I have the kind of dad who loves power tools, gadgets, and construction-y type things. Every Father’s Day, Dad gets a power tool or a gift certificate to the Home Depot. Then I got to thinking: every year we give Dad these presents and then we (including Mom and my brothers) have a corresponding list of home repairs we need help with. While every dad loves to feel needed by his family, I thought, wouldn’t it be nice to give him gifts this year that he can truly pamper himself with? I mean – the man deserves a day off!

Cologne:

Maybe Dad wants to smell nice when he takes Mom out on the town (they love The Melting Pot).

I like Creed’s Green Irish Tweed. It’s got notes of French verbena, Florentine iris, violet leaves, sandalwood from India, and ambergris. Plus the name seems perfect for my Irish dad. It retails from $122-250.

Burberry London by Burberry for Men is also a great choice. It has top notes of fresh bergamot, black pepper, lavender, and spicy cinnamon leaves; heart notes of Leather, mimosa flower notes, and port wine; and base notes of tobacco leaves, guaiac wood, dense oak moss, and soft opoponax. Totally masculine (which is important for a tool-toting dad). It can retail anywhere from $40-70.

Shaving Items:

Most dads need to shave everyday. Mine likes to keep a full moustache and beard, but he likes to keep it trimmed and neat. Some cool items to get dad:

Clinique Deluxe Great Shave Kit, is available at Sephora. This includes an Aloe Gel: An oil-free, cushioning lather with aloe to help calm razor burn.; Face Scrub: Great for removing dead flakes, lifts beard hairs, and prepares the way for an amazing shave; and the Post-Shave Healer, a light lotion that contains aloe to comfort and help repair minor nicks – all is a signature black toiletry bag. $45.

Anthony Logistics for Men A Clean Start Kit

This everything a man needs to start the day fresh and well groomed: cleanse, exfoliate, prep, shave, and soothe the skin with this set of five highly effective facial care products formulated specifically for men. The set includes a 4 oz Glycolic Facial Cleanser, 2 oz Facial Scrub, 2 oz Shave Cream, 2.5 oz After Shave Balm, and a .33 oz Lip Balm. $40.

And maybe, just maybe, I’ll pick up some power tools too. My dining room could use a chair rail….

Men are lucky enough that they get the opportunity to exfoliate and condition their skin daily while they shave. I know what some of you guys are thinking that aren’t so lucky. Well, maybe you just haven’t tried the right products.

When it comes to shaving, the options are limitless and I almost feel bad for you guys having to do this all on your own, so I am here to help. Remember, everyone has different skin, and everyone has a different style of shaving.

Essentially, there are four things you need to achieve the perfect shave:

1. A pre-shave oil or lotion
2. The perfect shaving cream or gel
3. A fabulous yet functional razor and/or brush
4. A soothing aftershave splash, lotion, or balm.

I know the pre-shave oil is often overlooked, but I introduced my boyfriend to this a few years ago and now he can’t live without it. Pre-shave oils are the answer to all of your shaving dilemmas. They do so much for the skin and you will get the most incredible and closest shave when you use one. Pre-shave oils moisten the skin, loosen the hair follicle, and condition at the same time. What this does is allow the hair to lift, straighten, and become softer for the shave. If you are a guy with ingrown hair issues, you will never see another one again once you start to use a pre-shave oil.

My favorite pre-shave oils are by the Art of Shaving. There are four blends to choose from, but I love the Lavender. You can use unscented, Lavender for sensitive skin, Lemon for oily skin, or Sandalwood for normal to dry skin.

Shaving creams and gels can get really personal. It’s almost like a woman picking out her favorite body lotion; a lot goes into the decision. Is it the right scent? Do I like the texture? How does my skin react when I put it on? For those of you out there that like the thick shaving cream, it is most likely you have a drier skin that needs a boost of hydration. Creams are best applied with a brush to help work the pre-shave oil into the pores and then get the hair out of the follicle.

Shaving gels are perfect for the guy with an oily skin or who is prone to breakouts. Gels are lightweight and will keep your razor close to the skin. Gels usually contain very soothing ingredients like aloe and vitamin E to help calm the skin. My favorite shaving creams and gels are:

Neutrogena Men Skin Clearing Shaving Cream - You can find this at your local drug store and it is usually less than $5. It will give your skin an exhilarating shave and help with future breakouts.

