Valentines gift ideas for your guy

Based on the numerous boyfriends and husbands I've had over the years, I find that most guys love being gifted with grooming products they normally wouldn't buy for themselves.  Grooming products are personal, almost intimate, and show that you care - just the thing for Valentines Day.  It's sharing a bit of yourself and your beauty world with him, and makes him feel special.  That said, I would base your selection of products on your guy's needs and preferences:  is he low-maintenance or high maintenance?  A fragrance lover, or fragrance-free?  Does he have sensitive skin or any other skincare concerns that he doesn't know how to address?

Hopefully one of these ideas will resonate with your guy's personality:

Molton Brown Black Pepper Body Wash is the difinitive men's grooming gift. In general Molton Brown products make the perfect gift because they are a luxury brand from England, something beyond the ordinary.  The Black Pepper scent is particularly sensual and masculine - a blend of spicy, woodsy, and a tad bit of citrus.  If you think your guy would want a corresponding body lotion, there is a fantastic gift set of shower gel/lotion.  Definitely a treat!

Not all men like a liquid body wash so for those who prefer a bar soap Bliss Mammoth Minty Scrub Soap is the way to go.  It is the ultimate refreshing and invigorating morning pick-me-up.  Great for the no-frills frugal guy because it gives a superior clean and will last him forever.  None of that fru-fru fragrance here.  To complement the minty soap why not bake your lover a batch of gooey mint brownies - he will be over the moon.

You would not believe how many men are looking for a great hand cream, and L'Occitane has the ideal solution.  Their (virtually unscented) Shea Butter Hand Cream provides superior hydration without being sticky or greasy, and it absorbs easily into the skin.  Men who work with their hands - from construction to message - love it, and men with aggravating skin conditions appreciate it as well.  Also the large, spare, non-nonsense packaging couldn't be more man-appropriate.

If you are looking to buy your guy a fragrance, Atelier Cologne Vetiver Fatale Cologne Absolute is a unique scent that has wide appeal.  It's not too heavy, not too perfumey, but is naturally masculine, including notes of Haitian Vetiver, dark oud, Texas cedarwood, and citrus.  Atelier Cologne is a couture perfume house that makes what I consider essentially unisex fragrances.  I highly recommend that you check some of their other scents for yourself or share the Vetever Fatale with your guy.

For the ultimate in nostalgia get your man the Classic Shaving Black Stoneware Complete Shaving Kit.  The black stoneware mug with premium shave soap, old-fashioned safety razor (and extra blades), and badger bristle brush are totally retro cool.  This is a special gift for a special guy, and I think he would be delighted to receive it.

If none of these presents strike a chord for you, see my post grooming gifts for your guy to get more gift ideas for men.