One of the most popular gifts for men is aftershave; it’s both practical and thoughtful. But why not buy something a little different to just your average bottle of aftershave, and look for a great aftershave gift set instead? Here are just a few reasons why an aftershave gift set could be the perfect present on the run up to Christmas.

It’s so much more than just aftershave

Buying a bottle of aftershave on its own is a great present in itself, but when you buy an aftershave gift set you get so much more than just the scented bottle. This means you’re really giving the recipient much more for their gift, and getting more for your money too.

Men’s aftershave gift sets often come with a 30ml, 50ml or 100ml bottle of the chosen fragrance, with additional extras that always come in handy. Whether it’s a scented shower gel, body lotion or even a deodorant stick, aftershave gift sets go the extra mile.

Some even include a small travel spray that can be taken in your hand luggage, along with a toiletries bag; incredibly useful items that complete the gift and bring it all together.

The choice of brands

Aftershave gift sets are now available from nearly every men’s fragrance brand out there. No matter what the recipient’s favourite brand or scent is, you’re bound to find the perfect gift set to suit them.

From popular brand names like Hugo Boss, Paco Rabanne and Davidoff, to other designer names including Armani, Givenchy and Prada, the choice is endless. Offering designer gift sets for you to take advantage of, it’s the perfect way to treat someone who really loves their aftershave.

Offering designer gift sets for you to take advantage of, it’s the perfect way to treat someone who really loves their aftershave.

It’s a thoughtful gift

Last but not least, we buy gifts because we think the recipient will love whatever we choose. However, it’s also nice to buy something that the recipient is unlikely to buy themselves. The likes of aftershave, or perfume for women, is so much nicer to receive as a present than to go out and buy it themselves. It feels much more of a treat.

Buying aftershave shows that you’ve put some real thought into it; from choosing the perfect scent to thinking about the best extras that come with the sets. Whether it’s the main present or a stocking filler, aftershave gift sets are a great choice for any occasion. So, whether you’re creating a Christmas wishlist to give to your loved ones, or you’re looking for inspiration to buy something special, don’t forget your favourite aftershave! Remember our list of top aftershaves.

The post 3 Reasons an Aftershave Gift Set is the Perfect Present appeared first on Be Stylish!.

Fragrance – they are one of the “finishing” tools for giving you a unique edge when it comes to your personal wardrobe.

In fact, the right fragrance can give you a remarkable improvement to your “first impression”… and not just when it comes to wooing the ladies.

In recent years, pheromones have gained a reputation for being “snake oil” due to the way they’ve been advertised. Since the early 1990’s, unscrupulous sellers looking to make a buck have over-promised and under-delivered.

But their persistence on the internet, in the back of sketchy magazines, and late night television ads makes one wonder – is there really any proof they work?

The word “pheromones” often conjures up imagery of bizarre colognes , claiming they hold the secrets to attracting endless men or women with little or no effort. Perhaps even some awesome chemistry, or maybe a real-world “love potion” of sorts.

Most normal people dismiss them as snake oil.

But as it so happens, there actually is verifiable proof of their effects. Yes, the advertisements seen online can claim outrageous results and shouldn’t be taken literally. But the science behind them is solid.

Pheromones, are in fact a natural part of our body odor, and excreted in sweat (and most abundantly in the axillary/armpit region).

These chemicals are also known as “ecto-hormones”, as they are quite literally hormones, but work on the outside of the skin (as opposed to inside the body).

Animals rely on detecting pheromones to attract mates, find food, avoid predators and more.

But humans on the other hand, have little use for “scent” in the modern world – or so we thought, until pheromones began being researched far more thoroughly in recent years. These mysterious odors can change the way people are perceived, and can have noticeable effects on the behavior of others.

How? An organ called the vomeronasal organ (VNO, or Jacobson’s Organ), gets activated when it perceives the scent of pheromones.

Some of the most common pheromones excreted on human skin is androstenone, androstenol, androstadienone – all of which have been studied by scientists, and proven to have physiological and physical impact when people are exposed to them.

The prefix “andro”, is also a derivative of the hormone testerosterone – meaning they are in fact very real things that occur naturally.

This also may be a large part of who we find attractive and how we may subconsciously decide on romantic partners to settle down with – their scent is a biological indicator of the compatibility of your genes, and your partners.

So where do pheromone colognes and perfumes fit into all of this?

Our resident expert on fragrance, Joe Masters (aka Phero Joe) – and enthusiast, reviewer, and researcher on pheromone colognes and perfumes had this to say:

“Many people stumble upon pheromone products and think they might be the “missing key” to solve all their problems when it comes to attracting men or women. But the fact is, pheromones are much more than that – they are simply designed to change the perception people have of you, in subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) ways. For example, if you began to use a product designed to elevate your social status, you might find people suddenly wanting to be around you all the time.

… With an attraction product, you might find men or women glancing over at you, because they sense something special about your presence. The list goes on – but as the wearer of a pheromone product, its still up to you to drive the interactions, whatever your goals are. Pheromone colognes just make it a whole lot easier.”

After reading over his personal review website at House Of Pheromones, there are fascinating reviews and articles about the intricate effects pheromones can have on interactions.

There also seems to be a lot of disagreement, particularly about who “discovered” human pheromones – although the science is broad and still relatively “new” in the science space.

So if you’re looking for an “upgrade” to your style, check them out – you may be surprised at the results.

The post Give your style an edge with pheromone colognes & perfumes appeared first on Be Stylish!.

That’s right – while your slacks were stylish and your shirts on point in 2016, you’ve smelt fouler than decade-old meat left in a bin.

But don’t fret, you incredibly smelly man. We’ve assembled a troupe of aftershave goodness (all available from Fragrance Direct) for you to peruse, each of which will leave you smelling fresher than a vat of Persil. So take a look, have a sniff and see what takes your fancy.

Calvin Klein Truth

The days when having ‘Calvin Klein’ plastered over your briefs was the height of sophistication have long since faded into memory, but the clothing company’s range of fragrances has never been better.

Our favourite is Truth, which combines canopy greens, basil and cardamom to create a fresh and masculine aroma that will playfully tickle the nostrils of anyone around you.

This is an olfactory sensation not to be missed.

Burberry London

The Burberry brand is more than 150 years old, and its distinctive brand pattern has been appropriated by countless subcultures over the past few decades.

Its fragrances are similarly timeless. Its London brand offers top notes of bergamot, black pepper, lavender and cinnamon, as well as a deep heart of mimosa, Porto wine and leather, and is rounded off with a base of tobacco leaves, guaiac wood, oakmoss and opoponax.

This heady combination is a deep fragrance that’s unmistakeably masculine.

Davidoff Cool Water Night Dive

We all remember the adverts for Davidoff we saw in the mid-nineties, the ones featuring some six-pack hunk surfing on a beach, all filmed in an almost comically tasteful monochrome.

But their overly earnest marketing always concealed the truth of the brand – that it’s consistently produced some of the best scents on the market.

Cool Water Night Dive doesn’t disappoint, with cold fresh mint, ocean accord, pistachio wood and watery fruits. Heart notes feature modern elements of cashmere, black pepper and tobacco before developing into a base of amber, musk, woods and suede. It’s not to be ignored.

BOSS The Scent

While some of us would argue that the only Boss in the world is Bruce Springsteen, the Americana inflected guitar player is yet to bring out his own signature scent. Until he does, we’ll just have to make do with BOSS’s The Scent, a fantastic fragrance featuring a head-spinning number of exemplary fragrances.

Can you think of any great fragrances that will leave you smelling great in 2017? Then let us know in the comments below.

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