not too shabby...

(Reading time: approx. 7 minutes)

Seven of the weirdest men's grooming accessories that are, in their own ways, wonderfully useful!

Have you ever thought that some accessories are a bit odd? Strange products that are clearly designed to make our lives better, but go about achieving this in a somewhat screwball kinda way? Well, it shouldn't come as a surprise to find that weird and wonderful ideas for products exist among men's grooming accessories where, as you'll see in this article, they may look bizarre - but they actually turn out to be quite useful.

From clip-on hair buns for men, to beard trimming accessories that look like something from a sci-fi movie, to kits for grooming a man's 'pork sword', and finally to all other things bacon. This particular world of essential men's grooming products is, well... you decide.

Unusual men's grooming accessories in this article...

Goatee Shaving Template
Clip-On Man Bun
Neckline Shaving Template
Willy Care Kit
Beard Growther
Beard Grooming Apron
Bacon Grooming Products

Fast, Easy and Flawless Goatee Shaving

Taking the guesswork out of perfecting your goatee style

I don't want to be picky here, but many men (and women) mistake a Goatee for what is actually a Van Dyke - and on this occasion I think this product has been mislabelled a Goatee Shaving Template, whereas in actual fact it should be a... well, now you know.

Van Dyke or whatever, My Perfect Goatee (also known as the GoateeSaver) is an interesting device indeed. I like this product because it panders to my sense of things being better if they're perfectly symmetrical, and it certainly takes the guesswork out of this type of male grooming. On the flip side however, it does remove the certain craft that's required to create a beard and takes away that element of suspense, should you make a mistake and then have to decide what to do next. In this respect, it tends to make the art of maintaining a Van Dyke a bit too scientific for me.

Scientific it certainly is, or rather should I suggest science fiction? When using it, you will tend to look like something extraterrestrial or superhuman. Using it is pretty straightforward though - adjust it to the required width and taper of your beard, grip it with your teeth and then shave around it. It's solidly constructed, the bits that you put in your mouth are food-grade and non-toxic and it can be used with most razor types, including electric.

If you have a Van Dyke or Goatee that you maintain on a permanent basis (my one tends to come and go with the seasons), then I'd recommend this product as a useful addition to your male grooming tool kit. The video below shows the Goatee shaving template being used in action.

Clip-On Man Bun

Look just like an introspective Hollywood actor!

For those men blessed with a healthy head of hair (sadly, mine started to disappear years ago), it's often the case that you face a choice as to what to do with it as it gets longer, especially if you're of the younger generation. Older men tend not to bother mixing up their hair styles too much, preferring to stick with something not too adventurous. But, next on my list of essential male grooming accessories is something that I certainly think is adventurous. In fact, you don't really have to wait for your hair to get long enough to take advantage of one the latest looks - the 'man-bun'. The reason being is that you can find them ready made.

Now, hair extensions have been around for a while enabling short-haired sports personalities and pop stars to adopt longer locks overnight, but the man-bun is definitely a new twist here, or should I say curl? Naturally, man-buns come in a range of colors, although gray ones are strangely hard to get hold of.

Anyway, you may find yourself buying a Clip-On Man-Bun as a novelty gift, but I can't stress enough how trendy this look currently is. Turn on the TV set, flick through the pages of men's style magazines or just look around your local bohemian neighborhood. Which kind of guys are wearing a bun? Are they the kind of guy you aspire to be?

Neckline Shaving Template

Hit yourself up with a fresh neckline every morning

Trust me, I'm a man of grooming experience when I say there's nothing worse than a hairy neck - the back of the neck that is. I think what I find most disturbing about it is the way it kinda catches your eye when you're standing topless in front of the bathroom mirror, and again as the hairs peep out from the top of your shirt collar. Yuk!

