We tried out the new Philips Norelco SensoTouch 3D electric razor and right away we noticed some improvements. First, the numeric LED display on the front of the razor comes up as soon as you turn it on, and right away you know how many more minutes of charge you have left up to 60 minutes. It also alerts you about cleaning and replacement heads. The also added suction cups at the bottom of the charging unit so that it stays put on the counter.

More importantly, however, is that the unit still sports the GyroFlex design which makes for a very comfortable shave. The round heads flex, pivot and tilt to make it easy to move the razor around your face and easily hit each spot. This design sets this electric razor apart and we think most guys will love it.

The razor has many other features as well. The UltraTrack heads are built to capture hairs of all sizes for the most effective shave. It’s also a wet & dry shaver and has a skin friendly precision trimmer for you sideburns. Finally, the EasyGrip design makes this electric razor very easy to use as it fits perfectly in your hand.

This is a premium razor and makes an excellent gift for any guy on your list, including yourself!

With the holidays around the corner, men’s grooming products will be getting plenty of attention, and the new dual-ended Styleshaver from Philips Norelco offers a handy gadget that can handle a wide variety of tasks. You can get a clean shave with one side and trim your beard, goatee or stubble with the other end.

With facial hair making a comeback, the Styleshaver helps you express any style you choose with a flexible beard groomer. The beard trimmer is adjustable with 12 length settings from 0.5mm to 10mm so you can easily trim a beard of any length or a three-day stubble. It’s very easy to use with the two available attachments. With the triple action foil shaver on the other end for a clean shave, now you can handle all of your facial needs with one gadget.

The charger is light and handy and you get 50 minutes per charge. It’s also 100% waterproof for easy cleaning and it comes with a handy travel case.

Any guy who is interested in a look other than the clean shaven look, even if you just go with the stubble look from time to time, will love the flexibility of this product. Guys who regularly sport facial hair will love it. It makes for a great gift as well for guys of all ages, and definitely keep it in mind for college kids who will appreciate all the features.

Click here for information on how you can save up to $20 on a range of Norelco Shavers and Groomers.

With Father’s Day coming up we’re all looking for gift ideas, and shaving products are always a good option. Grooming Lounge has put together a luxurious gift set around a luxurious dark leather travel bag created exclusively for them by renowned leather goods maker Mulholland Brothers. They stuff the bag with some great shaving products, including Mug Cleaner Face Wash, Beard Master Shave Oil, Beard Destroyer Shave Cream and Best for Last Aftershave. But my favorite item is the Ivory razor with chrome stand. As someone who just leaves his razor lying on the sink counter, the weighted chrome stand is perfect for holding your razor. Check it out along with other gift ideas at Grooming Lounge.

Does your special lady complain that after a few kisses, her upper lip feels like it’s been exfoliated thanks to your vintage 70s style moustache? Maybe it’s time for a clean shave, fella. With that in mind, check out the shave products from Grooming Lounge.

What’s remarkable about the Grooming Lounge shaving products is how they make you feel. And I don’t mean feelings in the nontangible sense, because men don’t have feelings, duh.

The two products I received were the Beard Master Shave Oil and the Beard Destroyer Shave Cream and I was amazed how my skin felt after I shaved… a day later. Even an hour or so after or shaving, I kept stroking my face and could immediately recognize how smooth and soft my skin was compared to normal, after shaving. It felt like velvet wrapped in butter, pressed lovingly against the heat of a young Neve Campbell’s neck, minutes after her epic love scene with Denise Richards in the movie “Wild Things.”

But what really made me fall in love with the product was how smooth and moisturized my skin still felt even two days later. Literally two full days later, I was sitting at my desk caressing my own face, longingly.

I followed the directions and used both products in concert, (i.e. I cocktailed them), and based on the ingredients of each, it was impossible to tell which product was responsible. The Shave Oil contained Meadowfoam Oil (lifts whiskers), Peppermint Oil (lubricates) and Avocado Oil (soothes). Not only did all these ingredients feel fantastic on my skin, but I would eat any one of them right now.

The Shave Cream contained Sandalwood Oil (cushions razor), Rosemary Oil (demands razor glide) and Eucalyptus (battles ingrowns). Also, these products from Grooming Lounge weren’t falling all over themselves to be touted as some natural or earthy alternative to other shaving products on the market. They were just really good; and when I looked at the ingredients afterwards, it made sense as to why my skin was so soft and smooth.

The shaving experience was equally as good as the product. The Shave Cream, described as “ultra-lubricating shaving lotion,” came off with one swipe of the blade, even in difficult areas like around your neck. And it only took a minimal amount of cream (combined with a small amount of water) to spread an adequate amount on my face. The scent of Minimalist Clove was also a nice, subtle touch.

The Shave Oil, or “pre-shave whisker lifter,” is a product you could use by itself on a day where your skin was perhaps a little dryer than usual. One dab of this potent little sucker could cover the entire side of your face and felt more like massage oil than a moisturizer thanks to the consistency and the way your skin absorbs it.

