Author, beauty editor, TV presenter and botanical specialist - Liz Earle is nothing short of a beauty and grooming oracle. Pre Estee, pre Elizabeth (Arden), Liz Earle is from a whole different generation of beauty pioneers. Having gained her experience through extensive research in botanical ingredients, in 1995 she jumped the media ship and swapped schmoozing for musing - the end result: a naturally active skincare range based on natural ingredients and high performance, which is now a cult brand with millions of followers worldwide. With an absurdly low turnover of first time only tryers, Liz Earle for Men ranks high on the ‘ones to try’ list.

Following lookmantastic’s Q & A with Liz, we will be, over the next few weeks, publishing the interview to give you a thorough understanding of the mechanics of this high performance range, how ingredients are sourced and why Liz Earle for Men products never compromise on product safety and performance.

1.         Coming from a beauty and cosmetics background, what inspired you to create a men’s range?

My business partner and friend (Kim Buckland) and I decided to launch the Naturally Active Men’s Skincare range five years ago, following the success of our women’s range - Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare (which will be celebrating its 15th anniversary in June this year!)  We wanted to create a compact collection of men’s skincare essentials to work on all skin types by harnessing the potent powers of the finest quality naturally active ingredients. So many of our female customers were telling us that the men in their lives were stealing their products so we decided it was time they had their own range of simple, but highly effective products that utilise high levels of herbs, botanicals and vitamins in products bespoke to specific male skincare concerns.

2.         What differentiates Liz Earle for Men from other organic men’s brands on the market?

The Naturally Active Men’s range is a concise collection of effective, easy-to-use men’s grooming essentials. We believe that simplicity is key when formulating skincare for men because you want fuss-free, easy to use products that are hard-working and provide excellent skincare benefits. Our men’s range consists of just five products to cater for the grooming needs of the modern man, and offers effective head to toe botanical skincare solutions.

3.         Are Liz Earle for Men products suitable for use by women?

Yes. In fact we receive letters and phone calls from many women who admit to stealing their husband’s products! For example, we know of many women who use our Sensitive Shave Cream. Formulated specifically with shaving in mind, it is therefore suitable for everyone as shave grass, clary sage and eucalyptus help to soothe and moisturise the most sensitive of areas and the fragrance is subtle and refreshing, making it appealing to both sexes. I also particularly love our Men’s Face & Body Wash, which has a truly divine scent due to the blend of pure essential oils including patchouli, vetiver and bergamot…I often use my husband’s bottle in the bathroom.

4.         What are the primary differences between a man and a woman’s skin and why do they require different care?

There are several key differences between men and women’s skin. Androgen (testosterone) stimulation causes an increase in skin thickness, which accounts for why a man’s skin is roughly 25% thicker than a woman’s. In addition to being thicker, a man’s skin texture is tougher. Sebum and its production also differ between the sexes - after puberty, sebum production is greater in males than females, which is attributed to androgen secretions and accounts for why men have longer lasting acne.  Regardless of age, men also have a higher collagen density than women which explains why men seem to get fewer wrinkles than women. As a result of these differences, products formulated specifically for male skin can be a little tougher than skincare for women. For example, our Men’s Face Scrub contains pumice and jojoba beads and is a stronger scrub than the Gentle Face Exfoliator which sits within our ladies range.

There’s only one thing that’s more embarrassing than Cheryl Cole’s miming at last week’s Brit awards, and that’s dandruff. If you’ve ever experienced an avalanche of flakes, however natural the cause, you’ll know that it’s an uncomfortable condition that causes plenty of distress. In order to help you fend off dreaded ‘druff, we’ve sourced the very best professional anti-dandruff products from around the world, and here are our top picks. You’ll be back wearing black in no time at all.

Shampoos

Top of the market: Philip B Anti-Flake Relief Shampoo

Value for money: TIGI B For Men Anti Dandruff Shampoo

Experts in the field: Alpecin Active Shampoo Against Dandruff

Award winner: Philip Kingsley Shampoo For Flaky & Itchy Scalps

For the sophisticated gent: L’Oreal Professionnel Homme Purete

Treatments

Best seller: Redken For Men Chill Blast Leave In Treatment

Medical master class: Alpecin Medicinal Forte Intensive Tonic

Scalp savoir: Philip Kingsley Scalp Toner

The only thing that’s a safer bet than Portsmouth’s relegation is that guys will leave Valentines preparations to the last minute. But before the panicking ensues and you reach the point where you think edible underwear is a good idea, we’ve enlisted the help of the lookfantastic girls for some gift advice that will leave her putty in your hands.

ghd Stylers - from £89.99

This range of ghd stylers are the best in the business. Yes they might cost you a little more than you wanted to spend, but think about how much more she’ll love you for it.

