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The NuFace Trinity , shown here in the limited edition black with 22 karat gold, is our pick for the best in anti-aging devices for the new year. A perfect gift for someone who cares about the tone and texture of their skin, the Trinity is a small and portable item any man can add to his gym bag or carry-on to ensure he looks his best at all times. The NuFace is an FDA-cleared device that delivers microcurrents into the skin. These currents gently stimulate tightening and toning of your facial muscles. Using the device between 5 and 15 minutes per day can help to firm your skin by focusing on the jaw, cheekbones and forehead. An ergonomically designed body is easy to hold and use. With one quick layer of the NuFace primer (gel), you are off on a near goof-proof regimen that will leave you looking younger. Some see results in as little as one treatment, we saw it in two. Anyone looking for an effortless way to maintain your appearance through the season and beyond can look to NuFace as they truly deliver on their anti-aging promise. We think it’s the perfect shield against jet lag or the general facial tiredness many of us experience this time of year. We will be using it throughout the upcoming holidays and through the busy global fashion weeks in January. Photograph taken at the Hermitage Bay resort on the Caribbean island of Antigua.

Luxury Swedish beauty brand Foreo offers the perfect gift for that someone special in your life this season. Famous for their innovative and beautiful design, Foreo holds themselves to the highest standard of manufacturing, which keeps their products as effective and truly groundbreaking as possible. With these three products, you can revolutionize your grooming routine in the coming year. The Foreo ISSA (shown here in Cobalt Blue) is a silicone toothbrush which cleans your teeth, while simultaneously massaging and oxygenating your gums through sonic pulses. The soft bristles mind teeth’s sensitivity and are gentle on enamel. The result? A clean mouth and sparkling white smile that is worth more than money can buy. The Foreo Luna For Men is the ultimate pre-shave cleansing tool that every man should have (shown here in black). The device is equipped with soft silicone touch points that massage skin, removing dirt and oil, all while exfoliating and prepping your beard area for a closer shave. It delivers T-Sonic pulsations into the skin which also helps smooth lines and stimulate circulation for a younger appearance. This product was made specifically to address men’s thicker and oilier skin, and can be paired with luxury Italian shaving brand Proraso for the perfect gift (available at Sephora). The Foreo Cleanser For Men is the perfect partner for your new Luna. The cleansing gel comes in a matte black bottle and transforms from a blue gel into a rich, creamy lather. The formula contains hydrothermal minerals from volcanic soil which helps to remove impurities. It’s an amazing product on its own. Photograph taken at the Hermitage Bay resort on the Caribbean island of Antigua.

It’s the time of the year when everyone is searching for the perfect gift for that special person in your life, and, naturally, one turns to beauty and grooming products that will help you look and feel your best in the coming year. We’ve done our research and tested dozens of products which claim to do everything from tame unruly hair, to help your skin look like it’s glowing from the inside out. This is our Holiday 2015 Gift Guide for the appearance-conscious man. Whether this gift is for you or someone you love, these products are the best at what they do. Combined, they make the perfect package to address hair and skin needs for the coming year and beyond. 1. WEN Men Hair and Body Cleansing Conditioner $72: Imagine waking up every morning and filling your steam-covered shower with scents of cardamom, ginger, bamboo and amber. This universal product acts as a one-stop cleanser for your hair and skin. It shampoos, conditions and moisturizes – through a very simple and enjoyable process. Company founder Chaz Dean knows what men want, and it’s effortless but effective grooming from head to toe. 2. Kapuluan Raw Organic Coconut Oil $20: This raw, handcrafted coconut oil is pressed by hand from coconuts that hail from the Philippines. Family farms work with the company to create small batches of this creamy, nutrient-rich white butter that can be used to aid everything from eczema to facial redness. The high content of lauric acid in the oil leaves skin quenched after a day in the sun or after a hot shower before bed. We are obsessed with Kapuluan and their very special coconut oil. 3. Harry’s Razors $20: Harry’s Winston razor offers a huge bang for the buck – giving shavers a beautiful metal handle crafted in Germany with razors that go the extra mile. Anyone who shaves with certain drug store varieties know that razors can give-out halfway through a serious “manscaping” session. Harry’s does not. This razor, with the best disposable heads we’ve tested, will last and last. It’s also as beautiful as it is effective. 4. Clarisonic Mia 2 $149: It’s no secret that Clarisonic can literally transform your skin. Ask anyone who has tried their award-winning devices, including us, and they will tell you that their skin has never felt so clean after using it. One of our favorites from the brand, the two-speed Mia 2 device, is small and compact – perfect for the gym bag or carry-on. Just add a dab of your favorite cleanser and the pulsating head will find its way around your face and neck to leave you sparkling clean. The Mia 2 is a “must” this holiday season and into the new year. 5. Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner $32: Simple, enriching and fortifying, this toner is an all-natural blast of antioxidants for the skin. The founder began her line of skincare after a serious bout with a life-threatening brain tumor, and released offerings to the market which are eco-friendly, safe and effective. The toner is filled with antioxidant CoQ-10, which helps to brighten and hydrate skin – with the help of aloe and hyaluronic acid. Splash a bit on your face after a hot shower and you’ll notice the difference immediately. 6. Indie Lee Squalane Facial Oil $32: For an easy-to-use skin perfecter, try this face oil which is derived from olives. The oil is fantastic for all skin types, hydrating and brightening your complexion easily. Apply a few drops after toning your skin and you’ll be set for the gym, sleep or to tackle a busy holiday meal with the family.

