What do you give to a man who has everything? Or what do you treat yourself to when you’re in need of some TLC?

With tailored preferences and round the clock delivery options, it’s no wonder monthly subscription boxes are a hot trend in the retail industry.  With most subscription boxes also offering excellent deals and discounts when you sign-up.

The types of subscription box range from snacks and socks to grooming tools and gadgets. In fact, it seems there will be an endless choice for subscribers.

Here are some popular subscription boxes that could make a great gift for anyone.

1. The Hawkins & Shepherd shirt subscription

Starting at just £24 per month, Hawkins & Shepherd offer stylish yet classic pieces you’ll love to wear. The luxury London-based company is known for quality, handmade shirts. Look out for the 100-percent cotton collections, or check their new website to set up your subscription.

2. The London Sock Company membership

Of course, to go with those luxury shirts, you’ll need a pair of stylish socks — or four. And we all know the dilemma of missing socks, or socks with holes, or mismatched pairs! So with prices starting at just £10 per month, the London Sock Company will keep you well stocked with the perfect gentleman’s socks for all occasions! (Ladies, if you’re reading this, note that it will take a huge load off your shoulders when your man has a comfortable luxury pair to wear each month!)

3. The Gin Explorer Box

For those who love a nightcap, dabble in the odd gin cocktail, the Gin Explorer Box could be just what you need. Along with a selection of gin,  the box includes gourmet tonics and mixers, surprises (past goodies have included bar spoons, gin infusion kits and cocktail ingredients) and  some interesting facts about the history of gin.

4. The Heritage Meat Box

The Master Butcher and Development Chef at Farmison have got the perfect subscription box for meat lovers! Straight from the butcher’s block, you get a choice of the finest cuts of your favourite meat So if you’re too lazy to head to the super market but fancy some delicious meat for dinner this is your go-to subscription box.  The box also includes bespoke recipes for each of the products you select

5. The Willoughby Book Club

This is a box for all you book worms out there! The Willoughby Book Club provides three, six or 12-month packages sending you a book each month. The club promise to have just the book for you, with over different genres. They also come lovingly hand-wrapped and delivered straight to your doorstep.

6. The Dorco Razors Box

The PACE6 Plus replacement blades x4 subscription is a great choice of razor for those who want to maintain a groomed look, but don’t want  the hassle of changing or upgrading blades all the time. These blades can be used with any PACE razor handle, and the cartridges come with a specially-designed trimmer blade at the back. These are ideal for shaving in hard-to-access areas.

7. The Graze Box

We told you there’s a subscription box for everything! The Graze packs focus on healthy eating, providing you with a selection of four wellness snacks every month for an unbeatable price, with calories counted for you. And because the whole family may get excited about your new healthy deliveries, they also have kiddy snack options, plus tea bags and cereals to kick start your mornings.

Even the best disposable razor blades need a little tender loving care if they’re to give you a comfortable, close shave every time. Each time you have a wet shave a mixture of hairs, shaving foam, skin and dirt can accumulate on the blades of your razor — causing them to become dull and ineffective.

But before you throw your blades away, it might be worth trying to clean them first. A high quality disposable razor blade can give you several close, pain-free shaves if you just take the time to look after it.

1. Rinse between strokes

After every stroke (which should be with the grain of your facial hair), give your blade a rinse with warm water. This will keep the majority of the hair and gunk out of your blades, and ensure your shave is as close as possible.

2. Rinse more thoroughly after shaving

Once you’ve finished shaving, run the hot tap, and hold your blades under the flowing water at an angle that ensures water passes through the blades, not just over them. Gently tap your razor against the sink to dislodge debris, and give it another rinse under the hot water.

3. Allow the razor to dry

Once your razor has dried, you will probably notice that some hairs and gunk remain. Take a soft-bristled brush (there are some very good razor brushes on the market for this very purpose), and brush the blades carefully. Ensure the bristles are sweeping between the blades, and not just over them.

4. Wipe the blades clean

Use a small face towel to wipe the blades clean — making sure you’re using steady movements that run down the blades from the top. If you are having trouble removing foam residue or, hair and skin, dab the towel in a little alcohol. This will aid the cleaning process and sterilise the blades at the same time.

