Written by Craig Landale in Grooming on the 11th June 2019

As a father to 2 girls I will be looking forward to Father’s Day again this June. However, I’m looking for a bit of me-time this time around. Let me tell you, it’s exhausting looking after a toddler and a new-born. My wife and I actually spend our weekends co-existing by tag-teaming parental duties to keep our sanity in check. I remember the days when I had no responsibilities in life and would dread Mondays at the office, whereas now I actually look forward to that day in particular because it means I have a working week ahead. I truly believe work life is easier than parenting and I challenge anyone to convince me otherwise. I also don’t seem to have time to shave my beard, cut my hair or eat a hot meal these days. So, this Father’s Day it would be great to go for a morning jog to blow off the cobwebs with my newborn (she’s much easier to look after as she will sleep the entire jog), open my presents (of course!) and then wave goodbye to my family for the entire day. Following this, it would be great to take a relaxing bath and get my grooming on-point for the first time in 2 years. I’d probably hit up Dishoom for brunch followed by a visit to my barber for a haircut and then hang out in a few coffee shops with my favourite magazine Courier. This may sound rather boring, but believe me, it's something you crave once you become a dad. Anyway, I digress. For this 2019 Father’s Day gift guide I’ve teamed up with the UK’s leading pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer Boots to highlight a selection of what gifts I would like to receive myself. I’m not interested in another dad tea mug or novelty socks, here I’m listing products I will actually find useful. Be sure to have a browse at the Boots Father’s Day Gifts yourself too.

Hugo Boss Bottled Infinite Eau de Parfum 100ml 

Hugo Boss Bottled Infinite is a stunning scent and is one I like to wear in the evenings, so an extra bottle in storage would be great. I really like the simple deep blue bottle design too. It has top notes of Apple, Mandarin and Cinnamon mixed with base notes of Olive wood and Sandalwood. The price is £70 but you're getting a top energising and sensual aftershave that you'll love to wear time and time again.

L'Oreal Men Expert Barber Club Short Beard Grooming Kit  

I sport a short beard (although in need of tidying up) so this L'Oreal Men Expert Barber Club Kit is perfect for me. It’s basically a simple product duo clean and care for your beard or moustache. Firstly, you use the 3-in-1 Beard, Hair & Face Wash in the shower and once dry you then use the Short Beard Moisturiser to finish. Your beard will feel soothed resulting in reduced itchiness and softer facial hair, while moisturising skin beneath all day long. At £11.99 it’s a no brainer! 

Gucci Guilty Cologne Pour Homme Eau de Toilette 90ml 

Another great fragrance centred around self-expression and fearlessness. Gucci Guilty is actually a modern reinterpretation of an Italian Italian scent that is centuries-old. It has top notes of Bergamot and Rosemary teamed with base notes of Patchouli and Cedarwood making for a great all rounder day wear fragrance.

L'Oreal Men Expert The Daily Expert Gift Set 

This £9.99 L'Oreal Men Expert Gift Set is more for the seasoned groomer. Dubbed ‘The Daily Expert’ it features 3 great products which include an eye roll-on, moisturiser and deodorant. It is a simple 3 step kit to start your day right and features caffeine and vitamin C. As a dad, fatigue is a regular battle – I constantly feel tired and my skin represents this. The moisturiser will combat the 5 signs of fatigue; dullness, dark circles, tightness, loss of firmness and roughness. The eye-roll will keep your eyes refreshed by reducing the appearance of eye bags and dark circles. The high performance anti-perspirant has a long-lasting fragrance and is effective for a handy 48 hours. 

Paco Rabanne 1 Million For Men Eau de Toilette 100ml 

This fragrance really has proven itself and has been around for quite some time. I remember when I first bought this Paco Rabanne scent in my early 20s. Everyone recognises that iconic gold bar bottle design. It's an intoxicating, powerful blend that starts out fresh and moves onto a spicy leather accord. It has top notes of Blood Mandarin and Peppermint, teamed with base notes of Leather Accord Amberketal.

