Grant Carr first introduced me to ELEVEN Australia’s Miracle Hair Treatment backstage at the National Television Awards 2026, ahead of the red carpet. It has since earned a place in my everyday bag.

That journey, from an awards night to an ordinary morning, says a great deal about where male grooming is heading.

When I sat down with Grant to talk about it, the conversation went well beyond a good haircut. Skincare, beard maintenance, hair condition and styling all have a place in how men prepare to face the day.

Grant brings an experienced eye to that conversation. A male grooming expert, VIP and editorial specialist and founder of Garçon, he was also the Scotland winner at the L’Oréal Colour Trophy 2026.

The conversation is changing

The conversation around male grooming now reaches well beyond the barber’s chair. Skincare, hair condition and beard care are all part of a more open discussion about looking after yourself.

For Grant, the important development is how comfortable men are becoming with the conversation.

What is changing in male grooming?

“There is more openness around wanting to look and feel good. Men are interested in their skin, the condition of their hair and how to maintain a beard as well as the haircut itself. They want to understand what a product does and how to use it. That is a positive thing because a useful routine starts with understanding your own needs.”

It is a point that resonates with me. A few products you understand and enjoy using can make looking after yourself feel straightforward.

What the red carpet teaches us

How does preparing a VIP for a red carpet translate into everyday grooming?

“The attention to detail is useful everywhere. On a red carpet, we consider how the skin and hair will look under lighting and on camera, but the foundations are familiar: prepare the skin, condition the hair and choose the right finish. For everyday life, you can take those same principles and make them manageable. The routine should suit the person and the time they have.”

That is the part I find most interesting. Professional grooming offers ideas that can become ordinary habits, whether you are heading to work, meeting friends or getting ready for an occasion.

My review: ELEVEN Australia Miracle Hair Treatment

Miracle Hair Treatment is a leave-in product that ELEVEN Australia positions around eleven benefits. These include softness and shine, frizz control, detangling, manageability and protection against heat styling.

The directions are refreshingly simple: apply to damp hair and leave it in. It becomes part of preparing the hair before you move on to your chosen style.

I use it daily, and the biggest differences I notice are hydration, less frizz and a smoother finish. My hair feels more hydrated and looks smoother, which gives me a clear reason to keep reaching for it.

That is what makes the product useful to me. Something introduced backstage has become part of my everyday haircare.

Does it do what it says on the bottle? In my daily experience, absolutely yes. Hydration, frizz control and smoothing are the benefits that stand out most.

It has earned its place in my everyday bag.

Where does Grant place it in a styling routine?

“Preparation makes a difference to the finish. Miracle Hair Treatment is a useful starting point before styling. Then choose a product that gives the texture and hold you want. A cream, paste or clay will offer a different finish, so it is worth asking your stylist to show you what suits your hair and how much to apply.”

The ELEVEN Australia styling products pictured alongside this feature are Strong Hold Styling Paste, Medium Hold Styling Cream and Extra Hold Styling Clay. They illustrate the choice of finishes Grant is talking about.

Skincare belongs in the conversation

What would you recommend to men who are starting to take skincare more seriously?

“Build a routine you can keep up. Cleansing and moisturising are sensible foundations, then choose additional products according to what your skin needs. I would look at ishga’s skincare range, including Hydra+ Oil where you want an extra conditioning step. The aim is to understand your skin and choose products you will use consistently.”

That recommendation connects with my own experience of ishga. Hydra+ Oil is a product I already enjoy using, and I have written separately about its Hebridean ingredients and the science behind the formula.

Keeping the beard in shape

Where do grooming tools fit into that routine?

“A good haircut and a maintained beard should work together. MANSCAPED’s Beard Hedger offers adjustable lengths for keeping facial hair in shape between appointments. Beard care matters alongside trimming, so products such as the Hydrating Beard Wash and Nourishing Beard Serum are worth considering as part of that upkeep. Ask your barber to help you establish a shape you can maintain.”

The principle is the same across skin, hair and beard care: choose a few useful things and learn how to use them.

From VIPs to everyday life

The rise in male grooming is about a broader willingness to invest time and attention in feeling good.

There is room for the full red carpet appointment and for a simple routine before work. Skincare, styling and beard care give men different ways to look after themselves, with advice from people such as Grant making those choices easier to understand.

My own example is sitting in my everyday bag. A product introduced backstage at the NTAs has become something I reach for in ordinary life.

That is where the most interesting change is happening. Male grooming is becoming part of the everyday, with men increasingly comfortable saying they want to look and feel their best.

Grant Carr
Male grooming expert · L’Oréal Colour Trophy Scotland winner 2026 · VIP and editorial specialist · Founder of Garçon

Photography by Adam Stewart.

Further reading: Miracle Hair Treatment, ishga Hydra+ Oil review, MANSCAPED Beard Hedger and Grant’s award.