The winners of the ShortList Men’s Grooming Awards in association with House of Fraser

That’s right, it’s that celebratory time of year again. For our ninth annual Men’s Grooming Awards, we recruited an expert panel of judges to put the newest formulas, sprays and gadgets through their paces. Over the past year, they, alongside the ShortList grooming team and you – yes you – our hallowed readers, have whittled down thousands of products, services and destinations to a select few. Here’s our definitive guide to the grooming kit you need in 2017.

THE JUDGING PANEL

Adrian Clark, Style Director, ShortList

Charlie Casely-Hayford, designer, Casely-Hayford

Dr. Tijion Esho, cosmetic doctor, ESHO Clinic

Gordon Richardson, Creative Director, Topman

Ruth Newman, Director of Beauty, House of Fraser

Joe Mills, hairstylist, founder of Joe & Co.

Pietro Boselli, model & fitness expert

Paul Sculfor, model and television personality

Lyn Harris, perfumer, founder of Miller Harris & Perfumer H

Michael Douglas, hairstylist & brand consultant

THE WINNERS

Best Facial Cleanser or Exfoliator

Exfoliating Energy Scrub

£36 for 100ml by TOM FORD;
houseoffraser.co.uk

“Using this scrub for the first time was a bit of a revelation. After a few weeks of use my skin started to develop a glow I only really see over the summer.” – Charlie Casely-Hayford

Best Moisturiser

Hydro Master Gel

£30 for 75ml by SHISEIDO MEN;
houseoffraser.co.uk

“I’m on board with any product that is able to adapt to a man’s skin at any given period. After all, who wants an armoury of moisturisers, when one multipurpose will combat all?” – Adrian Clark

Best Eye Care Product

Instant Brightening Beauty

Shot Eye Lift £30 for 15ml by REN SKINCARE;
renskincare.com

“Its effects are dramatic and almost instant. It definitely helped with my dark circles, so I can get through the day pretending I’ve had enough sleep.” – Charlie Casely-Hayford

Best Anti-Ageing Product

Line Interception Power Duo

£244 for 50ml by LA PRAIRIE;
laprairie.co.uk

“It made the most difference to my skin and garnered compliments from friends.” – Charlie Casely-Hayford

Best Razor or Shaver

Series 9 9290cc

£329.99 by BRAUN;
amazon.co.uk

“A good alternative when on the go. I loved that I could shave in seconds with no water without irritating the skin.” – Pietro Boselli

Best Post-Shave Product

Sauvage After-Shave Balm

£39.50 for 100ml by DIOR;
dior.com

“Doesn’t sting. Feels great; a lovely product and nice packaging.” – Michael Douglas

Best Shaving Preparation Product

Close-Shavers Squadron Smooth Glider Precision Shave Lotion

£15 for 150ml by KIEHL’S SINCE 1851;
kiehls.co.uk

“Feels great on the skin and stubble, and lets the razor glide easily.” – Paul Sculfor

Best Body Maintenance Product

Antibacterial Odour Protection

£2.65 for 150ml by SURE MEN;
suredeodorant.co.uk

“This left no white residue and there was no breakthrough sweating.” – Dr Esho

Best Body Maintenance Gadget

Blaze Smart Fitness Watch

£159.99 by Fitbit;
houseoffraser.co.uk

“Keeps you moving all day, as well as having good battery life.” – Paul Sculfor

Best Sun Care Product

Winter Protection 2-in-1 SPF30

£12.50 for 20ml by RITUALS;
amazon.co.uk

“This is extremely good and compact. Has cream and a lip balm stick, no smell.” – Michael Douglas

Best Body Wash/Scrub

Elements Minerals + Sage Body And Face Wash

£3 for 400ml by DOVE MEN+CARE;
tesco.com

“Has a fragrance that doesn’t stray into the generic ‘man scent’ territory. Doesn’t leave your skin feeling dried out.” – Adrian Clark

Best Haircare

Purifying Shampoo

£28 for 250ml by CHRISTOPHE ROBIN;
christophe-robin.com

“Great results after one use: hair felt hydrated, clean and gave excellent shine. It also had a good scent with zero signs of dandruff.” – Dr Esho

Best Hair Styling Product

Baume Bois de Rose

£36.95 for 50ml by LEONOR GREYL;
fruugo.co.uk

“Gives good manipulation, but still leaves hair free to move and residue isn’t heavy. Smells good and I can run my fingers through my hair easily.” – Paul Sculfor

Best Facial Haircare

Mr Burberry Beard Oil

£38 for 30ml by BURBERRY;
burberry.com

“Beard oils are an unstoppable revolution in the grooming sector. One of those products that raises the question: How did we ever survive without them? This one ticks all the boxes with a non-greasy, silky texture and a strong, masculine aroma." – Adrian Clark

Best Treatment Product

Urban Blue Detox Clay Mask

£26 for 100ml by LAB SERIES SKINCARE FOR MEN;
labseries.co.uk

“Feels great on the skin and I like the blue colour. Skin feels clean, smooth and matte without becoming dry.” – Paul Sculfor

