My friends at Philips Norelco happened to call me at the right time. They asked me to test drive their latest and greatest electric razor, the Philips Norelco SensoTouch 3D. Having just grown back my beard after testing some shaving creams, I asked if they could wait until November 1st. All parties agreed, and they sent a razor my way.

Aside from my hesitation to shave off my whiskers, I was loathe to test another rotary razor after multiple experiences of having my face chewed up by them in the past. But in the spirit of journalism, I kept my mind open and was prepared to eat my words.

The reason that I’ve always preferred foil razors to rotary ones is because the circular cutting areas cut in circular motions—meaning with and against the grain of the whisker. Foil razors typically have blades that run side-to-side thereby reducing the chances of shaving against the direction of the whisker growth. Make sense? So, I’ll admit that I’m a little biased.

The Razor: The SensoTouch 3D is one sexy looking razor. It’s black lacquer finish and silver blades really give it some pop. The LED screen to show you battery level is also concealed behind the black finish until your turn it on. A nice touch!

The razor features 3 rotary blade heads that feature a foil-like ring to shave stubble, some larger channels to catch the slightly whiskers and some even larger gaps to catch long hairs. Each blade sits on it’s own independent part of the head to allow all 3 pieces to flex and adjust to the contours of your face. The entire razor head also offers flexibility to increase it’s adaptability even more.

One of the benefits of this fine piece of machinery is that it can also be used wet or dry. Use your favorite shaving cream or use it dry if you’re on the go. I can imagine a lot of guys using this in their cars while sitting in traffic (please don’t.).

The Shave: Before using the razor, I decided to trim my whiskers as short as possible to avoid any tugging. I knew the razor offered some gaps to accommodate long whiskers but I wasn’t about to test that part out. I used my trust Philips Norelco facial hair trimmer, then soaked my face with a hot towel to soften up my beard. I then applied Biotherm Homme Sensitive Shaving Foam and got down to business.

Firing up this bad boy, you can hear the tiny blades working their way around the razor. There’s something pleasing about the sound. The instructions suggest moving the razor in circular motions and moving with the grain of the hair. At first pass, the razor did a great job. It didn’t get clogged with whiskers and shaving cream too quickly and seemed to power through my facial hair without a problem.

The Pros:

• The shave was impressively close! It’s rare to get such a close shave from an electric razor.
• Using shaving cream and warm water with an electric razor makes a huge difference in the quality of the shave. The warm water can really soften up your beard and make it a much more comfortable experience.
• Cleaning the razor was simple. Just rinse it under running water, then place it in the self-cleaning station.

The Cons:

• Shaving with a razor this big sometimes feels like you’re using a spatula. The 3 rotary blades make for one big honker of a razor and reaching some areas (like around the nostrils and chin) were difficult because the blades couldn’t reach.
• I found that I had to go over the same areas multiple times because it wasn’t removing all the whiskers. Even after going over the areas two to three times, I still had to go in with my manual razor to clean up some areas.
• My neck was very irritated in the end. After rinsing off the cream and applying an aftershave, my neck was incredibly red and it looked scraped up. In the razor’s defense, it can take up to three weeks for your skin to get used to shaving with new equipment, so some irritation is expected for sensitive skin like mine.

The cleaning station was nice looking but I worry that the cleaning liquid could easily spill from the container in the bottom if you’re clumsy like me.

Philips Norelco SensoTouch 3D (Model 1250XCC), $250, Philips.com

Time was that men wouldn’t be caught dead with hair on their back. Somehow, hair on ones chest became sexy but once you crossed over to the great unknown on the other side of your shoulders, it was out of the question–sort of like the dark side of the moon. Now, it seems the bum could be the next body part to fall prey to the razor and esthetician’s wax.

What do women think of a hairless backside? Do they prefer their men fuzzy or free of hair?

Both shaving and waxing have their own risks. With shaving, you’re prone to razor burn, ingrown hairs, and–for a lack of a better phrase–ass stubble. With waxing, you’re at risk for traumatizing the skin and ending up with two cheeks full of zits and folliculitis (not my idea of a good look). Perhaps James Franco would like to share his techniques with the rest of the class?

