How To Shop and Save This Christmas
Christmas is an expensive time, so why not earn a little something for yourself as you spend?
Christmas is a time to give and a time to celebrate. It’s also a costly time!
So, what if you could earn as you spend? Buying your loved ones a little something, whilst earning yourself an experience to enjoy or a gift card to use. Sounds good, doesn’t it!
These are my top picks in men’s grooming – fragrance and skincare – that will help you to earn a little (or large!) treat as you spend.
How To Shop And Save
Club Rakuten is a free membership programme that gives you rewards on your everyday shopping with leading brands. Retailers include Molton Brown, Harvey Nichols, Feel Unique, Look Fantastic, Superdrug, Beauty Expert and Space NK.
And it’s not just gift cards, Club Rakuten offers you money-can’t-buy VIP perks including priority access and free upgrades at events with Fever; or 25% off your first book purchase with Rakuten Kobo!
3 Steps To Saving
- Collect points as you explore Rakuten and their partner shops.
- Redeem your Points against loads of different rewards.
- Enjoy exclusive perks and experiences.
Here are some of my absolute favourite fragrance and skincare products that will help earn you points this Christmas!
Men’s Skincare Highlights
A Christmas gift should be something thoughtful and something that will bring the recipient some serious joy. Invest in a skincare product that delivers… and maybe one that your special someone wouldn’t necessarily pick for themselves.
Augustinus Bader – Discovery Duo | £225
Earn 2,475 points at Harvey Nichols on this purchase | Redeem 2,000 Points for a £20 Marks & Spencer gift card
Augustinus Bader has become something of a cult brand in a very short time. The Discovery Duo contains 30ml sizes of ‘The Cream’ and ‘The Rich Cream’.
For a man that takes serious pride in a well-hydrated, healthy and radiant complexion, this could be the little luxury that he (/his skin) craves this season!
Bulldog – Oil Control Moisturiser | £6
Earn 11 points for every £1 spent at Feel Unique
At the other end of the scale in price is Bulldog. It might be a more budget-friendly product, but the quality can still compete with the best of them.
For the man that needs hydration but without the shine, Bulldog’s Oil Control Moisturiser is a winner!
Elizabeth Arden Prevage Progressive Renewal Treatment | £180
Earn 11 points for every £1 spent at Look Fantastic | Redeem to watch one of the latest blockbusters on Rakuten TV
This 4-week at-home peeling treatment by Elizabeth Arden is skin changing! I used it earlier in the year and it not only brightened my skin but also reduced the appearance of fine lines.
It’s the product he never knew he needed!
Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil | £45 – £85
Earn 7 points for every £1 spent at Space NK
It might be a small bottle but it has a lot of power! Sunday Riley’s Luna Sleeping Night Oil entered the Man For Himself Holy Grail this year.
I have tried this as my only nighttime treatment (without a follow-up cream or gel) and it’s been an absolute dream. Fine lines (especially crow’s feet) are less visible and my skin is noticeably brighter.
This is the perfect option for guys who are new to retinol products. It’s light and it’s highly effective. Highly recommended!
What are the Rewards and Perks?
There are loads of ways to redeem your points!
Choose gift cards from leading retailers like Marks & Spencer or John Lewis; or use your points to create ‘feel-good’ moments, such as watching the latest blockbuster at home.
You can even redeem your points in exchange for a donation to one of more than 20,000 charities, including Save the Children, Macmillan Cancer Support and Dogs Trust.
And the perks are pretty good too! Club Rakuten offers you money can’t buy benefits like 20% off FC Barcelona’s Culer’s Premium Membership. That’s the kind of VIP treatment we like!
Men’s Fragrance Highlights
Fragrance can often be overlooked in a men’s grooming routine, so Christmas is the perfect time of year to gift something a little special. Don’t get caught up in the usual supermarket body spray and shower gel combos and go for something that really delivers. Try one of these!
Tom Ford Black Orchid Parfum | £98
Earn 11 Points for every £1 spent at Harvey Nichols | Your 1,078 points could be donated to a charity like Oxfam or Save The Children
The new Tom Ford Black Orchid Parfum is intoxicatingly seductive. With the added note of Rum Absolute, Tom Ford Black Orchid is given a warm, boozy roundness that just begs for you to get dressed up (or down) for a night out (or in).
Maison Margiela Jazz Club EDT | £98
Earn 7 points for every £1 spent at Space NK
Tobacco and rum, with just a dash of vanilla sweetness. Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club is a grounded yet warming fragrance that I have really grown to love.
It’s the sort of fragrance that invites you to lounge in pure evening (let’s be clear – evening!) relaxation.
It’s masculine and mature without feeling stuffy or old. For the guy that wants to make a great first – and lasting – impression.
Molton Brown Re-Charge Black Pepper Eau De Parfum | £122
Earn 11 points for every £1 spent at Feel Unique
A great EDP that lasts on the skin. A perfect blend of citrus (just a hint of bergamot) with spicy black pepper and cardamom; and a luscious, warming woody base.
Molton Brown Re-Charge Black Pepper Eau De Parfum is so easy to wear; and a fragrance that will take you through all four seasons.
It’s so easy to see why the Re-Charge Black Pepper is one of Molton Brown’s most iconic and best-selling fragrances.
Dior Sauvage Eau De Parfum | £65.50
Earn 720 Points on this purchase from Feel Unique
Dior Sauvage is a real crowd-pleaser. One of the most popular men’s fragrances on the market. It’s a name that he will know and great for a guy that’s just getting into fragrance.
HUGO BOSS BOSS Bottled EDT | £87
Earn 11 points for every £1 spent at Feel Unique
This fragrance takes me back. Although it was created in 1998, it still smells as current as it did back then.
It’s fresh and so wearable… and not a bad price point!
Acqua Di Parma Signature Oud Eau De Parfum | £197
7% reimbursed in Points at Space NK
Many oud fragrances are heavy, and can be rather overpowering, but this Aqua Di Parma Oud is lighter than your average oud and it has a great warmth to it. I think this would be great as a first oud in your fragrance wardrobe as it’s easy to wear.
