The Battle of the Best: Taylor of Old Bond Street vs D. R. Harris vs Geo. F. Trumper

When it comes to gentlemen's skin care, shaving and personal hygiene products, three exceptional grooming brands stand out above the rest. Taylor of Old Bond Street, D. R. Harris and Geo. F. Trumper are generally considered among the best in the business, and they all have a rich history that began in London's famous barber district more than a century ago. Each company offers a unique collection of products for discerning gentlemen. The products offered by these three companies have similarities and differences, but the one thing they have in common is dedication to quality.

Taylor of Old Bond Street has produced and sold a variety of grooming products especially created and formulated for men since 1854. Many of their offerings are tailor-made for the special needs of men with sensitive skin. Sensitive skin products by this company include Taylor of Bond Street Jermyn Street Aftershave for Sensitive Skin and Taylor of Bond Street Jermyn Street Shaving Cream for Sensitive Skin. When it comes to fragrance intensity, Taylor of Old Bond Street is situated squarely between D. R. Harris and Geo. F. Trumper. Their moderate scents include lavender, lime, sandalwood, almond and avocado. Taylor of Old Bond Street generally has lower prices compared to D. R. Harris and Geo. F. Trumper making their products a good value overall.

D. R. Harris & Co. wins the prize for longevity. This family owned pharmacy has occupied the same London location for more than two centuries. They still make and package most of their products in London, England. Canada is fortunate to be able to import these exclusive handmade items to sell them to men who appreciate lightly scented grooming products. Some of their top-selling products include luxurious shaving soaps in refillable mahogany bowls. D. R. Harris has the lightest scents and most subdued color palettes of the three companies. Popular scents include coconut, almond, lemon and lavender. The lighter fragrances may appeal to men with sensitive skin and men who are bothered by strong scents. D. R. Harris is also known for having the thickest shaving cream among its competition.

Geo. F. Trumper has been producing high quality grooming products in England for more than a century. Since its inception in 1875, the company known as London's favorite barber has had a passion for excellence. Their products are characterized by stronger fragrances and brighter colors compared to Taylor of Old Bond Street and D. R. Harris. While these qualities make them bolder and more exciting, gentlemen with sensitive skin may choose to stay away from some of their products. However, the company does sell certain items that are gentle enough even for sensitive skin. For example, Geo. F. Trumper Shaving Cream in rose and their signature GFT scent are both great for sensitive skin. Geo. F. Trumper's impressive product line comprises a variety of heavily scented cologne, shaving creams, soaps, aftershave and more. The strong and heady aroma of limes, coconuts, almond oil, violets, roses and sandalwood infuses their various products. That makes Geo. F. Trumper the brand of choice for men who like bold and powerful fragrances.

Horse Racing for the Sophisticated Gentleman

"Win, Place, Show" by Paul Kehrer on flickr.

Horse racing is distinct from other sporting events. From its fans to the atmosphere surrounding it, this gentleman's pastime has an air of class and sophistication that is lacking in other sports. For example, the men who attend the Queen's Plate (on this Sunday) or the Kentucky Derby tend to dress far better than those who attend the FIFA World Cup. While gentleman tend to dress for fashion and style at the horse races, they dress for comfort at other sporting events. Which men look better and attract more admiring glances? The answer is obvious. A well-dressed man is always held in higher regard, and it's difficult or impossible to find a well-dressed man at an ice hockey game. Horse racing provides a sexier atmosphere thanks in part to all those sharply dressed men and their stylish female counterparts with their high-heeled shoes and outlandishly fabulous hats.

Despite the elegance of the fans in the stands, horse racing has the unique ability to bring people from all walks of life together thanks to a shared passion. Even the richest horse breeder and the humblest farm hand who mucks out the stalls are bound by a common goal. Horse racing is a very social sport whose fans can socialize virtually or in person. These fans are among the most passionate in the sports world, and there is never a dull moment when they get together to discuss the sport. In addition, fans can often enter race tracks without an entrance fee and are not required to spend any money to enjoy the sport. Betting, of course, is optional and should be enjoyed only by those who can afford to lose.

