Written by Nick Hogan in Grooming on the 29th November 2022

Now be honest, have you put your Christmas tree up already? I love Christmas, but it’s not even December yet! Well, as December 1st nears closer and the acceptable period to begin the festivities begins, we start thinking of presents to buy (those of us who aren’t prepared) and what to ask ourselves when the inevitable questions start flying in. So, I'm here to give your grooming regime an overhaul and a few gift ideas too. With that said, here are my grooming picks for November.

Bave Pomegranate & Plum Bath Soak 

I previously expressed my undying love for the Tobacco & Vanilla Bath Soak from Bave, which is a scent that will be forever a favourite of mine (sadly used far too quickly at the hand of my better half) however there’s a new contender to the top spot with Pomegranate & Plum. Not only is the bath soak the same luxurious and relaxing experience, but the scent is perfect for the winter months. Why not treat yourself, or consider one of the sets as a Christmas gift idea? Just make sure you keep it out of reach of your better half! 

Available from Bave - £18 >

Triumph & Disaster 

Triumph & Disaster have introduced a beard range to their already excellent line-up of products. The range includes Noble Endeavour Beard Wash, Johnny B Beard Oil and The Doctor Beard Balm. Noble Endevour is a sulphate free daily beard wash with a peppermint scent, Johnny B is a beard oil that’s applied like a balm, a less greasy way of nourishing your beard and featuring a bespoke fragrance described as Assasisn smoke and abandoned temple. Doctor Beard Balm features the same bespoke scent, also offering a non-greasy application, yet delivering a firm hold for shaping your beard. It’s time to put a little Assasin into your beard regime! 

Available from Triumph & Disaster - £24.95 >

Lilanur - Davana Cedre 

Anita Lal is the founder of Good Earth, the leading design house in India. Anita has a love of perfumery and has paired Indian ingredients with the finest French perfumers, launching Lilanur. My pick of the line is Davana Cedre, an herbaceous woody scent with the note of Davan at its heart, an Indian plant that has a tea like smell. Combined with cedar, cassis, pink pepper and musk, this is a scent with great depth and versatility. Not only would this make a great year-round scent but would work well as a gift for male or female. 

Available from Harrods - £225 >

Skandinavisk 

Skandinavisk have released two new candles ready for the winter months. Nordyls is Scandinavian for Northern Lights, presented in a striking green jar and featuring a scent described as Arctic intensity and celestial colour. Also newly released is Takka, which is Finnish for fireplace, featuring a scent described as Hacked pine and haysmoke, raw wool and rolling tobacco. Whilst Takka is less festive than Nordyls, it makes for a wonderful winter scent, warming, inviting, and enveloping. Whilst these candles won’t turn your home into a stylish Scandinavian cabin, it’ll certainly whisk your senses away to incredible landscapes. It certainly beats a trip to Ikea. 

Available from Skandinavisk - £25 >

QMS Collagen Concentrate 7-days System 

QMS is a brand rooted in science, developed by physicians and with an aim to address the causes of skin aging, not just treating the symptoms. Collagen Concentrate moisturises your skin deeply, aiding in evening out fine lines and plumping up the skin. The 7-days System consists of 7x3ml vials, each to be split with morning and evening applications. I went through the full 7-day treatment, and felt a significant difference from day 2, my skin felt renewed, smooth, and glowing. Give your skin a treat, or perhaps someone else’s? 

Available from QMS - £128 >

Biossance Squalane + Enzyme Sugar Body Scrub 

By now, I’m sure your skincare routine is well established, but do you ever think of exfoliating your body? An often-overlooked part of any routine, a body scrub will gently remove dead skin cells, leaving a smoother, even skin texture, just apply in circles on to damp skin. Squalane mimics your skins natural oils, so whilst the sugar crystals are doing their job removing dead skin, squalane is moisturising and softening your skin. So why not bring your new year’s resolution forward and start giving your whole body the skincare it deserves. 

Available from Cult Beauty - £22 >

Bioeffect Volcanic Exfoliator 

Whilst on the topic of exfoliating, why not consider adding a new facial exfoliator to your line-up. Volcanic Exfoliator contains micro-crystalline lava, from volcano Hekla in Iceland, as well as ground apricot seeds. Perhaps it’s just me, but my inner child finds the idea of real volcanic lava in a product cool. Also including is Azelaic Acid, a naturally occurring acid that aids in unclogging pores. See above for all the benefits of dead skin removal, a vital cog in your routine, and if it’s not, it should be. There’s nothing quite like the reset button feeling of a good facial scrub, and this certainly is a good facial scrub. 

Available from Bioeffect - £26 >

Harry’s Advent Calendar 

Countdown to Christmas one gift at a time with a playful Harry’s twist; a show-stopping suite of shave, skin, and shower favourites, all packed into a jenga-style tower. Enjoy the best of what Harry’s has to offer with their Limited-Edition Advent Calendar that dispenses daily treats - stacked with daily Harry’s heroes, including a limited-edition Truman razor, in Christmas red, skincare essentials, a limited-edition scented candle and a drawstring bag to house all of your new goodies in. As part of Harry’s ongoing mission to help those affected by the mental health crisis, the final block reveals Harry’s Christmas donation to Shout- the UK’s first, and only free confidential 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone struggling to cope. 

Available from Harry’s - £69 >

Bave, Triumph & Disaster, Lilanur, Skandinavisk, QMS, Biossance, Bioeffect, and Harry’s feature in November 2022’s Best Men’s Grooming Drops.