Men's Grooming Tips

The men I know fall into one of two camps when it comes to their appearance and daily upkeep. Some are pretty clueless about grooming. Others spend just as much time in the bathroom as I do. I’ve found that those in the first group actually do care about their looks, but they think asking for advice is “girly.” If this sounds familiar, do the man in your life a favor and casually drop these pointers his way. He’ll be sure to thank you for it!

He: Uses bar soap to wash his face.
Have him try: A lathering face soap that gives him that sudsy feel he likes.
Why: Bar soap contains surfactants, which help lift off dirt and grime from the body. Used on the face, bar soap can strip skin of essential fats and oils, leaving it feeling tight and dry.

He: Picks at the pimples he gets on his chest or back.
Have him try: A shower scrub that contains salicylic acid to help slough off dead skin cells that clog pores.
Why: Pressing pimples irritates skin further and can lead to infection and scarring. A hands-off approach is always best.

He: Sports a unibrow.
Have him try: Tweezing the hairs between his brows.
Why: A unibrow can overpower his features. Removing in-between hairs makes a vast improvement without looking overly done.

He: Licks his lips when they feel dry.
Have him try: A clear, unscented lip balm.
Why: When saliva evaporates it actually takes lips’ natural oils with it, leaving them feeling more chapped.

He: Takes a razor to his face like he’s mowing the lawn.
Have him try: Shaving in the shower.
Why: Shower steam helps open up pores and plump up hairs, which makes for a smooth, knick-free shave.

He: Waits for a day at the beach to slather on his sunblock.
Have him try: A daily face moisturizer with sunscreen.
Why: Incidental sun exposure (going to work, golfing) accounts for the majority of the exposure we get. UVA and UVB rays not only lead to premature aging, but also increase the risk of skin cancer.