I happened across a solution to this problem a while back, when I fashioned a piece of flexible plastic I had left over from a home improvement job into a device not dissimilar to that shown in the picture here (I really did this). It turned out to work remarkably well. Needless to say, I missed the boat by a long way - or maybe I just let it drift slowly off while I watched - in terms of patenting this idea and making my fortune as the originator of the Neckline Shaving Template.

Just to be clear, that is neither the back of my head nor my 'invention' in the below picture, but as ideas go it really is that simple. In fact, the EDGUP Template (version 2.0 shown) was originally a Kickstarter project launched in April 2013. Four months later the first shipment had been produced and was being dispatched to all those who had backed the project. Shortly after that, it became available online through Amazon. It's a great product because it's so simple and enables men to undertake a grooming task in an awkward place by themselves, without having to rely on wives, girlfriends or room mates.

Willy Care Kit

Keeping your most precious possession in trim

Forget your hair, forget your beard, forget your chest, forget your back. Forget grooming any other part of your body, but remember one area of vital importance - down there! Yes, I'm talking about your meat 'n' two veggies, your master of ceremonies, your one-eyed jack, your wife's best friend, your dangly bits... I think you know what I mean.

An often neglected area, the potential for manscaping the nether regions is generally overlooked. Whether it's a jungle down there or just a bit on the scruffy side, a man should always try to keep his tackle well-groomed. There are good reasons for this. Firstly, it will look better - just think of all those, ahem, movies you may or may not have seen. Was that area well trimmed and pleasing to the eye? Well... was it? Secondly, it'll just be more hygienic, clean and fresh.

As most men probably already know, when they put the effort in women tend to take notice. I can do no better than to quote from the product description for this gentleman's grooming accessory: "The Willy Care Kit is like a mini stylist for your man's bits and bobs! He'll be glancing smug in the Sprucing Mirror, shearing his hair into perfect shape with the Styling Shears, fluffing 'til he can fluff no more with the Fluffing Brush and donning his ding-dong with the elegant Evening Wear Willy Chain!"

Grow Your Beard Fast

Some men just can't wait for a full face of hair

There's no denying that beards are well-and-truly back in fashion. Increasingly, women seem to be liking the look of well-groomed hair on a man's face, and men certainly seem to like growing it. In fact, beards are becoming so popular that it's almost conceivable men might want to go to extra lengths to become even more hirsute in half the time.

Apart from sticking on a false beard - which wouldn't fool anyone if you were clean-shaven just a few days before - what else could you do to accelerate the growing process? Well, you could try one of a range of men's grooming products known as a Beard Growther. Claims for the effectiveness of Beard Growthers vary, but typically they are designed to get your beard growing up to six times faster than average.

Application methods also vary. Some oil-based Beard Growthers should be applied to your facial hair for a certain amount of time before showering out. Others are designed to be applied like a regular hair tonic you keep on all day. There are also some Beard Growthers that come as pills to be taken orally. Personally, I'm not convinced by the pill versions, as I'm somewhat sceptical as to how the active ingredient would target just your beard area without making you generally more hairy.

In any case, Beard Growthers aren't only marketed on the basis that they can make your beard grow faster. They also have the added benefits of making your beard thicker and healthy looking.

Beard Grooming Apron

No more mess means a clean sink and a happy partner

A couple of months ago I found myself kneeling on the bathroom floor in front of the sink. No, it wasn't due to the excesses of the night before, but due to a blockage in the waste pipe underneath. The cause of this blockage? Hair... from my face.

Within ten minutes, the blockage had gone and the sink drained as quickly as when I newly installed it. However, I recently discovered that I could have saved myself from this unexpected chore by also installing a Beard Apron. This particular male grooming product may seem somewhat an excessive measure for the 'few' hairs from your weekly trim but, boy does it make a difference!

Simply clip the apron around your neck (they fit different neck sizes), attach the suckers on the outside corners to the sink counter or bathroom mirror and hey presto! Your beard grooming apron is slung into position and ready to catch every single hair that you trim. When finished, just carefully unhook the apron and tip your unwanted hair into the toilet or trash can.