Horse racing is truly an international phenomena, and it is just as popular in Europe as it is in North America. Thanks to its ubiquitous nature, there is always an exciting horse race somewhere to be analyzed and enjoyed. For people who take pleasure in facts and figures, there are plenty of statistics to be memorized and outcomes to predict based on a variety of factors. Handicapping and other statistical information is easily available online. It is truly a statistician's dream, and a great way to exercise the grey matter. Horse races also provide an excellent way to build memories that will last a lifetime. No one ever forgets his first time attending the Kentucky Derby or the Queen's Plate. Even the horses have memorable names. For example, in 2012, the 153rd Queen's Plate contenders include Prince Raphael, Ultimate Destiny and Making Amends. The Queen's Plate has been a Canadian institution since 1860 and features three-year-olds foaled in Canada that race for the possible honor of winning the prestigious Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. The Triple Crown is awarded when a single horse wins all three races in the event.

For the gentleman who enjoys the finer things in life such as horse racing and luxury leather goods, Ettinger offers deluxe wallets that safely hold everything from credit cards to betting slips.

Osma Laboratories Alum Products: Mother Nature's Mineral Elixir

Clear when it comes to its color, powerful mainly because of its astringent and antibacterial properties, the Alum Stone has been praised ever since Antiquity for its cosmetic, medicinal or chemical uses. Inspired by the two main benefits of the Christal d'Alun, Osma Laboratoires individualizes itself as the only French manufacturer to select the best potassium alum stones, purify them and manually produce quality grooming products based on the precious ingredient. No matter if you are a beginner wanting to stem a minor razor cut or an expert wanting to experience the bio-certified superior products, the luxurious Alunotherapy line is here to amaze.

In operation since 1957, the alum crystal experts from Osma Laboratories have received the very best appreciation for their no chemicals, no alcohol, no paraben goods. Aiming for a long-lasting daily hygiene using completely organic ingredients, the manual production process involves unmatched experience as well as true dedication. Natural can be modern too: as if the alum block's versatility was not enough to satisfy their buyer's needs, the French company has come up with new ways to adapt to our pretentious times by adding a range of natural ingredients and fragrances as well as novel packaging to their core product, expanding into their Alunotherapy range. 

Some of the products in the Osma

With its astringent properties, a bestseller for the French brand, the Osma Laboratories Alum Block made of 100% crystalline alum is a great toner, helping reduce razor burn, also having a nice cooling effect. Because it eases irritation and treats minor cuts it can be a great addition to your every day grooming ritual. Another must have to fit in everybody's shaving kit is the easy to use Osma Laboratories Styptic Pencil, which provides spot treatment with great effects for its small size. There is an important rule that you need not forget when using Osma Laboratories: every alum stone product must be wet before use.

When it comes to antibacterial deodorants, you can pick among the Alunotherapy Deo Stick, Organic Roll-On Deo or the Organic Spray Deo. No matter which one matches your choice, they all are great perspiration regulators, keeping skin dry and battling odor throughout the day. The soothing, moisturizing effects come with smooth fragrances combining aloe, menthol, and witch hazel, all with the benefits of the alum crystal, Mother Nature's mineral elixir.

Just One More for My Solo

Forget the fancy craft beers and 50 year old Scotch. The next time you are out for a drink, have the two for one (or maybe two two for ones) and hit the gents to record the most incredible guitar solo the world will never hear. Then download it on your phone, and, hey presto, the world is your audience after all.
Quite some time ago I ceased believing things could get any wackier, and it turns out I was correct. If you are fortunate enough to have a rest room near you equipped with the Guitar Pee urinal, load up with your choice of libation, and the rest is music history. Of a sort.
Billboard, that icon of popular music, through its Brasil office, has installed a number of the Guitar Pee urinals in bars around Sao Paulo. The concept is so simple, I hardly need to explain it, do I? Hit your spot, and you’re jammin’.
Memorialize your session on an M-PEE-3 (I can’t make this up), your mobile link to the Guitar Pee site. Streaming live now.
And if you dare to think I am pulling your.... never mind—take a look: Better practice for your next bachelor’s party!

Speick: Believing in the Power of Nature

Cosmetic purity often gets associated to the use of raw materials, natural fragrances or the mixture of essential oils. There is however a certain kind of purity synonymous with the word ''rare'', which has the quality of making a product truly unique. An example of ''true identity'', Speick natural cosmetics excel not only because of their holistic understanding of nature but also by commercializing the only products in the world to contain the precious extracts of Valeriana Celtica.

Hidden in the Carinthian Alps of Austria, the species which revolutionized skin care is known to have calming effects on the central nervous system as well as stimulating, harmonizing properties.