Guys? Girls? What do you think? Should hair stay or should it go?

We asked a member of our Average Joe Panel, Dan Burke, to take Neutrogena’s latest shaving and skin care offerings for a spin. Here’s what he had to say!

Neutrogena Men Razor Defense Shaving Cream for Sensitive Skin, $5.49, Drugstore.com

The shaving cream was unlike any I’ve seen before. Given that I buy shaving cream maybe once a year, that’s probably not all that surprising. The main difference was that instead of a thick foam, it lathers on as a thin film, similar to when you put too much suntan lotion on your skin and you can’t get it all to absorb. I was skeptical, but the first stroke down my cheek allayed my concerns. My several-day-old whiskers were dispatched without a problem. I did nick my chin several times, which is a rarity for me, but it may have been carelessness on my part. My neck, which I usually nick at least once, remained unscathed. Recommended; four stars out of five.

Neutrogena Men Post Shave Balm for Sensitive Skin, $6.99, Drugstore.com

The aftershave was fine, but nothing to write home about. Despite being alcohol-free, it still burned about as much as any other aftershave. After that burning subsided, though, it did leave my face feeling cool and a little more refreshed. I’d use it again. Recommended; three stars out of five.

Neutrogena Men Sensitive Skin Oil-Free Moisture SPF 30 with Helioplex $6.99, Drugstore.com

The moisturizer exceeded my expectations, I must say. I’m not a big moisturizer user in general, but this went on without any greasy residue, and 12 waking hours later my face still feels, well, nice is actually the best word to describe it. Even with my stubble beginning to grow back, my cheeks and neck are still soft. Independent female observers (read: ladies that have no interest in sleeping with me) also confirmed said softness, and complimented the aroma of the moisturizer, as well. Recommended; four stars out of five.

Get Task Essentials up to 70 percent off from Gilt Man. The Swiss skin care line’s Anti-aging and shaving products range from $10 to $39 each.

The sale ends 12/15 at 9pm PST, so you had better hurry.

Visit GiltMan.com

The joy of travel might be lost forever thanks to overzealous TSA security screening procedures. From invasive x-rays, gratuitous pat downs and strict limits on your toiletries, it’s nice to know that one company wants to make sure you look just as good upon your arrival as when you departed. Meet men-u, a collection of ultra-concentrated, high-performance products that save space, time and even the environment.

Not only will their TSA-approved bottles last you over six months, but the products contain skin-friendly ingredients for simple skin care. Here’s what you get:

• A Shaving Brush to raise the beard up and away from the face and to create a rich lather.
• Shaving Cream with lubricants and moisturizers to soften the beard & provide slip for a close shave while protecting skin from irritation and razor burn. Provides 165 shaves (nearly 6 months worth!).
• Face Wash for post-shaving cleansing. Cleanses, soothes and calms the skin to protect skin from razor burn, razor bumps and rash. Contains tea tree, a natural antiseptic and antibacterial, as well as witch hazel and aloe to help calm and soothe skin. Provides up to 200 washes.
• An oil-free moisturizer provides a matte finish. Natural mint and menthol provides a gentle cooling sensation for post-shaving relief.
• The set includes a travel case.

men-u Ultimate Shaving & Skin Care Kit, $59.99 (an $82 value), available at men-uusa.com

WIN IT NOW! In the spirit of giving, HOMME GROOMING and men-u are giving away 1 men-u Ultimate Shaving & Skin Care Kit! Here’s how you can win:

1. Click “E-mail this Post” below and send it to all of your friends! For every person you email, you’ll receive an entry in the drawing to win. The more friends you email, the more chances you can win!

2. Post a comment on this post with your best TSA-security screening story!

Beards and holidays go hand-in-hand like milk and cookies. Just ask Santa Claus—our favorite Bearded Gentleman.