Bacon Bath and Grooming Products

Hog the bathroom with the king of meats!

It's no secret that men love bacon. The smell of it cooking, the anticipation of having it for breakfast and the taste of it with eggs, hash browns, waffles, syrup or whatever - it's the perfect morning routine. So, why not extend that routine from the kitchen to the bathroom.

Yes, you guessed it. There are male grooming products that are bacon-related. Bacon products are a phenomenon that's been growing in popularity over a number of years now, and it shows no sign of letting up. Be it bacon ties, bacon suits, bacon wallets, bacon beer-bottle holders, the list of men's accessories centered around bacon is truly endless.

He'll be as happy as a pig in clover, he'll be squealing with delight, he'll be hogging the bathroom while he's sprucing himself with the essence of bacon. And for the woman who also loves bacon - well, our bacon scented man would be practically irresistible! "Enough of the bacon already",  I hear you say. Okay.

Not to be taken too seriously though, these are items strictly to be purchased as novelty gifts. You wouldn't dream of getting this stuff for every day use... would you?

(Reading time: approx. 5 minutes)

Tips, tricks and advice on how to remove back hair by yourself

Wondering how to get rid of a hairy back? Worried about appearing less youthful than you did before? If you've answered yes to either of these questions, then you've come to the right place.

In this article, I present 3 simple methods to get rid of a hairy back; including how to shave back hair, how to get rid of a hairy back without shaving, how to remove back hair without breaking out, and more... And the great thing is, most back hair removal can be done by yourself and right in the comfort of your own home. I also recommend some really effective products for back hair and back-care.

So, like me and lots of other men (and women) of all ages, if nature has blessed you with a healthy back of hair then fear not. Here's the advice you need to get the smoothness back.

How-to methods for removing back hair...

Waxing and Sugaring Back Hair
Try Back Waxing at Home
Shave Your Back by Yourself
Men's Manual Back Hair Shavers/Accessories
Give Your Back a Comfortable Trim
Men's Electric Back Hair Shavers/Accessories

Waxing and Sugaring Back Hair

Back waxing is a method of removing back hair that involves spreading warm wax onto the back, followed by the application of a strip of cloth or muslin which is pressed down onto the waxed area. The strip is then ripped off in one quick motion, taking off the wax, the underlying hairs and their roots.

Sugaring is similar to waxing, but uses a sugar paste instead. The paste itself is quite thick and no cloth is used with it. The technique is to manipulate the paste over the hairs, pulling as you would with a wax strip. The paste comes in a variety of mixtures, but traditionally consists of sugar, lemon and water, with the occasional addition of citric acid and gum Arabic.

With repeated waxing or sugaring, hair on the back (or indeed any other parts of the body, such as the chest or underarms) will eventually become thinner as the roots are weakened. The hair will also grow back over longer time intervals. Waxing and sugaring are the best ways to get rid of a hairy back without shaving or resorting to more expensive permanent hair removal treatments.

In the Video Collection on this site there are a number of instructional videos you can find on how to get rid of unwanted body hair, suitable for all skin types.

Try Back Waxing at Home

Get your partner to remove your back hair for you

If you want to try back waxing for yourself, there are lots of great products available. Many contain natural ingredients and range from complete waxing and sugaring kits, to pre-waxed strips and hair removal creams.

How to Shave Your Back by Yourself

For sheer convenience and economy in keeping their back smooth, many men prefer to have their back hair shaved off. You could get your partner to help you, but wouldn’t it be great if you could just shave your back by yourself? Well… you can!

