Skin Care Kit for Him

No doubt your guy takes grooming pretty seriously. But you can always acquaint him with something new. Introduce your honey to a great skin care kit tailored to his needs that's travel-friendly too!

MENSCIENCE TRAVEL & SKIN CARE KIT/$78

• Contains the brands most popular products. Free of fragrance, dyes and irritants.
• Is TSA approved! All products are under 3 oz and fit easily in quart-sized zip-lock bag (included).
• Contents include Daily Face Wash, Advanced Face Lotion, Advanced Shave Formula, Post Shave Repair, Daily Shampoo, Advanced Deodorant, Advanced Lip Protection, Night Sleep Mask and Advanced Ear Plugs all in a personalized travel bag.

Want to own it? Get it at www.menscience.com.

What's New at Clinique?

We'll start with the men first since "Friday is for the Fellas!"

CLINIQUE has great reviews for a recent launch of skincare products for you gents. Skin Supplies for Men Age Defense for Eyes/$24.00 and Age Defense Hydrator SPF 15/30.00. The Age Defense Hydrator is a light non-greasy formula that contains peptides, vitamin C and glucosamine to keep skin fresh. It also targets lines and wrinkles and replenishes moisture lost from shaving with sun protection to boot. Reviews claim it's "the best all-in-one for men!" The Defense for Eyes works to reduce dark circles and puffiness. It hydrates the delicate tissue around the eye and brightens dull skin. The tube makes for easy application too.

Ladies, there's something for you too. CLINIQUE teams up with Michelle Smith, MILLY designer and Glamour Magazine at Bloomingdales Friday evening. She will be showcasing her Spring 2011 Collection and giving fashion advice along with a Glamour stylist. Get a personal consultation and take home a MILLY cosmetic bag with spring must-haves with a $25+ purchase.

WHERE: Clinique Counter @ Bloomingdales 59th Street/NYC

TIME: 6:00 to 8:00 pm

(Thanks to TJ for the heads up about the gift-with-purchase!)

Alford & Hoff - Skincare for Men

A true beauty will use her favorite scrub at least once a week to brighten, smooth and clear her complexion. Whether it's from a high end brand or one concocted in the kitchen, she will gladly indulge in an at-home "spa" experience.

Guys, you want to treat yourself, to make this part of your grooming routine too. This scrub is ideal prior to shaving. The abrasive granules remove dead skin that can trap ingrown hairs and give it a dull appearance. ALFORD & HOFF has a full line of products for your daily regimen but the Microdermabrasion promises to polish flaky cells without irritation, even skin tone and noticeably diminish fine lines and wrinkles. Even claims to give you a more energetic complexion, promote collagen production and is good for all skin types.

Key Ingredients: Aloe, oat, Vitamin E, lactic acid, cactus and samphire extracts plus the diamond shaped magnesium oxide crystals which free impurities and hairs. Exclusive to Bergdorf Goodman stores or online at www.bergdorfgoodman and www.alfordandhoff.com/$85.

Cold Weather Accessories for Men

Friday is for the Fellas.

It's appropriate that we review the season's warmers: hats, scarves, gloves and thermals. Especially when they're on SALE!

HATS: We all know that heat escapes from the top of your head. Cover your noggin with stylish skullies in cashmere (warmest EVER) and wool ribbed or cable knits. A good circular knit pattern that hugs your head is best/John W. Nordstrom Ribbed Cashmere Cap reg. $55/$35.90 at http://www.nordstrom.com/.

SCARVES: Your scarf is the closet thing to your skin aside from your collar. Cashmere or merino wool are soft and warm so you don't have to worry about fidgeting with scratchy fabrics. S.N.S. Herning Cable Knit Scarf reg. $145/$69 at Barneys.

GLOVES: Our high-tech society has no time to waste with on-the-go communication devices. Keep your digits warm with fold-down fingers...let's you stay in touch. Saks Fifth Avenue Men's Collection Hat & Texting Striped Glove Set reg. $98/$49.00.

THERMALS: You're used to piling layers on top. Skiing, snow tubing or other outdoor activities call for all over warmth. Long underwear, whether cotton, wool or silk, is essential for retaining heat. Merino wool Wicked Warm Underwear at LLBean.com
reg. $54.40/$38.99.

On the hunt for a boutique bargain, visit Eredi Pisano in Midtown/NYC. A bit pricey but I was impressed with the wares and top notch service.

(Picture credits: neimanmarcus.com/saks.com/barneys.com/nordstrom.com.)

The Modern Gentleman

The modern man takes all grooming matters into consideration. Definition: a man of style, culture, and class. Skin care, grooming, and nail care are some areas of concern.

SKIN CARE: It only takes a minute to cleanse, tone and moisturize. Add to your regimen a facial scrub once or twice a week to smooth the complexion, diminish fine lines and wrinkles. The scrub also buffs away dead skin cells as it prepares the skin for a closer shave and combat ingrown hairs.