Harry's Shaving & Grooming  

I don’t clean shave but I should be shaving my neck and cheek line with a razor for a longer lasting sharp look. Any way to buy myself more time is something I’m very much interested in. The Harry’s Truman Razor Handle is designed with a rubberised matte exterior, texturised grip pattern, and weighted core for maximum grip and control. The razor blade cartridges are engineered at the brand’s own German factory that has been producing some of the world's finest blades for almost 100 years. Each cartridge features everything you need for a close and comfortable shave: sharp, durable blades, a flex hinge, a lubricating strip, and a precision trimmer for your sideburns and harder-to-reach places. Only £8 which is a bargain price! Boots have a range of shaving kits along with shaving creams/gels, post shave balms and face lotions all by Harry's, so have a browse and take your pick. You could create your own Father's Day hamper! 

Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Eau de Toilette Spray 125ml 

Here's another member of royalty in the fragrance world. You will instantly recognise this bottle design which is based upon a sailor and interestingly, this symbolic figure was a long source of inspiration for Jean Paul Gaultier over the years. With notes of Mint, Lavender and Vanilla, Le Male offers a nonconformist view of masculinity.

L'Oreal Paris Men Expert Hydra Energetic Tissue Mask 30g  

At just £1.99 this L'Oreal Paris Men Tissue Mask is like the stocking filler of Father’s Day gifts. I had never actually used one of these before, but I have been advised to warn anyone in your house before you do to not give them a fright and you definitely should not answer the door when in use. You’re going to look a little freaky but only for 5 minutes (again, handy when you have kids). This orange tissue mask for men will energise your skin as it is designed to hydrate and fight excess oil. 

L'Oreal face wash, Exfoliating scrub and Moisturiser 

The L'Oreal face scrub is for dads who want to take action against blocked pores from oily skin. Simply give you face a wipe with warm water, massage the product in and rinse. Your tired looking skin will be refreshed in no time. The L'Oreal face wash is just £2.49 so another great add on gift. It is also designed to energise dads' tired looking skin making it feel invigorated. I recommend using this in the shower for convenience, especially if as a dad you're always a million jobs behind and have little time. Finally, finish off with this L'Oreal moisturiser which continuously hydrates your skin for 24 hours. 

Gentleman Givenchy Eau de Toilette Spray 100ml  

I like a good scent and can easily go through a few bottles a year which is why I would need three this Father’s Day (hint hint). This one by Givenchy (£56) is a new vision of masculine elegance and features notes of Pear, Orris, Lavender, Leather and Patchouli. The bottle is heavy glass with a refined modern aesthetic which looks sophisticated on any bathroom shelf. I’d go as far a say that it looks like a piece of art.

BOSS The Scent Eau de Toilette for Him 100ml 

This is an iconic fragrance by BOSS and one of my favourite scents which wears really well for the day without fading too much. The bottle design represents a cage and always looks striking in a bathroom. Exquisite notes of Ginger, exotic and exclusive Maninka and virile Leather unfold over time. The effect is potent, crafted to provoke the senses with an air of depth and enigma: powerful, rich, full-bodied. At £56.50 it’s a treat worth every penny.

Competition 

Here’s your chance to win a best seller from the Boots Father’s Day Gifting Page. We have the Hugo Boss Bottled Infinite Eau de Parfum 100ml worth £70 up for grabs. All you need to do to enter is answer the following question below (click here if browsing on mobile). You have until June 25th 2019 to get your entry in. We will then randomly pick and contact the winner directly before announcing right here. 

*This post is an advertised collaboration with Boots but all thoughts are my own

Boots + Menswear Style Competition

We feature Harry's Truman Razor and BOSS The Scent fragrance among others in this Menswear Style x Boots Fail-Safe Father’s Day Gift Guide.