Here are my picks for the top 10 companies making men's beauty and grooming products in Toronto.
URBAN BEARD
Handmade in small batches, this organic, vegan-friendly line earns raves from low-maintenance guys who don't want their products too fussy or over-scented. Faves include their herbal-scented beard oil (25) and minty-fresh, lotionlike beard butter (30), which penetrates to the skin underneath.
CROWN SHAVING CO.
A common sight in barber shops around Toronto, Crown keeps the focus steadily on shaving gear, including a softening pre-shave serum (30) and an aftershave tonic that will bring you right back to the barber's chair with its tobacco, leather, bay rum and talc fragrance. As a bonus: Their products are free of alcohol, artificial colours and fragrances, parabens and sulfates.
REBELS REFINERY
The "Dragon's Den" alumnae bring a rock 'n' roll edge to men's skincare. Their moisturizer (17) is frills-free and unscented, their black bar soap (29 for 3) is packed with moisturizing coconut and palm oil, and their lip balm (8) comes packaged in a plastic skull (amazing).
BEARDS & BEAVERS
I'm not sure if this brand-new outfit is trying to pull a double entendre on us, but products should definitely be taken seriously. In the interest of giving bearded buyers some selection, they've concocted vanilla, smoke, bay rum and lavender scents of their jojoba-based beard oil (30-45). Bonus: They also do free deliveries within the GTA.
F. MILLER
This unisex line has a sleek, minimal appeal, with a six-product roster based solely on oils. In addition to moisturizing formulations for face, body and hair, there's also a conditioning beard oil (34) meant to target both the hair and skin underneath, and a calming shave oil (34) that ensures a nice, smooth shave.
STICK A COMB IN IT
This Toronto outfit makes the perfect companion piece to your facial hair potions: the hand-hewn wooden combs won't snag or add static, and they'll take on a nice patina thanks to your own individual beard products. Small combs (take your pick from a number of woods) start at 20.
PROVINCE APOTHECARY
All of this local line's products are proudly unisex, from skincare to "sex oil", but they do cater to the gents with a beard oil (36) that includes rosemary and black spruce to stimulate hair growth and frankincense and lavender to soothe skin, as well as an aftershave oil (also 36) with cypress and myrrh.
THE NORTHERN BEARD COMPANY
Don't want to drop more than 20 on a beard product? Northern Beard Company hears you, and they've got beard oils (20) and moustache waxes (15) available in four scents - citrus, woodsy boreal blend, minty "alert" and unscented - for you to pick from.
WESTON & LAWRENCE
This newcomer's line of "refined skincare" products features sustainably-harvested botanical ingredients. Their product roster is small, featuring a citrus-sandalwood beard oil (30), a lavender shave oil (30), and a citrusy natural bar soap (15).
NORTH STANDARD TRADING POST
Are you an all-in-one kind of bloke? Lucky for you, this Parkdale clothing and lifestyle retailer only makes one personal care product - but it's a doozy. Their lavender-scented pomade (18) provides medium hold and a little extra shine - and it also doubles as a hand salve or beard balm.
"Did I miss any? Leave your picks for men's beauty and grooming product companies in the comments."
"Photo via Beards and Beavers."
Origin: thelema-and-faith.blogspot.com