The Bearded Gentleman makes a great gift or stocking stuffer for:

• a father or uncle who has had a mustache since the ’70s or ’80s.
• a little brother who just started shaving.
• an older brother whose Movember mustache has been growing strong… since November 2008.
• a boyfriend who needs a little extra help in the facial grooming department.
• a friend who has been rocking the playoff beard long past the end of the World Series.
• a nephew who recently graduated and landed his first big job.
• a barber or hair stylist.

The Bearded Gentleman: The Style Guide to Shaving Face is available at Borders, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com and many retailers throughout the U.S. and Canada.

If you’re not familiar with the Movember, it’s the world’s largest fundraiser for prostate cancer research.

For 30 days, guys who sign up agree to grow mustaches and ask friends, family and coworkers to support them by donating money to the cause. Instead of a one day walk or marathon, the mustache creates a unique conversation-starter. Curious people will undoubtedly ask, “Dude, what’s up with the ‘stache?” and the Mo’Bro will have a unique opportunity to say, “I’m growing a mustache to raise awareness and money for cancers that affect men. Did you know that prostate cancer kills 32,000 men each year?”

The donations benefit The Prostate Cancer Foundation and LIVESTRONG.

And let’s be honest, Movember is a great excuse to finally take that mustache for a test drive.

The first rule of Movember is that Mo’Bros must begin the month clean-shaven. Nick Burns, co-author of The Bearded Gentleman: The Style Guide to Shaving Face, decided to shave his beard for the first time in two years! He visited barber extraordinaire Shorty Maniace for a straight-razor shave. And here’s the video to prove it!

You can donate to Movember and sponsor Nick in his fundraising efforts by clicking here. For every dollar Nick raises, his employer will match—so every dollar is worth two!

If you’re interested in growing a mustache of your own and raising money for a great cause, visit Movember.com.

For a limited time, Wahl is offering a limited-edition Movember facial hair trimmer! Buy a trimmer from Wahl, and the company will donate $10 to Movember. Visit WahlNation.com for more details!

The Bearded Gentleman is the complete guide to beards, mustaches and sideburns from the industry’s leading grooming writers. It’s a must-have for men young and old.

About the Book:
For centuries, men have been growing and styling their facial hair, whether for the sake of vanity, religion, or cultural considerations, but most of us don’t give it a second thought. The Bearded Gentleman is an authoritative yet lighthearted guide that offers detailed information on some fifty specific facial hair styles: where they come from, how to grow them, and how to maintain them.

Among them are many well-known styles, such as the Handlebar, the Fu Manchu, the Goatee, the Van Dyck, and the more recent Soul Patch. But there are also those that are less familiar, including the Horseshoe, the Lampshade, the Painter’s Brush, the Landing Strip, the French Fork, and El Insecto (a.k.a. The Mighty). There’s also practical advice on choosing a facial hair style that’s right for you, as well as insight into how facial hair has figured in the history of masculinity, including its impact on politics, class, and sexuality.

The Bearded Gentleman is an entertaining, witty, and useful guide to facial hair styles and the men who wear them.

Reviews:

“Facial hair is totally BACK!!!! But anyone attempting to navigate this treacherous and codified world without consulting Nick Burns and Allan Peterkin is destined for gruesome public humiliation.” – Simon Doonan, author of Eccentric Glamour and Creative Director of Barneys New York.

“Equal parts humorous and informative, ‘The Bearded Gentleman’ is a must-read for guys who have or are considering facial hair. Burns and Peterkin provide thoughtful advice on growing, styling and upkeep, with advice from some of the industry’s leading experts along the way. Did you know there are right and wrong beard styles for your face shape? Read this book and look your best.”

