Time was, a man who spent too long in the bathroom was met with a level of scorn and suspicion usually reserved for politicians who try to embrace indie music. But it is not so now.The trick isn’t to spend a fortune on a thousand different products, or to lock yourself in the bathroom for hours at a time. Rather, you should develop a daily routine that is quick, simple and above all else about maintenance, ensuring you don’t let yourself (or your carefully assembled outfit) down with unsightly hair or unnecessarily puffy eyes.
In addition to these basic grooming habits like combing your hair after waking up, washing hands before eating and brushing your teeth after every meal there are a few more important things that you need to follow.
1. Nail your hand-care routine
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Cutting your nails once a week – preferably after a bath or shower, to soften them and make them easier to trim – is basic. Trim all your nails to the same length and clean underneath them to remove dirt. Dirty and unkempt fingernails can give the impression of poor hygiene. The rough, flaky skin around the nail bed that somehow irritates you more than it looks like it should? Treat with a tiny bit of moisturizer every couple of days to smooth things over.
2. Wash Face Daily
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Nearly every beauty article tells us to wash our face daily. Use a gentle facial cleanser at the end of each day to remove the dirt, dust and oil that can accumulate on your face. Wash your face as often as possible with a splash of water to keep your skin clean, hydrated and supple.
3. Groom Unwanted Facial Hair
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Unless you’re planning to move out into the wilderness to find yourself, facial hair of any length needs to be tamed and maintained if you want to be taken seriously. You don’t have to spend much on a beard trimmer, so pick one up and get into a weekly habit of tidying up. You might not have time in the morning for an extensive wet-shaving routine, but learning the basics of a good shave is important. Don’t neglect your nose hair. Trim it at least once a week to prevent the hairs from protruding from your nostrils. Use the nose hair trimmer to remove excess hair in and around your ears as well.
4. Floss Daily
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The American Dental Association recommends cleaning between your teeth once a day. This is important because plaque that is not removed by brushing and flossing can eventually harden into calculus or tartar. Flossing removes plaque and any remaining food particles from between your teeth, leaving you less vulnerable to cavities and gum disease.
5. Wear Lip Balm
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Men are three times more likely to get lip cancer because they don’t wear any lip balm to hydrate their lips says the American Cancer Society’s Vilma Cokkinides in the “Men’s Health” article “The 50 Best Grooming Tips + Products for Men. So, it’s better to start wearing a lip balm before you head out. Even if your lips feel moisturized, it’s wise to apply a thin coat of lip balm before you head out the door.
6. Use Shaving Cream
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The cream acts a lubricant for the razer while shaving and it also softens the hair. The act of putting the cream on also pushes the hair up off of your skin so that the razor can more easily come though and cut it. Apply a thick coat to an already wet face before shaving. You’ll have fewer cuts and reduce the potential for painful razor burn. Use an aftershave or moisturizer following your shave for even smoother skin.
7. Condition Hair
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Conditioner does as its name suggests: Rather than cleansing strands, it conditions the hair follicle—and the effects are immediate. Each hair is covered in tiny cells which look a bit like fish scales. Damage causes these to stand out which makes the hair look dull, rough and out of condition. Conditioners work by smoothing down these scales so your hair looks smooth and shiny again. You can use conditioner immediately after shampooing or on its own. The general recommendation is a few times per week, but you can use it daily.
8. Wear Sunscreen
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An estimated 90 percent of skin aging is caused by the sun. People who use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher daily show 24 percent less skin aging than those who do not use sunscreen daily. More people develop skin cancer because of tanning than develop lung cancer because of smoking. On average, a person’s risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had more than five sunburns. Apply a coat of sunscreen to your face and any other areas of skin that are exposed to the sun. This will prevent the sun’s harmful rays from damaging your skin and will lower your chances of skin cancer. Protect your eyes from UV rays, too, by wearing sunglasses.
Also remember to brush your teeth properly to give your woman that perfect smile. Don’t forget to cut, trim and groom your hair to get the desired attention.
