Blaise refers to the process as a ‘Made to measure Scent’, however it is not just the scent that bespoke, but the bottle adornments, and the various methods of scent diffusion. Choose from pillow mist, room spray, capillas diffusers, bespoke candles and even bespoke scarves to mist with a scent of your design and fragrance your bag or suitcase.

In case those options weren’t quite enough, you can also have a necklace, with your choice of precious stones, to adorn the fragrance bottle; this also doubles up as a ‘clasp’ of sorts to be worn with your bespoke scarf, hence saving you spraying scent directly onto your clothes.

 ‘Made to Measure Scent’.

For more information and to envelop yourself in more of his works visit his new website:
www.blaisemautin.com

To read our exclusive interview with Blaise Mautin click here

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The undone-yet-done look can be translated into that messy or choppy style that continues to be favoured amongst gentleman. Possibly described as the anti-Don Draper smart look but nonetheless a style which almost never goes out of fashion. Naturally, with the Bumble and bumble heritage I looked to them for products to achieve such a style. You may have come across their Surf Spray, a popular product aimed at achieving that undone-yet-done look:

Sexy, salty, sun-dried, windswept styles – whenever, wherever.

There is plenty of choice when it comes to men’s styling products but the Bb.Texture hair(un)dressing creme is one of the best I’ve found. It’s described by Bumble and bumble as a gel-creme, I agree. It provides excellent volume (ideal for thinning gents), hold and moldability. Importantly hair can be restyled at pretty much any point in the day, it will leave a matte finish and is easily washed off your hands and out of your hair – a nice change from products which seemingly contain superglue or similar.

It’s important to apply it to damp hair, to leave it for a minute and then style or ruffle. You can achieve pretty much any style you wish for and especially that undone-yet-done look.

This product is now a staple in my bathroom. At £21.00 for 150ml/ $22.00 for 5oz. it’s a more than reasonable price point for the length of time it lasts and the amount your require per application.

Imperfect…perfect, as Bumble and bumble might say.

www.bumbleandbumble.com

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The new men’s fragrance from fashion duo Viktor & Rolf, dubbed Spicebomb, mixes opposing blends of Chilli and Saffron with Leather and Tobacco to create a vibrant new scent that looks set to be the first ‘must have’ for the bathroom cabinet in 2012.

Blended by the expert hands of Olivier Polge, the man responsible for the modern classic that is Dior Homme, the fragrance also features fresh notes of Bergamot, Grapefruit, Elemi and Pink Pepper, giving the scent an appealing everyday wearability. At the recent launch for Spicebomb, guests were treated to exclusive footage of the ad campaign featuring the face of the fragrance, American model Sean O’Pry.

The space resonated with the explosion of a large pyrotechnic that released a flurry of confetti and fragrance into the air, signaling the first encounter with the scent.

After the videos had finished the space resonated with the explosion of a large pyrotechnic that released a flurry of confetti and fragrance into the air, signalling the first encounter with the scent.  The explosive theme features heavily in the scents bottle design also. Housed in a glass grenade complete with pull-able pin, the bottle makes a strong visual impact that perfectly matches the explosive arrival of your first spray; although you may find it hard to suppress the urge to throw it ‘Commando’ style across the room each time you want to apply the fragrance.

Spicebomb is currently available exclusively at Harrods priced £45 for 50ml and £60 for 90ml. The fragrance will launch nationally on March 7^th 2012 and will also be available as a Deodorant Spray, Aftershave Balm and Shower Gel.

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Inspired by Paris in the late 20′s, Byredo’s Bal D’Afrique is a scent based on the infatuation with African culture, art, music and dance. Originally created in 2009, Bal D’Afrique has had a rebirth in a travel friendly format. Byredo have released three pocket sized refillable bottles accompanied by a leather case with magnetic cap.

“A mix of the Parisian avantgardism and African culture shaped a unique and vibrant expression”

The almost bullet like vials conjure up classic image of a Hunter on Safari, highlighting Byredo’s unerring focus on creating the complete picture, despite it being a fragrance.

The Scent

Top Notes: African marigold Bergamot, Bucchu, Lemon, Neroli.

Heart Notes: Cyclamen, Jasmin petals, Violet.

Base Notes: Black Amber, Moroccan cedarwood, Musk, Vetiver.

www.byredo.com

Photo: Honeyee

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Designed by Parisian studio Ciguë, the space occupies an impressive position on the corner of Beak Street and Lexington Street, where double aspect windows display the brands wares on custom-made enamel shelving. Entering the store, clients are invited to enjoy a cup of Aesop’s herbal tea whilst trained consultants offer advice on the most effective treatments for each individual.

If you’ve yet to experience any of Aesop’s expertly formulated products, where high quality botanicals merge with stringently researched science, then we suggest you plan a visit to their new space soon, followed by an inquisitive ramble through Soho’s diverse streets.

www.aesop.com

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Men’s grooming brand Bulldog Natural Skincare continue to impress with the launch of their all new Original Eye Roll-On. A popular grooming tool with Apes and Gentleman alike, owing to it’s steely application and simplicity. The key to absolute success however is efficacy, does the product actually work?

There are 3 main areas of defence, the first defending against dark circles and puffiness. Ingredients utilised are Brazilian Ginseng Root Extract and Muira Puema Bark Extract, which possible mean little to you but they are excellent for encouraging microcirculation and reducing those hangover eyes.

