Every guy wants to look (and smell) his best. But many men just aren’t sure where to start. Sure, you wash your hair every day, and you never forget your deodorant. But is there more to men’s grooming than just the basics?
Here are the at-home grooming products every guy needs, as well as a list of the best personal grooming tips for men.
THE IMPORTANCE OF GROOMING FOR MEN
When you speak to your co-workers, you want them to look at you and listen to your thoughts. You do not want them staring at that extra-long nose hair. You don’t want them to notice a strange odor coming from your mouth or your pits.
Furthermore, you want to feel your best. Taking care of your personal hygiene will do just that – you’ll boost your confidence and feel great all day.
Confidence and courtesy aside, though, your personal grooming routine is important to your health. By keeping tabs on your nails, your skin, your teeth and your hair, you’ll be quick to notice any changes. Skin conditions, fungal infections and even gum disease can result if you’re not careful with your hygiene.
In addition to your skin, hair, mouth and beard care, be sure you’re maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Stay hydrated, as that’s essential to looking good. Eat a well-balanced diet to get the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Exercise to keep your weight at a healthy level. And smoking, excessive drinking and drugs are all no-nos.
Finally, if you do notice anything weird while you’re taking care of your personal grooming, bring it up with your doctor. He or she can help you get to the bottom of any strange stuff.
AT-HOME GROOMING TOOLS EVERY MAN NEEDS
First of all, you’re going to need to build your personal at-home grooming kit. There are certain items every guy needs in his kit. To keep things simple for you, we’ve provided you a shopping list.
Be sure you buy quality, and if you need recommendations on specific items, be sure to check out our other guides. We’ve got guides on everything from eyebrow trimmers to styptic pencils – all the brands are tested, tried and true!
Here’s what you’ll need in your kit.
- Nail clippers – quality counts! Get a sharp, steel set of nail scissors.
- Hair clippers – for last-minute touchups of sideburns or the back of your neck.
- A shaving kit – you choose between electric or manual razor, but make sure your kit is well maintained and sharp.
- Face wash – get a wash that’s suitable for your skin type. Check out our guides on the best face wash for men.
- Body wash – choose natural, sulfate free products.
- Facial exfoliating scrub – you won’t need this every day – twice a week is good!
- Facial moisturizer – again, choose one that’s formulated for your skin type.
- Sunscreen – men need sunscreen every day. Apply in the morning to protect you all day.
That’s it! Those are the basics you’ll need in your at-home grooming kit. If you have a beard, there may be a few more products you’ll be interested in. Check out our guides to the best beard balms, butters and more.
EXPERT AT-HOME GROOMING TIPS FOR MEN
So you’ve got your at-home grooming kit. And if you’re like most men, you’ll know what to do with at least 50% of the things you just bought. Hopefully, you’ve checked out our product recommendations, and that helped clarify things a bit.
But the huge arsenal of products that your men’s grooming kit seems to contain may seem a little daunting. If nothing else, all those things look really time-consuming.
Don’t worry! You don’t have to use all of those products every day! Most of the items in your kit you’ll use once or twice a week. Here are the top tips for at-home men’s grooming.
- Clip your nails frequently (once each week is a good rule of thumb). You don’t have to cut them down all the way if you prefer a little length. But you should check them for rough edges and push back your cuticles. In order to be time efficient and cost effective consider grooming your nails at home. Check out our guide on the best at-home manicure kits to learn more.
- Check your beard each day for stray, straggling hairs and dandruff. Then deal with them appropriately. This doesn’t take more than a few minutes. Learn more about facial hair grooming in either our beard or mustache sections.
- Exfoliate your face (and your body, if you like) two to three times each week. In most cases, this can be done in the shower. If you don’t know exfoliation helps to remove the dead cells from your skin and to reveal the fresher skin underneath. Curious? Learn more in our guide on why men should exfoliate?
- Don’t forget to put on deodorant every morning. Seriously. Choose between a deodorant and an antiperspirant, and be sure that the scent isn’t overwhelming. If you’re still trying to find the best deodorant for men make sure to check out our in-depth overview.
- Don’t overdo it with cologne. Less is more, and it’s better to “refresh” your scent later than smell like a cologne factory in the morning. Try a solid cologne for men for quick touchups throughout the day.
- Every few days, check your nose, eyebrows and your ears for stray hairs. You can use an ear hair trimmer or tweezers to get rid of the offending culprits. If you are looking for something quick and effective to combat bushy brows consider reading our guide on the best eyebrow trimmers for men.
- Develop a simple morning facial care routine. This should include face wash, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Easy as pie. Although sunscreen is one of the most important parts of a skincare routine most men don’t apply it. Read out article if you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of sunscreen for men.
- Manscape at least one each week. Keep your hairs at whatever length you choose, but make sure your pubic area is trimmed and well-maintained.
- You can powder or spray down there, too. Less stick = less stink. You can choose from a natural product like cornstarch or a medicated product like Gold Bond.
- Take care of your mouth. Brush, floss and rinse with mouthwash. Stash a travel sized mouthwash in your briefcase for emergencies.
EXTRA TLC FOR MEN’S GROOMING
The ten top tips for men’s grooming we listed will cover the basics and ensure that you’re looking your well-groomed best. But there are certainly other things you can do periodically to go above and beyond the bare minimum.
First, you’re going to want to take care of your feet. That’s especially true in the summer months when you’re sporting sandals on the weekends. Exfoliate your feet with a chemical exfoliant, and moisturize them nightly or when you have the time. Slather lotion on your feet, then wear a pair of cotton socks around the house for super soft feet.
Take care of your toenails, too. There’s nothing nastier than cracked, yellow or brown toenails. Use a fungal cream if you need to, and if you notice any strange coloration, talk to your doctor.
If you want to get rid of gray hair, you can do that at home! There are great hair dye products for men that are quick and easy to use. Some even allow you to keep a salt and pepper shade for that “distinguished” look.
Of course, there may be a time or two when you’ll want to – or have to – leave the house for your men’s grooming needs. Visiting your barber is one example, but there are others. For instance, you may choose to get a manicure or a pedicure. Or to visit a day spa for a full body wrap.
But a majority of your men’s grooming can be done right in the privacy of your own bathroom.
FINAL THOUGHTS
You want to look your best. And you don’t want your colleagues staring down the nose hair dangling from your nostril. That’s why grooming is so important.
Thankfully, you can do a majority of your grooming right at home. With the right equipment, taking care of your personal grooming and hygiene is really easy – just a few minutes a day in most cases!
Follow our top ten tips for men’s personal at-home grooming, and you’ll look (and smell) your best!