Best Grooming Gadget

Sonicare DiamondClean Deep Clean Black

£299 by PHILIPS;
shop.philips.co.uk

“This electronic toothbrush comes with a USB port for charging. I love the fact it has five different settings from gum care to whitening. It’s stylish and covers all your cleaning needs.” – Gordon Richardson

Best New Men’s Fragrance

Gucci Guilty Absolute Pour Homme

£54 for 50ml by GUCCI;
gucci.com

“I like the Gucci Guilty scent because it’s not a quintessentially male fragrance. The notes are floral based but not in an overpowering way. It removed itself from the sharper tones of men’s fragrance and is a much lighter and more refreshing alternative.” – Charlie Casely-Hayford

Best Evening Fragrance

Uomo Intense

£56 for 50ml by VALENTINO;
houseoffraser.com

“A surprising mix of black leather, iris, vanilla and Tonka beans.” – Lyn Harris

“Boom. Valentino Rocks” – Joe Mills

“I like the Valentino scent because it is to strong and long lasting but also has some delicacy that comes through in the initial hit or iris and vanilla. The combination definitely gives it an allure and sophistication.” – Charlie Casely-Hayford

Best Niche Fragrance

Note di Colonia 

£280 for 150ml by ACQUA DI PARMA;
uk.acquadiparma.com

“This is wonderful scent that bears very little to the classic original. It strides out on its own with a distinctive citrus-y smell. It’s very sophisticated.” – Gordon Richardson

“Looks great, really love the packaging as a fragrance it gets better and better with time, smells great when you first use and then as your skin warms so does it. A real classic.” – Joe Mills

“Best for me was Acqua di Parma. Amazing Packaging, I loved the smell: subtle, uncommon, and zesty!” – Michael Douglas

Best Everyday Fragrance

Loewe 001 Man

£65 for 50ml by LOEWE;
loewe.com

“J.W. Anderson is doing an amazing job making Loewe one of the coolest fashion brands around. His first fragrance is no exception. 001 Man is a soft scent that is unobtrusive yet distinctive and great for everyday.” – Gordon Richardson

“The combination of citrus and sandalwood, with a hint of musk, make this a great everyday fragrance, versatile without feeling too urban. It has a natural aroma, but without being bland. The Loewe makes everyday special, ideal for travel too.” – Pietro Boselli

Best Grooming Destination

Beast

19 Earlham St, London WC2
shop-beast.com

Having launched in November 2016 in London’s Seven Dials, Beast immediately set itself apart from other boutique beauty retailers by putting a traditionally online format into a physical space. Rather than arranging the store by brand range, products are instead merchandised under tabs and sub-tabs for different grooming categories, solutions and concerns.

“When I first visited the Beast store in Covent Garden to check out its brave concept of retailing ‘men-only’ grooming products from a bricks-and-mortar site, I knew that it was on to a winner. Not only did it feel like the timing was on point, but also the passion of the team and the homework that they’ve put into sourcing unique brands and researching how contemporary men shop is inspiring.” – Adrian Clark

House Of Fraser’s ‘Every Man Should Have One’ Award

Charcoal Konjac Sponge

£10 by ERBORIAN;
houseoffraser.co.uk

“Containing bamboo charcoal, the Konjac sponge gives a deep cleanse and exfoliation – leaving the skin feeling purified. A definite must-have for every man.” – Ruth Newman

WHO ARE THE JUDGES?

Adrian Clark, Style Director, ShortList

Charising our judging panel, Clark is an award-winning grooming and fashion journalist.

Charlie Casely-Hayford, designer, Casely-Hayford

Co-founder and designer at menswear brand Casely-Hayford, Charlie is the quintessential modern gent.

Dr. Tijion Esho, cosmetic doctor, ESHO Clinic

Multi-award winning, Harley Street Dr. Esho is Channel 4’s resident cosmetic doctor.

Gordon Richardson, Creative Director, Topman

Fashion veteran Gordon is an authority on impeccable design and product and knows exactly what men want and need.

Ruth Newman, Director of Beauty, House of Fraser

Responsible for curating the men’s brand across every House of Fraser store and platform, Ruth is at the forefront of British grooming retail.

Joe Mills, hairstylist, founder of Joe & Co.

Mills’ celebrity clients include Martin Freeman, Lewis Hamilton and Ben Affleck.

Pietro Boselli, model & fitness expert

Model and fitness expert Pietro’s Mechanical Engineering PhD affords him a keen eye for superior design.

Paul Sculfor, model and television personality

One of the class of ‘original supermodels’, Paul’s skin and hair has seen it all.

Lyn Harris, perfumer, founder of Miller Harris & Perfumer H

The only classically trained female nose in the UK, Lyn created some of the most iconic British fragrances.

Michael Douglas, hairstylist & brand consultant

BBC’s The One Show’s stylist has helped shape some of the biggest haircare businesses on the market.