An 80-year-old German family business, which believed in beauty as a force of nature, Speick took over the name of the rare mountain plant with its Latin name translated as ''stay healthy''. Learning about medicinal herbs, their effectiveness and use over time, founder Walter Rau and his wife Lola von Fumetti were able to give rise to much appreciated cosmetic ranges starting with some of the finest luxury soaps of the 1920s. Full body care revitalization is available now in the Speick Natural, Speick Men, Speick Thermal and Made by Speick ranges.

Speick Natural is the cosmetic line with unmistakable freshness dedicated to the whole family. Sweet touches of orange, bergamot or lavender combine next to the main extract in products like soap, body lotion, natural deo spray, shampoo or eau de cologne.

While the Natural line can be described as unisex, Speick Men means to pamper the gentlemen with its elegant, masculine radiance. Discover an extraordinary skin sensation using the rich, aromatic shaving cream, the energizing shower gel or the well-balanced, charismatic scent of the eau de toilette. Focus on Speick Thermal dedicated to high-maintenance, sensitive skin or the Made by Speick line where the 80 years of soap manufacturing expertise is guaranteed to amaze you.

Find purity in nature with the precious Speick cosmetics!

Muhle: shave with all senses

Muhle products get engraved with their iconic windmill logo

Excelling in all their 65 years of shaving culture, the trend-setters of the 21^st century, Muhle understand the constant strive for perfection. The German ''brush people'' nicknamed as such because of their legendary badger hair brush developed the ''shaving with all senses'' philosophy. Revolutionizing a job into a joy starts with handcrafted, unique accessories, which focus on both beauty and durability. The sharp creations crafted in the Erz Mountains expanded the ''miracle of precision'' on the global market and have been seen as flawless no matter the era. From the classic badger hair shaving brush, the mill logo has been engraved on razors, fine blades, fragrant accessories, shaving kits and skin care products. 

Muhle's traditional safety razors with replaceable blades have made shaving history with their distinction as the 1^st mechanical accessories for self-shaving. The gentleman of today will not only feel proud to own such a distinctive lifestyle object but will also manage to adapt this classic piece to his own personality. For vintage inspiration, he can choose the double edge razor with chrome plating, limited edition colors if he treasures the one of a kind or modern new designs for a leap into the future. With tooth, open or closed comb Muhle's innovative safety razors fit the sensitive skin or the thicker beard in need for a more aggressive shave.

Make a great first impression no matter the situation! Adopt the Muhle “shave with all senses'' philosophy and see the well groomed gentleman reflecting in the mirror. 

For more see Muhle turns 65. Shop for Muhle products in Canada.

Tabac from Maurer & Wirtz: A Blend of Confidence with Accents of Nostalgia

When natural ingredients combine in a scent individualized by confidence and personality, the ones perceiving the rich aroma can only admit that ''Men don't assume, they know''. With such  powerful slogans how can one not be tempted to adopt the sharp character of Tabac? Refined, incorporating nuances of its signature essence in the shaving range, the fragrance range and the personal care range, the German bestseller is said to bring out the barbershop vibe along with a soft vintage spirit. 

Tabac, a staple of a classic shave. Image by Dharion.

Born in the Maurer & Wirtz family-owned company, the prototype luxury soap of 1938 quickly became a must-have all over the world. With a boom in international sales, the Tabac men's range expanded in winner products not losing the dedication to quality or the unmatched creativity which brought its success. Pungent like fine leather and savoury tobacco, the elegant aroma made its debut as a cologne in 1959 and was nicknamed the ''European Old Spice'' ever since. 

''Real Men trust in Tabac'' and they continue to do so with all the other classy products which varied from the pleasant smelling soap. The shaving range incorporates accessories like after shave lotion, after shave natural spray, after shave balm, shaving soap, shaving cream or shaving foam. The precious line of the past has not lost its majestic features. A perfect example of long lasting excellence, sealed with gold foil and presented in a white porcelain covered dish, the Tabac shaving soap treasures wet shaving like a true jewel.

The fragrance range lures like a fresh cocktail mixing accents of musk, vetiver, floral as well as woody touches. Discover the masculine variations of the classic Tabac in the eau de toilette or eau de cologne which both come with the option of natural spray.

The truly magnetic scent can also be enjoyed in the personal care range consisting of bath & shower gel, luxury soap, hair & body shampoo, deodorants, sport cream or hair lotions.