Losing or breaking one of those cheapy little drugstore hair ties might feel like no big deal, because you can just get a whole new pack for a buck or two. But have you thought about what actually happens to those things once they’re out of your life and floating around in the environment?

The unfortunate answer is that each of those hair ties being lost or tossed into landfills — and there are countless of them around the world every single day — will sit there for 500+ years before their synthetic materials even begin to break down. All the while, they could be mistakenly consumed by marine life or land animals. Feels bad to know that.

Thankfully, there are companies trying to solve this problem by developing eco-conscious hair ties. For example, Terra Ties look just like the ones you’ve been buying for years, but they’re a plastic-free alternative made instead from organic cotton and natural rubber, and colored with natural dyes. Even the packaging is made from 100% recycled materials.

Now you can style your hair without making the environment suffer, and the cotton material has this super soft, natural feel that the cheap plastic ones can never match. Combine this with the fact that they’re also slightly longer/wider than typical ties, and you’ll find you can wear one on your wrist all day without any discomfort. They’re pretty awesome all around.

Get a pack of 27 Terra Ties for $15 on Amazon.

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If you’ve been looking to assemble a collection of great grooming tools, you can go the piece-it-together-yourself route, or you can take the easy option of buying this comprehensive manicure set, which comes with a whole bunch of stainless steel tools that fit conveniently into an included faux leather carrying case:

• 2 small nail clippers
• 1 large nail clipper
• 1 cuticle nipper/trimmer
• 1 nail file
• 1 dead skin fork
• 1 pair of tweezers
• 1 pair of scissors
• 1 nail cleaning knife
• 2 push-type broach tools (one cuspidal, one obtuse) for trimming nail keratin and removing nail polish
• 1 ear cleaning pick
• 1 acne/blackhead remover tool
• 2 callus removers (one flat, one oblique)
• 1 cleaning brush

This set would make a great starter kit for a graduate moving out on their own for the first time, or as a gift to any guy who’d love a grooming set they can claim all their own.

Get it for $17 on Amazon.

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There are toiletry bags, and then there are premium dopp kits. We’ve written about a number of such products over the years, but rarely do we see such nice ones come in pairs like the new Brothers Dopp Kit Duo by luxury accessory company Hard Graft.

If you take your travel toiletries seriously, these are the bags for you. Each set comes with a larger dopp (8.6″x 4″x 2.7″) and a smaller one (5.5″x 3″x 2″) that easily nestles into it when needed, so you have some flexibility in how you pack and organize your grooming gear.

Both are constructed with a triple-layer weatherproof cotton laminate exterior and lined with a soft Italian wool blend, plus some Tuscan vachetta leather accents that further add to the premium look and feel.

The Brothers Dopp Kit Duo is $192 at Hard Graft and comes in one of four colorways:

1. Charcoal
2. Brownish
3. Forest
4. Natural

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Getting a close shave on all areas of your body is no problem at all for the Multigroom Series 9000 grooming kit by Philips Norelco (model MG9510/60). Made from premium stainless steel, this trimmer offers 21 high-quality tools and accessories to style your face, head, and body with ease.

Among the kit’s standout attachments are the precision trimming guard, which has a scroll wheel to select a cutting length between 1mm and 3mm, along with a pair of adjustable guards with slide switches that let you set the length at 3–7mm and 9–13mm respectively. Between these and all the other guards and attachments, you’ll always be able to achieve the exact hair length you desire.

The Multigroom 9000 is water-resistant so you can use it in the shower and easily clean it under the tap, and it makes use of “BeardSense” technology that scans your beard density 125x per second and adjusts power accordingly, so it can immediately jump from tackling a long and bushy beard to handling those finer details.

Plus, with self- sharpening stainless steel blades that remain sharp for long-lasting performance — no oil required! — you can trust this trimmer to deliver precise results every time.

The trimmer features a powerful lithium-ion battery that provides up to 6 hours of runtime on a single charge, with a quick 5-minute charge option for when you’re in a hurry. The kit also comes with a storage case for keeping all the pieces organized, both at home and on the go.

Get this 21-piece men’s grooming kit for $90 on Amazon.

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Dryness and prolonged heat exposure are two of your hair’s greatest enemies, which is why a lot of people will avoid using a hair dryer after showering. It also just kinda sucks to hold one of those things up in the air for half an hour.

However, modern advances in hair dryer technology have been developed to help with this otherwise tedious and time-consuming task. The Panasonic Nanoe is a perfect example.

Rather than simply dumping a bunch of hot air on your head, the Nanoe makes use of a special technology that draws moisture from the air and electrostatically atomizes it into nano-sized, moisture-rich particles (aka “nanoe,” plural) that penetrate hair shafts much more effectively than the regular ions produced by most other dryers.

The result of all this moisture infusion is shinier, smoother hair that’s less frizzy or damaged-looking. It also happens to be good for the skin, so your scalp will thank you too.

