Top 3 Male Grooming Apps

GROOMING is still a fairly new phenomenon to some men. Sleuth claims to have never used hair conditioner. But ‘manscaping’ is big business, and beauty brands are quickly realising that the modern man not only needs his titanium-coated razor, but an app on his phone to assist with its application.

At first glance these apps look like nothing more that advertising – a lager brand virtual pint. But look a little closer and you’ll find apps out there that are doing much more. Ok, they’re still heavily branded, but that doesn’t mean they’re only after your money. Some even claim they can equip you with the knowledge and tools to become a truly modern gentleman.

Here are my top recommendations:

King of Shaves (Free)

King Of ShavesShaving is entry level grooming for most men. Men were shaving long before they were plucking their eyebrows and waxing their chests and nobody called it manscaping back then. But shaving has evolved. No longer is the clean-shaven, Monday-to-Friday-at-the-office look, the standard. Trimmers, clippers, shapers, a whole host of shaving tools are now available to help sculpt that perfect mane.

However, if you are the kind of man who likes a no-nonsense, quick once-over with a razor every morning, then King of Shaves’ new app could be just what you’ve been looking for.

The first 5,000 people to download it can request a free razor, and if you miss out on that, there’s discounted blades (£3.99 off a pack of 16) delivered to your door. The whole thing looks like a bus stop billboard and it’s a simple app that does a limited job. But, if you just want a free razor, cheap blades and no fuss, then King of Shaves App for iPhone is definitely worth a look.

Dolce&Gabbana: Rules for the Modern Gentleman (Free)

Dolce and Gabbana RulesReleased in association with the launch of Dolce&Gabbana: the one gentleman – an oriental based notes scent to celebrate 20 years of the Dolce&Gabbana, Rules for the Modern Gentleman is not to be confused as yet another pointless piece of advertising.

Content is provided by Dylan Jones – current editor of GQ UK – and is stylishly presented in what is without doubt a very good-looking app. Broken down into Etiquette, Style, and Grooming categories, the app offers a range of advice from how to set a table for a date, to correctly tying a tie.

For a free app there’s loads of content and when it’s all so easy on the eye it’s easy to lose track of time browsing the menus and brushing up on your gentlemanliness.

David Gandy: Style Guide for Men (£3.99)

David Gandy Style Guide For MenAs with most apps of this nature, Style Guide For Men comes heavily endorsed. David Gandy is the British face of Dolce&Gabbana and one of the most famous male models in the country. Yet Gandy’s marketing people have still come up with something that is practical, stylish and, in contradiction to fashion industry standards, excellent value for money.

As should be customary for any app about style, this one has a lovely design – simple, stylish and makes use of the iPhones high-res screen. Containing more than an hour and a half of exclusive footage across 50 videos, the app offers practical tips and interviews with leading experts in men’s fashion.

For what is essentially a tool that teaches you how to dress, Style Guide For Men never feels patronising or pompous, instead suggesting simple changes and tips that can help you dress the most appropriately for your body type.

Even if you only use this app as inspiration it’s well worth its price tag.

And one to avoid…

Cody Rhodes Grooming Tips (£0.69)

Cody Rhodes Grooming TipsFor those readers unfamiliar with the fame of Cody Rhodes, shame on you, for he is an Intercontinental Champion, a former three-time Tag Team Champion and protégée of Al Snow for crying out loud. I am of course talking about the world of American professional wrestling, or the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) as it’s known to fans.

These men have to know a thing or two about grooming. Even the shortest and most discreetly orientated body hairs simply have to go. But don’t let that fool you into thinking Cody Rhodes Grooming Tips will be a useful and practical tool to improve your own personal up keeping.

Firstly, it looks awful. Honestly, I’ve seen chip and pin terminals with slicker display design than this. As for the application itself, it’s less of a catalogue of tips and guidelines and more a tick list of daily tasks to ensure you’re looking your best. Categories include: nose hair, dry skin, earwax, and a rather generalised section simply titled ‘face.’

Worst of all though is the sound. Every time you select a ‘tip’, Cody howls and chants out of your speakers in the most annoying fashion possible. It’s difficult to see how anybody can find this motivational.

If you’re are still on the fence though, maybe news that version 1.1 has been released, with added flossing, will make your decision easier…

Follow David McCourt on Twitter @daymccourt