Gift Guide for Your Well-Groomed Man

The world of grooming products “for men” is a pageant of impenetrable masculine posturing. Like all these gunmetal grey bottles are reassuring you that it’s okay for men to want to look good, or something. We shouldn’t have to point out how goofy that is. It should be obvious that it’s okay for men to want to look good. To that end, we’ve put together a gift guide for the man who feels that presentation is everything.

Beard Wash

There are a lot of options out there to keep your beard clean. Mountaineer’s Beard Shampoo is a great one for the money.

Beard Oil

If you want a beard that’s soft and supple, you’ll need some kind of beard oil. Leven Rose makes a nice one, with a lovely sandalwood scent.

Cologne

There’s no shortage of ways to smell nice, but if you want to go for a cologne, you could do a lot worse than AFNAN 9 PM. This cologne has a top note of bergamot, lavandin, cinnamon, and apple, a heart note of muguet and orange blossom, and patchouli, amber, vanilla, and tonka bean in the base note. Perfect for evening wear, you can also choose to wear it all day—it has excellent projection and is long-lasting.

Beard Comb

If your friend has a beard, then your friend is likely in need of a beard comb. There are lots of options out there, but we recommend a good wooden one. It holds the beard oil better. Plus, it just looks classy, doesn’t it?

Grooming Scissors

Look, human beings grow hair. It’s sort of a hallmark of the whole “mammal” thing. Said hair isn’t always where or how we’d like it to be. A good pair of facial hair scissors can help you with your beard, your mustache, or…look, whatever you want, okay? We’re not here to pass judgment.

Trimmer

If someone’s serious about stubble – or even about maintaining a full-on beard – then a trimmer Is the way to go. A good trimmer will come with a set of attachments to help you make the most of your mane, and it can give you unprecedented control over how your beard grows.

Electric Toothbrush

A good electric toothbrush can help maintain dental hygiene, keeping your gums healthier and your teeth whiter. The high-end Philips Sonicare DiamondClean is a fantastic option, as is the less-steep Oral-B White Pro 1000.

Safety Razor and Blades

There’s a lot to be said for retreating from modern shaving tech back to the safety razor. It offers a close shave, and it saves a ton of money in the long run. If you know someone looking to get back to basics, you could do a lot worse. This butterfly safety razor and this pack of blades should get them off to a strong start.

Braun Series 7 Electric Shaver

If you’re shopping for someone who’s a little more high-tech, consider an electric shaver like this cordless Braun. There are advantages and disadvantages to going electric, but for the right person, it provides a pleasant shaving experience and a fair bit of convenience.

Suavecito Pomade

An impeccable hairdo doesn’t just hold itself in place. It needs help. And considering that holding gels and pomades aren’t the cheapest thing out there per ounce, it never hurts to find a little in your stocking. Consider this pomade from Suavecito – or look around a little.

Aftershave

A good aftershave goes a long way towards a good day. A solid aftershave should cool your irritated skin, encourage healing of minor cuts and scratches, and reduce inflammation. You might want to look at Proraso After Shave Lotion, or this After Shave Balm from Baxter of California.

*Updated 11/22/2023.