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   Not sure what to get that hard-to-buy-for guy in your life? Cookie bouquets from Cookies by Design (2) can help you with that. Men of all ages will "eat up" their great cookie gifts, especially for Father's Day. The ‘Pennant Winning Dad’ hand-decorated cookie gift arrangement is great for the sports fan dad. Send this Father's Day gift and your Dad is sure to know you are his biggest fan! The ‘Cookie Bouquet Full of Appreciation’ is yet another winner in my book.
   Whether you've been married forever or still have those ‘Baby, you amaze me’ stars in your eyes, the Karma Sutra's Bedside Box (US$45, 3) is a beautiful way for you both to celebrate your passion for each other. All the ingredients to fire up the passion in your bedroom comes in an elegantly decorated wooden box, including honeysuckle powder and its hand-made feather applicator, Oil of Love, vanilla massage cream and the delectable dessert for two, the Love Liquid Lubricant.
   The aMenity premium line of face care products (4) is made for men, who above all else, are looking for simplicity and effectiveness in one sweet package. Invest in your face with the All Over Age-Defying Daily Moisturizer (4 oz, US$24) a light, fast-absorbing lotion that reduces wrinkles, improves skin tone and protects the skin against dehydration. The Ahh … After Shave Lotion (2 oz, US$21) makes post-shave irritation and redness a thing of the past. Whether you are waking up or winding down, the Squeaky Clean Daily Cleanser (4 oz, US$24) will deep clean and leave your skin smooth and refreshed.
   The launch of the new G. M. Collins Paris Homme line makes it the first derma-corrective skin care line available to men; and like the parent line, it offers men breakthrough-moisturizing technology with nanoemulsion (which allows for better and deeper penetration of active ingredients). Both the Hydrating Cream and Hydrating Gel for normal, dry-alipidic or sensitive skin (1·7 fl oz, US$29·50 each) are specifically enriched with copper peptides to destroy free radicals and promote collagen and elastin synthesis. To find the location nearest you (in the United States), please call 1 800 341-1531; and in Canada, call 1 800 361-1263.
   MD Formulations Men (5), a line consisting of seven products, offers technologically advanced solutions to the most common skin care concerns for me. The line has a multi-tasking Shave Crème (2·5 oz, US$20), formulated to not only ensure a smooth effortless shave, but also to treat and prevent common skin imperfections. The Facial Cleanser (8·3 oz, US$32) contains glycolic compound to exfoliate dulling surface cells, revealing smoother, healthier looking skin. The Vit-a-Plus Eye Crème (US$53) dramatically reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and instantly hydrates around the eye area.
   Practical Nature's good-for-you aromatherapy body care products (6) were specially created to prevent and repair the damage wreaked by the sun, sand and surf naturally. The foundation product of the line is the Natural Tick & Bug Repellent (5 oz, US$24). The Soothing Muscle Cream (3 oz, US$16·50) soothes your spirit as well as your muscles.
   When it feels like Friday, but the calendar says Tuesday; when the rain is beating against the windowpane and the weather says "stay in bed"; when you need a really good reason to get up, Spongeables Soap 'n' Sponge All-in-One (7) can help. Spongeables are infused with rich olive oil- and glycerin-based soap, and create billowy mountains of soft, thick, suds. With eight colours and fragrances ranging from tangy citrus blends to spicy floral scents (or fragrance-free), it's easy to find a favourite. Spongeables are available at more than 800 locations including Nordstrom, Saks, Smith & Hawken, Pure Beauty, H2O, Beauty First, Burke Williams Spas, the Regent Beverly Wilshire Spa in Beverly Hills, La Costa Spa in Carlsbad, and Henri Bendel New York.
   True Gentlemen shaving products (8) are prepared with the purest ingredients and botanical extracts available. The Shaving Cream (unscented and with lavender essential oil) is a composite formula of alœ, glycerin, coconut oil, and various essential oils resulting in a comfortably close shave while preventing skin irritation and redness. The After Shave Balm (unscented and with lavender essential oil) is a very light lotion rich in vitamin E, bladderwrack and shea butter that moisturizes the skin after shaving, preserve healthy, youthful skin.
   Ashford's Renzo men's chronograph steel (US$175, 1) and Renzo men's chronograph (leather) strap watches (US$175) are at the pulse of fashion in premium grade steel and black or alligator leather.
   Ashford's modern, contemporary men's cufflinks with diamond titanium (US$165) are superbly crafted in satin finished titanium with brilliant round-cut diamond accents. The attractive titanium metal is lightweight, hypoallergenic and exceptionally comfortable.    Ashford's money clip in solid silver and 14K yellow gold (US$119) has a raised yellow gold dollar sign presented on the polished silver frame.
   Spirit Antonio Banderas (10) is a modern oriental that embodies the complex Latin personality of Mr Banderas himself. It is sexy in an understated manner, sneakily seductive, and has shades of the provocative spirit, passion and energy of Hollywood actor and acclaimed Broadway musical performer. This is sensual, high-end luxury at mass market prices (US$21·50–$50).