Marc Jacobs For Women EDP - £40

New York’s hottest designer combines two traditional Valentines gifts with a fresh floral blend that won’t wilt after a week.

Bare Escentuals Get Started Complexion Kit - £45

The beauty of this bareMinerals make up set is that she’ll feel as if she’s not wearing any makeup at all, yet the coverage is flawless - just like your choice of gift.

Cowshed Horny Cow Seductive Bath and Massage Oil - £16

This gift requires a little extra effort post purchase, but the seductive mood enhancing essential oils will make it all worth it.

It’s that time of year when the award ceremonies start coming thick and fast, but there is one glitzy A-list event that stands out from the crowd. No not the Grammys - the Shortlist Men’s Grooming Awards 2010.

With more entrants than ever before, over 300 grooming essentials were whittled down into 20 hotly-contested categories, reflecting an industry that’s not only growing in size but also evolving in terms of the ever-more sophisticated demands of the male consumer.

Joined by a panel of experts, over 2000 Shortlist readers voted these grooming champions top of the pile…

BEST MEN’S ANTI-AGEING PRODUCT
Lab Series Age Rescue Face Lotion

BEST MEN’S HAIRCARE
Aveda Men Pure-Formance Shampoo

‘EVERY MAN SHOULD HAVE ONE’ AWARD
ClarinsMen Fatigue Fighter

SHORTLIST MEN’S GROOMING CLASSIC
Calvin Klein Eternity For Men EDT

BEST NEW MEN’S GROOMING RANGE
Kyoku For Men

For a full results listing and the very best in movies, entertainment, sport, women and gadgets, visit shortlist.com.

Living in Brighton, I am blessed with what has to be one of the best locations for running in the country. Miles of picturesque sea front promenade combined with gruelling hills makes this sea side town a runner’s paradise. Ok, so it might not have the benefits of altitude training, or a warm climate, but it makes up for it with true British character.

As I wasn’t playing my normal game of Sunday morning football this week, I decided to lace up the trainers, don my 80’s head band and hit the sea front for a fitness boosting run (a moustache short of looking like a 118 man). After about half a mile when I could hear my breathing getting heavier it dawned on me - I’d forgotten my iPod. I never leave the house for a run without it; it’s my running companion, my company on those early morning jogs and my motivation for that last exhausting hill.

And I’ve looked into it, it’s not just me who considers listening to music while running a necessity; the professionals and running geeks are all on board too! The theory is, listening to music helps trick your mind into feeling less tired, blocking out fatigue and giving you a more positive outlook.

So before setting out on your next run, don’t forget to create a motivational playlist, bearing the these key factors in mind:

A strong rhythm
A pounding drumbeat, a big guitar riff or a song with a high tempo gives your run rhythm and seems to create a physical reaction to the music.

Powerful themes
Songs with lyrics or themes that inspire offer encouragement and extra motivation.

A feel-good vibe
When you’re flagging and in need of a mental boost a well chosen tune gives you the determination to carry you through those tough miles.

Here in the lookmantastic office, we like to think of ourselves as fairly active guys, we’ve got a few runners, a couple of gym goers and some football fanatics. So we set about creating our ultimate fitness playlist, and here are the results.

The lookmantastic playlist

1. Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger
2. Bryan Adams - Run To You
3. Black Eyed Peas - Get It Started
4. Shannon Noll - Shine
5. Jay-Z - 99 Problems
6. Bloc Party - Helicopter
7. David Bowie - The Jean Genie
8. Kings of Leon - Four Kicks
9. Queen - Don’t Stop Me Now
10. Calvin Harris - Flashback
11. Friendly Fires - Skelton Boy
12. Kasabian - Underdog
13. The Killers - Mr Brightside
14. Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream
15. Oasis - Rock and Roll Star

We’ve tried to mix some big tempo tunes with a few tried and tested favourites of our own to provide you with a starting point, but the beauty of a running playlist is that the songs are personal to you, and your route. So make sure you have a go yourself, and if you’ve got any advice for fellow runners, or playlist picks of your own, make sure you get in touch.

It can be easy with anything in life to get into a routine and to stick to what you know. Whether it’s taking the same route to work, following the same routine when getting ready in the morning or eating the same foods. Sometimes it can be nice to break the mould and try something different, turn left when you would normally turn right, have breakfast when you would normally be showering, or eat fish when you would normally eat chicken.