Another unique feature your hair and scalp will appreciate is the removable oscillating nozzle attachment, which helps keep your head cool as it moves back and forth (no more hot spots!) yet dries your hair faster and more gently than typical dryers do. Plus, it makes it so you don’t have to move the thing around as much, which is great.

Get the salon-worthy Panasonic Nanoe hair dryer for $160 on Amazon in your choice of Black/Pink Gold or White/Silver.

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We’re no strangers to well-made nail clippers around here, but even we can be taken by surprise when we come across something of an especially unique quality. Such is the case with the Takumi no Waza nail clippers by Japanese company Green Bell.

Manufactured in Seki, a city historically reknowned for being the epicenter of Japanese swordmaking and more modernly known as the capital of high-end cutlery and other sharp tools, these nail clippers exude all the craftsmanship and dedication to quality that have made their hometown so famous over the centuries.

In fact, takumi no waza (匠の技) — sometimes romanized as takuminowaza or takumi-no-waza — roughly translates to “master craftsmanship” or “the expertise of artisans,” and once you use these clippers, you’ll see this is not a phrase Green Bell uses lightly:

They have a whole bunch of models, with the G-1008 model arguably being the most “classic” choice.

They cleanly cut through even the thickest nails like butter, with far less pressure needed than you’re probably used to with cheap drugstore clippers. They also just look cooler than most nail clippers. It’s not uncommon to hear people say these are the best clippers they’ve ever used.

Get the G-1008 model for $20 on Amazon. If your personal requirements include a catcher to keep nails from flying, get the G-1200.

Side note: My understanding is that the G-1205 model is the upgraded edition of the classic G-1008, but the difference seems to be rather minimal. They are a little cheaper as I write this (currently $14), so that might sway you one way or the other.

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There are many aspects to a proper grooming process, and the finishing touches are the ones that are often easiest to overlook. Sure, you might have the best nail clippers, but do you follow those up with a nail filing routine? I sure hope so.

In my opinion, a stainless steel nail file is a far better-feeling and longer-lasting alternative to those cheap, disposable emery boards that make me shudder just thinking about them. The two sides of this file have different textures — a coarse one for the majority of your filing needs, and a smooth one for finishing those finer details.

The included leather carry case is a nice touch, and should keep the file well protected in your pocket, travel bag, or dopp kit.

Get this steel nail file for $10 on Amazon.

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I consider a day when a ZilberHaar brush has not combed luxuriantly through my beard both morning and night, to be a day wasted.

—“JD” (Amazon reviewer)

ZilberHaar’s pocket-sized beard and mustache brush is a travel-friendly grooming tool that keeps your facial hair in line whether you’re standing in line or jet-setting elsewhere. Each one is made in Germany using sustainably forested pearwood and 100% boar bristles (in your choice of soft or stiff).

Whichever bristles you go with, they’ll do a fantastic job of untangling beard hairs and reaching through to the skin underneath, both exfoliating the skin and ensuring full distribution of your favorite beard oil to keep everything moisturized and healthy.

The fact that such a useful tool can fit entirely in the palm of your hand should tell you how little you’ll notice the thing in your luggage or pocket.

The soft bristle and stiff bristle versions of the brush are both $16 on Amazon.

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As I’ve said in previous posts on the subject, a man should see the daily act of shaving as a calming and enjoyable ritual, not a chore. And it should never be done with some throwaway plastic razor that will end up in a landfill for literally centuries alongside billions of others.

Instead, we recommend a good double-edge safety razor like the Baili BD176. On top of providing a very smooth, close shave with minimal risk of nicking (provided you approach the task with care), you will absolutely feel more manly shaving with one of these. Might even make your grandpa proud as well.

As opposed to plastic razors that have to be thrown out in their entirety, the only thing to dispose of with a safety razor is the blade itself. Some guys collect them in a jar and eventually take them to a metal recycling center, which feels way better than tossing out an entire plastic thing every few shaves.

Moreover, replacement blades are cheap to come by, so there’s really no reason not to make the switch. You’ll spend less, get a better shave, and actually enjoy the experience each day.

Get the Baili BD176 safety razor + mirrored travel case set for just $10 on Amazon. When you feel more experienced with this style of shaving and are ready to upgrade, take a look at the Parker “Semi-Slant” razor next. (This is by no means the only upgrade choice — the rabbit hole here goes DEEP.)

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Measuring 4.3″ x 1.5″ and only 0.08″ thick, this ultra-thin titanium comb is an indestructible go-anywhere tool for keeping your hair and/or beard in check. It weighs almost nothing (merely 0.05 pounds) and can be kept in a pocket, purse, or bag without any fear of damage. Should make a great lifetime addition to your travel kit.

Get it for $25 on Amazon.

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Despite that shorter-than-expected haircut I mentioned recently, my hair is still long enough that I have to put some effort into styling it. (I’m not going to wear a hat 24/7, no matter how much I like the thing.) I have this frizzy/wavy kind of mane that gets out of control super easily, so applying a good product or two is key to keep things manageable.

