Since it is Valentine’s Day, only fair that I dedicate a post to things for him, right? There are so many natural and eco-friendly options out there. While there is nothing stopping our guys using them, it is nice to see a product line dedicated to them. As a blogger, I often get boxes of stuff and he looks in hoping there is something he can use. He will use almost anything. But very little is good enough that the natural choice will win over something on sale. I mean, Small Batch Soaps Coffee Soap is a staple, but he manages this line between fussy and not. It has to be special to spend his money on otherwise he will go with well known drugstore choices.
Wise Men’s Care caters to those who want thoughtful, carefully-sourced, and natural personal care products down to the last ingredient and packaging detail. For many brands, natural comes at a price, usually effectiveness. This is more my kind of shopping than his. But I will drag him into buying locally and ethically where I can.
Wise Simple & Natural Birch Bark Men’s Shampoo
Birch Bark Daily Shampoo in Minimalist Pouch 475 ml / 34 $ CAD (also available in a glass reusable bottle 100ml for $20)
“White Birch Bark extract is a sustainable botanical extract found in the Canadian Boreal forest and renowned for its high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants. Less foamy and artificial than most competitors, the unique array of essential oils found in this shampoo offer both aromatherapy and an exceptional cleansing experience.”
I would class Wise Simple & Natural Men’s Shampoo as a clarifying shampoo. Great if you have oily or really dirty hair, which he usually does. But not sure how well it would work for dry scalp. It foams enough to make your hair feel like you are getting all of it. I hate natural shampoos that are really thick and need to be worked in. While I will spend the time on my beauty routine, he will not. It rinsed easily and has a nice natural herbal scent.
I got the minimalist pouch that can be used as is, or as a refill for the glass bottle offered by Wise for $20. It can be a little tricky to use the pouch in the shower though, so we did end up pouring it into an empty bottle. Overall, he really liked the shampoo but still used my conditioner as it left his hair “too clean”. The pouch was a novelty to him, reminding him of Capri Sun type drinks as a kid but simplicity of a bottle won out soon after.
Wise Simple & Natural Birch Bark Men’s Clay Pomade
Glacier Clay Pomade in Reusable Glass Bottle 60 ml / 32 $ CAD (also available in a minimalist tube for $24)
“This pomade is made with hand-picked organic glacial marine clay from northern British Columbia, an ingredient renowned for its abundance of beneficial minerals. It features a medium yet natural hold with a matte finish and a fresh and earthy scent from north-western Canada. The ingredients of this Glacial Clay pomade can help to promote healthy hair by moisturizing, nourishing and protecting throughout the day.”
The Wise Clay Pomade has great hold but is a bit too much like hard work for him. He is very much a rake his hands through and go kind of guy. I mean seriously, I have to tell him to comb his hair some days before we leave. Maybe just because it is cooler but you really need to work this to get it warm enough then it still feels sticky on your hands.
If your guy does tend to go for more of a textured look and needs more hold though, they will probably love it. It just didn’t really suit his needs.
Wise Simple & Natural Birch Bark Men’s Red Maple Cream Pomade
Wise Wise Simple & Natural Birch Bark Men’s Clay Pomade 60ml / $24 in Minimalist Tube or $32 in a Reusable Glass Jar
“Red Maple Bark extract is a sustainable botanical extract from the Canadian Boreal Forest and is known for its collagen and elastin-boosting properties. This pomade offers a medium to strong hold with a light-shine finish and a woodsy, herbal scent reminiscent of the vast Canadian wilderness. The ingredients of this Red Maple Bark cream pomade can help to promote healthy hair by moisturizing, nourishing and protecting throughout the day.”
While the Wise Red Maple Cream Pomade had more hold that he would usually use, he preferred it over the Clay Pomade. It spread more easily and felt less sticky in his hands despite the shine finish. I think he just prefers not having to work it to get it to a decent consistency. A little of both pomades go a long way. So while they may seem a little pricy, the cost per use is very reasonable.
So, if you are on the look out for a natural and eco-friendly option for the men in your life, Wise is a great place to start. They have several bundles to make gifting easier and more affordable too.