Tools of the Trade: MenScience Androceuticals Daily Face Kit/$85.

GROOMING TIPS:
For the record, we love goatees. Gives off a bad boy edge. So take note, there is a science to trimming a goatee. Goatee lines should not exceed your smile line or extend past the furthest part of the chin bone. Your face shape needs to be considered for cutting the corners...not too sharp or rounded. And keep hair length uniform. Trim nose hairs (and ears too). BTW, it is equally important to trim underarm hair (deodorant adheres better to skin to fight odor).
Tools of the Trade: Try WAHL's Groomsman Beard and Mustache Trimmer. Use as a plug in or cordless/$20. Works well with stubborn, coarse hair. For more choices, click here.

NAIL CARE: Guessing you're not a nail biter, you may prefer to DIY. Healthy nails are a priority since men's nails grow faster than ours. Weekly trims are a must along with cuticle treatments. Invest in a manicure set that includes a buffer and scrub brush. It's ok to visit a nail salon for a professional manicure too. Trimmed clean nails speak volumes

Tools of the Trade: Try The Art of Shaving 7-Piece Manicure Set/$160

MACA ROOT SHAVE CREAM

The body shop has a secret weapon in its men's skin care line -- Peruvian Maca Root. This ingredient is known for maintaining skin's firmness. Even more noteworthy (and random), it's referred to as the Peruvian Viagra -- hmmm. Maca Root improves the vitality and condition of skin. The shaving cream also contains Trade Brazil nut and sesame oil for softening. The aloe vera soothes skin after shaving. FOR MEN MACA ROOT SHAVE CREAM boasts of a closer shave and protects skin from irritation, nicks and cuts with a cooling effect. On sale for $11.20 at www.bodyshop-usa.com.

Tips for a Close Shave:

1. Wet face first to soften whiskers.
2. Go with the flow/leave rough patches for last.
3. Wash with soap-free cleanser.
4. Soothe the burn.

For details, click here.

REDKEN for Men Mint Rush Hair & Body Wash

Re-hydrate, replenish and revitalize with this dual purpose cleanser -- REDKEN for Men Mint Rush Hair & Body Wash. Contains Vitamin E, peppermint, menthol and glycerin to cool, energize and maintain hair and skin's natural moisture levels. Cleans hair thoroughly removing all product buildup but gentle enough to balance pH levels without drying skin. Even won the Men's Health Magazine Award 2010 for BEST 2-in-1! Approximately $15 at select salons. Click here for locations.

The Philip B. Travel Kit

For the well-travelled man or the gym buff, this is an introduction to quality products. The four PHILIP B. favorites are encased in a clear travel bag, each only two ounces.

• Peppermint & Avocado Shampoo -- invigorating peppermint stimulates circulation and cleanses without stripping. The hydrating avocado provides elasticity or use the
• African Shea Butter Shampoo -- sixteen plant extracts provide a gentle yet thorough cleansing and conditioning. Also prevents breakage and safe for color treated hair.
• Nordic Wood One Step Hair & Body Shampoo -- the perfect "2 in 1" -- the aromatic scent of green forests. Moisturizes, tones and conditions hair, skin, and scalp with a blend of White Pine, Cedar wood, Camphor with Oat extracts and Aloe.
• Deep Conditioning Creme Rinse -- more African Shea Butter and plant extracts soften even the driest hair with wheat germ and other essential oils so you feel the difference. And it's paraben free.

All for $30/www.philipb.com.

The One Gentleman

Dolce & Gabbana's latest potion celebrates twenty years of menswear. I admit to being a fan of most of their colognes. They're so provocative and sensual. Most recently, I'm taken by THE ONE. (I am infamous for sneaking a spritz or two at home.) But will I be able to handle another?

THE ONE GENTLEMAN is the new fragrance from D&G. It gives homage to a real gentleman: simply elegant and iconic. Expect notes of grapefruit, fennel, pepper, lavender and cardamom while the base is vanilla and patchouli. Perfect for the one with traditional masculinity and modern swagger.

A perfumed body collection will accompany the line. Purchase 1 oz and 1.6 oz now at ulta.com/$42 to $57.

Men -- Think PINK!

THOMAS PINK, that is.

It is the place for classic shirting and accessories. A shirt purchase is a guarantee for quality craftsmanship for your every need: business, casual, formal and slim fit. Comparing PINK shirts to other brands, you can see the difference in patterns, textures, and tailoring. Their shirts could be the closest thing to custom made.

And know that THOMAS PINK is more than shirts...sweaters, cuff links, boxers, jackets and ties. You even get an online tutorial for a full Windsor - click here. Investing in key pieces here is so worth it. Pricing begins at approximately $105.