GROOMING 101
Photo by Justin Chen on Unsplash
Today’s man knows that personal grooming is not about vanity. It’s about taking good care of yourself so that you can take good care of others and make a difference in the world.
Decide that you’re worth it
Give yourself the same care and respect that you give those close to you. And build the habits that will keep you looking good.
When you take care of yourself on a daily basis and you look well-groomed, it really shows. There’s nothing more empowering, and there’s nothing sexier!
Develop a daily grooming routine
When it comes to the details, consistency is key.
Taking care of your personal grooming every single day will have a far greater effect on your appearance than a one off blitz, followed by weeks of neglect.
So it’s best to adopt a consistent grooming routine that is quick, simple and won’t take up too much time in the bathroom.
(And if you're new to skincare we've got a helpful step by step guide here - "Beginner's Guide to Men's Skincare").
12 grooming habits to help you win the day
With that in mind, here are 12 grooming habits to adopt to make sure that you are always impeccably groomed - ready to get out there and get things done.
1. Always smell nice
One of the first things you’ll notice about a well-groomed man is that he always smells good.
Try to find your own signature fragrance, but always use it sparingly. Subtlety is paramount!
Experiment with a couple of classic scents to find one that you love; one that will instantly remind others of you and the way you make them feel.
Rather than going for the obvious choices, explore some of the niche cologne brands for something that is unique to you.
We've got some great advice here on choosing and wearing your signature scent: "5 colognes that make you look more attractive".
2. Take care of your smile
Nothing says confidence like a genuine, easy smile - especially in photos. So take really good care of your teeth every day.
Invest in a good electronic toothbrush to get them super clean, floss daily and, it goes without saying, always make sure your breath is fresh.
3. Become a regular at the barbers
Find a barber or salon that you trust and stick with them.
Book regular appointments in advance, and you’ll know that your hair is always going to look good.
Photo by Edgar Chaparro on Unsplash
4. Use the right products for your hair
The correct shampoo and styling products for your hair type can make all the difference to how your hair looks in between salon visits.
Your barber is an excellent source of advice on which products will suit your style best.
And try not to be too aggressive when shampooing. Your hair is at its most vulnerable when its wet, so always treat it with respect in the shower.
5. Clean your face every day, preferably twice a day
The best way to keep your skin clear and healthy is to wash it every single day as part of your daily skincare routine.
Washing in the morning will freshen you up and remove any excess sebum that has built up in the night.
And, in the evening, cleansing will clear away the gunk that you’ve come into contact with during the day.
We've got a quick tutorial on "How To Wash Your Face The Right Way" here.
And for info on how to choose the right face wash for your skin type check out: CLEAN: the best way to keep your skin looking fresh and healthy
6. Moisturize your skin well
Aside from holding back premature aging, moisturizing your skin every day and keeping it well hydrated will improve elasticity, making your skin more resilient, reducing fine lines and generally giving you a much healthier look.
And if your skin is already oily it’s even more important to moisturize every day.
7. Exfoliate regularly
Removing dead skin cells is essential for a clear, healthy skin. It also makes for an easier, smoother shave, and lessens the chance of in-grown hairs.
Choose from a gentle exfoliating face wash which includes a natural Alpha Hydroxy Acid, like our Daily Face Wash, that you can use every day.
Or opt for a gentle facial scrub which you should limit to once or twice a week.
You can find answers to all of your questions about exfoliation here: A man’s guide to exfoliation: FAQ’s
8. Learn to shave perfectly
Shaving is a skill, and one that is worth learning.
Get expert advice from your barber as to the best way to do this. A lot can depend on the thickness and growth pattern of your beard, and he will be able to instruct you as to the best way to shave for you.
Choose a shaving cream with a high glycerin content that will nourish and protect your skin and minimise any redness and irritation. The last thing you need as you head out in the morning is razor rash!
We've listed the best advice on making sure your shave is smooth and pain-free here: SHAVE: 9 tips for a pain-free shave.
9. Take care of your beard
Whatever look you’re going for if you’re sporting facial hair it should always be clean, trimmed and carefully maintained. We've got a handy guide here: "How To Trim Your Beard Like A Pro".
Thoroughly wash your beard as often as your face. It will clear out any 'beardruff' and encourage healthy growth.
Use a beard trimmer and invest in a good beard oil to keep it soft and itch-free.
10. Tame those eyebrows – and other stray hairs
Again, this is something that your barber can do for you, but in between visits make sure you keep some tweezers and small scissors handy to keep brows tidy and under control. You won't believe how much carefully groomed brows can transform your face.
A quick check in the mirror before you head out in the morning is a good idea, just to make sure there are no stray hairs anywhere else.
You know where to find them!
11. Have beautiful hands
You know to keep your hands and nails clean at all times.
Running a nail brush under nails each morning will ensure this.
Cut nails regularly and use a good hand cream on cuticles too.
Once in a while it pays to have a professional manicure, just to keep your cuticles looking really smooth.
(And we've got a great guide here on how you can do this yourself: "How to Give Yourself a Professional-Looking Manicure at Home").
12. Wear sunscreen everyday
UV rays are the skin’s worst enemy!
They cause premature aging and cellular damage. So protecting yourself from the sun is one of the best things you can do for your skin.
It’s important to use sunscreen every day; even on cloudy days the UV rays can cause damage.
And finally,
Always try to adopt good, healthy habits –
- get plenty of sleep
For ways to improve the quality of your sleep see here : Why you need your beauty sleep: 14 ways to help you sleep better
- drink lots of water
- and eat a healthy, varied diet
We’ve listed the top healthy, anti-aging foods for men here: Eat Healthier, Look Younger: an A-Z of the 27 best anti aging foods for men
And avoid bad habits –
- don’t smoke and avoid heavy drinking. No amount of good grooming can mitigate the effects of these two!
Remember…
Good personal grooming communicates that you care about yourself and you have healthy self-esteem.
In short, you look and feel as though you could achieve anything you set your mind to - and everyone around you can sense it too.
Now get out there, looking handsome and able to take on anything!
