Look what's come down the chimney this Christmas!
It's that time of year again! Stress and indecisiveness can make gift shopping seem like a mammoth task, which makes it difficult to get into the spirit of things. Shopping for guys can be so much harder too. If we don't even know what we want for christmas, how is anyone else supposed to know?! The good news is, i've found a gift that will keep giving!

Cornerstone delivers a personalised shaving experience to your door. You can tailor the subscription box to suit your grooming needs.  Simply pick the products you want, specify how often you shave and cornerstone does the rest!



Be Sharp
Your first box will equip you with the amazing cornerstone razor. I am prone to shaving rash and this is the only blade i've used which hasn't aggravated my skin at all. Never have I experienced such a smooth, comfortable and close shave. The handmade razor incorporates german engineered steel blades that glide over your skin giving the sharpest finish. To put the icing on the christmas cake, you can have your razor engraved free of charge! Select 1, 2 or 3 initials to make it a truly personal gift.

The best razor that I have ever used, thank you Cornerstone!

Take Your Pick!

The excellence does not end here. You have the option to select a range of British made products to compliment your new standard of shaving. These are also available individually. Opt for the natural scrub to polish off dead skin and prepare for a flawless shave. Choose either the nourishing willow bark and bamboo shaving cream or the gel rich in plant oils for an effortless glide with no irritation. I received the gel and discovered that there is no such thing as too close for comfort!

Cornerstone have won me over again with their post-shave balm. I have used products like this in the past that sting and leave your skin red and blotchy. This balm energises with refreshing mint, but remarkably does not sting at all! The addition of honey gives natural anti-bacterial and conditioning action but (sorry bees) means that it is not suitable for vegans, like all the other products. Veggies rest assured that you're still fine with this one.

Red is The New Black 

All formulations are paraben and alcohol free, making them safe for sensitive skin. You'll also get replacement steel blades with your deliveries as needed. You can change the delivery schedule and products as often as you like, so it's totally flexible.

With all of the products included the box would cost  £30 every 18 weeks (that's less than £2 a week!), this is dependant on how often you shave and what products you choose. After receiving my blogger mail, I am pleased to announce that I will continue using cornerstone products. I am so impressed with the sheer quality and fact that you wouldn't usually get this standard of shave outside of a barber shop! I feel very lucky to have been sent this amazing set.

Check out Cornerstone this christmas.
S+F - My blogger mail 
jhskjh
Behind this innovative and somewhat quirky brand lies a male grooming product range with a clear message. These solutions are simple, straightforward and take the confusion out of body and skincare shopping. In an overwhelming market that bombards us with countless claims and grooming ranges that do little other than confuse most people, S+F have provided clarity. I find this approach to skincare so very refreshing! The mock-chemical symbols give the brand an uncomplicated, pure vibe which is supported by their bold, natural core ingredients. The signiture scent carried across all products is refined, masculine and fresh.

Sh + Cd

With so many options on the shelf,  choosing a shampoo and conditioner can be a bit of a hassle. Black quinoa and shea butter leave your hair perfectly cleansed and pollutant free without dehydrating. Keravis™ protein complex penetrates the cuticle where it will  fortify, nourish and defend your hair... while helping it grow healthier from the roots! This is just what you need from every day haircare. Use the conditioner after shampooing to boost shine and protection. 

There you go, all the hard work is done for you. - Shampoo - £7 Conditioner - £7

Bw 

This product left my skin feeling invigorated and squeaky clean, what more could you want from a body wash? Brazilian papaya nourishes and conditions while Vitamin E gives antioxidant and anti-aging benefits. 

Does exactly what it says on the bottle - Body Wash - £7

Fs

Face scrubs are a tricky one. Too abrasive and they can do more harm than good, too gentle and they won't properly exfoliate. The size of the 'beads' or particles is also very important, they need to be small enough to remove dirt and dead skin from the pores. The microbeads in this scrub do just that. Prickly pear extract (Chronodyn™) tones, firms and increases cellular energy metabolism, giving life to your complexion. 

This may sound complicated, which is why all you have to do is whack it on and see the results! - Face Scrub - £8

Hy 

This non-greasy hydrator combines the Vitamin E benefits of the body wash, with the prickly pear cell-energising effects of the scrub. This and its light fragrance will make your skin irresistible! 

The result? Skin that is soft, protected, toned and top notch Hydrator - £10

Sw 


Finally, I am delighted to introduce you to the ultimate gym bag accompaniment! The 4-in-1 solution is a hair, body and face wash with the additional function of a shaving gel! Natural Guar Gum prevents your skin from drying out while giving lubrication for a close and sleek shave. This product is perfect for sports lovers and travellers alike. 

Anything that means one less bottle on the shelf is great in my eyes. - Sports Wash - £9

Wb

When packing holidays and weekends away this wash bag has been ideal. It has plenty of room for your S+F products as well as other toiletry essentials. 


... Or you could kit yourself out with the Full Works set which contains all of the S+F 'essential' items in the bag! It's also perfect as a gift.  Full Works - £40 (I think that this is AMAZING value) 

I hope you enjoyed this review. I am so pleased to have collaborated with such a unique brand, that aims to take the stress out of your grooming regime by doing the hard work for you! 