Annick Goutal is a brand name synonymous with luxury, beauty and the art of olfactory distinction. Her intimate boutiques, which can be found in cities like Paris (flagship), New York and London, offer customers a personal and perfect experience in discovering the ultimate scent that can become instantly a part of their own brand and presence at work, on the streets or in their home. Two fragrances stand out amongst the rest as my chosen duo for the coming year. They are classics: Eau d’Hadrien and Eau de Monsieur. Eau d’Hadrien dates back to 1981 and is inspired deeply by the landscape of Tuscany. The rich Italian region known for its citrus groves, rolling hills and vineyards, is captured instantly by the notes found in this fragrance. Upon first spritz you’ll be instantly taken by Sicilian lemon, grapefruit, Green mandarin, bergamot and citron. When the scent settles on your skin, the smell of aged Mediterranean cypress begins to emanate – enriching the perfume with body and character. This fragrance is wonderful in the late winter or early spring months when you desire a bit of summery freshness in your wardrobe, reminding those around you that seasons are only suggestions and not something that have to be taken to heart. Eau de Monsieur is a cousin to Eau d’Hadrien – but adds unexpected and surprising elements to the founding citrus experience. With a base of mandarin and bergamot – Eau de Monsieur instantly commands attention with notes of mint, geranium rosat, patchouli and sandalwood. The notes come together in perfect harmony and suggests that its wearer is nothing, if not the most elegant gentleman in the room. To me, Eau de Monsieur is one of the most beautiful fragrances ever created – and it was only born in 2013. Annick Goutal, in its many facets and options, has something for everyone this year. The brand consistently turns out thoughtful and truly wearable works of art that will forever become a part of you. I know my 2016 will be filled with these two mentioned favorite scents and strongly suggest they become a part of yours.

Biologique Recherche is an icon in the world of skincare, and they’ve recently upped their caché with the reopening of their Ambassade de la Beauté off the Champs Élysées in Paris. With a stunning interior painstakingly renovated and designed by the incredible Joanne de Lepinay, this mecca of skincare has now become equally a mecca of design. Elegant period pieces in ivory, brass and navy blue from the 1970s, the era the brand was founded, dot the new space. The company acquired the neighboring house and expanded to create more treatment rooms, a larger lobby lounge and a breathtaking VIP “Haute Couture” room equipped with private bath, shower, lounge and treatment area. I was recently a guest in the space, which I, with utmost confidence, believe is the best place one can receive a facial – not only in Paris, but the world. Indulging in an hour and half of their individually tailored remodeling facial, I learned that my skin was slightly dehydrated and losing elasticity. After my 90-minute session of plucking, squeezing, massaging and infusing – my skin had never looked better. I left tighter and glowing, and the results lasted at least a week. Biologique Recherche, founded by the Allouche family, is grounded strictly in medicine and science. They have made it very clear that although their mission is to provide a luxury and beautiful experience, fluff is not their goal. Results and restoration is the key to their business. If you’re in Paris for an event, a vacation or for business please head to Biologique Recherche. Your face will thank you. Don’t forget to shop their products – as they will help continue your skin’s evolution after you’ve returned home. Why settle for anything but the best?