A grooming regimen is the same, it can be easy to stick to the products and brands that you know and love without a thought of many alternatives there are in the world of grooming.

So in order break the norm, I thought I’d draw all of your attention to some of the lesser known brands and products available at lookmantastic.

Hair

Redken Work Hard Power Paste

A hair care regime generally consists of three main components, a shampoo, a conditioner and a styling product. Redken For Men & American Crew are vastly popular in this category with products like Redken For Men Go Clean Shampoo, Redken For Men Work Hard Power Paste, American Crew Fibre & American Crew Forming Cream flying off the shelves.

As an alternative, why not try Matrix Men Active Control Anti Dandruff Shampoo or Terence Renati Paste.

Face

Skin care can also be broken down into three main components, cleansing, shaving and moisturising. This is where grooming gets really interesting as nearly everyone has different preferences and unique reactions to certain products. For example people are divided by whether to wet shave or use an electric trimmer, or whether to use a shave crème, gel, mousse or oil. In this category it’s impossible to ignore brands such as Lab Series, Anthony For Men and ClarinsMen.

If you fancy a change to your shaving regimen why not try some of the excellent products on offer from new brand The Art of Shaving or old favourite Jack Black. Baxter of California also has a great range of specially formulated skin care products, whilst the Zirh moisturisers are hard to beat.

Body

Body care for the average man can be pretty simple, with many men being happy with a simple shower gel or scrub. However a more grooming savvy 21^st century man may also use a hand cream to keep his digits suitably cared for. Korres and Paul Mitchell products are popular in this category but Brave Soldier and Ole Henriksen have some great products for a body care regimen.

With so many brands and products to choose from at lookmantastic there’s always something new and different to try. So why not push the boundaries of your grooming regime and try something new, you never know, you may just find your next grooming staple.

Sam.

A new brand comes along every once in a while that has everyone in our office talking. Liz Earle For Men is one of those brands.

With the ticker tape and the red carpet stored away after the Friday launch, it now gives me the opportunity to delve deeper into the inner workings and let you guys know what makes Liz Earle For Men stand out from the crowd. I’ve been lucky enough to meet the brand and get to grips with their products over the last few weeks, and here’s my quick fire guide to Liz Earle For Men and their Naturally Active Men’s Skincare.

Easy does it

One thing Liz Earle doesn’t like to do is over complicate things, and that’s evident in their product range. How many times do we, as grooming conscious guys, discover a new range - only to find out that the range recommends you start with a minimum of 8 or 9 products? In the case of Liz Earle For Men, you could cover your entire skincare routine, without cutting corners, in just four products - now that’s a refreshing change.

It’s a results business

With a mission statement that includes the words; gentle and effective, and a promise to use high quality, safe, naturally active ingredients, Liz Earle For Men have set the bar pretty high. But judging by a host of healthy customer reviews and industry followers the results seem to speak for themselves.

Pound for pound

Speaking to men up and down the country, no matter how grooming minded, one thing we all appreciate is products that are honestly priced. We don’t necessarily want everything to come with a budget price tag, we just don’t like to feel like we’re being ripped off. As a well established luxury skincare range, Liz Earle For Men again abandon all preconceptions with a respectable price range that makes that bit of luxury more affordable.

The verdict

As with all skincare greats, Liz Earle For Men help you reap the rewards of an effective regime with targeted products. The Naturally Active Men’s Skincare range provides everything you need to achieve healthier, problem-free skin and the perfect shave, without the hefty price tag or an over complicated offering.

Shop Liz Earle For Men.

Featuring the leading men from fashion, music, sport, film and television, February’s Edition of GQ showcases the annual GQ Best Dressed List and 50 of the most stylish gents old Blighty has to offer. With three David’s, a rapper, a boy band and a shock entry from the animal kingdom, we get our teeth stuck into the top 10.

GQ Best Dressed British Men 2010 - The Official Top 10

10. Dizzee Rascal
09. David Beckham
08. David Cameron
07. David Furnish
06. Daniel Craig
05. Tom Ford
04. Fantastic Mr Fox
03. Alex Turner
02. Take That
01. Robert Pattinson

Is there anyone more in demand than Robert Pattinson? The global success of the Twilight series has seen the British actor shoot to super stardom, and while the films aren’t to everyone’s taste, there’s no denying the style credentials of the leading man. Still only 23, Robert’s elegant and inspiring contemporary style has seen him jump 38 places since last year, an accurate representation of his unstoppable rise to the top.