For the price (Shave Cream $16.20, Shave Oil $22.50) you can’t go wrong; you really do get what you pay for. But hey, if you don’t want to spend roughly $40 for the best shaving solution you’ve never tried, keep buying that bargain shave gel and feel good about the money you’re saving rather than the quality of the shave.

Check out the full line of Grooming Lounge products at their official site.

This is a great promo video for this new product/service. If you want more than one blade you’ll be paying more than $1 per month, but this idea is pretty cool. Check out DollarShaveClub.com for more info.

I got a box in the mail from eShave and it contained the Orange Sandalwood Collection, which was comprised of three crucial components for an enjoyable shaving experience: Pre-Shave Oil, Shave Cream and After Cream Soother.

The Pre-Shave Oil was really thick, like a balm, rather than a cream type that a lot of companies use, and it softened the skin immediately. After a minute or two of applying a layer of the oil and then rubbing it in, I literally felt like I could shave even without the shaving cream — my skin was loosened up and felt soft. The pre-shave could’ve easily been a moisturizer. I wasn’t surprised to learn that the Orange Sandalwood Pre-Shave Oil was named the Best Pre-Shave Oil of 2011 by Men’s Health Magazine. The only thing I didn’t like was the scent — Orange Sandalwood. It was too purfumey and was trying really hard to be equal parts aromatherapy and Pre-Shave Oil, when the latter was sufficient.

Speaking of thickness, the Shave Cream was exactly that — cream — not some crappy gel that would dry out the minute the air hit it. It was actually very similar to the shave cream offered by TwinLuxe that I reviewed a few weeks ago. Both were high quality and coated and protected your skin, greatly smoothing the act of shaving. Though I favored the TwinLuxe product, if you’re on a tight budget, the eShave version is $22 for a 4 oz. bottle, while Twin Luxe charges $34 for a 5 oz. bottle. Both are very high quality and are vastly superior to any gel-based shaving cream on the market.

The After Shave Soother was probably my favorite of the three products I received from eShave. It was at least the one that distinguished itself the most from other similar products. So many after shaves on the market are not sufficient with just one application — after you put it on once, some of them even dry your skin out even further and you’re forced to apply some lotion or an additional product. But the eShave version was thick without being gloppy and felt great. I only had to apply one coat and I was good; my skin wasn’t dried out 15 minutes later, it was still firm and moist. It just felt good.

But seriously, the Pre-Shave Oil is so versatile that you could even use that as an after shave soother or post shave cream. It will leave your skin looking a little glossy and moist, so you may not want to use it before you go out. But it’s easy to see why Men’s Health was so enamored with it. The Sandalwood scent was a little much at times, particularly with the Pre Shave Oil and After Shave Soother. I like Sandalwood as a scent (I actually have a bar of sandalwood soap next to my sink right now), but felt like it was somewhat overpowering and unnecessary for a product that was already solid even without the added scent. Overall, eShave’s shaving products put them on the top tier with any other big name product on the market.

One of the tensest moments in the seminal 80s classic movie “Predator” is the scene where Sergeant Mac Eliot shaves his face in the jungle, sans shaving cream, with a cheap plastic razor while awaiting an encounter with the Predator.

For years, that one scene impacted the way I shaved my face. If it felt any better than the way it looked, I assumed I wasn’t doing it right. The act of dragging cold metal across dry, fractured skin in an effort to remove facial hair is the manliest thing there is — how in the world could it be pleasurable? And if it was, was I even doing it right?  Hence, stumbling blindly through mediocre shaving products for years, and even knowing full well that I was doing it.

TwinLuxe is redesigning the concepts of shaving and men’s skin care together, at the same time, with a line of products to bring pleasure back to the shaving ritual. The TwinLuxe line is comprised of seven different skin care products. I received three of them: Smooth Shave Cream, Booster Serum and Renewing Face Wash & Scrub. The bottles themselves looked clean and sleek and hinted at the experience that was to come. There was a distinct order to applying the following products which I followed diligently.

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If your purchasing or just surfing for men’s shaving online most likely you’ve heard of King of Shaves. I exchanged some emails from their team and decided to review some of their products. I really liked how the shave gel, face balm and razor were packaged into a clear plastic container that is perfect for air travel.

We first tested the AphaGel Shave Gel for Sensitive Skin and we felt the quality in this product when first applied. The ShaveGel is Dermatologically tested without any fragrance. The company claims the low-foam formula helps protect, moisturize and lubricate your skin throughout the shave giving excellent razor performance and glide. Ideal for sensitive skin and we found that to be true.

