A career in the beauty industry led the founder of Solid State Cologne, Anthony Nasr to ask one question: why aren’t there more products designed specifically for men?
“It is plain to see that men’s and women’s day-to-day needs are completely different,” he says. “With such contrasting needs you’d think finding products that are specifically designed for men and the way men operate would be pretty easy—this isn’t the case.”
Determined to change things, Nasr spent a year researching a product just for men before launching Solid State Cologne in 2015.
The product he came up with is just what the name suggests—a solid cologne. It uses wax as the medium to carry the scent, which makes the range a durable, hard-wearing and convenient alternative to traditional water-based products.
“The predominant make up of traditional grooming products is water [and] removing the water will also remove about 80 per cent of the size,” Nasr says.
Designing a convenient and portable product that men would actually use was a priority for Nasr, and so each scent is packaged in a pocket-sized black tin.
To use the cologne, you just open the tin and massage the balm then apply to pulse points (wrists, neck, behind the ears etc.) as you would with a traditional scent.
The brand’s current range is inspired by travel, with names like Wayfarer and Journeyman. This includes the Corsica collection of bright, fresh, summery scents and the Marrakesh range, which features deeper, smokier notes.
Nasr says he hopes to have a new scent available in August and is also working on expanding the company.
“Solid State has a full line of men’s grooming products in the works and I can’t wait to share it with everyone. We are hoping to have the first two products ready for release [this year].”
By Ruth Cooper
