How the Highsnob Guys Stay Pretty
You’re reading Shopper: Highsnobiety's bulletin on what’s taking up headspace from the marketplace.Today, shopping editor Max Migowski probes the state of male beauty. Subscribe here, or head to the Shopping tab for more recs.
The GRWM Edition
It was over a couple of cold ones with my fellow Highsnob lads after work when our chats about receding hairlines made me realize this newsletter was long overdue for a beauty edition. A men's beauty edition, specifically, in keeping with our time of Clavicularian looksmaxxing, pimple patch pride, and mass protein panic.
One after the other, we each spilled on Minoxidil prescriptions, plans for eventual hair transplants, and techniques for lathering shampoo to prevent inadvertent follicle damage. It was refreshing to hear a bunch of successful and attractive — if we do say so ourselves — guys in their twenties and thirties dish about our vanity. And it got me curious about everyone's other cosmetic preoccupations and the products used to address them.
While you'll still find the lucky, glowy dude amongst us whose skincare regimen consists merely of water, Nivea cream, and a little Aquaphor for lesions maybe, he's certainly the odd one out by now. Because rightfully or not, I was pleasantly surprised at the onslaught of recommendations I received upon informally surveying my male colleagues on their holy grail goods for grooming.
Dermatologists everywhere will be pleased to learn that the vast majority of said colleagues listed some form of SPF as part of their daily routine, with La Roche-Posay's universally beloved Anthelios, plain or tinted, leading the pack of comparably-priced sunscreens like CeraVe and Supergoop, with bougier go-tos like Claudalie as an exception.
In addition, our strong-but-sensitive kings know better than to over-exfolitate, and share a tendency to opt for gentler face washes (and shampoos) à la Fresh, rather than harsh anti-acne peelings. Some have also clearly studied the blade via TikTok (or received the sacred texts from an anointed friend or partner) well enough to get into double cleansing, e.g. via Anua's viral heartleaf oil and Aesop's facial milk.
The importance of moisturizing is perhaps the single most uniting factor amongst the men of Highsnobiety; consensus as to who sells the best, however, has yet to be reached. Weleda's Skin Food in both its normal and lighter formula proved pretty popular, Clinique's anti-aging arsenal came up, as did Avène's Cicalfate+, niche Korean brand Erborian, and even Hailey Bieber's Rhode.
Also generally popular: Carmex and Labello's softening lip balms and the occasional The Ordinary serum. The famed Marvais toothpaste, Retterspitz's aesthetically apothecary ointments, and a Kevin Murphy curl texturizer were among the small indulgences of certain well-kept gentlemen, as were the sexy-smelling deodorants and shower gels by Salt & Stone and Kiehl's, respectively. (As for the Highsnob guys’ go-to fragrances — that’s a newsletter for another day.)
Notably, most picks were versatile and gender-neutral, and not specifically marketed to appease masculinity. Progress? I think so. News? Not necessarily. Our very own report discovered that the demographic of men you — the reader — most likely are a part of was quite invested in the beauty category. More concretely, 62% of them said beauty plays a bigger-growing role in how they express themselves, and a whopping 73% consider the contents of their bathroom cabinet a direct extension of their personality.
Wherever your beauty and self-care journey leads down the road forking between health versus vanity, trend versus lifestyle, and science versus social media, there’s a relief to know that the concerns of a smoother forehead or a shinier mane are on pretty much everyone’s minds. And as my informal after-work roundtable concludes, perhaps it’s time to compare notes.
Open Tabs: Everything We've Got Our Eyes On Right Now
Now that we’ve covered what should go in your medicine cabinet, let’s talk about that underwear drawer, which should have a pair of these CDLP briefs.
For an elongated boxer style, Stüssy made an extra baggy bermuda. It's the only model of such proportions I'd tolerate.
The search for the perfect summer white tee never ends, as evidenced by our stumbling over this Vuori t-shirt.
As we all know, the cousin to a good white tee is a good white long-sleeve, in this case by Arc’teryx.
And you can pair both with a perfectly blue pair of jeans — and we’re not talking about that leather “denim” — by Bottega Veneta, of all places.
Admittedly, these similar hued RRL cargos offer a lot more pant at way lower a cost.
On the topic of expensive things, here's a tip: some of the recent season’s best pieces are sourceable at below-retail price at resellers, like these Maison Margiela sneakers.
I wouldn't want to call it a comeback for either of these classic Nike models, yet there is special momentum to the Air Force 1 and Air Max 95 right now. Trust or sue me.
There's just something fun about a brand that doesn't take itself too seriously, no? The ever-adrette Celine whipping out these running sunnies fits that bill.
And just as much fun was had, I'd imagine, in the making of this terrace-y JW Anderson scarf. It's only Monday, but it'll get you in the mood for the World Cup final this weekend.
Highsnobiety has affiliate marketing partnerships, which means we may receive a commission from your purchase.
