Gift Guide For Guys

Shopping for men has always been a challenge for me and I don’t believe I’m alone here. I needed to enlist the help of an expert for a Manly, Beauty, Gift Guide and I got the best. My friend, Garrett Munce is a men’s grooming expert – The former Grooming Director of GQ, he also works with Esquire, Men’s Health and so much more. Women have always complained about guys stealing their products, with his list, those tables will turn!

     When it comes to gift giving, I believe there are two kinds of people. There are those of use that see it as purely utilitarian. I call these people The Practicals because they give things like socks or Whole Foods gift cards since they’re something the recipient “can really use.” Then there are The Fancifuls, people who gift with the goal of surprise and delight and love to give something the recipient didn’t even know they wanted. My name is Garrett and I am a Fanciful.

The problem is that many people turn Practical when giving gifts to men simply because they just don’t know what to get them. That’s how cliche gifts like neckties and grilling aprons became cliches in the first place; they’re the type of gift you get someone who you simply have no idea how to shop for. This is an especially huge issue when trying to buy grooming products for dudes.

This holiday season, I invite you to walk past that same-old cheesy “for men” section and take the opportunity to upgrade the men in your life. Maybe you’ve noticed your husband uses your skincare products on the sly. Maybe your dad has worn the same cologne for 30 years. Maybe your son or brother or cousin has a skin issue that he’s asked you to help with. The holidays are opportunities to help them out. Even if none of the men in your life have expressed interest in grooming before, I’ll let you in on a little secret: all men are interested in grooming but most don’t know what to do.

 

Some of these gifts might seem a little out of the box, but take it from a Fanciful like me: everyone loves an upgrade.

 

 

For anyone who needs a little love during the holidays (even yourself).

1. Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Gel, $39

A great choice for any active guy, this de-stressing gel uses Black Pepper, Lavender and Ginger essential oils to ease tension and has a warming sensation to relax tense muscles. It’s a great replacement to Bengay and so luxurious you’ll find him using it even when he hasn’t hit the gym.

2. Byredo Hand Soaps, $40 each

These little hand soaps pack all the quality of Byredo’s out-of-the-box unisex fragrances into an easily giftable package. My favorite is Suede which has the subtle scent of leather, but I also love Vetiver which has a green tinge without smelling fake. They’re perfect for that guy who’s still using that crusty bottle of Softsoap he bought 2 years ago.

3. Lord Jones Limited Edition High CBD All Natural Holiday Gumdrops, $50

I don’t know about you, but I most of the eating I do at the holidays is stress eating. These special holiday flavors from upscale cult-favorite Lord Jones not only taste amazing (the limited edition flavors are sugarplum and mango chili) but they have a 20mg of CBD to help take the edge off all the family time.

4. Boy Smells Kush Candle, $29

Yes this is the third weed-adjacent item on this list, but what can I say, weed is very dude friendly. A candle is something most guys would never buy for themselves, but these high-end candles will change his mind. I love Kush because it doesn’t actually smell like weed but instead is an intoxicating blend of earthiness and floral notes with a warm base and smells masculine without being cheesy.

5. Patchology Rejuvenating Eye Gels, $15

Even if he’s not an eye cream user, every guy wants to know how to take care of his eyes (and cover up the evidence from that company holiday party). I love how easy to use these eye patches are: you can put them on in the morning and still go about your normal routine or use them on the go. The effects are immediate and if you really want to blow his mind, tell him to keep them in the fridge.

6. Herbivore Emerald Oil, $48

Even if someone isn’t a skincare expert, this new face oil from Herbivore contains super-hydrating Cannabis Sativa Seed (Hemp) oil which helps soothe irritated skin and hydrate from within. Men are typically slightly oilier than women but also under moisturize, so let him in on the magic of face oil.

7. Jaxon Lane Bro Mask, $28

Out of all the sheet masks I’ve tried (and I’ve tried a lot of sheet masks), this is one of the few that is “for men” but actually feels designed for men. It’s in two parts (so you don’t have to use the bottom if you have a beard), a larger size to fit a guy’s face and cooling hydrogel which sticks well. This mask is great for any guy whether he’s never masked before or is as addicted as I am.

8. Dermalogica UltraCalming Super Sensitive Shield SPF 30, $53

We all know how important sunscreen when it comes to skincare if not overall health. But most men don’t wear it because they don’t like how it feels. I love this sensitive skin formula from Dermalogica because it goes on so easily and feels like nothing is on your face once it (quickly) sinks in. It’s perfect for everyone but especially men.

 

 

 

For someone who needs a more complete grooming upgrade.

1. Le Labo Discovery Set, $85

Buying fragrance for someone else is tricky since it’s such a personal decision. But when it comes to men, there is a difference between having a signature scent and just plain laziness. That’s why I love a discovery set like the ones from Le Labo. It offers a lot of different options to try so he can find one he really loves and you don’t have to feel like you’re making the choice for him.

2. Verb Ghost Kit, $48

Get him to put down that 2-in-1 shampoo! I love the new Verb Ghost range because it gives crazy moisture even when you use daily. It also won’t weight down thinner (or thinning) hair like some other oil-based products. And if a guy doesn’t use a lot of heavy product, he will still love a smoothing hair oil which helps give a natural look without the fuss.

