The Grooming Tips Every Man Needs To Know And Follow

We all have our own grooming routines; whether that’s starting the day with heading straight to the bathroom to brush your teeth, followed by a shower and quick shave or switching it up: washing your face first, then showering, then brushing your teeth. It doesn't matter which way you do it, as long as you get it done.

We all know what works best for us but it is possible to get so stuck in our ways that we might just miss out one of the key parts of our grooming routines that can make a big difference to our skin, face, body, or hair. It might be a case of lack of time, where your day is so busy you can’t fit everything in and you skip a few steps to make it out the door in time for work. We understand it can be a hassle and it’s easier to quickly slap on the closest product to hand in the bathroom but now is as good a time as ever to invest a bit more time in your grooming routine and make sure you’re hitting all the key points.

We’ve picked out some of the top basic grooming tips which we believe every guy should know, and ideally, follow on a daily/weekly basis. 

These top tips are a guideline and feel free to use the products which you find work best for your hair and skin type. We do feel following these guidelines can be easily adapted into any routine and will make you feel and look good, inside and out! 

Showering

It goes without saying that showering is probably one of the most important parts of your grooming routine. Everyone needs to wash off the daily dirt and grime, from our hair and our bodies. One tip we can give for your daily shower is to turn the heat down. A boiling hot shower can strip the skin (and hair) of natural oils which will cause it to become dehydrated and dry. There’s no need to wash your hair everyday, but do give your body a scrub every morning. And when we say scrub, be careful of those abrasive loofahs or body brushes which can take off layers of skin and also collect bacteria sitting on the side of your shower/bath. Try something a little gentler, especially for sensitive skin. 

Deodorising

We don’t mean to sound patronising in any way, but making sure you use a long-lasting deodorant can actually make the difference between a successful date and even a job interview. Smelling fresh is always important - not only is it essential for your personal wellbeing, but it also gives off the impression you like to take care of yourself. Make it one of the first things you do after you’ve had a shower, so you don’t forget. An antiperspirant or deodorant will do the job, but just be aware antiperspirant helps to reduce sweating by using aluminium, which can increase the chance of blocked pores in the armpit area. 

Brushing/Flossing

Don’t neglect the teeth and gums! Keeping your dental hygiene in check is essential for the long term. Using an electric toothbrush will help to remove plaque in hard-to-reach areas and in turn reduce the chance of gum disease - the same goes for flossing.

We know flossing can be a faff, but as your dentist will tell you it can make a huge difference to the health of your gums. Obviously, brushing and flossing also keeps your breath minty fresh so make sure you do it day and night. Don’t forget to give your tongue a quick brush too! And also, if you use an electric toothbrush try and change your head every 3 months. 

Look After The Facial Hair

Whether you have a beard or a little bit of stubble here and there, it always looks better if your facial hair is kept well groomed. This might just mean a little trim at home, or a quick stop in the barbers chair. For those of you with an emerging moustache or growing a beard, keeping the perimeter shaved/trimmed, will give more definition to your chosen style.

Also, keep the hair in good condition by cleansing and moisturising the hair, especially if you have an impressive beard. Dry and wirey facial hair can be tamed using a good beard oil which will keep it nourished and healthy. 

Discover Your Signature Scent

Finding a signature scent doesn’t mean you have to just use one scent for the rest of your life. Plus, with so many available, it’s almost impossible to single out just one. What’s so great about fragrances is that they can portray a different ‘mood’ and so we recommend starting off by finding yourself a day and nighttime scent. Also, work out what you want your fragrance to say about you. Are you looking to attract a certain someone? Or are you looking for something that is subtle but still makes you feel confident?

Find yourself a few testing samples and work out if you’re more ‘fresh’ than ‘woody’, or prefer citrus to spice and start creating your fragrance wardrobe. 

Moisturise (Face & Body)

Moisturising your face, and body, should be a permanent part of your daily grooming routine - especially in winter. Thanks to the changes in seasons, and the likes of aircon/heating, our skin is constantly being dehydrated and we need to replace that moisture. If we don’t moisturise, our skin can become dry and cracked and will also assist with the production of signs of ageing. Skin can appear dull and blotchy too.

Moisturising the face should happen straight after cleansing and if you suffer from extremely dry skin in the winter, try using a richer moisturiser. Moisturise your body after you’ve jumped out of the shower and dabbed yourself dry, to maximise the amount of water locked into the dermis. 

Cleansing & Exfoliating

As well as cleansing your face in the morning (and at night, if possible), exfoliating will do your face wonders. There’s no need to exfoliate as often as cleansing, but it’s worth using a decent scrub to help remove the build up of dead skin cells. Understanding your skin type (i.e oily, combination, dry, sensitive) will help you find the right products for your skin. You don’t want to be using anything too abrasive if you have sensitive skin or are suffering from severe acne.

Don’t have time in the morning to do a full facial routine? Not to worry, but the most important thing you can do is quickly cleanse, and moisturise. Removing dirt will help prevent breakouts. 

Shaping The Eyebrows

Your eyebrows frame the shape of your face and unruly eyebrows, and a monobrow, can create an unwanted dishevelled look. We’re not saying go and grab the tweezers and start plucking away - please don’t do that! A professional can do it for you, and will undoubtedly do a much better job. You can also ask your barber at your next visit to give them a trim if they start to get out of hand. If you're feeling really confident, try out an eyebrow pencil/definer for a more 'obvious' look. 

Nails (Feet & Hands)

Women are not the only ones who need to pay attention to their hands and feet! More and more men are opting for more manicures and pedicures these days. Not only is it an extremely relaxing form of self-care, but having clean and trimmed nails is definitely more appealing. Get those cuticles cut, heels moisturised, and dead skin scrubbed off; your feet will look great in sandals in the summer. If you don’t want to head to a salon for the full works, the best time to cut your nails at home is after a shower as the warm water will soften them and the same goes for using a pumice stone to remove any dead skin. 

Wear An SPF

We cannot emphasise enough the importance of wearing an SPF everyday. No matter the weather or season, our skin is always vulnerable to UV rays. The sun, unfortunately, can cause serious damage to our skin and by applying an SPF it can reduce the risk of cancer as well as signs of ageing. Technology in SPF formulation has changed a lot over the last few years so you don’t need to worry about that thick white greasy layer sitting on your skin. Nowadays, there are a multitude of ‘daily moisturisers’ on the market which contain an SPF, which makes application so much easier. There’s no excuses to forget now! 

Haircare

Depending on your hair type, you shouldn’t need to wash your hair everyday. Washing it everyday can strip the hair of its natural oils and expose the hair to potential damage. As it goes for your skin type, you need to find the shampoos and conditioners which work for your own hair. Dry hair, for example, will call for products which are more nourishing and hydrating, and oily hair might need something deeply cleansing. Treat your scalp with care too: we recommend, again depending on your hair type, giving it a good scrub once every week to remove any product buildup.

Manscaping

We’re talking about the hair on your chest, back, and the areas that are more ‘sensitive’! If you’re someone who is blessed with plenty of bodily hair you should count yourself lucky, but at the same time just make sure it’s not poking out the top of your shirt. It’s time to get it under control.

We also know a lot of guys don’t like talking about it, but trimming the hair ‘down there’ can be just as important as trimming the hair on your face. We doubt your partner will want to see that area getting out of control, and as well as trimmed hair being more visually appealing, it’s actually healthier as removing the hair can prevent sweating and the buildup of bacteria. Find yourself a good trimming tool, or hair removal kit, and give it a go during/after a warm shower.