The best places to buy grooming gear online

In the last 10 years male grooming has been booming. But it isn't just the way we all look after our skin that's changing - the way we get hold of our grooming gear is too. A recent survey on Apetogentleman.com revealed that just over half of all men preferred to buy their grooming gear online, while research by a leading voucher code website showed that grooming products were men's number one online purchase, even above techy stuff.

And no wonder. Not only can you pick up the odd bargain, you can do all the research you need online and buy at a time that suits you. Best of all, there's no ladies' underwear department to navigate and no scary shop assistants to deal with. But with so many online retailers out there, where do you begin? Here's a guide to get you started.

Best for basics... Boots.com and Superdrug.com

Just about anything you can buy from Boots and Superdrug stores you can buy on their online stores too, making them the ideal place to buy basics like shampoo, blades, grooming gadgets and a host of familiar premium brands. Boots has the edge thanks to Amazon-style product reviews which is a huge plus if, like most men, you're a research-to-death-before-you-buy type.

Look out for... Special offers, particularly on expensive items like razors and blades. If you spend over £40 at Boots delivery is free and you can still collect points on your Advantage Card.

Best for couch potatoes... menareuseless.co.uk

Okay, how's this for a great idea? You know how you have to scramble around to find loads of different products to create a grooming routine? Well, what if someone else (who isn't your mum/wife/girlfriend/general lackey) did it for you, then posted it through your letterbox on a regular basis so you never ran out?

That's the concept behind menareuseless.co.uk (you've got to love the honesty of the name if nothing else).
A three-month basic subscription costs just over £40 and for that you'll get everything you need to stay looking A1.

The real genius is that everything comes in a letterbox-sized box so nothing is left on your doorstep. Different boxes - including one-offs - are available and brands include well known ones, such as King of Shaves, Radox, Gillette and Nivea. They accept PayPal too.

Look out for... Cleverly selected one-off boxes like The New Dad Survival one, which includes skin-improving masks and (thoughtfully) a pair of earplugs.

• On Ciao: Buy men's grooming products

Best for male cosmetics... metro-man.com

In the last few years sales of male cosmetics have rocketed, boosted in part by the realisation that a bit of concealer, anti-shine powder or a little fake tan is often the fastest and most effective way to deal with common grooming problems like dark circles, oil-slick skin and a cadaverous complexion.

And yet, while men might not be that scared of using them anymore, there's still a degree of embarrassment linked to buying male cosmetics. In fact, according to a survey by vouchercodes.co.uk, a third of men cite embarrassment as a reason for buying their grooming gear online. Enter metro-man.com which brings together a whole load of cosmetic products aimed at men in a veritable Mecca of Metrosexuality.

Look out for... Brands like Menaji. Used by male celebrities, politicians and news anchors in the States, there are some great skin-savers like the Anti Shine Powder and the fatigue-disguising CAMO Concealer. Don't worry - if you're a novice there are some great guides and instructional videos on the site too.

• On Bing: Find more men's grooming websites

Best for quirky brands...Nivenandjoshua.com

Much more than an online grooming retailer, Niven & Joshua is like a modern gent's resource, featuring grooming guides, advice and tips.

Look out for... uber-cool fragrances from Commes des Garcons and quirky (and incredibly useful) products like fragrance tablets (for wardrobes, drawers and stinky trainers) and special fabric sprays to freshen up work clothes by Japanese brand retaW.

Best for bargain finds... eBay.co.uk

The world' most famous auction site is bursting with skincare and fragrance bargains (especially if you're not fussy whether something comes in a damaged box or has been opened). It's also a great place to find discontinued fragrances if your favourite scent's bitten the dust.

Look out for... fragrance deals. The great thing about eBay is that someone else's nightmare birthday present may well be your all-time favourite fragrance. If you're buying skincare products, check that they have not been used, have any security seals intact and ask if there's an expiry date on the product.

If you're buying fragrances, it always pays to check that they are authentic. If you pay by PayPal you are covered if the item turns out to be a fake.

• On Bing: stay safe online

Best one-stop-shop... thegroomingclinic.com

A great place to pick up cult grooming brands like Kyoku, Anthony Logistics and Nubo, The Grooming Clinic brings some of the best grooming brands out there under one roof and also allows you to search by skincare concern too.

Look out for... free delivery on orders over £30 and The Razorpit - a brilliant recession-busting device that helps prolong the life of your razorblades.

• On Bing: More about The Razorpit

Best for fragrances... amazon.co.uk

We tend to think of Amazon as a place for music, books and DVDs and yet it also has a great selection of beauty and grooming products, many at hugely discounted prices.

While many popular fragrances are just a pound or so below the RRP on theperfumeshop.com for example, at Amazon some are a tenner cheaper or more. When MSN Him looked, a 125ml bottle of Aramis eau de toilette was £54 on the former and £36.55 on Amazon. You do the math, as our American pals are so fond of saying.

Look out for... discounted coffrets (gift sets) after Christmas, Valentine's Day and Father's Day. Great value to begin with, you can often pick them up for half the price if you're eagle-eyed.

Best for gentlemanly stuff... gentlemans-shop.com

If it's traditional, hand-crafted grooming gear you're after, The Gentleman's Shop is the bees knees (or the sergeant major's curly moustache), with everything from Geo F Trumper soaps and Taylor of Old Bond St scrubs to beautifully weighted safety razors and £180 shaving brushes. It's also a fantastic place to pick up quality gifts for your old man.

• Also consider Murdock London

Look out for... traditional shaving sets, quality brushes, manicure sets and beard and moustache accessories.

If you ever needed proof that online shopping is the way to go this is it - after all, where on the high street are you likely to find a faux ebony cut-throat razor?

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