Skyn Iceland, the cult favorite of people with stressed skin (that would be 99% of the population), is on a mission. Their mission is simply to help you look and feel better by aiding your epidermis in balancing itself and managing the stress it’s constantly under with environmental and hormonal factors that most endure on a daily basis. The inspiration came when the company’s founder, Sarah Kugelman, traveled to Iceland to find respite for her own chronic stress. She was amazed by the unspoiled beauty and nature – as well as the unique and special plants and water that comes from the country. She began to research, with the help of a well-educated team, the special botany of Iceland and what might be used in a future product line. And, after much work, Skyn Iceland came to fruition. The line is 100% vegan, not tested on animals and free of dyes, parabens and sulfates. Today, several years later, Skyn Iceland offers specific and unique products to target various skin issues. Here is a list of my favorites: For congested skin, there’s the Glacial Face Wash which is formulated with pure glacial water. What I love about this product is that a little goes a very long way. Just a dab and there’s enough of the foaming cleanser to sweep away impurities from your face and neck. To exfoliate, I love the Nordic Skin Peel which is packaged conveniently in individually soaked pads. Each pad contains lactic acid and fruit enzymes to gently slough and eat away dead, flaky skin. Your complexion will be on its way to recovery after just one use. On those mornings when you’ve had a long and sleepless night, your eyes are the first to show the trauma. Skyn’s Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels adhere to your under-eye area gently and instantly cool and reduce the puffiness – to help you look like you slept more than four hours. The magic lies in the hydrolyzed elastin, ginko biloba leaf extract and coenzyme Q10. You’ll never want to travel without these little miracles again. This is just a smattering of what the company has to offer. Overall, Skyn is an impressive brand. It’s not easy to find products that are both unique and effective in the marketplace – and you won’t find the majority of Skyn’s ingredients in your run of the mill beauty and grooming products. If you want to explore a truly special and reliable option, try Skyn Iceland.

Pitera. This is a new word that every gentleman should add to his vocabulary. Why? Because you will soon realize that it is so much more than a word. It has the potential to be your new best friend. Pitera is an isolated ingredient found in the process of Japanese sake brewing. And, since the 1970s, it has been a secret amongst scientists and beauty experts in Japan. The luxe brand, SKII, which is sold globally through high-end retailers, has centered its skincare development around pitera and its ability to soften, brighten and clarify the skin. A part of the Procter & Gamble family, SKII offers customers a line of effective and easy-to-use products and treatments that all target aging and stressed skin. Each product is researched, vetted and has proof behind its claims. Everything from skin-tightening masks, brightening essences and eye hydration pads have been created. To me, there are a few products that stand out in the SKII collection. I’ve used them religiously and have achieved noticeable and excellent results. Here are my suggestions – especially for the busy, jet-setting guy who cares about the appearance of his skin. The Facial Treatment Essence is one of my favorite offerings from SKII. It’s very easy to use and, in my opinion, replaces the need for a toner. The clear liquid smooths on your skin with fingertips or a cotton pad. The essence penetrates pores and helps to clarify and brighten dull, lifeless skin through the use of pitera. I use it both in the morning and evening after cleansing. Within two weeks of daily use, you will see a difference in your complexion. The Cellumination Essence EX is a serum that also contains the famous pitera ingredient as well as brightening agents that help to moisturize and even-out skin tone and color. The serum is applied through smoothing a light layer on the skin, after the Facial Treatment Essence, which helps to instantly hydrate and protect your epidermis from the elements. The SKII Signs Eye Masks are individually packaged cotton pads soaked in pitera, vitamins and moisturizers. They contain vitamins B3, B5 and E to visibly reduce fine lines, tighten delicate under eye skin and lighten dark circles. They work extraordinarily well and help on those days when you haven’t gotten enough rest or had a long night out on the town. SKII is a celebrity favorite. This fact is a bonus, but not necessarily indicative of a brand’s claims or its products’ efficacy. To know the true power and goodness of SKII, you have to see it to believe it. I would recommend SKII for anyone seeking the absolute best in beauty and grooming. But, a fair warning, once you try it you won’t ever be able to do without. It really is that good.

Being a fragrance expert, Frédéric Malle gave me his do’s and don’ts when it comes to wearing perfume. Most of us wander aimlessly through life spraying and walking through, spraying and rubbing, spraying and cart-wheeling through and all sorts of other interpretations of the “proper” way to apply our favorite scent. Here, Frédéric sets the record straight. 1) “Don’t spray and walk into it. Basically you’re spraying the room.” 2) “I love Mademoiselle Chanel’s quote, ‘Put it where you want to be kissed’, I think that’s really sweet.” 3) “If you have a very fresh fragrance, one that doesn’t really stay, one that is very transparent, I think it’s best to spray your chest. You can put a lot on because it will slowly evaporate throughout the day.” 4) “A big no, no to me is putting the fragrance on top of your hand. Put two sprays on your neck or here (the wrist) because fragrance evaporates very well from these points.” 5) “Putting fragrance on your clothes is fine. It will last forever. It’s always nice to go back to your clothes and smell them.”

