John Masters Organic Hair Care
John Masters at Murdock
We’ve been looking for a really great haircare range for a little while now; with John Masters Organics, we think that we’ve finally struck gold. As with all the brands we carry, it fits the vital criteria that our customers look out for; it’s a simply packaged, gimmick-free range with products which, first and foremost, satisfy their primary function.
So the Rosemary and Lavender Shampoo for Normal Hair keeps hair spotlessly clean with a light, organic formula that means it can be used daily without overpowering with a sickly fragrance or a damaging chemical formula.
Other products such as the Bourbon Vanilla and Tangerine Hair Texturiser, may sound daunting but is really a high quality pomade which can be used on a variety of hair lengths and styles, thus simplifying a man’s grooming routine – you’ll no longer need half a dozen products dependent on your current haircut.
About John Masters – the man
With a mix of creative ambition and simple common sense, John Masters started making organic products 20 years ago. He saw the great environmental and health benefits of products that can deliver unsurpassed results using only natural ingredients. Part basement alchemist, part organic innovator, John began mixing organic essential oils and herbs in his kitchen sink.
We know the modern man will really appreciate this – there’s no catchy packaging or ultra-cook product names, just the finest haircare we could find anywhere in the world.
We’ve been using it in on customers in-store for a couple of weeks now, and the feedback has been very good – why not pop in and find out for yourself?
Murdock Leather Bags
May 12, 2010 by James
Filed under Summer Essentials
We've launched our own range of quality leather weekend and kit bags.
Available in a range of stylish and traditional colours, these bags are handmade by English saddler Matt Fothergill. Based in Shropshire, Matt studied saddlery, harness making and fashion accessory construction at the world-renowned Cordwainers College in London.
The simple design of the weekend bags is inspired by the classic duffel bag, with a soft leather exterior and hand-crafted metal fastenings and details.
A great gift or a practical indulgence, these bags come in a variety of sizes. The larger bags are ideal for weekends away, city breaks or short business trips, while the smaller kit bags are built for the gym or day-to-day commuting.
The smaller wash bag allows you to keep your burgeoning collection of male grooming supplies in one place, perfect for anyone spending a night away from home.
Available online or at all three of our stores.
Fighting Talk
Brave Soldier is undoubtedly one of Murdock’s favourite skincare brands, coupling the highest quality protection and care with a real appreciation of the needs of the modern man. The brand have successfully managed to blur the line between high end grooming products and the essential pieces of kit that any active urban warrior needs to stay comfortable and protected.
We’re talking about the obligatory flawless skincare and effective post shave maintenance, but also moisturising sun block, anti-chafing body lotion and specially tailored first aid packs for cycling enthusiasts.
Originating from the hot roads of Southern California, the Brave Soldier range is the brain child of Dr. Ezra Kest, successful dermatologist and endlessly keen adventure-athlete. This blend of professional skincare and slightly less-professional outdoor pursuits is the bedrock of the brand, which soon found an appreciative clientele. The initial aim was to create a product that would help ‘road rash’, the extremely painful grazing that occurs when you fall off a bike at high speeds, heal quicker and reduce scarring.
Nowadays, the product range is broader than the initial healing balms, but the appreciation for natural ingredients and cutting edge dermatological science remains.
Check out the Brave Soldier range online or instore at Murdock this summer.
ZIRH is Here
As much as we at Murdock respect and value traditional brands such as DR Harris and Acqua di Genova, we are aware of the importance of progress. With this in mind we’ve been after a high performance, modern range for a while, and we’ve finally found it in American brand Zirh. For over 12 years, Zirh have been producing great shaving and grooming products using the latest in skincare technology.
The success of Zirh lies in the simplicity and quality of their products, with individual items tailored for each area of the modern man’s grooming regime. While the packaging may seem slightly at odds with some of the more traditional aspects of a barbers like Murdock, we can ensure you that the products stay true to our core values of high quality and peerless service.