   For summer 2005, Aramis also introduced Aramis Bermuda Tonic (100 ml eau de toilette, US$39, 11), an exciting, new take on the original introduced in 1964. It is a fragrance of distinct character and enticement with its refreshing top notes (fresh crisp green notes), touches of citrus wrapped in the floral heart of the eucalyptus flower and bottom notes of rum, milk and soft woods.
   The first fragrance created specifically for a man in 1934, Pour Un Homme de Caron (125 ml eau de toilette spray, US$70, 12) from Caron Paris embodied all that was innovative and daring, and still does to this day. It's minimalist elegance starts with the flask-shaped bottle and continues with a ground-breaking composition that is one of the top ten most popular masculine fragrances in the world. It was a winner in 1934 and it's still a winner in 2005. From US$66, available at the Caron Boutique (675 Madison Avenue, 61st and 62nd Streets in New York City, 1 212 319-4888) and select department stores. Call 1-877 88-CARON for more information.
   Introduced late 2004, Realities for Men (3·4 fl oz cologne spray, US$55, 13) by Realities Cosmetics Company is a clean, fresh scent created by Pierre Negrin of the House of Givaudin. Realities is a well-balanced blend of woods (citrus and sueded wood), a freshness derived from the middle notes of Italian grapefruit, mandarin and wet greens; and the rousing finish of nutmeg, ginger and a blend of teas—all designed to create a sense of well-being and balance.
   AXE body sprays (14) came on the scene last year and with a combination of an awe-inspiring and aspirational advertising (and media) campaign and a product that struck the right chord with its target audience. The company recently introduced the latest sibling to the line, Unlimited, a worthy addition to the line that encompasses all aspects of the line (bodyspray, anti-perspirant, deodorant and shower gel). The new line of shower gels (12 fl oz, US$3·99) comes in four fragrances: Touch, Essence, Phoenix and Kilo. The AXE Dry (2·7 oz Invisible Solid and 3 oz Gel, US$3·99) comes in five fragrances: Touch, Essence, Phoenix, Kilo and Tsunami.
    While the other guys are splitting hairs over a four-blade system, Universal Group skipped to the head of the line with the introduction of the first four-blade disposable razor—the HE 4×4 (US$3·99–US$4·99) from Old Spice, a unique combination of four precision blades and four Lube Zones surrounding the blade assembly for the softest shave yet.
   The new MagnaGel MME Shaving Gel (5·95 fl oz, US$6·99) from King of Shaves signifies a paradigm shift in shaving performance. MagneGel MME contains micro-magnetically enhanced particles, which sticks to the blade throughout the shave, thus delivering an unparallel level of lubrication and protection. Find it at Albertsons (Calif.), CVS, Duane Reade, Target stores, Walgreen’s, and Wal-Mart Stores.
    For men who appreciate fun, sophisticated and stylish gifts, Le Parker Meridien Hotel's online store sells gifts you will find when you check for a stay. Top of the list for money is Tepper Jackson's Multi-Dot and Izzy Stripe Pajama Sets (US$115 each). Boldly clolourful in fun graphic prints, they are made from comfortable cotton in men's cut, two pockets on the top with a drawstring bottom. Tepper Jackson, a collection designed by Linda Tepper and Jackie Shapiro, is a funky PJ and handbag collection and promises to be the must-have pyjama collection of the season. For more information on this line, visit online at www.boxport.com.
   Ralph Lauren and the Ralph Lauren Companies may no longer be associated with the venerable Chaps label, but that doesn't mean the quality has suffered. For fathers, we recommend the Easy Care plaid short-sleeved shirt (US$36), the Classic Fit Vintage Jeans (US$389·50) for fun times with the family. Given your Dad a tie is so passé, it borders on the ridiculously lazy. But giving him a Chaps grid tie (in red or blue, US$28, 15), well, that shows that some thought went into the buying of the gift. We are also digging the striped pique polo, as well as the green polo shirt (US$36), and the 100 per cent worsted wool navy jacket (US$200) and pant (US$75). At a Kohl's Department Store near you and online at www.kohls.com.
   After a topsy-turvy ride in the Canadian surf wear market and a restructuring of their business, Chip and Pepper Foster have re-launched themselves and their brand in the US with a line of premium, high-end denim inspired by vintage 1900 worker jeans. Chip and Pepper's high-end jeans are now sold in some of the best-known retailers in the world: Neiman Marcus, Harvey Nichols in London, Holt Renfrew in Canada, Barneys New York, and Bloomingdale's. Chip & Pepper's Big Pickle in Hillside Beach Relaxed Fit Jeans (US$165, 16) comes in various hues, from darker blue denim distressed to medium blue, with wrinkle distress detailing at backs of knees and hips.
   Duofold, a leading manufacturer of base layer apparel, expands its performance expertise into all season apparel (17) with a new collection featuring the new Duo Dri Performance System. The collection includes technical Ts, underwear, trail and post-trail apparel. The pieces are water-repellent, stain resistance and has built-in odour control. The new Duofold All Season collection can be found at major sporting goods and specialty outdoor shops nationwide. •

Find other products in the ‘Life/Style’ section of the June 2005 issue of Lucire. To make sure you don’t miss out, click on the image at right to subscribe or buy a single copy. (Click 'Yes' if pop-up boxes appear—you're being switched to our secure server and it is completely safe.)

Phillip D. Johnson is features’ editor of Lucire.

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