximus Eye Contour Ultra Repair
This is a range of products that are made in Spain, specifically for men. A lot of companies will just re-label their women's gear with a manly coloured package and claim that it's formulated for men, but our amigos at Maximus are making gear just for us hombres, not to mention this won the award for eye care at Men's Health Spain's Grooming Awards this year. While you might not be too concerned about crow's feet and wrinkles (some of us more mature JOEs are heading that way) the skin around the eyes is still fragile and ages quickly so it's vital to protect it from an early age. Also, while we're younger, we tend not to get a whole lot of sleep with nights on the town and that, and our eyes will be the first to show the effects, so this cream reduces puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles in that area, to make you look like you're good as new.
Available from 4men.ie: €29.95
The quick fix rescue: Nickel skin care Morning After Refresh Gel
If you've been out on the tear and had a late night, but you need to be somewhere the next morning, your skin is as tired as you are, so you need to take a few minutes to give it that extra bit of care. You might as well feel as good as you possibly can, provided that your hangover isn't too bad.
It's made with natural wheat and soybean-based proteins, and contains a bit of caffeine to kick your skin back into life after a rough night. Men's Health have given this their stamp of approval too, so we reckon that's not a bad recommendation.
Available from 4men.ie: €21.95
