Do you have black, brown, or blond locks atop of your head but still play host to a touch of ginger in your beard? Don’t worry, orange tones often appear on the face either as a ginger tint in the beard or even as the domineering colour of the facial hair in men of a different hair colour but the question is – Why?
Your DNA and genes determine the pigments you have and the quantities of them and it is these pigments that dictate what hair colour you have. In essence your hair colour is decided by a multitude of gene combinations which can express themselves differently in different people.
The wonderfully complex nature of hair means that not only does so many peoples’ seemingly change over time (and we don’t mean turning grey that one happens to us all) but it can be a different colour in different places. This doesn’t mean you will necessarily have a black mop on top of your head, rock a ginger beard and boast blond eyebrows but you know what we are getting at.
when you think about it, it is unsurprising that your head hair can differ in colour to your beard. Beard hair is very different to our head hair. It looks different and feels different and as such it abides by different rules including what colour it takes on.
Here we can see a family tree showing two parents with three children together. Each member of the family has the two alleles for hair colour displayed. The children’s alleles are all a combination of one from each parent. As shown the first child has received ginger alleles from each parent and she will have ginger hair. The second child has received two brown alleles and so will have brown hair. The third child has one ginger and one brown allele, the singular ginger allele will not be enough to produce ginger head hair meaning his hair will be brown but this child could potentially to grow a ginger beard thanks to this lonely ginger allele.
The Science
Whilst not a lot of research has gone into hair colour it is understood that you require two recessive alleles to possess ginger head hair, one from mam and one from dad, but it only takes one of those ginger alleles to have an orange beard. Whilst you were probably never told you only need one for a ginger beard the rest is basic science that is taught in school. But despite what you may have been taught in biology class hair colour is not strictly determined by one gene from mam and one from dad. It is in fact a lot more complicated than that – as science often is but we will do our best to explain it.Your DNA and genes determine the pigments you have and the quantities of them and it is these pigments that dictate what hair colour you have. In essence your hair colour is decided by a multitude of gene combinations which can express themselves differently in different people.
The wonderfully complex nature of hair means that not only does so many peoples’ seemingly change over time (and we don’t mean turning grey that one happens to us all) but it can be a different colour in different places. This doesn’t mean you will necessarily have a black mop on top of your head, rock a ginger beard and boast blond eyebrows but you know what we are getting at.
when you think about it, it is unsurprising that your head hair can differ in colour to your beard. Beard hair is very different to our head hair. It looks different and feels different and as such it abides by different rules including what colour it takes on.
Here we can see a family tree showing two parents with three children together. Each member of the family has the two alleles for hair colour displayed. The children’s alleles are all a combination of one from each parent. As shown the first child has received ginger alleles from each parent and she will have ginger hair. The second child has received two brown alleles and so will have brown hair. The third child has one ginger and one brown allele, the singular ginger allele will not be enough to produce ginger head hair meaning his hair will be brown but this child could potentially to grow a ginger beard thanks to this lonely ginger allele.
The Simple Science
Unfortunately, we cannot give a better answer than that, that is all that the research into hair colour can tell us. Having a ginger beard is not associated with an illness so it is not a priority when it comes to research. But we know a thing or two about the science of rocking an awesome beard so here is some of our research around ginger beards. Ginger beards are best flaunted, if you have orange facial hair don’t be a baby face express yourself with an awesome red beard. As with all beards, ginger beards love to be groomed, they also love beard oils and beard balms and above all they demand respect. Having a kickass ginger beard is a privilege and is sure to make some others envious of your awesome face fuzz but remember with great power comes great responsibility so it is your duty to treat your beard right.
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It's been a little while since I've written a post on my latest skincare favourites or gents grooming tips on the blog so I was thrilled when Alpha Grooming asked if I'd like to take a look at a few items from their brand new collection.
Alpha Grooming is a family run skincare brand from the West Midlands that specialises in creating high quality gents grooming products and gifts sets. They pride themselves on quality and only create small batches of their collections, which are infused with premium essentials oils that smell incredible..we'll get to those in a little while!
I started off by trying out the Mandarin, Lime & Basil Clay Facial Cleanser - £9.99*
This nourishing handmade cleanser is enriched with Kaolin to remove and draw out impurities and from the first few uses I can already see and feel the difference. My skin feels so soft for hours after use and insanely moisturised to boot.
