Written By
Brian Sacawa
Brian Sacawa is the Founder of He Spoke Style and one of the original men’s style influencers.
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Take A Look Inside My Dopp Kit
Let me be honest and tell you that finding the best men’s grooming, shaving, and skincare products for you takes time. We’re all different and our skin is different so what works for one person may not work for another. Over the years, I’ve tried out many different products and solutions and currently these next 15 items are my favorites and work really well for me.
Floris No. 89
Although I have a very large fragrance collection, my 50ml bottle of Floris No. 89 is what I like to keep in my dopp kit for a couple reasons. The first is that it’s the perfect size and doesn’t take up too much space. And second, I take my dopp kit to the gym every morning and shower after working out and Floris No. 89 is a wonderful masculine, yet inoffensive, fragrance. So when I apply two sprays before heading back to my locker, I know that it’s not going to overwhelm any of the other gentlemen in the locker room.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
I was (and still am) for many years, a big fan of Tiege Hanley skincare products. They work well for me and a very simple solution for guys who don’t want to think too hard about their skincare routine. However, my wife, who is a bona fide skincare guru, tells me that it’s good for your skin to switch things up from time to time.
There are plenty of options out there when it comes to skincare—and over the years I have tried quite a few of them—but among my favorite is Kiehl’s. Their Ultra Facial Cream with SPF is light and non-greasy. And, like flattery, a little goes a long way so that small jar of it is going to last.
Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment
The skin under (and around) your eyes is quite sensitive and deserves a little extra care. I like to use this in the morning and their Vitamin C serum in the evenings.
Merkur Safety Razor
Although I’ve been sporting a beard recently, when I shave I prefer a classic wet shave. And for well over a decade, my safety razor of choice has been this little Merkur safety razor. Seriously the same exact one. Beyond the fact that it’s a product that lasts—i.e. well worth the modest initial investment—I love how it feels in my hand. It has a slight heft, which makes it pleasing to handle as well as making it feel like a quality item. And it’s size makes it extremely easy to handle and maneuver. These are my favorite double edge safety razor blades to pair with it and this is the leather pouch featured in the video.
Mühle Travel Shaving Brush
This is the coolest travel shaving brush I have ever found. If you’re a wet shave guy, throwing your regular shaving brush in your dopp kit is a surefire way to damage its bristles. I will admit to having done this on a couple of occasions. That’s what makes Mühle’s version so brilliant. Unscrew the cap, pop the bristles out, screw them in, and voila! Reverse those steps and the bristles are stored away for safe keeping. Just make sure you let them dry out prior to packing away.
Geo. F. Trumper Eucris Shaving Cream
When I was in London last year, I made a pilgrimage to Geo. F. Trumper’s Mayfair shop. My objective was to sample some of their fragrances, including Eucris. This is one of the classics and has some serious cred for those of us for whom James Bond was central to our love of men’s style—it’s mentioned in the novel, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. As one must, I bought the fragrance, and decided to go for the shaving cream as well.
(One note for those who like shaving soaps. I too am a shaving soap fan and did purchase the Eucris shaving soap as well. It did not lather very well, nor did the lather last very long. The shaving cream is superior.)
Lumify
I am generally skeptical of products like this, but damn, this stuff is pretty darn amazing. As someone who spends a lot of time talking to video cameras, it’s important to always look alive and have great energy. Put a drop of Lumify in each eye and it works like magic. And if my use case seems specific, remember that a lot of us are on camera these days—think of all those Zoom meetings. So whether you need to look great for a presentation or are interviewing for a new job, if you understand that appearances matter, I’d give these drops a try.
Le Labo Beard Oil
As a new “beard guy”—with thanks to those who’ve complimented me on it—I fall somewhere in between permanent five o’clock shadow and mountain man. At the modest length I prefer my beard, I have found that it benefits greatly from a little beard oil. It helps soften it and makes my skin less itchy underneath. Le Labo’s beard oil works very well for me and has a pleasing scent that is neither aggressive or offensive.
Sonicare Toothbrush
Some years ago, my dentist said that it appeared I was being much too aggressive with my regular toothbrush and recommended I switch to a Sonicare as it would clean my teeth better and be gentler on my gums. I took her advice and haven’t looked back.
HSS x Abbeyhorn Comb
A quality comb is a good investment. This is one of the first products we carried in the HSS Shop when we first launched and there’s a reason we still stock them. As a matter of fact, the comb you see in the video is from our very first order—a good investment, indeed.
Aveda Men Grooming Clay
To be honest, I don’t know if this is the perfect product for my hair but what I do know is that it works for me. What I like about it most is that after applying, I’m able to comb it out for a very natural look and feel while still retaining the hold. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, I guess. But if you’ve got any recommendations, certainly let me know!
Arm & Hammer Essentials Deodorant
I’ve been using this deodorant for more than a decade. From time to time I will switch it up just to try something new out—Harry’s Redwood has a nice subtle and masculine fragrance; classic Old Spice when I’m feeling a little nostalgic—but, in general, I prefer something under my arms that works well and isn’t going to mingle with my cologne.
Colgate Toothpaste
I’m not super picky with my toothpaste though for some reason I like Colgate. Maybe it’s because it reminds me of my childhood. The only thing that’s different today is that I use a version for sensitive teeth.
Q-Tips
Not much to say about these other than that I really like this travel-sized version. When I run out, it’s very easy to reload with extras and not have to buy another one.
My Dopp Kit
My dopp kit is by Frank Clegg—it’s the large version in chestnut leather. It’s a beautiful piece that was well worth the investment. As of this writing, I’ve had it for around seven years and it looks as good as new. Actually, it looks better than when I first got it—a hallmark of Frank Clegg products and proof that a well-made, quality piece will only get better with age. It’s traveled the entire United States and several foreign countries with me (and, of course, to the gym six days a week).