A special mention also has to go to London’s very own Dizzee Rascal, whose success has continued beyond the charts seeing him sit proudly in the number 10 slot. GQ commissioning editor Andy Morris says “Dizzee is on the list not only because he is the most stylish rapper this country has ever produced, but also because it takes a certain chutzpah to wear a white suit well. Put it this way, he wears it better than Diddy.”

While the older British male still features strongly in this year’s list, there has been a notable comeback from the young Brits, with Alex Turner, Sam Riley and Ed Westwick joining Robert Pattinson and Dizzee Rascal in the top 20. With style credentials that range from effortlessly cool rock star (Turner) to the modern day dandy (Westwick) it seems the whole world wants a piece of our young guns.

Does R-Patz top your style list, or are you more of a Take That fan? Let us know what you think of the GQ list and the rise of our young stars. As for the rest of the list, (including the Worst Dressed list, the Best Dressed Footballers and the Best Dressed International Men) check out the February edition of GQ.

Let me start this week’s blog post by wishing all of you a very happy (if ever so slightly belated) New Year and the very best for the next 12 months. 2009 was an exciting year here at lookmantastic, with new brands, new products and new features a-plenty, and 2010 is going to be no different so stay tuned for the very best when it comes to male grooming.

A New Year brings with it some ever so predictable resolutions, with everything from giving up smoking to a new career direction at the top of the ‘to do’ list. The truth is (and you all know who you are) most will sadly not last in to February, however there are a select few with wills of steel that will kick on and make a real lifestyle change - and I salute you.

If your goal is health and fitness related (as I suspect many of yours will be) then a carefully selected supplement can play an integral part in helping you carve out an image that lasts not only for 2010 but for many years to come. Supporting your lifestyle change or fitness regime, supplements provide your body with the extra help it needs to meet your target, whether improving your diet, general health or sports performance. With a choice from the very best in the business, we’ve put together a guide to help you make your supplement choice.

The lookmantastic guide to supplements

Best for detox: Silver Detox Patches

Best for skin health: Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Vit C

Best for sports performance: Vitabiotics Wellman Sport

Best for bulking up: Maximuscle Cyclone

Best for slimming down: Murad Firm and Tone Dietary Supplement

Best for general health: Wellman Advanced Nutrition For Men

lookmantastic tip: Fed up of pounding the treadmill and slogging it out on the cross trainer? Then how about a cheap, effective and (whisper it) fun way of waving goodbye to that festive flubber? Let us introduce you to the humble skipping rope. Not only is skipping a high intensity work out that you can do just about anywhere, but it’s also a great way to work the key muscle groups in both your upper and lower body.

You can talk the resolution talk, but can you walk the walk? Only time will tell.

The Christmas party season is now upon us, with Christmas mania sweeps the nation once again. Here at lookmantastic, the office is counting down the days until our Christmas bash this coming Saturday and naturally as the day gets closer, everyone’s thoughts turn to the all important decision of what to wear!

Although getting ready for the Christmas party isn’t as big a deal for us blokes as it is for our female colleagues, the guys in the office have been discussing at length our choice of outfit and preparation strategies for the big bash.

After much deliberation I decided that my current wardrobe was insufficient for my Christmas party needs and bought a new shirt and jacket to form a smart/casual ensemble. My colleagues seem to be following along the same lines, with the most fashion forward fella opting for a blue velvet jacket to complete his outfit.

After the outfit, all that remains is to ensure that our grooming is up to scratch. Most of us favour a clean shave so products like men-u Shave Creme, Anthony Logistics Razor Burn Repair and KOS Men’s Sensitive Skin Face Balm are a popular choice.

The preference of hair styling product is where the lads are really divided, with all of us championing a different product. My personal favourites are Redken Rough Paste and Redken For Men Work Hard Power Paste. Others back KMS California Molding Paste, cult classic; America Crew Fiber and L’Oreal Professionnel Tecni Art Play Ball Density Material to style, texturize and define their hair.

The final stage in the Christmas party preparation, completing the outfit and grooming regimen is the all important fragrance. Escentric Molecules is a firm favourite with some (a certain Welsh member of the team has been accused of showering in it), whilst classics such as Dolce & Gabbanna Light Blue Pour Homme and Boss Bottled By Hugo Boss are amongst the bathroom cabinet staples.

With all the preparation now done, thoughts can now move to ensuring that all the Christmas bubbly consumed on the night doesn’t lead to an embarrassing encounter.

Sam