Introducing Jack Black…
If Zirh is a grooming range from the future sent to protect men’s skin from harm, then Jack Black is a just a regular guy who believes he deserves the very best modern life has to offer. Eschewing over-complex science-talk or an obsession with elaborate fragrances, Jack Black likes to keep things simple.
Another brand originating from America, Jack Black offers fuss free grooming, real solutions and visible results. Multi-functional products such as the All-Over Wash make grooming convenient and portable without compromising quality. The Intense Therapy Lip Balm and Industrial Strength Hand Healer give serve more specific purposes, but with the same ease-of-use and portability that comes with quick application and absorption.
A Brief History of the Moustache
May 11, 2009 by admin
Filed under Facial Hair
With a moustache renaissance underway, Murdock take a look back at top-lip topiary over the years.
Moustache Beginnings
Moustaches have been theoretically possible since flint razors where first fashioned around 30,000 B.C, although it’s unknown whether or not Stone Age man sported the first ever example of upper-lip topiary.
The moustache is usually a proud signifier of impending pubescent transformation; it is an effective visual marker for the journey from boy to manhood. In the past, the thickness of a man’s moustache denoted military rank and experience, with new recruits making do with wispy whiskers, while seasoned commanders could show off luscious beards.
Notable Moustaches
The last century also saw the strong negative connotations of moustaches come to the fore; Hitler and Stalin will forever associate the ‘tache with callous dictatorship, yet it also worth remembering that these were two intensely charismatic individuals whose striking physical appearances added some weight to their leadership credentials.
Facial hair as an indicator of villianry has been perpetuated in modern fiction and is up there with an English accent as a signpost of immoral intentions; examples include Daniel Day-Lewis's Bill the Butcher from Gangs of New York and Bugs Bunny's nemesis Yosemite Sam.
The 1980s were the last time the moustache was truly fashionable; Tom Selleck’s Magnum P.I. had an iconic chevron moustache, which only added to his sex appeal, while professional wrestler Hulk Hogan defied conventional wisdom and somehow managed to get away with a bleached blond horseshoe 'tache.
Summer Skincare
Summer can be a time when looking good is effortless, a sun-kissed glow coupled with a cheery disposition and some light tailoring; perfect. Or it can be a nightmare; dry and sunburnt skin, raised stress levels and restrictive, sweaty clothing. But this worst-case scenario can be avoided through careful preparation and a suitable grooming regime.
Healthy skin is a great accessory in the warmer months. Increased outdoors-time, more daylight and less clothing mean your visage will be coming under far more scrutiny than during those winter months spent in the dark. A healthy glow is key, but it’s not always plain-sailing; we cover the main problem’s you’ll face this summer and the solutions available to you:
Dehydrated skin is lacking in moisture, which can lead to tightness, loss of elasticity and a reduction in the skin’s effectiveness as a protective barrier, causing further problems such as sunburn. Insufficient fluid intake is one cause and can be simply remedied by making sure you drink plenty of water, but this will not single-handedly remedy or reverse surface dehydration.Dry Skin
Although it's easy to assume that they are the same problem, dry skin is a subtlely different affliction. Whereas the sun and wind can cause dehydration, environmental factors are less likely to play a direct part in the drying out of skin. Unsuitable product use is the main issue here; harsh chemicals found in synthetic cleansers and commercial soaps will carelessly remove essential oils from the skin, leaving it dry, flaky and vulnerable.
To ensure that this never becomes a problem for you, use only products made from natural ingredients such as DR Harris Mild Skin Tonic to tone and cleanse or Hierbas de Ibiza Aloe Vera soap. These will still leave the skin spotless and free of daily impurities, but in a much healthier condition and without the risk of long term damage.
This advice should help you maintain a healthy glow all year round.
Return of the ‘Tache?
May 10, 2009 by James
Filed under Facial Hair
So you know where the moustache came from, but do you know where it's going?
The moustache has suffered greatly in recent decades; while sideburns, goatees, jazz patches and other examples of facial furniture flourish, the 'tach has failed to undergo a long overdue renaissance.