A simple trick to keep your razor clean and prolong its life

Employing these easy tips once a day will help remove stubborn particles of dirt, shaving foam and hair whilst keeping the blades sharper for longer.

Take a pair of denim jeans, and lay them out on a flat, solid surface. You can use an old or new pair, as this process doesn’t cause damage to the denim fibre. With the top of the blades pointing away from you, press the blade against the denim and push it away from you in a single, slow and steady motion. In other words, you should be moving the blades in the wrong direction. You shouldn’t be ‘shaving’ the jeans. Push the razor up your jeans 10 times, and then choose another area of the denim to repeat the process.

Finish off by rinsing with hot water and then carefully dry the blades off with a face towel. Try to get into the habit of performing this ritual in the morning, after you shave. By doing so you can ensure your razors last longer and deliver a close, painless shave every time.

It is essential that a razor blade is kept clean and sharp to perform its sole function properly. As a result of keeping your razors free from hair and gunk, your wet shaves will be as comfortable as they are close.

A lot of fitness fads come and go quickly because they don’t offer the results they promise. After a few months of trying to reach their goals, people get tired of the exercise routines. Naturally, they dispose of ineffective techniques.

These three fitness fads, however, are worth trying if you want to get in better shape in 2017. Learn more about each one, and decide which option is right for you.

Isometric Exercise

Isometric exercise requires very little movement. In fact, most of its benefits come from holding muscle contractions for half a minute or longer. Instead of lifting a weight over and over, you flex your muscle and hold it.

The simplicity of isometric exercise makes some people suspicious of it. But, research shows that isometric exercise builds strength faster than dynamic exercises such as lifting weights.

Don’t use isometric exercise if you’re trying to build speed. If you want to get stronger, though, it’s the perfect workout.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

A lot of exercisers assume they’ll get more benefits by spending more time at the gym. High-intensity interval training challenges that idea.

HIIT is the perfect workout for men and women with busy schedules. Instead of exercising for an hour or more, you do just 15 minutes of intense training. Some people even claim they can get results in as little as four minutes of exercise.

With HIIT, you work out incredibly hard for a short amount of time. For instance, you might run as fast as you can for 30 seconds. After the short burst of movement, you take a few seconds to catch your breath before jumping into the next exercise.

Researchers find that HIIT is one of the most effective ways to improve athletic performance, boost the metabolism and lose weight while gaining muscle.

Online Training

Hiring a personal trainer can help you stay motivated, but it also costs a lot of money. Choosing an online trainer or fitness class costs significantly less money while offering similar results.

Online training duplicates many of the experiences you would get with an in-person trainer. Some websites even give consultations with personal trainers and dietitians to help you reach your goals.

Membership sites tend to have better content, but you can start by perusing YouTube videos to get a feel for online training. If you like exercising at home, you should consider upgrading to a subscription service that updates its content daily. Diverse exercises will help you stay interested in your workout program.

It’s always a good idea to question the validity of fads. These three approaches to exercise, however, have proven that they’re worth trying.

You’ve worked hard for that tan, putting in long hours sunbathing in the local park, wearing shorts every day, or even heading to the Mediterranean in search of some sun. It’s understandable that you want to make your new bronzed look last as long as possible. Here are a few tips to help you keep your tan longer.

1. Shave, Don’t Wax

There’s a misconception that shaving causes a tan to fade more quickly. The truth is, you cannot “shave” your tan. The act of shaving removes the top layer of dead skin cells, making your skin glow!  However, waxing can cause a tan to fade faster than usual, as it strips away the top layer of skin. That top layer of cells that you’ve worked hard to tan is pulled away along with the hair, leaving you hairless but pale. Hair removal creams can also strip away the top layer of skin, so it’s best to stick to shaving while you’re trying to stretch out your summer tan.

2. Moisturise

When skin gets dry, the top layer begins to form flakes that fall off, exposing the fresh white skin underneath. Keep the top layer of your skin in good condition by applying a moisturiser every day. For best results, bring your favourite moisturiser on holiday with you and apply it every morning and evening. Keep up this routine when you get home to maintain your skin soft and extend the lifetime of your tan.

