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.

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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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.

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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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.

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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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.

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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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.

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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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.

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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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

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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Day 30: The final 'mo'

It’s been an incredible journey. Along the way there’s been designer stubble, the ‘mexican’, the ‘chaplin’ and a wispy number before Tom finally settled on his ‘Freddie Mercury’ in the final weeks of Movember. In the process £105 has been raised for men’s health charities, and with many more donations still to be collected, that figure is still on the ascent.

All the members of the LM team would like to congratulate Tom for putting his vanity to one side in order to raise awareness for such a fantastic cause, you did us all proud, well done Tommy!

To make a last ditch donation, or to rate Tom’s ‘mo’ click here

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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According to our mates at mysinglefriend.com and their Movember survey, the profession in which you are most likely to find a chap with a moustache is the Armed Services.

Nearly 70% of their members agreed that you would be likely to find sergeant majors with moustaches, wing commanders with whiskers and lieutenants with lip hair. Education came in second place, with a similarly commanding 55% of the vote, perhaps fulfilling the stereotype of the corduroy wearing, handlebar sporting Geography teacher?

Given the supervisory nature of both professions, it’s clear that many men grow moustaches in order to enhance their authority, and that we, as either students or cadets, respect and revere the mo’.

We’re not sure if Tom is commanding any respect with his latest moustache, but it is a valiant effort none the less. Check out his ‘Mospace’ for latest pictures and stay tuned next week for the final ‘tache.

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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lookmantastic’s newest arrival Kyoku has caused quite a stir in the office. The super sleek packaging and sharp marketing makes this Japanese inspired grooming range stand out from the rest.

I was lucky enough to take the Kyoku Oil Control Lotion for a test drive and have been using it daily for the last 10 days. The specially formulated dual-action lotion boasts the grooming credentials to reduce shine whilst keeping your skin fully hydrated.

My skin can often become oily, especially during the winter when the transition between the centrally heated in-doors and the blustery outside can cause havoc with my skin. Having tried other so-called ‘oil control’ moisturisers and lotions I was sceptical as to whether this stuff would really work, especially as it carries quite a high price tag.

However, I can honestly say that this product is a revolution and just a small amount applied in the morning fully hydrates my skin whilst leaving a soft matte finish that other creams and lotions claim to achieve.

Although it may seem expensive at £43 you really only need to apply a very small amount to get the desired results. By my reckoning the 50ml tube is likely to last months making its CPU (cost per use) highly competitive.

Some of my colleagues were also lucky enough to try other products from the range, and so far everyone has been raving about how effective these products are. Also for a limited period we’re giving away a Free Kyoku Lip Fuel SPF15 worth £11 with every Kyoku purchase, so it’s a great time to discover this new brand.

If you’re looking for a product to meet your grooming needs check out the Kyoku range, there may very well be the product to solve your grooming gripe.

Sam.

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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