THE ALL NEW ZEOS QU3  SKINCARE RANGE
I love reviewing new, innovative skincare for men. This is so that I can test the best possible products for my own use and for recommending to you guys. I always get a little excited when I receive blogger mail, but nowhere near as excited as I got when I saw who this parcel was from!



Last year I trailed the ZEOS for men warm waxing kit and saw fantastic results. When I heard that this exciting new brand were bringing out a complete skincare range, I was over the moon! Naturally, I had pretty high expectations which they certainly lived up to.

The award winning QU3 range is designed with the modern-day man in mind. The stress of your morning commute and the pollutants that you expose yourself to on a daily basis take their toll on your skin. We all love our urban lifestyles, but do you know the damage it does to your skin? Luckily, ZEOS have tackled this issue face on with their remarkable new range.

The Science:

All of the products in the QU3 range contain the revolutionary ingredient Resistem™. Developed from stem cell technology (derived from a species that actively resists environmental stresses), Resistem™ utilises the protective and defensive properties of this natural phenomenon. By incorporating this substance into their formulations, ZEOS have created skincare that has the ability to eliminate toxins, promote energy production and maintain the skins ability to regenerate. In other words...  

The QU3 range: 
1) Protects from every day pollutants   
2) Gives your complexion a burst of life 
3) Serves for anti ageing!

In addition to this, the range is packed with vitamin E (a powerful antioxidant and collagen stimulator) and vitamin B5 which binds and retains water within the dermis. This gives lasting hydration at a cellular level. B5 not only hydrates, but improves elasticity and softness. 

I was super excited to be one of THE first to receive this exciting set of samples! After 6 months of using the range every day, here's how I got on (in true marcoallamoda fashion). 



THE FANTASTIC FOUR

FACE WASH - LOOKING AFTER THE MONEY MAKER 

For me there is no better way to kick start your morning regime than with a fresh face. This face wash not only brings  incomparable cleansing, but invigorating menthol gives a sensation that wakes you up and brings life to your skin. Equally, using this product to freshen up at the end of your day will wash away any impurities that may lead to a breakoutHydrating ingredients ensure that your skin stays quenched, which is vital in the battle against ageing. This product is supplemented with vitamin E which enhances your natural collagen production. Teamed up with Resistem™ and Vitamin B5, this wash is a force to be reckoned with. - Can't fault this face wash! Use morning and night for infallibly clear skin. 
(£7.95 - ZEOS®)


THE HAIR AND BODY SHOWER GEL -  START YOUR DAY RIGHT 

For me, there has always been a stigma attached to these 2-in-1 hair and body washes. The last thing I want is to strip away at my hair with products that are too harsh. Drying out the hair is always a risk with these types of washes. Luckily ZEOS have got it right with this hair and body gel! The same way vitamin B5 keeps the skin hydrated, it binds and withholds water within the hair follicles. Meanwhile vitamin E helps to build on the collagen that makes up and strengthens our hair. This product leaves your whole body feeling fresh and energised. - Impeccably clean hair and skin from head to toe. (£4.95 - ZEOS®)


FACE SCRUB - I DON'T WANT NO SCRUB, UNLESS IT'S FROM ZEOS 

Exfoliation is one of the most important parts of your skincare program. We need to remove dead skin and unclog the pores to prevent blackheads. The trouble is that this can be abrasive and take its toll. ZEOS combats this by incorporating nourishing shea butter into their product. This moisturises while the natural coconut husk works to scrub away dirt and oil. Thus leaving smooth skin and clear pores, which appear reduced in size after each use.

My tips: 1) Use this scrub when you're in a hot shower, the steam will open up your pores and the coconut husk can really excavate any blackheads and dirt. 2) Use as a shave prep. This scrub will remove any dead skin, preventing cuts and nicks, while shea butter will pre-hydrate your skin reducing irritation. 

All-in-all, very good scrub. (£7.95 - ZEOS®)

FACE AND BODY MOISTURISER - HEAD TO TOE HYDRATION

Again, I am always sceptical when trying these types of 2-in-1 products. Initially I felt that a moisturiser which can be used on the body may be too greasy and heavy for use on the face. Surely a compromise has to be made somewhere? Well... they shut me up again. This moisturiser is so very light, non-greasy and fast absorbing! It literally melts into the skin within a few seconds of being applied. Shea butter+ provides optimum hydration and the added vitamins make your skin look healthy and full of life. It works as well on the face as it does on the rest of your body and has a sophisticated masculine scent. Better still, it's one less bottle on the shelf! - I love this moisturiser.  (£8.95 - ZEOS®)



ZEOS have hit the nail on the head with their QU3 range. It is remarkable how the underlying science behind these products is teamed up with formulations that are both effective and great value for money. No wonder that they bagged themselves the 2015 best skincare range award (Male Grooming Review). As an animal scientist, it means a lot to me that none of these products are tested on animals. All of the products in the QU3 range don't use animal derivatives and so are also suitable for vegans. This range is ideal for travelling as the bottles are compact and the 2-in-1 products are great for de-bulking your toiletry bag.

Give it a go! - Marco