—Brian Boye, Fashion & Grooming Director, Men’s Health

A must for every man with a beard or the man planning to grow one!
—Phil Olsen, Beard Team USA

Allan Peterkin and Nick Burns have come to the rescue of men everywhere! At once funny and incredibly informative, The Bearded Gentleman waxes poetic about facial hair and saves the modern man from overgrown embarrassment. From tips on eyebrows to laser hair removal and the perfect shaving kit, the authors leave no stone unturned. Here is a book that should be issued to every man in America.
—Casey Gillespie, Editor in Chief, ZINK Magazine

About the Authors:

Allan Peterkin is the author of numerous books including 1000 Beards: A Cultural History of Facial Hair. He grew up in Winnipeg and completed degrees in literature and medicine. He is a writer and doctor now living in Toronto

Nick Burns is one of the leading writers on men’s grooming. As a journalist, he has covered skin care, fashion, and health for leading magazines and newspapers including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, GQ, Details, Elle Accessories, Out, and Zink, and he pens the popular men’s style blog, HommeGrooming.com. He lives in San Francisco, California. For more information, visit his website at nickburns.net.

For more information about The Bearded Gentleman, visit: Beardedgentleman.com

The humble Dopp kit — named after its early 20th century inventor, leather craftsman Charles Doppelt — has come a long way since it was a standard-issue razor-and-toothbrush carrier for WWII GIs. Just as modern man’s grooming needs have evolved to include more than a bar of soap and bucket of warm water, so have the innards of his Dopp kit.

Think of it as your personal arsenal of grooming weapons — whether you’re headed off on a relief mission or simply prepping for another war at the office. Here’s everything you need:

1. Face wash

Put down the bar of soap and step away from the sink. Seriously. Now. Soap is drying and irritating. The trick here is to dissolve dirt and clean skin without stripping away all the oil, which can actually cause your skin to overcompensate by producing excess oil. And remember, when it comes to your face, you don’t want to over-cleanse. Once a day, preferably before you shave, is enough.

What to look for:

If you have dry skin, select a cream-based cleanser. If your face looks like an oil spill, look for an oil-free, soap-free liquid. And if you’re especially prone to breakouts, choose one that contains salicylic acid.

2. Pre-shave oil

Think of this as a primer for the second coat (that would be the shave cream). It softens skin and hairs to prevent razor burn and provides a super-slick surface for the razor to glide across.

What to look for:

Opt for natural plant-based softeners like coconut oil or olive oil, instead of petroleum-based products, which can clog pores.

3. Sensitive skin shave cream
Even if you don’t think you have sensitive skin, choosing a “sensitive skin” cream, gel or foam can help protect against redness and irritation.

What to look for:

Opt for one that contains aloe, glycerin and mineral oil — key ingredients that soften and soothe.

4. Shaving brush
This old-school tool is making a major comeback thanks to properly educated barbers and sophisticated consumers. It doesn’t just feel good on your skin, it’s backed by actual science: The gentle action of the bristles exfoliates skin and removes dead skin cells, then fluffs up your whiskers so they’re standing straight up for a closer shave.

What to look for:

Select one made out of badger hair — it’s more expensive than boar but is higher-quality and softer on your face. (Plus, it will last a lifetime.)

5. Razor

If you’re still using the cheap disposable kind or one with too few blades, it’s time for a major upgrade.

What to look for:

Research has actually demonstrated the benefits of multiple-blade razors. The basic science is that the first blade engages the hair and pulls it out of the follicle so that the subsequent blades can cut the hair further down the shaft. Translation: a closer, smoother shave with less risk of nicks and cuts.

6. Styptic pencil
This short, medicated stick is a blast from the past that helps stop bleeding fast if you get a nick or cut. It stings but it works.

What to look for:

Aluminum sulfate in the ingredient list.

7. Aftershave
Use an aftershave gel or balm to calm the skin and reduce irritation.

What to look for:

Skip alcohol-based products, which can cause irritation and dryness. Instead, choose one that contains aloe and vitamin E — Mother Nature’s original soothing and healing agents.

8. Electric nose and ear hair trimmer
You don’t need two separate tools — one will do.

What to look for:

Look for an electric rotary version: It uses a rotary blade system that cuts in a circular motion to trim along the inside of the walls without getting too close. Other key features to look for are a built-in LED light (to help guide you in those dark cavities) and an integrated vacuum system (to collect hair as it trims).

