Although we may have celebrated 242 years of self-governance this Fourth of July, that doesn’t mean that we don’t still rely on our cousins in the United Kingdom for some pretty awesome commodities (tariffs notwithstanding): gin…royal weddings…James Bond…Savile Row…gin.
England is also the home of some of the world’s most venerable men’s grooming brands, with Truefitt & Hill holding the Guinness Book of World Records title of the Oldest Barbershop in the World, having opened its doors in 1805. Pall Mall Barbers, on the other hand, is comparatively junior, raising its barber pole in 1896. Some of the other brands here may be younger, but stay true to the Brit’s “Keep Calm and Carry On” attitude.
Truefitt & Hill West Indian Limes Shaving Cream – $22
Truefitt & Hill’s West Indian Limes range is as light and refreshing as a gin-and-tonic for your morning shave. The shaving cream is creamy and smooth and the after-shave balm is moisturizing and refreshing. Layer the fragrance with West Indian Limes cologne for a longer-lasting, summery effect. For travel, try Truefitt & Hill’s other fragrances with their handy sample pack.
Pall Mall Barbers Sandalwood & Clove Shaving Products System – $80
Pall Mall Barbers will open its first barber shop in the United States in New York City’s Rockefeller Center in July. Get a jump on things with the brand’s three-step, home shaving system, which, incidentally, is also great for travel or the gym. Start with a pre-shave scrub to clean out your pores and lift hair follicles, move on to the shaving cream (with prickly pear seed oil, known for moisturizing, healing and protecting), and finish with the post-shave balm. We like that each product comes with an easy to dispense pump, helping us eliminates waste.
Men’s Society Weekender Wash Kit – $17
Men’s Society offers the equivalent of Batman’s utility belt for the modern man with a handy, purposeful kit for just about everything. From The Festival Survival Kit (including a poncho, ear plugs and toothpaste) to the Red Eye Survival Kit (Sleep Mask, Restoration Bath Oil, etc.), their packaged tins keep life’s needs focused and purposeful. We like this Weekender Wash Kit, containing just about everything you’ll need for a quick summer getaway.
Lush Kalamazoo Beard and Facial Wash – $25
With its bath bombs and bubble bars, Lush comes off as maybe having just a little too much fun with their products for such a fine British establishment, but the company’s core values, using fresh organic ingredients, eliminating or minimizing packaging and no animal testing, set some seriously high standards. The Kalamazoo wash won us over with it’s creamy goodness and clean finish.
Dunhill London Icon Gift Set – $130
Dunhill got its start supplying goods to the new “motoring class” when automobiles first became all the rage among the British gentry. That engineering background is reflected in the packaging of all of the brand’s fragrances, including its warm, peppery, leathery Icon cologne. This gift set includes cologne, after shave balm and shower gel…nice enough to gift yourself on the occasion of a promotion, a holiday, or paying that speeding ticket, for instance.
And if you’re going to groom like the British, you might as well also channel British style by getting some tips from renowned haberdasher Drake’s NYC.