Next up was the razor that came with the travel kit. The razor works like a charm and has the award winning Azor System Razor which features unique flexible hinges that allow the four long-lasting Endurium blades to follow every contour of your face whilst pressing the blades progressively closer onto the skin for a superbly comfortable yet close shave. I then went right to the King of Shaves Face Balm which employs a unique Skin Surface Enhancing technology, with Hydrocreatine to protect, moisturise and condition your skin leaving it non-greasy, supple and smooth. Formulated with menthol to give you a cool, refreshed feel. I foind this to be one of the better after shave balms I have tried and the price is very reasonable.

For my next shave I tried the King of Shaves Shave Oil which protects, moisturizes and lubricates your skin throughout the shave giving superlative razor performance and glide. Your face will be left smooth, supple and moisturized. Up to 100 shaves from one bottle is no joke for small a small travel friendly package. I really enjoyed this product and I’m using it today as it really soothes your face and delivers one of the best shaves you could image. Top notch!

Overall the products we tested from King of Shaves were of high quality, practical and packaged properly.

Philips Norelco sent us their new SensoTouch 3D 1250 electric razor, and I was very impressed. I’m mostly a blade guy, and I buy good razors so I’m used to getting a good shave. If I’m going to use an electric razor, it’s usually as a backup for the convenience.

Years ago I had a Norelco, and I was always happy with it, but the SensoTouch 3D is light years ahead of those older models. It has the same three floating heads, and I was struck by how comfortable the razor was on my face. The three-dimensional GyroFlex component made a big difference. The UltraTrack shaving heads pivot around, tilt inward, and flex outward to adjust to the curves of your face.

The shave with this electric razor is practically effortless and it results in a very smooth shave. I’m very happy to add it to my regular shaving tools, and now I have a quick and easy solution when I need a quick shave.

Electric razors are popular gifts around the holidays, so we’re happy to recommend this one.

Disclosure: Sponsored Post

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There’s an ad campaign out there – we’re not naming any names, but you’ve almost certainly seen it – which asks the question, “What’s in your wallet?” In these trying economic times, the answer for all too many of us is, “Not nearly as much as there used to be,” and if you’re one of the folks who currently finds themselves in the midst of a search for employment, then you’re probably really feeling some lightness in your back pocket.

It can be rather disheartening when you’re trying to balance your budget, and we know that you need to find places to cut down on expenses, but be sensible, man, and keep yourself looking stylish at all costs. After all, did not the great philosopher Fernando once say, “It is better to look good than to feel good”?

Indeed, he did, and you must heed his words, for he is far more marvelous than you or I.

So how do you go about maintaining your outer awesomeness for future job interviews without having to break the bank? No, it’s not just about closing your eyes while you’re eating Ramen noodles and pretending it’s a sirloin steak…although, come to think of it, that actually worked pretty well for me when I was in college. If you put a bit of thought, care, and concern into your efforts, you can still come out with the right clothes, the right shoes, and, of course, the right shave.

As to the latter category…wait, hang on, let me just walk over to the CD player and cue up “Hymn for a Contractual Obligation”…we’ve already discussed in a previous column about how guys tend to buy a razor and stick with it for the long haul, so just go ahead and invest in Gillette’s new Fusion ProGlide and get it over with. First and foremost, it proves an awesome shave, but more importantly in this instance, odds are that you won’t feel the urge to replace it until well after you’ve found gainful employment again. As for your shaving gel and any of the other products with which you prefer to pamper your face, start scouring the Sunday papers for coupons as well as fliers for sales at your neighborhood drug store or pharmacy. If you keep your eyes open, the odds of you having to pay full price for these amenities drop significantly.

But what of the right clothes? Or, more importantly (as far as women are concerned, anyway), the right shoes?

Don’t freak out on me here, but…have you considered going the secondhand-store route? Kids, thrift stores aren’t just for hipsters anymore. They’re a great place to get near-new clothes, and if you investigate the scene and scout out the locations nearest to your area’s highest-priced homes, you’ll be astonished at the quality of clothing you can find…and, more importantly, the breadth of the big-name brands amongst their selection. How do you find the secondhand and thrift stores in your area? Well, first and foremost, there’s The Thrift Shopper, a one-stop web destination for all your thrift shopping needs. Per the site, “Search for thrift stores in our national thrift store directory, join our online thrifting community, and learn more about thrift shopping!” Beyond that, though, here are some of the more prominent names in the business that are likely to have locations in your neck of the woods:

• CHKD Thrift Stores
• The Salvation Army
• Goodwill

But, okay, maybe you just can’t get past seeing secondhand stores as a step down. If that’s the case, then try their upscale cousins: consignment shops. Or you can let the crappy economy work for you and keep an ear to the ground for word on going-out-of-business sales. Or, heck, you could even consider checking out the occasional estate sale. Yeah, it’s a little grim, but just imagine the possibilities for retro fashion!

Guys, how do you manage to save money but still look your best?

Look, no one ever said it was going to be easy to look good, but with a little effort, at least it doesn’t have to be expensive. So get out there, beat the street, and turn that reasonably-priced look of class into a new job that kicks ass!