If you’re aiming to have the Pride to End All Prides, you’re going to need some grooming supplies.
Pride is upon us. and while in many ways it’s the best time of the year, it could also be one of the most uncomfortable. Don’t get us wrong: We love the rush of rallies, screenings, street fairs and (of course) the March. We live for the dancing, the drag queens, and the Deborah Cox belting out a big, empowering chorus over crowds of shirtless men. What do we don’t love about Pride is constantly feeling like we could really use a shower before that next event. And while sometimes it’s possible to pop into your local gym and freshen up between your stops, it ‘s alsoe good idea to pack a bag of grooming products to help you to push through the day. There are plenty of worthwhile choices on the market, many of which can fit easily in your shoulder bag, glove compartment or your retro fanny pack. So whether it’s a deodorant or sunscreen you need to reapply most often, here’s a rundown of almost anything you might end up using to make this Pride your freshest yet.
Innersense
Dry Shampoo
If your hair is long and luxurious and/or you don’t want to keep it back in a ponytail or a man bun all day, this dry shampoo can help you to let it all hang out. Innersense is a foam to powder dry shampoo that eliminates excess oils, build body, creates texture and renews second-day hair. What’s in it? Witch hazel, tapioca starch, bitter orange, pullulan, and certified organic honey. This will help your mane shine from morning till night, even if you don’t have time to stop for a shower. $24
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Kiehl’s
Eye Fuel
Be sure to pay attention when Kiehl’s passes you at the March, as they often pass out samples of extremely useful sunscreen, moisturizers and other useful skincare products. Similarly small but effective is their small, sleek Eye Fuel. It’s both easy to carry and provides an optimal way to ensure your Instagram pictures are on point throughout the day. This men’s eye cream has Caffeine and Vitamin B3, helping to reduce the dark circles and puffiness from yesterday’s tea dance. Not carrying a bag? No problem. This little tube will fit perfectly in your pocket. $22.50
LAB SERIES Skincare for Men
Day Rescue Defense Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 35
We cannot stress this enough: Whether the sun is out in full force or it’s cloudy and overcast, you still absolutely need to protect your skin. This lightweight invisible daily moisturizer has SPF 35 and all kinds of gentle goodness for your epidermis. It’s fast-absorbing, non-acne genic and will help to defend you against the sun, climate, and any aggressive pollutants in the air. $34
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LAB SERIES Skincare for Men
Instant Filter Moisturizer
Even if you have your outfit all picked out and all of your poses down, you may need a boost to look fabulous with #nofilter. So, if you happen to be staying indoors or exclusively hitting evening events, this non-SPF moisturizer could be the pick for you. Described as offering “perfection without detection”, this daily moisturizer ensures your face will be ready for your closeup. It’s meant to improve the look of your skin by counteracting redness, enhancing brightness, smoothing the skin’s appearance and rebalancing the look and overall tone. $36
TAME the BEAST
Nutt Butter Original
TAME the BEAST’s 5mL Nut Butter Original samples are not only a revelation but also a game changer for Pride season. Yes, this is a product designed for when your taint’s misbehaving — a creamy anti-chafe skin and body experience with jojoba, aloe, comfrey root, calendula, chamomile, shea cocoa, mango, rosemary, eucalyptus, lavender and Vitamin E that will leave your skin feeling natural, tingly, and even a little inviting. It’ll help you freshen up down below. $1.50
Paula’s Choice
Lipscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
How many times have you lathered on the SPF but not considered your lips? And not to get all Carrie Bradshaw about it, but you never know when you might bump into Mr. Big in the crowd. Want to be ready to purse your lips, pucker up and plant one on him? Make sure your lips are not only moisturized, but also protected from harmful UV rays. This fragrance and flavor-free lip balm has SPF 50, olive oil, jojoba oil, beeswax, theobroma cacao seed butter, and more. Protect those lips for the perfect Pride smooch! $10
Jack Black
Pit Boss Antiperspirant & Deodorant
When it comes to raising your hands in the air like you just don’t care, sometimes you need something stronger. Jack Black’s Pit Boss Antperspirant & Deodorant is a gentle (but mighty) roll-up stick that provides maximum odor and sweat control. The product’s Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex Gly helps to reduce overall underarm wetness while controlling sweat. Additional support comes from hydrating and anti-inflammatory aloe leaf juice and Vitamin E for an extra boost of antioxidant support. Toss this in your gay day bag if you know you’re going be sweating from morning till night. $19
Ursa Major
Essential Face Wipe
Need a quick refresh? These individually-wrapped bamboo face wipes will cleanse, exfoliate, soothe and hydrate when ou’re on the go. Each bamboo wipe is infused with just the right amount of the Ursa Major 4-in-1 Essential Face Tonic formula. What’s that incredible scent? Orange, lavender, and fir! Other ingredients include aloe, sugarcane, green tea, willow bark, and birch sap (to reduce redness). One quick wipe can leave you feeling like you’re climbing out of the facial chair. $6.50 – $45.60
Earth Therapeutics
Purifying Charcoal Oil Blotting Sheets
If you’ve been hearing a lot about charcoal in grooming products these days, there’s a reason: For example, this detoxifying, highly porous, ighly absorbent, natural bamboo charcoal will not only remove excess oil but also leave you feeling fresh and shine-free. Blot over sweaty, oily skin to take the problem out of problem spots. Every package comes with 100 sheets, but the sleek carrying wallet will easily fit in your pocket if you’re hoping to pack light. $6.99
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Bulldog
Original Deodorant
Ever take off that shirt in a crowd only to discover that you’re in need of a refresh? Bulldog’s Original Deodorant is a imple, clean and long-lasting blend of basic ingredients including aloe vera, camelina oil and green tea. Apply this non-staining product, and it will leave your underarms feeling fresh, comfortable, moisturized and ready to dance your way from the opening act all the way through the afterparty. $7.40
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Robin McGraw Revelation
50 Fierce Broad Spectrum 50+ Moisturizer & Sunscreen
Looking for the strongest protection possible? Robin McGraw Revelation’s 50 Fierce Broad Spectrum 50+ Moisturizer & Sunscreen is an ultimate shield against tose dangerous midsummer UVA and UVB rays. Apply (and reapply) 2-3 pumps to your face, neck and any areas that might be exposed to the sun (and the crowds). In addition to SPF 50, this moisturizer has CoQ10, Vitamin C, plankton extract, peptide complex, jojoba, pomegranate extract, white birch, green tea extract and radish root ferment. Keep your skin protected and nourished all day long. We’re not surprised: when “fierce” is in the name it’s destined to be just that. $42
TAME the BEAST
Nutt Butter Edibles
Yes, we know we’ve already talked about the oh-so-space-saving sample size, but once you’ve tried this cheeky moisturize, you might want to commit to a whole bottle. What makes it so great? It’s billed as the first-ever edible moisturizer for boys. Food grade ingredients mean you and your partner can moisturize and not worry about where you put your mouth after. (Wink!) Yummy available flavors include Bourbon Manuka Honey, Peppermintini, or Ale Fresca. Happy Pride, boys! $15
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Last modified: July 26, 2019