Penhaligan's Gentleman's Fragrance Selection 


Penhaligan's London... Where do I begin?!


Set up in London during the 1860s, Penhaligan's is a quintessentially English perfume house. Boutiques can be found throughout the better parts of the city with the flagship store based in Covent Garden. Other London stores include Burlington Arcade, Mayfair, Regent St, Kings Rd, Islington and The Royal Exchange. The atmosphere is incomparable to any other perfumery. Friendly, knowledgable staff greet you on arrival and offer a consultation style approach. If like me you're a sucker for high end fragrances Penhaligan's is answer. They offer an extensive range of male and female traditional perfumes, there really is something for everyone. When trialling this set of gents fragrances, I was astounded by some of the most unique and sophisticated aromas i'd ever come across. There's a bouquet  for every occasion and taste. All of these scents are refined, exclusive and are the epitome British perfume excellence.




Nothing sets off a great outfit like a great scent, it all adds to the overall impression you give. 

One thing to remember with fragrances is that each will smell slightly different from person to person. This makes it of the upmost importance for you to try it out yourself and not just take a whiff from the bottle. At Penhaligan's I was told that when applying their perfumes you should dab a small amount on your pulse points (wrists and below the ears) but never rub, as this can destroy the fragrance molecules. The trick is to allow it to diffuse naturally off the skin.  Throughout the day, different aspects of Penhaligan's scents are  revealed and from this you can truly appreciate the marvel of a fine fragrance




Blenheim Bouquet - Timeless

This fragrance was created over 100 years ago (by Penhaligan himself), despite this it's fresh and easily adapts to modern day life. With hints of citrus oil, lavender, musk and black pepper it's a simple and easy to wear scent for any occasion. The reason it has lasted so long without change is down to its light but sensual composition being favourited my gentlemen throughout time. My fragrance of choice this summer




Bayolea - Thrilling  

This is one of the best sellers, and it's clear why. It's invigorating and zesty, yet warming. A head of mandarin, tangerine and lemongrass cut through the cardamon, neroli and pepper heart to give the best of both worlds. A masculine edge is provided through cedar wood, sandal wood, moss and amber base notes. This is one of their more universal scents.



Sartorial - Sophistication

Sartorial is one of the more complex and sophisticated fragrances. It's mature and masculine, with aldehyde,  metallic notes and leather, it's designed to give the effect of a tailors workroom. Traditional meets modern with tonka bean and white musk mixed in with fresh ginger and bees wax. Sweet heart and base notes add another depth to this scent with the likes of vanilla, blossom and honey. It still retains freshness and is not overpowering. A personal favourite of mine. 




Juniper Sling - Debonair  

This unisex fragrance gives the effect of a 1920s cocktail party. Inspired by London dry gin, Juniper berries create an energetic head shot. Brown sugar, angelica and brandy measures run though. This aroma oozes vintage class, sensuality and vibrancy. If ever there was a scent for a refined occasion, this has to be the one.  It's well worth the extra cost. 




Opus 1870 - Opulence 

This is a truly luxurious and warm scent. It elegantly carries notes of incense, English clove rose, and bourbon in an a non overpowering way. This fragrance takes me to another world. With its hot black pepper, bitter sweet citrus and aromatics it's somewhat intoxicating. Perfect winter fragrance. 



Thanks for reading! Marco.













Look after your face, it's the only one you've got.


Men have different skin to women, this is a fact. It's generally thicker and as a result is less prone to ageing. Perhaps this is why male skincare is still overlooked by many of us. However, What's the first thing someone sees when they talk to you? Not your new Levi jeans or watch, but your face. Male skincare is increasing in popularity but the majority of guys tend to stick to a couple products at most. There's nothing wrong with this, but there's so much more out there. Brands and ranges targeted solely at men are everywhere, with the likes of Clinique offering one of the most established and effective lines 'Clinique for men'. Face washes designed for women often aren't strong enough for male skin, and moisturisers may be too oily. Despite this, not all skincare needs to be split into two categories. I've been using a range that's not specifically for men which has shown excellent results. 







Givenchy Hydra Sparkling 


Since using these products i've had noticeably clearer, smoother and healthier looking skin. The Givenchy Hydra Sparkling range contains a sparkling water complex that penetrates the skin giving a subtle dewy glow which brightens up your complexion. I've not seen this phenomenon with any other products. My skin looks more hydrated and full of life than ever. 



Time to powder your face gents.