However, like all shaving, the usual rules apply before you should attempt to shave your back. What's more, these rules will also help you to remove back hair without breaking out:

1. Wash your back or shower beforehand to soften the back hair and help prevent infections in case of nicks.
2. Apply shaving cream evenly over your back in circular motions, making sure that you uniformly cover all of the back hair that you wish to shave.
3. Use an unused or relatively new razor, for the most comfortable shave.
4. Rinse the razor after each stroke to keep it from becoming clogged up with hair.
5. When done, wash off excess shaving cream with warm water, and look for sections of back hair that you may have missed. Wet the razor to shave these.
6. Using a towel, pat your back dry, don’t rub it.
7. Apply a moisturizer.

Shaving Back Hair

Probably the easiest way to remove back hair

The Razorba Back Hair Shaver is an award-winning solution to back hair removal. Featured in Maxim Magazine, Stuff Magazine, on MTV, G4TechTV, USA Today and others, the Razorba is a patented razor wand that holds your favorite razor, allowing you to shave your back hair by yourself.

Trimming Back Hair

As with shaving back hair, trimming back hair is another economical and convenient way to help you look your best. However, in comparison to shaving or waxing, there are some pros and cons to look out for.

If trimming your back hair, don’t expect to get a finish quite as smooth as with a wet razor or wax strips. Trimming is really a quick and easy method to keep you clean and clear of an obviously hairy back. Luckily, the hair on the average man’s back is a lot softer than that on the face, so there's no need to exert too much pressure on the trimming blade. This results in hair removal that should be free from cuts, redness and irritation.

Men's Electric Back Hair Shavers

DIY back hair removal technology

The Mangroomer Do-It-Yourself Electric Back Shaver is a unique device for you to trim away your unwanted back hair. Featuring a wide 1.8-inch cutting-edge blade, the design delivers extremely close and smooth results without the nicks and potential of ingrown hairs that are commonly caused by straight edge shavers. The Mangroomer folds out to 135-degrees, letting you reach all areas of your back from different angles with ease.



Don't forget to watch some of videos presented on this site for even more information on getting rid of unwanted body hair.

(Reading time: approx. 8 minutes)

aka "Can you wash ties in the washer?"

Removing a stain from a necktie, silk or otherwise, is a serious business. As much as we all take the greatest of care with our ties in precarious situations, like eating a donut, accidents do happen. In this article, I outline the 3 Golden Rules for Keeping Your Silk Ties Clean.

So, how do you get a stain out of a silk tie?

Keep Your Tie Out of Harm's Way in the First Place
You've Stained Your Silk Tie - Act Quickly!
Silk Tie Aftercare and General Maintenance
Care and Maintenance of Ties Made from Other Fabrics

Rule #1. Keep Your Silk Tie Out of the Way

Save yourself trouble by avoiding those pesky stains in the first place

By far the simplest method for removing stains from a silk tie (or just not having to remove them) is to reduce the potential for the tie to become stained in the first place. I know this sounds crazy-simple and you're probably reading this thinking that you didn't need to be told that. But, the fact that you are reading it - and reading it in an article about how to get a stain out of a silk tie - kinda tells me that I'm already too late with this little nugget of advice. Am I right?

Anyway, you have a number of options:

• Remove the tie and keep it in a jacket pocket (carefully roll the tie up first)
• Throw the end of the tie over one shoulder
• Tuck a napkin into your collar to completely cover the tie
• Use preventative maintenance (see Rule #3 below)

Saving the last of these options for later, the first three may make you appear less stylish than you'd like or clearly give you a look not really befitting the situation. However, as situations go, the necessity to remove a stain from your silk tie will require your immediate attention...

Rule #2. Act Quickly to Save the Tie

Fetch the club soda and talcum powder - STAT!

Ties are not really that much different to other items of clothing when it comes to the way they're treated for stains, but silk as a fabric is decidedly tricky to work on. The reason for this is that silk is very absorbent and also becomes increasingly delicate when wet or under heat. Hence, silk ties are not easy to clean using conventional methods, i.e. in the washer. In addition to this, silk ties are also not that amenable to use with common stain removers that you can buy in the stores.