3. First Aid Beauty Skin Summit Set, $48

Most guys don’t understand that their skin needs more moisture when it’s cold outside. But if he spends a lot of time outside (or in the dry heat of a closed in office) getting him to increase his moisture levels will change his life. I love this set from First Aid Beauty because it’s an entire winter skin routine in one box and takes the guesswork out.

4. Ren Skincare Stop Being So Sensitive Set, $28

Sensitive skin is a common problem for men who can have increased redness and dryness from using cleansers that are too harsh. Clean skincare brand REN’s Evercalm range is one of the best I’ve found for cleansing gently and curbing irritation. Give him this complete set so he can see what a difference gentle products like this can make.

5. Murad Active Retinol Renwal Kit, $68

Nearly all the dermatologists I’ve ever interviewed recommend every guy include retinol in their routine, especially as they start to notice early signs of aging. This set from Murad has only three products but is so effective and easy to use that he won’t have any problem understanding what to do (and will see results in no time).

6. L’Occitane Verbena Set, $59

I think technically this is considered a men’s set, but I love that this L’Occitane scent is natural, green and citrusy without that cheap-smelling “freshness” that so many men’s products can have (it’s also called “Sport”). I love this set for any guy who takes his body moisturizing seriously.

7. Ole Henrikson Balance It All Essentials Set, $34

Men generally have thicker skin and larger pores than women, which means that oily skin is a problem. Plus, dudes hate to look shiny (never tell a guy he looks dewy). The products in this oil-controlling set are great at balancing out skin’s natural oil production without over drying. It’s a great way to introduce quality skincare in an easy solution-based way.

 

 

Ideas for anyone with champagne taste and caviar dreams.

1. Peter Thomas Roth Mask Set, $75

Masking is a great way to improve a man’s skincare routine because you don’t need to do it as often as, say, washing your face, so he won’t feel like he has to do a lot of extra steps. This incredible set has a mask for almost every need so he’ll love to experiment and see what a difference even the occasional mask will make in his skin.

2. Perricone MD Ultimate Antioxidant Detox Set, $75

Most men think that an effective routine means using a lot of products, but this well-edited set will change his mind. Perricone MD’s guy-friendly products are super easy to use and pack the punch of highly-effective ingredients so he’ll see the results using things like Vitamin C and peptide-rich eye cream can bring. Plus it has a supplement for inside-out improvement too.

3. Art of Shaving Sandalwood Travel Kit, $120

Okay, giving a shaving kit to a guy might seem predictable and yes, the wrong one will fall dangerously close to the Practical category. The difference with this one is not only that it comes in a buttery-soft leather dopp kit, but also that the products are super high quality. I love the Art of Shaving razor handles that elevate Gillette cartridges and the inclusion of a shaving brush is something he’ll love to try.

4. Acqua Di Parma Colonia Gift Set, $155

I know I said earlier that buying fragrance for another person is hard (and it is). But if you still want to do it, the classic Acqua Di Parma Colonia scent is a cologne almost every guy can wear easily and enthusiastically. There’s a reason it’s a classic: it’s one of those interesting colognes that tends to smell slightly different on everyone (in a good way).

 

 

For a guy who’s skincare routine is already pretty good (and so you use his stuff too).

1. Soko Glam Fragrance-Free Set, $50

For guys with skin irritation or sensitivity issues, taking out fragrance can be a game changer but the problem is that so many men’s products have weird fragrances. Leave it to our friends at Soko Gla      m to come up with a super understandable set that takes all the headache out of finding an effective and non-irritating skincare routine.

2. La Mer Merry Little Miracles Set, $150

I hear so many women tell me that their husbands (or boyfriends or roommates) steal their La Mer. If you have that problem, or even if you don’t, why not get him his own. I love that this set has all their iconic products so it’s the perfect introduction to high-end skincare. Just make sure you tell him to go easy so they don’t run out too fast.

3. Tata Harper More Serum Set, $138

I love everything about Tata Harper and this set of their two iconic serums is an ideal introduction to the difference green beauty can make. For any guy who wants to start an anti-aging routine, these two serums can be cocktailed together so he won’t feel like he’s adding too many steps to his routine.

4. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare SpectraLite Facewear Pro, $435

Using this crazy-looking device for just three minutes a day can curb breakouts, help with anti-aging and improve overall skin health with the help of LED light technology. The best thing about it for men is that it doesn’t require putting any product on your face and the strap means you don’t have to sit still while wearing it. Plus, what guy doesn’t love a crazy new toy?

5. Drunk Elephant Trunk, $425

I know I don’t need to give Drunk Elephant any introduction here, but it doesn’t get a lot of play in men’s grooming conversations. But I always say, good skincare is good skincare. The entire range is ideal for men’s skin thanks to it’s clean formulations and ease of use (I love that you can mix it all together). If you splurge on the full set, good luck getting him to share.

6. Dyson Supersonic 24k Gold Limited Edition, $499

Do you need an excuse to get a Dyson supersonic? Here’s one: guys should be blow drying too. It will help volumize thinning hair, control wild hair and help build a stronger foundation for whatever products they use. The Dyson lives up to all the hype (it’s the best hair dryer I’ve ever used) and is perfect for men because it’s fast, quiet and easily understandable. Plus the new blue and gold colorway is just cool.

 

Find & follow Garrettt on Instagram! @garrettmunce