9. Moisturizer
Contrary to every TV ad, face cream isn’t just about preventing wrinkles and fine lines: It helps keep your skin hydrated, protects against sun and wind, and can even promote skin cell regeneration.

What to look for:

If your skin is dry, look for ingredients like shea butter and aloe. If you’re prone to breakouts, look for an oil-free version labeled “noncomedogenic.” Either way, always choose one that contains sunscreen. (The American Academy of Dermatology recently upgraded its minimum SPF recommendation from 15 to 30.)

10. Eye cream
The finest, most delicate skin on your face is around your eyes. That’s also the first place to show signs of aging (like puffiness, crow’s feet and dark circles).

What to look for:

If your main objective is to reduce puffiness, pick a product that contains cucumber and caffeine (to soothe and tighten) with a roll-on application — the simple act of rolling it on helps redistribute lymphatic buildup under the eye skin. To combat dark under-eye circles, look for a product with vitamin K — studies have shown it can be an effective treatment because our body uses this vitamin in clotting.

11. Lip balm
Let’s face it: No one wants to kiss a pair of cracked smackers.

What to look for:

A non-petroleum-based product. It moisturizes without drying and promotes faster healing.

12. Stainless steel
This blanket category goes for all those little metal doodads: grooming scissors, nail clippers and tweezers. And when we say stainless steel, we mean it: You might be tempted to cut corners and go for the cheapest versions, but when you’re manscaping and clipping your sensitive zones, do you really want to risk diving in with rusty, dull blades? Didn’t think so. >

What to look for:

Select tools that can accommodate the size of your mitts. More and more companies are coming out with “man-sized” grooming tools for this very reason.

13. Hair styling products
Here you have many options, including gel, for an all-day, extra-strong hold with a bit of a wet look a la “Mad Men,” or paste/putty for a textured and spiky bed-head look.

What to look for:

If you’re a gel guy, look for a glycerin-based version for added moisture. If you swing for the paste/putty league but can’t decide which team to join, remember this: Putty offers a stronger hold (similar to a gel), while paste allows you to go back and restyle your mop throughout the day.

Jessica Lothstein is a freelance writer and former editor at Best Life magazine. She writes on a range of subjects, including grooming and fashion.

But first, please indulge me: I love product launches. But for the wrong reason.

Speaker 1: “Guys lose their hair, shaving sucks, here’s how we can help.”

Speaker 2: “Try this new whiskey and get your shoes shined in the fancy library we’ve rented just for you.”

Really.

That’s how it went down Johnson & Johnson’s “Men’s Product Showcase” last week. Not that I’m complaining. The whisky earned an A+. But a brand as advanced as J&J, which owns Neutrogena, doesn’t need to butch it up to release a new shave balm for guys with sensitive skin. Leave that to the brands trying to sell guyliner.

Now, about that balm: It’s one of three new products along with a daily moisturizer (SPF 30!) and a shave cream.

Neutrogena already has a line for guys with sensitive skin. Yet these products are now their super-soothing-est because of Pro-Soothe Technology, an awkward name for a handful of good ingredients (soy, glycerine, vitamins).

The lowdown.

The balm is cool and the shave creamy is slippery. They left my post-shave face calm. But the real winner was the Neutrogena Men Sensitive Skin Oil-Free Moisture SPF 30.  To get such a high SPF, I figured the cream would feel like goo—but it doesn’t. It’s lightweight, fragrance-free, and passes the “Slick Test.” I’ve been using it for a week and don’t look or feel like I’m wearing anything.

The high SPF is thanks to Helioplex, the stable blend of broad-spectrum sunblockers in most of Neutrogena’s popular and effective sunscreen products. It’s also the reason why their Sport Spray is always in my dopp kit.

ps: More on that hair-loss news coming soon! Stay tuned.

Neutrogena Men Sensitive Skin Oil-Free Moisture SPF 30, $6.49 (1.7 oz.), visit drugstore.com —Aaron Krach