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An Affordable Men’s Grooming Kit

By Anthony DeWitt Mar 7, 2014 1:09 PM

Sometimes it’s essential to shake things up. Grooming is one of those essential things (or at least rolling out of bed to take a shower once in while). We found this super affordable grooming sample box with a terrible name. Dare we say it … the Glossybox. And to be fair the company usually caters to women. This is their first men’s product.

Regardless of the name, we tried out the products and they are legit. And you can order one for just $40. The only downside is the products don’t change and this is only a trial product line. But like we said its $40 and you get a nice selection. You can buy the grooming box online here and they ship for free.

What’s in the Box?

BVLGARI Cologne- A tiny sample thats perfect to throw in your suit pocket, or your bag, for a quick refresh at some point during the day.

Nuxe Men Eye Cream- This is the hangover piece. Probably the most important. It reduces any puffiness or darkness around the eyes. They give you a good size bottle too.

Redken for Men Firm Grasp texturizing hair clay- Nice matte finished with pretty good hold. This sample comes in standard retail size.

Redken for Men Clean Brew extra cleansing shampoo for men- Includes malt, brewer’s yeast and orange zest. Smells pretty amazing and cuts out any product or daily grime. Our top pick from the box.

Sisley Moisturizer- From Paris-based skin guru Sisley this anti-aging crème usually runs more than $200. Hence the sample they give you is only worth two uses if that. Hard to tell if the magic works.

Zirh Pre-Shave Oil- A pre-shave oil you put on as prep before shaving to help prevent razor burn. We tried it out and it makes for a much smoother shaving experience.

Anthony Dewitt is a newly aspiring writer in New York City. He also works as an marketing assistant for London-based gemstone… Read Full Bio

How The Beard Club Helped Me Grow a Beard

John Jones after beard growth

I was a failure … the facial hair equivalent of a 90-pound weakling. It wasn’t so much that I couldn’t grow a beard; it was more that whatever facial hair I did grow felt like a Velcroed-on Brillo pad: super uncomfortable and leaving my skin itchy and broken out. As Movember and No-Shave November came and went, I made two separate attempts at beard growth … each ending with a sprint into the bathroom when I could stand it no more, trimmer in hand, welcoming back the clean-shaven face I know so well. It wasn’t the first time I’d given up on hirsute happiness.

When December rolled around, I decided to pay attention to an email I’d gotten for something called The Beard Club, a subscription service for beard care products. The Club’s premise was “helping first-timers as well as seasoned hirsute gentleman to up their grooming game.” I couldn’t resist and threw down the gauntlet. Could they help even me? After all, the site’s tag line is “Don’t Grow it Alone.”

The best-selling colognes for men (because some things are popular for a reason)

mens cologne on black satin

The way you smell is the message you send before you even open your mouth or shake a hand. When someone meets you for the first time, your style can give them a great first impression from a distance. But then your cologne will be the storyteller up close. Smelling good is one of the main points of men’s grooming. Soaps, shampoos, lotions, all fragrant and elevating your attractiveness, and ultimately, your memorability.

That is why popular men’s colognes become, well, popular. These are the scents that stand the test of time. The ones that linger on your shirt when you leave, and your girl wears it to bed. The kind that stays around in the office (subtly, not drifting throughout the office because you take a bath in it) after you have gone. And the kind that sparks memories of great dates in the past when she smells it on you before leaving the house. Of course, the best of the best sell like the best of the best. And these are the colognes that sell better than any other year in and year out.

The Manual’s Grooming Awards Are Open for Submissions

Head, Person, Face

For eight years, The Manual’s Grooming Awards have done one thing: told readers which products actually work. Not which ones arrived in the nicest box, not which brand bought the most media. Which ones survived months of daily use on our own faces, in our own showers, and were still worth reaching for at the end.

This year, we’re opening the awards to submissions.