However, with care, you can remove stains and general dirt yourself and pretty much restore your beautiful silk tie to its original glory. So, if you do find yourself the unlucky recipient of a jelly-stained tie, here's what to do.

Removing Food from a Silk Tie

Getting food on your silk tie happens all the time - at least it does for me and I'm reasonable careful. But, here you'll find your natural instinct is already good enough to start saving the day. Assuming that you've noticed the errant food being where it shouldn't be, the first thing you'll probably want to do (and the first thing you should do) is to get it off. Quickly use your fingers if you must, but even better use the sharp - although not too sharp - edge of the nearest and cleanest cutlery to hand.

Next, blot the stain using a white or color-fast cloth dipped into club soda - in other words, a cloth that won't make the situation worse by bleeding dye all over the silk tie in addition to the food stain. Club soda is recommended here in preference to plain water, as this can sometimes cause the actual color in the silk tie itself to run, and may cause a water ring. But, if plain water is all you have to hand, then go for it. It's important to stress here that you need to blot, and not rub, the stain as you then run the risk of working the offending food further into the tie or spreading it around.

Once you've treated the stain in this way, and also remembering not to get the silk too wet, water rings can be avoided by gently drying the tie with a hair dryer set on a low-heat setting or holding the tie at a respectful distance beneath a washroom hand dryer.

Removing Sauces and Liquids from a Silk Tie

Things that drip or splatter are always going to make their way onto a silk tie, no matter how careful you are (assuming you haven't followed Rule #1 above). So, here your method is similar to that described for food stains, in that you must always blot with a damp cloth. If you need to, treat the stain immediately with club soda or water, but in this case you should consider using rubbing alcohol instead, or afterwards if the stain is still present.

Rubbing alcohol turns out to be quite good at getting rid of dirt and stains from a silk tie. In fact, you can see this in action in the Video Collection on this site. Again, you apply the rubbing alcohol by dabbing it onto the stain with a clean cloth, blotting it off with another cloth or paper towel, and then letting the tie either air dry by itself or helping it along with some gentle heat from a hair dryer.

You should use rubbing alcohol to clean silk ties stained with soy sauce, ketchup, mustard, juice, wine, etc. In addition, it's also good for removing general dirt and brightening up those dark grubby areas you often see at the edges of a tie.

Removing Oils and Grease (Including Makeup) from a Silk Tie

A favorite old aunt of mine gave me this tip, which works on most fabrics and especially on those that are difficult to clean, like silk. It's a simple method and involves lifting the oil stain off with an absorbent powder.

If you should get an oil-based stain on your silk tie, such as grease from food, butter, or maybe some hand lotion, the first thing you need to do (depending on where you are at the time) is to blot as much of it away as you can with a paper tissue or napkin - basically a dry cloth. Then, as soon as is convenient, lay the tie flat in a cool, dry place and pile either talcum powder or cornstarch onto the stain. Leave this to work its magic for at least 12 hours.

The powder will absorb the oil and after discarding any excess, you should be able to gently brush away the remainder of the powder along with the stain. This process may need to be repeated a few times to get rid of the stain completely and depending on how heavy the staining is. As a final measure, you may also need to apply rubbing alcohol to the stained area in the same manner as described above, for that perfect finish.

Rule #3. Keep Your Silk Tie in Tip-Top Condition

Simple advice to keep you looking sharp in the office

On the premise that prevention is better than cure, there are a number of fabric protectors available such as Scotchgard, that can repel liquids and therefore block stains. They are effective for many types of fabric, including delicates like silk, and are easy enough to use - with Scotchgard, you simply spray it on. Don't overdo it though. Fabric protectors should always be used as sparingly as possible and you should test them on a part of the fabric that won't be visible, just in case they cause any discoloration.

