Skincare for blokes

Picture / Carolyn Robertson

It's official. When Tony Blair confessed to spending more than 1800 ($4663) in the past six years on cosmetics, he proved men's skincare and fragrance was no longer the domain of metrosexuals and hairdressers. If the British Prime Minister uses the stuff, soon every Auckland mechanic will be at it. Good job, too.

Armani Black Code
$113 for 50ml eau de toilette

This one is strictly an evening fragrance and demands a tuxedo to go, it's so sophisticated. The bottle takes its colour from a midnight blue Armani tux Denzel Washington wore to an Oscars ceremony. A fabulous oriental with citrus, rose and vanilla.

From selected department stores.

Shiseido Men Deep Cleansing Scrub
$39 for 125ml

This range of eight products is designed to be uncomplicated. It's a two-step regime of cleansing and moisturising and provides optional extras. This scrub is designed to get rid of coarseness, blackheads and dead surface cells and make skin soft and energised looking. Great packaging.

From selected department stores and pharmacies.

Issey Miyake L'Eau bleue D'Issey Pour Homme
$99 for 74ml eau de toilette

It's one of those fragrances for men that women commandeer because it fits both sexes equally well. The top note includes tangerine, lemongrass and rosemary, the

TextBox4: heart has ginger, rose and nasturtium and the base contains patchouli and sandalwood. From selected department stores and pharmacies.

Chanel Allure Homme Sport After Shave Moisturiser
$91 for 100ml

Chanel describes the Allure Homme Sport fragrance as sensual, "like bare skin caressed by a breeze". In short, it's gorgeous. This non-oily moisturiser is rapidly absorbed into just-shaved skin, soothing, softening and lightly perfuming. The silver tube is a stunner, too.

From selected department stores.

Thierry Mugler B*men Coffret
$150 for 50ml eau de toilette and 75ml deodorant stick

Thierry Mugler took his cue from 50s comic book superheroes when creating this. The masculine scent combining modern woody notes with spicy green accents is all about speed and action - qualities all good superheroes should have. If only Superman smelled this good. This coffret with the lovely rubber flask of fragrance and deodorant stick comes inside a travel pouch (not shown).

From Smith & Caughey's.

Get the look

Rather than using the girlfriend's skincare, it's probably best if blokes use ranges specifically designed for men. There are two reasons, says Shiseido - men produce more sebum and have higher moisture evaporation than women, because of shaving and dehydration.

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