3. Hydrate Well

If you let yourself become dehydrated, all the moisturiser in the world isn’t going to keep your skin in good condition. Keep your skin well hydrated by drinking water throughout the day. Remember that in summer you sweat more than usual, so it’s important to make up for the water you lose. Keep a bottle of water by your desk and take frequent sips.

4. Fake It Once You’ve Made It

Eventually, your summer tan will start to fade. At this point, you have three choices: take another trip to a sunny climate for a tan top-up, use a sunbed, or use a fake tanning product to supplement your real tan. For many people, fake tan is the most convenient and affordable option. Select a lightly tinted skin product and start applying it as soon as you notice your tan starting to fade — or even earlier if you want to take a proactive approach. Regularly applying a very light fake tan product will help to keep your skin pigmentation even throughout the autumn and winter.

Key Takeaway

We at Dorco think you’re perfect just how you are, but we know some of you love to look tanned. If you’re one of those bronze-loving beauties, we have good news for you: your summer tan isn’t doomed to fade as soon as you return from the beach. The top layer of skin sheds approximately every two weeks, so to ensure that all your skin cells are at the start of the cycle, have a shave and scrub before you tan.  After tan, keep your skin looking bronzed and beautiful by shaving rather than waxing, drinking plenty of water, moisturising every day and — when all else fades — using fake tan to keep your skin looking darker for longer.

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Ingrown hairs aren’t just a male thing. If you’re shaving or waxing, then you’re likely to get ingrown hairs, too. The problem with this is that ingrown hairs can make your skin feel uncomfortable. These ingrown hairs are also the culprits behind pimples, and if you have sensitive skin or curly hair, you’re even more prone to getting these unsightly raised abscesses.
Are you tired of seeing them pop up after your hair grows back, but don’t know how you can reduce these irritable bumps? Check out the best home remedies to help women reduce ingrown hairs.

1. Use Aloe Vera Gel to Keep Your Skin Cool

The soothing feel of the aloe vera plant offers near-instant comfort when you’re trying to get rid of after-shave ingrown hairs. This plant has active cooling and anti-inflammatory properties and works as an efficient moisturiser, which makes it ideal for alleviating any discomfort. Use just a few dollops of aloe vera gel — the main component of the aloe vera plant’s leaf — to curtail the swelling that ingrown hairs bring.

2. Take Action With Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has many uses for treating skin, such as fighting dandruff and treating acne. So, it’s no surprise that you can use tea tree oil to treat ingrown hairs. This natural astringent aids in treating ingrown hairs by loosening up the hair follicles. The best thing about using tea tree oil is that you only need a small amount to get big results.

3. Witch Hazel Will Work Wonders

Similar to tea tree oil, witch hazel is a natural astringent that you can use as a method to treat ingrown hairs. Its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities make it an ideal selection for keeping ingrown hairs at bay. Just apply witch hazel to a cotton pad, and use it to soothe those irritating bumps.

4. Mollify With Manuka Honey

When decreasing the appearance of annoying ingrown hairs is a priority, you can count on the antibacterial characteristics of manuka honey. This anti-inflammatory home remedy includes glucose oxidase, which is an enzyme that makes the honey acidic and a great source for swelling reduction. Additionally, the high content of sugar in manuka honey produces an environment without water, which makes it difficult for the bacteria that gathers in your ingrown hair follicles to thrive. These properties combine to not only relieve your skin from discomfort but keep it clean as well.

Take Preventative Measures to Avoid Ingrown Hairs

How can we prevent the problem of ingrown hairs in the first place? If shaving is mandatory for you, make sure you take care of your tools and prepare your skin. For example, moisturising your skin is key to avoiding ingrown hairs. Make sure you soak your skin with water before you shave and then with lotion after you get rid of unwanted hairs. Additionally, replace your razor before it gets too dull to avoid ingrown hairs caused by dull blades. Dull razors will no longer cut the hair, but rather they will pull at the hair, sometimes yanking from the root. This can irritate the follicle, as well as introduce unwanted bacteria into the follicle.
Ingrown hairs can be a real issue, but you don’t have to struggle without relief. The next time ingrown hairs become a problem for your skin, keep these tips in mind. You’ll be thankful for every day you have with pain-free and glowing skin!

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