Stefanov’s the guy who tests every grooming product out there. If it all went away, here are his top 5 “desert island” picks.
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One look at my home office (read: my spare room) and you’ll see stacks on stacks of grooming goods. Serums, creams, colognes, trimmers, deos… you name it. I’m not complaining; it’s one of the biggest perks of my job as an editor. The challenge lies in working through it all, as testing takes time, and few products will deliver results immediately.
So, when Mr. Hurly challenged me to pick five “desert island” products—basically, if I had to throw everything away and rebuild my regimen from scratch—a few came to mind, though narrowing them down wasn’t easy.
Honestly, the list could easily run twenty deep, but I’ve cut it to a handful that are tried, true, and fully GOAT’d in my rotation. Ask me again in a year (or even a few months) and it might look different, but right now, these are the five grooming essentials I stand by—and hopefully, you’ll consider incorporating them into your own routine too.
1. Philips Norelco OneBlade Hybrid Electric Trimmer
It’s hard to overstate just how clutch the Philips Norelco OneBlade has been in my grooming routine. Since the brand introduced the now-iconic Ninja Turtle green-and-black buzzer about a decade ago, it has been my faithful sidekick for nearly all my trimming needs.
I’ve only had to replace the body once in several years, and while the heads aren’t exactly cheap, they last forever. I’ve used it for everything from cleaning up sideburns to taming ear and nose hair, underarms, and down there—always with ease and zero nicks, especially with the newer pivoting head.
The only place I don’t use it is on my face, since I prefer a classic razor and cream for a close shave. However, for literally everything else, in or out of the shower (it’s waterproof), this mini buzzer delivers. It’s been dropped, tossed into luggage, hauled around on trips, and all it asks for is the occasional charge.
Philips has released newer iterations, but I still ride for the OG. If you’re not already part of the OneBlade fam, I earnestly implore you to join.
2. The Grey 3-in-1 Face Cream
GET IT: Niche Beauty / The Grey
There are plenty of moisturizers I rotate through, from overnight creams to lighter picks for warmer days to retinol-based treatments, but a true desert island pick comes from Dutch luxury grooming stalwart The Grey.
The price might warrant pause, yet if you’re investing in something you’ll use every day to hydrate, soften fine lines, and add a glow, this is one I always recommend. It’s more of a lightweight lotion than a heavy cream, cleanly dispensed through a pump, odorless, and fast absorbing.
What I love most is that it’s a true three-in-one. I have perennial under-eye bags (thanks to genetics), and while I didn’t want to dedicate space to just an eye cream, I wanted something that could also address crow’s feet and dark circles.
A little goes a long way: emollients keep skin soft, peptides and antioxidants strengthen and protect, retinol boosts cell turnover, and kale is in the mix for various skin-nourishing benefits. It’s a moisturizer that hydrates, rejuvenates, smooths, and brightens the under-eye zone all in one. Money well spent if you ask me.
3. Harry’s Shave Gel
I’m not really a badger-brush-into-a-tub kind of guy. I respect the ritual, but for me, shaving is all about finding what lathers quickly and allows the razor to glide smoothly. Drugstore OG Nivea deserves a nod, but the shave cream I always come back to is from a brand that shook up the shaving industry, period: Harry’s Shave Gel.
It’s affordable, pays dividends since just a small amount explodes into a refreshing, minty-cool lather, and it’s packed with aloe to soften and calm skin before the blade goes to work. I recently spoke with Harry’s founder, and it all checks out, as serious R&D backs every product.
The tube looks sharp, the formula is no-fuss for a smooth, close shave, and since I’m keeping this list to five products, I’ll sneak in a bonus: pair it with Harry’s stellar Plus razor for the full setup. (Which you can also buy in one big bundle, too, to save.)
See More: Harry’s PLUS Razor Quick Review
4. Baxter of California Deodorant
GET IT: Amazon / Baxter of California
I’m very particular about deos, and I know I’m not alone. It’s one of those core grooming products every guy relies on, but finding one that works without being an antiperspirant is still a challenge. (I know Mr. Hurly disagrees with me on this, but we shouldn’t have to resort to pore clogging to stop sweat anymore.)
I’ve got a few other favorites, but Baxter of California’s OG stick ranks as one of the best. I’m usually not a gel guy, yet this one glides on smoothly, doesn’t irritate (great for sensitive skin), and just plain keeps me smelling fresh. Tea tree and witch hazel extracts are the stars here, neutralizing odor-causing bacteria while helping detoxify your pits.
It won’t stain clothes, and the subtle herbaceous scent lets your cologne shine. It comes in three scents; I love the original Citrus & Herbal Musk; but it needs to be said that they also have the iconic mossy-cedar aroma found in Baxter’s Blue Ribbon-winning exfoliating bar soap.
Is this the most heavy-duty deo out there? No, and I’ve yet to find one that lasts through every marathon of a day. But for keeping you odor-free, skin calm, and vibes fresh all day sans any chemical edge, this stick nails it.
5. Horace Superfatted Soap Bar Trio
GET IT: Horace
If the above didn’t make this obvious, I am Team Bar Soap! There’s something about the tactile lather of a solid block, that old-world charm, and the way artisanal ones smell incredible. A great bar soap, IMO, turns a mundane ritual into something you look forward to.
And here, I want to spotlight Horace, the French grooming label that’s blown up overseas and is steadily building a cult following stateside. They create nearly every grooming essential a guy could want, with effective formulas, fuss-free application, and an apothecary vibe that feels both hip and approachable.
Horace’s bar soaps are sleek blocks that lather fantastically, made with an olive oil base, coconut oil for softness, and over 92% natural ingredients (a stamp they proudly display on every product). They cleanse beautifully, but the scents also separate them from anything you’d find in aisle 10.
Aside from the Doves of the world, this isn’t a huge splurge either; a serious upgrade without financial compromise. And if you order from their site, you can choose any three from their four (including duplicates). I’m partial to the woody, herbal Virginia Cedar & Sage Leaf, though the Orange Blossom & Petitgrain is energizing and bright.
