Review: Edwin Jagger Sandalwood Premium Shaving Cream

In which G.M. Norton offers his honest assessment of the newest addition to his shaving assortments.

As my illustrious readership will only be too aware, I shave using traditional methods with a safety razor, badger brush and shaving cream. So you can imagine I was pleased as punch when I received a new luxury shaving cream for Christmas. I can only assume that my beloved cast her eye over my Christmas gift guide (note to self - include an Aston Martin DB5 next time).

The maker of my new shaving cream is one Edwin Jagger, a family-run shaving emporium. Founded in 1988, they make all manner of shaving paraphernalia including razors, brushes and creams. I already use a shaving brush by them as featured in my recent shaving post.

 

'Twas two outfits before Christmas

In which G.M. Norton celebrates classic British menswear as he gets all wrapped up for Christmas.

In the days leading up to the pinnacle of one's festive frivolities, I find myself reaching for two kinds of outfits, each containing pieces of clothing made in Britain.

The first is the more casual of the two and consists of my trusty Barbour wax jacket, a Christmas knit, Levis 501 jeans and a pair of brown K Shoes.

Feeling festive

Chap on the cheap: the charity shop challenge

In which G.M. Norton goes pattern crazy as he unveils a gentlemanly outfit for less than £50.

Mancunian Vintage and myself recently took part in a challenge to acquire his 'n' hers Christmas outfits for under £50 each. Read about my experience over at Vintage Manchester.

I had tremendous fun visiting the local charity shops and managed to cobble together a rather dapper outfit for the grand total of £37.94. This consisted of sports jacket, shirt, tie, trousers, shoes and pocket square. 

Doing my best Pee-Wee Herman impression

The day the music died

In which G.M. Norton reveals his admiration for John Lennon and gives a gentlemanly twist to his most iconic song.

On this day in 1980, John Lennon’s life tragically ended when a lunatic fired a gun into his back. A rotter, if ever there was one.

The 40-year-old musician left a considerable legacy; his life and influential style is continuing to make a lasting impression more than 30 years later. Considering I wasn’t even alive during the former Beatle's short life only reinforces the impact he has had on men and women across the globe.

A close shave

In which G.M. Norton offers his top tips for a tip top shave.

It will come as no surprise given my traditional tendencies that my preferred method for tackling the morning facial fuzz is a safety razor. 

It’s now a year since I ditched the dreaded Gillette Mach 3 ‘cartridge’ razor - one of the many wildly expensive plastic pieces of rubbish that multi-national grooming companies sell to easily-led men across the land.

My weapon of choice is the German-precision Merkur 34C HD, which is a pleasingly weighty little number and has absolutely nothing to do with ‘high definition’. Paired with a badger hair shaving brush from the renowned Edwin Jagger and a luxury shaving cream from Truefitt and Hill esquire, I have the tools to provide me with the perfect shave.

On reflection, my fine shaving ensemble

A very vintage Christmas

In which G.M. Norton picks out fabulous Christmas gifts for vintage guys and gals.
 

With Christmas soon upon us, it provides us with the guilt-free opportunity to partake in heavy eating and even heavier drinking, all under the guise of ‘getting into the festive spirit.’ Wonderful stuff.

Aside from the continuation of one’s bacchanalian lifestyle, Christmas does have a couple of marks against it in the cons column (and I don’t mean losing the ability to fasten one’s trousers or skirt up after a little too much scoffing). That’s right, you’ve guessed it – I am of course alluring to the veritable minefield that is purchasing a gift for the other half.

But fear not, dear reader, because help is at hand in the form of your favourite protagonist.

The true British brew

In which G.M. Norton shares his love of everyone’s favourite after-dinner accompaniment. 

One of the greatest pleasures for any chap or chapette is the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee permeating the air, wafting itself through the home and scintillating the senses. Even if you don’t even like the stuff, there’s something about the smell that is utterly divine.

Strong and rich

Smouldering Sirens: Grace Kelly

In which G.M. Norton enlists the help of a timeless beauty as he introduces a new feature to your favourite periodical. 

Regular readers will know that I previously wrote about one of my style heroes, Sir Roger Moore. As a firm believer in equalities, in addition to showcasing stylish gentlemen, it only seems decent to also explore the unmistakable charms of some of my favourite ladies of the past and present. 

If you’ve not already twigged by the rather obvious heading, the first subject of the new ‘Smouldering sirens’ segment is none other than Oscar winning actress, style icon and Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco, Miss Grace Patricia Kelly.

I say, this will look great on the mantelpiece

My magnificent moustache

In which G.M. Norton proudly unveils his new moustache and comes over all Winston Churchill.

It will come as no surprise given the moustachioed furnishings of your favourite periodical, but your humble protagonist (that's me) is rather a fan of face foliage.