If all else fails and you've been unsuccessful in removing a stain from your silk tie, then head for the dry cleaners. Being the 'can do' person that I know you are, you may like to think of this as the last resort - but even here you need to be careful. While dry cleaners are arguably very knowledgeable about removing stains from all kinds of fabrics, they're going to require some guidance here. Show them the stain, explain to them what it was and ask them to be gentle with it. Some dry cleaning fluids can be a bit harsh on silk fibers, so if you talk with your friendly neighborhood dry cleaner first, they can then recommend the best course of action to take.

Take care when tying, untying and handling silk ties in general. Scrunching, twisting and wringing will all add creases and make your tie look otherwise misshapen. The best way to store silk ties is to roll them up carefully or hang them. Some people say that you can't iron a silk tie at home, but this isn't true. As long as you're careful, use the lowest iron setting and don't actually make contact with the silk itself and you should be okay. Techniques here are to either hover the iron over the surface of the tie (with the tie lying flat or hanging) and applying a little steam, or to sandwich the tie flat between two light towels and to iron gently on the stack. Here, the top towel should be slightly damp and you'll know when you've finished when it's dry.

Care and Maintenance of Ties Other Than Silk

Arm yourself with the knowledge of how to clean any tie and you could be a real hero

Not all ties are made of silk. In fact, the range of materials used in making ties varies from plain old cotton, through to leather and even wood. Yes - you can actually buy wooden ties. Anyway, here's a selection of the more common material types with a few tips on their cleaning and maintenance when used in neckties.

Linen
A linen tie can be gently washed by hand in cold or slightly warm water. As linen is extremely prone to wrinkles, the tie should be hung to dry and you may want to press out any excess water beforehand with a towel. Don't wring or twist a linen tie. You can iron straight onto the tie, but don't press down too hard, and you should also do so when the linen is still a little damp or with the iron on a steam setting.

Cotton
Treat cotton ties as you would linen, with the addition that it's preferable to steam rather than iron. Otherwise, iron hot on a steam setting.

Polyester
Again, a polyester tie should be hand washed in cold or slightly warm water. Dry it like you would a linen or cotton tie, but iron it on a low setting or even better steam it smooth.

Microfiber
Microfiber ties can be hand washed in warm water. As with all the other materials here, don't wring or twist a microfiber tie. Steam or iron it on a low setting.

Leather
Wiping clean is the best way to remove stains from a leather tie. There are a number of leather wipes and protectors available. Avoid getting leather ties wet and they should never be washed. Don't iron them either - just hang them up.

In Summary...

The main points to take away from this article

• Fresh stains are easier to remove than old stains
• Always blot stains - never try to rub them out
• Be persistent - it may require several attempts to clear a stain
• When cleaning silk ties, avoid saturating the fabric
• In answer to the question at the start of this article - it's not advisable to wash ties in the washer!

Don't forget, there's nothing stopping you from using any combination of the cleaning methods described here to treat a single stain. Check out the Video Collection on this site for further information on how to select, care and maintain silk ties. And finally...



The image at the top of this article is from pexels.com and requires no attribution under the Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license.

(Reading time: approx. 7 minutes)

Manly-smelling aftershaves that will speak to her womanly instincts!

Old school men's cologne is back in fashion - and women love it! In fact, I'd personally go so far as to say that it never really went out of fashion, having remained one of man's secret weapons of the bathroom cabinet while the popularity of modern aftershaves has waxed and waned.

Vintage men's fragrances like Hai Karate, Old Spice, Aqua Velva and Brut are now regarded as classics but are, in some cases, difficult to find. Harking back to an era when men were men and hairy chests were irresistible, men's cologne popular during the 60's and 70's remains unpretentious, raw and, quite simply, the essence of manhood.

You'll have no trouble finding these manly-smelling colognes on this site though. My following reviews of the aftershaves of yesteryear explains why modern men should switch to classic men's fragrances, and are my 10 reasons women prefer old school men's cologne.

Vintage men's fragrances in this article...

