When you want to buy something pampering without it being overly feminised with sweet scents or floral packaging, La Roche-Posay is a good place to start. Although their products are raved about over beauty blogs, and subsequently by a lot of women, they're a great unisex brand with their strong blue rectangle branding and neutral smelling (often odourless) products. A few of my La Roche-Posay products I would regard as essential, carrying my Cicaplast Baume in my handbag (take a peek at my handbag essentials post) and when packing a weekend bag, always reaching for my  Effaclar Duo. Of course, knowing the skin type of the man you're buying for is key, but La Roche-Posay products are designed with sensitive skin in mind so won't irritate any skin type. When recently on prowl for a birthday present, I opted for the  Effaclar micro-exfoliant astringent lotion. It's an ideal toner for oily t-zones and can be used every day after washing or as a refreshing pick-me-up for the skin after a workout at the gym.

If your man is a little more pamper prone, nipping into LUSH for a mask, bomb or massage bar could mean a treat for the both of you. Sharing a relaxing, bubbly bath, fresh face mask and a massage may not be something he'd ask for but, trust me on this, he'll love it nonetheless. Although LUSH is probably best known for the sparkly, confetti-filled heart-shaped bombs, there are plenty of hidden gems amongst skincare. A great pamper grift would be one of their face washes.  Ocean Salt is a great one for exfoliating the face and body or, similarly,  Dark Angels is an oil-absorbing exfoliator. Both are a hit in my bathroom.  Love Lettuce is a very refreshing and calming face mask that's green in colour, minty in smell and tingly in sensation (plus it has a cute name). If you're wanting a couple of add-on gifts, I'd go with the  Ultrablast Toothy Tabs for a fun, slightly quirky present or the  Mint Julips lip scrub to soften up those lips ripe for the kissing.

The Body Shop is another great place to pick up some male grooming gifts that aren't the usual shaving foam and cologne. Their men's section has some great smelling products, and I love the  Activist deodorant with it's slick packaging and, frankly, delicious scent. I could sniff this one all day long. Their  Hemp Hand Protector is an essential for dry, damaged hands, so if your man needs help keeping those hands soft, this is the one for him. It's their most intense formula for the most dehydrated skin but sinks in nicely to the skin and feels incredibly nourishing. In fact, I might need to pick one of these up for myself.


Which of these will you be picking up?