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The Modern Man’s Guide to Grooming

Written by Advice Team on October 27, 2015

Men’s skin and body takes a beating; from shaving to sweating, late nights to early mornings, too much beer to a lack of water, it turns out that we need a lot more help than most of us realise so it’s time to embrace masculine grooming. Not sure where to start? Here’s our go-to grooming guide to keep you looking tip-top.

Facial Skin Care No matter what age you are, if you don’t take care of your skin it will be immediately noticeable. Cleaning your face with a good quality facial cleanser twice a day will keep your skin clear from blemishes and brighten your complexion.

Once a week try and find time to incorporate a facial scrub and face mask into your routine. Facial scrubs are different than a normal face wash in that they contain small exfoliating particles that remove dry, flaky skin and unclog pores for clearer skin. Exfoliating your skin regularly also helps in providing a closer shave; removing dead skin that could clog your razor, lifting stubble and preventing ingrown hairs. Follow up with a face mask to deep cleanse, soothe and rehydrate.

Next apply a facial moisturiser designed for your skin type (oily, dry, combination, sensitive) to nourish, protect and revive your skin and reduce the signs of ageing. For the day choose a moisturiser with SPF to protect against UV and at night pick a richer cream to repair the day’s damage for softer, more hydrated, and better-looking skin the next day.

Facial Hair Whether clean shaven, bearded or sporting a moustache, all facial hair styles are now widely acceptable for both work and play. Whatever style you go for ensure your facial hair is trimmed, cared for, styled and maintained so that you look stylish not scruffy.

Whether you use an electric shaver or a razor, shaving is quite the experience to put your skin through. Shaving creams and soaps provide a protective layer between the blade and the skin which helps but shaving can still cause redness, burning and irritation especially if you have sensitive skin. Sharp blades, the right technique and good quality pre-preparation products will all help. From doubled edged razors to electric shavers, beard trimmers to barbers scissors , beard oil to moustache wax ensure that you have the right tools for the job and your life will be much easier.

While we’re talking about facial hair, did you know that eyebrows are actually one of your most important features. Eyebrows are hugely expressive and a pair of cleanly-defined, fully separated eyebrows actually makes you easier to read and understand. You don’t need to go mad - simply use some trimmers to tidy up the outline of each brow and make a clear separation above the bridge of your nose - easy.

Last but not least, don’t forget nose and ear hair. Not much to say here - just get rid! It only takes thirty seconds with a nose and ear trimmer every couple of weeks and this incredibly unsightly hair will be kept at bay.

Hair Care Contrary to popular belief, plain water will not clean your hair and bodywash is not a substitute for shampoo. Choose a shampoo designed for your hair type (dry, oily, damaged, normal) and use it every time you shower for clean, manageable hair. Conditioning after shampooing is also beneficial as it will hydrate the hair and scalp and keep it soft, protected and touchable. Rinse thoroughly and towel dry - no need for blow drying unless you have especially long hair.

Here’s a little secret - guys with freshly cut hair always looks sharper. Hair grows fast so you should get a cut every 4-6 weeks and don’t be afraid to change your hairstyle every now and then.

Body Hair Body hair is part and parcel of being a man, but left unchecked it can become unsightly. Keep body hair neatly groomed using an electric body groomer to trim and shave or get a wax at a professional salon. And it’s not just the parts you can see - as well as your chest, arms, back and arms you might also consider your nether regions. Fortunately there are lots of body grooming tools now available to achieve a tidy look down under in no time at all.

Manicure After your face your hands are the most visible part of your body and the condition of your hands and nails says a lot about you. Gnarly nails, frayed cuticles and bleeding hangnails don’t give a good impression and nail care should be part of every man’s grooming routine. We’re not saying your hands have to be perfectly smooth but they should be clean and well kept. Keep your nails short using a nail clipper and smooth out jagged edges and deep grooves using a file. Use an oil (your pre-shave oil will do) to soften your cuticles and push back gently using a cuticle stick. Finish off with hand cream to keep your hands hydrated and crack free.

Oral Care Your teeth are not just about appearance, regular brushing and preventative maintenance at home is as important to your health as it is your look. It can also save you a fortune on remedial work at the dentist! It’s easy to skip brushing when you’re in a rush, but it only needs a few minutes each day and the job is done. You will immediately feel more fresh, alert and ready to share a confident smile.

Modern lifestyles and all they include such as tea, coffee, red wine and smoking will stain your teeth and although only veneers are snow white, you should take care to keep your natural teeth as white as possible. A good quality electric toothbrush and whitening tooth paste is the first port of call but extras like teeth whitening strips work wonders and are well worth a try.

Cologne Cologne is the icing on the proverbial cake. Following a shower, use a deodorant to suit your lifestyle and then finish off with a few squirts of a good quality cologne. As with so much in life, subtlety is the name of the game - rather than drowning yourself in it place a few drops on the inside of your wrists, behind your ears and the back of your neck. Blood flow here helps keep the smell stay longer and passers by will get a hint of scent rather than being overpowered. Not sure what scent to go for? Look for something woody, musky, and citrus-y and you can’t go far wrong.

It takes a bit of extra thought and time but male grooming really does matter and a bit of effort goes a long way. It’s cool to care and we promise - it won’t go unnoticed.