Skin Bracer by Mennen
Hai Karate Aftershave
English Leather Aftershave and Toiletries
Aqua Velva Ice Blue
Blue Stratos
Old Spice Aftershave and Toiletries
Tabac Aftershave
Aramis
Brut Aftershave and Toiletries
Denim Original

#1. Mennen Skin Bracer Original Aftershave

When smelling good just isn't enough

Mennen Skin Bracer or, to put it correctly, Skin Bracer by Mennen, is a light and refreshing aftershave. Like some of the other aftershaves presented on this site, it's quite hard to find in stores but is readily available for sale online. It's got a great, clean smell to it that's reminiscent of barber shops and tightens the pores without any drama - in other words, you won't be pulling faces like Macaulay Culkin in the movie Home Alone!

Because Skin Bracer aftershave is so light, the crisp fragrance fades nicely throughout the day. This doesn't mean that you need to splash more on to make your man-smell last, as the key to wearing aftershave is all in its subtlety. A woman should be able to smell it when she's up close, not at five yards away - and for that effect, Skin Bracer by Mennen is just perfect.

#2. Hai Karate Aftershave for Sale

Hai Karate - be careful how you use it!

Hai Karate is the rarest of aftershaves, for a number of reasons. It was originally launched in the late 1960's and had a very successful run of sales throughout the 70's and 80's, competing with other brands such as Aqua Velva, Old Spice, English Leather and Brut. However, in recent decades the increasing sophistication of a man's self-image and the increasing sophistication of aftershave marketing have left Hai Karate on the shelf. I'd have liked to have added the word "literally" at the end of that sentence, but I can't. You see, Hai Karate is rare because you can't find it on the shelves anymore. So, if you're looking for Hai Karate aftershave for sale, then your only option is online.

Hai Karate is also rare because its marketing broke the mold. Commercials for Hai Karate were often comical, and each bottle came with a small self-defense instruction booklet on how wearers could fend off beautiful women. Because of this, Hai Karate aftershave is probably the most fondly-remembered vintage men's fragrance. But let me assure you, there's nothing comical about how it smells. It always has been, and still is really nice. It's an absolute classic and don't forget - be careful how you use it! You can check out a classic Hai Karate commercial in the Video Collection on this site.

#3. English Leather Aftershave Splash

A man should wear English Leather or nothing at all

English Leather is one of those aftershaves that men stick with for years and years, often passing their fondness for the brand down to their sons. So, if you're a man of tradition, then English Leather aftershave is certainly the traditional fragrance for you.

I always love the styling of aftershave bottles. In particular, I like the logos that are used to evoke a sense of the lifestyle that wearing the aftershave brings. The English Leather logo is a saddle - always leather, always classy, always timeless, always mature. A true old school men's cologne.

#4. Aqua Velva Ice Blue Aftershave

There's something about an Aqua Velva Man

Known as America's first aftershave, Aqua Velva has quite a heritage and remains an extremely popular vintage men's fragrance. In fact, at the time of writing this article, the Aqua Velva Facebook page has over 170,000 likes. That's hardly surprising, because it's another aftershave that's enjoyed by one generation to the next.

Like Blue Stratos, which you can see next, the color and the description are reassuringly cool. That's exactly what you get with Aqua Velva Ice Blue - something cooling and something fresh for that clean-shaven face. They say there's nothing like an Aqua Velva man, and I can believe it. It's another one of those classic male fragrances I think will never go out of style.

#5. Blue Stratos Eau de Toilette

Free as the wind... confident... ice cool

What's in a name? It's a good question, and more so when it's asked of aftershave marketeers. I've no idea what the word "stratos" means. In fact, I've even Googled it and have pretty much drawn a blank. However, that's not the point. Whether they're made up or not, the names of aftershaves are often used to evoke feelings - the feelings you get wearing them. Suave, sophisticated, sensual, or possibly just as cool and as fresh as the stratosphere. Aha - that's it!