A lot of people with curlier hair than mine will apply a hair gel after showering, let it dry until it forms a hard “cast,” then break that cast by gently scrunching their hair or blow-drying with a diffuser. I’ve used gel quite a bit myself, but it can definitely be a bit too heavy for my hair pattern, and I can get better results with a lighter-holding mousse instead.

One product recommendation that comes up fairly often on both the r/wavyhair and r/curlyhair subreddits is the “Curl Whip” mousse by Cake. As a guy, I was hesitant to go with something in that pink of a bottle, but this stuff is great. It holds just well enough to give great definition and reduce frizz, while leaving the hair soft, voluminous, and bouncy rather than crunchy or…I dunno, product-y.

The two things you have to know though are 1) this mousse has a very sweet smell to it at first, sorta like lemon pie (although it does fade quickly), and 2) when you dispense some into your hand, it expands like crazy even compared with other mousses (about 3x the size or more). A little goes a looong way, believe me.

Get an 8.4 oz can of this mousse for $9 on Amazon.

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Fellas, sometimes you just have to treat yourself a little. For once in your adult life, ditch that cheap drugstore bar soap and pick up a few bars of Marlowe’s exfoliating soap instead. After a good scrubbing with one of these, your skin will feel smoother and smell better than you thought a bar soap could ever achieve.

Each bar combines ground pumice and natural extracts to gently yet deeply buff away dirt and dead skin without stripping any natural moisture or leaving behind that dried-out feeling you often get with cheaper chemical-based soaps. On top of that, the rich lather and awesome smell makes every shower a rejuvenating experience. Highly recommended.

If you’re unsure what scent to try first, their three-bar variety pack ($26) offers a few fantastic masculine fragrances:

1. Original — Lightly scented with agarwood, sandalwood, and musk.
2. Oud Wood — An earthy blend of oud wood, smoked birch, cardamom, and vanilla.
3. Santal — Warm layers of amber, spice, and citron.

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Like its predecessor, the ER-GN30-K, Panasonic’s ER-GN70-K ear + nose + facial hair trimmer is an excellent tool for keeping those unsightly hairs in check — without any uncomfortable/painful hair-pulling — except this one is even more powerful and better built than before.

It also now has a built-in vacuuming system that collects hairs as they’re trimmed, so they don’t end up in your sinuses or deep in your ear canal. When you’re all groomed up, simply take off the trim head and give it a rinse under warm running water. Doesn’t get much easier.

The ER-GN70-K runs on two AAA batteries (not included) and can run for up to 40 minutes on those. In order to keep from having to buy new batteries now and again, get some rechargeable ones and a good charger, which I would generally recommend whether or not you buy this trimmer.

Get the Panasonic ER-GN70-K trimmer for $45 on Amazon.

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The secret to an ultra-close, burn-free shave lies mostly in your pre-shave ritual. Before a razor ever approaches your face or neck, it pays to prep the hair and skin there with a hot towel treatment followed by an application of pre-shave conditioning oil to both soften your beard and add a protective layer over your skin before ever applying shave cream.

This particular oil is a blend of essential oils, antioxidants, and glycerides that protects your skin from redness, razor burn, and flare-ups, all while offering smooth razor glide for an ultra-close shave, without fear of nicking yourself. It also has a pleasant-but-not-too-strong Bulgarian lavender scent that makes the experience all the more enjoyable.

All you need is a couple drops daily, which can be added to your shave soap before lathering if you’d rather combine steps for efficiency’s sake.

A 1 oz. bottle of this pre-shave oil is $16 on Amazon and should last you a good while.

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At 36 years old, I’m noticing more and more how important it is to stay on top of my skincare regime. I can’t just wake up and enjoy that youthful glow that came so effortlessly in my twenties anymore, at least not by default.

When I need intense skin hydration, there’s always Hada Labo’s Gokujyun hyaluronic solution. But on those days when I feel like my skin just looks dull and…I dunno, old, that’s where Kiehl’s Facial Fuel comes in.

This is a clean, lightweight facial lotion that does offer all-day moisture, but also has this whole refreshing and energizing component to it that feels like you’re giving your skin a stimulating boost when it’s needed most. That’s due in part to the actual caffeine you’ll find halfway down the ingredient list, the Vitamin C near the top, and the bit of menthol that gives it a kind of tingly, minty feeling on the skin.

What’s great about Facial Fuel is that it absorbs and dries quickly without leaving a greasy or slimy feeling behind. If you apply it before bed, you won’t have to worry about your pillow case sticking to your face all night. It’s also great to put on after shaving in the morning.

You can find this stuff on Amazon in a few different sizes:

• 2.5 ounce bottle ($30)
• 4.2 ounce bottle ($40)
• 6.8 ounce bottle ($50)

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