Grooming essentials for the man in your life

Welcome back to BEAUTYDIRECTORY's Tried & Tested series – where each BD team member puts the latest products to the test.

Last month we shared the must-have products keeping us healthy – you can read that HERE. Next up? Men's grooming: A look at some of the best products for the men in our lives, all of which are great options for Father's Day. 

Read our honest thoughts below, and why you should give these goodies a go yourself. After all, once you see the BD Tried & Tested badge, you know we've given it our stamp of approval.

For hi-res images, and further product information, click the brand name.

Sukin Naturals Beard Oil For Men - Aja

What we think: My husband has never used a beard oil before so was very intrigued when he received the Sukin Naturals Beard Oil For Men. His first thought was how amazing the scent is, including argan and almond oils. He used it on his beard wet after showering and it absorbed into the hair really easily. He said he also likes using it on his dry beard as it helps to soften the coarse hair. 

Arbonne TrueStyle Texturising Pomade with Shea Butter For Short Hair - Sam

What we think: My husband hasn't used pomades previously, rather opting to style with water however this product has been a real game changer. The creamy consistency applies easily without stickiness or any oily residue. It provides all day hold for his short to medium hair without adding any weight to the hair. He also loves that the product is vegan, gluten free and cruelty free as an added bonus.

KMS HAIRPLAY Molding Paste - Caitlin

What we think: My partner really enjoyed using KMS Hair Play and this was his first time ever using a product like this for his hair. This styling paste formulated with innovative shaping blend including PVP setting Polymer gave so much hold to his hair that he had fun creating different hairstyles with it quite easy. The creamy paste smelt amazing but also washed off the hands quite easily without having to use a lot of soap. It gave the perfect amount of hold and texture.

David Beckham Instinct - Tam

What we think: My husband was really suprised by David Beckham's Instinct. With a low price point compared to other fragrances, he had low hopes – but it actually smells better than some luxe fragrances he owns. The fragrance is zesty and smells really masculine. For ease of use there is also a magnetic lid, which means that when he whacks the lid on top instead of putting it on properly; it automatically secures!

Rodan + Fields ENHANCEMENTS Micro-Dermabrasion Paste - Issy D

What we think: My partner is loving the Rodan + Fields Micro-Dermabrasion Paste, as this product is multiuse and he is able to cleanse his face and body in the shower at the same time! There is a great amount of product and the packaging is simple and sits well on our shower shelves. I'd recommend this to anyone thinking of adding a little luxury into their man's routine and looking for a product that will brighten their skin up for summer! 

Urbane Mess Beard and Hair Trimmer - Issy R

What we think: If you're in the market for a everyday beard trimmer, this is the one for attending to touch ups, especially during COVID. It retails at an affordable price point and you can pick it up from your local Coles or Woolies. It's very easy to use and my partner has used it to clean up his beard, in particular to remove any excess hair to help define his beard. It is battery operated therefore you don't need to worry about charging the trimmer, instead just replacing the batteries when it comes time. The next step will be to convince him to let me cut his hair due to lockdown and not getting to a barber!

DU’IT Tough Hands - Alicia

What we think: With a hands on job my partner definitely required some help with softening the calluses on his hands. DU'IT Tough Hands is the perfect cream for ensuring that dry and cracked hands are looked after and really did help to soften those trouble spots. The lemon myrtle and tea tree oil ingredients helped to replace the natural oils back into his skin and also provided a scent that was not over powering and not too feminine. The packaging is also a great draw card for males as it is very gender neutral and helps us ladies encourage the boys to look after themselves with a product that can become a staple into their day.