2025 - Above the Collar Grooming Awards

Welcome back to our Annual Above The Collar grooming awards!

We're so excited to be bringing you this article for the third year in a row! Every Year we try our very best to share what we've been working on and this year is no different. Whether you're new to grooming or someone that knows all the in's and out's, at Above The Collar we are not only here to help you discover the best products, but we pride ourself in our ability to connect you to over 2,000 products.

Grooming is not just about looking good its also about feeling good, consequently we have launched these awards with one goal in mind: to showcase the products that go above and beyond in delivering real results. Self-care is the cornerstone of confidence, and we hope that these awards create the space for hard-working and innovative brands to get the recognition they deserve.

Just like the past, the winners have been chosen based on a combination of expert testing, customer feedback and real-world performance.

These awards aim to be your go-to guide for the best of the best, tried and tested by experts who care about quality as much as you do. Without further ado, get ready to discover the products that will take your style and confidence to the next level!

Hair & Body

Best Shampoo: Patrick SH Lite | Shampoo Lite 200mL

Patrick's SH Lite Shampoo delivers a salon-quality clean with an ultra-light touch. It's ideal for daily use, gently removing excess oil and buildup without drying out the scalp. The formula is infused with natural botanicals and crafted with fine hair in mind, helping to maintain volume and balance. To polish it all off, Patrick's SH Lite Shampoo is also blended with Patricks signature cologne, including Sandalwood and Violet.

Best Conditioner: Patrick CD Lite | Conditioner Lite 200mL
The rich natural moisturising factors, dynamic plant-based extracts, rich, resinous, woody fragrance and its nutrient-dense, expertly engineered formula is what has placed Patrick's CD Lite on top of the podium. It is a seamless follow-up to its SH Lite counterpart. Lightweight yet effective, it detangles, softens, and restores moisture without weighing hair down. Ideal for normal to fine hair types, it works especially well for men seeking a smooth finish with a natural feel.

Best Styling Product: Hanz de Fuko Claymation 56g
This cult favourite continues to dominate the styling game. Claymation offers a high-hold, low-shine finish that gives you full control over your hairstyle without looking overly "done". Made with natural waxes and clay, it provides flexibility throughout the day and washes out easily. Ideal for textured looks, pompadours, and matte finishes, this is the go-to for guys who want to style like a pro with minimal fuss.

Best Body Wash: Hunter Lab Hand & Body Wash 550mL
Hunter Lab delivers luxury in a bottle with this premium, large-format hand and body wash. Crafted in Australia, it combines botanical ingredients like tangerine, grapefruit, and aloe vera for a refreshing cleanse that doesn’t strip the skin. The scent is subtle but refined, fresh, citrusy, and sophisticated. The sleek black bottle adds a premium touch to any bathroom, while the natural formula supports all skin types.

Skincare

Best Cleanser: Lab Series All-In-One Multi-Action Face Wash 200mL
A triple threat in skincare, this Lab Series staple functions as a cleanser, exfoliator, and pre-shave prep in one. Its foaming formula removes dirt, oil, and pollution, while gentle exfoliants unclog pores and smooth skin texture. Perfect for the man who wants efficiency without compromising on results. It also softens facial hair for a smoother shave, making it the ultimate pre-game product.

Best Exfoliator: Bricking Renewing Face Scrub for Men 118mL - Naturally Scented
Bricking's face scrub is a clean, effective exfoliator built specifically for men's skin. Using natural exfoliants and plant-derived oils, it buffs away dead skin cells while hydrating and toning the skin. The naturally scented formula provides a fresh, outdoorsy vibe, and the gritty-yet-gentle texture ensures it can be used regularly without irritation. The perfect pick-me-up to restore a healthy glow and prevent ingrown hairs.

Best Moisturiser: Dermalogica Active Moist 100mL
Active Moist earns top honours for delivering intense hydration in a featherlight formula. It's oil-free and designed to absorb quickly, making it ideal for all skin types, especially oily or combination skin. The silky texture feels weightless, yet it locks in moisture to keep skin smooth and healthy-looking all day. Not to mention, the blend of botanical extracts helps improve skin texture over time.

Best Eye care: Lumin Instant Dark Circle Corrector 20mL
Say goodbye to tired-looking eyes. Lumin's Instant Dark Circle Corrector visibly reduces under-eye shadows, puffiness, and fatigue. Its lightweight gel texture glides on effortlessly and absorbs quickly without residue. With continued use, ingredients like caffeine and nicotinamide help brighten and firm the under-eye area, restoring a more youthful, alert appearance. A must-have for long nights or early mornings.

