Getting me to change my shave routine is not easy. You can talk all you want about the benefits skin-conditioning Kukui Nut Oil or Organic Jojoba, but at 6AM when I’m gazing bleary-eyed into my medicine cabinet, I like to reach for something familiar. So… when the folks at Origins sent me some samples of their shave products, I was reluctant to try them. For the sake of the GP readers though I thought the products deserved a thorough review. That’s why I’m here one week later minus my beard; sporting a chin that belongs to an adolescent choir boy.

The short and long story/review after the jump.

What this means to you: If you’re looking for some new shave products these are the ones to try. The three products together form the perfect trifecta of shaving.

Cost: Easy Slider Pre Shave Oil: $18.50 | Blade Runner Energizing Shave Cream: $14.00 | Fire Fighter: $15.00 @ Origins

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What cannot be accomplished through looks and charm can surely be accomplished through psycho-tonic fragrances.

Um, not so much. But it never hurts to have something else on your side. Smiley Extrait de Parfum is a fragrance that uses cocoa extracts, phenylethylamine, which sets of feelings of joy, excitement, and Theobromine that blocks the receivers of adrenalin and decreases the effects of stress. The fragrance strats off slightly spicy then wraps it in a warm woody musky wrapping - unexpected from the packaging we assure you.

What this means to you: I’ve tried a bottle of this. I live in New York so there is no shortage of extraordinary looking women at any given moment. None of them have leaped from their heels onto my back in a raging moment of happy passion, but that doesn’t mean I’ve given up hoping it will…

Cost: $55-90 @ Beauty Exclusive

M - Maintenance For Men is where you need to be sourcing your grooming products. Bookmark it and stop thinking about where to buy your grooming gear. Much more than just a retailer, M is a brand built for the modern man. A guy’s resource for hair, body and face maintenance developed by people who know the importance of smart, high quality care. No questions, no fluff.

GP spent some time checking into what differentiates M - Maintenace For Men from others, First and foremost we’ve got to say quality. They stock brands you know ranging from American Crew, to EShave, to this writer’s personal favorite: MD Skincare. Better yet, M’s site is layed out in a way you spend less time looking and wondering and more time knowing and buying. Honestly, there’s little more we can think of when it comes to grooming.

M - Maintenance For Men has provided GP a 10% off coupon code for the first 10 readers to make a purchase on M - Maintenance For Men. Just type coupon code “GEARPATROL” at time of purchase. You’re welcome.

Also See: Hommage Shaving Set Giveaway

A. Peter Thomas Roth Anti Aging Cleansing Gel | B. Baxter of California Oil Free Moisturizer | C. Korres Men’s Absinthe Shave Cream | D. Sharps Daily Prep Lip Stuff | E. Anthony Sport Eye Cream | F. GNC Ester-C Vitamin C Pills

[Read Part 1]

By: Dennis Krell - This is the follow-up to my previous post where I shared with you my thoughts on facial care. Gear Patrol also asked me to point out a few products, non-clinincal, I’ve seen out there that I think do their job and do it well. This isn’t a comprehensive list by any means, but there are a few things here you need to add t your regimen. If you don’t have any of these then you’re really behind the 8 ball. It’ll take you close to $150 to get all the products I’ve layed out for you here. That’s a chunk of change. Don’t get them all at the same time, start piecemeal and work your way into it. Start with the Peter Thomas Roth cleansing gel and Baxter of California Oil Free Moisturizer, follow the simple instructions for application.

Products and descriptions after the jump.

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Gloves In A Bottle presents an interesting concept and one that makes sense to us. Instead of trying to replace natural oils your skin creates it creates a web with the dead skin cells. Hmm, sounds more like a chemical burn, right? Wrong.

A guy’s active lifestyle makes him encounter all kinds of germs. From the court to the course from the gym to games you’re probably washing your hands several times a day and thankfully that’s a good thing. What isn’t though is the fact that you’re using abrasive commercial grade soaps. Gloves In A Bottle works, not to replace oils but provide you a protective barrier to allow the skin to heal itself by reducing natural oil and moisture loss. At it’s most basic premise, it’s a shielding lotion.

Better yet is that your skin under the protective layer will continue to breathe and perspire naturally. It naturally bonds with the skin and won’t wash off like other lotions and as your skin exfoliates, Gloves In A Bottle will natural come off.

What this means to you: Dry, cracked hands are commonplace. The winter months have been absolute hell on your skin - give them a little extra defense with dermatologist recommended Gloves In A Bottle.

Cost: $11 @ Metro Medical Online

Women may like the scruffiness, but what they don’t like are unsightly hairs. Get yours under control with a trimmer like this one from Philips Norelco. It’s inexpensive, functional and does exactly what it’s intended to.

The Micro Trimmer’s ultra sharp closed cut system guarantees hairs will not be pulled (ouch), is waterproof, and prevents nicks and cuts. After using one for over a month this writer can say that it’s been fantastic using a system that makes grooming extraordinarily fast and simple. It’s soft-grip coating makes handling simple and a pleasure.

Want a Philips Norelco Precision Micro Trimmer of your own? Subscribe to the Gear Patrol Dispatch for your chance to win.

Enter from this page or just use the handy box we have in the upper right corner of this page. We’ll randomly choose a name from anyone (including those already subscribed) signed-up for the GP Dispatch and announce a winner Friday the 14th between 3-3:30pm EST.

ENTER NOW

Cost: $15 @ Drugstore.com