We hate to say it but, even the most immaculately tailored suit can’t save a man if his grooming game is lacking.
Good grooming lore says that investing in your everyday routine is the best way to see results. But with the grooming world expanding so quickly, where do you begin?
Fear not gents, we’re not about to give you a lesson in Korean skincare regimes and LED face masks. A good grooming routine doesn’t need to be labour-intensive, but it should be consistent, efficient and tailored to you.
With the right basics in place, a good grooming routine will equip you with both polish and poise. So, here’s everything you need to know about grooming.
Hair
How you style your hair is entirely a matter of preference. We are not here to tell you that the best-groomed men sport an undercut. You might be partial to a classic quiff. You may never have moved on from your classic curtains. You do you.
But there are still a few hard and fast rules:
- Hair must be clean.
- Hair must be well-conditioned.
- Hair must be well-kept.
Just as you buy clothes to fit your body, you need to buy products that fit your hair. And to do this effectively, you need to learn your hair type. Armed with this knowledge, you can invest in good shampoo and conditioners to lock in moisture and keep your hair healthy. Age takes its toll on volume, shininess and smooth finish, so keep reassessing.
When it comes to products, focus on the base, rather than the brand. For instance, petroleum-based products like Brylcreem might keep a slick side parting, but they melt in the sun. Water-based products are easy to remove, but they rinse out in the rain. Wax offers hold and malleability without greasiness, but it’s an effort to wash it out. There’s a place for gel – and it’s not just high school – but watch out for those flakes.
And there’s a permanent hairy dilemma: the sun. If you live in the UAE, you will be all too familiar with what these hot climes can do to a man’s hair – sweat, frizz, melting products, and more. Curly hair gets puffier, fine hair goes limp. Some hair looks greasy, while some goes dry and brittle. The key here is to keep it healthy and invigorated. A weekly scrub and gentle massage can work wonders.
And gents, if you’re worried about thinning on top, you need to book that regular trip to the barber. It seems counterintuitive, but a regular trim keeps things looking balanced and makes your hair look fuller.
Beard – or lack of
If you choose to grow a beard, it deserves to be looked after – and for that, you need specific tools and products. Get yourself some beard-scissors and regularly trim down your facial hair. A good beard brush or comb will prove invaluable, too. Not only do they keep beards free from tangles, but they also help distribute natural oils to keep the bristles well-conditioned and train hairs in the right direction.
You need to keep your beard clean, too. Buy a good beard-scrub and wash your facial hair thoroughly, but try to limit this treatment to two or three times a week to avoid drying the hair out. Do not, we repeat, use shampoo. To keep your beard in tip-top condition, use beard oil once a day after showering (the steam will allow the oil to absorb more effectively). A good beard balm acts like a leave-in conditioner for those with coarser beards, too.
But what about the man who opts to be clean-shaven?
A smooth shave requires preparation. Cleanse first and, for those with coarser beard growth, exfoliate too. Applying pre-shave oil under shaving cream can help those with a permanent five o’clock shadow.
When it comes to razors, it’s a marketing myth that blades result in a better shave. In fact, a single straight razor can give an incredibly close shave, provided you learn the right technique. Use a shaving brush to lather up the shaving cream and, when you’ve finished, use a good quality shave balm or lotion to rehydrate your skin.
Now for the most controversial piece of advice. Most of us shave in the morning as part of our morning ritual. But do you need to? If your hair grows slowly and you don’t need to worry so much about stubble, you could do it at nighttime. It’s more leisurely this way, and it gives your skin time to heal. Even the most fastidious gent will get a few shaving nicks and cuts along the way – shaving at night means you don’t need to walk around with small pieces of paper stuck to your chin for the first ten minutes of the morning.
Smelling good
There is no excuse for bad odour. A gentleman needs to smell like the best version of himself. They say Oprah Winfrey smells like diamonds – can the same be said for you?
Obviously, smelling good means washing yourself – and your clothes – regularly.
Review your deodorant. Men’s deodorants are often overpowering and unhelpful. You need an understated neutral scent that is unassuming and compliments your cologne.
When it comes to fragrance, invest in luxury. You don’t need to stick to musk or wood, either – experiment. Adapt your scent to the weather, too, reserving lighter, fresher scents like citrus, florals and mints for the summer and heavy, more luxurious fragrances for the winter.
Historically, there has been a lot of hoo-ha around where to apply your cologne. Try not to pay this too much heed. Obviously, splashing it all over your neck is a bit of a waste and potentially painful post-shave, but as long as you’re targeting those pulse points (the warmest parts of your body), you should be covered.
Nails
You can have a face as sculpted as Adonis and still repulse people with long or dirty nails. Your nails are a good indication of your approach to detail, so don’t slip up here.
Ideally, you should make a weekly manicure part of your grooming routine. You could outsource this, but a decent manicure kit with a sharp pair of nail clippers should do the trick. Your nails should go largely unnoticed, so leave 1–2mm of white that can be filed down and keep the nail round in shape. Finish with a good moisturiser.
And what of your feet – are they sandal-ready? Gnarly big-toe nails are, frankly, unforgivable. Clip toenails down to a 45-degree angle at the corner to prevent ingrowing and use an emery board to sand down hard dead skin after soaking. Wash your feet every day and dry between the toes, remembering to moisturise regularly.
Skin
Skincare is a nuanced business. Like a good suit, it needs to be tailored and, unfortunately, this involves a lot of trial and error.
Like your hair, you need to have a good understanding of your skin type. Once you know whether you have dry, combination or oily skin, you can invest in appropriate products. Dry skin can easily be stripped of hydration, and it’s painfully easy to strip oily skin too, which encourages more oil production. Education is key.
It’s tempting to involve exfoliating acids, retinols and retinoids, but it’s also easy to overdo it.
Generally speaking, having a good cleanser, moisturiser and suncream is the perfect starting point. SPF is crucial armour for warding off those pesky fine lines. And don’t forget to cover your ears and the back of your neck.
Small efforts, big results
A bar of soap does not a grooming routine make. Yes, grooming does take a certain degree of time and investment, but the key thing is balance. You don’t need a fastidiously groomed coiffure, but you do need trimmed nails. It’s the small, consistent efforts that make all the difference, whether it’s a regular skincare routine, a well-conditioned beard, or trimmed toenails. With the right approach, grooming doesn’t have to be a chore – it’s just another simple but powerful way of presenting the best version of yourself to the world.
And with that, gents, we’re off! For any more grooming style tips, feel free to pop into your favourite store for a chat.
Author: Gary Sweeney
