It is not simply enough for a man to wear a nice shirt or a well-fitted pair of pants if his hair is greasy and unwashed and his hands are filthy. These four simple and easy grooming tips can help any man make sure he's ready to put on that stylish outfit and go out on the town.
Start at the top – Shampoo and Conditioner
It's a very basic grooming step, but it's also very important. Unwashed or greasy hair is a huge turn-off for women, especially if the hair is long or tangled. Even if the plan is simply to throw a hat on, having unwashed hair can both feel, and smell, unpleasant. Fortunately, many companies such as Gillette are now making 2 in 1 shampoos and conditioners for men, which will easily take care of this little chore.
Face Facts – Scrub out Those Pores
Many men don't bother with face scrubs or creams, but both can be very useful and are an essential part of pre-date grooming. Face scrubs contain small particles to scrub away dead skin on the face and forehead, and are often recommended prior to shaving, to make the hair easier to remove. One excellent face scrub is Jack Black – it has a menthol scent and is quite invigorating when used.
Creams or lotions are also an option, as many men suffer from dry skin. A small amount of lotion in the 'T' zone – the bridge of the nose and forehead – after a shower can make a world of difference once the skin dries again. Properly used and over time, these creams can reduce or eliminate many dry skin issues that men face, either because of natural body chemistry or the kind of work they do.
Shaving the Face and Neck
While a well-trimmed beard or goatee can be very stylish on a man, making sure they are well-kept is extremely important. But whether going for maintenance or a clean shave, there are several tips to keep in mind. First, start by moistening the face. This can be done by applying warm water, either by hand, with a warm washcloth or by being in the shower. The advantage to shaving in the shower is that the heat and moisture will open up pores and make the hair softer, and therefore easier, to remove.
Second, apply either shave cream or shave gel. Be sure to apply enough to cover the entire area that is going to be shaved, but there is no need to apply so much that it is dripping off of the face. A light coating is all that is required.
Next, give the shave gel or cream some time to do its work. I f in the shower, this is a good time to clean the rest of the body or scrub the back – but either way, give the gel or cream a few minutes to moisten and soften the skin and hair.
Finally, it is time to shave. When using a straight razor, a closer shave can be obtained if the shaver is moved against the grain of the hair. This can be painful, however, especially if shaving for the third or forth day in a row. Even being careful, going against the grain can often lead to razor burn.
The most important things to remember while shaving with a straight razor are to use smooth, slow strokes and to never move the razor side to side while it is on the face. This will result in three or four horizontal and painful cuts. Once finished with the bulk of the shaving, clean up trouble spots such as under the nose or in the corners of the mouth. If leaving a "soul patch" is the plan, make sure it is centered to the chin – it is very obvious when a soul patch is off-center.
Hands and Nails – Clipping and Cleaning
Two of the commonly missed areas of men's grooming are the hands and nails. Many men will condition and style their hair, shave well and then completely disregard their hands, even after a long day of work. Step one is to invest in a decent set of nail clippers. The small clippers which most women use will not do the job here – the larger version is preferable, especially for clipping toenails.
Once the nails have been clipped the next step is to clean the hands. A simple soap will do for the bulk of the dirt, but one often-missed area is under a man's nails, even if they are short. Most nail clippers will come with a small tool that can be used to remove any excess dirt under the nails, just be careful not to dig too deeply. Lastly, it can again be worthwhile to apply a small amount of lotion to the hands when coming out of the shower. This will allow the lotion to penetrate the skin while it is moist and will have a longer-lasting effect.
With these simple tips in mind, and a simple and stylish wardrobe on hand, any man can make an excellent first, second and third impression.
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