I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not the best at keeping up with a consistent skincare and grooming regimen. Yet, I know there are tons of men out there who struggle with the same issue.
You might make a solid run at it for a couple of days or weeks, but that enthusiasm almost always fades as you fall out of the habit. It can honestly be tricky to find grooming products that make you feel excited about taking care of yourself.
Fortunately, there’s a new kid on the block in the self-care game that bridges the gap between affordable and luxurious. Horace is a fresh-faced brand centered around transparency and equality for men.
Now, I don’t want to give away all the good stuff at the top. So, keep reading to learn more about this brand and how it aims to change everything you think you know about self-care.
The Story Behind Horace
Horace is a men’s grooming brand that hails from Paris, France. Two friends, Marc Briant-Terlet and Kim Mazzilli, founded the brand in 2016. Although a whole lot has happened in the world over these eight years, it’s not that long, considering Horace has already taken the men’s grooming world by storm.
In less than a decade, Horace has become the most popular men’s skincare brand in France with 17 boutiques across the country. Not to mention, expansion has recently begun to move internationally with the opening of the UK’s London Covent Garden location.
Now, you might be asking yourself, “How has this brand achieved such a rapid rise to success?” Well, because Horace puts one thing above all else—you.
Horace has taken the unique approach of celebrating each man’s unique qualities by developing products that feel tailored to you. This is much different than what’s become standard across the industry, in which many brands aim to point out your insecurities, ultimately motivating you to purchase a product that’s advertised as the solution to all of your problems (spoiler alert, they never are).
Succinctly, as Marc puts it, “We’re not all David Beckham.” I know that, you know that, and your skincare should reflect that.
So, by putting their money where their mouth is, Horace has built up a reliable network of focus groups that test these products and provide valuable feedback. In order to accurately represent men, it’s crucial to first understand them—this is the core philosophy behind Horace.
Equally as important, a bulk of these products are primarily made with ingredients found in nature, because that’s what our bodies were intended to come in contact with. This leaves you feeling fresh and rejuvenated without the concern of harsh chemicals negatively impacting your body.
Now that we’re on the same page about Horace’s goals in the industry, let’s take a look at some of the most popular products this brand has to offer.
One of the very first products ever conceived by Horace, the Mattifying Face Moisturizer rejuvenates your skin without an oily residue. It’s suitable for all skin types and can be applied in the morning or at night. After using this product for a few weeks, I’ve personally found it to be a soothing way to cap off the evening or a refreshing shower.
This cream is made with 99% natural ingredients—including organic pear oil, provitamin B5, and organic shea butter. It’s also unscented so it won’t clash with any of the other fragrances you may use day-to-day.
Having a great daily facial moisturizer is the bare minimum for any respectable skincare routine. With more than 8,000 reviews backing the Mattifying Face Moisturizer, it’s no wonder this is one of the brand’s best sellers. If you’re looking for a product to keep your skin hydrated and prevent acne flare-ups, this could be the perfect one for you.
The Moisturizing Eye Cream is another popular choice that requires very little effort to use but can make a huge difference for your skin.
This tiny bottle features a metal applicator tip that makes it effortless to evenly distribute the cream under your eyes. You can also remove the applicator and reuse it for any refills that you may purchase down the line.
After first applying this cream, I noticed an immediate sensation of energy and freshness. I won’t necessarily be forgoing my morning coffee, but it does feel easier to make that first cup with a bit more pep in my step (or my eyes? You get the point).
This is the result of several ingredients, caffeine being one of them, that help to promote blood flow and increase overall hydration. This cream ultimately aims to minimize dark circles and puffiness under your eyes. Within just a handful of usages, I’ve already begun to notice a substantial difference in the way my eyes look.
For my bearded friends out there, you know how frustrating it can be to deal with stiff and dry facial hair. This Beard Shampoo is a daily-use option that can help keep your mane feeling soft and luscious.
It’s made with 98.9% natural ingredients and features a subtle woody and aromatic scent. Something I always try to focus on when adding a new product into my routine is the scent—particularly if it matches the other products in my lineup. I ascribe to the maxim ‘use what you have first’ because it sucks when you have to revamp your entire collection just to accommodate a single product. That being said, the soft masculine scent of this Beard Shampoo has managed to effortlessly blend in with my existing regimen.
This shampoo can be used throughout the year to maintain proper hair health–especially during the winter months when your hair is the most brittle. I’ve personally found that it’s easiest to incorporate this Beard Shampoo into my existing daily shower routine to maintain the maximum softness of my facial hair.
To round it out, we have the Eau de Parfum, which is my personal favorite. These types of fragrances typically feature 15–20% concentration, meaning this one has some solid staying power. A spritz or two in the morning should be able to get you through the day with ease.
The top notes, consisting of bergamot and white pepper, are lively and fresh. The heart notes are sweet and sensual, consisting of iris and cedarwood. The base notes, tobacco and sandalwood, are warm and comforting.
After applying this parfum for the first time, I immediately knew that it would be a permanent member of my fragrance rotation. I genuinely love the smell of this product, and I still feel a little bit of excitement every time I put it on.
Not to mention, there’s a sticker kit included within the box to customize this bottle specifically for you. This feels awfully fitting, considering everything this brand aims to represent. It’s the small, unique details like this that help set Horace apart from the competition.
Final Thoughts
Horace specializes in products that are meant to serve as a natural extension of yourself—it literally takes no more than 2 minutes to develop the perfect routine for you. These products make self-care more exciting by democratizing beauty for every kind of man out there.
That being said, we’ve only skimmed over the surface of what Horace offers–there are Shampoos, Deodorants, Purifying Face Masks, and so much more. Regardless of your body type or background, you can find a plethora of products made with you in mind. This is, in part, why the brand has been so successful this early in its lifetime.
If this is your first time hearing about Horace, I assure you, it definitely won’t be the last. This brand has a promising future in the world of men’s grooming, and I’m personally eager to see what they can come up with next.