Best Deodorant: Carpe Underarm AM Stick 50g
This dermatologist-recommended antiperspirant delivers all-day odour and sweat control without harsh ingredients. Carpe's AM Stick is smooth, fast-drying, and residue-free, making it ideal for men with sensitive skin or those tired of white marks on shirts. It offers serious sweat protection in a clean, subtle scent, proving you don’t need to overpower to stay fresh.

Beard & Shave

Best Beard Oil: The Beard Struggle Day Liquid Tonic Beard Oil Silver Collection 30mL
Premium beard care meets luxury scent profiles in this Silver Collection standout. The Beard Struggle's Day Liquid Tonic conditions your beard, reduces itchiness, and promotes healthy growth with a fast-absorbing oil blend. What sets it apart? The scent. It's masculine, complex, and lingers just the right amount. If you care about both function and fragrance, this is the beard oil for you.

Best Beard Balm: Jericho Lumberjack Beard Balm 60mL
Australian-made and formulated for serious control, Jericho’s Lumberjack Balm combines nourishing butters with a medium hold that keeps your beard styled and smooth all day. It helps reduce flyaways while moisturising the skin underneath. The scent is woody, bold, and unmistakably masculine, think rugged refinement in a tin.

Best Beard Conditioner: American Crew 2-In-1 Skin Moisturiser & Beard Conditioner 100mL
Dual-purpose and ultra-efficient, this 2-in-1 hydrates both your facial hair and the skin beneath. It softens coarse beards while helping prevent flakiness and dryness. Perfect for men just starting out with facial hair or seasoned beard-growers who want a simple yet effective daily product.

Best Beard Wash: Reuzel Refresh No Rinse Beard Wash 200mL
This innovative rinse-free formula is a beard care revelation. Reuzel’s beard wash cleans and refreshes without water, making it ideal for travel, post-gym, or quick touch-ups during the day. It removes oil, odour, and impurities while conditioning your beard to leave it soft and manageable.

Best Razor: Henson Shaving AL13 DE Safety Razor - Aircraft Aluminium
With aerospace precision and minimalist design, the AL13 offers an ultra-smooth, irritation-free shave. It's engineered to reduce drag and prevent nicks, while its lightweight aluminium body makes it a joy to handle. It’s not just a razor, it’s a tool for elevating your shaving ritual.

Best Shaving Cream: men-ü Shave Cream 100mL
This high-performance shave cream is ultra-concentrated, a little goes a long way. It creates a rich, protective lather that cushions the skin and softens hairs for a smooth glide. Packed with lubricants and moisturisers, it helps prevent razor burn and dryness, making it ideal for daily shavers.

Fragrance

Best Fragrance: Parfums de Marly Layton Eau De Parfum 125mL
Layton is modern elegance bottled. Opening with crisp apple and bergamot, it moves into a heart of lavender and geranium before settling into rich vanilla and woods. This complex, captivating scent works in any season and strikes a perfect balance between fresh and seductive. One spray is all you need to turn heads, it’s a true signature scent.

Trimmer

Best Trimmer: Remington G5 Graphite Series Multi Grooming Kit
The G5 is a grooming workhorse. With multiple attachments for face, hair, and body, it delivers consistent performance thanks to self-sharpening blades and a powerful motor. Cordless, ergonomic, and built for versatility, it's perfect for maintaining beards, trimming body hair, and managing sideburns or neckline detail.

Customer’s Choice / Multi-Action

Best Multi-Action Product: Lab Series All-In-One Face Wash
It’s back and still unbeatable. This multi-action face wash remains a favourite for its ability to cleanse, exfoliate, and prep skin all in one go. It's easy, effective, and essential for men who want streamlined skincare without compromise.

Customer Choice: American Crew Forming Cream 85g
Loved for years and still going strong, American Crew Forming Cream is a fan-favourite for its ease of use, dependable hold, and natural finish. Whether you’re styling a quiff, slick-back, or textured look, this product offers flexibility and structure, no wonder it flies off the shelves.

Want to shop the winners? Explore the 2025 ATC Grooming Awards Collection.
Let us know which product you swear by... maybe it’ll make next year's list.