There were several decades in between the style of Mad Men and today where most men let their grooming and appearance fall by the wayside. It became somewhat of a cliche to say that men couldn’t dress, were slobs, and didn’t care about their appearance. Thankfully, today the pendulum has swung back to the side of men taking pride in their appearance. From dressing in three-piece suits for no particular reason and perfectly manicured beards being all the rage, guys are putting in the work. If you feel like you need some encouragement and inspiration to get to where you want to be when it comes to your appearance, keep reading for some grooming essentials that will make you look and feel your best.
Maintenance Appointments
All your efforts at home will go a long way in keeping you groomed and polished, but there are appointments with professionals that will take your efforts and kick them up a notch. Making sure to check in with your dentist every six months for deep cleaning and spotting any potential concerns to nip them in the bud is critical to looking your best. A barber appointment every two to three weeks is wise if you keep a tight haircut. If your hair is longer or a less precise style, visiting a hair salon every six to eight weeks is important to keep your hair healthy and free from split ends. Other procedures like Botox, regular dermatologist appointments, and things specific to you should all be routine and on schedule.
Routine Skincare
Taking care of your skin is important no matter your age. While it’s easy to want to neglect this critical step of your daily routines when you’re tired from taking care of kids, working late hours, or spending too much time socializing, resist the urge! Make sure to give your skin a deep clean. It’s a great idea to add a toner into your routine after cleansing. From there, it’s tailored to your specific skin type and concerns as to what steps to include. At a minimum, you should include a hydrating moisturizer in the morning and evening and take care of the delicate skin of your eyes.
Finishing Touches
Before heading out the door, it’s important to add those finishing touches that are signature to you. Finding a cologne with the right fragrance notes that compliments your mood and your pheromones is a great place to start. If you wear a suit daily, cufflinks are a charming touch to be known. Whether you’re team bow-tie or prefer a longer tie, polish your look with these small touches. Don’t neglect your nail beds, nose or ear hairs, or any small areas that can impact your appearance and confidence. Finishing touches are the cherry on top of a solid grooming routine and shouldn’t be neglected.
SPF
Did you know that you’re supposed to wear SPF year-round? While it’s something that many men neglect to do unless they’re beach or poolside, don’t be that guy. Make sure you’re at minimum wearing SPF on your face every day; thankfully, plenty of moisturizers include SPF, so it’s a step you can incorporate into your skincare. Facial skin is more delicate than the skin on the rest of your body, and without SPF, you’re setting yourself for small skin concerns like fine lines or freckles or even bigger concerns like a bad burn or potential skin cancer. Bottom line – SPF, always.
Proper Tools
Everything in life turns out better when it’s done with the proper equipment. While you likely already understand this in most areas, are you including it in your grooming? Whether you’re shopping for hair clippers, shaving essentials, nail care kits, or anything else, invest in the highest quality tools you can afford. Not only does having the right tools make the job easier, but the results will also be better. Include the right tools for self-care in your Dopp kit, medicine cabinet, and even your wardrobe to make sure you’re groomed to the nines.
On top of the areas mentioned above and essentials to focus on, getting enough restorative sleep, eating a healthy diet, and plenty of exercises will go a long way in helping you look and feel your best. And, the best thing you can put on each day is a positive attitude.
