When it comes to looking well-groomed the devil’s in the details.
Whether you’re wearing your sharpest suit – or jeans and a T-shirt – good grooming sets you apart.
Build the following 7 grooming habits and you'll notice a huge difference in the way you feel, and the way people notice you.
You’ll look like a guy who knows exactly how to take care of himself.
And when you do this on a daily basis, it really shows.
There’s nothing more empowering, and there’s nothing sexier!
Good grooming sets you apart
You can be wearing the coolest outfit you own, but if you haven’t spent any time on personal grooming - you're not going to feel as confident as you should.
Less stress, more self-care
It’s not about vanity. It’s about self-care.
Give yourself the same care and respect that you give those close to you. And adopt the habits that will keep you looking good.
Develop a daily grooming routine
Taking care of your personal grooming every single day will have a far greater effect on your appearance than a one off blitz, followed by weeks of neglect.
So it’s best to build a consistent grooming maintenance routine that is quick, simple and won’t take up too much of your time in the bathroom – a routine that you can stick to.
7 habits of the well-groomed man
With that in mind, here are 7 grooming habits to make sure that you’re always impeccably groomed - ready to get out there and get things done.
1. Always smell good
When you smell really good people notice. It influences how they feel about you. It makes them want to get closer to you.
So a well-groomed man always smells good!
And you need to be mindful of other people too. Women have a stronger sense of smell than men, so they may notice something which is not obvious to you.
So first, …
The basics.
Shower every morning (and especially after working out).
This is a must. Every day. No exceptions!
Use deodorant
Every guy needs this. Don't ever forget.
If you leave the house and forget to apply deodorant, you have two options; go to the pharmacy and buy some, or go back home and apply it. It’s that important.
And then there’s …
Cologne
There’s a huge power of attraction in a great fragrance.
But whether you wear cologne (and which one you choose to wear) depends largely on the situation.
Try to find your own signature fragrance. Experiment with a couple of classic scents to find one that you love; one that will instantly remind others of you and the way you make them feel.
Rather than going for the obvious choices, explore some of the niche cologne brands for something that is unique to you.
We've got some great advice here on choosing and wearing your signature scent: "5 colognes that make you look more attractive".
But …
Always use it sparingly. Never be tempted to apply too much! We mentioned that women have a stronger sense of smell than men, right?
So be mindful of that when applying your fragrance.
Just a small amount to your pulse points – your neck, wrists and behind your ear. These are where the veins are close to the skin surface and the warmth helps the fragrance to vaporise.
Coco Chanel said that you should apply perfume wherever you want to be kissed, so you could also try that!
2. Look after your smile
Nothing says confidence like a genuine, easy smile.
Your teeth don’t have to be perfectly aligned (or perfectly white) but they do need to be clean.
Invest in a good electronic toothbrush to get them super clean. Floss daily. And, it goes without saying, always make sure your breath is fresh.
3. Become a regular at the barbers
If your hair is short then you need to get a haircut every three to four weeks to keep it looking neat. If you’ve got longer hair then you don’t have to go so often – but still 5 to 6 weeks is the max.
Find a barber or salon that you trust and stick with them.
Book regular appointments in advance, and you’ll know that your hair is always going to look in good shape.
And if you're starting to lose your hair, follow our guide to stay looking sharp: "7 Rules for Going Bald Gracefully".
Book regular appointments in advance and your hair will always be in good shape
And when it comes to…
Hair care products
Firstly, don’t use too much. And only shampoo your hair every other day to keep it in good condition.
Try not to be too aggressive when shampooing. Your hair is at its most vulnerable when its wet, so always treat it with respect in the shower.
The correct shampoo and styling products for your hair type can make all the difference to how your hair looks in between salon visits. Your barber is an excellent source of advice on which products will keep your style looking it’s best.
4. Follow a daily skincare routine
A well-groomed man always takes good care of his skin.
Clean your face
The best way to keep your skin looking fresh and healthy is to wash it every single day as part of your daily routine.
Washing in the morning will freshen you up and remove any excess oil and bacteria that has built up in the night.
And, in the evening, cleansing will clear away the gunk that you’ve come into contact with during the day.
For more info check out: "CLEAN: the best way to keep your skin looking fresh and healthy".
The Exfoliating Face Wash Every Man Needs
Exfoliate regularly
Removing dead skin cells is essential for clear, younger-looking skin. It also makes for an easier, smoother shave, and lessens the chance of in-grown hairs.
Exfoliation is especially beneficial for black men as it gets rid of the dry skin cells that can make dark skin look ashy and clog your pores.
Choose a gentle exfoliating face wash which includes a natural Alpha Hydroxy Acid, like our Daily Face Wash, that you can use every day.