With its logo of a soaring bird, the bottle (and the contents) of Blue Stratos aftershave evokes freedom, action and the great outdoors. The smell is a combination of oak moss, sandalwood and cedarwood, blended with hints of musk and vanilla. It's an old school men's cologne that's simply gorgeous, and another oft-remembered classic that you can see advertised in the Video Collection.

#6. Old Spice Classic Aftershave Lotion

Old Spice - the mark of a man

Old Spice, in its various incarnations you can see here, has been accompanied by some great advertising slogans like: "Smell is Power", "Believe in Your Smell", "If your grandfather hadn't worn it, you wouldn't exist." Such is the power of advertising in creating successful brands of aftershave lotion and associated products.

For me, the classic campaign for Old Spice aftershave included the 1970's surfing commercial (seen in the UK, and which you can see here). The music featured in the commercial is Carl Orff's "O Fortuna" from his masterpiece "Carmina Burana". As well as that particular piece of music being extremely rousing, maybe there was an intention to suggest that fortune favored those that wore Old Spice...

#7. Tabac Aftershave Lotion Original

Dare you try a touch of Tabac?

Clean, crisp, discrete, light, sharp. There are many adjectives that have been used to describe the smell of Tabac, and it's a popular aftershave. But, it's not quite to everyone's taste. The fragrance notes for Tabac mention lavender, citrus and warm florals. Lavender? Warm florals? For men?

Don't be put off by the merest suggestion that you might smell like a baby while wearing Tabac, because in my opinion you won't. Yes, it's a little sweeter than some of the other men's aftershaves presented here, but it's this composition, subtlety and uniqueness that makes it a real hit with both men and women. First introduced in 1959, Tabac certainly qualifies as one of my top 10 best smelling colognes and still comes in its iconic ceramic bottle.

#8. Aramis Aftershave for Men

Classical elegance for the established man

Ever heard of Rene d'Herblay? No? Well, he's 'Aramis', one of the Three Musketeers in Alexandre Dumas' classic novel of the same name. One of the personality traits given Aramis in this book, is that of loving and courting women. Hmmm... we're definitely heading into the realms of aftershave being used to attract the opposite sex here. Could this be a case of fiction meeting fact?

Sadly, Aramis aftershave isn't named after Aramis the musketeer. But let's not spoil a good idea and say that the leather and sandlewood smell with the warmth of spices and cloves, combine to create an unmistakable air of distinction and masculine adventure. Now that certainly sounds like fact to me! Like some of the other old school men's fragrances featured on this site, Aramis aftershave also comes in a classic heavy glass bottle. You know when you've got it and you know when to wear it.

#9. Brut Original Fragrance

Make today your Brut day

If you're new to the world of vintage men's fragrances and are looking for something uncompromisingly manly, then forget Hai Karate and forget Denim, because Brut is what you need. Since the late 1960's men have been splashing it on all over, much to the delight of women the world over. Brut has also enjoyed endorsement from such sporting luminaries as football player Joe Namath, baseball player Hank Aaron, basketball player Wilt Chamberlain and boxer Muhammed Ali.

The smell of Brut aftershave is often described as awesome, or words to that effect, and I have to agree. It's also long-lasting, but not overpowering and it mixes well with the fragrances of other brands of shower gels and deodorants. All in all, the experience of wearing Brut is very solid, down-to-earth and well... manly. It does exactly what it says on the bottle (and pretty much what is says in the commercials as well).

#10. Denim Aftershave Original

For men who don't have to try too hard

Denim is another vintage men's fragrance that plays to the requirement to make a man effortlessly attractive. The name itself is rugged, casual and easy-going. Just like slipping on a pair of jeans or a denim jacket without really thinking about what you were going to wear.

With spicy advertising that accentuated the masculine, Denim aftershave is the quintessential men's fragrance of yesteryear. Denim has a great smell to it, yet is not overpowering. Again, it's quite hard to come by, but online you can still buy it either in the original fragrance or a number of its variations. You can see the Denim aftershave commercial in one of the videos here - what a classic.