What a Guy Who Works for House 99 Really Wants for Valentine’s Day

No matter the holiday, be it Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries or Valentine's Day, we think gifting skin care is always a good idea. And sure, you may think we’re a little biased, after all we do consider ourselves the ultimate skin-care enthusiasts (read also: utterly obsessed). But no one ever got upset when we gave them a product that helped promote radiant, smooth and beautiful-looking skin, right? Well, the same story applies to men. Whether they ask for it or not, we’re sure the man in your life would be appreciative of new skin-care products to try. But if you’re still having a hard time believing us, let a man tell you himself. Meet Grant Williams, Marketing Manager of House 99 by David Beckham. Here, we spoke to Williams to get a male’s perspective on what his skin-care routine looks like and what skin-care gifts he would actually enjoy getting for Valentine’s Day, so you can finally stop guessing. 

Please describe your skin type. 

Definitely oily. Occasionally I get some dry patches in winter (oddly enough around the eye region where the skin is thin), but more often than not I get shiny throughout the day. It’s also pretty sensitive. I tend to break out if I use abrasive scrubs or if I over-wash without hydrating afterwards.

Tell us about your daily skin-care routine. 

In the morning I use the House 99 Purefectly Clean Face Wash. The peppermint extract really helps invigorate my skin and wake me up. I follow up with the House 99 Spruce Up Toner. I use this especially after shaving to minimize red bumps and irritation. Then I use the Lancôme Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Serum, which is a miracle formula that leaves your skin soft and glowing. I recommend it for guys with any skin type. Next, is my personal favorite and secret weapon, the House 99 Greater Look Moisturiser. The matte finish keeps the oiliness tame, and it smells great. Lastly, I use the House 99 Truly Brighter Eye Balm. Again, it helps wake me up thanks to the formula with caffeine and mica, but it’s also very hydrating and helps keep away the dark circles. 

In the evening, I use the Garnier SkinActive Gentle Sulfate Free Cleanser. Seriously, give this a try. It’s a great deal, and in my opinion, the best gentle cleanser around. I love my House 99 cleanser, but I prefer it in the morning as it has a cooling effect. I use the same House 99 Spruce Up Toner and follow up with the SkinCeuticals Resveratrol B E at night. I use this instead of Genifique because it’s gentle and full of antioxidants, which makes my skin feel healthy and ready for a night's sleep. Lastly, I use the House 99 Greater Look Moisturiser.

What's one skin-care product you can't live without? 

It may sound simple but I would choose a moisturizer. It’s so important year-round, whether it’s to keep from getting dry in the winter or to keep skin hydrated in the summer to avoid excess oil production and clogged pores.

OK, so you’re clearly a guy who knows his way around a skin-care routine. Out of all the House 99 options, what would you say are the best ones to give a guy for Valentine’s Day?

House 99 Greater Look Face Moisturiser
I can’t live without this product. Seriously, it’s incredible. I have shifted between dozens of moisturizers, but I’ve been with this one since I started working on House 99 in 2018. It’s mattifying, which is great for oily skin, but it’s also super gentle and rubs right in. I hate formulas that leave my skin feeling tacky or sticky. You can really feel how quickly your skin will absorb. What people really go crazy for, however, is the scent. It’s masculine, fresh and not too fragrant, so it won’t leave you irritated or itchy. Like I said, my skin is quite sensitive and I’ve had no problems.

House 99 Smooth Away Finishing Cream
I use different stylers depending on my hair length. Lately, it’s been medium-long. I absolutely love this formula. It’s so lightweight, warms up fast and mixes right into hair. It has just a bit of light hold, but it feels weightless so you don’t have any of that gummy, sticky or hardening feeling you may get from some other stylers. When I use it, I work it from the root to the end of my hair, which leaves it looking full and voluminous. I can shape my hair any way I want, and it will remain full and workable all day long.

House 99 Change It Up Texturising Clay
For short hair, this is my go-to. Our pomade, the Smooth Back Shaping Pomade, is most popular, but I actually prefer the clay. It’s got a bit more hold and a matte finish. My hair will get oily like my skin, so I like a matte finish for shorter hairstyles.

House 99 Truly Brighter Eye Balm
I mentioned this one up above, too, because it’s a staple in my morning routine. You just need a little bit. It rubs right into skin and keeps the eye area hydrated. The caffeine and mica in the formula give a tiny bit of invigoration to wake you up, but it definitely doesn’t sting or irritate. It will help with the appearance of those dark circles, too. For those with anti-aging concerns (I’ll be there soon enough), it also helps smooth skin and reduce the look of crow’s feet.

House 99 Seriously Groomed Beard Maintenance Set
I can’t grow a beard. Sad, but true. This set, however, has done very well for us this year and the formulas are awesome. A lot of people are buying it for the men in their lives as gifts. It features a full-size Seriously Groomed Beard & Hair Balm, which is great to nourish and soften the beard but also a great pre-styler for ambitious hairstyles, a travel-size Get Groomed Beard Purifying Scrub, which is a non-abrasive black scrub with volcanic stone, charcoal and peppermint, and a travel-size Greater Look Face Moisturiser. Plus, the packaging is pretty badass. It features a custom House 99 tattoo print designed for us by world-renowned tattoo artist Toma Pegaz. You can get it on Ulta.com or on our site. 

Read More: 
4 Easy Anti-Aging Skin-Care Tips for Men
7 Best Exfoliating Facial Scrubs for Men
7 Oily Skin-Care Tips for Men