How does one find a luxurious slice of tranquility in the City of Lights when there’s so much to do and see? It’s actually quite simple. Head to the spa at the Four Seasons George V. That’s what I did. On a recent afternoon between the menswear shows happening around town, I grabbed a few moments and booked a Sodashi Mens Skin Karma treatment. When I entered the hotel, I was escorted past the world famous flowers done by Jeff Leatham and to the elevator that took me from the bustling ground level to a space of relaxation and calm. When I walked into the spa reception, the attendant and my therapist greeted me and quickly offered the gentlemen’s changing area to ease into my fluffy white robe and slippers. With my bottle of Evian in hand, I walked into the treatment room which was set-up with candles, soft music and a heated therapy bed. My facial soon began. The therapist gently exfoliated my skin, cleaned my pores and applied layer after layer of masks and serums to moisturize and tighten my skin. She was very gentle, intermittently massaging my shoulders and neck between masks. The hour treatment flew by, which is always a good sign. Afterwards, I was left fresh-faced and zoned out. I retreated to the steam room and lounge to enjoy dried figs, apricots, dates as well as homemade cleansing ginger tea. I recommend any treatment here, the time you spend in the spa before and after your service is worth it in itself. After all, it is the Four Seasons.

For over 30 years, Biologique Recherche has been a beacon of natural skincare in France and, subsequently, dozens of countries worldwide. While in Paris, I was treated to a 90-minute facial at the company’s beautiful, restored mansion just off the Champs-Élysées. I’ve had many a facial in my lifetime but this was truly very special. I was met by my aesthetician when I entered the all white space and asked for my preference in tea (green – all the way). Promptly, I was taken upstairs to a no-frills treatment room and asked to undress and lay under the sheet on the heated treatment bed with only my face, neck and chest exposed. You know it’s going to be good when they’re incorporating your chest into the facial. When my aesthetician reentered, she began to explain to me the history of the company and their philosophy on using natural, scientifically proven ingredients with no perfumes, dyes or preservatives. I instantly gravitated to her words as I am a devout “natural” skincare follower. Immediately, I closed my eyes and she got to work. For 90 minutes, and with a group of eight separate products, my skin was cleansed, detoxified, masked, polished, exfoliated, sculpted and drained. I could literally feel her fingers gently pushing on my eye sockets, under my cheekbones, around my clavicle and along my jawline to drain built-up fluid from traveling and to help tighten the skin. The facial was relaxing, but, more importantly, it delivered results. When I was finished, I looked in the mirror and it appeared as if someone had come along and given me a mini lift and sandblast. My complexion was firm and glowing – I couldn’t have been happier. I attribute this to the products and, also, to her knowledge of facial structures and how to alleviate puffiness. I recommend Biologique Recherche HIGHLY. Their products are bewilderingly effective and the treatments necessary. If you’re not in Paris, visit their website to see other global locations where Biologique Recherche trained aestheticians operate. There’s just no way you’ll be disappointed.

OMG. OMG. OMG. Is it possible to get a mini facelift in 20 minutes? I think so. Actually, I know so. SKII is the Japanese skincare brand which features a small line of beauty products that use a patented liquid found in sake called Pitera. The Pitera is the cornerstone ingredient in all of their products including the 3D Redefining Masks. The masks, which come in a box of six, can be used once or twice a week. Admittedly, you will look like the character “Jason” from Nightmare On Elm Street but after 20 minutes with the face pack on – your skin will be noticeably tighter, firmer and brighter. I am OBSESSED.

Throw away your washcloths. There’s no need for these outdated, cumbersome and inefficient relics from the past any longer. Honestly. There’s something newer and better that will take its place in an instant. And, I promise you’ll never look back. The Clarisonic Aria Facial Sonic Cleansing Brush is your new best friend. Now, Clarisonic (the brand) has been around for quite some time. And, they’ve become a cult favorite for many who have discovered their products’ benefits. Women and men both have used their innovative cleansing brushes with excellent results, a clean that is unlike any other clean you might have experienced. But, typically, the advertising for these amazing devices is targeted toward women. But, I’m here to tell you that gender need not apply. Everyone deserves to know the power behind this little magician of a machine. Like many others, I was a devotee of a wash cloth and, sometimes, a great exfoliant that may run anywhere between $20-$50 depending on the brand. And, although I’m still a fan of a separate exfoliant for occasional facial cleansing, I’ve realized that the $200 investment in a Clarisonic Aria is well worth it over time. From the moment I started using the facial cleansing brush, I noticed my pores were literally swept clean. No residue. No film. No dirt left behind. Genius. I opted to try the Clarisonic Aria because, as a frequent traveler, I was drawn to its easily-packed size, USB power connection (it can charge with a simple plug-in to your laptop), charger/drying station combo and its three speed cleaning mode. This little brush packs a huge punch in terms of features and holds a lot of power and long battery life.  I can stow the device in a side pocket of a carry-on with no fuss. Overall, what Clarisonic has done with the Aria is bring together its finest attributes and conveniences in one system. It’s easy to use and actually makes the experience of cleaning my skin enjoyable. I know exactly what I will be passing out for birthdays this year.