As I mentioned earlier, the presence of such unusual scents such as Mandarin and Lime give this cleanser a unique smell that instantly gave me the feeling of being at a luxury spa - when in fact i was just stood in my bathroom! It really oozes quality and feels great on the skin too. Not too oily but
At just £9.99 for the 100ml pump action bottle it's a real steal and now forms part of my daily routine.
Next up was the Mandarin, Lime & Basil Moisturising Gel - £12.99*
This was easily one of the most revitalising and skin calming moisturisers I've ever used. My skin is a mixture of oily and dry so I'm always on the look out for a daily routine that helps my skint absorb moisture quickly, but without leaving a shiny layer behind. The Alpha Grooming gel certainly lives up to those expectations.
It's got the same unique Mandarin, Lime & basil fragrance as the cleansing gel, that somehow whisks you off to a luxury spa break just by unscrewing the jar. It's quite gloopy in the hands so you definitely only need a pea-sized amount in terms of application but once it's on the skin it soaks right in and as is the perfect accompaniment to the cleanser.
Don't forget you save £5 on your next order over £20 from Alpha Grooming using code ALPHA5 at checkout!
*This post was sponsored by Alpha Grooming. All views are my own. For PR enquiries contact me directly here.
1. Tom Ford Noir (100ml) - £64.95
First on the list is one of my all time luxury scents by Tom Ford. This is a sophisticated and intense fragrance for the professional guy and lasts all day long. It’s also presented in this amazing black glass bottle. Featuring notes of vanilla, patchouli and oud wood this truly is an opulent experience and a great gift for guys this Christmas.
Available from allbeauty.com
2. Acqua Di Parma Colonia Essenza (180ml) - £123.00
This is the most expensive and exclusive cologne on my list. Certainly a real treat if you feel like splashing out this festive season! Colonia Essenza features notes of citrus and becomes even more pronounced with the addition of grapefruit, mandarin, and petitgrain. There are also woody notes, which creates this extremely masculine fragrance. Selfridges will also gift wrap the item for free which means you can put your feet up.
Available from selfridges.com
3. Tom Ford Black Orchid (30ml) - £53.00
Another fragrance from Tom Ford for the list. Black Orchird is very pricey at over £50 for only a 30ml bottle but what a scent! This is one of the best bottles I’ve ever seen for a mens cologne and luckily it has the scent to match. Featuring notes of black truffle and ylang mingled with fresh bergamot and black currant, this fruity fragrance feels extra masculine and lasts all day to boot. A fantastic gift for the guy who’s tried everything.
Available from harverynichols.com
4. Dolce & Gabbana Pour Homme (125ml) - £65.00
Finally a bottle that’s not black! This classic fragrance from Dolce & Gabbana is aimed at projecting the “irresistible sex appeal and tenderness of the Italian man” - sounds gross I know (unless you’re into that in which case this is perfect) but honestly this smells amazing! At the heart of the scent, lavender provides a soul of pure, dry freshness, like a Mediterranean breeze, while cedarwood lends it its masculine structure. The perfect gift for a classic gent this year.
Available from harverynichols.com
5. Comme Des Garcons Wonderwood (100ml) - £80.00
Finally, here’s a pick you might not have come across before. Wonder wood by Comme Des Garcons is a woody scent with notes of oud, cedar wood and sandalwood. Hence the name! It’s one I hadn’t tried before until I was unexpectedly sprayed with it as I wondered through Liberty a couple of weeks ago and just had to have it. It’s got a very strong scent so doesn’t need much to last all day but the results are great. A strong woody fragrance for the guy that’s looking for something a little different this Christmas.
Available from harverynichols.com
1. Mont Blanc Legend (50ml) - £39.00 at Boots.com
This is a classic fragrance for men. First launched in 2011, this is designed for a grown man looking for a classy yet rugged scent. It's very reasonably priced and comes in this great black bottle with silver finish. There's no doubt that Mont Blanc Legend smells exactly like the classic Abercrombie & Fitch scent so if you're looking for a much cheaper alternative then this is the fragrance for you.
2. Armani Code (50ml) - £48.00 at Boots.com
This is one of my all time favourites and one that I've been wearing on and off for a good few years. This sophisticated and irresistibly attractive fragrance develops gradually, reacting differently with each man's skin to give a unique and personalised scent. Right at the top end of our £50 budget but for 50ml this isn't a bad price. I find this fragrance lasts all day but isn't to over powering. It's kind of a spicy oriental scent with some citrus in there as well.
