Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The Art of Shaving is Getting Into the Fragrance Game

Specialists in maintaining facial hair and taking off said fuzz, The Art of Shaving (a.k.a. TAOS), is introducing its first collection of colognes. You may be asking yourself what the hell does scent have to do with shaving? Then maybe consider that your forbears probably considered their aftershave sufficient for scenting themselves (Aqua Velva anyone?).

If you’re somehow not familiar with TAOS, it’s a grooming company that not only peddles a soup-to-nuts shaving regimen (including an array of razors and badger-hair brushes), but also skincare, haircare, and various other offerings designed to improve a dude’s appearance. And they maintain branded barbershops across the country where everything from a basic shave-and-a-haircut to a mustache trim to a face coddling 45-minute old school shave is on its affordable menu.

sndl_cypr
Image used with permission by copyright holder

To celebrate two decades in the grooming business, TAOS looked to its background in the age-old art of barbering—specifically the tradition of spritzing freshly sheared faces with a fragrant tonic—when coming up with the five-fragrance range. The goal was to make something that smelled current while being evocative of the past. Kind of like today’s barbershops. To ensure it fit the heritage and spirit of barbering, they paired master barbers up with master perfumers to whip something up. And the results of this meeting of the minds are five creations called The Cologne Collection.

cor_card
Image used with permission by copyright holder

While most mass fragrances these days are a combination of synthetic scents, these five colognes contains a blend of natural essential oils from citrus to spice. And with distinct differences between all of them, there’s a chance you’ll find a winner in the bunch. Unlike often cryptically named colognes, the names on the bottles basically announce what’s inside. But in case it’s not clear, we have some suggestions for you. If you tend to gravitate towards understated options, give the zesty citrus-y Vetiver Citron or fresh green blend of rosemary, peppermint and namesake note in Green Lavender a go. Those who prefer something on the richer side of the spectrum can choose between the warm woody Sandalwood & Cypress, decidedly masculine Oud Suede, or spicy-in-a-not-overpowering way Coriander & Cardamom. Like it both ways? Consider collecting them all.

Katie Dickens
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Katie Dickens is a Manhattan-based beauty and grooming writer. She has held staff positions at Glamour, In Style, People…
The 8 Best Shaving Brushes to Buy for a Great, Flawless Shave
best shaving brushes for men 2021

Along with pre-shave oils and shaving creams, shaving brushes are an absolute must-have for a great, flawless shave. This is because the bristles of the brush — which can be crafted from badger or boar hair — causes your facial hair to stand more erect at a plane perpendicular to the skin’s surface. This results in less stubble and smoother skin.

A high-quality shaving brush should fit snugly into your hand, allowing you to lather shaving cream on hard-to-reach areas in your neck or face for a more streamlined grooming routine. Don’t know where to start? We've got you covered with our list of the best shaving brushes for men this 2022, including tips on how to use your first shaving brush.

Read more
Acqua di Parma releases the ultimate men’s fragrance for the summer
Acqua di Parma releases new Italian reserve collection
dark blue acqua di parma bottle in front of colorful background

Even if you aren’t planning to jet off to Capri or Amalfi, there’s still another way you can add some Italian summer flair to the season. For Acqua di Parma, invoking Italian scents is an everyday act, but their newest fragrance collection takes this to another level. Playing off three familiar fragrances, the brand has enriched the scents to unveil its new Blu Mediterranea La Riserva collection. Released in a decadent dark blue shade, this collection stands out from the brand’s traditional lineup with a subtle tone switch. The perfect unisex fragrances for the season, Acqua di Parma transports everyone to the Italian coast with plenty of style. 

Exploring Italy with Acqua di Parma’s Blu Mediterranea La Riserva

Read more
How to trim a beard the right way — from stubble to full-on lumberjack
Choose the right beard, get the right tools, and master these techniques for a great look
Beard trimming

At first glance, how to trim a beard seems like an easy problem to solve. I have first-hand experience with this, as my beard grew out evenly when I decided to sprout one. Even better, it came in with a reddish color that complemented my long face and Scotch-Irish ancestry on my father’s side. The basic color and uniformity made it easy to overlook the inevitable mistakes I made, so the toughest task was reminding myself to trim every other day. Otherwise, I would grow a small beard forest that was tough to handle.
For many men, though, it’s not so simple. That’s especially true for beard novices and for those men whose beards serve up some surprises. When that happens, trimming becomes a tougher task, so a brief tactical review is a solid idea.

Choose the right beard type, then get a trimmer

Read more