One-minute Glow Powder - Daily Micropeeling 


I'd never come across anything like this before, it's essentially a cross between a face wash and fine scrub that comes in the form of a powder (see above). To use it you wet your face, then lather it up with a small amount of water, you apply/rinse as you would normally. It leaves my skin feeling perfectly cleansed and smooth as the micro particles remove pollutants and dirt from the pores. This is a great alternative to using a scrub as it can be used daily and kills two birds with one stone, exfoliate as you cleanse, so one less bottle on the shelf! Definitely recommend this. 




Raise Your Guard



Multiprotective Luminescence Moisturising Fluid



As with all of these products, this moisturiser gives your skin a healthy glow. Personally, I find it a bit heavy so I only use a tiny amount. It's never too early to protect the skin from ageing. Day to day UV exposure can cause damage, the thing to remember is that anything that damages the skin weakens it. Weakened skin is more prone to wrinkles. This cream provides SPF 30 - PA++  so you can rest assured that you've got some protection. It melts into your skin and delivers anti dullness benefits giving you an energetic look. In addition,  it's packed with an anti-free redial agent which protects your skin from damage and ageing further.  






Time to Recharge



Recharging Luminescence Moisturising Mask


At the end of a long week, you may start to notice your skin looking tired, I know I do. I've been using this mask once a week and it really does give you that extra boost. We often mistake moisturised for greasy skin. When it's dry, we produce oil in an effort to hydrate, but this can clog pores and lead to blemish and black head breakouts. If you keep your skin clean and moisturised, you will naturally produce less oil. So keeping our thirsty faces quenched is a primary step in combatting spots! There's nothing wrong with pampering yourself a little, this mask is a great way to do that and better still, it's practically invisible. 






Super-Human Complexion




Radiance Booster


When i'm going out, or just wanna look my best, I replace my moisturiser with this little gem. I didn't think ineffable skin was even possible, until now. A tiny amount of this radiance booster instantly makes your skin look physically energised. I feel my face become super soft and my complexion brightened massively. There simply isn't a product quite like this in mens ranges, but would definitely recommend you trying it out! 





If you can, give these ago! You won't be disappointed! I'm so happy with the results! 

Thanks for reading, i've got something new planned for you all very soon.

Marco. 


















As we venture into the coming months this dreary winter will soon be a thing of the past. This is a time to start thinking about your spring/summer wardrobe. However, it can be a very difficult time outfit-wise as we're still in that limbo like transition. For this reason, it made sense for me to write my first post about a couple of my must have outfits of the moment.  


 Me in nothing but River Island.   


The look above is one of my absolute favourites at the minute. The faded grey skinnies perfectly complement the mottled purple T-Shirt and the distressed military boots set the outfit off nicely. This look is simple and easy to wear, without compromising on impact. I love this combination on myself, but it's one that would suit anyone regardless of your body type or complexion. I'm a fan of the deep purple here, but if it's not your cup of tea fear not! Similar styles are available in a range of different colours but make sure you stick to darks, an alternative is listed below. 

I swear by River Island stretch skinnies. They come in a range of styles and colours and have an excellent fit. This grey pair works wonders rolled up with these brown boots, which make a breathtaking statement to the simple outfit. The soft leather and suede panel combination, teamed with the cladded lip and brass zips, give just the right amount of edge. I often wear this outfit out clubbing, and even during the day (with a warm bomber jacket).

The T is now sold out, but here are some great RI alternatives...


To complete the Look... 




You ain't nothin' but a hound tooth sweater. 


Isn't it annoying when things you buy go on sale? Luckily for you guys many of the items in this post are indeed cheaper than when I purchased them. This is one of the benefits of the Winter to Spring transition. This look is perfect for when you want to be more chic without over doing it.

Here I have paired this smart 'hound tooth' jumper with contrasting sleeves and faux leather shoulder patches, with some staple, black stretch skinnies. This look oozes class and thats exactly what I feel when I'm wearing it. What you will soon discover as this blog progresses, is that I am a huge fan of monochrome, and it's just my luck that it's in at the moment! Black and white is such an effortless paring that looks super chic and suits almost anyone. 

Love at first sight.


My favourite shoes for this outfit are my black Zara high tops, which carry the monochrome theme beautifully. I wear these far too much as they literally go with everything, but how can I help it when they look so good?! They have a quirky reflective zip at the back and a subtle snakeskin pattern, giving impact from all angles. I just hope my mum doesn't get annoyed about me leaving them on her kitchen table.

To get this look...


The sneakers are sold out on the Zara website but there's a new leather alternative that i've fallen in love with, watch this space as I intend on having them in my life very soon...   


 Be sure to make the next few months as fashionable as you can! If you look good, you'll feel good, and what better way to combat the last stretch of this cold?! Look out for my next blog which will help you keep your skin looking top notch. 

Thanks for reading, 

Marco.