Anthony Logistics Shave Gel - You can find this online at Anthony.com or at Sephora or Sephora.com. This gel is packed with Aloe beads to soothe the skin as well as glycerin to lubricate the skin for an extremely close shave.

Lab Series Maximum Comfort Shave Cream is my absolute favorite - This cream is formulated for sensitive skin and helps prevent irritation. It is fragrance free and oil free. It’s perfect for all skin types.

When it comes to razors, this is where I am a pro! I have always prided myself on giving razors as a father’s day or birthday gift. I want to give something special that will last forever. Well, my friends and family have told me that although I have spent money on expensive razors, nothing compares to the Gillette Mach 3 Turbo. Every man in my life swears by this razor as being the best!

Aftershave splash, lotion, and balms are the final step to the perfect shave. Splashes usually contain the most alcohol and are best for oily skins. Lotions are for more of a normal to combination skin, and balms are great for dry skins. My favorites are:

Bliss Post Shave Repair Lotion - This is excellent for oily skins that are prone to breakouts. Your skin will love you!

L’Occitane Cade After Shave Balm – It will immediately cool the skin and help control redness. It’s perfect for dry skin types.

Let me start by saying that after the years of being in this ever changing beauty business, I am so excited to see so many men finally taking care of their skin! However, at the same time, men are only using products that say, “For Men,” on the package. You guys are welcome to use all cosmetic brands and get incredible results because your skin is a lot like ours!

Did you know that there really are only a few differences between men and women’s skin and you can actually use a lot of the same skincare products, if not all! Here are some truths behind the differences between our skin and our guys:

• Women’s skin age faster than men’s because we lose collagen faster. So the men are lucky enough not to have to invest in all of the anti-aging products that we do to stay young. However, men do lose collagen so a little lift never hurt.

• Men have thicker skin than women; this is the most popular one of all. Yes, men do have a thicker skin, but only by 20-30 %. This helps the men not get as many fine lines and wrinkles as quickly as women do, but that’s not to say it won’t happen. Don’t gloat men, you will get wrinkles one day!

• Because men have more hair follicles on their face, their skin is more oily which also helps keep them young. Shaving everyday helps to exfoliate the skin and bring the new skin cells to the surface quickly. The down side to this is that it is proven that men are more prone to skin cancer than women so do not forget the sunscreen!

Now let’s talk product. I know you men out there only want the very best in skincare, so why is it that you are always and only going to men’s products? You are more than welcome to share in the luxury we women have of going to any cosmetic brand and finding what we need. So go ahead and use your ladies product and see what you think. Men’s skincare brands are great in that they smell great and are usually blended with a lot of essential oils to help with a close shave and soften the skin.

Stay tuned for my favorites on men’s skincare. I am like all of you ladies out there, I want my guy to take care of his skin too, but sometimes they just need a little help.

The Organic Pharmacy is a line of men’s products that has been making a huge impact over in the U.K. and I am so excited to say that they have now launched here in the US. The Organic Pharmacy carries pure organic products as of now but will be expanding into a larger range of skin care.This is a certified organic line by the U.K’s Soil Association and is free of artificial preservatives, colorants, petrochemicals and fragrance. They use only the purest and highest grade natural and organic ingredients. All the products come in 75ml tubes so they are perfect for those men who like to use a lot of product!

I personally love the packaging and according to Margo Marrone, the co-founder of The Organic Pharmacy, about 90 percent of the customers are women. The prices are great ranging from $39-$59 and are all infused with antioxident protection as well as ingredients like green tea and tamanu for their anti-inflammatory properties.

What I was really impressed with is that every Organic Pharmacy product has a shelf life of 2 years which is hard to find with organic lines. After opening, you get 9 months but you are sure to go through it and love it the entire time!

Visit The Organic Pharmacy to explore the entire line in detail, you are sure to be impressed and I love the site. It’s packed with info on organic ingredients and remedies to help heal and calm the skin. Enjoy!