Moustaches Today
On a practical level, a well-styled moustache can still be used to balance facial features and add character to the face; for instance, a medium to large sized moustache can draw attention from an overly prominent nose, while a small thin moustache can be very flattering on a face with smaller, more refined features.
Although it's almost impossible to think of a young, stylish champion of the moustache, a number of men have experimented with them in recent years. Good friends Brad Pitt and George Clooney both grew moustaches for film roles last year, and although they haven't become permanent fixtures, they definitely created an admirable, distinguished look.
Movember
In recent years, the growing popularity and presence of Movember has seen rising numbers of men pledge to grow moustaches through the month of November, in an organised effort to raise money for, and awareness of, men’s health issues such as prostate cancer.
If you’re brave enough to join the moustache renaissance, but unsure which type is most suitable for you, why not come into Murdock for a dedicated moustache trim with your regular hair cut and style.
Keeping Your Beard in Shape
April 16, 2009 by admin
Filed under Facial Hair
Beard trends come and go so it is as important to be aware of what looks fashionable, as it is to find a style which will suit your facial features. Keeping the beard long and natural will always have a certain timeless quality, but if you take this option make sure you go for a look more in common with Prince Michael of Kent and less like Tom Hanks in Castaway.
Frequent grooming is the key to beard success and is where your sense of personal style will come into play, so before you go shaving big areas around your beard, have a think about what will sort your face-size and face-shape.
Beard maintenance should begin with a trim to the required length, either by using an electric beard trimmer or by using a pair of sharp scissors, taking care not to nip any skin. Have a good look at where your beard naturally grows to; this will usually be to just below the cheekbone in a natural curve. Above this there may be a smattering of hairs which seem to be out of place; shave these off without mercy.
Below the chin is a different story. This is an area I often see much more varied beard growth-patterns, directions and thicknesses. Some beards just keep going, seamlessly merging with chest hair whilst others come to a natural but abrupt halt somewhere above the Adam's apple. If it grows neatly, then just tidy up the endline, in the same way as you did around the cheeks.
If your growth is erratic and looks unkempt then consider shaving away to create a tidy line. Start by shaving just a centimetre off the bottom, and keep going until you are happy. This will help you work out what suits your face-shape and features. Also this way you leave room for error of the razor. Aim to work in an arc, with a slightly flattened apex; start in the middle with the width of your razor and work sideways from there. The higher up your neck you go the more of the arc you will see. Avoid going right below the jaw as this can look like you are trying to create an artificial jaw-line and can look a little odd in profile. If you are slightly large in the face, this will definitely run the risk of looking as though you are 'drawing in' your jaw. In such cases you are better off leaving the natural growth underneath (kept very short) while growing it slightly longer above the jaw to create softer lines but with better contrast.
The Good Beard Guide
April 16, 2009 by admin
Filed under Facial Hair
There are often times in life when we tire of the daily grind and of the daily shave. The solution to the former is a holiday; a solution to the latter is to grow a beard. Yet this is not necessarily a choice born out of laziness; it allows the gentleman to rest his weary skin and let it recover from any problems caused by frequent shaving. It also offers the opportunity for a man to personalise his facial hair, perhaps cultivating a new image or getting in on the latest trends; think of your beard as a free fashion accessory. Be aware though that the growth of a successful beard does require some care and attention.
If you've made the noble decision to grow a beard, you're best option is to wait until you have some time off work before you stop shaving completely. This way you avoid merely appearing to colleagues and peers as someone who has simply forgotten to shave for a few days, a look that is consistently popular amongst the homeless fraternities of the world. After 3-4 days your new growth is likely to itch maddeningly; the solution is having the beard trimmed, thus removing the sharp, pointed end of the stubble left by your last shave. Trimmed hair has a blunt end so will not scratch your skin so much. Think about purchasing a beard-trimmer as it will enable you to look just so hirsute rather than like a destitute beat poet. If you don't want to invest in a beard trimmer until you are completely sure about your new facial furniture, then treat yourself to a beard trim at one of Murdock's luxury stores.