It doesn't matter if you're looking for a date or looking for a job-basic grooming is a task every guy needs to master. Showing up at dinner or an interview looking like a mess is stylish only if you're a rock star.
Skin Care
Men may not need skin care products with twenty steps and special powers, but that doesn't mean you don't need anything. Like anyone else, a guy gets dirty, oily and sweaty skin that can become dull, dry, irritated or blemished.
Washing. Since most men don't wear makeup, a dull skin problem is always obvious, and it never looks good. If you're one of those guys who doesn't believe in soap, you're only doing yourself a disservice. Splashing water on your face may remove a small amount of dirt, but it just spreads the rest around your skin.
Soap removes the dirt and oil from the skin. It takes away the dirt you can see as well as the gunk you can't. Of all the skin care tips for men that are out there, using a good cleanser is simply the most important. You can buy a plain bar of soap or one of the many men's skin care products-just use something. It may take a little while for you to find a product that makes you feel your best. For example, if you tend to have dry skin, especially after washing your face, you may want to find a cleanser specifically made for your skin type.
Balancing. After washing your face, you can dry it and go on your merry way. However, if you're willing to take a little more time and spend a tiny bit of money, there are a few more products that you should think about using.
If you have oily, shiny skin, you may want to use an astringent to soak up extra oil from your pores, which can help fight blemishes. If you suffer from dry skin, try applying face lotion after washing to restore moisture and prevent flaky skin.
But, if you shave, you can usually skip the astringent or lotion step if you use an aftershave. Aftershaves work as an astringent to close the pores after cutting all that facial hair, and they often contain moisturizers to prevent overdrying from frequent shaving.
Hair Care
Most men have it easy with hair care. All you need to do is wash, condition and dry. But you can look even better by paying a little extra attention to your facial hair and your hairstyle.
Facial Hair. Men's grooming should include any hair on the face as well as the top of the head. Facial hair tends to be tragically ignored. If you have sideburns, a mustache or a beard, this hair can be as prone to split ends and strays as the hair on your head.
Brush out your mustache or beard, and look for split ends. Trim these off the same way you would if they were on your head. Coax stray hairs back into place, or think about trimming them to fit the shape of your mustache or beard.
Keeping your facial hair trimmed is the key to looking stylish instead of scruffy. Mustaches, beards and goatees should be cut and styled for an overall neat appearance. A mustache should be even on each side and the hairs should never curl into your mouth. A beard or goatee should have the hair pointing down, never up or out, unless you are auditioning for the part of a villain in a silent film.
Stray Hair. Once you have the logical hair care steps finished, it's time to think about the important details. Men often have hair growing on, or out of, the ears and nose. These stray hairs may seem harmless, but they're always noticeable.
Your date may never mention the long, dark hair sticking out from your nostril, but she definitely saw it. Never let strands wander out from inside your nose or ear.
Trim these wild hairs, keeping them as small and invisible as possible. Think twice about plucking the hair, though. If the hair is growing out of a mole, plucking it can irritate the growth and cause even more problems. Always trim mole hairs or hairs in any other awkward spots as close to the base as possible, and you'll look fine.
Nail Care
Men's nail care doesn't mean you have to run to a salon and get a French manicure. All you need to do is follow two simple steps-cleaning and smoothing your nails.
Nails are great for scratching your chin and opening plastic packaging. Unfortunately, they're also great for collecting dirt. A simple hand washing can eliminate this dirt both on and under the nail, giving your overall appearance an instant boost.
Sweeping a nail file under your nails can remove any dirt that the soap missed. Check for hangnails, and clip off any sharp nail edges. Those brittle and jagged ends of a broken nail tend to scratch, cut, jab and poke anything they touch. Having smooth and tidy nails will make it much more likely your date will let you run your fingers over her flawless skin.
 | Tips on skin care for men, including what products you need and how to develop a skin care regime that's right for your skin type. |
 | Mustache types have become so widespread and accepted that what style a man chooses can say much about his personality and sense of style. |
 | Knowing how to trim a beard is knowledge every man should possess. |
I have learned that most men don't like to shave. At least, the men I know would rather forego this male ritual. I've heard men complain of getting razor burn, (the red, sore bumps), after a shave, and I've actually seen men walk around with bits of spittle and toilet paper dotting their faces. Men may be surprised to learn that women sometimes have the same troubles when they shave their legs and armpits. |
It may seem like an easy thing to do, but growing facial hair can cause some men nothing but worry and trouble. Getting a nice, groomed look takes more than just dropping the razor and shaving lotion. |
