Beauty subscription boxes thrive year-round, especially around Valentine’s Day. While women enjoy vast selections of makeup and skincare sets, men’s grooming options remain limited. Retailers like Next, John Lewis, and ASOS now offer targeted men’s boxes to fill this gap.
Next’s Men’s Grooming Box stands out at £22, delivering over £73 in value—a 69% savings. It mixes full-size and travel-size items, perfect for experimentation or gifting to someone needing self-care without high commitment. A matching women’s Beauty Lovers box complements it.
Unboxing the Grooming Box
The box arrives in a sturdy, vibrant green cardboard package featuring a modern yellow-and-green checkerboard design. This contemporary look suits any occasion but lacks strong Valentine’s Day flair, unlike some competitors’ themed pouches. Its neutral style works well for gifting or personal use.
Inside, six products cover haircare, skincare, and fragrance from brands like ESPA, Bath & Body Works, Murdock, and Percy Nobleman.
Key Products and First Impressions
The full-size Bath & Body Works foaming hand wash in mahogany teakwood scent impresses with its woody aroma. My boyfriend, who prefers to stay anonymous, noted, “Truthfully, I’m not hugely fussed about hand soap, but since my girlfriend loves this brand, it’s an instant win for us all. Soap is a nice, versatile option, and the unisex scent means it’s something we can pop in the bathroom and all use. I also really like the way these soaps foam.”
A travel-size ESPA body wash proves practical. He added, “The shower gel is a great size for popping into my bag when I go to the gym or even to chuck in my toiletries bag when we’re going on holiday. You can’t go wrong with a shower gel. That said, this one does have quite a strong smell, and I personally prefer scented products that are a little more subtle as I have fairly sensitive skin.”
Standout Favorites
My partner highlighted two Murdock travel-size stars: the 10ml Patchouli cologne and 50ml Sea Salt Spray. “Again, the travel size of these two products means they’re super handy for on-the-go,” he said. “The aftershave smells decadent and woody, and would be a great one for holidays.” He continued, “Sea salt spray is something I already use day-to-day, so it’s great to have a top-up.”
Skincare Additions
Two full-size skincare items round out the set: a hydrating sheet mask for brighter skin and Percy Nobleman’s age-defence serum with vitamin C and collagen. “The face sheet mask is a fun addition as it’s not something I’d usually think to do,” my boyfriend shared. “It would make a fun Valentine’s activity to do together with my girlfriend—I’d just have to make sure to buy her one in return. I’m also trying to work on a better skincare routine, so along with the Age Defence Serum, it’s nice to be able to try things out. My only concern with both of these items is that I have fairly sensitive skin, so I’d have to test both of them out to see if they work for me.”
This affordable box offers solid value for Valentine’s gifting, blending utility and luxury for men.