Secondly, Bulldog lean on what they have learnt with their Anti-Ageing Moisturiser, which incidentally is a very good product, by opting for the inclusion of Millet Seed and Oak Apple Tannins, known for their ability to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Finally, hydration and protection. Avocado, Borage and Glycerin help hydrate and protect the skin from daily rigours such as pollution – a kind of super-natural oil combination.

The crux.

We are fans of this latest grooming tool, the Eye Roll-On and Bulldog as always lives up to the competition from bigger (and more expensive) brands. The Roll-On is easy to apply and feels instantly soothing (even more so if kept in the fridge). An instant fix for those difficult mornings when you wake looking like the honey monster. At £9.99 for 15ml it’s much more affordable than most, will last a long time and importantly, it works.

Available soon from www.nivenandjoshua.com | In the meantime consider the excellent Polaar Icy Magic eye roll-on.

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“As we looked at the research and technology that went into the creation of the Schick Hydro Power Select, we couldn’t think of a better place to introduce this product to the world than CES” – Patrick Kane, Senior Brand Manager, Schick Hydro at Energizer Personal Care

Features

• Comfort Control System: With a single button push, choose from three vibrations settings, Low, Medium or High, on a conveniently placed one-touch control button that allows users to seamlessly adjust throughout the shave to find the most comfortable level of vibration for their skin.
• Interactive Digital Interface: An easy-to-read LED screen communicates visually to clearly distinguish which vibration level is in use, another first in the razor category, allowing men to better choose the optimal power for each part of their faces. The screen also communicates the strength of the battery – green for optimal power, red when running low and in need of replacement, and flashing red when the battery is no longer able to power the razor.
• Design: Schick Hydro Power Select razor’s new high-tech features are reflected in its design, with a modern and masculine look and feel. The ergonomic handle houses 25 electronic components and has just enough heft to feel natural and sturdy in the hand.

Schick officials report that beyond these technological advancements, the Schick Hydro Power Select retains the innovations of the original Schick Hydro skin comfort system to refresh, renew and care for men’s skin, by helping to reduce irritation and providing hydration throughout each shave. The razors use proprietary technology to pack advanced lubrication into a Hydrating Gel Reservoir to effectively help reduce friction during repeat strokes, while five blades with innovative Skin Guards help control skin flow to reduce friction. A Flip Trimmer allows men to flip back the Hydrating Gel Reservoir so all five blades touch the skin for a precise trim, as opposed to the single edging blade on most razors.

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WANT Les Essentiels de La Vie Kenyatta Dopp Kit – Blue Caviar – £265

WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie is fast becoming a byword for exceptional leather goods. While Ape to Gentleman have the utmost respect for the quality of fine, traditional leather brands, WANT brings something more – that same quality but with a functional design take on classic originals – perfect for the modern gentleman. Described by WANT as:

Premium quality leather goods.

‘Premium’ is really an injustice when when describing a WANT product. A better way to describe them would be to tell you of WANT’s exacting attention to detail, use of exquisite materials and a functional design style that almost translates to art. I must admit though, it’s difficult to convey how well made and thought out the WANT products are without you seeing, feeling and smelling them for yourself.

WANT Les Essentials de la Vie Kenyatta Dopp Kit - checker canvas/Cognac – £170

From city bags to travel luggage and small leather goods WANT are winning in every area. Of particular note to avid Ape to Gentleman readers will be the WANT Kenyatta Dopp Kits (wash bags); generously sized at 6″ height, 12″ width, 5″ depth and handmade in materials such as French calf skin leather, with colour-ways like Blue or Black Caviar they really are the wash bag of choice, we haven’t seen anything finer.

WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie wash bags are available from Niven & Joshua.

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At home or abroad, having a fragrance on hand has become an essential aspect of every man’s grooming wardrobe.  For those who like to travel light however, having a bottle of your favourite juice on hand at all times can be a difficult task, especially if you don’t decant to a suitable travel-sized container. Fortunately, help is at hand from historic cologne manufacturers 4711, who have produced a discreet box of refreshing wipes coated with a measure of their classic cologne blend.

Applied to the neck and arms, the fragrance will refresh the senses and leave you smelling superb at any time of the day. Each box comes with 10 wipes, which fit effortlessly into wallets and pockets, and keep you travelling light as well as travelling fresh with a citrus scent suitable for all occasions.

4711 refreshing tissues are available at Boots and independent pharmacies and retail for £3.

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This year (2012) marks the 25^th anniversary of fabled Australian skin care range Aesop. Founded by Dennis Papthitis in 1987, last year saw Aesop significantly increase their physical presence with new stores opening in both the UK and the US. Aside from their aesthetically pleasing and effective natural skin care, Aesop is renown for their ethical design methods and innovative integration of their outlets with their location.

“A good product needs to begin from a sincere and authentic perspective” – Dennis Paphitis, Founder, Aesop

To celebrate the 25^th anniversary Aesop granted photographer Rene Vaile rare access to their Laboratories; the outcome was  minimalist images, reflective and reminiscent of the brand they represent.

The full interview with Aesop Senor Chemist Rebecca Watkinson can be read online at Nowness.

Photos: Rene Vaile, Melbourne

Source: Nowness

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