Sadly, unlike Burt Reynolds or Sean Connery, I'm not as blessed in the cultivation of said sub-nasal love wand. I did grow one for Movember a couple of years ago but my facial fuzz is a heady mix of blonde, grey and brown. I suppose dying it is a possible way around the colour conundrum but I am tempted to wait for my head of hair to play catch up as I age, like a good bottle of scotch.

A gentleman's wardrobe: the basics

In which G.M. Norton shares his dismay at today’s sliding sartorial standards and makes a list of the basic items befitting a gentleman. 

It’s safe to say that sartorial standards have well and truly plummeted in recent years with many forfeiting chap for chav. One only has to step outside their front door to be met by people with a complete disregard for sartorial sense. Even the local food emporium is no longer a safe haven from crimes against clothes.

My hair through the ages

In which G.M. Norton examines the history of a classic men's hairstyle. 
 

Fear not, dear reader – this post will not be a pictorial insight into some of my more embarrassing hairstyles. Although it might be of note to reveal previous incarnations include an ill-advised purple dye monstrosity, a blonde stripe running down the middle of my head reminiscent of a skunk and shoulder length hair that was less Beau Brummell, more Sally Gunnell.

Since embarking on the path signposted for ‘Gentleman’, I have upgraded my hairstyle so it is tapered at the back, tight on the sides with a sharp part on the right. 

Your favourite protagonist

Style icon: Sir Roger Moore

In which G.M. Norton shows his appreciation for a living legend and style icon.

Dashing, suave, handsome, funny, charming. You could be forgiven for thinking I am being terribly egotistical and these superlatives are to describe myself. But alas, no. This is merely an attempt to highlight the focus of this week’s posting – Sir Roger Moore. 

The infamous eyebrow

From time to time, I will shine the spotlight on my style icons and everybody’s favourite eyebrow raising gentleman has the dubious honour of being my first.

The vinyl bug – once bitten, forever smitten

In which G.M. Norton sets the record straight as he leads you along the path of musical righteousness.

 

Incredible as it may seem, there are people growing up who don’t have the foggiest idea what a vinyl record is. Luckily, my formative years were spent listening to my parents’ vinyl records with the sound of The Beatles filling the family home.

Not to be confused with the Spinning Jenny

Bringing back the smoking jacket

In which G.M. Norton makes a startling revelation. 

 

As an aspiring gentleman, I am well accustomed to defying the conventional. In fact, I am making quite an art of indulging in practices considered to be mere nostalgic eccentricities; shaving with a safety razor, a familiarity with the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and more recently, wearing a smoking jacket.

A smoking jacket is an essential part of a gentleman’s wardrobe, originally made for the purpose of indulging in pipe or cigar related activities. The debonair Fred Astaire became so attached to his smoking jacket that he was buried in it. Cary Grant, the gentleman of gentlemen, was also a famous wearer of this particular garment along with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.

Even when he's reading, G.M. Norton remains ever vigilant to even the smallest noise

Put your best foot forward

In which G.M. Norton shares one of his favourite rituals - shining one’s shoes.

 

Over the course of this periodical, I will seek to act as your sartorial beacon, guiding you through the choppy waters of modern life. This week’s topic will cover the importance of polishing one’s footwear.

The mark of a true gentleman can be judged by the shininess of his shoes. What good is an outfit consisting of a finely-cut three-piece suit, a luxurious wool overcoat and a fur felt fedora sat on your well-coiffed head if it’s to be ruined by shoddy shoes? 

When a cardboard box just won't do, old bean

When a lady's honour is at stake

In which G.M. Norton defends the Duchess of Cambridge’s honour and challenges the French to a duel.  

Upon hearing that the Duchess of Cambridge had been ‘papped’ by the French gutter press after a most powerful parisian wind had somehow blown her clothes off of her, red-blooded men across the land will have rushed to Google quicker than a stoat at full speed. 

Of course, being a bounder at heart, I can almost appreciate the devilish deed that the French Closer magazine carried out but do we really want to bear sight to the future Queen’s fleshy mounds? And more importantly, is it right? The answer to both questions is of course no. Or as the ghastly Garlic munchers would say, non.

  

The Duchess of Cambridge in her usual sunbathing garb

The quest begins!

In which G.M. Norton introduces himself, yearns for a bygone age and begins his quest to lead a gentlemanly existence.    

 

Welcome to ‘Norton of Morton’ – a periodical for dandies and damsels that guffaws in the face of modernity. Think of this as a safe refuge, an air raid shelter or bunker if you will, although more handsomely furnished with a roaring fire, sumptuous Chesterfields to sink into and a butler bearing a tumbler of your favourite tipple.

If you’ve not already guessed, I am an aspiring gentleman living in 21^st century Britain with a yearning for a bygone age when the male of the species were gentlemen and the fairer sex were just that.