3. Joop! for Men (125ml) - £33.00 at Boots.com
Joop! Homme is a strong, masculine fragrance that features oriental notes to create a sensual and bold scent for young men. This includes various scents including Orange Blossom, Mandarin, Bergamot and Amalfi Lemon to create a zesty fragrance for all occasions
4. Bleu De Chanel (50ml) - £47.50 at Boots.com
This is one of the best fragrances I've ever owned. My girlfriend bought it for my birthday this year and I've worn it everyday since! It's a little on the pricey side for only 50ml but if you want to really treat him then this one's perfect. This aromatic-woody fragrance unites the invigorating freshness of citrus and the strength of an aromatic accord with the woody whisper of dry cedar notes. New Caledonian Sandalwood lends it a warm and sensual trail.
5. Hugo Boss - Boss Bottled (50ml) - £43.00 at Boots.com
Another classic for the professional man. Again this one is at the top end of the £50 budget but so worth it. The apple, cinnamon and vanilla leave quite a feminine fragrance that I found a little bit too subtle in comparison to others, however it certainly lasts all day and is the perfect treats for a special occasion. I also love the bottle design on this one - great to open on Christmas Day!
Men's skincare appears to be booming. You can't walk the aisles of your local Boots or Superdrug without seeing some cracking offers on some fantastic new brands. In this post, I'm going to pick out some of my favourite mens products for the gent on a budget. Forget fancy moisturisers and oils you'll need a personal bank loan to afford - here's my pick of the best products on the high street that combine value for money and amazing results.
1. Bulldog Original Moisturiser (100ml) - Boots.com
At just £6.35 there's no doubt this is one of the best value moisturisers on the market. It's super soft and doesn't contain any nasty synthetic fragrances. A cheap and cheerful product that can be used day and night to soften the skin. One of my all time favourites, and available at most supermarkets and various high street retailers.
2. NIVEA Sensitive Face Wash (100ml) - Boots.com
The clue to this face wash is in the name. It's aimed at guys with sensitive skin. All to often, face washes dry out your skin and can leaving your face feeling red and taut. This product from Nivea can be massaged into the skin in the shower then washed away after a couple of minutes. Your left with skin that's clean and the appearance of dirt and oils is gone. A great product and a steal at just £4.35 from Boots
3. L'Oreal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Eye Roll-On (10ml) - Boots.com
This roll-on from L'Oreal Men Expert helps to revive tired eyes and reduce the appearance of bags and dark circles. The first time you try this it feels a bit strange - an ice cold sensation under the eyes as you roll the product under your eyes. But within a few minutes you can really see and feel the benefits. A great way to disguise the tiredness from a late night.
I've been a fan of Lush for a long time, but have never purchased anything other than their amazing range of infamous bath bombs & soaps. I thought I'd give a few of the products from their cosmetics range a go...and boy was it worth while! Here's a few of the items I picked up this weekend.
Happy Hippy Shower Gel - £7.50 / 250g
One of Lush's most popular shower products, the Happy Hippy shower gel is bursting with pink grapefruit and bergamot essential oils. The fragrance reminds me of holidays, which is always a plus in my book, and overall it feels great on the skin. Don't let the addition of essential oils put you off either - it'll leave your skin feeling soft for hours afterwards. Yum!
Kalamazoo Beard & Facial Wash - £6.50 / 100g
First things first - you don't need a beard to use this! I've got barely more than a bit of stubble and still saw some great results. The combination of pineapple and apricot kernel oil helps to soften beards but also will do a great job on your skin too. Just scoop a dollop onto your face and massage for 20-30 seconds to create a soft leather and you'll soon start feeling the results. The oils aren't greasy and the pineapple enzymes remove any dry skin yet condition oily parts too. This isn't cheap per 100g but it's certainly one of the best facial washes I've tried this year.
Karma Kream Hand & Body Lotion - £13.95 / 225g
Karma Kream is full of almond oil, cocoa butter and glycerine with the aim of nourishing and softening your skin both day and night. I opted for the 225g tub thinking that it need to use loads each day but I've found you only need a small dollop for each application. Karma is one of Lush's most famous scents and I can see why! The orange and pine is certainly strong but in no way overpowering. After a couple of days I've found my skin to be much softer and the lotion also seems to be doing a great job at keeping insects at bay. A must-buy.
What're your favourite Lush buys?
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