It cleans and exfoliates in one step – simplifying your skincare routine.
You can find all your questions answered here: "A man’s guide to exfoliation: FAQ’s"
Moisturize your skin well
Aside from brightening and softening your skin, moisturizing every day and keeping it well hydrated will improve skin tone, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and generally give you a much fresher, healthier look.
Choose a moisturizer that will hydrate your skin, and mattify at the same time – like our Hydrating Daily Moisturizer. It absorbs instantly without leaving your face looking shiny.
Hydrating Moisturizer for Smoother, Firmer Skin
Even better…
It’s packed full of anti aging ingredients.
And if your skin is already oily it’s even more important to moisturize every day.
If you have a beard, rub the moisturizer in as close as you can to your skin. This is going to make the skin underneath feel softer and smoother, and your beard less itchy.
Wear sunscreen everyday
UV rays are the skin’s worst enemy!
They cause premature aging and cellular damage. So protecting yourself from the sun is one of the best things you can do for your skin.
Even on cloudy days the UV rays can cause damage, so wear it every day.
(And if you're new to skincare we've got a helpful step by step guide here - "Beginner's Guide to Men's Skincare").
5. Take care of your facial hair
Shaving is a skill, and it's one that is worth learning.
Get expert advice from your barber as to the best way to do this. A lot can depend on the thickness and growth pattern of your beard, and he will be able to instruct you as to the best way to shave for you.
One thing guaranteed to ruin your look is razor rash!
So choose a shaving cream with a high glycerin content that will nourish and protect your skin and minimise any redness and irritation.
We developed our Protective Shave Cream to give you the smoothest, most lubricated shave.
Protective Shave Cream to Keep You Impeccably Groomed
And for the best advice on making your shave smooth and friction-free check out: "SHAVE: 9 tips for a pain-free shave".
If you have a beard…
Whatever look you’re going for if you’re sporting facial hair it should always be clean, trimmed and carefully maintained. We've got a handy guide here: "How To Trim Your Beard Like A Pro".
Thoroughly wash your beard as often as your face. It will clear out any 'beardruff', encourage healthy growth – and keep it smelling nice!
Use a beard trimmer and invest in a good beard oil to keep it soft and itch-free.
Whichever style of beard you have ALWAYS shave your cheek lines and your neck to keep everything looking neat.
6. Tame those eyebrows (and other stray hairs)
Again, this is something that your barber can do for you, but in between visits make sure you keep some tweezers and small scissors handy to keep brows tidy and under control. You won't believe how much carefully groomed brows can transform your face.
A quick check in the mirror before you head out in the morning is a good idea, just to make sure there are no stray hairs anywhere else.
Watch out for nose and ear hair. You definitely don't want that!
There's no situation where it's going to look cool to have nose hair or ear hair. So grab some clippers or scissors and get rid of any that you see.
Other unwanted hair
You know where to find it!
Some of you have it, some of you don't. But if you do have it…. just make sure you take care of it.
7. Have beautiful hands and feet
People will always notice your hands.
So you know to keep your them looking clean and your nails trimmed at all times.
Running a nail brush under nails each morning will ensure they look clean. Cut your fingernails regularly and use a good hand cream on your cuticles too.
Once in a while it pays to have a professional manicure, just to keep your hands and cuticles looking really smooth.
(And we've got a great guide here on how you can do this yourself: "How to Give Yourself a Professional-Looking Manicure at Home").
That goes for your feet and toenails too (especially in the summertime!)
Try to trim your toenails at least once a week – and, again, a professional pedicure treatment is definitely worth the effort.
People will always notice beautiful hands
And finally,
Try to adopt good, healthy habits –
- get plenty of sleep
For ways to improve the quality of your sleep see here: "Why you need your beauty sleep: 14 ways to help you sleep better".
- drink lots of water
- and eat a healthy, varied diet
We’ve listed the top healthy, anti-aging foods for men here: "Eat Healthier, Look Younger: an A-Z of the 27 best anti aging foods for men".
And avoid bad habits –
- don’t smoke and avoid heavy drinking.
No amount of good grooming can mitigate the effects of these two!
The Takeaway
Good personal grooming communicates that you care about yourself and you have healthy self-esteem.
In short, you look and feel, as though you could achieve anything you set your mind to - and everyone around you can sense it too.
Here's how to look well-groomed every day:
- Always smell good
- Look after your smile
- Become a regular at the barbers
- Follow a daily skincare routine
- Take care of your facial hair
- Tame those eyebrows (and other stray hairs)
- Have beautiful hands and feet
Now you can get out there, looking handsome and able to take on anything!
SHOP THE ROUTINE.
All you need to stay looking handsome.
PRESTIGE SKINCARE FOR MEN.
MADE IN FRANCE.
